Subject: GWA:PRESS RELEASE Whalers take over IWC

Whalers Take over IWC

As expected, yesterday saw the whalers win a pro-whaling vote here at the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) for the first time in almost three
decades. A vote on the 'St Kitts and Nevis Declaration' - which described
the moratorium on whaling as "no longer necessary" and called for the
'normalisation' of the IWC - was passed by 33 votes, while anti-whaling
nations only achieved 32.

The declaration states that the moratorium on commercial whaling is no
longer necessary; that whales eat 'huge quantities of fish'; that the IWC
has failed to implement a management regime to regulate commercial whaling;
that the use of whales in the Caribbean and elsewhere 'contributes to
sustainable coastal communities and food security'; dismisses management for

'emotional reasons' and rejects as unacceptable 'threats' from international

NGO's with 'self-interest campaigns 'on matters of sovereign rights'.

Delegates were shocked at the undiplomatic and somewhat undignified language

used in the declaration, which is merely a statement, but was presented as a

resolution and forced to a vote, thanks largely to the Danish Chair of the
Commission.

'Resolutions are not legally binding and the whalers are still more than 20
votes short of a majority where they could lift the whaling ban' said Andy
Ottaway of Campaign Whale, 'However, it is shocking that a country like
Denmark should be supporting commercial whaling. As for the rest of the
Declaration's supporters, apart from Norway Russia and Iceland, the rest
were all countries 'bought and brought' here by Japan.'

'Denmark's vote with the whaler's was decisive and European and especially
Danish public opinion will be outraged by this betrayal of the whales' he
said.

However, the role of the six Caribbean States' in attempts to resume
commercial whaling cannot be ignored. Japan has lavished millions of dollars

in aid on these countries, especially in fisheries development, and have
secured their unwavering support for whaling in return.

"The sad fact is, that after the last Japanese trawler has left the
Caribbean with no fish stocks, and their tourism industry has collapsed
through tourism boycotts, the Caribbeans will have plenty of time to regret
their support for whaling' said Ottaway.

-end-

Campaign Whale is dedicated to protecting all whales and dolphins and their
habitats. Campaign Whale is founder of the Global Whale Alliance,
and a member of the Whalewatch coalition, fighting the resumption of
commercial whaling.

Campaign Whale PO Box 2673
Lewes
East Sussex
BN8 5BZ
UK
Tel: + 44(0)1273 471403
www.campaign-whale.org
www.global-whale-alliance.org