Posts by Chris Butler-Stroud
Will Japan leave the International Whaling Commission?
Every now and again whaling interests in Japan call on their government to leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC, the body that regulates whaling). ‘JEXIT’ as one commentator noted, trying to be clever. This is not the first time that Japan has threatened to leave the IWC. Seemingly used as a negotiating tool, it has…
Read MoreWDC welcomes significant move by European Commission on single-use plastics
The European Commission has put forward a proposal for a European Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The objective of this Directive is to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, in particular, the aquatic environment, and on human health. The various…
Read MoreUK NGO coalition reacts to the Budget
WDC, as part of Wildlife and Countryside Link, joined in Link’s respone to the UK Chancellor’s 2017 Budget today, 22nd November. Throwaway plastic charges plans welcomed The release stated “Environment groups have today welcomed the Chancellor’s commitment to investigate charges for single-use plastics. This has the potential to make a big environmental impact, as plastic bag…
Read MoreHappy birthday WDC, and here’s to the next 30 years!
Will you make a donation to help us protect whales and dolphins for the next 30 years? Thank you. WDC is 30 years-old and I am incredibly proud of the team of people – staff, volunteers, partners and supporters – who have helped achieve our many successes during those three decades. But the very fact…
Read MoreMichael Gove sets out his vision of 'Green Brexit'
On Friday, I and some eighty plus conservationists and journalists were invited to listen to the UK Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Gove MP, speak at what was his first major speech after having been appointed some six weeks ago. Before he spoke, WWF, who were hosting the event at their headquarters in…
Read MoreWill nationalism trump conservation in a ‘post-truth’ world?
Is the new US Administration’s apparent negative attitude toward environmental protection an open door for renewed Japanese commercial whaling? If you have read the WDC blog regularly, you will know that we have often discussed the issue of Japanese vote buying at the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Japan has even admitted to using overseas development…
Read MoreJapanese Antarctic whaling fleet sets sail
Unfazed by the results of this year´s meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which decided on a new process for so called “research” whaling, two Japanese whaling ships have left the port of Shimonoseki, Japan. The fleet of four whaling vessels and a crew of 185 in total, intends killing 333 minke whales under the guise…
Read MoreAre the Japanese people growing tired of whaling?
The influential Japanese news title, the Asahi Shimbun, through an editorial, is calling on the Japanese Government to change its whaling strategy. In its editorial of November 1st 2016, titled It’s time for Japan to change its controversial whaling strategy, the paper believes that at this year’s meeting of the International Whaling Commission, ‘Japan appears to have…
Read MoreSo how was the IWC for you?
So IWC66 ends with a celebration of whale-themed ties, which, believe it or not, was won by a Japanese delegate. He was sporting a bright Moby Dick themed tie. so I guess that, as it’s a whaling themed tie, the individual concerned may be allowed back into Japan’s Far Seas Fisheries building where their whaling…
Read MoreDay Five of IWC 2016
Agenda Item 19 Finance and Administration The meeting opens slightly late due to technical difficulties. Bruno: regarding yesterday’s Agenda, I forgot to confirm that all delegates are happy for the Commission to endorse cooperation with other organisations? (General assent). Also apologizes to IGO/NGOs that he was ‘a little too fast’ in closing yesterday. The Chair…
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