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.
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.
WSPA works to create a world where animals matter and cruelty ends. We aim to promote the protection of animals, to prevent cruelty to animals and to relieve animal suffering in every part of the world. For 25 years, we have promoted the concept of animal welfare in regions of the world where there are few, if any, measures to protect animals.
With consultative status at the United Nations and the Council of Europe, WSPA is the world‘s largest federation of animal welfare societies.
