WSPA To Push Whale Welfare At The IWC

WSPA is gearing up to get whale welfare top of the agenda at the 59th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting. At the forthcoming meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, from 28-31 May, pro-whaling nations will almost certainly try again to overturn the IWC’s current ban on commercial whaling. The Commission is under increasing pressure from the whaling countries since Iceland resumed commercial hunts for fin whales in October 2006. WSPA believes there is no humane way to kill a whale at sea. The uncontrollable conditions, often inaccurate harpoon and the size of the animal all make a quick kill virtually impossible. Evidence shows that many hunted whales can take up to an hour to die. On the grounds of animal welfare WPSA is calling for all commercial and scientific whaling to be stopped. WSPA is part of a coalition of over 140 NGOs in 55 countries that oppose whaling on welfare grounds. Many of the world’s leading cetacean protection organisations have signed up to a Position Statement on Whale Welfare. WSPA’s whale experts and campaigners will be reporting on progress throughout the IWC meeting. To keep up to date with their blog and download regular video podcasts visit www.whalewelfare.org

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