 The International Whaling Commission became acutely polarized as the anti-whaling members stepped up their conservation thrust at its 55th annual meeting ended in Berlin on June 19, 2003.
Japan and other countries advocating sustainable use of marine living resources walked out of the conference room in protest to the passage of a resolution which called for the creation of a conservation committee.
This proposal, promoted by anti-whaling countries, is apparently aimed at blocking the resumption of sustainable whaling. The resolution, dubbed "Berlin initiative," specifically called for formulation of plans of action for protection of cetaceans and prepare recommendations to this end for the Commission’s consideration.
It was adopted
by a vote of 25 in support, 20 against and 1 member not participating
in voting.
55th Annual Meeting in Berlin |
Japan
strongly opposed to this move in that (1) any resolution solely aimed
at protection goes against the objectives of the International Convention
for the Regulation of Whaling and that (2) the IWC should not be
polarized with the forceful adoption of the resolution despite the
opposition of about half of the members. Japan also asserted if such
a committee is to be established, the notion of sustainable use should
be clearly incorporated in its mandate.
As the resolution was passed Japan expressed its profound regret in that the resolution would transform the IWC into an organization totally focused on the protection of cetaceans. Japan reserved its position on participation in the committee's meetings and making financial contribution.
In a press conference after the 4-day meeting, Japan's chief delegate Minoru Morimoto said that Japan will consider reviewing its relation with the IWC, suggesting that the possibility of it pulling out of the Commission cannot be excluded.
In the meantime, no progress was observed in the discussion on the Revised Management Scheme (RMS)--the final process to be cleared before commercial whaling can be resumed. According to a Japanese source, the absence of progress was mainly due to the position of anti-whaling members that commercial whaling moratorium would not be lifted even when the RMS is completed.
The proposal for establishing a Southern Pacific Whale Sanctuary, tabled jointly by Australia and New Zealand, again failed to obtain necessary three-fourth votes for Schedule Amendment, with 24 in support, 17 against and 4 abstentions. Simi-larly, the proposal to introduce a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary, put forth by Brazil and Argentina, was also defeated with 24 in support, 19 against and 3 abstentions. |
