Whaling in our waters

Japanese whaling vessels have left for the Southern Ocean, where up to 935 minke and 50 fin whales will be killed this whaling season under the guise of scientific whaling. These whales will be killed in a marine sanctuary under quotas approved by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). This year the Southern Ocean area where the fleet will hunt has been doubled in size, spanning millions of square kilometres of waters to the south of Australia in addition to the area south of New Zealand. This is yet another indication of Japan’s determination to continue whaling and hinder surveillance efforts.

We know there is no need to kill a whale to understand it. This is demonstrated by the Southern Ocean Research Programme, which is gathering data humanely.

The IWC cannot decide whether to protect whales or protect whaling. It is now reflecting on how to move forward. In the meantime, Japan will continue its whaling operations in Australian waters.

Our first meeting with Tony Burke as part of a cetacean roundtable reinforced that the Australian Government will take a strong stance against whaling. We need to ensure that momentum for this position is maintained at a time where some countries are prepared to compromise and the importance of whale welfare is being overlooked.

There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea. We need the Australian Government to use its influence within the IWC to oppose any motions to bring back commercial whaling or defend scientific whaling.

Rachel Smith, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

New whaling season imminent

With a new Government in place, it's an important time for animal welfare. And with the Japanese whaling season imminent, whaling will once again take place in the Southern Ocean under the guise of scientific research.

The launch of the Japanese whaling fleet brings whaling back to the attention of the world's media. On the 5th November we saw the first worldwide Anti -Whaling Day, including peaceful protests in Australian capital cities - more info here: www.wwawd.org.

The start of the hunting season is a harsh reminder of how crucial it is that Australia maintains its strong stance against commercial and scientific whaling.

So I'm looking forward to meeting with the new Minister for the Environment Tony Burke, whose remit will cover whaling. It is so important for us to keep giving whales a voice in a climate where further compromises to whale welfare could be made. We'll be working to make sure this happens and I'll keep you updated over the coming months.

Rachel Smith, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

In it for the long haul

Having now recovered from the long trip to Morocco for the IWC meeting and had plenty of time to reflect on the outcomes it is clear, now more than ever, that the fight to protect whales is one we need to never give up on – we need to be in it for the long haul.

The 2010 IWC meeting was one of the most crucial in recent history. Thanks to everyone who gave their voice, we were able to send a strong message to all Governments present that Australians are opposed to whaling. We played our part in helping keep the moratorium on commercial whaling - a major milestone on our journey.

Give Whales a Voice showed that Australians expected the Government to be the leading voice for the protection of whales. And we weren’t disappointed. The Government stood strong against the proposal to overturn the moratorium and showcased its non-lethal research program to understand whales without killing them. This was another milestone.

But clearly we’re still a long way from achieving an end to the cruelty of whaling. And over the coming months we’ll need to reach more milestones to keep whale welfare on the agenda.

This is a fight we need to continue and we need your support for the long haul. So please help us spread the word, to record as many words as possible in support of an end to whaling.

And if you can, try to experience the beauty of these creatures for yourself over the next few months, as they travel past our coastline on a journey of their own.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Looking towards the next IWC

By giving whales a voice at this year’s IWC we helped to prevent the reintroduction of commercial whaling. The compromise deal that would have condemned 13,000 whales to death over the next 10 years was overturned.

Throughout the IWC meeting our message was clear - there is no humane way to kill a whale. And thanks to the support of thousands of Australians, we were able to demonstrate the strength of our opposition to whaling.

In response to our Give Whales A Voice speech, Minister Garrett spoke in support of our campaign, reinforcing the Government's opposition to whaling. In addition, the UK proposed, and will be hosting, an animal welfare workshop later this year.

But sadly our campaign to protect the world’s whales must go on. Up to 2,500 whales will be hunted again this year.

And so we will continue to Give Whales A Voice. And we will need your help to achieve an end to whaling, once and for all. You can show your support by recording your word and telling everyone you know to do the same.

More news about the campaign is to come. But for now, here is WSPA International’s Joanna Toole speaking about our work towards the next IWC.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Both losses and hope for the whales

The 62nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission has come to an end. It was a meeting that presented a loss for the humpback whales, but also hope for the future inclusion of animal welfare considerations within the IWC.

Our Give Whales A Voice campaign continues and I will update you on next steps for our fight to end the cruelty of whaling. In the meantime, I want to share this video with you.

Here WSPA International's Marine Mammal Programmes Manager, Joanna Toole, reflects on this year's IWC meeting.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Tragic day for humpback whales

© Bryant Austin/www.studiocosmos.com

I’ve just watched the IWC buckle under pressure from Denmark and narrowly approve a proposal for Greenland to hunt nine humpback whales a year for the next three years, supposedly for subsistence use.

Despite strong statements of opposition from many governments, acting IWC Chair Anthony Liverpool asked those in opposition not to block this proposal. The 25-strong EU block pledged their support, whilst Australia and numerous Latin American members opposed the highly controversial request.

During the plenary, Australia’s Commissioner Donna Petrachenko stated that any request for Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling must be sustainable and based on genuine needs. And it must meet the criteria for Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling.

But WSPA’s 2008 investigation ‘Exploding Myths’ showed that around a quarter of Greenland’s whaling is commercial in nature and it seems that commercial markets are only increasing.

So yet again we see the IWC trading the lives of sentient beings as if they were merely stock. Greenland last caught humpback whales in 1986 and has provided no convincing evidence of a subsistence need to start catching them again.

These gentle and charismatic humpbacks will suffer immensely when killed - all to end up on supermarket shelves or to satisfy the appetites and curiosities of tourists in luxury restaurants.

Inflicting such immense cruelty in the name of profit is simply unacceptable.

This is a sad day. The IWC is purely about politics, not whales.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Keeping whale welfare on the agenda

During the official NGO session today (the fourth day of the IWC meeting), Siri Martinsen, Director of NOAH – for dyrs rettigheter, spoke on behalf of NOAH and WSPA member society Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge. One of the key issues she presented was the cruelty of Norwegian whaling, as the recent investigation by WSPA, NOAH and Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge has clearly shown.

Siri told the meeting: “I wish to briefly refer to a film we captured of a Norwegian whale hunt last month. The film shows an experienced whaler trying to hit and kill a whale under perfect weather conditions - and failing to succeed. We have consulted with external veterinarians and based on the footage the most likely scenario is that the whale was indeed struck and lost. The whaling vessel claims that the whale was not hit, but both scenarios illustrate the same main point: whalers shooting a moving animal from a moving platform cannot reliably achieve an accurate lethal harpoon shot. The margins for error in commercial whaling are simply too high, and so is the suffering inflicted.”

As this year’s meeting is nearing its end, everyone at WSPA is relieved that the compromise deal, which would have condemned 13,000 whales to death over the next 10 years, was not adopted and the commercial whaling ban remains intact.

We’ll be using the coming months to prepare for the IWC Animal Welfare and Ethics workshop, proposed yesterday by the UK delegation. And we will be working hard to ensure that governments around the world act to protect whales, not whaling.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Latin America champions whale watching

During a press conference today we heard that 88 whale watching operators in Latin America have signed a joint statement calling for the IWC to focus on the non-lethal use of whales and to recognise the benefits that a properly managed whale watching industry can bring to communities throughout Latin America.

Roxana Schteinbarg representing an Argentinean Conservation Organisation says it is crucial that tourism operators raise their voices to defend the whales. “Whales migrate beyond our shores and when they leave our coast there is a chance they will be killed by a harpoon. It’s vital that the moratorium is maintained, scientific whaling is stopped and sanctuaries are respected.”

The Dominican Republic has the most valuable whale watching industry in the Caribbean. In one bay alone operators cater for 25,000 tourists a year. “The industry brings great socioeconomic benefits to coastal communities,” says Liliana Betancourt from a Dominican Conservation Centre.

Our WSPA representative in Latin America explains that whale watching in the region is managed in a responsible manner and shows that it is not necessary to cause suffering to these beautiful animals in order to generate financial benefits.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

You don’t have to kill a whale to understand it

Last night I went to a side event hosted by the Australian Government about a truly exciting initiative which has seen a growing number countries come together to research whales in the Southern Ocean – without killing them of course.

The Southern Ocean is close to the hearts of Australians and the Japanese whale hunt that happens there every year is something Australians are completely opposed to.

We know the problem; we know that each year Japan will kill hundreds of whales in the name of ‘science.’ What Garrett presented last night was the solution. Solid research that helps us understand these magnificent creatures without killing them or causing them suffering.

The project is called the Southern Ocean Research Partnership – and it shows what we all know, that you don’t have to kill a whale to understand it.

During a week of discussions about stocks and quotas, last night’s presentation was so refreshing. This is the way forward for whale research! This Australian initiative is progressive, exciting and something that people and countries alike should support.

Makes you proud to be an Aussie.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Whale welfare put on the table at the IWC

 

© iStockphoto.com/Brett Atkins

Some good news regarding whale welfare on the third day here at the IWC – a proposal by the UK to host an animal welfare and ethics workshop has been met with overwhelming support from 11 countries.

This is a great opportunity to seriously address the fundamental welfare problems of commercial whaling. The workshop will give the IWC much needed information on international animal welfare science and policies, and help delegates to make enlightened and progressive decisions on the issue.

The UK proposal was supported by Australia, as well as Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Costa Rica, India and Brazil.

It’s great to see another country speak out for the welfare of whales. WSPA is looking forward to working alongside the UK to ensure the workshop is a success - both for the IWC and for whales.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Whales have been granted a reprieve

After two days and more than 30 closed door meetings, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) acknowledged that no consensus will be reached at this meeting on a proposal which threatened to legitimise commercial whaling.

NGOs and the media filed into the meeting room this morning to hear that no deal had been reached. This of course was no surprise to anyone.

The first couple of hours saw country delegates stating one by one their position on the future of the IWC, some offering suggestions on how the IWC could build on the positive foundations which had been laid during the last two years. All agreed that the culture of the IWC had changed. The whaling and conservation countries are now talking and although not necessarily agreeing there seemed to be a willingness to transform the IWC into a fully functioning body.

Minister Garrett spoke early in the session representing very clearly the views of so many Australians – that we must close the door on the proposal which would legitimise commercial whaling.

Several other countries, including Monaco, Costa Rica and Germany, put forward alternative suggestions that included “non-lethal” use of whales such as whale watching.

Minister Garrett acknowledged that there are serious issues but that the IWC still stands as the primary body for the conservation and management of cetaceans. He called on the IWC to find the same strength that led to the creation of the moratorium and stressed that the IWC must move towards being a modern conservation focussed organisation.

Australians can feel confident that our views were heard loud and clear in this year’s IWC meeting.

While we are sorry to hear that no compromise could be reached that would put an end to commercial whaling, WSPA is happy that the whales have been given a reprieve. We are urging the IWC member states to use any “cooling period” to consider the inherent cruelty of whaling and work toward not only maintaining but strengthening the whaling ban.

WSPA will attempt to work with the non-whaling nations to make sure that whales – not whaling – become the future of the IWC.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

IWC doors are opened to NGOs and media

As the IWC opens its doors once more to NGOs and the media on day three, it appears we’re no closer to an agreement of any kind. I’ll continue our updates here and on Twitter as the meeting goes on.

In the meantime, it’s sadly time to say goodbye to Sami Lukis, who is heading back to Sydney. Here are Sami’s parting thoughts on her experience of the IWC.

Thank you Sami for all of your support as ambassador for our Give Whales A Voice campaign!

Emily Reeves, WSPA

I can't believe I have to leave Agadir already - and the doors have only just re-opened to NGO's. Thank you so much to Optus and WSPA for this incredible opportunity. As an observer, it's been a once in a lifetime (and remarkably eye-opening) experience.

It's so frustrating to see that so many people have made the journey to Agadir, only to be shut out by the IWC for the first two days of discussions. It's like a slap in the face to the people of WSPA and the other welfare organisations, who came here to give the whales a voice. How can the IWC expect to reach any kind of agreement on the future of whaling, when they close the door on those who want to protect them?

The dedication and determination of the people of WSPA is truly inspirational. They realise they're fighting an incredibly tough battle, but they refuse to give up. For example, the press conference held by WSPA on Tuesday was a brilliant success. The support of our environment minister Peter Garrett certainly got the attention of the world media.

I leave Agadir and the IWC wishing there was more I could do. I am only one voice, but that is one more voice supporting a complete ban on whaling. I hope that every voice will one day be heard by the IWC. And together we can find a way to stop this horrific, inherently cruel practice.

I leave today as a room full of commissioners and government reps from all over the globe sit together to decide the fate of these beautiful creatures.

It defies logic to me that anyone of them could support the practice of whaling and be content to allow the horrific slaughter to continue. In any ocean. In any capacity. Whatsoever.

The message is so clear. And so simple. Whaling is cruel and it must be stopped.

Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

WSPA press conference tells IWC whaling must end

The WSPA press conference at the IWC today was a great success. There was a huge media turnout and plenty of representatives from other animal welfare organisations. The arrival of our Environment Minister Peter Garrett certainly sparked a media frenzy.

First, Marine Mammal Programmes Manager, Joanna Toole, spoke about WSPA's position on whaling and the premise that any whale killed is one too many - because there is no humane way to kill a whale.

Next, NSPA spoke about the numbers of whales being killed in Norway and the estimated kill times. Following years of frustration by being denied access to official data, NSPA sent their own film crew out to video an actual hunt. This video was played at the press conference. It showed a whale being hunted and harpooned in calm waters in broad daylight and still it wasn't an instant kill. It took a minimum of 22 minutes - and possibly up to two hours - for that whale to die.

There is no better way to show that the debate on whaling should not be solely focused on numbers, but instead the welfare of these animals and the incredibly inhumane way in which they are slaughtered. The proposed compromise deal being discussed behind closed doors here now considers a reduction in the number of whales being killed. But this is not enough. We cannot accept anything less than a complete ban on all whaling.

Bridget Vercoe from WSPA New Zealand spoke next, reinforcing the New Zealand public’s strong opposition to whaling and its inherently cruel nature.

Then WSPA Australia’s Emily Reeves spoke about Australia's commitment to putting an end to all whaling. Emily spoke with so much passion and had the room captivated by the very strong message of not just WSPA, but all Australians being opposed to whaling. This was followed by the premiere of the Give Whales A Voice campaign video, created using the recordings of thousands of Australian voices.

As an Aussie, it was a very proud moment - hearing so many Aussie voices in a speech which presented a very clear message to the IWC delegates ... that whaling is inherently cruel and it must be stopped. The voices were accompanied by a video, in which the written words of the speech created a picture of a whale onscreen. It was a clever, eye catching and incredibly moving presentation. In fact it was so good, there was a spontaneous round of applause from the room when it finished.

Mr Garrett finished the press conference with a brilliant speech - once again reinforcing the Government's opposition to whaling and supporting the Australian position on putting an end to whaling.

One of the WSPA team said there were more people at our press conference today, than she's seen at any other held at the IWC over the last four years. Let's just hope the people who attended get the WSPA message out. And more importantly, let's hope the delegates listen.

The message is simple. The IWC simply cannot consider putting an end to the whaling ban.

Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

WSPA and Australians Give Whales A Voice at the IWC

Today we delivered the Give Whales A Voice speech, made from the voices of the thousands of Australians who recorded their word, to a packed press conference at the IWC here in Agadir.

The speech, which received a resounding applause, showed that Australians are resolutely opposed to whaling because it is - and always will be - inherently cruel.

Over the last twenty years the whaling nations have met with global condemnation for flouting the ban on whaling and killing over 25,000 whales. But the compromise currently being discussed behind closed doors by the IWC could see 13,000 more whales killed in the next ten years.

For us, one whale killed is one too many because whaling cannot be done humanely. The footage we also showed at the press conference reinforced this message. From a recent investigation conducted by WSPA, the Norwegian Society for the Protection of Animals and Noah, the video highlighted the welfare problems inherent in the whaling industry.

There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea. A whale that is harpooned suffers a slow and painful death at the hands of whalers. WSPA’s message to the IWC is that voting in favour of the compromise proposal is legitimising whaling and the suffering it causes.

WSPA is supporting the Australian Government’s proposal for a phase out of whaling, including whaling carried out by Japan under the guise of ‘scientific research. Through Give Whales a Voice we’re standing behind the Government in calling for a future for the IWC that is about achieving true whale protection.

Here's the video of the Give Whales A Voice speech again for those of you who haven't seen it!

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Australians Give Whales A Voice at the IWC

This speech, created using the thousands of voices recorded for our Give Whales A Voice campaign, tells IWC members from around the world that whaling is inherently cruel and must be stopped.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped us to make this possible.
We'll send more news from the WSPA press conference at the IWC later today.

Emily Reeves, WSPA Australia

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Working to end whaling in Norway

I'm meeting some fascinating people here in Agadir - including Tanya Schumacher, from the Norwegian Society for the Protection of Animals. Tanya is an Aussie vet, who grew up in the Northern Territory, but moved to Norway for love. She's now sharing her passion for animals through her work at the NSPA. I can't even imagine how tough it is for these guys - trying desperately to have their voices heard in a country that actually takes great pride in its commercial whaling industry.

WSPA, NSPA and NOAH recently released footage of Norwegian whaling that highlights why the IWC simply cannot consider putting an end to the whaling ban.

Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

My experience of the reality of the IWC

With all the IWC delegates and government reps locked into private discussions, our big hope is that a number of media will attend the WSPA press conference tomorrow. We’re also hopeful that Minister Peter Garrett will attend and give the Government’s view. So we’re now focusing on organising the event while the IWC meeting goes on without us, behind closed doors.

During lunch today, it was brought to my attention that some of the Norwegian delegates were sitting two tables away. And one of them was the man who designed the exploding penthrite harpoon - the very tool used to kill the whales we're here to protect. He maintains the harpoon is designed with the best interests of the animal in mind. I wonder what the definition of "best interest" could possibly be, when you consider the harpoon explodes inside the whale, causing a slow, painful and inhumane death.

It hits home for me now. This is the reality of attending the IWC. At one table I’m joined by the hopeful, optimistic, caring, motivated, committed WSPA team, all of whom are passionately opposed to the cruelty of whaling ... and only metres away, is a man who supports the continuation of the inhumane whaling industry. I'm having trouble finishing my lunch.

Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Disappointment and disbelief on the first day of the IWC

The IWC meeting opened with a traditional Moroccan music performance. Then it was called to order at exactly 10.35am with a thank you to the King of Morocco and a welcome to all the government ministers, ambassadors, commissioners, delegates, observers and media - with an acknowledgement that we're all here to work towards achieving some kind of agreement.

The Moroccan Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine Fisheries spoke, saying Agadir is honoured to be chosen as host of this year’s IWC. Morocco is bordered by two seas – the Atlantic and the Mediterranean – and these are used for trade, transportation and tourism. Therefore Morocco has always been interested in the protection of the marine environment and its resources. And they follow with great interest the issue of whaling and acknowledge the importance of working towards a responsible consensus.

That all sounds wonderful – but where do you stand on the issue of whaling? Do you acknowledge that it is an inherently cruel process?

Then, after a total of 15 minutes, the Chair announced they would be breaking for coffee! What ??? We’ve only been here 15 minutes. Let’s get some action happening. Let’s start talking about the issues that really matter.

At 11.28am we’re welcomed back. With opening statements invited from the three new attending governments, Ghana, Dominican Republic and Bulgaria … but only one of the three were in attendance. Ghana said a quick hi, and expressed confidence they’ll reach a situation where their country is well represented. And the other two countries didn’t even bother to turn up.

Japan was the next country to speak – basically just to say they don’t have any objection to the agenda. And took the opportunity to offer their cooperating spirit and to say they will make the most effort to solve this issue.

Next comes the big announcement! In order to complete the agenda, the plenary sessions will be suspended until Wednesday morning. They acknowledge that it’s an unusual approach, but believe it will be the most effective and convenient approach, for such a complex and sensitive issue.

So that’s it. We’ve effectively been kicked out! The plenary sessions have been suspended to allow for private discussions for member governments. They assure us that a press release will be provided tomorrow morning, to keep us informed of the discussions.

The Chair reckons the decision to hold closed meetings strongly signifies their desire to work towards a consensus. WSPA does’t see it that way. It goes without saying that all WSPA representatives are extremely disappointed and appalled by the IWC’s lack of transparency during the negotiation process. This could see 88 governments agree to the inhumane slaughter of innocent whales over the next 10 years.

The NGOs here are trying to represent the view of people worldwide opposed to commercial whaling. It’s outrageous that the fate of the world’s whales depends on decisions made behind closed doors, while the media and welfare groups are completely shut out.

Where do we go from here? We sit and wait. And hope for any snippets of information that filter through from government representatives attending the meetings. We will not give up.

Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Whales' lives to be traded in secret

It's now been confirmed that the IWC will be conducting its meeting behind closed doors. This is the WSPA official response to the decision:

"WSPA is extremely disappointed by the IWC's complete lack of transparency during the negotiation process when it today chose to run the next day and a half of meetings behind closed doors. The outcome could see 88 member goverments agreeing to the inhumane slaughter of up to 13000 whales a year for the next 10 years.

"NGOs are here trying to represent the view of millions of people worldwide who are opposed to commercial whaling and do not want to see this inherently cruel practice legitimised. For the IWC to exclude civil society in this manner, especially with no prior warning, is completely unacceptable.

"Whales are not political pawns, whose lives are to be traded in secret - these are sentient animals that can take over an hour to die when hunted. It is wholly unacceptable that their fate now depends on decisions made behind closed doors, while civil society and the media are obstructed from observing.

"WSPA is strongly urging the IWC to listen to the hundreds of thousands of people from around the world who, in the weeks leading up to this year's meeting, have made it clear that commercial whaling should be permenantely consigned to the history books."

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

The IWC plans to shut door on media and NGOs

The IWC has just opened in Agadir in Morocco. To our disappointment the revised adgenda handed to us as we entered the meeting states that it will adjourn later this morning for the remainder of today and tomorrow to allow governments to conduct private closed door meetings. This last minute change in the agenda locks organisations like WSPA, along with the world's media, out of discussions about the proposal which could legitimise the cruel slaughter of thousands of whales.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more.

Emily Reeves

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Day 1 - IWC Sunday 20th June

Today I arrived in the seaside town of Agadir, on the west coast of Morocco, after a 42 hour journey from Sydney. This week, it plays host to people from all over the globe, who have come here to discuss the future of whaling.

It was great to meet the WSPA reps from the UK and New Zealand. At dinner I also met the WSPA reps from Costa Rica and Norway. This once again reminded me that this is a truly international issue, which is of great concern to people all over the world.

I had a fascinating chat to the Norwegian Society for the Protection of Animals. They say the whaling industry in Norway is very content to stay hidden in the shadow of Japan. And why wouldn't they be? Japan continues to take the media spotlight and most of the heat, while Norway can continue slaughtering innocent whales, with very little attention or condemnation.

The big topic of discussion at dinner was the alarming rumour that has been circulating today. It’s believed the plenary will open tomorrow as normal, but then the delegates will move into closed door meetings from 11am ... where they will and stay until Wednesday! This has all of the NGOs (non-government organisations) extremely worried - because that would mean we won’t be able to hear what’s being discussed.

Although we don't have any information about their agenda; we understand it will possibly focus on a compromise deal to phase out whaling in the Southern Ocean over a ten year period. If this is only directed at Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean, the concern is that higher quotas may be given to the other two whaling nations.

We won't know anything more until tomorrow. If they do go into closed door meetings, we'll just have to sit tight and hope for any snippets of information we can get from any of the delegates - until they all re-emerge on Wednesday. I'll let you know ...

Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

On our way to the IWC

Only a few hours until I jump on that plane for Morocco. In my role as ambassador for the Give Whales A Voice campaign, I look forward to taking the voices of Australians opposed to whaling to the IWC, where the future of whales will be discussed over the next week.

I'm so proud and so honoured to have this opportunity to join the fabulous people of WSPA at the IWC. We will spend the next week attending seminars and press conferences and making sure the Australian position against whaling is clear. And you can read all about it through my regular updates here.

This year, it's more important than ever, that our voices are heard at the IWC. For the first time in two decades, the IWC will be seriously considering a compromise deal, which would legalise commercial whaling and overturn the 20 year ban on whaling. We cannot let this happen - because there is no humane way to kill a whale. It's a disgusting, inhumane, horrific act. These beautiful animals are suffering.

It’s not too late to add your support to WSPA’s campaign, if you haven’t done this already. It will only take one minute of your time today to speak out against whaling and Give Whales A Voice. We’re taking these Australian voices to Morocco in a speech we're presenting at the IWC. I'll be there in person and I promise your voices will be heard!

Thank you so much for your support.
Sami Lukis

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Taking Australian Voices to the IWC

 

In the lead up to next week's IWC meeting it’s encouraging to see so much focus in Australia on whales and whale protection.  We are in a unique situation with just about everyone in Australia – the Government and opposition, the public and the media – agreeing on one thing; that whales must be protected.

Australians expect our Government to be leading the charge for whale protection. And, from what we've seen of late, this is a challenge Minister Garrett has taken on board.

Through Give Whales a Voice we’re urging Australians to stand behind the Government in calling for a future for the IWC that is about achieving true whale protection.

There has been a strong response here and internationally to the release of our video footage capturing a Norwegian whale hunt. This video shows the suffering that is inherent in the whaling industry, regardless of where in the world it occurs. It is a harsh reminder that the IWC really is bargaining with the lives of whales.

WSPA will be presenting this video to the IWC in a press conference demonstrating the brutal reality of the decisions being made by governments. At the same press conference we will be delivering the speech that has been made from the voices of thousands of Australians who have given whales a voice.

Thank you to all of you who have helped to make this speech possible. It is an essential part of our fight next week to turn the focus of the IWC to protecting whales, not whaling.  We’ll keep you updated on developments at the IWC here and on Twitter.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

 The image is a composite photograph (using over 300 close-up photographs) of 'Ella' an adult female minke whale, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Photography by © Bryant Austin 

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

New footage Shows why Whaling Ban must Continue

WSPA has revealed new footage today of a whale being hunted in Norway. As we all pack our bags to attend one of the most important International Whaling Commission meetings ever, we have a shocking reminder - if we needed one - of the immense suffering that whaling causes.

The footage was captured as part of an investigation carried out in Norway by WSPA, along with partners Norwegian Society for the Protection of Animals (Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge) and NOAH – for Dyrs Rettigheter.  It cuts to the heart of the debate, which is otherwise so neatly packaged in talk of quotas and stocks, and proves that whaling is inherently cruel.

The clinical language used at the IWC hides the awful truth of the whaling industry.  There is nothing clinical about whaling.  The reality is horrific and the suffering unforgivable. The combination of a moving platform, a moving target and human error makes suffering inevitable.

Even in still waters, such as those documented in the investigation, there is no guarantee that death will be instant. As long as whaling continues whales will suffer.

Therefore as governments gather next week to vote on the much-discussed proposal they are not voting yes or no to quotas.  They are voting either yes or no to animal suffering.  We watched this whale in Norway experience a slow death at the hands of whalers - governments voting yes to the proposal are legitimising this cruelty.

This is the message that we will be taking to the IWC next week. And you can help us tell the meeting that Australians are opposed to whaling because there is no humane way to kill a whale. Please record your word today at givewhalesavoice.com.au.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

This cruelty cannot continue

Japan started its summer whaling hunt in the north-west Pacific this week, hoping to kill 100 sei whales, 50 bryde's whales and 10 sperm whales before late August.

Sperm whale fluke © Claire Bass

While Japan continues to kill whales under the guise of ‘scientific research’, the International Whaling Commission will be voting on whether to legitimise commercial whaling. If the vote is a yes, the IWC will effectively reward the whaling nations for having ignored the whaling ban for over 25 years.

With just over a week to go before the IWC meeting and this all-important vote, the hunt is a sad reminder of the need for our voices to be heard. By taking the voices of Australians to the IWC to highlight the cruelty of whaling, we hope the actions of the whaling nations will be recognised as inhumane and that countries will vote no to the dangerous proposal.

So if you haven’t already, please spare a few moments of the long weekend to add your voice to the thousands of Australians who have already recorded a word to Give Whales A Voice.

Every word counts. So if you’ve recorded yours already, please make sure your friends and family have too.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Sydney Says No to Whaling

On Monday, myself along with some of the WSPA staff and devoted volunteers, braved the morning winter chill to join the team at Martin Place with the aim of recording words and gaining support for Give Whales A Voice. 



At first it was admittedly a little intimidating to approach strangers on the street however once I got in to the swing of things, it became surprisingly easy to talk to people on the issue of whaling and encourage them to participate. Even amid the hustle and bustle of the City, it was great to see that a vast number of people were willing to give up a few moments of their time to show their support and Give Whales A Voice.

I spoke to those from all walks of life, from business people and students to musicians and skaters, all united in the belief that the inhumane and unnecessary slaughter of these awe inspiring creatures should come to an end.

As a team we collected just under 1200 words to add to the thousands already recorded via givewhalesavoice.com.au. What better way to show the world and the IWC how Australians feel about whaling than to use the voices of Australians themselves!

A big thank you to all who helped out on the day, especially our wonderful volunteers who offered their free time to help us out.

Chelsey Johns, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Give Whales A Voice goes to Martin Place

We hit the streets of Sydney yesterday, taking an installation of hundreds of microphones to Martin Place.

Give Whales A Voice ambassador Sami Lukis was on hand to encourage everyone to take thirty seconds out of their day to say no to whaling.

Not only did it look fantastic, it helped almost 1200 people record their word and Give Whales a Voice.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success!

Louise Fitzsimons, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Combining Voices with Optus, Speaking Out for Whales

I’ve been asked more than once since the start of Give Whales A Voice about how we came to work with Optus. There has been both enthusiasm and a healthy dose of scepticism as to why a big company would be interested in an anti-whaling campaign.

The scepticism is understandable, but the reality is that working with Optus gives us the ability to reach more people than we could have alone. For me, it’s about being able to communicate our messages in a simple but inspiring way and with as many people as possible.

And of course the Optus brand has been linked with animals, including whales, for quite some time.



Give Whales a Voice is the next phase of WSPA’s ongoing work to bring an end to whaling. By working with Optus this year we hope to engage more Australians than ever before to help achieve this goal. We’ve made a good start, but time is running out.

The International Whaling Committee is meeting on 21 June to vote on a deal to legitimize commercial whaling. We need your words to tell them, in no uncertain terms, that we believe whaling is wrong and should be stopped.

Thanks to the support of Optus, you have the chance to make a difference. Have you recorded your word yet?

Louise Fitzsimons, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Why Our Voices Need to be Heard at the IWC

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is responsible for the management of whaling. At its annual meeting at the end of this month, it will vote on a deal that could legitimise commercial whaling.

Complicating the issue with numbers, the proposed deal does nothing to address the fact that whaling is inherently cruel. If passed, it would allow Japan, Iceland and Norway to legally kill annual quotas of whales. 

I’m going to the meeting this month to speak out for whales and to highlight that the unavoidable cruelty of whaling is being completely overlooked. To find out why I need your help with this and how you can make a difference, take a look at this short video clip.



Please Give Whales A Voice and help spread the word – we need to collect as many voices as we can before 21 June.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Australia takes Japan to Court

You may have heard that this week the Government will start legal proceedings against Japan and its so-called scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean. But what does this mean for whales? And will it affect the International Whaling Commission’s discussions?

At this early stage it is hard to say. But the announcement gives a strong signal to Japan that we will no longer tolerate whaling in the Southern Ocean. And for that reason alone, I’m pleased that it is going ahead.

While the latest development shows our Government is serious about stopping Japanese whaling, this is not a simple situation. As a result, it has drawn a mixed response from other governments, including from our closest neighbours in New Zealand.

What we mustn’t forget in all of the debate is that whaling is inherently cruel. And as Australians we are passionate about ending this cruelty – our recent research shows that 95% of us want whaling in the Southern Ocean stopped.

The Government's decision is therefore in-line with the expectations of Australians that we must do everything possible to end whaling. But the legal action will take time. In the meantime, the IWC meeting is approaching fast. And we need to make our voices heard loud and clear at this meeting.

The Australian Government must stand strong for whales at the IWC. They must continue to argue for a future where whales are protected, not whaling. And we can push them to do this. And we can support them in taking this stance.

So please record your word today. And tell everyone you know. We can’t afford to wait.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

The Cruel Truth About Whaling

I need to warn you now that what you’re about to read will be upsetting. But this is not sensationalist writing, I don’t believe in shock tactics. What you’re about to read are simply the facts about the cruelty of whaling.

Up to 2,500 whales are killed every year, many under the spurious guise of scientific research. Whatever the reason, the method used to kill whales is always cruel. What makes this all the more shocking is that, sadly, around a third of whales are pregnant when they’re killed.

Whalers use grenade harpoons designed to enter the flesh of the whale and then explode. The harpoon is fired from a cannon on the prow of the ship. Aimed by hand, it creates a hole in the whale’s body and then explodes, causing massive injury or death through laceration or trauma.

Often, the whale does not die instantly. Death can take anything from two minutes up to an hour. Then another grenade harpoon or rifle shots are used. If the first harpoon remains in the whale, the attached line serves to slow or hold it in place for this second attempt.

No government adequately reports how long it takes for a whale to die. The people we rely on for this information - and for the number of animals that are injured but not caught - are the whalers themselves. For this reason we expect a lack of accurate reporting on how whales die and that's exactly what we get.


© Jonas Fr. Thorsteinsson

The whalers also determine themselves if a whale is dead or not before they begin cutting it up. But whales are able to slow their breathing and heart rate for long periods underwater. This means whalers may decide a whale has no indications of life, that it is dead, when it is still very much alive.

I’ve heard these grim details so many times, but they still upset me. Nothing can be done to alleviate the suffering that whaling causes. There is no humane alternative; there is no cruelty free way to kill a whale. That’s why I believe that whaling has to end. That’s why I will be representing WSPA at the IWC next month. And that’s why I need your help to get this message across.

Please record your word today.

Emily Reeves, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.

Protecting Whales, Not Whaling

Have you been whale watching? I haven’t, yet, but I was lucky enough to see two beautiful humpback whales at Bondi last year. They were hypnotic. We were all transfixed as they breached and flicked their magnificent tails again and again. They took my breath away.

An experience like that makes it so hard to believe that many of the majestic whales we see swim past our shores will return to the Antarctic to face a slow and agonising death at the hands of whalers later this year.

But that’s why I’m writing this now. If we can get the message across that whaling is inhumane, if we at WSPA can gather the support of Australians to say no to this cruelty, I believe we can change the direction of the whaling debate.

You see it’s not all about numbers. Yes we need to protect whales from extinction. But there is a more urgent need to protect our whales from the cruel and unnecessary whaling industry. Just one whale killed is one too many because there is no humane way to kill a whale at sea.

Recent WSPA research suggests 18 to 24 year olds are less concerned about whaling than older Australians. I don’t believe that they don’t care. I believe they’re frustrated. And is it any wonder when year on year the International Whaling Commission, the body responsible for managing whaling, simply debates how many whales can be killed?

That’s why I’ve been speaking to the media this week. (You can see me on Channel Ten’s The Circle here). And that’s why we all need to speak out on behalf of whales. If we don’t do that now, the IWC could agree a deal to legalise commercial whaling next month.

We can’t let that happen. With the support of Optus, we’ve launched our Give Whales a voice campaign. By recording your word at givewhalesavoice.com.au you can help us tell the IWC that Australians will not stand for whaling.

After all, shouldn’t we be protecting whales, not whaling?


Louise Fitzsimons, WSPA

You can help to Give Whales A Voice today! Together anything is possible.