Skip to content

Politics

Atlantic whale sanctuary hopes dashed at IWC

by Martin Leggett 06 Jul 2012
Atlantic whale sanctuary hopes dashed at IWC

Humpback whales image; Credit: © Shutterstock

This week saw the return of the morbid game of musical chairs at the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission. The pro-whale conservation countries put forward their ideas for a South Atlantic Sanctuary - to create a band of safety for whales across the southern hemisphere - only for the pro-whale hunting countries to pull the chair away. The Brazilian-sponsored was defeated, even though more than half of the countries present voted for it. Only 25% need to vote against a proposal at the IWC for it to fail.

Not only was the sanctuary proposal - which would have joined together the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary (IOWS) and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (SOWS) - seen as a boon to still-recovering whale numbers; it would have boosted Latin America's growing whale-watching industry. Brazil's IWC commissioner, Marcos Pinta Gama, told the BBC 'We believe that the sanctuary is a very important initiative in order to ensure the protection of whales within the whole South Atlantic, to promote the non-lethal use of cetaceans and and benign research that's important for conserving whales.'

More whales , more fish, less CO2

That defeat was followed by South Korea's controversial decision to apply for the resumption of 'scientific whaling' - long taken as a euphemism for active whale hunting and killing for meat. Japan already has an exemption to the whaling moratorium, that allows it to hunt and kill whales under the false banner of 'scientific whaling'. South Korea's justification for the need to kill whales (perversely killing is considered necessary find out how many there are alive) is that growing whale numbers threaten fish stocks.

That's something that science actually has little truck with. In fact, studies suggest that growing numbers of whales actually increase the mass of krill and fish to be found in the oceans. It seems that whale poo acts as a fantastic nutrient-booster, thanks to its high-iron content. And because iron is poor at the ocean's surface, more whales - and more whale poo - are perfect for plankton and krill, which naturally absorb CO2. That latter fact would imply that saving the whale would also do its bit for slowing global warming.

minke whale

Minke whale; Credit: © Shutterstock

'Commercial whaling in drag'

Of course, it is possible that the request by South Korea will see another chair pulled away - this time by the pro-whale nations. But with South Korea implying its fishermen may take matters into their own hands, if they don't get their way, many countries are furious. "The portrayal of this initiative as a 'scientific' program will have no more credibility than the so-called scientific program conducted by Japan, which has long been recognized as commercial whaling in drag," New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, said in a statement.

While the musical chairs carry on their moribund dance in Panama, increasingly the real action to decide the fate of the whales is happening outside the IWC meets. This year has seen another successful campaign by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who seek to make life difficult for Japan's whalers in the Antarctic Ocean. 2012 saw Japanese whalers coming short on their gruesome cargo, having to abandon their hunt with less than a third of their quota of dead whales, thanks in part to harassment by Sea Shepherd activists.

Ink spots of protection

And even as the IWC remains stuck in its deadlock, pro-whale nations are taking things into their own hands - helping to create 'islands of sanctuary' for whales. Twelve Pacific Island states and territories have now set aside national sanctuaries, which now cover 7 million sq.miles (18 million sq.km) since Tokelau and Palau joined the club in 2010. France has created the Agoa Marine Mammal Sanctuary in the French West Indies, and is seeking to join that safe-zone with similar havens around the Netherlands Antilles and the Dominican Republic.

Ultimately, the fate of the whales will rest with those who continue to apply pressure to governments to spread such sanctuaries around the globe - and on the gradual dying out of an industry, and tastes, that would rather have whales on a plate than leaping majestically in the oceans. The IWC is an irritating and seemingly irredeemable distraction.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping