Delegates attending the latest International Whaling Commission meeting have voted narrowly in favor of a non-binding declaration that supports the pro-whaling agenda and states that the International Whaling Commission will collapse unless whaling resumes.

The declaration, which was adopted with 33 votes in favor, 32 against, and one abstention, took place during the Commission’s annual meeting, which was held from 16-20 June 2006 in St. Kitts and Nevis. The St. Kitts and Nevis Declaration that was adopted during the event notes that the moratorium on whaling was adopted in 1986 without advice from the Commission’s Scientific Committee, and was intended as a temporary measure. It adds that, since then, research has indicated that many stocks and species of whales are abundant and sustainable whaling is possible. Even though the pro-whaling nations will need a 75% majority to formally reject the moratorium and resume commercial whaling, this declaration seems likely to bring in a new era in the conservation of whales. Next year’s meeting of the Commission will be held in Anchorage, Alaska from 4-31 May. The 2008 meeting will be held in Chile.

Links to further information
The Declaration
BBC news report (21 June 2006)