The International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting has concluded in Hobart, Australia, with no progress on the proposed South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary. The proposal, put forward by Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, received 39 votes in favour, 18 against and three abstentions—falling four votes short of the three-quarters majority required for adoption. The proposed sanctuary would have covered 21 million square kilometres, stretching from the equator to Antarctica, and would have provided permanent protection from commercial whaling across vital feeding, breeding, and migration areas.
Once again, however, opposition from pro-whaling nations prevented the proposal from being approved. Countries voting against included Antigua and Barbuda, Morocco, Norway, Palau and Saint Lucia. Brazil has confirmed that it will continue to submit the proposal at future IWC meetings until it is approved.
The UK Government reiterated its long-standing opposition to commercial whaling and secured further support for cetacean conservation by co-sponsoring a resolution recognising the importance of stranding response and research. The resolution was adopted by strong consensus. The UK has also contributed £150,000 to a new Global Cetacean Strandings Database, supporting international collaboration, information sharing and faster responses when whales, dolphins and porpoises are found in distress.
The conference coincided with the 40th anniversary of the commercial whaling moratorium coming into effect – a significant milestone that serves as a reminder of the importance of continued international action to protect whales and other cetaceans.
