Killing Whales Is Not the Way to Save Them
Posted April 22, 2010 in Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Today — on Earth Day, of all days — the International Whaling Commission (IWC) released details of a deal that would legitimize commercial whaling. The deal has been backed by U.S. officials working behind closed doors with eleven other countries to break a perceived impasse at the IWC. The Obama Administration must now decide whether it will formally endorse the deal before the IWC meets in June in Agadir, Morocco.
This deal would reverse nearly three decades of progress to “save the whales.” It would suspend the whaling moratorium – one of the landmark achievements of the environmental movement – for 10 years, legitimize commercial whaling, and authorize whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary – a sanctuary established by the IWC itself to protect whales. The deal acknowledges that no compromise could be reached to prevent whaling nations from trading in whale meat or products. Nor does the deal contain a termination clause in the event of bad faith by the whaling nations – such as whaling under the guise of “scientific permits,” reservations, or objections, all of which are current loopholes that whaling nations exploit.
United States whaling officials and other proponents of the deal sincerely believe that it will result in a “significant reduction” of whales killed. But as proposed, this deal secures the future of whaling instead of seeking to end it completely. By legitimizing commercial whaling, the deal would not only give a lifeline to an otherwise dying industry but would also reward Japan, Norway, and Iceland -- which have continued to kill tens of thousands of whales despite the moratorium – for their years of defiance of international law.
The moratorium has done more to save whales than the revival of commercial whaling ever could. Prior to the moratorium, an average of over 38,000 whales were killed annually (between 1945 and 1986), compared with an average of only 1,240 whales killed per year after the moratorium (between 1987 and 2009).
As candidate for President, Mr. Obama pledged to strengthen the moratorium, stating that “allowing Japan to continue commercial whaling is unacceptable.” President Obama must now live up to his campaign promises. The Obama Administration must formally and publicly oppose this deal -- for the sake of the whales.
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Comments
Alisa Jenkin — Apr 23 2010 07:09 PM
We need to do whatever we can to protect these amazing creatures, not kill them.
Ashley Lahman — Apr 23 2010 07:17 PM
This is so very disappointing! We have to stop this!
Alan Smythy — Apr 23 2010 08:06 PM
Are the US Officials who have negotiated this monstrosity Obama or GWB appointees? Were they given any direction by the WH? Is there any chance that Obama will reject the deal, or will he cave into big business as he has done with nearly every initiative to come out of the WH in the last 15 months?
jill shay — Apr 24 2010 09:03 AM
sadden but not surprised......we sing a whale song in the inipi wakan (sweat lodge) I'll be sure to make note of it tonight......
Amanda Fanning — Apr 24 2010 11:19 AM
If Obama cannot follow through with campaign promise because of "big business" than faith many of us will loose in him and no possible second term? As individuals, we need to hit these businesses where they hurt the most...through profitibility. Actions speak louder than words! If we, as individuals, want to make a difference then commiting to the non-usage of all materials IE; substances from the whales will make a huge impact..:) Sustainability means not only conserving/preserving what we have now but also for future generations and the livlihood of our biospehere. If non- sustainable big businesses continue to flourish then the destruction of our planet and all its species is innevitable! This is a prime example of "Tragedy of the Commons".
-Amanda
Taryn Kiekow — Apr 26 2010 07:29 PM
Thank you to Alisa, Ashley Alan, Jill and Amanda for your thoughtful comments. I share your sentiments. The issue of legitimizing commercial whaling is so poignant that it has completely unified a diverse band of conservation groups in strong opposition to this deal -- or any deal that would legitimize commercial whaling and whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. NRDC is working on an action alert right now to our members and activists that will urge the White House to oppose the legalization of killing whales for profit. In the meantime, you can:
1. Call President Obama at 202-456-1414 and urge him to immediately withdraw support this deal that would allow commercial whaling. Tell him the U.S. should instead support the end of commercial whaling.
2. Call Vice President Biden at 202-456-9000 and ask him to reject the deal. Tell him to instead support the end of commercial whaling.
Jill, thank you for singing a whale song in the inipi wakan last weekend. I hope the energy was powerful.
Alan, although it was Bush appointees who started the negotiations, it’s been Obama appointees that have continued the negotiations for the past year. It’s not too late, however, to reverse course. I truly do believe that if enough people make their voices heard at the White House, the President will respond. Look out for an upcoming NRDC action alert on this issue or call the White House and make your voice heard now.
Amanda, I totally agree that a major component to many campaigns is hitting the bottom line of businesses. Dealing in whale meat and products is illegal in the United States, so the focus would need to be Iceland, Norway and Japan – the countries that still whale.