Environment
Whales
In 1979 the Australia Government decided to bring to an end whaling in our waters and to pursue an international ban on commercial whaling. Since then, Australia has made a very successful transition away from hunting whales and towards protecting them.
Australia is a driving force behind global whale conservation and is an active member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC was set up under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling which was signed in Washington D.C. on 2 December 1946. Australia was one of the first signatories. The purpose of the Convention is 'to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry'. Over the decades, most members abandoned whaling, but continued to view the IWC as the best forum to provide for the conservation of whales.
Australia was represented by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage Senator Ian Campbell at the 57th annual meeting of the IWC in Ulsan, Republic of Korea in June.
Australia's opposition to commercial whaling is based on the following principles:
- commercial whaling is no longer required to meet essential human needs;
- even with modern improvements, commercial whaling methods continue to involve an unacceptable level of cruelty; and
- communities world-wide are increasingly recognising and benefiting from the protection of whales through, for example, whale-watching.
Australia remains concerned that, while the moratorium on commercial whaling remains in place, some IWC member Governments nonetheless continue to authorise whaling operations ostensibly for scientific research whilst deriving commercial benefits from these operations. Australia is opposed to lethal “scientific research” whaling programs.
Australia also calls for an end to commercial whaling under exemptions to the IWC moratorium.
Australia, however, does recognise the needs of some subsistence cultures for continued access to whaling and whale products – to meet demonstrated traditional, cultural and dietary needs – under the “aboriginal subsistence whaling” provisions of the IWC.
Australia supports whale sanctuaries, which provide whales with a refuge from commercial whaling, and foster non-lethal research on whale populations as they recover from centuries of hunting. Jointly with New Zealand since 2000, Australia has argued in the IWC for the creation of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. A whale sanctuary in the South Pacific would complement the existing Southern Ocean Sanctuary by protecting whales in their breeding grounds in addition to their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean.
More information on Australia's policy on whales, and the International Whaling Commission.
Media Releases
- The World Votes Against Expanded Scientific Whaling, Senator Ian Campbell, 22 June 2005
- A Win for Whales at IWC, Senator Ian Campbell, 21 June 2005
Contact
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade seeks your feedback on the information provided on whales. Please contact us at:
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Environment Strategies Section
Environment Branch
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
BARTON ACT 0221
Phone: +61 2 6261 2642
Fax: +61 2 6112 1262