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Whaling talks break down: ban stays in place, yet whaling will continue Analysis by: Jeremy Hance mongabay.com June 23, 2010
"We are deeply disappointed that the governments present here, after more than 3 years of intense work, could not reach a solution that will benefit whale conservation. In particular, the lack of sufficient flexibility shown by Japan to phase out its whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary prevented a decision from being adopted. Continuation of the impasse here may retain the whaling moratorium on paper, but unregulated whaling outside of IWC control, by Japan, Norway, and Iceland, will now be able to continue," Dr Susan Lieberman of the Pew Environment Group said in a statement.
Analysis of talks published 6/22/10: There are two ways forward on whaling according to visions being put forward at the International Whaling Commission this week. One way is to uphold the 24-year-long ban on hunting and killing whales. While this road sends a strong pro-conservation message, it also means that Japan, Norway, and Iceland will continue whaling as they have over the past couple decades, killing an average of 2,000 whales annually. These three countries employ a variety of excuses for their whaling—Iceland and Norway simply state that they do not recognize the whaling ban while Japan claims its whaling is only done for 'scientific purposes'—but it is clear that they will not end whaling and, to date, there is no punishment for their dismissal of the international treaty. The other way forward is a complex agreement supported by the United States that would for all intents and purposes end the whaling ban for a period of time, legitimizing the actions of Japan, Norway, and Iceland. However, this agreement would put the whaling activities of these three nations again under the power of the IWC, allowing the regulatory body to progressively lower quotas. A move that some say will cut the number of whales killed every year by half. So, the argument hinges on whether governments legitimize whale-hunting but cut down the number killed, or say 'no' to whaling but essentially change nothing regarding the situation on the high seas where thousands of whales, including endangered species, perish every year on the end of a harpoon. The second may mean another 15,000 to 20,000 whales are killed over the next ten years; the first, if successfully implemented and monitored, could knock that number down significantly, perhaps around 10,000 or less. The two paths forward have not only split nations, but conservation groups who usually stick together on issues such as this. A number of groups—including Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare–have stated that the will support no deal that ends the moratorium. Others have said they will support a deal, but only if it includes tougher regulations than so far presented
This deal would essentially give conservationists everything they want, except of course a total end to whaling. For Japan, Iceland, and Norway it gives them a window of a decade (at least) to continue whaling, but saves them from another ten years of international rancor, since the whaling would be sanctioned by the IWC. Such a move is surprising for Greenpeace, a large and effective organization that cut its teeth on the whaling issue, since the organization has long fought against any commercial whaling. Facing possible backlash, Greenpeace says their final goal remains the same: to end commercial whaling entirely, only they are willing to allow it for another decade in order to move closer to that goal. However, not everyone sees such a deal as progress. A petition signed by 200 scientists was released today that called on the IWC to maintain its ban on whaling. "The IWC must not undermine the conservation achievements of the last few decades by again endorsing commercial whaling," the petition read according to the AFP. "There is no evidence that any of the few populations and species known to be increasing have reached, or are anywhere near, the levels that might justify non-zero catch limits." These scientists are joined by Australia, looked on by many as the most anti-whaling nation in the world. While the way forward would prove much less complicated if Japan, Norway, and Iceland simply gave up whaling altogether, this is unlikely to happen any time soon. Given the situation, anti-whaling governments and conservation groups must decide what's more important: standing tough (but toothless) on whaling or compromising to reign in the rogue actions of Japan, Iceland, and Norway.  Image by mongabay.com. Related articles Slaughter of dolphins and whales begins in cove made famous by film (09/09/2009) Japan Probe reports that the annual dolphin slaughter by fishermen in the Japanese town of Taiji has begun. The hunt was delayed by the presence of Japanese and foreign press in the cove during the first days when the hunt was supposed to begin. Blue whales return to migration pattern used before commercial whaling 
(05/13/2009) The blue whale may be returning to a migration route that it abandoned during commercial whaling. Researchers have discovered whales migrating from California to the coastlines of British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska for the first time since 1965. Fifteen different cases of whales have been recorded in the north Pacific; four of the whales were individuals who had been viewed off the coast of California, as well.
Marine Protected Areas too small for whales and dolphins 
(04/07/2009) Current Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are too small to adequately serve whales and dolphins according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS). The international organization is calling for a global network of MPAs to save the ocean's most beloved inhabitants. "A worldwide effort must be made urgently to identify and define whale and dolphin critical habitats and hot spots,” said WDCS Research Fellow, Erich Hoyt.
Tags: whales whaling politics environmental politics Environmental Law marine mammals oceans hunting poaching mammals green environment jeremy hance animals wildlife trade wildlife trafficking activism conservation endangered species in-situ conservation saving species from extinction japan iceland norway united states Environmental news index | RSS | News Feed | Twitter | Home Advertisements:
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