Rahall Calls on Administration to Stand Strong in Global Anti-Whaling Efforts

Washington, D.C. - Sending a strong message to the Administration as it prepares for the June 2008 meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Santiago, Chile, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) introduced a resolution this week urging U.S. leadership to use all appropriate measures to put an end to commercial whaling around the globe.

"The message is simple: now is not the time to capitulate to calls to weaken or undermine the existing IWC ban on commercial whaling. The American people care deeply about protecting whales, and the U.S. should continue on as an international leader in whale conservation," Rahall said.

"With the introduction of today's Concurrent Resolution, Congress is sending a message to the Administration to work with its partners on the International Whaling Commission to end commercial whaling and to conserve and protect whale species. Whales are an international symbol of the world's oceans and of ocean health, yet many whale species have been hunted to near extinction. It is vital for the U.S. to continue its international leadership to promote sound management measures to ensure conservation of these majestic creatures," said Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Chairwoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), a co-sponsor of the legislation.

The resolution, H. Con. Res 350, calls on the U.S. delegation to the IWC to remain firm in its opposition to all forms of commercial whaling. In 1986, the IWC instituted an international moratorium on the commercial killing of whales - yet countries such as Norway have ignored the ban, and Japan and Iceland have maintained significant whaling efforts under the guise of "scientific whaling." In excess of 11,000 whales have reportedly been killed in lethal scientific whaling programs since adoption of the moratorium.

In addition, Japan is now seeking sanctioned commercial whaling in the form of "coastal" whaling, "community" whaling, or some other iteration of small-scale commercial whaling that would undermine the moratorium.

Rahall has been critical of the current Administration's lack of leadership in recent years on the issue. In March 2007, Rahall and 56 Members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Business Carlos Gutierrez outlining the dire need for the Administration to reassert its influence and leadership within the IWC.

"Whales constitute a vital component of the world's marine ecosystem and are some of the biggest and most intelligent mammals on Earth. Conserving them requires us to uphold strong international agreements and maintain an unwavering commitment to protecting these species from killing for commercial gain," Rahall said.

"It is critical now, In excess of ever, that the U.S. remain firmly opposed to any proposals to resume even a limited level of commercial whaling and maintain its leadership role in shaping global whale conservation policies through the IWC," Rahall said.

H. Con. Res. 350 is also co-sponsored by Representatives William D. Delahunt (D-MA), Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Charles A. Gonzalez (D-TX), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ), Maurice D. Hinchey (D-NY), and Delegate Eni F. H. Faleomavaega (D-AS).