On Wednesday, Le Soir, reported that in less than a week, Belgium, with its 66 kilometers of coastline, will begin a two –year term as president of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). This committee is responsible for resolving all aspects related to whale conservation. Every meeting will be an opportunity for countries that oppose whaling and those that still allow it to debate their views. The 65th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission will be held in Slovenia from September 11th to the 18th. Debates are expected to be heated. In March, countries against whaling and environment protection organizations scored a point when the International Court of Justice urged Japan to end its "scientific" hunt in Antarctic waters that have been declared a "sanctuary". However, Tokyo has not said its last word. "The Japanese want to boost their scientific whaling program and are prepared to present a version they deem consistent with the ruling made bythe International Court of Justice, "said a committee expert, quoted by Le Soir.
The "conservationists" countries (the European Union, including Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand ...) believe that scientific programs can be implemented without slaughtering whales.
The ban on whaling, which was implemented in 1986, will also be on the agenda.
(Source: Belga)
