There are new and exciting opportunities for the Convention’s work with whales in the light of the dramatic events at this year’s IWC Meeting, which concluded in St. Kitts and Nevis on 20th June. This was the main conclusion drawn by CMS Executive Secretary Robert Hepworth following this year’s controversial debate at IWC and the adoption of the “St Kitts and Nevis Declaration” by a single vote majority.

He said: “CMS is a purpose designed Convention for migratory marine species. There are already two operational regional agreements for whale species, covering the Baltic, North, Mediterranean and Black Seas. A third agreement to cover the Pacific Islands Region, negotiated under the auspices of our partners in the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), is almost ready for signature. There are opportunities to build a full global network of agreements if Range States seek this solution.

In reality whaling is only one of the issues affecting these species. The reality is that the combination of bycatch, climate change and the man-made environmental factors together constitute the main dangers to cetaceans. CMS is well placed to help Governments to meet this challenge.”