Official newsletter of the WCW
#13 December 2000 - General Assembly in Nelson, New Zealand
DELEGATES FROM THE WORLD'S WHALING COMMUNITIES, scientists and international legal experts gathered in Nelson, New Zealand on Nov. 15-19 for the 3rd General Assembly of the World Council of Whalers. Held at the invitation of the Maori people, the conference drew significant attention from the national media, highlighting the sustainable, community-based nature of contemporary whaling for all to see.
The presence of a great many delegates from Iwi (Maori tribes) throughout New Zealand contributed greatly to discussions held throughout the conference, and all present witnessed the strength of the Maori as a people. From the opening day's formal welcome to the territory held on the local marae, to the traditional feast held on the final day, their graciousness as hosts was evident. The assembly was honoured by the presence of the Prominent Maori Chief and his words, describing the struggles of the Maori people to retain their sovereignty, and access to their traditional resources including beached whales were echoed by many of the delegates present.
The conference addressed a number of issues of central importance to whaling communities. On the issue of contaminants and whale meat, a number of detailed presentations by experts in the field demonstrated the continued benefits of a diet rich in whale meat and blubber. While it was acknowledged that measurable levels of contaminants are present in some species and stocks of cetaceans, it was further acknowledged that the beneficial presence of essential omega 3 fatty acids and selenium in whale meat far outweighed the possible detrimental effects of what are in most cases minimal contaminant loads. In the words of one presenter, people should "continue to eat whale". One delegate from the Nunavik region of Canada, Ms. Minnie Grey, highlighted the importance of this, explaining that "without this food (sea mammal), we become apathetic, and less vital". Addressing the link between the prohibition of traditional diets and colonial policy, Mr. Nigel Lawrence, a Caribbean delegate, pointed out that "to wipe us out, the best thing to do is wipe out our food". Nutritionist Dr. Robert Hughes of Australia echoed this sentiment, stating that "if you depend on somebody else to feed you, then you're in trouble".
In bringing together such diverse peoples, from diverse cultural backgrounds, the assembly provided a rich exchange of ideas. Speakers from aboriginal communities described their systems of traditional knowledge, and highlighted the barriers to the health of their communities presented by outside pressure groups and unbalanced legislation. In turn, speakers representing whaling communities in countries such as Japan and Norway presented extensive information gathered from years of scientific research into whale populations, and addressed a number of popular misconceptions. Ambassador Odd Gunnar Skagestad of Norway pointed out that though delegates may have heard much talk of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) ban on commercial whaling, that this was a deception. Instead of a ban, Ambassador Skagestad indicated that "there is a moratorium, which is a temporary halt", and pointed out that the whaling as currently practiced in Norway is based entirely on the Revised Management Scheme (RMS) developed and approved by the IWC's own Scientific Committee. Delegates from Japan highlighted the true nature of that country's small-scale small-type coastal whaling, and shared with the assembly updated research findings from the Antarctic research whaling program. These findings demonstrate conclusively the widespread predation of commercial fish stocks by baleen whales, something which had been denied previously by scientists, highlighting the necessity of the Antarctic research program in addressing gaps in the current scientific understanding of whale stocks.
The assembly was honoured by the presence of dignitaries from a number of national governments representing the Sustainable Use Parliamentarian's Union (SUPU). SUPU chose to convene its inaugural meeting in the assembly hall, further emphasizing the central theme of sustainability which unites whaling communities and peoples world-wide.
As the assembly drew to a close, it was apparent to all that amidst the discussions of regional difference, the complexity of international agreements and laws, and the innumerable ways in which the whaling peoples of the world sustained themselves and their communities, that a number of key commonalties united all present. For all, the harvest is small, and occurs well within sustainability limits. Whether their interest is dietary, spiritual, economic or a combination of the three, all in attendance conveyed a depth of knowledge and concern for whale stocks which in its various forms of expression, exceeded by far the simplistic, relatively uninformed view of cetaceans held by those who demand their total protection. This was highlighted in particular by the findings of Japan's Antarctic research program, which demonstrated clearly that a blanket sanctuary in the southern oceans would lead to a dangerous decline in fish stocks necessary for human sustenance. In response to a protectionist view, assembly participants forwarded a detailed ecological framework of respectful, sustainable use, which integrates regional and stock differences with more global concerns. The 3rd General Assembly clearly demonstrated the growing success of the WCW's effectiveness as the united voice of whaling peoples, scientists, and experts. The nature of this unity was described most eloquently by Dr. Henrik Moller of New Zealand: "if partnerships are to be (effective) we must acknowledge that no one system of knowledge has precedence over another".
In his closing address to the assembly, WCW chairman Tom Mexsis Happynook described the common concerns such as global warming, and ocean pollution which unite whaling peoples with the concerns of the so-called environmentalists. However, he indicated to the assembly that "there remains a prominent difference between us: for environmentalists, whales are an issue du jour, a convenient means of accomplishing larger organizational ends; whales are their cash cow, filling their coffers. For whaling peoples, whales are an issue of life: an indispensable part of our existence, feeding our communities and providing for our future generations."
Summing up a central theme of the General Assembly, Chairman Happynook explained that "whether it is fisheries, forestry, whaling or New Zealand's lamb industry which makes up a large portion of the New Zealand Gross Domestic Product, it is sustainability that matters, and not the political expedience of violating the rights and responsibilities of sovereign peoples in the rush to pander to the whims of special interest groups".
Describing the diversity and richness of whaling peoples world-wide, he cited the example of the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Japan and Norway, noting that they, "are among the most ancient of whaling cultures; a point which is often overlooked in the storms of criticism they have had to endure. But as they stand before us they have demonstrated their strength and enriched us all."
As the 3rd General Assembly drew to a close, Chairman Happynook issued a plea to the whaling peoples of the world:
"Let us support one another in our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the lives of our peoples. Let us assist one another in the ongoing fight with governments to secure access to the whale resource which has been central to our respective cultural, social, spiritual and economic structures for millennia. For the progress which the WCW has achieved in just three short years can only be fully realized through unity, and support for each other: it is utterly dependent on the power of peoples united. This issue is not about some past debate between the profiteering, industrial whaling of the past versus the small-scale commercial whaling of the present. It is not about commercial whaling versus aboriginal subsistence whaling, or any other sort of convenient distinction. It is about sustainable whaling versus non-sustainable whaling and we stand firmly in support of the former, it is a principle which runs to the very heart of our respective lifeways".
"It is about who is in charge of the resource; it is about us; it is about the people. Whether you are Norwegian or Maori, Icelandic or Inuit; whether you are Faroese, or Nuu-chah-nulth, Japanese or Aborigine - or any of the other great nations that have gathered here, we all must have the freedom to be who we are".
It is clear that this 3rd General Assembly of the WCW is shaping up to be an event of international significance on the world stage. New Zealanders, the South Pacific peoples, and the world will hear the message that indigenous whalers and coastal whaling communities are not a threat to whale populations, but instead have a vital role to play in the sound, sustainable, respectful regional management of whales and smaller cetaceans.
It is with the greatest respect that the World Council of Whalers and its members say "thank you" to the Maori people for their gracious invitation, and their continuing strength.