The state of whale protection around the world is at a critical juncture. Yes, the International Whaling Commission's 1986 ban on commercial whaling is still in effect, but countries like Japan, Norway and, most recently, Iceland not only continue to threaten the law's effectiveness by exploiting the "scientific whaling" and other loopholes, but also threaten to overturn the ban by recruiting like-minded allies to the IWC.

Given that these countries continue to kill whales—and promise more damage in the future—the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has created a new campaign initiative called "Whalewatch." More than 140 non-governmental organizations representing more than 55 countries have joined the campaign, whose goal is simple: to highlight the fact that all methods of whaling are inhumane, and cause whales to suffer—sometimes for a prolonged period of time. The HSUS is one of the leading NGOs steering the campaign.

"Simply put, there is no humane way to slaughter such a large animal who is constantly in motion," says Kitty Block, special counsel to The HSUS's United Nations, Treaties and International Trade section. "Whaling methods don't come close to meeting the standards for humane slaughter."

To present its arguments more forcefully, the coalition has produced a 144-page report titled, Troubled Waters: A Review of the Welfare Implications of Modern Whaling Activities, which was written by many of the acknowledged experts in the study of marine mammals. Two HSUS staff members, Kitty Block and Dr. Naomi Rose, contributed to the report, which can be found on the coalition's web site. Sir David Attenborough, the esteemed British natural history journalist, has written a forward to the report.

The report touches upon the many issues surrounding whaling (which already accounts for more than 1,400 deaths annually): killing methods, welfare implications, criteria for assessing time of death, stress impacts, sea and weather conditions, and legal and ethical considerations.

An excerpt from the report: "The combination of visibility, sea state, ship motion, and marksmanship are likely to impact significantly on the ability of a whaler to reliably kill a whale instantaneously. If weather, sea conditions or the motion of the vessel do not allow for a properly aimed shot, then there is a significant risk of a poorly placed harpoon or bullet causing an extended time of death and associated suffering."

The HSUS Connection

For Troubled Waters, The HSUS's Kitty Block contributed to a comparative analysis between slaughterhouse standards and whaling methods—an essay which argues for, among other things, a legal requirement for the humane slaughter of whales similar to those for other food animals, such as livestock. Block also provided a background study on the legal precedents for whale protection, which appears in Chapters 12 and 14 of the report.

In her role with The HSUS, Block oversees efforts in international treaties and agreements, including the International Whaling Commission. Block provides legal analysis and drafts position papers on domestic and international laws involving animals. She also actively lobbies member countries to the relevant agreements as well as drafts proscriptive language (resolutions, convention amendments, etc.), presents policy papers, and serves on oversight panels.

HSUS's marine mammal scientist Naomi Rose (credited as N.A. Rose in the report) provided information on the biology and culture of whale species, which has been incorporated into Chapter 4, "Whales—individuals, societies and cultures."

Rose oversees all marine mammal issues and programs at The HSUS, including protection of marine mammals in the wild and in captive situations. Rose is The HSUS scientific representative to the IWC.

Since the early 1970s, The HSUS has attended meetings of the IWC, the body created to regulate whaling. The IWC has evolved over the years, gradually shifting its focus from whaling to the conservation and protection of whales, starting with the commission's 1986 ban on commercial whaling. However, pro-whaling countries have continued to kill whales under the guise of scientific research or via objecting to the moratorium, and they are coming dangerously close to having enough votes on their side to overturn the ban on whaling.

The HSUS and the Whalewatch coalition lobbies IWC member countries to maintain the ban on commercial whaling and to strengthen the commission's focus on whale conservation, welfare, and the cruelty involved in whaling methods. The HSUS urges the United States government to maintain its strong support of the moratorium and to impose sanctions on those countries that undermine the IWC by killing whales.