stop Japan & help bring an end to whaling
from IFAW
Having failed to win any key resolutions they put before the 58th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in June, Japan and other pro-whaling nations were able to sneak through the “St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration” at the close of the meeting, a general non-binding agreement calling for the resumption of whaling.
Thankfully, the whaling ban cannot be overturned without a three-fourths majority. But this summer’s vote is the first time the pro-whaling side has won a majority on a key issue since the IWC adopted the ban twenty years ago—a grave signal for the future of the world’s whales.
Let’s make sure this is the last time whales lose a vote
At this summer’s IWC, Japan failed to end protection for dolphins and porpoises, lost an attempt to hunt Minke and Bryde whales in its territorial waters and couldn’t dismantle the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. Yet no real progress was made to stop the cruel annual slaughter by Japan of thousands of whales each year in the name of “science.”The next “scientific” whaling season in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary will take another 1000 whales, with 50 endangered humpback whales added to the scientific menu the following year. Which is why, now more than ever, we need strong diplomatic pressure on Japan.
Cruelty of whaling unveiled
A report containing scientific analysis of Japanese whale hunt video footage was also released at the IWC.
Co-authored by IFAW and the Australian government, the report provides clear scientific evidence that contradicts the message touted by Japan for years—that their whaling is done humanely.
You don’t need to be a scientist to figure out that firing harpoons into whales and then slowly suffocating them is unacceptable. But according to the report, more than 80% of whales are not killed instantly once harpooned and may struggle from 10 to 35 minutes before dying. It’s got to stop.
The final alarm has been sounded
Thanks to your help and support we’ve been able to generate more press and public attention on whaling this summer than we’ve seen in decades. Around the world we made progress in all regions. Belize reversed its position and Guatemala decided not to send representation. Our work in China meant that China only voted with Japan on some of the votes: as in 2005, this is a huge success. And in the whaling country of Iceland, IFAW’s state-of-the-art education and research vessel Song of the Whale was able to secure a permit to conduct non-invasive whale research.
But even though this year’s IWC ended a few months ago, whaling has not. Japan’s efforts to compromise the IWC by buying off votes has nearly succeeded. We can not allow Japan to use its wealth to pressure poorer countries into supporting its campaign to hunt whales. In the Caribbean where this year’s IWC was held, whale watching is now a US$10-million industry. Yet many Caribbean leaders continue to support Japan’s whaling program. Strong U.S. opposition is our best weapon against the continuing slaughter. A national commitment is needed to use America’s international clout to oppose Japanese whaling with consequences that Japan can no longer afford to ignore. Please urge President Bush to oppose Japan’s bid for permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council until the country shows respect for international laws that protect whales.
Whales today already face real and growing threats from global warming, ocean noise, entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes. Please act now before Japan sets an irreversible course to destroy our planet’s largest and most magnificent animals.
Having failed to win any key resolutions they put before the 58th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in June, Japan and other pro-whaling nations were able to sneak through the “St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration” at the close of the meeting, a general non-binding agreement calling for the resumption of whaling.
Thankfully, the whaling ban cannot be overturned without a three-fourths majority. But this summer’s vote is the first time the pro-whaling side has won a majority on a key issue since the IWC adopted the ban twenty years ago—a grave signal for the future of the world’s whales.
Let’s make sure this is the last time whales lose a vote
At this summer’s IWC, Japan failed to end protection for dolphins and porpoises, lost an attempt to hunt Minke and Bryde whales in its territorial waters and couldn’t dismantle the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. Yet no real progress was made to stop the cruel annual slaughter by Japan of thousands of whales each year in the name of “science.”The next “scientific” whaling season in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary will take another 1000 whales, with 50 endangered humpback whales added to the scientific menu the following year. Which is why, now more than ever, we need strong diplomatic pressure on Japan.
Cruelty of whaling unveiled
A report containing scientific analysis of Japanese whale hunt video footage was also released at the IWC.
Co-authored by IFAW and the Australian government, the report provides clear scientific evidence that contradicts the message touted by Japan for years—that their whaling is done humanely.
You don’t need to be a scientist to figure out that firing harpoons into whales and then slowly suffocating them is unacceptable. But according to the report, more than 80% of whales are not killed instantly once harpooned and may struggle from 10 to 35 minutes before dying. It’s got to stop.
The final alarm has been sounded
Thanks to your help and support we’ve been able to generate more press and public attention on whaling this summer than we’ve seen in decades. Around the world we made progress in all regions. Belize reversed its position and Guatemala decided not to send representation. Our work in China meant that China only voted with Japan on some of the votes: as in 2005, this is a huge success. And in the whaling country of Iceland, IFAW’s state-of-the-art education and research vessel Song of the Whale was able to secure a permit to conduct non-invasive whale research.
But even though this year’s IWC ended a few months ago, whaling has not. Japan’s efforts to compromise the IWC by buying off votes has nearly succeeded. We can not allow Japan to use its wealth to pressure poorer countries into supporting its campaign to hunt whales. In the Caribbean where this year’s IWC was held, whale watching is now a US$10-million industry. Yet many Caribbean leaders continue to support Japan’s whaling program. Strong U.S. opposition is our best weapon against the continuing slaughter. A national commitment is needed to use America’s international clout to oppose Japanese whaling with consequences that Japan can no longer afford to ignore. Please urge President Bush to oppose Japan’s bid for permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council until the country shows respect for international laws that protect whales.
Whales today already face real and growing threats from global warming, ocean noise, entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes. Please act now before Japan sets an irreversible course to destroy our planet’s largest and most magnificent animals.
posted by hellkittennyc at 12:42 PM
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