Conservationists Prepare for Whaling as Commission Meets

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting started on Monday amid mounting controversy over the Government of Japan’s plans to restart whaling in the Southern Ocean, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS).

When the IWC meeting opened in Slovenia, it was the first meeting since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down its landmark decision that Japan’s ‘scientific whaling’ program in the Southern Ocean was illegal and must stop immediately.

The Japanese Government responded to the ICJ judgement by cancelling their hunt, at least for this year. However, despite the ICJ ruling, Japan is expected to announce plans for a new Southern Ocean whaling program for the summer of 2015-16 at this meeting.

“The historic ruling by the International Court of Justice has meant that for the first time in 67 years the whales of the Antarctic will be spared the harpoon this coming whaling season. The International Whaling Commission must ensure that is not the first and last time," said Darren Kindleysides, AMCS Director.

“The IWC will consider many proposals critical to the future of the world’s whales at this year’s meeting, but how it responds to the ICJ judgement and the threat of the resumption of so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean will be one of its key tests," he said.

“The Australian Government has shown global leadership in opposing whaling at successive IWC meetings and in taking Japan to court in the first place. Australia must now lead the charge at this meeting against attempts to resurrect the killing of Antarctic whales under the guise of scientific research. The Japanese government cannot be allowed to simply brush aside the ruling of the highest court on the planet,” concluded Kindleysides.

Meanwhile, environmental organization Sea Shepherd will not leave its fleet idle over the southern summer. Following the organization’s victory of saving 784 threatened, endangered and protected whales during the 2013/14 whaling season, Sea Shepherd is preparing its fleet of ships to once again confront the Japanese whalers, should they decide to resume their illegal whaling operations this coming season.

However, if the whale poachers abide by their promise to not kill whales, then Sea Shepherd will take the opportunity to target the illegal fishing of Patagonian and Antarctic Toothfish in the Southern Ocean, shifting focus from saving endangered whales to protecting vulnerable fish and the delicate marine ecosystem that they inhabit.

“Operation Icefish will be the first campaign of its kind, using innovative direct action tactics to fill a law enforcement void exploited by illegal toothfish operators. The Bob Barker and the Sam Simon will leave Hobart, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand, respectively, to shutdown illegal toothfish operators in Antarctic waters. Illegal fishing operations will be documented, reported and confronted. Unlawful fishing gear will be confiscated and disposed of.

In the course of Operation Icefish, Sea Shepherd will patrol the Southern Ocean ‘shadowlands’ in a bid to make a citizen’s arrest of the half dozen illegal toothfish operators who continue to exploit these vulnerable fish populations outside of the full reach of the law,” said Captain Peter Hammarstedt, Director of Ship Operations for Sea Shepherd Global

“During several of our past Southern Ocean campaigns, we have encountered illegal longlines. It has been on our agenda for many years to intervene against these fishing boats. The illegal and unregulated fishing of Patagonian and Antarctica Toothfish needs to be stopped and Sea Shepherd has the passion and the resources to do so,” said Captain Alex Cornelissen, CEO for Sea Shepherd Global.

"Whether it will be whale poachers or toothfish poachers, Sea Shepherd is determined to maintain a spotlight on what is often known as the "last frontier", Antarctica's Southern Ocean Wilderness, which is of global significance and deserves the outmost protection. There are few places left in this world with nature on a grand scale," said Jeff Hansen, managing director Sea Shepherd Australia.