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Important Outcomes of International Whaling Commission Meetings

Important Outcomes of International Whaling Commission Meetings

 

 

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) meetings in Slovenia wrapped up on Monday. There were some good outcomes for the whales, and some missed (or intentionally blocked) opportunities.

As always, whaling nations such as Japan, Iceland and Norway effectively stalled efforts to protect whales so that they can continue to turn whale bodies into profits. Japan, for example, manipulated votes in order to block the creation of a much-needed South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary.

However, there were important victories at this year’s meetings, one of which was the establishment of a new Antarctic Marine Reserve. At 600,000 square miles, this vast and ecologically significant area in the Ross Sea is now officially off-limits for commercial whaling for the next 35 years. Russia was a key player in this victory, having finally allowed the sanctuary to become a reality, instead of blocking it as it has done for years.

A resolution was passed which recognizes the plight of the Vaquita dolphin, known for being the world’s most imperiled cetacean species with only 59 known individuals left alive. It is hoped that the resolution will assist and increase protective efforts to save this species from extinction.

Another important victory came with the approval of an Australian resolution aimed at curtailing Japan’s illegal whaling in the Antarctic and North Pacific Oceans. Japan claims that its whaling activities there are for scientific purposes, and they use research permits issued by the IWC. But these claims are really just a transparent guise to allow Japan to continue commercial whaling, which the IWC, the International Court of Justice and much of the general public see directly through. The resolution aims to prohibit the issuing of scientific whaling permits.

Unfortunately, whales still face the threats of direct killing by human beings, as well as a host of other issues that the IWC is just beginning to address. Hopefully the IWC and member nations will continue to improve upon whale protection around the world before it is too late.

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