“but the heart of his argument is that few people in the above nations can stand whale meat”
That is not true. Expecially in Japan it is considered a delicasy. The other reason is the only whaling left is of the small Minke whale. Their populaton has exploded during the last decade and they eat the same types of fish that are commercially fished by humans, and they eat tons of it each. Thinning their numbers helps maintain healthy stocks of seafood.
“the only whaling left is of the small Minke whale.” This looks like a Sperm whale to me. http://www.icrwhale.org/08/s/img/08-A-01-08.jpg And this whale isn’t a Minke. http://www.life.com/image/74843017/in-gallery/36282/whalings-gruesome-catch