NOAA

Breaching humpback

With the annual International Whaling Commission meeting fast-approaching, Nicaragua has adopted a new position in favor of whale conservation.

The nation has a history of voting with pro-whaling Japan at the International Whaling Commission annual meetings. At the 2006 meeting, it voted to remove discussions about small cetaceans from the IWC, for the use of secret ballots, to abolish the Southern Ocean Sanctuary, and for a resolution declaring the moratorium on commercial whaling no longer necessary.

But on April 10, Nicaragua declared that "Nicaragua is in favor of preservation and protection of whales, and that because of this will not vote in favor of whaling at the next IWC meeting." 

Nicaragua also rejected lethal whaling for scientific purposes and underscored that whale watching can promote community development as well as science and education.

Whales are facing increasing threats and pressure by pro-whaling countries. Every ally that the whales gain is important in their race for survival.

What You Can Do: Please take a moment to thank Mr. Samuel Santos López, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Nicaragua.