IWC Media Centre

IWC Media Centre

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Latest News Releases Protected humpbacks recovering, but whales worldwide face growing threats (Sydney, Australia – 12 August 2008) – Revisions to the status of humpback whales on the world’s Red List of Threatened Species were announced today by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) based in Gland, Switzerland. The humpback whale, depleted to very low levels by 1970 due to commercial whaling, has shown a substantial recovery over the last 40 years, thanks to international protection, and has moved from “vulnerable” to “least concern” on the Red List. Two subpopulations, the Arabian and Oceania humpback whales are still classified as endangered. Whaling meeting closes – future uncertain for whales and commission (Santiago, Chile - 27th June 2008) – The International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) 60th annual meeting ended today having achieved no new protections for whales and little progress in addressing the dysfunction that plagues the international body responsible for the conservation of whales worldwide. Conservation organisations including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org) expressed concern that the meeting failed to address growing threats to whales including increasing whaling by Japan, Iceland and Norway. Mystery meat: Japan unable to account for fin whales on sale (Santiago, Chile) - Evidence has emerged on day one of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting suggesting that more endangered fin whales have been killed than previously reported to the international body by the Government of Japan. Conservation or compromise? Whaling commission meets at crossroads (Santiago, Chile) - The fate of the world’s whales and the future of the International Whaling Commission hang in the balance as delegates from 81 nations gather for the 60th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The commission has been deadlocked in recent years as the last three nations engaged in whaling for commercial purposes, Japan, Iceland and Norway, have fought to block conservation measures in the forum. Australia celebrates first National Whale Day Saturday, 14 June - 2008 Sydney, Australia. Today, the whole nation has come together in celebration of cetaceans with 25 communities, from Marion Bay in Tasmania to Hervey Bay in Queensland and Albany to Exmouth in Western Australia, holding events for Australia’s first National Whale Day, coordinated by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare). Attempt to revive whale meat trade raises legal questions (London, England) Legal and regulatory questions are being raised over the export of whale meat to Japan from Iceland and Norway first reported earlier this week. Iceland resumes whaling - first whale killed May 21, 2008 – Iceland’s whalers have announced that they have killed their first whale since it was revealed earlier this week that the country was resuming commercial whaling. Japan’s Whaling - More Sushi than Science Sydney, Australia - 16 January 2008 – While the drama unfolds in the Southern Ocean, IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare - www.ifaw.org) reiterates the only way to permanently stop the Government of Japan’s illegal whaling activity is through international courts. Green groups call on Rudd government to move on whales protection Wednesday December 12, 2007 – With the Japanese whaling fleet bearing down on the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, Greenpeace, The International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society International, Project Jonah and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society call on the Rudd government to move quickly to deliver the protection for whales it promised during the election campaign and challenge Japan’s so-called ‘scientific’ whaling program in the Southern Ocean. 50 Australian communities adopt humpbacks as Japan's whaling fleet arrives in whale sanctuary (7th December 2007) - On behalf of the Humpback Icon Project IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) is pleased to announce that 50 councils and communities around Australia have officially adopted individual humpback whales. Australian Government can stop Japan whaling (Sydney, Australia - 7 May 2007) - The Australian Government can stop Japan killing any more whales in the Southern Ocean by taking legal action, according to an independent panel of Australia’s leading international law experts, commissioned by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare - www.ifaw.org ). To see all relevant news releases click here.