WWF-UK: Some progress for whales – but a long way to go
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Some progress for whales – but a long way to go
Monday 30 June 2008
WWF welcome moves by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) - responsible for whaling management - to consider how it can play a part in whale conservation in the future. But WWF warns that the process, agreed at last week's IWC annual meeting, might take too long for some threatened whale and dolphin species.
WWF's international species programme director, Dr Susan Lieberman, said: "We applaud moves to take the IWC towards a future much more constructive than a continuing deadlock on commercial whaling. We regret that no resolution has yet been found on any issues of substance, while so-called 'scientific' whaling continues unabated.
"We call upon whaling countries to show flexibility, and on all governments to agree to move the IWC into a meaningful future for whale conservation. We also call upon governments to fully engage non-governmental organisations in all their deliberations in the coming year."
Climate threat to whales
At the meeting, government representatives prioritised climate change as a significant threat to whales. A well-received WWF report revealed the dangerous impacts of climate warming on whales.
The IWC agreed to hold a special workshop on climate change next year. Several governments made financial contributions to ensure this initiative is a success.
"The IWC is at a crossroads," said Dr Lieberman. "The world is watching, and both the future of the IWC and the world's whales are in the balance."
"We call upon whaling countries to show flexibility, and on all governments to agree to move the IWC into a meaningful future for whale conservation. We also call upon governments to fully engage non-governmental organisations in all their deliberations in the coming year."
Climate threat to whales
At the meeting, government representatives prioritised climate change as a significant threat to whales. A well-received WWF report revealed the dangerous impacts of climate warming on whales.
The IWC agreed to hold a special workshop on climate change next year. Several governments made financial contributions to ensure this initiative is a success.
"The IWC is at a crossroads," said Dr Lieberman. "The world is watching, and both the future of the IWC and the world's whales are in the balance."
"The world is watching, and both the future of the IWC and the world's whales are in the balance."
Dr. Susan Lieberman, species programme, WWF International
Related links
- Read the report Whales in hot water
- Scientists find whales innocent of global decline in fisheries
- Adopt a dolphin
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