Whale and Dolphin Conservation
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Pro-conservation nations, led by Australia, managed to block attempts by pro-whaling countries which were seeking a return to commercial whaling at the International Whaling Commission held on the Caribbean island of St Kitts.
Australia's former Minister for the Environment and Heritage Senator the Hon Ian Campbell made a presentation on scientific research in the southern ocean, contrasting lethal research with non-lethal research, and demonstrating that there is no need for lethal whaling.
Japan made presentations on JARPA II and JARPN scientific whaling programmes.
The 58th International Whaling Commission meeting (16-20 June 2006) in St Kitts in the Caribbean saw votes on key issues.
They were:
Vote 1: Japan proposed that the agenda be amended so that there could be no discussion in the IWC with regards to small cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). The proposal failed, with 30 votes for, 32 votes against, and 1 abstention.
Vote 2: Japan proposed that all votes of the IWC should be taken by secret ballots. The proposal failed with 30 for, 33 against and 1 abstention.
Vote 3: Japan proposed that the IWC allow their small coastal communities to kill minke whales. The proposal failed with 30 for, 31 against and 4 abstentions.
Vote 4: Japan proposed that the Southern Ocean Sanctuary be abolished. The proposal failed with 28 for, 33 against and 4 abstentions.
The IWC adopted a declaration – called the St Kitts and Nevis declaration - proposed by 30 pro-whaling members. The declaration essentially supports the pro-whaling agenda and states that the IWC will collapse unless whaling resumes. It does not propose a course of action and has no effect on the workings of the IWC. The IWC adopted a resolution by general consensus condemning any actions that threaten the safety of life at sea. This resolution was developed in light of the events in the Southern Ocean between Greenpeace protest vessels and Japanese whaling vessels. St Kitts and Nevis reserved their position on this resolution.
| Countries | Proposal to strike discussion of small cetaceans from the Commission agenda | Proposal to introduce secret ballots | Proposal to amend the Schedule to provide a commercial quota for coastal minke whaling in Japan | Proposal to abolish southern ocean whale sanctuary | Vote on the St Kitts and Nevis Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Argentina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Belize | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Benin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameroon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cambodia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Chile | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| China | 1 | 1 | abstain | 1 | abstain |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 1 | 1 | 1 | absent | 1 |
| CzechRepublic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denmark | abstain | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Dominica | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Finland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| France | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gambia (voting rights restored before second vote) | not financial | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Gabon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Germany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grenada | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Guinea | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Hungary | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iceland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| India | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ireland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Israel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Japan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kiribati | 1 | 1 | abstain | 1 | 1 |
| Korea | 1 | 1 | abstain | abstain | 1 |
| Luxembourg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mali | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mauritania | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marshall Islands | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Monaco | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mongolia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Morocco | 1 | 1 | 1 | abstain | 1 |
| Nauru | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nicaragua | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Norway | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Oman | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Palau | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Panama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Russian Federation | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| San Marino | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Senegal (arrived day 3) | not present | not present | not present | 1 | 1 |
| Slovak Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Solomon Islands | 1 | abstain | abstain | 1 | 1 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| St Kitts and Nevis | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| St Lucia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| St Vincent and the Grenadines | 1 | 1 | 1 | abstain | 1 |
| Suriname | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Togo (voting rights restored after second vote) | not financial | not financial | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tuvalu | 1 | 1 | 1 | abstain | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Yes | 30 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 33 |
| Total No | 32 | 33 | 31 | 33 | 32 |
| Abstensions | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Motion moved | FALSE | FALSE | FALSE | FALSE | TRUE |
