LIMA, Peru, CMC – Antigua and Barbuda has withdrawn its resolution that sought to end a decade-old moratorium on commercial whaling after accusing members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) of “refusing to accept the responsibility of the organization to engage in the management of this resource.”
Antigua and Barbuda’s IWC Commissioner, Daven Joseph, told the 69th meeting of the IWC, which ends on Sunday, that St. John’s had been unable to receive the support needed to “move this resolution forward to gain consensus.
“Antigua and Barbuda intend to withdraw the resolution …but will continue to work with exciting governments and NGOs to provide some constructive ways forward regarding this resolution.
“We have also been able to attract a number of other governments that are willing to be co-sponsors of this very important resolution,” Joseph said. Watch video
Antigua and Barbuda had earlier proposed a resolution called “Implementing a Conservation and Management Programme for Whale Stocks Aimed Towards the Orderly Development and Management of the Whaling Industry.”
Joseph said then that the resolution was crucial because Antigua and Barbuda disagrees with the moratorium, which has established an international norm.
Antigua and Barbuda, along with St Kitts and Nevis, has vehemently opposed the establishment of the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary which seeks to protect cetaceans.
The South Atlantic provides the feeding grounds needed to sustain most southern hemisphere great whales and Joseph said that if the sanctuary proposal is adopted, it could trigger a “mass exodus” of member states from the IWC.
He hinted at the possibility that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country would participate in forming a new organization, threatening to leave the IWC if commercial whaling is not reconsidered.
Six environmental groups in Antigua and Barbuda have written to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, warning of a potential backlash that could “not only be detrimental to the health of our struggling whale populations, but it could also negatively impact Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector and international investment, as we continue to promote our country as an ‘eco-conscious’ destination.”
In withdrawing the resolution, Joseph told the IWC that “following consultation, a decision was not sought at IWC 69 on the draft resolution on implementing a conservation and management program for what stocks aimed towards the orderly development of the whaling industry.
“Work will continue intersessionally between interested contracting governments and representatives from civil society to continue dialogue on the issues raised in this proposal and aim to bring a new proposal to …IWC 70.
‘Any efforts made in person will be in a manner that does not require additional resources from the Commission,” said Joseph, who had earlier during the meeting accused the international community of seeking to prevent countries from resuming commercial whaling.
“I am listening to many countries here that are almost telling us, almost dictating the right of all countries in terms of what we should eat, what we should not eat,” Joseph said, noting that countries willing to engage in commercial whaling should be allowed to do so without any hindrance.
“You have no right to tell us that whales should not be used for food. It is a colonial posture that has to stop in this organization. How dare you want to tell countries what they should and should not use as dietary supplements? The world is listening.”
Download video – Antigua and Barbuda IWC Commissioner, Daven Joseph
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