In a report to Congress, sent on September 15, 2011, President Obama concurred with the Secretary of Commerce's recommendations and directed federal agencies to take actions to encourage Iceland to change its whaling policy.
Back in July, then-Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke issued a certification stating that Iceland’s policy of permitting its nationals to engage in commercial whaling and export of endangered fin whale meat is diminishing the effectiveness of the International Whaling Commission conservation program.
“Iceland’s disregard for the International Whaling Commission’s global moratorium on commercial whaling is unacceptable,” said Monica Medina, U.S. commissioner for the IWC. “The actions the Obama Administration is now taking are designed to support the conservation of the world’s whale populations and convince Iceland to stop hunting whales.”
source: NOAA press release
Showing posts with label IWC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IWC. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Statement by the Chair; The Future of the International Whaling Commission
Statement by the Chair of the International Whaling Commission, Cristian Maquieira, on the Future of the IWC
“This was the third meeting of 12 countries charged by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to advise the IWC Chair on ways to improve how the IWC operates and to seek ways to reconcile differences in views about how whales are conserved and whaling is managed. The meeting concluded in Honolulu today.
Despite our differences, we agree that some whale populations and stocks are recovering, due in part to the ban on commercial hunts in 1986. However, we also agree that some whale populations and stocks have not recovered and are considered depleted or endangered, and that whales face a range of new threats. Scientists need to further study these whales and the environmental threats they face.
We are exploring many issues, including taking stronger conservation measures for whales, creating a cooperative environment for managing current whaling, while at the same time reducing the overall number of whales killed each year.
My report on the progress of these multilateral discussions will be made to the larger group of 34 member countries and the public prior to a meeting of the Small Working Group in St. Petersburg, Florida in early March.
It is important to note that nothing has yet been agreed and participation in talks does not imply acceptance by member governments.
We are committed to this process of discussion and diplomacy which we are hopeful will successfully conclude at the annual meeting of the IWC in Agadir, Morocco in June.”
“This was the third meeting of 12 countries charged by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to advise the IWC Chair on ways to improve how the IWC operates and to seek ways to reconcile differences in views about how whales are conserved and whaling is managed. The meeting concluded in Honolulu today.
Despite our differences, we agree that some whale populations and stocks are recovering, due in part to the ban on commercial hunts in 1986. However, we also agree that some whale populations and stocks have not recovered and are considered depleted or endangered, and that whales face a range of new threats. Scientists need to further study these whales and the environmental threats they face.
We are exploring many issues, including taking stronger conservation measures for whales, creating a cooperative environment for managing current whaling, while at the same time reducing the overall number of whales killed each year.
My report on the progress of these multilateral discussions will be made to the larger group of 34 member countries and the public prior to a meeting of the Small Working Group in St. Petersburg, Florida in early March.
It is important to note that nothing has yet been agreed and participation in talks does not imply acceptance by member governments.
We are committed to this process of discussion and diplomacy which we are hopeful will successfully conclude at the annual meeting of the IWC in Agadir, Morocco in June.”
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