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01/02/2007
Government launches save the whale initiative
The government has launched an initiative to enlist more countries around the world to the anti-whaling cause.
A Defra document, 'Protecting Whales - A Global Responsibility', is being sent to governments of countries who are not yet members of the International Whaling Commission, urging them to join the IWC and back British and European efforts to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises around the globe.
The number of whales killed each year is continuing to grow, in spite of a 20-year internationally agreed moratorium on commercial whaling.
Last year, Japan, Iceland and Norway announced an increase in the number of whales they intended to kill. Iceland resumed commercial whaling, taking in 'endangered' fin whales, as well as minke whales. The action was strongly condemned internationally, with 25 countries plus the European Commission issuing a formal protest.
The Defra document is endorsed in a foreword by Prime Minister Tony Blair and the naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
Mr Blair's message says: "The UK government strongly supports the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling. We urge your government to join the UK and the other anti-whaling nations to ensure that our generation meets its global responsibility to protect whales."
Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "Whales are a common heritage and as such the responsibility for their conservation and protection rests with all countries, whether or not they have coastal waters.
"Whaling is inherently cruel and economically unnecessary and we would urge all countries to join the IWC, protect the IWC's moratorium and take up the global responsibility to protect whales for future generations."
(KMcA/EF)
A Defra document, 'Protecting Whales - A Global Responsibility', is being sent to governments of countries who are not yet members of the International Whaling Commission, urging them to join the IWC and back British and European efforts to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises around the globe.
The number of whales killed each year is continuing to grow, in spite of a 20-year internationally agreed moratorium on commercial whaling.
Last year, Japan, Iceland and Norway announced an increase in the number of whales they intended to kill. Iceland resumed commercial whaling, taking in 'endangered' fin whales, as well as minke whales. The action was strongly condemned internationally, with 25 countries plus the European Commission issuing a formal protest.
The Defra document is endorsed in a foreword by Prime Minister Tony Blair and the naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.
Mr Blair's message says: "The UK government strongly supports the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling. We urge your government to join the UK and the other anti-whaling nations to ensure that our generation meets its global responsibility to protect whales."
Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "Whales are a common heritage and as such the responsibility for their conservation and protection rests with all countries, whether or not they have coastal waters.
"Whaling is inherently cruel and economically unnecessary and we would urge all countries to join the IWC, protect the IWC's moratorium and take up the global responsibility to protect whales for future generations."
(KMcA/EF)
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