IWC affirms ongoing support for the global moratorium on commercial whaling but narrowly fails to adopt a South Atlantic whale sanctuary
LIMA: The International Whaling Commission today adopted a Resolution on commercial whaling for the first time in more than 20 years, with a strong majority of countries in support.
Thirty-seven IWC contracting governments voted in favour and just 12 countries – including only one whaling country, Norway – voted against. Iceland abstained and Japan, as a non-member, no longer has a vote.
The Resolution was proposed by the EU in response to a “recent and significant expansion of commercial whaling activity” by Japan and continued whaling by Norway and Iceland at levels that are “less conservative” than those accepted by the IWC to be sustainable.
The Resolution reminded governments of their legal obligations under the UN Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to cooperate with the IWC and was clear in its support for the continued moratorium on commercial whaling, given “growing threats to cetaceans from direct and indirect human activities”.
A counter proposal aimed at resuming commercial whaling was withdrawn by Antigua & Barbuda.
Despite the clear majority of IWC governments in favour of whale protection, it was not enough to agree the South Atlantic whale sanctuary proposed by Brazil., Argentina and Uruguay.
The proposal received 40 votes in favour and 14 against, only just short of the 75 per cent majority required for amendments to the Schedule. Norway was joined by a group of Caribbean and West African countries in opposing the proposal.
EIA Senior Ocean Advisor Clare Perry stated: “It’s a bittersweet moment – the IWC has clearly demonstrated its relevance this week and taken a strong stand against the continued commercial whaling, but the continued opposition to the South Atlantic whale sanctuary by a group of countries that do not carry out whaling and can only benefit from the sanctuary is incomprehensible.”
The commercial whaling vote followed the consensus adoption of two additional resolutions brought forward by the EU aimed at increasing cooperation with other inter-governmental organisations — the new high seas treaty under UNCLOS (BBNJ Agreement) and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
Earlier in the week, the IWC approved new subsistence whaling quotas and the IWC budget, while the Scientific and Conservation Committee chairs presented an impressive programme of work to protect and manage global cetacean populations.
CONTACTS FOR MEDIA
- Clare Perry, EIA UK Senior Ocean Advisor, via clareperry[at]eia-international.org
- Paul Newman, EIA UK Senior Press & Communications Officer, via press[at]eia-international.org
EDITORS’ NOTES
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- Parties voting against the commercial whaling resolution were: Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Laos, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Nauru, Norway, Palau, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda, Benin
- Parties voting against a South Atlantic whale sanctuary were: Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Laos, Marshall Islands, Morocco, Nauru, Norway, Palau, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Togo, Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Cambodia
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