In the great IWC hall we open with consideration of the 'bundle' of proposals related to aboriginal subsistence whaling. A revised version appeared at 6pm yesterday; just within the time-limit. The changes include a commitment from Russia to improve the welfare of its hunts.
Statements of support follow from many, statements of concern from some Latin American countries and then the USA, on the behalf of all the proponents, calls for a vote. The bundle receives the necessary 3/4 and there are some interesting abstentions.
58 member states supported, seven opposed, and four abstained. (The screen above lacks one vote as the credentials for one country arrived during the voting process!)
I very much suspect this is an historic change in how the IWC works and direct readers to the commentary from the Spongs (see link below).
We move on to issues affecting the health and status of cetaceans. Various reports are presented and endorsed and we move to a resolution on advancing the Commission’s work on the role of cetaceans in the ecosystem functioning. It is adopted with 40 in favor, 23 opposing, with seven abstentions.
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| Resolution result - featuring Sue Fisher's hands |
Delegates next adopted, by consensus, a resolution on addressing ghost gear and entanglements, after the addition of language stating that the resolution should not duplicate work of other organizations.
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| A small addition |
In the discussion of the IWC's Bycatch Mitigation Initiative that follows, generous donations were made by Belgium, the UK and a consortium of NGOs which should help to keep this vitally important new initiative alive.
The day went on rather late with initial discussions of Brazil's 'Florianopolis Declaration' and Japan's 'Future of the IWC' package. We shall come back to both tomorrow.
As we move towards discussion of Japan's proposals ' HERE is a short story in the Japanese press.
And HERE the Spongs describe day 3
(I am not responsible for the content of other sources.)
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| The spokesman for Japan |
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| Argentina |
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| Niki Ebtrup |
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| Aimee Lesley of WWF |
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