13/11/2005 - Australia,
together with Spain and 12 Latin American
and Southern Hemisphere countries, has
signed a declaration condemning so-called
scientific whaling at an International
Whaling Commission meeting in Buenos Aires
this week.
The Minister for the Environment and
Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said he
was buoyed by the support of these countries
for Australia’s tough stance against whaling.
“The six point declaration signed in
Buenos Aires supports continuing the current
moratorium on whaling, an end to special
permit whaling for ‘so-called’ scientific
purposes and for the limiting of scientific
research to non-lethal means,” Senator
Campbell said.
“Australia was represented at that meeting
by our International Whaling Commissioner,
Howard Bamsey, in our continuing and unrelenting
campaign of using diplomatic channels
to build international support for our
pro-conservation stance.
“Our determination to stop the unnecessary
killing of these magnificent creatures
when it has been proved there is no need
to do so for science or any other reason
is obviously gaining support around the
world.
“I am particularly heartened by the Buenos
Aires protest declaration which is evidence
that other countries are prepared to also
make a stand on this issue.”
In summary the Declaration makes clear
there is strong support for:
• retention of the current moratorium
on commercial whaling
• investigation of means of compliance
with the International Convention for
the Regulation of Whaling
• promotion of whale sanctuaries in the
South Atlantic and South Pacific
• the termination of special permit whaling
for so-called “scientific” purposes and
limiting scientific research to non-lethal
means
• promotion of wider participation of
developing countries in the IWC, especially
scientists
• the elimination of prolonged and cruel
practices involved in the killing of whales
that cause unnecessary suffering
• support for the Conservation Committee
• promotion in international bodies of
active cooperation of Latin American and
other Southern Hemisphere countries on
cetacean conservation; and
• reassertion of the rights of coastal
communities to benefit from the non-lethal
use of cetaceans.
