Modern Whaling IWC, Greenpeace & the Modern Industry By: Blythe Hufnagel

Modern Whaling  Started in the early 20 th century  invention of the modern harpoon gun & factory ships  Whalers were able to catch faster & bigger whales

Modern Whaling Ships

Modern Whaling Industry o Whales are mainly hunted in Japan and Norway for their meat, bones, and baleen.

Population Decline  The Blue Whales of the Antarctic are still at less than 1% of their original numbers  West Pacific Grey Whale population is just over 100 remaining

IWC International Whaling Commission  Set up under the International Convention for Regulation of Whaling  Convention signed in Washington, DC on December 2, 1946  Their task is to govern all aspects of whaling industry throughout the world.

Purpose of the IWC  Protection of certain species  Designate specific areas such as whale sanctuaries  Set limits on the numbers and size of whales which may be taken  Prescribe open and closed seasons and areas for whaling  Prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves  Compilation of catch reports and other statistical and biological records is also required

IWC Members

 Founded in 1971 by a small team of activists from Vancouver  Mission is to create a greener and more peaceful world  Rely on the voluntary donations of individual supporters and grant-support from foundations.

Greenpeace Whale Defenders o 1986 a moratorium was put in place to help the dwindling whale populations o 25 years later Japan, Norway, and Iceland continue to hunt whales o Greenpeace will continue their efforts to protect whales until they feel the shameful & unnecessary slaughter has been stopped and whales can once again roam the seas in freedom

Refrences  od.htm od.htm   20War%20Page.htm 20War%20Page.htm  used-today.html used-today.html  