Iceland's attempt to resume commercial whaling immediately were rejected by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in London today.
Iceland wanted to rejoin the Commission with a reservation to the current international moratorium on commercial whaling. Iceland, which quit the IWC in 1992, announced today that it wanted the moratorium on commercial whaling overturned as quickly as possible so whaling can resume.
Today, after a series of votes, the IWC concluded that Iceland will only have observer status during this week's meeting and will not be allowed to vote on key issues, such as the possible resumption of commercial whaling or the establishment of a new whale sanctuary in the South Pacific.
Before the votes, the world's other two pro-whaling countries, Norway and Japan, tried to support Iceland's through a series of legal manoeuvres. The whaling nations were backed up by at least nine countries that Japan has bought with foreign aid packages to vote with it at the IWC (1) . This resulted in a series of four very close votes.
Greenpeace Whale Campaigner Richard Page said:
"Greenpeace is relieved that Iceland's brazen attempt to undermine the IWC has been defeated. The fact that the votes necessary to reach this conclusion were so close is the result of Japan's vote rigging of the commission."
Notes for editors:
(1) Six East Caribbean nations, Guinea, the Solomons and Panama.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255
