IWC include small cetaceans in your governance

International Whaling Commission
The Red House,
135 Station Road,
Impington,
Cambridge,
CB24 9NP, UK.

Dear Sirs

The 1946 Convention does not define a 'whale', although a list of names in a number of languages of a dozen whales was annexed to the Final Act of the Convention. Some governments take the view that the IWC has the legal competence to regulate catches only of these named ‘Great Whales’. Others believe that all cetaceans, including the smaller dolphins and porpoises, also fall within IWC jurisdiction.

Traditionally, those species not considered to be one of the ‘Great Whales’ are called ‘small cetaceans’ even though some of them can be as large as a minke whale (the smallest Great Whale). Common names often end in ‘whale’, ‘dolphin’ or ‘porpoise’ although there is no formal definition of each – for example the killer whale, Orcinus orca, is in fact a member of the family Delphinidae.

This loop hole needs closing. Greenland top up their hunt with killer whales, belugas and narwhals. Japan hunt and kill 20000 plus small cetaceans per year. Solomon Islands drive hunt dolphins, Peru kills dolphins in their thousands. These small cetaceans are no less at risk than their great whale cousins, and need IWC and their member states protection in the same way.

Those named in the petition ask that you clarify the 1946 definition of whale and include all cetaceans under your juristiction.

Thank you