Natural Resources: The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling Nicky Grandy, Secretary to the Internation

1. Natural Resources: The International Convention for the Regulation of WhalingNicky Grandy, Secretary to the International Whaling Commission

2. Outline Background Events leading to the Convention IWC – role of science, activities Interactions and co-operation with others Current & future challenges For IWC – relevance to other regimes? More generally

3. Development of whaling Goes back thousands of years ‘Industrial’ whaling began 12th century small boats (sail/oar) hand harpoons & lances Modern whaling – from 1860s technological developments (explosive grenade harpoon, powered catcher boats) massive expansion of the industry

4. Antarctic Expansion 1930/31: 41 factory ships, 37,000 whales 1925: invention of stern slipway 1913: 6 stations, 21 factories, 10,716 whales 1904: 1 station, 195 whales

5. International management 1930s Production agreements League of Nations 1946 Washington Conference International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW)

6. Signed 63 years ago today

7. The Convention ‘…to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry’ Regulations to be ‘...based on scientific findings’

8. Among other things, the Convention: Applies to whaling operations in all waters Establishes the Commission Includes the rules governing the conduct of whaling (the Schedule) Lays down rules for decision-making Provides for research under special permit Allows governments to object to decisions in relation to the Schedule Allows the Commission to make recommendations to any or all members on any matters relating to whales/whaling

9. What it doesn’t cover • Doesn’t allow the setting of national quotas • No dispute settlement mechanism • Is silent on reservations

10. But despite the 1946 Convention, whale stocks continued to decline And led to: A moratorium on commercial whaling that took effect from 1986 and is still in place

11. Some whaling continues Some under IWC control Aboriginal subsistence whaling Some outside IWC control Commercial whaling under ‘objection’ or ‘reservation’ ‘scientific’ whaling

12. Trend in membership

14. Differing views/attitudes/policies 10 members in 1948 – all whaling nations 88 members today only 7 taking large whales all agree on importance of conservation & value of best scientific advice but different views on acceptability of killing whales Polarised organisation IWC a resource management organisation or MEA?

15. Science and the IWC • Scientific Committee • Key to the work of the Commission • Established 1950 • A recognised authority on cetaceans • > 200 scientists • Meets annually + intersessional workshops • Wide range issues

16. Topics/issues addressed

17. Interaction & co-operation • Significant interaction/co-operation with some 10 IGOs • Specified in Convention text (CCAMLR) • Formal Agreements (CMS, IMO) • Resolutions (CITES) • ‘just do it’ (IUCN, RFMOs) • Mutual observers, common scientists, joint activities, Secretariat-to-Secretariat • Meaningful co-operation can be a challenge

18. A few examples Ecosystem modelling Monitoring, control & surveillance Noise Sanctuaries

19. Ecosystem modelling • Work in early stages • very challenging • IWC initial work on use of ecosystem models to explore potential impact of cetaceans on fishery yields • Currently no single approach can be recommended to provide reliable information of value • Co-operation with CCAMLR regarding Antarctic marine ecosystem models • Joint workshop, August 2008

20. Monitoring, control & surveillance • Regulations obeyed and seen to be obeyed • Work on new scheme (RMS) for IWC currently on hold • But was taking account of schemes in RFMOs • CCAMLR held up as ‘best practice’

21. Anthropogenic noise • Sound of great importance to cetaceans • Use for communication, echolocation • But general concern on marine life • Cleary an issue requiring co-operation and co-ordination • mitigation • joined new IMO initiative on minimising noise from commercial shipping • research • Some co-operation with SCAR

22. Sanctuaries

23. Current challenges - IWC • To find a consensus solution to issues that have polarised debates to enable IWC to fulfil its mandate for the conservation of whale stocks and the management of whaling

24. Finding a solution • Initiatives in late 1990s and mid 2000 unsuccessful • Latest & ongoing initiative started in 2007 • against background of non-IWC initiatives • belief that the status quo no longer acceptable • Focused on procedural issues & ways to improve negotiations before moving on to substantive issues

25. Procedures & practices • 3-day intersessional + Annual Meeting in 2008 • Brought in outside ‘experts’ • Positive outcome • commitment to consensus decisions and ‘no surprise’ culture • Recognition of need for open & closed sessions and ‘miniaturisation’ • New working languages • Greater participation by NGOs

26. Addressing substantive matters • Recognition that solution lies in a ‘package’ of measures involving compromise on all sides • Began in 2008 by identifying issues of importance to members • Hoped to have package(s) proposal for decision-making this year • Discussions not finished and work extended for further year, i.e. until June 2010

27. More general challenges • Capacity-building • At the scientific level in particular • Effective interaction, co-operation and co-ordination