05-28-2007 - Biodiversity

sagar: Author=’Deborah Byrd’ program=” video=”Photo: John Calambokidis, Cascadia Research.(May 28, 2007) The annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission begins today in Anchorage, Alaska, with Japan saying it does not have enough support to overturn a 21-year moratorium on commercial whaling.

“The scene is set for what arguably could be the most important whaling conservation meeting in the last two decades,” said Patrick Ramage with the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

At last year’s meeting, pro-whaling nations almost passed a symbolic resolution in support of ending the moratorium on whaling. But the measure fell far short of the 75 percent majority necessary to lift the ban. No one foresees enough votes this year to lift the moratorium in the course of this week’s meeting, which extends through Thursday.

The ban has been in place since 1986. Pro-whaling nations argue that whale populations have since rebounded.

Read more: “International Whaling Commission convenes in Anchorage”:http://www.adn.com/front/story/8926615p-8826776c.html

Written by Deborah Byrd