Whaling "Unacceptably Cruel" - Gordon Brown, PM

Whaling "unacceptably cruel" - PM

The moratorium on commercial whaling should be continued to protect whales from over-exploitation, pollution and climate change, Gordon Brown has said.

Writing in the brochure "Protecting Whales - A global responsibility" released today, the Prime Minister said that whaling is "unacceptably cruel" and "economically unnecessary". Whale watching is the only interaction with whales that is sustainable, he added.

The Defra publication highlights the dangers whales face and why everyone has a responsibility to protect whales. Sir David Attenborough, the broadcaster and naturalist, urges "collective action by nations across the globe to protect whales."

Mr Brown added:

"Many coastal communities, including those in developing countries, can profit from tourist income generated by a well-regulated whale watching industry. The current and future benefits from whale watching far exceed those from killing whales.

"I urge Governments to join the UK, and other anti-whaling countries, in the International Whaling Commission to maintain the moratorium on commercial whaling so that our generation meets its responsibility to protect whales."

BACKGROUND:

Protecting Whales - A global responsibility

Defra's brochure Protecting Whales - A global responsibility sets out the ecological, economic and moral arguments for protecting whales. It highlights the dangers these magnificent animals face and why we all have a responsibility to protect whales.

In their forewords the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, emphasises that 'whale-watching is the only use of whales which is both humane and sustainable'; while Sir David Attenborough, the broadcaster and naturalist, urges 'collective action by nations across the globe to protect whales.'

The UK argues that all countries with or without coastlines are responsible for protecting whales, and that it is vital that countries which value the natural world join the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to create a secure anti-whaling majority in a conservation-oriented organisation.

READ: PROTECTING WHALES - A GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY (PDF 980 KB)

ENDS

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