Stop The Whaling!
THE PETITION
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet= 3869#sigs
The Japanese, Norwegian and Icelandic governments plan to cull over 900 whales in the next year (including endangered fin whales), and to continue such practices indefinitely. The whaling ban was put into place by the IWC to protect these mammals, due to the unsustainable manner in which they were culled in the past. Their reproductive cycle is far too slow to compensate for the losses sustained continuously due to the actions of Norway, Japan and Iceland, amongst others. The scientific research that is planned is non-existent, and whale meat remains unpopular in the commercial food markets of the countries involved. The EU is a world leader in the field of animal welfare and the responsible use of resources - we urge the prime minister, as our representative, to increase import tax for goods originating from the nations involved in commercial whaling, until the ban is once again adhered to. If commercial whaling goes ahead, a matter of time separates us from the untempered ravaging of oceans by a few select nations.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Cessation of commercial and scientific whaling, and a recognition of the 'endangered' status of Fin whales, and their consequent removal from all whaling quotas.
WHO WE NEED TO INFLUENCE
Japanese, Norwegian, Icelandic and UK governments
HOW LONG WILL WE CAMPAIGN
As long as it takes, or until December 31st 2009.
WHO TO CONTACT
Elizabeth Heptinstall [email protected]
Worldwide populations of whales are becoming increasingly vulnerable to extinction. With a return to whaling seeming inevitable, these beautiful creatures are under an ever increasing threat. Before the commercial whaling ban in 1986 many great whale species, such as blue whales, were almost hunted to extinction.
RECENT EVENTS: At The International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) recent convention, St Kitts and Nevis, June 2006, a draft proposal was put forward by a number of countries belonging to the IWC, for the commission to move back towards its original purpose, as an organisation to control whaling rather than to stop it. There was a majority of 33 to 32 in favour of this proposal, showing that the pro-whaling nations are slowly increasing their influence. Although the proposal was not passed, it is CRITICAL as it could be the start of a return to mass commercial whaling if the pro-whaling nations continue to gain support.
1,500 – 2,000 pilot whales are slaughtered in the Faroes every single year
1693 whales were killed in 2004 by IWC member nations
HOW ARE THEY KILLED? Explosive harpoons are used, that puncture the skin and then explode inside the body, blowing the whales insides to pieces seconds after impact. The whales can then take minutes or several hours of suffering before it dies often by bleeding to death. Even then they may have to be shot many times using shotguns, before they finally die.
665 products in Japanese markets were identified to contain at least 15 different species of whale and dolphin. Species found included those protected by international agreements. The presence of these species suggests illegal whaling not only by Japan, but also by the countries where the meat was imported from.
Whaling has been occuring sustainably since pre-historic times but only more recently have they been commercially hunted. Even though whaling has been monitored since 1940 by the IWC and is banned in most countries, it still continues, illegally.
Seven out of the 13 great whale species are still endangered or vulnerable after decades of protection. A return to whaling would definitely sign the death warrant for some of these species
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