History of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
In 1994 , the International Whaling Commission (IWC) established a whale sanctuary in the Southern Ocean. Commercial whaling is not allowed within the sanctuary, which covers much of the ocean south of the 40S parallel (see IWC's map). The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary overlaps with the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. Prior to the establishment of the current sanctuary, the IWC had designated other areas as sanctuaries to protect whales from whaling pressures which placed enormous pressure on whale populations and drove many species to near extinction.
Current Status of the Whale Sanctuary
Critically, the Whale Sanctuary allows an exemption for "scientific" whaling, or whaling for the purposes of scientific research. Iceland and Japan have exploited this loophole to continue whaling. Whale meat obtained from this "scientific" research is usually sold for human consumption. "Scientific" whaling has often targeted minke whales, which are relatively abundant. Minke whales are smaller than humpbacks and fin whales, and were not hunted extensively during the peak of the whaling industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. With other whale populations depleted, minkes became more attractive to whalers. Countries such as Iceland and Japan that seek scientific exemptions have used their large population size to argue that there is no reason to prohibit small-scale harvesting of these whales. Nevertheless, there are many non-lethal methods widely employed by researchers to study cetaceans. Many whale conservationists therefore believe that the "scientific" exemption is being used to provide official cover for the resumption of commercial whaling.
Recently, Japan has sought to add humpback and fin whales to its list of whales taken under its scientific research exemption. Unlike minke whales, humpbacks and fin whales were historically targeted by whalers, and their populations have not yet fully recovered. Many countries have protested the actions of whaling countries both on conservation and economic grounds. Whale watching has become an extremely lucrative attraction for tourists to Australia and island countries in the Pacific. ASOC supports the protection of whales from whaling, whether scientific or otherwise, in the Whale Sanctuary.
ASOC and the IWC
ASOC attends the annual IWC meeting. We submit that it is timely for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to take a fresh look at the realities facing the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (SOWS), and to consider additional steps that will help protect the Sanctuary’s integrity. ASOC also recommends that the IWC arrange for the preparation of a comprehensive, nonlethal and long-term programme of research to (a) study and monitor the changes in the Southern Ocean ecosystem as they may affect whales and (b) to track the expected recovery of whale populations and the Antarctic ecosystem structure and properties since the 1982 decision setting all commercial whaling catch limits to zero for an indefinite time (the “moratorium”) and the designation of the Southern Ocean as a sanctuary in 1994. Further, the IWC should urge its members not to issue further Special Permits for the taking of whales under the scientific exemption. Additionally, the IWC should (a) request Governments which have undertaken Special Permit programs to make fully and freely available all scientific data obtained from these activities, and (b) instruct its Scientific Committee to engage in a cooperative assessment of the scientific findings from those data. ASOC also recommends that the IWC develop, in conjunction with the relevant treaty organizations and international organizations, a plan for the management of the Sanctuary.
Whales and Whaling News Highlights
Cetacean Society International October 2008 Newsletter
ASOC Council Member Cetacean Society International covered some important topics in their most recent newsletter, including a report from the IWC and updates on the progress of lawsuits to limit the navy's use of sonar.
Whale Watching Worth $23M to Pacific 4.2.08 One News
Garrett Wants to End Commercial Whaling 3.19.08 The Sydney Morning Herald
Aussie Ship Leaves to Pursue Whaling Fleet 1.10.08 Reuters
Australia to Begin Surveillance of Japanese Whaling 1.07.2008 The International Herald Tribune
Japanese Whalers Raise Stakes by Targeting Vulnerable Humpbacks 11.19.2007 The Times Online (UK)
More Whales/Whaling News
Other Information on Whaling (includes press releases from outside conservation organizations)
Greenpeace Confronts Japanese Whalers 1.11.08
Centro de Conservacion Cetacea Press Release on Japanese Scientific Whaling
Greenpeace's Defending Whales Blog
Great Video of Killer Whales in Antarctica