Stop the Slaughter

Now that the International Whaling Commission meetings have ended, it is clear that Japan is on the verge of taking control of the Commission at next year's meetings in Alaska - unless the U.S. government acts quickly to stop them. Don't let commercial whaling make a comeback. Write to the State Department NOW.

Step 2: Read the letter we've provided. Feel free to edit it.

Dear Secretary Gutierrez, Secretary Rice,

I am writing to thank you for your support in largely defeating the Japanese bid to take over the International Whaling Commission at its 58th meeting.  The narrow victories in St Kitts demonstrate that the United States has the power to save the IWC�and the whales it protects�if we will only use it.

The U.S. delegation played a leading role in deflecting Japan's attempt to use the IWC to quash protest of their illegal activities, and for this we are grateful.  Yet the outcomes of this IWC serve as wake-up call and a warning of things to come at next year�s meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.  This year, Japan�s strategy of buying and coercing the votes of small countries came closer than ever to success.   While the worst of its proposals were narrowly defeated, Japan actually convinced a majority of IWC members that whales themselves are a threat to ocean ecosystems because they eat too much fish!

At the same time, not a single resolution or motion was tabled by the whale-friendly governments calling for an end to Japan�s annual assault on the whales of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary or condemning the addition of threatened fin whales and endangered humpback whales to Japan�s scientific whaling menu.

We have less than 360 days before this these battles start all over again�on U.S. soil.  When the IWC meets again in Anchorage next year, Japan will come back stronger and more resolute than ever before.  The U.S. efforts that proved just enough�or almost enough�in St Kitts, will fall far short when the IWC reconvenes.  It will not be long now, if nothing is done, before the Southern Ocean Sanctuary is overturned and commercial whaling makes an unwelcome return. Years of inadequate opposition by the U.S. and other whale-friendly governments have created this situation.  Only twelve months of intense effort will undo it.

As we begin the short countdown to IWC 59, I urge you to use every diplomatic tool at your disposal to convince those who buy votes and those that sell them that this practice must end.  Unless you deliver a clear and strong message that the IWC is not for sale, Japan will finish the purchase next year in Alaska.

The recent designation of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Monument was a powerful example of the type of action that can be taken to protect marine life.  The IWC meeting in Anchorage could be a victory celebration for the oceans, or it could be a wake for the whales.

The choice is yours.

"Sincerely," and your name and contact information will be added to the end of the letter.

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Stop the Slaughter

Step 2: Read the letter we've provided. Feel free to edit it.

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