By Kisean Joseph
In a move that has sparked international controversy, Antigua and Barbuda is once again pushing to overturn the global ban on commercial whaling.
The twin-island State submitted a resolution for consideration at next week’s International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Peru, calling for the end to a four-decade moratorium on hunting whales for meat.
This isn’t the first time that Antigua and Barbuda has taken such a stance. A similar proposal was put forward at the IWC’s 2022 meeting, but it wasn’t voted on due to strong opposition. The country’s persistent efforts have drawn criticism from conservationists worldwide, who argue that commercial whaling poses a significant threat to whale populations and marine ecosystems.
More than two dozen NGOs have signed a letter to the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, condemning the resolution. The letter points out a glaring contradiction, the country’s own Environmental Protection and Management Act of 2019 designates all whales, dolphins, and porpoises as protected species and prohibits their hunting.
The letter from NGOs to the Prime Minister stresses that whales, as long-living and slow-breeding animals, are inherently unsuitable for commercial exploitation. It reminds readers that these marine mammals were once hunted to the brink of extinction, a historical lesson that underscores the risks of resuming commercial whaling.
Tahambay Smith, a local environmentalist, voices the concerns of many Antiguans and conservationists worldwide: “I don’t think that as a country, as a nation, the people of Antigua and Barbuda actually support whaling; it might be a few individuals for their personal gain, seeing it as a good stance to say that they support whaling, but I don’t think the average person on the street would say they support whaling, understanding how valuable whales are to the ecosystems.”
Smith emphasizes the critical role that whales play in maintaining healthy oceans and, by extension, global food security. “Everything is connected,” he explains. “And if the oceans start to die because whales are very important in keeping the oceans healthy, then you have a whole cascade event of everything falling down.”
Antigua and Barbuda has historically supported whaling at IWC meetings, often in solidarity with Japan, which has a tradition of whale hunting. However, what was once a gesture of support has evolved into a leading role in advocating for the resumption of commercial whaling.
The country’s whaling commissioner, Daven Joseph, has previously argued that research indicates humpback and minke whale populations are healthy enough to sustain some level of commercial hunting. However, conservationists strongly disagree with this assessment.
While Smith acknowledges the rights of indigenous groups to hunt whales in small numbers for traditional and cultural purposes, he opposes large-scale commercial whaling operations. This sentiment, he believes, is shared by most residents.
The ethical considerations of whale hunting are also at the forefront of the debate. Smith argues for a more empathetic approach to marine conservation,
“The more you understand how interconnected whales, are and how they care for each other, and how they interact, we shouldn’t look at it as just a dumb animal and it’s just another fish or another mammal that we can kill. No, it’s an intelligent creature in its own right, and it deserves the same protection as any human being in my opinion at this point in time.”
As the IWC prepares for its six-day meeting in Lima, starting this Sunday, all eyes will be on Antigua and Barbuda’s controversial resolution. The outcome of this meeting could have far-reaching implications for whale conservation efforts worldwide, and may potentially strain Antigua and Barbuda’s relationships with both the international community and its own environmentally conscious citizens.
The debate surrounding this issue highlights the complex relationships between cultural traditions, economic interests, and environmental conservation.
As the world grapples with unprecedented ecological challenges, the decisions made at forums like the IWC take on even greater significance, potentially shaping the future of our oceans and the magnificent creatures that inhabit them.
