There are tow sides to this problem:

On one hand whales are endangered species. We also very found of them because of popular movies, and it is hard to think of them as a hunted object

On the other hand whale hunting is not done for the sport but for food. it is an activity that is part of culture in different places around the world, it is a huge supply of food and oil, many families economy depends on it.

So it is hard to say which argument is better, now days compromise is the trend, hence there are limits on whale hunting based on the needs of the people comunity and on the whales population.