The United Kingdom secures agreement on a Resolution on Marine Plastic Pollution and is named Chair of the IWC’s Conservation Committee.
This week, at the 68th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Slovenia, the government reiterated its long-standing opposition to commercial whaling and advocated for the 40-year-old moratorium to be maintained.
The United Kingdom also secured additional support for the protection of whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans) and has been appointed Chair of the IWC Conservation Committee, which carries out vital work to address the numerous threats these species face, such as bycatch, ship strikes, strandings, and pollution.
The United Kingdom is pleased to have co-sponsored a Resolution on Marine Plastic Pollution, which was adopted by consensus at the IWC meeting. Marine plastic pollution poses a severe threat to cetaceans. This would allow the IWC to participate in the United Nations Environment Assembly’s process to produce a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution in order to advance effective measures to avoid or reduce the impacts of marine plastic pollution on cetaceans.
Minister of International Oceans Scott Mann stated, “Whales and other cetaceans are awe-inspiring animals. We must continue to safeguard these remarkable animals and halt the unnecessary cruelty of commercial whaling around the world.” I am happy of the leading role we are playing in winning continuing support for the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the moratorium on commercial whaling, as well as in persuading nations to recognize the serious problem of marine plastic pollution.”
The United Kingdom opposes commercial whaling vehemently and continues to urge whaling nations to abandon the practice in favor of well-managed, responsible tourism. As a founding member of the IWC in 1946, the United Kingdom is proud of its 75 years of support for the organization.
The United Kingdom was unhappy that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) would not agree to establish a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary, but it will continue to advocate for the protection of these unique creatures, which play a crucial role in our ecology as a whole.
The IWC is the only global organization with the authority and mandate to conserve and manage cetaceans, and we are glad that a budget has been approved so that it can continue its vital work.