24 May 2007 - Colombia
Environment Minister Dr Juan Lozano announced
that his country would join the International
Whaling Commission (IWC), just days before
the inter-governmental body responsible
for the management and conservation of whales
meets in Anchorage, Alaska.
The IWC is made up of whaling countries,
ex-whaling countries, and countries that
have never had whaling industries but joined
either to have a voice in the conservation
of whales or to support whaling interests.
It is expected that Colombia's will join
a growing number of Latin American countries
opposed to whaling, including Brazil, Argentina,
Chile, Peru, Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua and
Belize. Costa Rica and Ecuador have also
expressed their commitment to whale conservation
in view of the threats faced by these animals.
"By joing the IWC, Colombia can help
make a difference in ensuring the survival
of these gigantic cetaceans," said
Dr Mary Louise Higgins, WWF's representative
in Colombia. “By joining the IWC, Colombia
recognizes the biological and ecological
value of cetaceans and supports the development
of responsible whale-watching tourism.”
Each year, from June to November, humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) stop near
the Colombian Pacific coast to mate, give
birth and feed their calves.
During this period, the neighbouring coastal
communities offer whale-watching activities
to tourists — an alternative, sustainable
source of revenues.
END NOTES:
• The 59th meeting of the IWC will meet
from 27 to 29 May in Anchorage, Alaska,
US.
• The IWC imposed a moratorium on commercial
whaling in 1986, though though hundreds
of whales are still killed eacy year for
so-called scientific purposes.
Maria Ximena Galeano, Media relations
WWF Colombia
