Garrett wants end to commercial whaling

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19 March 2008 - 4:45PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://newcastle.yourguide.com.au/articles/1206454.html?src=topstories

Garrett wants end to commercial whaling

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environment Minister Peter Garrett has called on Iceland and Norway to respect the international global moratorium on commercial whaling.

The call follows reports Iceland is considering issuing commercial whaling quotas for 2008, on the back of Norway's recent decision to approve a quota.

"Whale protection requires binding rules that apply to all countries," Mr Garrett said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, a small number of countries are opting out of commission rules or using loopholes to continue hunting whales."

International Whaling Commission (IWC) members recently met in London to discuss how to improve collective efforts to protect whales, Mr Garrett said.

"This cooperative work is undermined when governments award themselves unilateral whaling quotas."

At the London meeting, Australia tabled constructive proposals to modernise the IWC which provoked strong interest.

"Australia's proposal specifically identified the practice of countries opting out of the moratorium as a critical issue to be addressed," Mr Garrett said.

"Both Norway and Iceland argue that they are entitled to hunt whales because they lodged an objection to the moratorium on commercial whaling.

"Norway sets its own annual quotas, using criteria that are not endorsed by the IWC or its scientific committee.

"The quota was recently increased to almost double the number of whales killed by Norway a decade ago.

"I call on the governments of Norway and Iceland to stop commercial whaling, and to work with the international community on initiatives to improve the conservation and management of whales."

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