|
The battle for the southern ocean sanctuary
Next Japan attempts
to abolish the Southern Ocean sanctuary. Japan describes the sanctuary as
useless – many agree, many do not. Russia notes that it previously supported the
establishment of the sanctuary but does not see it as necessary and sides with
Japan.
The US opposes Japan, as does Finland, France, Brazil and so
forth. Iceland says that the Southern Ocean Sanctuary is not based on scientific
findings… the final speaker Guinea opposes. The Chair seems to move on. But
Switzerland asks for the floor… he says perhaps he cannot be seen because his
name is only in small letters. He opposes Japan.
The Chair then asks
Japan how they would like to proceed. Japan reiterates that there is no
scientific justification for the sanctuary and asks for it to be put to the
vote.
We note that several new countries are in the room since the last
vote. All are expected to vote with Japan. However a ¾ majority is required to
remove the sanctuary.
People rush around getting voting record slips and
then we move to the vote. The name of one country after another is read out and
after each the commissioner calls ‘no’, ‘yes’ or ‘abstain’.
Korea,
Morocco, Tuvalu, St Vincent and the Grenadines abstain.
28 support Japan,
33 oppose.
Japan thanks those that supported them.
A
representative of Martinique (not an IWC party) is introduced by France and now
makes a presentation about a sanctuary in the EEZ (Economic Exclusion Zones) of
St Martin, Martinique, Guadeloupe and neighbours. She says that this represents
the long-time wish of many. A power-point presentation follows.
Dominica
is not impressed by the presentation from France. France can make its own
proposal for its own EEZ, he says but France seems to have established the
boundary in Dominica waters and this matter will have to go to the UN. He hopes
that this sanctuary is not being used to re-possess territories in the
Caribbean. (There is some laughter.)
St Vincent and the Grenadines speaks
in similar vein. Several matters of ‘delimitations’ need to be resolved he says.
(Various territorial claims are evidently in dispute.) The IWC he adds is not
competent to look at this matter but suggest that this is a mask or a front…
nothing is being done about the risk to Caribbean seas by the shipment of
nuclear waste through the Caribbean region…
A point of order is called by
Australia. This is well off the business of the IWC he says but there are loud
howls and boos. The Chair says that he will not allow this. Australia continues
that this is about sanctuaries not nuclear wastes. But the chair feels that this
may be relevant but agrees that border disputes are outside the competence of
the IWC.
The interrupted speaker continues - if France wants to establish
a sanctuary in their EEZ this is their business… but our sovereign rights must
be recognised. There is applause. The Chair lets it go. He says again that
boundaries are not our business and that this presentation was made here for our
information only.
The UK congratulates France. He is concerned that
range states feel neglected and he is sure that this was not what was intended
and he adds that a sanctuary is a step forward and hopes that others will join
with them in the future.
Austria welcomes all whale sanctuaries.
St Vincent and the Grenadines associates with his neighbours and says
that they were not consulted at any of the fisheries meetings in the region. He
accepts that is a national issue for France and has no relevance here. St Kitts
and Nevis associates with other Caribbean states. Brazil thanks France (in
French) for the presentation.
Grenada associates with the other eastern
Caribbean states, as does Antigua and Barbuda, and he adds that we still have
‘colonial states’ in the Caribbean belonging to other nations.
The
French Commissioner notes that he was just providing information and territorial
issues are outside of IWC jurisdiction.
And so to lunch. Will we be able
to find any food?
| 
