IFAW release - IWC update

[Guest guest]

Hi,

 

The whales won again today. Yesterday, Japan's commercial whaling proposal was

rejected and today their scientific whaling proposal was rejected.

 

Let me know if you have any questions,

 

Kerry

 

 

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

765 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

508-776-9872

kbranon

www.ifaw.org <http://www.ifaw.org/>

 

 

 

 

 

IWC Rejects Japanese Scientific Whaling Proposal<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =

" urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office " />

 

 

 

 

 

(Ulsan, Korea - 22 June 2005) - A new Japanese proposal to increase " scientific "

whaling failed to gain majority support at the 57th annual meeting of the

International Whaling Commission (IWC). A resolution introduced by the

Government of Australia, sharply critical of the Japanese proposal, was passed

by a vote of 30 to 27 with one abstention by the Pacific Island nation of

Solomon Islands.

 

 

 

Japan has killed more than 8,000 whales under the guise of science since the

commercial whaling ban. Earlier this year it announced plans to double its

" scientific " whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary around Antarctica and add

endangered humpback and fin whales to its target list. IWC member countries,

scientific experts and leading conservation organizations had expressed stiff

opposition to Japan's new whaling proposal leading up to this year's annual

meeting.

 

 

 

" We're encouraged by today's vote, but the fact remains that thousands of

whales will face Japanese harpoons later this year, " said Dr. Joth Singh, IFAW of Wildlife and Habitat. Japan's attempt to dress up its commercial

whaling is an insult to modern science. It's good the IWC didn't take the bait. "

 

 

 

Today's vote marks the 41st time the global body has passed a resolution

critical of Japan's scientific whaling program. " It's time for the Japanese

Government to respect the rest of the world and the IWC, said Dr. Singh. It's

time to stop whaling. "

 

 

 

Countries voting against Japan's whaling plan included:

 

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco,

Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Portugal, Slovak Republic, San Marino,

South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States

of America.

 

 

 

Countries voting in support of Japan's whaling plan included:

 

Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Cameroon, China, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon,

Grenada, Guinea, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco,

Nauru, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Russia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St.

Vincent & Grenadines, Senegal, Suriname, Tuvalu.

 

 

 

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- <a

href= " http://www.ifaw.org " >www.ifaw.org</a>) works to improve the welfare of

wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial

exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in

distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to

promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of

both animals and people.

 

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