More Support On Whale Conservation From Latin American Governments
With the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC – the body that regulates whaling) approaching, representatives of the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Uruguay – the ‘Buenos Aires Group’ (BAG) – met in Panama City recently to evaluate the issues that will be discussed when the IWC meeting gets underway in the city in July.
Also present were regional NGOs (including WDCS).
The Buenos Aires Group released a statement reaffirming its commitment to the current ban on commercial whaling and the end of catches for so-called ‘scientific research’, and also its opposition to the international trade in whale meat and related whale products.
The governments also expressed worries regarding aboriginal subsistence whaling, and in particular the catches of humpback whales in the Northwest Atlantic.
Speaking after the meeting, Vanesa Tossenberger, executive director of WDCS Latin America, stated; “Once again the commitment of the Buenos Aires Group members, and of the NGOs present, towards the conservation of whales and dolphins is evident. We need to stress the importance of these meetings to exchange opinions and get consensus on a clear stance for our region”.
The forthcoming 64th IWC meeting will be held in Panama from July 2nd to 6th and WDCS will once again be present to fight against whale hunting and for the conservation of whales and dolphins.
Find our more about the IWC.
