- Whaling refers to the act of hunting and killing whales for various purposes, including obtaining their meat and oil.
- Whales belong to the cetacean group of marine mammals, which also encompasses dolphins and porpoises, totaling around 90 different species.
- Historically, whales, with their vast presence in the oceans, were extensively targeted for whaling by maritime cultures globally.
- This practice, however, significantly diminished in scale starting from the mid-20th century due to a sharp decline in whale populations.
- Since then, both official regulatory bodies and non-governmental organizations have taken an active role in closely monitoring and regulating whaling activities to ensure the conservation and protection of whale species.
INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION
- The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in 1946 with the primary mandate of overseeing global whale management and conservation efforts.
- As an intergovernmental organization, the IWC boasts a membership of 88 governments from around the world.
- The legal framework guiding its operations is provided by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
- While the fundamental mission of the IWC remains consistent, various new conservation concerns have emerged over time.
- The IWC’s work program has expanded to encompass issues such as bycatch and entanglement, ship strikes, ocean noise, pollution and debris, and sustainable whale watching.
- Within the Convention, whaling is categorized into three types: commercial, aboriginal subsistence, and special permit (scientific) whaling.
- The Commission plays a crucial role in regulating Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling, which is conducted by indigenous communities in remote areas globally.
- This regulation takes into consideration both nutritional and cultural needs and is supported by a thorough scientific process.
- Additionally, there exists a distinct category of special permit whaling for scientific research purposes as outlined in the Convention.
- However, the governance of special permit whaling falls under the purview of national governments rather than the Commission, although currently, no governments engage in this type of whaling.
FUNCTIONS
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) carries out several important functions, including:
- Designation of Whale Sanctuaries: The IWC identifies and designates specific locations as whale sanctuaries. These areas are afforded special protection to ensure the conservation and well-being of whale populations.
- Imposition of Catch Restrictions: The IWC imposes restrictions on the quantity and size of whales that may be caught. These regulations are implemented to manage and conserve whale populations and prevent over-exploitation.
- Establishment of Whaling Seasons and Territories: The Commission plays a role in establishing open and closed whaling seasons, as well as defining territories where whaling activities are permitted or restricted. This helps in managing the sustainable utilization of whale resources.
- Protection of Female Whales and Calves: The IWC prohibits the capture of female whales that are either carrying calves or nursing calves. This protective measure is aimed at ensuring the reproductive success and survival of whale populations.
MEMBERS
- Membership in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is open to any country that formally ratifies the 1946 Convention.
- Each Contracting Government, upon ratification, becomes a member country and is represented by a Commissioner.
- Commissioners are typically assisted by experts and advisers to contribute specialized knowledge to the commission’s deliberations.
- Since 2001, there has been a significant increase in the number of IWC members, with approximately six new states, on average, joining the organization annually from 2002 to 2008.
- As of now, 88 governments from around the world are members of the IWC.
- Additionally, non-parties and intergovernmental organizations are allowed to attend meetings and can be represented by observers according to the IWC’s rules of procedure. This inclusion promotes broader participation and diverse perspectives in the commission’s discussions.
Moreover, IWC sessions are open to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have offices in more than three nations. This openness encourages collaboration with NGOs and allows them to contribute to the discussions and decisions related to whaling management and conservation efforts.
STRUCTURE
- The work of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is organized into six committees, and each committee comprises various sub-groups.
- Some of these sub-groups are established as long-term standing committees, while others are created to address specific tasks or issues.
- The groups are chaired by Commissioners, other members of national delegations, or subject matter experts within the IWC community.
- This structure allows for the effective management and coordination of the commission’s diverse functions and responsibilities, ensuring that different aspects of whaling management and conservation are addressed comprehensively and efficiently.
- The International Whaling Commission (IWC) operates through various committees, each addressing specific aspects of whaling management and conservation.
Here are some key committees and their functions:
Scientific Committee:
- The Scientific Committee is a vital component of the Convention, focusing on scientific advice.
- Comprising approximately 200 leading cetacean scientists, including national delegates and invited experts.
- Conducts annual meetings and forms intersessional workshops to address specific issues.
- Develops algorithms for catch limits to ensure sustainable and prudent limits for both commercial and subsistence whaling.
Conservation Committee:
- Collaborates closely with the Scientific Committee on environmental and conservation issues.
- Works on initiatives to reduce ship strikes, strategic development of the whale-watching industry, and Conservation Management Plans.
- Reviews whale sanctuary proposals and national reports on cetacean conservation.
Finance and Administration Committee:
- Makes recommendations to the Commission on expenditure, budgets, contribution scales, financial regulations, and staffing.
- Reviews and implements measures to increase transparency, save money, and improve the Commission’s operational efficiency.
Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Sub-committee:
- Considers information from the Scientific Committee and aboriginal subsistence whaling communities.
- Advises the Commission on sustainability and the reliance of aboriginal communities on specific whale stocks.
- Provides the foundation for Commission discussions about appropriate management measures.
Working Group on Whale Killing Methods and Welfare Issues:
- Formally established in 2000 to advise the Commission on the humaneness of whale killing methods.
- Expanded role to include welfare issues such as stranded whale euthanasia and entanglement in debris and fishing gear.
Infractions Sub-committee:
- Considers matters related to monitoring member governments’ compliance with the Schedule to the 1946 Convention.
- Addresses penalties for infractions and reviews documents pertaining to compliance.
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) places significant emphasis on Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) as a crucial conservation initiative. Here are key aspects of CMPs and their management:
Importance of CMPs:
- CMPs serve as a vital conservation framework for countries within the range of vulnerable cetacean populations (range states).
- Facilitate collaborative efforts among range states and other stakeholders to protect and rebuild vulnerable cetacean populations.
- Address threats such as fishing bycatch, entanglement, ship strikes, habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and acoustic disturbance.
Adaptability and Management Tools:
- CMPs are adaptable management tools designed to address diverse threats faced by cetaceans.
- Draw on the best available science and global management expertise.
- Tailored to meet the specific needs of individual cetacean populations.
Standing Working Group on CMPs:
- The Standing Working Group on CMPs manages the CMP program in alignment with outlined principles and the CMP work plan.
- The work plan specifies priorities for existing and future CMPs, along with guidelines for development and implementation.
Work Plan Revision:
- The CMP work plan undergoes periodic reviews, ensuring it aligns with evolving priorities and conservation needs.
- A revised work plan was approved by the Commission at IWC67 in September 2018.
CMP Stages:
- CMPs progress through several interconnected stages: nomination, development, implementation, monitoring, and review.
- Each stage is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness and adaptability of the CMP.
Existing CMPs:
- Four vulnerable cetacean populations currently have CMPs in place:
- Western North Pacific Gray Whale
- Western South Atlantic Southern Right Whale
- Eastern South Pacific Southern Right Whale
- Franciscana dolphin (the first CMP for a small cetacean species)
REGULATION OF WHALING
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) exercises regulatory control over three types of whaling: commercial, scientific research, and aboriginal subsistence whaling. Here are details about each form:
Commercial Whaling:
- A global moratorium on commercial whaling was implemented in 1986 due to the overexploitation of whale stocks.
- Protected zones in the Southern and Indian Oceans have been established by the Commission, where commercial whaling is prohibited.
- Some nations, such as Norway and Iceland, continue commercial whaling activities despite the ban. Norway opposes the moratorium, and Iceland has a reservation allowing its engagement.
Scientific Research Whaling:
- Governments that are signatories to the contract have the authority to issue special licenses for the purpose of taking whales for scientific research under Article VIII of the Convention.
- In 2019, Japan withdrew from the Convention, ending its scientific research involving the taking of whales in the Southern and North Pacific Oceans under a special license.
Subsistence Whaling:
- The Commission oversees indigenous subsistence whaling, where native communities engage in whaling to sustain themselves.
- Currently, the Commission permits this type of whaling on specific whale stocks by indigenous groups in Denmark (Greenland), the Russian Federation, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States.
- The United States collaborates with domestic legislative requirements to ensure that catch limits imposed by the Commission align with the needs of indigenous people in Alaska and Washington State.
FAQs – INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION
1. What is whaling, and why has it been historically practiced?
A: Whaling involves hunting and killing whales for various purposes, including obtaining their meat and oil. Historically, whales were extensively targeted by maritime cultures globally due to their vast presence in the oceans.
2. How has the practice of whaling evolved over time?
A: Whaling significantly diminished in scale from the mid-20th century onward due to a sharp decline in whale populations. Since then, both official regulatory bodies and non-governmental organizations actively monitor and regulate whaling to ensure conservation and protection.
3. When and why was the International Whaling Commission (IWC) established?
A: The IWC was established in 1946 with the primary mandate of overseeing global whale management and conservation efforts. Its creation aimed to address the declining whale populations and regulate whaling practices worldwide.
4. How many countries are members of the International Whaling Commission?
A: As of now, there are 88 member countries in the IWC. Membership is open to any country that formally ratifies the 1946 Convention.
5. What are the primary functions of the IWC?
A: The IWC’s functions include designating whale sanctuaries, imposing catch restrictions, establishing whaling seasons and territories, and protecting female whales and calves.
6. How does the IWC regulate different types of whaling?
A: The IWC regulates commercial, scientific research, and aboriginal subsistence whaling. It enforces a global moratorium on commercial whaling, oversees scientific research whaling, and permits indigenous subsistence whaling with specific catch limits.
7. What committees operate within the IWC?
A: The IWC operates through six committees, including the Scientific Committee, Conservation Committee, Finance and Administration Committee, Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Sub-committee, Working Group on Whale Killing Methods and Welfare Issues, and Infractions Sub-committee.
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