IFAW Pacific Briefing - IWC 60
The 60th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC60) takes place in Santiago, Chile from the 23 – 27 June 2008. A significant number of Pacific states have joined the IWC which has focused debate on the importance of whale conservation in this region. IFAW is pleased to provide this briefing on the forthcoming IWC meeting and the major issues relevant to the conservation and management of the whales of the Pacific Islands .

What is the IWC?
Discover the important role the International Whaling Commission (IWC) plays in determining the future of the world's whales.

Bringing The IWC into the 21^ST Century
The original objective of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) - the conservation of whale populations for the benefit of future generations – is as relevant today as when the Convention was signed in 1946. However, the world for whales has changed profoundly over the last 60 years.

PACIANO:  A Conversation About Whaling and Science
From March 1-3, 2008, 25 scientists and others gathered in the medieval Umbrian village of Paciano for a conversation on scientific issues relating to whales, particularly in the context of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Attendees came from Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Between them, participants had accumulated almost 350 years of attendance at IWC meetings, and had authored or co-authored approximately 940 refereed publications.

Iceland and Whaling
Despite the ban on whaling, Iceland has killed more than 500 fin, sei and minke whales since 1986.

Norway and the IWC
Norway continues to hunt minke whales, ignoring the global ban on whaling.

Caribbean Countries and the International Whaling Commission
Despite a reputation for pristine ocean environments, the six Eastern Caribbean island members of the IWC have all recently voted consistently to oppose conservation of the great whales.