[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 75 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1120-E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE FIRST ASSEMBLY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF WHALERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 1998

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, from March Second to March Sixth 1998, the 
First General Assembly of the World Council of Whalers took place in 
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. More than 125 representatives from 
twenty-three nations were in attendance including both government 
officials and non-government observers.
  Over the course of the discussions, one of the main topics was the 
adverse impact of protectionist campaigns and associated governmental 
policies. These have affected traditional whaling, food security, 
nutrition, and religious and cultural identities of humankind from

[[Page E1121]]

the Arctic Ocean regions to nations in the Pacific Ocean, and from 
Scandinavia to the Carribean.
  The sustainable use of renewable marine and wildlife resources under 
proper management is a commitment the international community should 
recognize and support. And yet, we have witnessed that in many cases 
emotion and subjective philosophies have become national policy 
regarding certain species. If the scientific evidence supports 
consumptive use of a renewable resource that provides food, economic, 
cultural and religious benefit to people, it should be permitted 
regardless of whether the subject species is an elephant, a plant, a 
tree or a whale. This is a commitment the community of nations must 
make if true conservation of flora and fauna is to be successful on 
this planet.
  At the conclusion of the General Assembly, a Resolution was passed 
that I suggest my colleagues review. Although the basic concept of the 
Resolution calls for the recognition of sustainable use of non-
endangered whales, it is important to note that its application could 
apply to any species. This is a fundamental principle that should be 
recognized by governments when formulating policy on the international 
regulation of whaling.

                      The World Council of Whalers


                         First General Assembly

                            March 2-6, 1998

                               Resolution

       Whereas, whaling and the sustainable use of whales by 
     peoples around the world contribute significantly to 
     community identity and integrity by satisfying socio-
     economic, cultural, religious and dietary needs;
       Whereas, high seas whale resources are important natural 
     resources for the benefit of all mankind;
       Whereas, the current majority of members of the 
     International Whaling Commission have failed to meet their 
     legal obligations under the 1946 International Convention for 
     the Regulation of Whaling by: (a) maintaining the moratorium 
     on commercial whaling and adopting a sanctuary in the 
     Antarctic Ocean without regard to ``scientific findings'' as 
     required by the Convention and by (b) ignoring the 
     requirement that regulations on whaling ``take account of the 
     interests of the consumers of whale products and the whaling 
     industry''; and that these actions have, caused severe socio-
     economic and cultural distress to whaling communities.
       The World Council of Whalers:
       1. Affirms its conviction that the sustainable use of 
     whales is essential for the food security, culture and health 
     of peoples, and that commercial activities related to the 
     sustainable use of whales are appropriate and as such, is 
     acknowledged by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
     (Article 25) and the International Covenant of Economic, 
     Social and Cultural Rights (Article 11); and recognized by 
     the Kyoto Declaration of 1995 regarding food security.
       2. Emphasizes that, in accordance with Article 1 of the 
     International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and 
     Article 1 of the International Covenant of Economic, Social 
     and Cultural Rights, no people may be deprived of its own 
     means of subsistence;
       3. Underscores the consensus of the international 
     community, as reflected in Agenda 21 and the Convention on 
     Biological Diversity, that indigenous peoples and local 
     communities should continue to be sustainable users and 
     stewards of the living resources upon which they have 
     traditionally depended for their livelihood;
       4. Concludes that Regional organizations involving resource 
     users are the most appropriate bodies to responsibly manage 
     renewable marine resources and that the use of international 
     institutions or the use or threat of unilateral trade 
     measures to prevent resource users from harvesting whales in 
     a sustainable manner is a violation of universally recognized 
     human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as a violation 
     of the legal obligations of states under the above noted 
     instruments.
       Now therefore be if resolved:
       1. That the World Council of Whalers is united in the cause 
     of sustainable use and human rights to natural resource use 
     and committed to continue their cooperation in furthering the 
     objectives of the organization;
       2. That the World Council of Whalers supports the 
     aspirations of those, particularly, the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First 
     Nations, Iceland and the small-type whaling communities in 
     Japan, wishing to exercise their right to sustainably use 
     whales;
       3. That the World Council of Whalers recognizes the 
     sovereign prerogatives of nations to utilize resources on a 
     sustainable basis; and
       4. That the World Council of Whalers encourages its members 
     to ensure that national representation to appropriate 
     international fora includes members of their communities 
     involved in the sustainable use of whales.
       And urges:
       1. That the World Council of Whalers submit a copy of this 
     Resolution to their respective legislative assembly and 
     appropriate administrator of their government;
       2. That the World Council of Whalers transmit a copy of 
     this Resolution to each Commissioner of the International 
     Whaling Commission, to the secretariats of the International 
     Whaling Commission, the North Atlantic Marine Mammal 
     Commission, the Convention on International Trade in 
     Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Convention on 
     Biological Diversity, the United Nations International Year 
     of the Ocean, the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Peoples 
     of the World, the United Nations Decade of Education in Human 
     Rights and, other appropriate international organizations;
       3. That the International Whaling Commission recognize and 
     accept its legal obligations under the International 
     Convention for the Regulation of Whaling;
       4. That the Parties to CITES acknowledge their legal 
     obligations under that Convention; and
       5. That National Governments be responsive to the petitions 
     from the rights of aboriginal and coastal peoples related to 
     the sustainable use of renewable marine resources.

     

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