Considering there were over 50 countries present at IWC65, each with strong opinions on whaling and whale conservation, I think the meeting was very constructive and cordial.
Concluding my segment on the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary (SAWS) schedule amendment, I will present the final decision made today at the plenary session.
Today's plenary session consisted of more debating, but not much action. Thankfully, one item was put to rest that had remained open from yesterday's session.
A whale of a victory! Okay, maybe a small cetacean of a victory - the motion of Highly Migratory Cetaceans proposed by Monaco strengthening current conservation measures just passed!
The Russian Federation states it has been struggling with stinky whales since the 1990s. Aboriginal hunters were the first to notice an unusual medicinal scent in the whales.
This morning I attended the open U.S. delegation meeting where the U.S. registered NGOs were briefed and allowed to ask questions and make comments or suggestions.
Good news: Like minded countries, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Oman all had their voting rights restored and will likely be present to vote on SAWS. Bad news: Japan allies Antigua & Barbados and Laos also had their voting rights restored.
President Obama has announced his intent to nominate Russell Smith and New Zealand's draft resolution for IWC 65 Whaling under Special Permit has been met a difference of opinion between the NGOs.
Japan plans on resuming scientific whaling in the Southern Ocean once it makes a few tweaks to the terminology in their scientific research permit proposal since the ruling from the ICJ.
In preparation for the IWC meetings, I reviewed various articles from the scientific community, papers from non-profit stakeholder groups, and watched documentaries with differing perspectives.
