Help the world’s whales
Jun 1, 2010
This month, the world’s whales are facing a serious double threat from the Norwegian whaling season and a potentially disastrous proposal at this year’s International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting, which could see a return to commercial whaling.
A backwards step
At the end of June, the IWC will meet to discuss a so-called ‘compromise deal’ between the pro and anti-whaling nations.
The deal would legitimise the whaling nations’ cruel hunts and would be a huge backwards step for animal welfare and conservation.
If it gets through, it would effectively sign a death warrant for almost 13,000 whales over the next ten years.
Although the whaling nations –Iceland, Norway and Japan – constantly flout the internationally agreed ban, the deal would not make a significant overall reduction in the number of whales killed. Instead it would risk opening the floodgates for this archaic and unnecessary industry to expand.
Read more about the dangerous deal >>
IWC misses the mark
© Jonas Fr. Thorsteinsson
The proposal shows just how far out of touch the IWC is with modern values - it misses the point that blasting whales to death with exploding harpoons is grossly inhumane.
If the deal is passed, tax payers from anti-whaling countries like the UK, could find themselves in the terrible position of helping to underwrite the cost of commercial whaling.
This is due to the fact that the IWC charges countries a means-tested fee to be members and wealthier countries, such as the UK, often have to pay larger fees than smaller, poorer nations.
WSPA is writing to all the newly elected MPs who signed our whaling election pledge to do everything they can to make sure the EU vote reflects the anti-whaling views of the vast majority of EU citizens.
You can write to them too:
A full list of the MPs who supported WSPA’s anti-whaling election pledge can be found here >>
A letter to download and email or print off and send can be found here>>
Sign our Norway petition
Norway is one of just three countries defying the international ban on commercial whaling, undermining its reputation as a progressive nation concerned with animal welfare.
By adding your signature to this petition, you will let the Norwegian government know that you oppose this cruel and unnecessary practice.
Without your help up to 1,286 minke whales will die this year from exploding harpoon and rifle wounds. Norway needs to know that this is unacceptable, NOW.