"Minister Garrett led the charge for the whales at the IWC this year, but Japan’s refusal to negotiate has led to a complete failure of the process" said Reece Turner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Whales Campaigner in Madeira.

After twelve months of talking, during which whale hunting and trading of whale meat spiralled to levels not seen for years, all the IWC has achieved is another twelve months of talking, until the 2010 meeting in Agadir, Morocco.

“There is an urgent need for fundamental changes to the process if there is any hope that whales will not be left high and dry in the hot sands of Morocco this time next year.  “Clear signs of good faith, such as the immediate suspension of all whaling in the interim, must be given.” Mr. Turner added.

A “miniaturised” working group will begin meeting tomorrow to re-start the “ future” process and another intercessional meeting is already planned for October in Santiago, Chile – hosted by the newly elected Chair of the Commission, Ambassador Christian Maquiera. (1).
 
Greenpeace urges Ambassador Maquiera to take the giant strides needed to ensure the IWC is modernised to work for whales, not whalers. “Smaller does not necessarily mean better,” warned Turner.
 
"The Rudd government should now step up the pressure on the Japanese government before the next whaling season starts this summer, and initiate legal action if there are good grounds for it. Minister Garrett should also consider supporting the legal case of the two Greenpeace activists in Japan who exposed the corruption behind Japan's scientific whaling program", Mr Turner concluded. (2)