Kategorie: News
Resolution Withdrawn Despite a Potential Majority in the Plenary Session
At the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Hobart, Australia, Switzerland unexpectedly withdrew its own resolution on the protection of dolphins and small cetaceans on October 1, even before it came to a vote.
The draft, titled “Small Cetacean Directed Takes Linked to Commercial Fisheries,” was intended to raise awareness of the targeted killing of dolphins and other small cetaceans in connection with commercial fishing, as well as their use as fish bait; to fill existing data gaps; and to hold member states more accountable.
What is particularly noteworthy about the withdrawal: According to the Swiss delegation’s own statements, a majority in favor of the resolution had clearly emerged in the plenary session, constructive amendments were already on the table, and the actual round of negotiations had already been scheduled. As justification for the withdrawal, which took place nonetheless, the delegation pointed out that a resolution is only as good as its actual implementation and expressed doubts about the IWC’s existing capacity to adequately address the issue.
The animal welfare organization WDC Germany described the move as a disastrous signal that is likely to shut the door even tighter—for the time being—on the Commission’s greater commitment to protecting small whales and dolphins. “Especially on issues concerning the hunting of whales and dolphins, the international community relies on the expertise and scientific advice of the IWC,” the organization stated.
Campaign Director Katrin Matthes called on member states to strengthen the capacities of the Scientific Committee and other committees instead of leaving urgent issues unaddressed due to alleged capacity constraints. The organization Pro Wildlife also sharply criticized the withdrawal.
A Gap in the Protection System
This incident highlights a structural peculiarity of the IWC: While a moratorium on commercial whaling has been in place for large whales for 40 years, no comparable, binding protection regime exists for small whales and dolphins, even though the Commission has been addressing this group of animals for years. A resolution such as the one that has now been withdrawn would not have changed this situation in principle, since IWC resolutions are not legally binding; however, it would at least have sent a political signal and laid the groundwork for future data collection and government accountability.
Not all topics at the meeting ended in a setback for species conservation: Resolutions on the global trade in fish stomachs and the associated bycatch of endangered whales, on ship-whale collisions, and on strandings as an overarching priority of the IWC were widely supported and adopted by member states.
The so-called Hobart Declaration, adopted on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Whaling Convention, also received consensus. However, a renewed push for a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic failed once again to secure the necessary three-quarters majority.
Further information:
WDC Germany – Setback for the Protection of Small Whales and Dolphins
wildbeimwild.com – IWC Hobart: Switzerland Withdraws Its Own Dolphin Resolution
Oceanographic Magazine – South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary Bid Fails a Second Time at IWC
International Whaling Commission – IWC70 Meeting Agenda