IWC 66 - The End. REV

The way forward is not coming forward.

This is the second half of the Friday report - the closing session of IWC 66.

On NEWREPA – it transpires we will have text from both New Zealand and Antigua and Barbuda

Any Laurensen, the Commissioner of New Zealand. says that they would like to add some words – the following like the rest of my reporting is not a quote -

In accordance with resolution 2014-5 – the commission considered {and she lists countries, including all the EU, the BAG and others -  majority of members noted with concern that Japan issued special permits before the Commission – considered that NEWREPA [the New Japanese scientific whaling programem in the Southern Ocean] is not for Scientific Research and requested that Japan ceased the programme.

Antigua and Barbuda said he was waiting for sweet music – I was waiting to be called in [we think he refers to some chimes that have been used to summon commissioners] – he thanks New Zealand and their side for understanding the need for balance. Antigua and Barbuda and Japan and others that opposed resolution 2014-5 state that it was non-legally binding and cannot be taken to alter the rights and obligations of contracting governments.  NEWREPA is entirely within the provisions of the ICRW and Article VIII. Japan has made sincere efforts to consult with the SC and contracting governments…. He has the full text and will submit it

We next review the summary statement made of the Commission’s work which will be issued on the website. [This is a table which identifies the main decisions and issues which the IWC issues at the closing of the meeting 

You can find the summary HERE with the other plenary documents.

Some words are added by the USA relating to the section on Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling. The Dominican Republic is not happy with this - but then is reassured -  and we move  reviewing the summary, passing through the reports of the Conservation and Scientific Committees and that text is Ok. [The donation from the Netherlands will be added.] We pass through "unintended anthropogenic impacts based on the reports from the SS and the CC. Bruno pauses for a moment. It is OK.

The IWC in the future is ….. no… Australia is seeking clarification. His understanding was that the ‘way forward’ paper was not coming forward at this time. Did I misunderstand?

Bruno says his understanding was to start the discussion. The current wording sounds like we adopted the proposal – there is some debate around what this language should say and it is concluded that this language will be worked on and added later.

Caterina Fortuna Chair of the Scientific Committee ,who has not said anything for a while, asks for the endorsement of Annex P to feature in this summary.

New Zealand would like to add some words to do with the 'Safety at Sea' issue and will come up with a proposal. This would not change what is there.

Japane says it has to see what would be proposed.

NZ says ‘Several member states reaffirmed the strength of existing legal frameworks for addressing safety at sea’. This is agreed.

Now - somewhat randomly - Belgium [in the form of the alternate Commissioner Fabian Ritter] now welcomes all to the 2015 IWC whale tie contest. [Is this still the report from IWC 66? Yes it is. Stay tuned!]

Then his partner-in-crime in this amusing interlude, the distinguished Commissioner of Luxembourg, 

Pierre Gallego, is given the microphone… he says,  as it is the first time that Luxembourg says something I would like to thank the hosts  – there is laughter and applause.

He explains that only ladies can vote in the tie contest and they will show us some pictures that they have gathered. He asks Simon if he can check that their credentials are correct and I believe that the Executive Secretary blushes.

Simon says please go ahead. The ties are shown on the screen. Then is voting and applause and Moronuki of Japan wins with his stunning tie which shows one whale swimming in the opposite direction to the others!

Two whale-themed ties shown on the big screen

The Commissioner for Luxembourg (left) waves the tie-prize in the air
watched by his legal adviser, Professor Chris Wold

We move to the issue of the new Chair of the Commission. Russel Smith, IWC Commissioner of the USA eloquently proposes Joji Morishita, the Commissioner of Japan.  

Chair Bruno asks is he is willing and he is.

Jogi  Morshita says thank you. It will be difficult to follow you. I will expect Commissioners to be in the meeting room on time.

[Applause.]

Bruno – we also need a new Vice Chair.

The Slovenian Commissioner is nominated by Japan

He is willing and there is more applause.

Australia congratulates Commissioner Morishita and Andrej of Slovenia. He says that he appreciates Joji’s long association with the Commission. To Bruno he says, we would also like to thank you for your excellent chairing – we are very grateful to you.

Dr Nick Gales, Commissioner for Asutralia

Mexico says he would like to echo Australia’s words.

NZ thanks the Chair for his capable work and he has been expressed by his chaiinr activities and congratulates Commissioner Morishita. We have always an open and honest dialogue with 

Commissioner Morishita. We extend congratulations to Andrej too.

Similar sentiments follow.  India in his compliments adds he would like to see an end to the killing fo whales.

Argentina says it is not easy to lead a plenary such as this and that Bruno has done wonderfully.

Other posts need to be filled – a new chair for the Whale Killing methods and welfare issues has to be found. Austria reports that Herman Osterhusen of South Africa  is willing to take this on. There is applause.

UK welcome’s Herman ‘he will do a fantastic job!’

A new chair for the Aborignal Subsistence Whaling subcommittee needs to be found and Jogi now nominates Bruno.

Denmark thanks Bruno for his work – and for traveling to the workshop in Greenland.

The USA congratulates him too and notes Bruno has also visited the whalers in Barrow Alaska.  

Bureau members are discussed. [The IWC Bureau is the body that makes decisions intersessionally - i.e. between the biannual meetings of the Commission.]

Australia – it has been a privilege to have served on the Bureau and would be pleased to remain in the Bureau. [Perhaps in the top draw..... sorry.]

Guinea says that we should integrate some women into the work of the Bureau

Mexico – says that one of the most active delegations in the IWC Committees is Argentina and I would like to nominate them to replace Uruguay.

Bruno concludes we have a balanced bureau and it is good to go.

But Japan says we only spoke of three countries.

St Vincent would like to nominate St Lucia. He is willing.

Time and Place of next Meeting.

.....No Japan wants a clear list of members of Bureau, is Africa represented?

The Bureu currently consists of Chair, Vice Chair, Chair of F+A, Host (Brazil), Australia, Guinea, Argentina, St Lucia

Guinea says no – he just spoke up for a woman. Ghana is still willing to serve he says and he is added.

The next meeting of the Scientific Committee will be in Bled in May 2017.

Kenya is happy to be back at the IWC and announces that they have a new law on fisheries management. This law anchors work on marine mammals very well. He has enjoyed the proceedings here and will make every effort to continue as an active member. The work of IWC is important and offer to host the 2018 Scientific Committee. They will work closely with the Secretariat and other to ensure that the SC will be enjoyable and productive. The venue will be in Nairobi or Mombasa. 

A video follows featuring lovely beach scenes and whales in the water - is this Kenya. No it is Brazil - as mentioned earlier Brazil has offered to host IWC 67! 

A Slovenian delegate comes to the stage and they thank the Slovenian Commissioner for all his work and they have a little thank you for him. Andre comes to the stage and is given a plaque. Simon is given similar and so is Mark Tandy the Secretariat lead on arrangements for the conference.

Plaque for the Slovenian Commissioner/new Vice Chair of the IWC

The nice Slovenia lady invites us to 'a toast' [this turns out to be drinks and nibbles; no small cakes]. There is again applause

The Chair thanks the Secretariat for all their hard work. Loud applause.

Bruno says he will miss the Bureau and thanks the Secretariat – there is applause.

We close the meeting. There is more applause followed by toast. 

More photos and a final analysis to follow!!

Delegates bid each other good bye

An alternative review of the last day and interpretation by Paul Spong can be found HERE.