Protecting Whales - A global responsibility
Defra's brochure Protecting Whales - A global responsibility sets out the ecological, economic and moral arguments for protecting whales. It highlights the dangers these magnificent animals face and why we all have a responsibility to protect whales. In their forewords the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, emphasises that ‘whale-watching is the only use of whales which is both humane and sustainable’; while Sir David Attenborough, the broadcaster and naturalist, urges ‘collective action by nations across the globe to protect whales.’ The UK argues that all countries with or without coastlines are responsible for protecting whales, and that it is vital that countries which value the natural world join the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to create a secure anti-whaling majority in a conservation-oriented organisation.
Whales and whaling
At the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) held in Santiago, Chile in June 2008 (IWC60), the Commission agreed by consensus to establish a Small Working Group (SWG) on the Future of IWC.
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3 issues were identified as being of importance to one or more Contracting Government in relation to the future of IWC were drawn up for consideration by the SWG.
The UK has produced a detailed and comprehensive document ‘The International Whaling Commission – The Way Forward’ [PDF] (914 KB) setting out what we believe are practical and necessary solutions to each of the 33 elements/issues identified for the SWG to consider. The intention is that this document helps and guides the SWG in their deliberations and consider that this demonstrates our commitment to this process.
In 2006 the world witnessed the biggest whale slaughter for a generation. Nearly 2,000 whales were killed by just three countries. Many whale populations, even entire species, are still under threat of extinction from past over-exploitation, pollution and other dangers. Despite this Iceland, Japan, and Norway all announced an increase in the number of whales they intend to kill. They now kill almost four times as many whales as just over a decade ago.
The southern hemisphere population of blue whales – the largest animal ever to have lived on earth – has fallen from 240,000 a century ago to 1700 now. The population of humpback whales, famous for their ‘songs’, has plummeted from 115,000 to 25,000. There are only about 30 female western gray whales capable of breeding left and other species have such low populations that they too are endangered.
The IWC's moratorium on commercial whaling, which came into force in 1986, was a bold environmental step - years ahead of its time. People around the world thought that whales were safe. But Japan slaughters whales – even the endangered humpback whale in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary - for ‘scientific' research.’ There is no justification for this because all necessary conservation and management information can be obtained without killing whales. Iceland and Norway insist on commercial whaling, despite alternatives being available for all whale products. Iceland totally ignored the moratorium when it resumed commercial whaling in 2006. Iceland’s action has been strongly condemned internationally, with 25 countries plus the European Commission – that’s one billion people - issuing a formal protest. Not only are whales endangered, but whaling puts ecosystems at risk, is economically unnecessary and is cruel to an intelligent, social animal - there is no humane way to kill a whale at sea.
- Questions and answers about whales and whaling, particularly Iceland's resumption of commercial whaling.
Information sheets
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Page published: 12 September 2008
Page last modified: 20 December 2007