The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.
Whales face more threats today than at any other time in history—from hunting, ship strikes, fishing gear entanglements, global warming, and even ship sonar. Yet Japan, Iceland and Norway continue to thwart a worldwide prohibition on commercial whaling, using self-granted permits to conduct lethal scientific research and by exempting themselves from the ban. More than 30,000 whales have been killed and their meat sold commercially since the International Whaling Commission (IWC) prohibited commercial whaling in 1986.
Efforts to close the whaling moratorium loopholes at the IWC have resulted in a stalemate between the pro- and anti-whaling camps for more than a decade. That is far too long, and too many whales have been killed in the interim. We need to close these loopholes and protect the many species of whales that are threatened with extinction. Pew is no longer active in this line of work, but for more information, view the materials below and visit the Pew Whale Conservation Project campaign.
Feb 10, 2009 - The Pew Whales Commission met in Lisbon, Portugal, to discuss and make recommendations on the future of whale conservation, whaling and the International Whaling Commission.
Read: Summary View: Full Report (Adobe PDF)
Jan 26, 2009 - This Policy Guide was prepared by the Secretariat of the Pew Environment Group, to assist the Chair and the members of the Pew Whales Commission.
Jan 23, 2009 - This report provides context for the Pew Whales Commission.
Jun 24, 2008 - This report examines the relationship between cetaceans, fisheries and food security, and presents another framework for understanding why developing countries experience diminishing supplies of fish: competition from the international market.
Feb 20, 2008 - One hundred participants from 28 different nationalities met at the Headquarters of the United Nations University in Tokyo in January 2008, for the second Pew Whale Symposium.
Feb 03, 2008 - The Second Pew Whale Symposium took place at UN University Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on January 30-31, 2008.
Apr 26, 2007 - More than 60 people from around the world gathered in New York at the United Nations to analyze options for the conservation of whales, specifically exploring policies for resolving the current impasse over commercial and scientific whaling at the International Whaling Commission.
Jan 09, 2007 - Paper published in Current Biology on the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
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