October 29, 1997
MONACO: This year's International Whaling Commission meeting which ended
here October 24 revealed more evidence that the IWC has lost control of
whaling, warned WWF.
A significant initiative* put forward by Ireland aimed at resolving the
deadlock between whalers and non-whalers received a mixed reception. The
Irish Commissioner was authorisized by the meeting to pursue the initiative
and develop proposals for the next meeting in Oman.
Japan and Norway are set once again to defy resolutions passed by the
majority of countries by maintaining and possibly increasing the number of
whales caught by exploiting loopholes in the IWC. In what has become an
annual ritual, these resolutions were passed and immediately rejected,
highlighting the growing ineffectiveness of the IWC.
"As the IWC faces its 50th anniversary in 1998, it must take active steps
to regain control over the whalers," said Cassandra Phillips, WWF's whale
coordinator. "The only casualty of the stalemate are the whales. A new
spirit of dialogue is vital to explore a more positive way forward."
Japan's 10th consecutive bid to secure a new quota of 50 minke whales for
its coastal communities failed but support for the proposal was stronger
than in previous years.
Another alarming development was Japan's request to establish a procedure
to vote by secret ballot. WWF fears this proposal poses a serious threat to
whale conservation and is disappointed that a decision on the issue was
deferred and not rejected immediately.
WWF is also concerned at the growing number of whales being taken for
aboriginal subsistence purposes and the ambiguous criteria and scientific
basis on which they are awarded. Denmark secured an additional quota of 20
minke whales from highly depleted stocks for the Greenland Inuits, bringing
their total minke quota to 187, in addition to 19 fin whales also from a
depleted stock.
In a confusing and controversial decision, the IWC approved the US request
for an annual quota of up to five grey whales for the Makah tribe of
Washington State, who have not whaled for more than 70 years. This request
was submitted as a joint proposal with the Russian Federation for an annual
quota of up to 140 grey whales. Many countries argued that the Makah had
not established their case for a genuine subsistence need, an issue which
may yet be challenged in the US courts.
A second US/Russian Federation proposal secured approval to catch up to 56
threatened bowhead whales a year for the Alaskan Inuits and Russian
Chukotka people. This is an increase on previous years, when the average
number of whales caught was 51.
"When the 50th IWC meets in Oman next May, it must address the growing
challenges it faces or continue to see the number of whales killed each
year rise," warned Cassandra Phillips.
For further information, please call Lucy Farmer in Monaco on 0468 867275
or Someshwar Singh on 0041 79 2000063.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. This year Norway killed 503 minke whale under their objection to the
Moratorium on commercial whaling and Japan a total of 540 whales for
"scientific" purposes, making a total of 1,043 whales. The number of whales
killed by Norway and Japan outside of the IWC's control has grown steadily
each year from a total of 383 in 1992 to over one thousand today.
*2. At this year's IWC meeting, Irish Commissioner Michael Canny, outlined
his ideas to extract the IWC from its current deadlock and bring whaling
back under the control of the IWC. His proposals were to:
Complete and adopt the Revised Management Scheme, the system under which
any future whaling would be regulated. Mr Canny said he hoped
precautionary measures would include DNA testing, inspectors on all
flensing boats and satellite tracking of whaling vessels.
Limit the application of the RMS to coastal whaling only, effectively
ending all whaling on the high seas, with only current whaling nations
eligible to receive quotas.
Ensure that whale quotas are issued for local consumption only, thereby
preventing any international trade in whale products.
Phase out lethal scientific whaling (as currently conducted by Japan in
the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and North Pacific).
Draw up guidelines for whale watching to minimise disturbance.
These proposals look set to be refined and presented in detail in Oman.
3. The IWC has already agreed the Revised Management Procedure, the formula
to be used for the setting of any future catch limits, but has not adopted
it into the Schedule. Roughly, the RMP would allow a 1 per cent quota from
known population estimates. The Revised Management Scheme has not yet been
agreed.