[Nefarious]

Resolution Concerning Commercial Whaling

Committee: Economic, Technological, Environmental & Health
Submitted by: Russian Federation

The General Assembly of The United Nations,

Noting with deep concern the recent decision of Iceland to resume commercial whaling,
Bearing in mind that these whales are considered an endangered species,
Deeply disturbed that some nations are choosing to ignore this fact in order to further thier own commercial ends,
Aware of the fact that the methods used for whaling are by necessity cruel in the extreme,
Bearing in mind that whaling occurs in international waters and as such this is a matter for the international community,
Further noting that Japan currently undertakes whaling for scientific purposes and is pushing for a full return to commercial whaling,
Further noting Norway's recent increase in whaling limits from 670 to 800 whales,
Deeply concerned by the rapidly accelerating rate of the killing of these endangered species with no respect for their slow life cycle.


1.Reaffirms the international communities opposition to whaling.;

2.Condemns The attempts by Norway, Japan and Iceland to resume commercial whaling;

3.Calls for an immediate cessation of all whaling activities;

4.Emphasizes that unsustainable plundering of an international treasure is unacceptable.

[Agent Smith]

Belarus will support this Resolution unconditionally.

[bikerx23]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6108414.stm

This should surely be of much greater concern to the united nations, considering it is a global issue, rather of one of small scale whaling operations being undertaken.

Iceland shall continue its minimal whaling plans as stated, regardless of the opinions of the UN and security council.

[Nutter]

Australia will throw its full support to this resolution as well.

While we acknowledge other environmental concerns as pointed out by the representative of Iceland, that should by no means weaken our resolve to prevent the commercial exploitation of whales.

We also urge members to read the NOAA's press release at http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2736.htm before making their stand here.

[bikerx23]

I would also like to question:

a) why no mention of Norway is made in this resolution.

b) Why no mention of the IWC has been made, specifically that they have not maintained their decree to Iceland on behalf of ceasing commercial whaling (Iceland is, after all, acting on its agreement with the IWC).

c) Why are individuals so abhorrent at the activity of whaling whilst being impasse regarding fishing?

http://eng.sjavarutvegsraduneyti.is/...ticles/nr/1301

[Nefarious]

(Original post by a fire in the sky)
I would also like to question:

a) why no mention of Norway is made in this resolution.

b) Why no mention of the IWC has been made, specifically that they have not maintained their decree to Iceland on behalf of ceasing commercial whaling (Iceland is, after all, acting on its agreement with the IWC).

c) Why are individuals so abhorrent at the activity of whaling whilst being impasse regarding fishing?

http://eng.sjavarutvegsraduneyti.is/...ticles/nr/1301

A) This is an oversight I am more than happy to correct.
B) I'm not seeing your point here maybe you could make it clearer.
C) Fishing is a completely separate issue. If someone wants to write a resolution on it I am likely to support it.

[bikerx23]

a) thank you - I am personally appaled that no one seems to care about commercial whaling until Iceland decides to restart its business which provides a more significant proportion of its economy than any other whaling-reliant nation.

b) The Icelandic membership of the IWC was based on certain proviso's.
Primarily, it agreed not to undertake commercial whaling until 2006. From 2006 onwards it agreed that this agreement would be maintained on condition that the progress of the Revised Management Scheme (RMS) continued, which it has not done so at the last two AGMs, hence Icelands uptake of commercial whaling does not contravene any international agreement, hence it is as much the responsibility of other nations who have failed to uphold their side of the agreement made with the IWC.

I would also like to point out the statistics represented in the article I linked earlier - 0.2% and 0.04% of populations respectively is a ridiculously low figure.

c) its a clear dichotomy. Other countries are responsible for disgusting levels of overfishing, whereas the Icelandic fishing ministries clear and sustainable method of managing both fishing and whaling is yet again called into question.

[Nutter]

(Original post by a fire in the sky)
c) its a clear dichotomy. Other countries are responsible for disgusting levels of overfishing, whereas the Icelandic fishing ministries clear and sustainable method of managing both fishing and whaling is yet again called into question.

Since the resumption of whaling, fin whales have been caught in the waters off Iceland. Fin whales are not historically consumed by Icelanders, increasing speculation that Iceland intends to trade the meat internationally with Japan. This would contravene current regulations of the U.N Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which bans the international trade of all great whale species. Australia would like to warn Iceland against any such contravention.

Furthermore, we find it extremely worrying and disappointing that Iceland’s hunts for minke and fin whales will be conducted without any transparency about the country’s compliance measures, enforcement activities or other management measures in place to ensure the country does not exceed its quotas, and call upon the government to take further steps to appease the concerns of the international community.

[bikerx23]

(Original post by Nutter)
Furthermore, we find it extremely worrying and disappointing that Iceland’s hunts for minke and fin whales will be conducted without any transparency about the country’s compliance measures, enforcement activities or other management measures in place to ensure the country does not exceed its quotas, and call upon the government to take further steps to appease the concerns of the international community.

This is a claim made apparently without evidence - the Icelandic government has set very low percentage quotas, and issued licenses for the hunting of a certain number of whales, of two different species. That process is as clear and transparent as it could be.

[Nefarious]

Resolution updated.

[bikerx23]

What is Russia's opinion of its own whaling?

[Nefarious]

(Original post by a fire in the sky)
What is Russia's opinion of its own whaling?

A certain degree is necessary for research purposes but when used merely to increase profits it is distasteful and largely unecessary.

Russia has a limited scientific whaling program however most of its quotia of 140 grey whales is actually used by the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug with whom it shares the limit. Russia is making no attempt to expand whaling and there are certain tribes in the CAO that would be unable to survive without this income. The difference is between limited whaling through necessity and ever expanding whaling for profit.

[bikerx23]

You have your facts wrong.

the CAO are domestic not commercial whalers, and do not sell the meat from whaling, rather use it since russia as a nation is not prepared to culture transport links to the region in order to allow them to be provided with modern comforts which would elliviate the requirement for whaling, therefore it could be claimed that russia is also not performing its duties since it is "hanging out" part of its population and as a result making them reliant on what the nation views as a barbaric form of hunting.

[Nutter]

(Original post by a fire in the sky)
This is a claim made apparently without evidence - the Icelandic government has set very low percentage quotas, and issued licenses for the hunting of a certain number of whales, of two different species. That process is as clear and transparent as it could be.

That is just what is reported and declared by the government, but it is widely reported that there is growing scepticism of the veracity of these figures. Would the government be prepared to accept and accommodate international monitors to supervise the issuing of permits and whaling activities in the waters off the Icelandic coast?

[bikerx23]

For a start, the Icelandic Government has had no comments regarding the transparency of its whaling process, merely other nations condemnation, as well as several nations encouraging such activities - it has done a very clear job of showing up the outdated morals of many regarding such events, caring more of sensationalism than acting sustainably.

[Nightowl]

Although China agrees with the content of this resolution, we will likely abstain as we feel it is a matter for the IWC rather than the UN, since it is an IWC ban.

[bikerx23]

(Original post by Nightowl)
Although China agrees with the content of this resolution, we will likely abstain as we feel it is a matter for the IWC rather than the UN, since it is an IWC ban.

Iceland being subject to the IWC ban was dependent upon certain actions of the IWC which they did not perform, hence the ban no longer applies to Iceland.

Iceland thanks China for their refreshing approach to this situation without the vitriol displayed by others, and commends her on her recent and highly deserved election to this office.

[Nefarious]

(Original post by Nightowl)
Although China agrees with the content of this resolution, we will likely abstain as we feel it is a matter for the IWC rather than the UN, since it is an IWC ban.

And without our support what power does the IWC have, especially bearing in mind Iceland has made it quite clear there is no intention to remain within IWC ruling?

China would stand idly by whilst a natural treasure belonging not to Iceland, but to the international comunity as a whole is plundered for personal profit?

[bikerx23]

The IWC had every power to prevent resumption of whaling by Iceland, but they have essentially done no work in furthering the RMS for two years, which was the main stipulation for Icelands continuing adherance to the IWCs regulations - It is ridiculous to claim that this issue has anything to do with the UNs support of the IWC - it is their lack of professionalism and drive to further their cause that has resulted in this situation.

[brimstone]

France echoes Belarus's comments.