Denied Protection Again: Pro-Whaling Nations Block South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary Proposal

Efforts to establish a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary were thwarted at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Lima, Peru, this week. A minority of pro-whaling nations opposed the proposal, prioritizing economic interests over conservation. This reflects ongoing challenges within the IWC, where conservation efforts frequently clash with archaic whaling practices.

The proposal, put forward by Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Uruguay, received strong support from conservation-minded governments but failed to achieve the necessary three-quarters majority vote (40 legislators were in favor of the whale sanctuary, 14 were against it, and there were 3 abstentions).

A proposal for a sanctuary in the region, which would put the South Atlantic permanently off limits to whaling and enhance regional cooperation, has been considered at almost every IWC meeting since 1999. However, it has always been blocked by pro-whaling nations.

“Once again, a proposal for a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary has been harpooned by a pro-whaling minority of countries,” said Matt Collis, Senior Director for Policy, leading IFAW’s delegation at the IWC meeting.

However, the IWC did pass a significant resolution reprimanding Japan for failing to fulfill its international legal obligations following the recent expansion of its commercial whaling fleet.

“This rebuke by the whaling commission is a diplomatic shot across the bow of Japan’s continued whaling,” said Collis.

This year, Japan added 59 fin whales to its kill list, in addition to its existing annual quota of 25 sei whales, 187 Bryde’s whales, and 142 minke whales. Fin whales are the second-largest animals on the planet, after blue whales, and remain threatened with extinction (classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List). Their status follows decades of 20th-century commercial whaling, from which they are still recovering.

Despite having withdrawn from the IWC in 2019, Japan has a legal duty under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to cooperate with the IWC. Earlier this year, Japan did not alert the IWC to its plans to expand whaling activities, despite having ample opportunities to do so, including at the IWC Scientific Committee meeting, which took place shortly before Japan confirmed the expansion of its whaling activities.

“Leaving the IWC did not relieve Japan of its international legal obligations. IFAW urges Japan to join the rest of the international community and consign commercial whaling to the history books where it belongs,” said Collis.

Pro-whaling nations continue their efforts to reverse the whaling ban, evidenced by their submission of a resolution to initiate the process of ending the moratorium at the IWC meeting. This resolution, along with another alleging that whale hunting could address food security issues, was withdrawn earlier due to a lack of support.

Two additional resolutions, also proposed by the EU and its Member States, passed by consensus at the meeting. These resolutions urge closer cooperation with other international agreements, including the new CBD Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement).

IFAW opposes commercial whaling because it is cruel and unnecessary; there is simply no humane way to kill a whale. Responsible whale watching offers a humane and economically viable alternative that is better for whales and provides more sustainable livelihoods for people.