Pro-whaling nations at the current International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Brazil once again blocked an effort to establish a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary – Japan, backed by commercial whaling states Iceland and Norway, as well as Russia and other countries voted against the proposal, causing it to fall short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass. Brazil’s Environment Minister Edson Duarte, whose country has been proposing the creation of the sanctuary since a 2001 IWC meeting, said he was disappointed but would continue to enlist support worldwide. Colleagues attending the meeting expressed bitter disappointment at the outcome as the sanctuary would help provide stronger protection to a wide range of not only whales but also dolphins.
Around 50 species of cetaceans inhabit the waters of the South Atlantic Ocean which include the blue, fin, sei, Antarctic minke, humpback and southern right whales. Bryde’s, pygmy right and common minke whales also inhabit these waters.
