Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and The Swiss Cetacean Society-SCS express deep concerns regarding the stance of the Swiss delegation to the International Whaling Commission (IWC).  

The Swiss delegation to the IWC is representing a country which has no interest in whaling and which is, moreover, home to a great majority of nature lover and to a significant number of environmental NGOs.

To explain the need for Switzerland to become a member of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, the Federal Council clearly stated in its address, delivered to the chamber on August 15th, 1979 (79.049) that: « The membership of Switzerland will have no direct repercussion for our country, while strengthening the group of States which, within the IWC, are favouring the interest of nature and environment over commercial ones, in opposition to the whaling Nations. » (Vue d’ensemble, p2) « To tell the truth, Switzerland is not directly involved in whaling but it shares some responsibility for the pollution of the natural habitat in which marine animals are living; therefore it is its duty to support measures aimed at protecting whales. In any case, Switzerland membership will contribute to counterweight that of the nations participating in the capture of whales. » (pt 3, p6)

 Without a general survey which would, against all expectations, prove a will of the Swiss population to plebiscite whaling, the above official statement could then be logically considered to be the “orders” of the Swiss delegation for all the meetings of the IWC.

Following this line of conduct, the excellent work the delegation accomplished in favour of the whales, until 1993, must be acknowledged.

However, since 1994, we are noticing an unaccountable, and surprising to say the least, deterioration of the attitude of Switzerland within the IWC which is at odds with its original mission. It is shameful that in the name of the Swiss people, Switzerland can be found, due to its votes, on the bench of the pro-whaling or abstainers nations, alongside with Japan , Norway, China, Russia, Denmark, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, The Dominican Republic, Solomon Islands and Antigua among others; countries which are notoriously under the influence of the pro-whaling lobby.

Moreover, we would like to underline the importance of a Swiss anti-whaling vote within the commission. Indeed, a resolution can only become effective if it is accepted by three quarter of the voting member states. At the moment, when the official resumption of commercial whaling is being discussed about after nearly 25 years of ban, the pro-whaling block led by Japan and Norway is currently of an equal strength to that of the cetacean friendly countries.

Consequently, a single abstention or negative vote can sealed the fate of the whales.  Switzerland must play its part.

In the 21^st century, a perennial cessation of whaling is imperative, and is all the more a matter of urgency now that we leave in the oceans, to their inhabitants and to the future generations many more threats of mass destructions and that we cannot handle anymore such as: overfishing, chemical pollution, massive plastic scattering, sea traffic, noise pollution, water warming, etc.

« The slaughter of whales has no place in the 21st century». Captain Paul Watson.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society            Swiss Cetacean Society

Switzerland