Whaling deal is dead

 IWC to retain moratorium on commercial whaling

 Media Release, June 24, 2010

 The moratorium on commercial whaling remains in place today as the member countries of the IWC rejected a compromise whaling proposal that would have allowed a return to commercial whaling. “This deal was nothing but a 10 year free for all for the whalers.  It is now dead,” said Mick McIntyre, director of the Sydney based conservation group Whales Alive.

 Two years of secret discussions followed by another day and a half of secret Commissioners’ negotiations at the 62^nd meeting of the IWC in Agadir ended with the proposal not getting enough support.

 “This is a great victory for the whales,” says McIntyre

 “Had this compromise agreement been approved by the IWC, not only would the 25-year-old moratorium on whaling have been lifted, but the illegal and immoral activities of Japan, Norway and Iceland would have received the stamp of approval from the IWC,” McIntyre said today from Agadir.

 The IWC will now be looking at a number of conservation initiatives.

  “We must work towards the IWC being a conservation driven convention.” McIntyre said

 The whaling deal is Dead!  Long Live the Moratorium!

 Mick McIntyre has attended every meeting of the IWC as an observer since 1993.

He is available for comment and interview direct from Agadir. Please call +212650629432 or Michael Young in Sydney, 0410 408 492

 www.whalesalive.org.au

Protect the whales not the whalers

International Whaling Commission meeting to decide the fate of the world’s whales

Media release 00/01

17 June 2010

A proposal due to be considered at the 62^nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) next week would effectively lift the moratorium on commercial whaling. This would take us back to the dark days of commercial whaling, says Mick McIntyre, Director of Whales Alive.

“It is time that the IWC started protecting whales and not the whaling industry,” he said.

An IWC moratorium on commercial whaling has been in place since 1986. However Japan has successfully exploited a loophole in this ban to carry on its spurious so-called ‘scientific’ whaling program.

Since 1986 Japan, Norway and Iceland have slaughtered 35,000 whales.

“Governments are being asked to consider this new proposal which would legitimise whaling and give the whalers everything they could wish for and would see whales cruelly butchered on Australia’s doorstep in the IWC whale sanctuary in the Southern Ocean. It is incomprehensible that the member nations of the IWC would allow this proposal to succeed,” Mr McIntyre said today as he left Sydney today to attend the IWC meeting in Agadir.

“In return all Japan need do is agree to an IWC monitoring program. There is no long-term commitment to phase out whaling. The slaughter will continue unabated.  Accepting this proposal would be a tragic day for whales and everything Australians believe in,” said Mr McIntyre.

Recently the Australian government has taken Japan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in a bid to stop it from using the legal loophole to whale in the Southern Ocean. According to documents submitted by Australia to the ICJ, Japan is allegedly breaching the 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling under the guise of scientific research.

Mick McIntyre is the director of the Australian conservation group, Whales Alive a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and celebration of Whales and their fragile marine habitat. He has attended every IWC meeting as an observer since 1993.

McIntyre is available for comment on a daily basis direct from the IWC meeting in Agadir, Morocco which runs from June 21 – June 25.

Please contact Michael Young in Sydney, 0410 408 492

Mick in Morocco  +212 650629432

www.whalesalive.org.au

Japanese Whalers to be Prosecuted

28 May 2010

The announcement today by the Australian Federal Government that it will take Japan to the International Court of Justice in The Hague in an attempt to end its barbaric practice of whaling, is good news, says Mick McIntyre, Director of Australian based Whales Alive.

“For years Japan has exploited a loophole at the IWC which has allowed it to continue the barbaric and inhumane slaughter of these magnificent creatures in the Southern Ocean under its so-called spurious ‘scientific whaling program’, which in reality is commercial whaling. Japan will at last be called to account for its outrageous behavior,” said McIntyre.

“Action needed to be taken outside the IWC which was gridlocked on this issue, “said Macintyre.

The Australian Labour Party went to the electorate in 2007 with a promise to take Japan to court to end whaling, a promise which is now fulfilling.

“Japan has shown a lack of good faith in stopping this barbaric practice and the Australian Government knows that Australians do not want to see any more images of Japanese whalers in action, such as we saw in 2008 when photos were published of a minke whale and its calf being hauled aboard a Japanese whaler,” said McIntyre.

Whales Alive applauds this move by the Australian Government to bring Japan to the International Court of Justice to account for its behavior.

Mick McIntyre has attended every International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting since 1993 and will be attending this year’s meeting in June at Agadir, Morocco.

McIntyre is available for interview call 0408 884 999, or Michael Young 0410 408 492

http://www.whalesalive.org.au

STEPHEN SMITH MP

Minister for Foreign Affairs

PETER GARRETT MP

Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts

ROBERT McCLELLAND MP

Attorney-General

28 May 2010

GOVERNMENT INITIATES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST JAPANESE WHALING

Australia will initiate legal action in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japanese ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean.

The decision underlines the Government’s commitment to bring to an end Japan’s program of so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean.  It also demonstrates our commitment to do what it takes to end whaling globally. 

The Australian Government has not taken this decision lightly. We have been patient and committed in our efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to this issue. We have engaged in intensive discussions in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and bilaterally with Japan.

We have enjoyed the support of many other IWC members who share Australia's concerns and goals.  We commend countries of the European Union, the Buenos Aires group of Latin American countries, and others who have joined with Australia in highlighting, in particular, the necessity for phasing out whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary.

But to date, the response of the whaling countries has not been positive.  Recent statements by whaling countries in the Commission have provided Australia with little cause for hope that our serious commitment to conservation of the world’s whales will be reflected in any potential IWC compromise agreement.

The Government has always been firm in our resolve that if we could not find a diplomatic resolution to our differences over this issue, we would pursue legal action.  The Government’s action fulfils that commitment. 

Australia will remain closely engaged in the IWC process and will continue to work hard in the lead up to and at the IWC meeting in June to pursue our objectives  While an outcome at that meeting which meets Australia’s fundamental conservation objectives is slim, the Government will continue to engage constructively in the diplomatic effort. 

Australia and Japan share a comprehensive strategic, security and economic partnership.  We share a substantial commercial relationship built over many decades, growing strategic and security linkages, and work together closely in key international forums such as the G20, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and APEC.   

The Government’s action today reflects a disagreement in one element of a relationship that is deep, broad and multi-dimensional.

Both Australia and Japan have agreed that, whatever our differences on whaling, this issue should not be allowed to jeopardise the strength and the growth of our bilateral relationship.

At the same time, the Australian Government will keep working tirelessly to achieve an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean, and we will use all legal and diplomatic avenues to achieve our goal. 

A formal application will be lodged in The Hague early next week.

<<MR-Whaling legal 280510.pdf>>

Ben Pratt
Press Secretary
Office of Peter Garrett MP
Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts
ben.pratt@environment.gov.au
Ph. 02 6277 7640
Mob. 0419 968 734

 JOINT LETTER TO ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PETER GARRETT

10 February 2010

The Hon Peter Garrett MP

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

PO Box 6022

Parliament House

Canberra ACT 2600

 Cc: The Hon Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister.

 Dear Minister Garrett,

 Australia’s role in the current IWC negotiations

We are writing to ask that the Australian Government clarify its position with regards to the current IWC negotiations and to request at this important time that more ongoing consultation occur with Australian environment groups on the issue of whaling.

IWC Support Group discussion have been held behind closed doors (including in the absence of NGO observers), but a recent statement by the Chairman of the IWC, Cristian Maquieira, and, in particular, media reports appear to indicate that the Japanese Government is gaining the upper hand in current negotiations.

Environment groups recognise that the Australian Government has for many years acted as the strongest advocate for an end to commercial whaling in all its guises including Japanese “scientific” whaling and we have supported the Government’s position at IWC meetings and the SORP initiative.

We appreciate that there may be increasing pressure on the Australian Government from countries that have previously expressed an anti-whaling position. As these countries retreat from a strong position it remains more important than ever that the Australian Government remain committed to realising an end to all forms of commercial whaling in the near future.   

Consistent with its overall policy of opposition to all forms of commercial whaling, can you confirm that the Australian Government will oppose and vote against any package that provides for the continuation of commercial whaling and international trade in whale products. This includes any package that would allow any form of whaling in the Southern Ocean, and/or any agreement that might legitimise “scientific” whaling by negotiating a reduced catch such as been reported in the media. We also seek your confirmation that the Australian Government would not accept introduction of a new commercial whaling category for ‘coastal’ whaling as part of a negotiated compromise reached within the IWC, and will call on the whaling nations to lift their reservations to the Appendix I listing of whales on CITES

Our organisations have been encouraged by recent statements from the Prime Minister and other ministers which have appeared to place a deadline on a decision on moving forward with an international court case against Japan’s scientific whaling programs.  If such a case has good prospects, may we make it clear that only a complete cessation of all scientific whaling programs would in our view warrant a decision against moving forward with it.

Finally, it has been four months since the last Cetaceans Roundtable meeting. A number of us have requested Government staff call another Roundtable meeting over the past few months but have not received a positive response.

Without ongoing engagement and updates from the Government it is difficult for environment groups to understand what action the Government is taking towards realising an end to all commercial whaling in all its guises.

Sincerely,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/25/2830586.htm

 Thursday 25th February

Australia proposes end to whaling

The Federal Government says it wants whaling in the Southern Ocean to be phased out over the next five years and for all whaling to be brought under the control of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

An Australian proposal which has been submitted to the IWC also calls for other whaling programs to be phased out over a reasonable period of time.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says a proposal released by the IWC's working group earlier this week falls well short of any outcome the Australian Government could accept.

Conservation groups have welcomed the Government's proposal, which demands closure of the loophole that allows Japan to conduct so-called scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean.

The proposal also calls for an end to whaling in sanctuaries.

Mick McIntyre from Whales Alive says Australia's proposal is a good step, but it must be emphatic in its demand to stop - not just phase out - the inhumane practice.

"It's great to see that the Australian Government has rejected the original proposal from the IWC, which would have effectively lifted the moratorium on commercial whaling," he said.

"And although short in detail, it's heading much more in the right direction for stopping whaling."

But the Federal Opposition says the Government has given Japan the green light to continue whaling in Antarctic waters.

The Opposition's environment spokesman, Greg Hunt, says the Government has broken its election promise to stop whaling.

"Mr Garrett's proposal is a white flag which gives a green light to Japan to continue slaughtering whales in our waters for the next five years, and to continue slaughtering whales infinitely," he said.

'Extremely regrettable'

But the proposal has angered Japan, who again defended their whaling program.

"It is extremely regrettable that such a proposal was made," said State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Koichi Takemasa, Japan's number-two diplomat after the foreign minister.

Japanese officials stressed the legitimacy of their "research" whaling, conducted using a loophole in an international moratorium.

"It is a legitimate activity based on an international treaty," Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture Akira Gunji said.

"We have to work hard so that the whaling issue will not affect the friendly Japan-Australia relations."

Tensions flared last week when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd bluntly warned Japan it had until November to reduce its whale catch to zero, or face action in the ICJ.

On a visit to Australia at the weekend, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada described the ultimatum as "unfortunate", but said his country would meet any challenge head-on and seek to prove its activities were legal.

Australia, along with New Zealand, has consistently opposed Japan's killing of hundreds of whales each year under a loophole that allows "lethal research".

- ABC/AFP

Monday December 14th, 2009

Australia's prime minister threatened legal action against Japan on Friday if it does not stop its research whaling program that kills up to 1,000 whales a year.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's comments came as the Australian Broadcasting Corp. quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada as saying in an interview that Japan has no plans to halt its killing of whales in the Antarctic.

"We don't accept Japan's premise for those terms of so-called scientific whaling," Rudd told Australia's Fairfax Radio Network. "If we cannot resolve this matter diplomatically, we will take international legal action. I've said that before — I'm serious about it."

Australian's want to see an end to this barbaric madness and they want their government to lead the way. Lets make sure Rudd keeps his promise!

Photo Courtesy: AFP

Governor of Connecticut declares October 24th Dr. Robbins Barstow day in the state of Connecticut

read the governor's proclamation at  http://cea.org/newsinfo/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=16162

Whales Alive would like to join with colleagues all around the world and pay tribute to a hero of the whale conservation movement Dr Robbins Barstow who is 90 years young on October 24th 2009.

Aside from being a life-long amateur filmmaker and a social justice activist Robbins is best known for his dedication to the Save the Whales Movement.  In 1974, he co-founded what was then named the Connecticut Cetacean Society. 

Robbins successfully lobbied the tehn Governor of Conneticut to proclaim May 2nd and 3rd, 1974 as “Connecticut Save the Whale Days” and he was instrumental in getting the sperm whale named as Connecticut’s state animal. 

In the 1980s, Connecticut Cetacean Society changed its name to Cetacean Society International (CSI) to reflect the group’s growing impact on whale-related conservation issues around the world.  In recognition of CSI’s work, in 1988, the United Nations Environment Program named the group to its Global 500 Roll of Honor. (please see website http://csiwhalesalive.org/)

Robbins served on four occasions as a member of the US delegation to the International Whaling Commission (IWC). He was present the year the IWC adopted the global moratorium on commercial whaling, and has had a huge influence on the conservation movement engaged with the Commission since. Robbins championed the issues of ethics with respect to whales and challenged the conservation community to become protectionist in their stance. His compassion for whales was only matched by his compassion for people.

In 1983, he helped organized the Whales Alive! Conference, which was co-sponsored by CSI, the US government and the IWC. The conference, held in Boston, was the first global meeting to address whale watching and its economic benefits.  While many people only see the Save the Whales movement as “anti-whaling”, Robbins has always sought to promote the positive aspects of whales, and to offer former whaling countries an alternative that could help offset any socio-economic losses due to the whaling ban.  He was a visionary leader on the issues

Robbins still serves as Director Emeritus of the Cetacean Society International.  His courage, wit, warmth and hard-work ethic are cherished by all those fortunate enough to know him or just to have met him


Weblog and news

Director of Whales Alive, Mick McIntyre and his son Piripi (aged 8) participate in humpback whale research on Hervey Bay with the Oceania Project.

The Oceania Project was established in 1988 as a scientific, charitable and public institution for the advancement of community education in the field of Cetacea (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) and the Ocean Environment.

The principal purpose of The Oceania Project is the protection and enhancement of Cetacea and the Ocean Environment through carrying out research, providing education and disseminating information.

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Whales Alive attends the 18th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, organized by the Society for Marine Mammalogy

Program Director, Olive Andrews and Scientific advisor Dr. Liz Hawkins are attending this conference, which  brings together some 1500 researchers and students from around the world. It provides an opportunity to present recent findings, and to discuss approaches to improve conservation efforts for these large mammals that are also of significant interest to the public.

The science presentations will touch on several themes including behaviour, physiology, genetics, distribution and abundance, as well as, communication and evolution. Several presentations will also look at contaminants, health concerns and the impacts of different human interactions. Scientists will also debate conservation measures and regulations that contribute to the protection of these ocean giants.

for more information on the conference visit www.marinemammalscience.org, under Conference.

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