Call to end whaling moratorium dominates IWC opening

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2004

SORRENTO, Italy (AFP) — Pro- and anti-whaling nations locked horns at the beginning of a four-day meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) amid growing support for an end to an 18-year moratorium on commercial whaling.

A row over the agenda set the tone as pro-whaling Japan attempted, and failed, to block issues which it insists have no place at the IWC -- whale-watching, whale-killing methods and associated welfare issues.

"These are outside the competence of the IWC and non-essential, while leaving essential issues, such as proper management of whale stocks, unsolved," said Japan's commissioner Minoru Morimoto.

It drew support from a number of small developing countries like Mauritania which conservation groups allege simply toe the Japanese...