Next week, our governments will get together in Agadir, Morocco, to talk whales. It’s the International Whaling Commission’s annual meeting. And this year, the main topic of conversation will be the IWC itself.
In reality, this is a testing time for the whales, and in many ways we need to make sure we save them all over again. Way back in the 80s when a moratorium, or ban, on commercial whaling was agreed, many countries had already stopped whaling. As the official catch figures show, by the time the ban came into force in 1987 commercial whaling was reduced to practically zero.
Clear evidence of the impact the IWC moratorium has had on whaling catches. Source: WDCS
But right from the start of the ban some countries have been undermining it, exploiting the loophole of 'scientific whaling' or just refusing to agree to the ban. In the years since then we've seen the ramping up of whaling effort by (principally) Japan, Norway and Iceland – setting their own quotas, targeting and trading endangered species, and ignoring internationally-agreed sanctuaries.
We've also seen just what lies behind the apparent 'support' for renewed whaling, with the shocking revelations from last week’s Sunday Times on Japanese vote-buying.
All of this is despite there being a moratorium on commercial whaling in place.
So what is being discussed in Agadir, on the future of the IWC, is vitally important. Any deal must be one which respects and recognises the moratorium on commercial whaling - and the fact that commercial whaling is not something backed by the majority of the world’s citizens. Nor is it necessary. It certainly cannot be justified to ever hunt or trade species that are considered endangered.
That's why Greenpeace, WWF and Pew have explained what we see as necessary for any plan going forward. The six key elements are designed to bring all whaling under IWC control, close the current loopholes, and end commercial whaling. Let's be clear – this is not a change in anyone’s position, rather a pragmatic approach to the process in front of us. Greenpeace is opposed to commercial whaling. But whales are still being killed for commercial reasons despite a worldwide ban already being in place.
And the threats are even more real now. WDCS just produced a sobering report on the ways that are being explored to 'use' whales for oil, pharmaceuticals and other things, commodifying the species once again in the way that led to their annihilation last century.
The irony is that since commercial whaling was at its height the threats to whales have increased, not decreased – and there are ever more pressing issues like climate change, fisheries bycatch, and noise pollution that we aren't even getting around to addressing.
We’re also finding out more and more about the crucial role of whales in the ocean ecosystems. One recent study shows how sperm whales recycle nutrients and help combat the effects of climate change.
Next week’s meeting could see a turning point for the IWC, we will be doing everything we can to make sure that is not a U-turn.
Our team in Morocco will be bringing you the latest developments, as they happen.
