By Kisean Joseph
International pressure is increasing on the government to end its drive to overturn the global whaling ban.
More NGOs have now come forward to condemn Antigua and Barbuda’s resolution submitted to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) which is set to meet on Monday. The resolution, if passed, would pave the way for the resumption of commercial whaling after a four-decade moratorium.
Leading the charge is OceanCare, an international marine protection organisation.
Nicolas Entrup, Director of International Relations, told Observer, “This is a disturbing act linked to Japan’s interest to erode the IWC,” referring to the departure of Antigua and Barbuda’s ally Japan from the body in 2019 after failing to legalise commercial whaling.
“The whaling lobby is still pulling strings to delegitimise the global whaling ban and paralyse the IWC’s comprehensive programme of conservation work,” Entrup said.
The 69th meeting of the IWC, scheduled for next week in Lima, Peru, was already set to be a pivotal gathering. However, Antigua and Barbuda’s proposal has raised the stakes.
Titled “Resolution for the implementation of a conservation and management programme for whale stocks aimed towards the lifting of the moratorium and orderly development of the whaling industry,” it has been met with fierce opposition from conservation organisations both at home and abroad.
Local environmentalist Martha Watkins-Gilkes, of the Antigua & Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corporation, expressed deep concern about the move being led by the country’s IWC Commissioner Daven Joseph.
“This is very concerning and could do great damage internationally to our tourism product as many people oppose commercial whaling and boycott destinations that are pro-whaling. I can’t understand what Antigua and Barbuda would get out of this action when the outcome could have such devastating effects,” she said.
Joseph has not responded to requests for comment.
The proposal is particularly contentious, given the current global focus on marine conservation and climate change. OceanCare and other environmental groups argue that whales play a crucial role in marine ecosystems contributing to ocean productivity and, by extension, global food security. They contend that the pro-whaling lobby’s argument about food security is nothing more than a smokescreen for commercial interests.
Earlier this week, a coalition of 25 non-governmental organisations, representing an estimated 15 million citizens worldwide, wrote directly to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
Their letter urged the government to publicly disavow the pro-whaling position and formally withdraw the resolution. The coalition emphasised that their supporters are concentrated in countries that provide the majority of tourists and foreign investment to Antigua and Barbuda, hinting at potential economic repercussions.
As the controversy unfolds, the spotlight is now on Prime Minister Browne. Environmental groups are calling for an unequivocal response and a public statement opposing commercial whaling. The pressure is mounting for Antigua and Barbuda to position itself as a “pro-whale, not a pro-whaling” destination.
This development comes at a critical time for whale conservation too. Despite the global moratorium on commercial whaling that has been in place since 1986, whales continue to face numerous threats, including ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, marine pollution, and the impacts of climate change. The IWC’s role in addressing these broader conservation issues is seen as crucial by many member nations and observers.
As the Lima meeting approaches, all eyes are on Antigua and Barbuda. Will they bow to international pressure and withdraw their controversial resolution? Or will they stand firm, potentially igniting a new chapter in the long-standing debate over commercial whaling?
The outcome of this diplomatic standoff could have far-reaching implications for marine conservation efforts worldwide and reshape the future of human-whale interactions for generations to come.
