Island Nations Support Commercial Whaling

Created by doina. Last modified on 2006-07-05 13:45:59
Topic: Environment
Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines

Six Caribbean island nations voted in support of commercial whaling at the IWC meeting in St. Kitts. Noonsite has been contacted by people sailing on yachts who have decided to boycott these nations as a result.

Environmentalists and tourism representatives said after the vote on June 20 that this support for commercial whaling could have a detrimental effect on tourism for these islands which rely heavily on tourism and often promote whale-watching and eco-tourism as attractions.

All six Caribbean island members of the IWC (International Whaling Commission) — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — supported Japan in a vote for a declaration deeming the whaling ban to be "no longer necessary."