In 1982 the International Whaling Commission (IWC) decided that there should be a pause in commercial whaling on all whale species and populations from the 1985/1986 season onwards to allow whale stocks to recover. This pause is often referred to as the commercial whaling moratorium, and it remains in place today.
The IWC sets catch limits only for countries that are members and adhere to the moratorium. However, nations like Norway and Iceland object to the moratorium and set their own catch limits under “objection” to the ban, which allows them to bypass the IWC restrictions. Though initially intended as a temporary measure to allow whale populations to recover, the moratorium has effectively become permanent, a point of contention for pro-whaling nations like Japan, Norway and Iceland who argue that whaling is part of their culture and should continue in a sustainable way.
At this year’s 69th IWC meeting, Antigua and Barbuda supported by St Lucia, put forward a resolution to lift the 38-year-old moratorium on commercial whaling. The resolution did not directly call for an end to the ban, but it sought to reopen discussions on the sustainable use of whale populations.
Strangely whaling is not a known practice among Antigua and Barbuda fishermen, so, why did it try to push through the resolution again?
Antigua and Barbuda does not engage in whaling itself but its representative to the IWC, ambassador Daven Joseph, defended the proposal, stating that whale populations had significantly increased since the moratorium was first introduced. Joseph emphasized that the resolution was not an endorsement of indiscriminate hunting but rather a call for sustainable practices. “Whale stocks are robust and can withstand a carefully regulated hunt,” he asserted.
He also argued that harvested whales could contribute to global food security. However, this stance is disputed by conservationists who question the feasibility and ethics of using whale populations as a food source.
Of course that is the same stance that the small island nation took when it tabled this same resolution in 2022 at the IWC meeting in Portorož, Slovenia. Although Antigua and Barbuda had supported similar proposals at past IWC meetings, that was the first time it led a resolution to formally reopen the debate on commercial whaling. It also co-sponsored another resolution with Cambodia, Guinea and the Gambia arguing the fishing practice could contribute to food security and address poverty.
Some observers suggest that Antigua and Barbuda’s stance may be influenced by its diplomatic ties with Japan, a nation that has long supported the resumption of commercial whaling. In 2020, Joseph received one of the highest awards from Japan – the Order of the Rising Sun for cementing the bond between Antigua & Barbuda and Japan as a result of their shared principles on the sustainable use of the resources of the ocean.
Japan first proposed to end the ban in 2018, before subsequently withdrawing its membership from the IWC. As a result, it is not bound by the moratorium. Japan has caught between 200-1,000 whales each year since 1987. Japan conducted these hunts under the guise of “scientific research” as allowed by the IWC regulations before it resumed full-scale commercial whaling in 2019 within its territorial waters.
Its main argument is that whaling can take place in a sustainable way. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have allies on the commission like Antigua and Barbuda. After all, no matter how small a country is – a vote is a vote at these high-level meetings.
Antigua and Barbuda Withdraws Whaling Resolution at IWC 69
Much to the delight of those who oppose removing the ban, Antigua & Barbuda withdrew the draft resolution on Thursday, as they could not reach a consensus despite support from St. Lucia and other nations. “Following consultations, a decision was not sought at IWC 69 on the draft resolution,” Joseph said during Day 4 of the meetings.
He noted however that efforts would continue through intersessional dialogue with various governments and NGOs, aiming to bring a new proposal at IWC 70. “Work will continue intersectionality between interesting contracting governments and representatives from civil society to continue dialogue on the issues raised in this proposal and aim to bring a new proposal to IWC 70.”
“We have also been able to attract a number of other contracting governments that are willing to be co-sponsors of this very important resolution. It is our intention, Mr. Chair, to provide the necessary wording that we think could be part of the conclusions of this item in this session going forward,” Joseph affirmed.
Palau, one of the co-sponsors of the resolution, registered its support for the process but only after its withdrawal. “We’d like to join Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia as co-sponsors of this resolution and continue efforts to find common ground,” Palau’s representative stated.
The United States also expressed approval of the decision to withdraw the resolution at this time. “From a United States perspective, we are always willing to engage in dialogue with contracting governments on issues of importance. This is an appropriate way forward for the time being,” said the U.S. delegate. Additionally, St. Vincent and the Grenadines highlighted the “level of maturity” displayed by Antigua and Barbuda in its handling of the resolution. “The decision is welcome, as it allows for continued discussions until IWC 70,” the representative remarked, adding that the approach demonstrated goodwill and faith in finding a broader consensus.
Resolution to protect South Atlantic Whales fails but a win to strengthen whaling laws
Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda joined the majority of the 57 eligible voting members of the IWC to reject a resolution to establish a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic.The sanctuary proposal, put forward by Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, sought to create a protected area in the South Atlantic to safeguard whale populations from historical overexploitation.
Despite the passionate advocacy of South American member states, the resolution fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority, with 40 votes in favor and 14 against. The proposal faced significant opposition from Antigua and Barbuda, among others, who raised concerns about the scientific basis for the sanctuary and the potential for member countries to leave the IWC if the measure passed. Ambassador Joseph of Antigua and Barbuda cautioned that the passage of the resolution could lead to a mass exodus of IWC members and the formation of a new organization to challenge the IWC’s legitimacy.
“If this sanctuary that has no scientific justification is passed, you’re going to see a mass exodus of members that are present here. And we will be moving to form a new organization and challenge the legitimacy of the IWC,” he said.
Antigua and Barbuda raised questions about the proposal, seeking clarifications on several points:
- Whether the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other ocean-related organizations had been consulted, especially concerning issues like ship strikes.
- How the sanctuary would improve the management of whale populations in light of the existing moratorium on commercial whaling.
- Whether the proponents had considered the fact that many whale stocks have significantly increased.
- Whether there had been any recent reviews by the IWC’s scientific and conservation committees on the utility of such a sanctuary, given the current status of whale populations.
The IWC first discussed this issue in 1998 when the Government of Brazil stated its intention to put forward a proposal for the establishment of a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic. The proposal was first evaluated by the IWC in 2001 and was not adopted. It has since been discussed by the Commission on a number of occasions and the Governments of Argentina, South Africa, Uruguay and later, Gabon, have joined Brazil as co-sponsors of the proposal.
The sanctuary aims to protect whales from historical overexploitation, particularly by foreign pelagic fleets, with emphasis on cetaceans. In May 2022, Whale and Dolphin Conservation inquiry said worldwide, 100,000 small cetaceans are killed each year for human consumption or for use as bait. It said then that both the number of individuals and the range of species targeted is increasing.
Still, the proposal did not pass because it fell short of the required majority. Nicolas Entrup, Director for International Relations at OceanCare, expressed disappointment, highlighting that the proposal was thwarted by pro-whaling nations and representing a missed opportunity for significant whale conservation progress.
“The swing of just one single vote could have made the difference for dozens of whale species in the South Atlantic” … “Once again pro-whaling nations from West Africa and Caribbean island states – under the coordination of Japan – blocked the necessary ¾ majority. The outcome is such a disappointment.”
But it was not all bad news for the cash-strapped IWC. Despite the setback on the sanctuary proposal, the IWC meeting saw a significant win with the adoption of a resolution proposed by the European Union to reinforce the existing moratorium on commercial whaling
For the first time in 23 years, the Whaling Commission expressed concerns over continued commercial whaling activities by Japan, Iceland and Norway, marking a crucial step in reinforcing international legal obligations regarding commercial whaling.
