On the first day of the 55th International Whaling Commission (IWC), historic steps towards protecting the world's remaining populations of whales, dolphins and porpoises were taken.
The Berlin Initiative, co-sponsored by 19 governments (including the UK) was passed in a 25-20 vote, despite strong opposition from the pro-whaling nations, Japan and Norway.
Under the new initiative the IWC's conservation agenda would be consolidated and co-ordinated with the IWC's Scientific Committee to ensure it furthers its ongoing work to protect endangered dolphins and porpoises, as well as whales, through an organised and approved conservation agenda. To facilitate this, a dedicated conservation committee should be established.
More than 40 conservation and welfare groups signed a joint statement in support of the proposal to make the conservation agenda central to the work of the IWC.
Richard Page, Greenpeace Oceans campaigner said: 'The success of the Berlin Initiative is an inspiring move from the IWC. The new conservation committee faces a herculean task in protecting the world's populations of whales, dolphins and porpoises from the many environmental threats they face, but it is a good first step.'
Voting for the initiative:
Austria, Brazil, Chile, Finland, France, Germany India, Ireland,, Italy, Mexico, Monacco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Australia and Argentina.
Voting against: Benin, China, Denmark, Dominica, Guinea, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Russia, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent, Solomon Islands and Antigua and Barbuda.
Grenada refused to participate in the vote.
