Concern for whale stocks by int’l organizations go back as far as 1925 ◦ League of Nations called for conservation of whale stocks & regulation of whaling
1931: Geneva Convention for the Regulation of Whaling ◦ Rewritten several times between 1938 and 1945
1946: International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) signed in Washington The ICRW established the International Whaling Commission
Original mission was to review and propose conservation measures aimed at maintaining healthy whale populations and regulate whaling. Member nations were then expected to cooperate with each other and manage policy based on the advice. Since 1982 there has been a moratorium on all commercial whaling by member nations except for Norway, which rejected the moratorium.
Conduct studies on whale populations and activities which impact them. Keep the Schedule relevant to the latest international norms and laws. Promote harmonious interactions between humans and whales.
Whale populations Governments Global fishing industry
◦ Private whaling enterprises
Aboriginal cultures Whale-watching industry
◦ Tourism & hospitality industries
The world’s approach to whaling has changed since the founding of the organization. The IWC needs to adapt to
Whalewatching management Creating structures for aboriginal whaling practices
“Modernize” without losing original aim or getting hijacked by special interests
Regulatory Procedural
Programmatic
◦ Workshop: research techniques & standards development – pollution effects on whales ◦ Workshop: experts panel on how to humanely euthanize trapped or entangled whales
Generative Collect more information on migratory routes