During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate a series of marine issue such as commercial whaling, the aquaculture industry and the state of the blue fin tuna fisheries.

Ban on commercial whaling: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Mar&#237;a DAMAN&#193;KI, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, The EU calls for an effective protection of whales world wide and in this respect we view the IWC (International Whaling Commission) as an instrument to achieve this objective at a global level. The EU is encouraged by the current efforts to break the longstanding deadlock within the IWC, however we cannot accept a final compromise unless this path the way to truly effective regulatory framework of the conservation and management of whales.

SOUNDBITE (German), Richard SEEBER (EPP, AT), The international agreement allows for a lot of exceptions and that is not very satisfactory and many whaling nations, particular Japan use scientific whaling to some what excessively and I don't think that is entirely in the spirit of the agreement.

SOUNDBITE (German), Richard SEEBER (EPP, AT), We need to think how we promote humane whaling methods and that is of central importance. And we need a realistic set of objectives, I think we can achieve far more than just be naive and idealistic. 3rdly we need clear definitions of areas in the oceans, so you have areas where there is a complete ban and of course and that needs to be backed up by functioning monitoring.

SOUNDBITE (German), Jo LEINEN (S&amp;D, DE), We know about the problems of the sea, climate change, there is increased pollution in the oceans and that means we got to be very cautious on issues such as this and I think that commercial interest of Japan, Island and Norway cannot take precedence over the protection of these species and the eco-systems.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isabella L&#214;VIN (Greens/EFA, SE), Recent studies show that it still takes between 2 minutes and over one hour for a harpoon whale to die on average. In 1982 the world agreed on an international Moratorium on Commercial whale hunt, because stocks were depleted. And ever since 3 countries have pursued in continuing to hunt, Japan, Island and Norway.

SOUNDBITE (English), Isabella L&#214;VIN (Greens/EFA, SE), Any quote that this can be set by the scientific committee must be set at a so called tuning level, tuning level is 0.72 percent, it means that we accept that the stock should be at 72% of its virgin state. This is very important to keep in mind if we should agree to any compromise and not go below that tuning level."

SOUNDBITE (English), Sirpa PIETIK&#196;INEN (EPP, FI), The COM with the EP should to have better coordinated position and a role in these negotiations. When it comes to this proposal itself, I would like to hear strong and affirmative comments by the COM and EU Council, to take these points up on the negotiations. Firstly, to strongly oppose any moves to legitimize commercial whaling or introduce any new form of whaling, only limited whaling operations for indigenous people, for the subsistence purposes and for local use only.

Date de l'événement	16/06/2010
Référence:	ebs71108V
Format:	4:3 format
Droits d'auteur:	© European Union
copyrightYear:	2010

Ban on commercial whaling: extracts from the debate

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