TROUBLED WATERS - Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

• The complex social behaviour of cetaceans may mean that the killing of one animal from a socialgroup may have a significant effect on others. Consideration should be given to the impact ofwhaling operations on the welfare of remaining individuals in the social groups targeted, and thepossible long-term effects on the culture of populations.• When assessing the welfare potential of whale killing methods using accepted principles of humaneslaughter, it is clear that current whaling operations have a low welfare potential, and are likely tocause severe pain and suffering in the hunted animal.• It is appropriate that an ethical review process should be established under the auspices of the IWC,to review the large-scale lethal whaling programmes currently being conducted under specialpermit.• International customary law and existing international treaties, recognise the need to protectcetacean species. Such protection encompasses some welfare issues by protecting these species frominjury or harassment. It can be argued that some of these agreements also afford cetacean species adegree of moral or ethical consideration. However, the ICRW, through its Commission (IWC)currently fails to adequately regulate the welfare aspects of whaling operations.Overall conclusionModern day whaling activities give rise to serious animal welfare concerns. A number of factorsinherent in current whaling practices render it unlikely that truly humane standards could ever beachieved. On grounds of animal welfare alone, therefore, all whaling operations should be halted.SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS135