Mmm…sustainable whaling
Someone better alert the Sea Shepherds:
Pro-whaling nations have won their first vote towards the resumption of commercial whaling for 20 years.
The meeting of the International Whaling Commission backed the declaration by a majority of just one.
Anti-whaling countries say they will challenge the outcome, which Japan has described as “historic”.
But pro-whaling nations need support from three-quarters of the commission to overturn the 1986 ban aimed at protecting the endangered species.
The resolution, tabled by St Kitts and Nevis where the meeting is being held, declared: “The moratorium, which was clearly intended as a temporary measure, is no longer necessary.”
…
Tokyo believes whale numbers have risen sufficiently to allow the hunting of certain species.
However, Japan’s Deputy Whaling Commissioner, Joji Morishita, said any future commercial whaling would be on a much smaller scale than in the past.
“It’s not going back to the commercial whaling, it should be the beginning of sustainable whaling, plus protection of depleted and endangered species,” he said.
About the Sea Shepherds:
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was founded in 1977 in Vancouver BC by Captain Paul Watson. The mandate of the organization was marine mammal protection and conservation with an immediate goal of shutting down illegal whaling and sealing operations.
With financial support from Cleveland Amory of the Fund for Animals, the society’s first ship a North Atlantic sea trawler “the Westella” was purchased in Hull, England (UK) and renamed the Sea Shepherd. It’s first mission was to the ice floes of eastern Canada to interfere with the annual killing of baby harp seals known as whitecoats.
In the same year, 1979, the Sea Shepherd hunted down and rammed the notorious pirate whaler the Sierra in a Portugal harbor ending its infamous career as the scourge of the seas.
The success of the seal campaign and the ramming of the Sierra was the start of Sea Shepherd’s historical 160 voyages over the next 2 decades, enforcing international laws where no law enforcement existed – on the high seas.
Sea Shepherd continues to accomplish its mission by upholding and enforcing international treaties, laws and conventions of world governments.
Sea Shepherd is committed to the eradication of pirate whaling, poaching, shark finning, unlawful habitat destruction, and violations of established laws in the World’s oceans.
To that end, Sea Shepherd assists national and international bodies in the enforcement of international law under authority of the United Nations World Charter for Nature.
Sounds like they just enforce laws (through that most unsubtle of methods–ramming their reinforced ship into whalers); maybe they’d better start lobbying too.
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