Modern Whaling IWC, Greenpeace & the Modern IndustryBy: Blythe Hufnagel

Modern Whaling

Started in the early 20th century invention of the modern

harpoon gun & factory ships

Whalers were able to catch faster & bigger whales

Modern Whaling Ships

Modern Whaling Industry

o Whales are mainly hunted in Japan and Norway for their meat, bones, and baleen.

Population Decline

The Blue Whales of the Antarctic are still at less than 1% of their original numbers

West Pacific Grey Whale population is just over 100 remaining

IWC International Whaling Commission

Set up under the International Convention for Regulation of Whaling

Convention signed in Washington, DC on December 2, 1946

Their task is to govern all aspects of whaling industry throughout the world.

Purpose of the IWC

Protection of certain species

Designate specific areas such as whale sanctuaries

Set limits on the numbers and size of whales which may be taken

Prescribe open and closed seasons and areas for whaling

Prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves

Compilation of catch reports and other statistical and biological records is also required

IWC Members

Founded in 1971 by a small team of activists from Vancouver

Mission is to create a greener and more peaceful world

Rely on the voluntary donations of individual supporters and grant-support from foundations.

Greenpeace Whale Defenders

o 1986 a moratorium was put in place to help the dwindling whale populations

o 25 years later Japan, Norway, and Iceland continue to hunt whales

o Greenpeace will continue their efforts to protect whales until they feel the shameful & unnecessary slaughter has been stopped and whales can once again roam the seas in freedom

Refrences

http://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/whmod.htm

http://www.whalewatch.org/modern_whaling.htm

http://www.whalingtimes.com/Post%202nd%20World%20War%20Page.htm

http://www.ehow.com/about_5009827_what-whales-used-today.html

http://www.greenpeace.org

http://iwc.int/