International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (English International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling ) is an international treaty under international law, which was closed in 1946 to regulate whaling. It was on December 2, 1946 by 42 nations in Washington, DC Signed and entered into force on 19 November 1948 ( USA). The protocol, in which the precise definition of a whaler was first performed to detect both helicopter and whaling ships, was signed on 19 November 1956. The Convention represents a successor to the International Agreement for the Regulation of Whaling from June 8, 1937 (London ); its Protocols were signed on 24 June 1938 and 26 November 1946.
The aim of the convention is " the proper and effective conservation and development of whale stocks ." Any risk of whale species due to excessive hunting by the International Whaling should be avoided. Due to the Convention should accordingly be provided to the international regulation of whaling a system to allow the necessary protection and the development of cetacean populations. The main instrument, the International Whaling Commission has determined that reflects the changing economic, environmental and commercial interests and regularly by the appropriate amendments to the Convention are carried out.
Catch limits
The goal to ban commercial whaling permanently and completely, is disputed, particularly by Norway and Japan, and is the subject of recurrent debate.
Permissive within the catch limits for whaling is some indigenous populations for captive demand (as of May 2004):
- The Eskimos ( Inuit also ) of Alaska and the native inhabitants of the autonomous district of the Chukchi in the extreme northeast of Siberia must 67 Bowhead whales per year to land
- In the eastern North Pacific gray whales per year 140 may be taken, namely " by those whose traditional, indigenous and subsistence needs are recognized '
- The Inuit of Greenland are allowed to catch 19 fin whales and 187 minke whales per year
- The population of Bequia (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Caribbean) are granted annually 4 humpback whales
Since 1986 there is also special permits for the capture of whales for scientific and traditional purposes. For scientific purposes, in particular Japan, but also Iceland (until 2006), and (until 1994) made use of Norway. Iceland and Norway recognize the prohibition no longer to and operate an open commercial whaling. Greenland is allowed whaling from traditional purposes. For years, the number of whales killed rises, was recently (2004) at 780 a year, which is considered by environmentalists as an abuse of the instrument of scientific permits, as well as evidence that the convention is relatively " toothless " today.
Signatory
International Whaling Commission
The Commission consists of representatives ( Commissioners ) of the current 75 signatories. This elects from among its members a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. In general, the elected hold office for three years. Is currently Chairman of the American William Hoghart (predecessor: Henrik Fischer from Denmark) and Vice Chairman is the Japanese Minoru Morimoto (predecessor: Horst Kleinschmidt from South Africa).
The International Whaling Commission has among its tasks to set catch quotas for whales in the oceans. Also be defined by the IWC protection zones in which must not be hunted.
Conferences of the IWC
Once a year, an international conference will be held.
2006
The 58th annual meeting of the Commission took place from 16 to 20 June 2006 on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts and Nevis.
2007
The 59th session was held from 4 to 31 May 2007 in Anchorage (Alaska ) and was accompanied by scientific events on diseases of marine mammals.
Here, the anti-whaling prevailed with 37:4 votes and confirmed the since 1986 existing ban on commercial hunting. Japan threatens his resignation from the Commission. Iceland and Norway continue to recognize the prohibition not to.
2010
The 62nd Annual Meeting was held from 21 to 25 June 2010 in Agadir instead. There was a proposal to a vote, according to which Japan, Iceland and Norway whaling should be allowed with fixed quotas for ten years. The proposal was rejected.