International Whaling Commission rejects South Atlantic sanctuary bid

At the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Hobart, Australia, a proposal for a South Atlantic whale sanctuary failed to reach the required three-quarters majority. The sanctuary, championed by Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, would have covered 21 million square kilometers from the equator to Antarctica to protect whales during feeding, breeding, and migratory periods.

The proposal received 39 votes in favor, 18 against, and three abstentions, falling just four votes short of the necessary threshold. Supporters argued the sanctuary would bolster coastal whale-watching economies and ocean health, while noting that the sponsoring nations already maintain waters free from commercial whaling.

Separately, Antigua and Barbuda withdrew a resolution regarding the implementation of a conservation and management programme for whale stocks. While the resolution was withdrawn, the nation continues to advocate for a formal review of the commercial whaling moratorium, arguing that the 1982 measure has not been reassessed as originally intended. Despite these efforts, the IWC upheld the existing commercial whaling moratorium.