I don't know that this is relevant. Really.

If we compare the slaughtering of domestic cattle for human consumption it is very humane compared to what whales experience when they are harpooned by Japanese whalers. Having a harpoon explode inside you and taking hours to die is extremely cruel.

And thats apart from the fact that these species are under threat - and are increasingly more vulnerable due to warming oceans (we have seen differences in breeding cycles), and due to their sonar sensitivity which is implicated in the increased number of pods beaching.

And for what?

For the very very very rich among the Japanese to be able to eat whale sushi?

How would people feel if I said I wanted to have roast Koala for dinner next Sunday?

And to ensure that the meat was tender the Koala had to be stretched to twice its body length for 12 - 24 hours while still alive ...

would you think I should be able to

(a) eat Koala, and
(b) Koalas should be 'tenderized' while still alive?