Japan, Norway, Iceland and their cohorts are working to undermine the ban or trying to find loopholes to kill even more whales. It’s not enough that Japan kills hundreds of whales every year for “scientific” purposes (and then sells the meat commercially). They now want to allow full-out commercial coastal whaling, where small boats of whalers can kill hundreds of additional whales.
Unfortunately, the United States, once a world leader in whale protection, has been failing to stand up to these countries.
But, there are two ways you can encourage the U.S. to stand strong:
The International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 2455), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 18, would be a major step towards giving whales the protection they deserve. If passed, the bill would make the U.S. a leader again by strengthening whale conservation, research, and protection efforts. Plus, it would firmly reassert the United States’ opposition to commercial whaling while working to improve the transparency of the IWC.
Whales need all the help they can get from the U.S. at the IWC meeting this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which focuses on protecting the planet’s oceans and atmosphere, could -- and should -- make a stronger case for conservation. The NOAA needs to show other countries the way and create a global sanctuary for whales.
TAKE ACTION
Please tell your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 2455, the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009, and do all he or she can to pass this important legislation. You can reach your legislator through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or click here to look up your Representative and the office phone number.
Learn more at HSI
