Feature story - May 22, 2006
As the International Whaling Commission begins its meetings in Anchorage, Alaska, a stark reminder of what's at stake: 17 dead whales and dolphins from across Europe are displayed in Germany.
While politicians and bureaucrats talk, activists in Germany
presented evidence of environmental crime at the Brandenburg
Gate.
They set out 17 dead whales and dolphins, which were collected
in the last weeks along European coasts. Why 17? It's the number of
dolphins and whales that die every 30 minutes all year round in our
oceans, mainly due to bycatch.
This grisly fact underscores the need for four things:
- New thinking in fisheries policy in order to minimize
bycatch
- A network of protected areas for our oceans
- The International Whaling Commission meeting next week in
Alaska needs to deal with all threats to all species of whales and
dolphins. In some cases, even governments that support whale
conservation at the IWC turn a blind eye to whale deaths being
caused by their own policies.
- Maintenance of the moratorium on commercial whaling to counter
the wider environmental pressure on these animals and our
oceans.
Take Action Now
Send your own message to the delegates deciding the fate of whales and dolphins.