Whaling Conference Meeting in Italy Approves New Measures for More Humane Killing Methods
SORRENTO, Italy July 22, 2004 — Delegates at a global whaling conference met Thursday to consider a U.S.-backed proposal on how to manage whale hunting if a nearly two-decade ban on commercial whaling is lifted.
The plan would include terms for a phased-in resumption of whaling, with measures to ensure whalers do not exceed quotas. It is backed by Japan, Iceland and other pro-whaling states.
Environmentalists feared the proposal could loosen a moratorium on commercial whaling in place since 1986, and some officials confirmed the plan was being considered a first step to doing away with the ban.
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The move by the United States, traditionally an anti-whaling country, alarmed some environmentalists. A statement by the Humane Society of the United States, a member of an anti-whaling umbrella coalition called Whalewatch, called the move "inexplicable."
"This is the most serious effort to go back to commercial whaling since the ban was passed," said Patricia Forkan of the Humane Society.
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040722_378.htmlAttaturk at Rising Hegemon writes:Call him Bushmael
In a move the Bush Administration, given its practice, will surely term the "Whale Preservation Initiative" it has reversed decades of precedent and moved to help bring about a resumption of commercial whaling.
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It took 50 years for international whaling to be banned, and in one less than four year swoop the Bush Administration has managed to allow it to survive.
"Fuck Willy"; "Slaughter Shamu"; the only one to be saved will be"Mumbly Dick".
http://rising-hegemon.blogspot.com/