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.