As Greenpeace ship, the Arctic Sunrise, starts a tour of the Caribbean, the results of a MORI poll (1) reveals that people in the Eastern Caribbean support the creation of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary (SPWS) by a margin of four to one.
People living in the six Caribbean countries (2) that are members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) were asked whether or not those countries should support the establishment of a SPWS. Over half (54%) of the public across the six countries support the Sanctuary, and only 13% oppose it.
There was massive support, of levels of eight to one, in Antigua (47% for, 7% against) and St Kitts & Nevis (60% to 7%); seven to one in Dominica (66% to 9%), four to one in Grenada (53% to 14%), and three to one in St Lucia (47% to 15%), that their countries should support the SPWS. Even in St Vincent, a country with a whaling tradition, those supporting the vote on the establishment of the SPWS outnumbered those opposing it by a ratio of 2 to 1 (51% compared to 26%).
At last year's IWC meeting in Adelaide, all of the countries surveyed voted against the creation of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. Greenpeace has evidence that these countries adopted this position in return for aid from Japan. This was confirmed at last year's IWC meeting when Atherton Martin, Dominica's Environment Minister, resigned in protest when his country changed their vote following strong pressure from Japan (3).
This year's IWC meeting, to be held in London in July, will again vote on a proposal for a SPWS. At a recent meeting, ministers from the South Pacific Island states reiterated their calls for the SPWS (4).
"This poll shows the clear support of people in the East Caribbean for the creation of a Whale Sanctuary in the South Pacific," said Gean Dopwell, Greenpeace spokesperson native to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, "yet their governments, under pressure from Japan, have voted against the sanctuary."
"The South Pacific Islands want a sanctuary, and Island States should work together," said Lata Yaqona, Greenpeace spokesperson from the Pacific.
"Greenpeace's ship is here to ask the Caribbean public and governments not to give in to Japanese pressure, but to support fellow Island States in their wish to establish the South Pacific Whale Sanctuary."
Greenpeace's Ship, the Arctic Sunrise, will arrive at St Kitts on 26th April, to begin a three-week tour of the Eastern Caribbean. The ship will travel through St Kitts & Nevis, Dominica and Barbados. Greenpeace campaigners from around the world, including the South Pacific and Japan, will discuss the importance of a whale sanctuary in the South Pacific and the role the East Caribbean plays in achieving that goal.
Notes to Editors:
(1) This report contains the findings of a survey conducted by MORI (Market & Opinion Research International) on behalf of Greenpeace between February and March 2001.The survey was carried in six countries to ascertain the views on environmental issues. Interviews were conducted by face-to-face omnibus between 19 February and 30 March among a representative sample of six Eastern Caribbean nations:
Antigua (527 interviews), Dominica (501 interviews), Grenada (503 interviews), St Kitts (500 interviews), St Lucia (505 interviews), and St Vincent (505 interviews).
Any survey which is not conducted amongst the total population, but amongst a sample drawn from the total population is open to certain sampling tolerances. Based on a 95% confidence level, the margin of error for each country's survey is about +/-4.5percent. For further details, visit www.mori.com
(2) Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines.
(3) Greenpeace briefing: "Vote Buying - Japan's strategy to secure a return to large-scale whaling" can be read here.
(4) Ministers from Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tokelau and together with Ministerial Representatives from Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Tonga and Representatives of American Samoa, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, met in Apia from 18-20 April, 2001 to progress a proposal to establish a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace UK Press Office on 0207 865 8225
