Dear Friends,

The forthcoming meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Ulsan, Republic of Korea, from 20-24 June 2005, will be a high stakes session for the future of whales. It appears that there may be a decision regarding the Revised Management Scheme (RMS), which has been the subject of countless meetings, documents, reports and debates in a constant struggle between pro-whaling and anti-whaling forces. The pro-whaling nations, especially Japan will be motioning for adoption of the RMS, which means resumption of commercial whaling.

20 June 2005 UPDATE - CALL TO ACTION: Denmark works to lift ban on whaling - please protest
In a shocking about-turn that conflicts with its EU obligations and betrays its citizens’ wishes, Denmark has announced that it “will work for the lifting of the moratorium on commercial whaling”. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) will vote next week on proposals that are expected to include the lifting of the 19 year old ban. Please fight for a safe future for whales, by sending a protest e-mail to Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs, urging him to oppose commercial whaling. PLEASE CLICK HERE: http://wdcs-uk.org/e_campaigns/e_campaigns/campaigns.php?select=campaign9

Cetacean Society International (CSI) states: "Many resolutions have been adopted by the Commission calling upon Japan to stop "research whaling" in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary, and also to stop its special permit whaling in the North Pacific, now expanded to include Sperm, Bryde's, and Sei Whales. But such resolutions are toothless, able only to cause embarrassment under existing Convention provisions."

The "Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society" (WDCS) reports: "To increase pressure on the IWC to lift the ban, Japan keeps increasing its self-allocated quotas, and has threatened to leave the Commission if its proposed version of the RMS is not adopted at the forthcoming meeting. This year Japan will kill over 300 whales in the North Pacific in the name of science and over 400 more in Antarctica. Media reports suggest that it plans to double its Antarctic hunt to almost 900 minke whales, and add humpback and fin whales. Norway will kill almost 800 minke whales in the North Atlantic this year and has threatened to triple its self-allocated quota.
This pressure has led many IWC member countries to believe that even a poor management system is better than an undermined ban. But as Sue Fisher explains. “The RMS as currently drafted will leave all the existing loopholes wide open, and contains legal language that is so inadequate, vague and confusing that commercial whaling will continue to be unsustainable, unmanageable and inhumane.”

YOUR ACTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED:

In the United States: Call your US Senator(s) and tell them:
Considering the lack of enforcement, documented infractions, loopholes, and lack of mandate for the welfare of whales, adoption of the RMS poses a highly serious threat to the future of whales.
Ask that your Senator(s) strongly urge the IWC delegates representing the United States to not capitulate to Japan and the other pro-whaling nations on a fast RMS. Also, ask that they support the New Zealand "protocols" to the existing Whaling Convention which would, among other provisions, remove the article allowing unregulated scientific permits.

Click Here to access a directory to contact US Senators.

In Other Countries, please contact your government representatives, and ask them to do the same (as above).

CARIBBEAN NATIONS: [please note: If calling from the U.S. you may dial directly with the provided #'s -- without having to add 011 for international calls.]

• ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: Mr. D.C. Joseph, Ministry of Planning Tel: 1 268 462 0007/5935 Fax: 1 268 462 9338 Email: psplanning@candw.ag

• DOMINICA: Mr. George Williams, Office of the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Dominica [please note: This is the office in the UK. For from the U.S. please dial with the provided #'s -- 011 for international calls has ben included.] Tel: 011 (44 20) 7370 5194/5 Fax: 011 (44 20) 7373 8743

• GRENADA: Hon Claris Charles Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries, Tel: 1 473 440 2708/3386/ Fax: 1 473 440 4191

• ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES: Mr S. Nanton, Parliamentary Secretary Min. Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Tel: 1 784 456 2060 Fax: 1 784 456 2610, Email: tourism@caribsurf.com

• ST. LUCIA: Honourable Cassius Elias, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment, Tel: 1 758 452 2526 Fax: 1 758 453 1262, Email: adminag@candw.lc

ST KITTS AND NEVIS: (attempted fax did not go through, , no e-mail provided)

• BENIN:

CHINA: (attempted fax did not go through, no e-mail provided)

• DENMARK: (Vice Chair) Mr H. Fischer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel: 011 (45) 33 920000 Fax: 011 (45) 32 540533 Fax: 011(45) 33 92 0177 (direct), Email: henfis@um.dk

• GABON:

• REPUBLIC OF GUINEA: Embassy of the Republic of Guinea Chancery (Embassy in the U.S.) Ph: (202) 483- 9420 Fax: (202) 483-8688

• KOREA: Dr. Pyung-am Bae, Deputy Minister, Tel: 011 82 2 554 1751 Fax: 011 82 2 567 2644

• MONGOLIA:

• NORWAY: Mr. O.G. Skagestad, Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel: 011 47 22 24 36 00 Fax: 011 47 22 34 27 82, Email: ressurs@ud.dep.telemax.no

• PALAU:

• PANAMA: President of Panama Ph: 011 (507) 227-9600 Panamanian Tourism Board (in PANAMA) Ph: 011 (507) 226-7000 Fax: 011 (507) 226-4614

President of Panama, Presidencia de la Repœblica / President's Office Ph: 011 (507) 227-9600 Panamanian Tourism Board (in PANAMA) Ph: 011 (507) 226-7000 Fax: 011 (507) 226-4614

SOLOMON ISLANDS: (South Pacific) Department of Commerce, Employment and Trade E-Mail: commerce@commerce.gov.sb Ph: 011+677 22808 / 21849 Fax: 011+677 25084 / 22808 Office of the Prime Minister: Ph: 011+ 677 21863 / 24456 Fax: 011+ 677 26088

• IRELAND (abstained vote): Mr M. Canny, Director National Parks & Wildlife Service Tel: 011 (353) 1 647 2300 Fax: 011 (353) 1 662 0283, Email: opw@iol.ie

It is imperative that positions opposing the RMS be maintained. Would you please take a few minutes to voice your concerns to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans (who presides over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that sets U.S. policy on whale conservation)?

PLEASE CALL or FAX Commerce Secretary Donald Evans immediately. Tell him that the U.S. public does not want commercial whaling. Point out that no matter how strong the final Revised Management Scheme is, no nation can be trusted to whale sustainably.

The Honorable Donald Evans, Secretary of Commerce

U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230

Voice mail: (202) 482-2112 . .. . . . . ... Fax: (202) 482-2741

E-mail: devans@doc.gov

"Australia Acts to Stop Iceland from Whaling"
CANBERRA, Australia, February 12, 2003 (ENS)

• (1) [SAMPLE LETTER]

Dear IWC Delegate,

I am writing out of very deep concern that the IWC is considering ratification of the current Revised Management Scheme. As currently drafted, the RMS does not provide any means of effective enforcement. I do not believe that the RMS will solve the problem of countries such as Japan and Norway's defiance towards the IWC.

Viable and highly profitable solutions have been proven. There are much greater financial benefits of watching whales, versus killing them. "Some 7,731,885 people a year go whale watching in IWC countries, or in territories of these countries, spending a total of almost U.S. $780 million." (from a 175 page report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Please do not agree to the RMS. Please instead voice strong support for truly effective enforcement procedures to protect all cetaceans worldwide from any further exploitation.

Sincerely Yours,

• (2) PLEASE CALL or FAX Commerce Secretary Donald Evans immediately. Tell him that the U.S. public does not want commercial whaling. Point out that no matter how strong the final Revised Management Scheme is, no nation can be trusted to whale sustainably. (for more information, scroll down to "23 July 2001:" in center column of this page.)

The Honorable Donald Evans, Secretary of Commerce

U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230

Voice mail: (202) 482-2112 . .. . ... . . . . . . . Fax: (202) 482-2741

E-mail: devans@doc.gov

• "Iceland rejoins IWC but remains exempt from whaling ban" , July 05, 2001 By Reuters (more info at left column)

• "Iceland says it will hunt minkes and probably also fin and sei whales off its coasts." (from WDCS.org) (Note: Both Fin and Sei Whales are listed as Endangered Species.)

• "Iceland will open an Embassy in Tokyo this coming October. Japan opened its own Embassy in Iceland in February 2001. Japan is one of Iceland's most important trading partners, and Iceland's new Embassy will promote further trade and investments between the countries. It will also work to develop closer political and cultural relations." (4 July 2001 announcement from the Iceland website)

Voice concern directly to Iceland. Please scroll down to section in righthand column, with same bacground color, that reads "Sample Letter and e-mail link" (FAX contact info also provided below that box)

For Sample Letter and e-mail link: please click here.

If you would like to mail or fax a message to the Ambassador to Iceland, in the U.K.: Ambassador Thorsteinn Palsson

Whales Worth More ALIVE than Dead

Dear IWC Delegate,

I am writing out of very deep concern that the IWC is considering ratification of the current Revised Management Scheme. As currently drafted, the RMS does not provide any means of effective enforcement. I do not believe that the RMS will solve the problem of countries such as Japan and Norway's defiance towards the IWC.

Viable and highly profitable solutions have been proven. There are much greater financial benefits of watching whales, versus killing them. "Some 7,731,885 people a year go whale watching in IWC countries, or in territories of these countries, spending a total of almost U.S. $780 million." (from a 175 page report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Please do not agree to the RMS. Please instead voice strong support for truly effective enforcement procedures to protect all cetaceans worldwide from any further exploitation.

Sincerely Yours,

(from 28 June 2001 -- for a summary of the situation, please read the following...)

Dear Friends,

A very crucial aspect of worldwide commercial whaling, basically the fate of all whales, will be determined in the next few weeks. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) will be holding their Annual Meeting from 23-27 July 2001, in London, UK.

This year the IWC announced that it will consider adoption of a Revised Management Scheme (RMS). The RMS facilitates commercial whaling as an accepted practice by the IWC. Numerous environmental organizations have expressed concern and opposition to the RMS. "There is a very real danger that these proposals will soon be adopted, condoning Norway and Japan's existing commercial whaling and allowing other countries to start killing whales for profit." (The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society)

"PROBLEMS WITH THE RMS: The RMS, as currently drafted, does not provide any means of effective enforcement. In fact, instead of setting rules for conducting whaling and penalties for breaking them, it merely presents a set of guidelines for whalers to follow." (From: "Whales, Not Whaling" sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.

In other words, this will make whaling "legal". It will open the floodgates to bloodshed upon all whales in all oceans.

"Didn't we SAVE THE WHALES?". Sadly my friends, this is only on paper. "Despite the 1986 moratorium, or ban, on whaling, the killing has continued. More than 8,000 whales have been killed by Norway and Japan since 1986 - more than 1 a day." (as reported by The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society)

This may be shocking to you. But it is true. It is my hope that you will take to heart that it is imperative that the RMS not be ratified. For those of us who oppose the slaughter of whales, "regulated" or otherwise, it is highly important that all IWC delegates, as well as the IWC Secretary be notified of opposition to the RMS.

Also, if you would like to review the position of the Bush Administration on this issue, please scroll down to the box with black background (at lower section of the left column) for information and action.

With Gratitude,

Peggy Oki

IWC Names & Contact Info:

COUNTRIES IN RED = NATIONS in favor of WHALING

COUNTRIES IN GREEN = NATIONS SEEKING PROTECTION FOR WHALES

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: Mr. D.C. Joseph, Ministry of Planning

"Iceland held at bay in whaling policy vote... Japan 'buying support' as moratorium hangs in the balance." Reported by Owen Bowcott (Tuesday July 24, 2001) The Guardian

JAPAN BUYING IWC VOTES (as reported by HSUS): "An April 1997 article reported that --based on the reporter's survey of Caribbean countries--Japan has pumped more than $77 million into the Caribbean countries of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Grenada, all of which also attend the IWC. Japan funded elaborate--and sometimes ill-conceived--fisheries projects and other programs. "At the same time, each country consistently voted with Japan and against the [New Zealand, Australian, and U.K.] led, anti-whaling coalition on key issues at the IWC annual meetings," the article stated.

At the July 2000 IWC meeting, Dominica's Fisheries Minister, Atherton Martin, made headlines around the globe when he resigned in disgust from his government post, denouncing what he declared was "Japan's outright extortion and the use of bribes to win Third World countries' votes for pro-whaling interests." Japan has given the small island of Dominica (with a population of just 77,000 people) more than $7 million for fisheries facilities since it joined the IWC."

"WHALE & DOLPHIN HUNTS IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN" By Donald Sutherland

In February, within sight of the beaches of the popular tourist eastern Caribbean island of St.Lucia, a struggling killer whale is hauled onto an unmarked fishing trawler.

That same month, tourists on a St. Lucia whale watching trip are confronted by fishermen trying to harpoon a sperm whale.

The incidents were reported by the Lucia Whale and Dolphin Association (SLWDA), a not for profit organization trying to promote whale watching on an island heavily traveled by US tourists.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) cited St.Lucia (an IWC member) with the largest IWC-reported Cetacean hunts in the Caribbean, an estimated 65 whales and 96 dolphins killed in 1999. Fishermen of St.Lucia and the neighboring islands of St.Vincent and the Grenadines specialize in killing the same whales and dolphins the tourists pay to watch in the wild. The hunting of small whales, porpoises and dolphins by IWC Caribbean member Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is not covered by IWC regulations, but there is IWC data on the kills in St.Lucia.

("Norway and Japan Whaling Actions & News" link also provided below.)

Please note: Summary and additional news about this issue: "Worldwide Resumption of Commercial Whaling" (link also located below).

For frequently updated news on this issue:

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