英國政府近期發起了一項召募反對捕鯨行為國家的行動,其對象不限於臨海的國家。起因為目前雖然僅有日本、愛爾蘭和挪威3個國家從事捕鯨,但國際捕鯨委員會(IWC)中多數的成員皆支持捕鯨行為。
英國政府31日表示,他們十分擔心委員會多數支持捕鯨,且有越來越多贊同捕鯨的國家,對於先前限制商業捕鯨備忘錄顯現出漠視的表現。不顧20年前發出的禁令,每年鯨魚遭到捕殺的數量逐年攀升。且委會員72個成員國中,有四分之三的多數表示將廢除先前備忘錄的意願。
一本由英國首相布萊爾和學者艾登堡(Sir David Attenborough)所推薦的刊物《保護鯨魚——全球的責任》,目前也被送往各個尚未加入委員會的政府手中。布萊爾為該書寫的序中提到:「英國政府十分支持國際捕鯨委員會先前對商業捕鯨所做的備忘錄規範,亦極力的主張各國投入反對捕鯨的行列,確保我們這一代能夠達到保護鯨魚所應盡的責任。」
The British government has launched a recruitment drive to enlist more countries to the anti-whaling cause, whether or not they have coastal waters. Only three countries - Japan, Iceland and Norway - actively carry out whaling, but the pro-whaling countries now command the majority within the International Whaling Commission, IWC.
The government said Wednesday it is concerned about the loss of the anti-whaling majority within the IWC and the "increasing disregard" that pro-whaling countries are showing towards the current moratorium on commercial whaling.
Despite the 20 year old ban, the number of whales killed each year continues to grow.
A 75 percent majority is needed to overturn the moratorium. Currently, the IWC membership stands at 72 countries.
A publication entitled "Protecting Whales - A Global Responsibility," endorsed by Prime Minister Tony Blair and naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, is being sent to the governments of countries who are not yet members of the International Whaling Commission, IWC.
In the foreword, Blair writes, "The UK government strongly supports the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling. We urge your government to join the UK and the other anti-whaling nations to ensure that our generation meets its global responsibility to protect whales."
全文及圖片詳見 ENS報導