Stop Commercial Whaling For Once and For All

The International Whaling Commission is meeting right now in Anchorage, Alaska, and everything hangs in the balance. The pro-whaling nations of Japan, Iceland, and Norway are on the verge of winning the majority of votes, which could lead to commercial whaling being reopened for the first time in 20 years. As a committed Whale Defender, we need you to make your voice heard once again. The key governments in the debate need to hear from you that you demand that the International Whaling Commission works to protect whales.

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Dear , , , , , , and 19 more ,

The 59th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting has begun in Anchorage. Your delegation is representing not only your government, but your electorate. We ask that you ensure that your delegation is briefed to vote for whale protection at this important meeting. Since the International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) was agreed in 1946 to deal with the excessive hunting of the great whales, the world and the state of the oceans we depend on have changed enormously. Most of that change has not been for the better. Marine life is currently facing more threats than ever before. Whale populations, many already pushed to the brink of extinction by over-hunting in the 20th Century, are now under threat from climate change, ship strikes, marine pollution, over-fishing and underwater noise pollution. Adding commercial whaling to these threats simply makes no sense. In 1982, in order to enable whale populations to recover, the international community agreed to an indefinite moratorium on commercial whaling. The need for a moratorium on commercial whaling still exists given the threats to whales outlined above, and is supported by the majority of people and governments around the world. The IWC is at a critical juncture in time, and the position your delegation takes in Anchorage could well determine the future for the whales. The IWC must be modernized, so that it is an effective organization for the 21st century, not one stuck in the past. Some key points that must be agreed are: - The definition of 'sustainable use' of whales must recognize that for communities across the world, a live whale is worth much more than a dead whale. Commercial whaling is not 'sustainable use'. - The development of a plan to ensure the conservation of whales that includes addressing current and future threats like climate change. - Research whaling is untenable. You don't need to kill whales to study them, so the so-called 'scientific loophole' in the Convention needs to be removed. At a time when the public will increasingly hold their governments to account for their actions in defending our oceans - or failing to do so - I sincerely hope that your representatives in Anchorage will reflect the view of the people of your country and the world: to defend the whales and the oceans in which they live.

"Sincerely," and your name and contact information will be added to the end of the letter.

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Stop Commercial Whaling For Once and For All

Step 2: Read the letter we've provided. Feel free to edit it.

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