An interesting story written by Richard Black, moderator of the recent Pew Whale Symposium, appeared in the BBC news yesterday. You can read the entire article here.

 

Next week the Intersession Meeting Of The International Whaling Commission convenes in London. Discussion at this meeting will revolve around how to get beyond the stalemate between pro-whaling nations and nations that support conservation of the worlds whales.  An initiative supported by American IWC Chairman, Bill Hogarth, is to propose a compromise which will end the moratorium on commercial whaling established in 1986.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of problems with this proposal. Not only will whales be killed, but it will easily allow other nations to once again begin whaling.  One only needs to look at the disrespect for the current international regulation banning whaling to get an idea of how new regulations may be observed.  The current moratorium has been broken by Japan for years, will a proposed compromise to allow whaling  lead to observance of any new regulations?  Doubtful.

IFAW is working around the world to ensure no deal is made that allows for the commercial hunting of large whales. We're lobbying governments around the world to oppose whaling, and we continue to expose the continuing inaccurate information purported by pro-whaling nations.

Over the coming days I'll bring you more news from the intersessional meeting the minute it develops, stay tuned!

A Special Message from Fred O'Regan, President and CEO of IFAW:

Did you know that fewer than 350 North Atlantic Right Whales are alive today, making the species one of the most critically endangered on the planet? And the leading cause of death to these whales is also the most easily prevented: collisions with ships.

One year ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) approved a policy requiring ships to slow to 10 knots in whale populated waters, a speed which has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of injury and death to whales. Unfortunately, White House politics and the shipping industry have blocked this policy from becoming law.

Ship strikes accounted for 27 reported deaths of large whales along the Atlantic coastline between 2001-2005, and an estimated 4 Right whales are killed by ships annually. It is critical that the situation improve immediately. Further delays in taking action will increase the likelihood that the population will never recover.

By supporting the Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008, you can ask Congress to help slow down the ships and significantly reduce risk of injuries and death for the North Atlantic Right Whale.

THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: Please contact your Senator and urge him or her to support the Ship Strike Reduction Act. This bill would compel the Commerce Department to issue a final rule lowering vessel speeds in areas populated by right whales, significantly increasing the species’ chance of survival.

See also, "New Legislation Requires Bush Administration to Stop Procrastinating and Protect Endangered Whales" from ENN.

Australia's government on Thursday released graphic pictures of Japanese hunters harpooning whales and dragging their bleeding carcasses onboard their factory ship, Nisshin Maru.  The Australian Customs Service vessel Oceanic Viking, was dispatched to the Southern Ocean to document Japan’s illegal whaling. The photographs taken may potentially be used in an international criminal case against Japan. Australia’s government called the most recent images confirmation of ''indiscriminate'' killing.  One photograph depicted a mother and calf being hauled aboard, however Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research challenged the accuracy of the photo, accusing Australian officials and media of spreading an ‘emotional propaganda campaign’.  For more information, check out this article in yesterdays Washington Post.

It’s been another busy week for whales in the news. First was a diplomatic visit by Australian Foreign Minister Stephan Smith to his Japanese counterpart, Mr. Masahiko Komura. The meetings purpose was to discuss Australia’s strong objection to Japan’s whaling, however the meeting concluded with the two diplomats simply ‘agreeing to disagree’. Coincidently this meeting occurred while the Pew Charitable Trust convened a workshop aimed at resolving the ongoing debate between pro-whaling nations, and conservation minded nations which strongly object to whaling. The meeting, titled A Change In Climate For Whales had over 100 participants among 28 nationalities. Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade, former Presiding Judge of the International Criminal Court and previously Ambassador of Samoa to the United Nations, chaired the meeting, which brought together government officials, environmentalists, scientists and others from around the world. We anxiously await the outcome of the symposium and hope that it brings the protection from harpoons greatly needed.