A mother and baby humpback whale. Photo- fromhereonin.com

Daven Joseph, representing the twin island nation at this week’s biannual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Peru, responded to widespread criticism from worldwide conservation groups.

IWC Commissioner Joseph reminded the body that the moratorium put in place in 1986 was originally intended as a temporary measure, to be reviewed after 10 years.

“We wish for this commission to acknowledge that whale stocks were overexploited for many years and further acknowledge that, through careful conservation and management plans of this august body, whale stock populations have significantly increased,” Joseph claimed.

Antigua and Barbuda’s revised resolution now reads, “Resolution for the Implementation of a Conservation and Management Programme for Whale Stocks Aimed Towards the Orderly Development and Management of the Whaling Industry”, removing direct references to lifting the hunting ban.

Joseph defended the proposal against accusations from NGOs predicting “calamity for the whales,” arguing that the resolution is crucial because Antigua and Barbuda disagrees that the moratorium has established an international norm.

Adding to the controversy, Antigua and Barbuda, along with St Kitts and Nevis, has strongly opposed the establishment of the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary which seeks to protect cetaceans. The South Atlantic provides the feeding grounds needed to sustain most southern hemisphere great whales.

Joseph warned that if the sanctuary proposal is adopted, it could trigger a “mass exodus” of member states from the IWC. He even suggested Antigua and Barbuda would participate in forming a new organisation, threatening to leave the IWC if commercial whaling is not reconsidered.

Meanwhile, local environmental groups in Antigua have also expressed deep concern over the government’s position. In a joint letter sent to Prime Minister Gaston Browne yesterday, they warned that the potential backlash could “not only be detrimental to the health of our struggling whale populations, but it could also negatively impact Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector and international investment, as we continue to promote our country as an ‘eco-conscious’ destination”.

The six signatories – which include Antigua and Barbuda Ocean Trust, Elkhorn Marine Conservancy and AB Sea Turtles – have urged the government to withdraw the resolution immediately.

“The letter also pointed out the contradiction between the government’s recent promotion of marine conservation at May’s United Nations SIDS4 conference and its stance at the IWC. They also noted that the proposal conflicts with Antigua and Barbuda’s own Environmental Protection Act 2019, which protects all cetaceans.

During his remarks to the IWC, Joseph expressed concern about commercial whaling activities legally taking place in the Exclusive Economic Zones of IWC member countries outside the IWC’s management authority. And he emphasised what he views as the importance of sustainable whaling for livelihoods, food security, and poverty reduction in many coastal communities.

Antigua and Barbuda’s revised proposal calls for the IWC to move towards a more balanced approach, considering both whale conservation and the orderly development of the whaling industry. It proposes establishing a special task force, chaired by the IWC chairman, to review the commission’s work and develop a negotiating framework for a monitoring and control support programme.

But it has nonetheless triggered strong opposition from international environmental groups.

An OceanCare spokesperson told Observer, “Changing a title doesn’t mean changing the meaning of the resolution. The intention and consequences of the resolution are crystal clear and haven’t changed.”

OceanCare representatives emphasised that even with the target being the “orderly development of the whaling industry,” the resolution can only be interpreted as an attempt to legitimise commercial whaling.

The marine conservation NGO also refuted claims by the Antiguan delegate linking the resolution to aboriginal subsistence whaling, clarifying that these are distinct issues governed by separate management schemes.

The controversy has exposed a balancing act for Antigua and Barbuda between potential economic interests in whaling and its image as an eco-conscious destination. The tourism industry, a crucial sector for the island nation, could face harmful repercussions if the country is perceived as supporting commercial whaling.

As the IWC meeting progresses this week, the debate over Antigua and Barbuda’s revised proposal is expected to intensify. While the removal of direct references to lifting the moratorium might appease some, the fundamental aim of developing the whaling industry remains a contentious issue.

The outcome of this debate could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Antigua and Barbuda but for the future of global whale conservation efforts. As the international community watches closely, the vibrant waters of the Caribbean have become still with uncertainty, leaving many to wonder about the delicate balance between economic development and environmental protection in small island developing states.