International Whaling Commission

International Whaling Commission

The United States is pleased that at its 57th annual meeting that concluded today in Uslan, South Korea, the International Whaling Commission passed a resolution defeating Japan’s proposal to greatly expand its lethal whale research program in the Southern Ocean. Japan’s proposal would have more than doubled the take of minke whales and added two new species, fin and humpback whales, to its program.

The resolution opposing the Japanese proposal was adopted with 30 voting in favor, 27 against, and one abstention. The United States is disappointed that Japan has indicated it will proceed with the program, despite this expression of opposition.

The United States formally offered to host the 59th Annual Meeting of the IWC in Anchorage, Alaska, in June or July of 2007. Anchorage is a logical location for the meeting, considering that the aboriginal subsistence quota for bowhead whales taken by Alaska native hunters will be reviewed at the 2007 meeting.

Members of the Commission failed to reach consensus on the Revised Management Scheme. However, the Commission agreed to hold two meetings to advance work on outstanding issues. The United States hopes that members who abstained will attend the meetings and participate in finding solutions.

2005/650 Released on June 24, 2005 Press Statement, Sean McCormack, Spokesman, Washington, DC, June 24, 2005 Source: State.gov more at International Whaling Commission