The possible withdrawal of Peru from their membership
in the International Whaling Commission proves
a lack of environmental consciousness.
During the last days the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Peru and the Ministry of Fisheries have been
suggesting formally the withdrawal of Peru from
the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The
IWC was founded in 1946 by 14 whaling nations
in order to regulate global whaling activities.
Today there are many non-whaling-nations member
of the IWC in order to support the protection
of the whales and ensure their survival in the
future.
Peru was engaged in whaling till 1985 when the
only land-based whaling-station in Paita in the
north of Peru was closed.
The possible withdrawal of Peru from the IWC would
demonstrate an enormous lack of environmental
consciousness of the Peruvian government and its
institutions.
Even if Peru still is member of the IWC the governmental
representatives did not take part in the annual
reunions of the Commission in recent years.
Neither did the government pay its membership-fees
and therefore has collected about $US 866,900
of depths with the IWC. As a result of this Peru
already lost its right to vote in the IWC in the
year 1994.
The Ministry of Fisheries is arguing that Peru
should withdraw from its membership, because the
participation in the IWC "did not result
in advantages for the country, because Peru is
not a whaling-nation nor are there existing plans
to become one, at least not in the near future."
"This suggestion", comments Stefan Austermühle,
Director of Projects and Scientific Investigation
of the Peruvian NGO Mundo Azul "is only understandable
seen from a purely economic perspective. But at
the same time it shows a grave lack of environmental
consciousness of the governmental institutions."
"Whales are not only a natural resource,
but even more an important element of the worlds
natural heritage," declares Stefan Austermühle.
The whales have been a symbol of live for many
ancient and present cultures which makes
them being perfect key species and examples for
the growing environmental consciousness of the
worlds governments and leaders.
"In our opinion", says Stefan Austermühle
"Peru should not withdraw from the IWC. Instead
of this the government should be consequent in
its environmental policies and represent the Peruvian
laws that give protection to whales and dolphins
on an international level. Peru should not only
remain in the IWC but also start recuperating
its right to vote and play an active role in the
protection of the whales." Peru could play
an important role in the movement for the protection
of the whales like it is shown by the example
of Brazil, which inaugurated recently its first
national whale sanctuary.
On the other hand a withdrawal of Peru from the
IWC would not mean automatically the start of
new whaling activities. According to the International
Law of the Sea of the United Nations (UNCLOS)
the IWC is the only international institution
that is able to regulate and permit whaling activities.
"To start whaling activities without being
member of the IWC would be seen as an act of international
piracy, would result in diplomatic pressure and
could be punished by other countries with economical
sanctions or an accusation to the International
court", declares Stefan Austermühle. This
also is the reason why whaling nations like Japan
and Norway still remain members of the IWC.
A possible whaling activity in Peru also would
mean an enormous damage of the public image of
Peru.
"If Peru withdraws from the IWC", explains
Stefan Austermühle"it has to ensure by law
the continuation of the protection of the whales
in Peruvian waters and the prohibition of whaling
activities."
For more information contact:
Stefan Austermühle
Director of Projects and Scientific Investigation
of Mundo Azul
Tel.: 0051 - 1 - 44 60 414
Portable phone.: 0051 - 1 - 97 555 91
Email: mundoazul@interlatincorp.com
