On Friday, local environmental groups congratulated the government of Antigua & Barbuda for withdrawal of the “Resolution for the Implementation of a Conservation and Management Program for Whale Stocks Aimed Toward the Lifting of the Moratorium and Orderly Development of the Whaling Industry” at theIWC International Whaling Commission (IWC) biennial meeting in Lima, Peru September 22-27, 2024.
Last week, the groups joined forces and sent a letter to the Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne, copied to the Honourable Minister of Tourism Charles Max Fernandez, requesting that Antigua and Barbuda withdraw a resolution presented to the International Whaling Commission, and reverse the pro-whaling position of the country within the IWC.
On the afternoon of September 26, the resolution was withdrawn by Antigua and Barbuda Whaling Commissioner Daven Joseph. “Antigua & Barbuda and a number of interested governments and NGOs met and we were not able to move the resolution forward. The intention of Antigua and Barbuda is to withdraw the resolution at this time,” said Joseph. Environmental groups were concerned over the ramifications of the resolution, including the reintroduction of commercial whaling.
Whales are essential for the health and productivity of the marine ecosystem, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and supporting a rich diversity of marine life. Their feeding habits stimulate phytoplankton growth, the foundation of the marine food web, ensuring health and productivity in marine ecosystems.
“It is heartwarming to see something positive happen regarding the protection of the marine environment,” says Martha Watkins Gilkes of the Antigua & Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corp., who spearheaded the protest. “Anything that can be done to protect the marine environment is a win-win. It has been awesome to see how many Antiguans have taken a stand against the pro-whaling stand.”
“The environmental crises have deepened with alarming issues like global warming, ocean pollution, unrelenting heat, coral reefs dying, depletion of fish stocks, species loss — environmental issues go on and on,” Gilkes says. “It is irresponsible to take any action that adds to this crisis and removal of whales from the marine environment does so.
“The marine environment is in such crisis with so many issues that any additional stress should be avoided. It is the responsibility for all nations and populations to play their part in this.”
Editor’s note: Read more at https://antiguanewsroom.com/antigua-and-barbuda-plan-to-overturn-commercial-whaling-moratorium-fails/
For earlier reporting on the resolution, read “A&B seeks to justify pro-whaling stance at pivotal international meeting” by Kisean Joseph in the Antigua Observer.
The joint letter from seven environmental groups was sent September 24, 2024:
The Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne
Office of the Prime Minister
Factory Road
Queen Elizabeth Highway
St. John’s
Antigua and Barbuda
Dear Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne,
We the undersigned are dedicated Antiguan & Barbuda based environmental groups fighting to protect the fragile environment of our twin-island state. We are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding Antigua and Barbuda’s plan to propose the “Resolution for the Implementation of a Conservation and Management Program for Whale Stocks Aimed Toward the Lifting of the Moratorium and Orderly Development of the Whaling In-dustry” at the 2024 International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) meeting in Lima, Peru this week. We join the 25 international NGOs who have reached out to you urgently on this mat-ter.
As you are aware Antigua recently hosted international leaders from around the world at the UN 2024 SIDS4 (Small Island Developing States) Conference in May. In the magazine which was distributed to all participants, the government of Antigua and Barbuda highlighted the numerous ways we as an island-nation are “creating a sustainable future for all” and we emphasized our “commitment to preserving marine diversity and fragile ecosystems.” This Resolution directly contradicts the above statements, as well as our own legislation in the Environmental Protection Act 2019 which states that all whales, dolphins and porpoises are protected species and prohibits hunting them.
Antigua and Barbuda’s pro-whaling position will not only be detrimental to the health of our struggling whale populations, but it could also negatively impact Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector and international investment, as we continue to promote our country as an eco-conscious destination. We are very concerned with the power the 25 NGOS (with membership worldwide of over 10 million) has to damage our tourism, especially via social media, should they go this course.
We respectfully request that Antigua and Barbuda withdraw this Resolution at once and reverse our pro-whaling position within the IWC going forward.
Respectfully,
Martha Watkins Gilkes
Antigua & Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corporation
Julie Esty
Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust
Arthur Gosnell
Elkhorn Marine Conservancy
Ashton Williams
AB Sea Turtles
Dina Goodenough
Bodhicharya Environment
Eli Fuller
Antigua Conservation Society
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