Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
TheInternationalConventionfortheRegulationofWhalingwasadoptedin1946,andaims
to ensure the proper and effective conservation and development of whale stocks. It applies
to factory ships, land stations, and whale catches under the jurisdiction of the parties to the
Convention and to all waters in which whaling is carried out. The Convention established
an International Whaling Commission, composed of member states, to organize scientific
studies and investigations and to collect, analyse, and disseminate data. The Commission's
main task is to review and revise as necessary the measures laid down in the Convention. It
can fix the limits of open and closed waters, designate sanctuary areas, prescribe seasons,
catch, and size limits for each species of whale, as well as prohibit types and methods of
fishing (UNEP,
2010
).
The Commission has established two large-scale high seas sanctuaries where com-
mercial whaling is prohibited. The first of these is the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, and the
second the Southern Ocean Sanctuary.While there is no commercial whaling in either of
these areas, the taking of whales for the purpose of scientific research is permitted under
conditions specified in the Convention (Article VIII).
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn
Convention) aims to protect terrestrial, marine, and avian migratory species throughout
their range. Parties agree to take, individually or in cooperation, appropriate and necessary
steps to conserve migratory species and their habitat. For species in danger of extinction
throughout all or significant portions of their range (Appendix I), the range states must
take immediate action to protect them. For species in an unfavourable conservation status
(Appendix II), range states are urged to conclude binding agreements on the full range of
threats in order to improve their status.
Range is defined as all areas of land or water that a migratory species inhabits, stays
in temporarily, crosses, or overflies at any time on its normal migration route. In areas bey-
