Whaling Update

(2006-06-13)

The 58th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) takes place between 16 and 20 June 2006 in St Kitts when, once again, the nations in favour of hunting whales will be at the fore. The NSPCA is a member of WHALEWATCH which is led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (NSPCA is also a member) and comprises of over 140 organisations in more than 55 countries.

What they have in common is opposition to the killing of whales which they believe is inherently cruel and unnecessary. The aim of the welfare coalition is to maintain the international ban on commercial whaling.

It appears that the pro-whaling nations have gathered strength since the last IWC. If a three quarters pro-whaling majority were to be achieved, this would result in the resumption of commercial whaling.

The NSPCA agrees with its international counterparts that whaling is not about numbers and conservation but about suffering.

South Africa will be represented at the IWC by Hermann Oosthuizen, whose appointment as Commissioner was formally welcomed and appreciated by the NSPCA in a letter to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. With pleasure and pride, the words of the Deputy Director General of Marine and Coastal management to the NSPCA are reproduced: -

“I can assure you that this department is as concerned as your organisation regarding the welfare and conservation of whales and that we will again at the next IWC meeting, as in the past, oppose current whaling as practised by Japan and others.”

The NSPCA takes this opportunity of expressing appreciation for the stance taken by South Africa on the issue of whaling over the years and deepest appreciation for the commitment already shown in terms of this year’s IWC.

For further info please visit these sites: www.whalewatch.org and www.wspa-international.org