Posted on May, 16 2002

Many people believe that now we're living in the 21st century, the future of whales is secure. Yet seven of the thirteen great whale species are still endangered and vulnerable despite decades of legal protection. The sad fact is, in spite of an international moratorium, commercial whaling is not only taking place — it's growing. Since the moratorium on whaling was put in place in by the IWC in 1986, nearly 23,000 whales from five species have been caught, largely by Japan and Norway. Earlier this year the Japanese government announced that it wants, for the first time, to kill 50 sei whales a year — a whale officially listed as endangered by the internationally respected IUCN - the World Conservation Union. This is in addition to the hundreds of minke whales it already plans to kill this year alone as part of its so-called "scientific whaling" programme. Trade in often highly contaminated whale meat also continues. Indeed, Japan and Norway this year announced their intention to trade in whale meat, despite an international ban on such trade. There is some good news though. Things really can change if the will is there. Earlier this month the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea announced that his country would designate its waters as a whale sanctuary. He noted that the decision "will help protect some of the whale species that are at risk from commercial hunting". Around the same time, WWF successfully lobbied the Canadian government to move traditional shipping lanes in the Bay of Fundy to skirt the area where the endangered Northern Right whales congregate. And properly regulated whale-watching brings not only greater awareness of the value of these magnificent animals, but offers an economic alternative to whaling. For example, there is more economic benefit right now in Iceland from whale-watching than from whale-hunting. But these achievements are not enough to save the whales. It is vital that at next week's meeting, being held from 20-24 May, the IWC adopts a permanent ban on commercial whaling on the high seas, maintains and increases whale sanctuaries, and shames Japan into ending its flawed "scientific whaling". It is also time for the IWC to increase its remit to reflect the changing nature of the various — and increasing — threats to whales. It could, and should, address the killing of smaller whales and dolphins, pollution, fisheries by-catch, illegal trade, and ship strikes. Action must also be taken regarding the "buying" of votes at the IWC by the Japanese, who intend to subvert an international convention solely to support a small and arguably declining industry. It is shameful that Japan pours millions of dollars in aid to poorer countries to get them to join the IWC and support commercial whaling. These funds would be far better spent supporting conservation and sustainable development programmes in those countries — taking the lead from the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. In the face of threats to the very existence of several whale populations the IWC must be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. It could be our last chance to properly conserve and safeguard the future of these magnificent animals. (523 words) *Dr Susan Lieberman is Director of the Species Programme at WWF International. Further information Current threats to whales Nearly one quarter of the world's 80 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), including over half the great whales, are classified as endangered or vulnerable by IUCN - the World Conservation Union. Whales are under threat from ship collisions, toxic contamination, entanglement in fishing gear, and intensive oil and gas development in feeding grounds, as well as the effects of climate change and habitat degradation. Historically, the large-scale whaling industries of many countries devastated one species of the great whales after another. Although most populations of whales have been fully protected from hunting for some time, a number of these were reduced to such very low levels that it is taking them many decades to recover. The northern right whale has not shown any signs of recovery in the 67 years since it was protected from whaling. WWF's work on whale conservation Whales are one of seven flagship species of the WWF Species Programme. The organization's long term vision is for all whale populations to have recovered to viable numbers and to be thriving throughout the oceans. WWF is working for a significant reduction of threats to endangered populations of great whales as well as several smaller cetaceans. WWF is combating risks to whales through field research, training and capacity building, conservation education, by securing improved national and international action and agreements, and by lobbying to bring whale hunting under the strict control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Through support to TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring programme of WWF and IUCN, WWF is closely investigating and monitoring the illegal trade in whale meat. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) The IWC was set up under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling which was signed in Washington DC on 2 December 1946. The IWC is the only international organization with the authority to regulate whaling and whale conservation worldwide. It now has about 35 voting members. The 54th IWC Annual Meeting will take place in Japan from 20–24 May 2002. WWF will have a team of observers at the meeting, and will use this opportunity to try to get the IWC to end the uncontrolled whaling now being conducted by Japan and Norway, and to address other threats to endangered whales.