29 May 2006 - The Minister
for the Environment and Heritage Senator Ian Campbell
will visit the Pacific nations of Kiribati, the
Marshall Islands and Vanuatu in a bid to strengthen
support for Australia's stand on whale conservation
in the lead up to the International Whaling Commission
(IWC) meeting next month.
Lead-up meetings to the 58th
session of IWC began in the Caribbean late last
week. Meanwhile, Senator Campbell is continuing
to promote Australia's whale conservation position
ahead of the formal IWC meeting which will take
place from 16-20th June.
Senator Campbell will leave
tomorrow for a three day trip to Kiribati,Vanuatu
and the Marshall Islands.
Kiribati has been a member of the IWC since 2004.
Vanuatu has recently declared a whale sanctuary
in its national waters and it is understood the
Marshall Islands have recently shown an interest
in whale conservation issues.
Senator Campbell said it was
important to build on our relationships with the
region, particularly in the face of evidence suggesting
that humpback whale numbers show little or no
signs of recovery in the Pacific.
“This is an issue that cannot
be ignored. It is vital that we talk through with
our Pacific neighbours the very real implications
of a return to commercial whaling, particularly
as the IWC pro-whaling bloc continues to grow
stronger.
“From the start of industrial
whaling in 1904 to 1986, it is estimated that
nearly 2 million whales were killed in the Southern
hemisphere. Thanks to the moratorium on commercial
whaling in place since 1986, some whale populations
are beginning to recover.
“Sadly, however, that does not
appear to be the case in the Pacific where humpback
whale numbers remain low. To take even a few whales
from these uncertain populations could jeopardise
their recovery in the region.
“This year's IWC vote is crunch
time for the future survival of whales and every
vote will be critical.
“I have been working day and night through a range
of international channels to pursue a permanent
global moratorium on commercial whaling and an
end to scientific whaling.
Australia's International Whaling
Commissioner has also been travelling around the
world meeting with like-minded conservation members
of the IWC to ensure a strong united voice to
save our whales.
Senator Campbell will lead Australia's delegation
to the main IWC meeting.
“Now, more than ever, we need
to garner as much support as we can or we face
the real prospect of a return to the days when
killing whales was commonplace.”
Senator Campbell said he intended
to pursue every available opportunity to try to
persuade potential IWC voters to stand united
with Australia against this unnecessary and abhorrent
practice.
The International Whaling Commission
meets at St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean from
16-20 June 2006. The main Scientific Committee
meetings have already begun.
