{"id":212450,"date":"2024-09-25T13:54:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T17:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=212450"},"modified":"2024-09-25T13:54:34","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T17:54:34","slug":"local-environmental-groups-call-for-withdrawal-of-resolution-from-antigua-and-barbuda-at-iwc-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/local-environmental-groups-call-for-withdrawal-of-resolution-from-antigua-and-barbuda-at-iwc-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Local environmental groups call for withdrawal of resolution from Antigua and Barbuda at IWC meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sis local \u00a0environmental \u00a0groups \u00a0 listed have joined \u00a0forces and \u00a0sent a letter to The Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne \u00a0and \u00a0copied \u00a0the \u00a0Honorable \u00a0Minister of\u00a0 Tourism Charles Max Fernandz requesting that Antigua and Barbuda withdraws this Resolution at once presented to the IWC \u00a0and reverse the pro-whaling \u00a0position of the country within the IWC going forward.<\/p>

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In addition  to the environmental concerns this will have, there is grave concern over the damage to  tourism if  eco-minded tourists do not wish to  travel  to a destination that supports  whaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A   7th  group \u2014 ADOPT ACOASTLINE INC<\/strong> \u2014 has  joined  the other six groups in calling for action on this matter.<\/p>

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The groups await a response from the \u00a0Prime Minister \u00a0Gaston Brown and are hopeful \u00a0this action will not result in damage to the Twin Island \u00a0state.<\/p>

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In a statement from ABITP PRO Martha Watkins Gilkes commented: \u201cThe environmental crises has deepened with alarming issues  like global warming,  ocean pollution,  unrelenting heat,  coral reefs dying,  depletion of  fish stocks,   species loss;  environmental issues go on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt  is irresponsible to take any action  that adds to  this crisis and  removal of whales from the marine environment does so.   Whales are  essential for the health and productivity of the  marine ecosystems, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and supporting a rich diversity of marine life.<\/p>

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\u201cTheir feeding habits stimulate phytoplankton growth, the foundation of the marine food web, ensuring health and productivity in marine ecosystems.  The marine environment is in such crisis with so many issues  that any additional stress should be avoided.  It  is  the responsibility for all nations and populations to play their part in this\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne<\/p>

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Office of the Prime Minister<\/p>

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Factory Road<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Queen Elizabeth Highway<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. John\u2019s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne,\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We the undersigned are dedicated Antiguan & Barbuda based environmental groups fighting to protect the fragile environment of our twin island state. We are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s plan to propose the \u2018Resolution for the Implementation of a Conservation and Management Program for Whale Stocks Aimed Towards the Lifting of the Moratorium and Orderly Development of the Whaling Industry\u2019 at the 2024 International Whaling Commission\u2019s (IWC) meeting in Lima, Peru this week. We join the 25 international NGOs who have reached out to you urgently on this matter.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you are aware Antigua recently hosted international leaders from around the world at the UN 2024 SIDS4 (Small Island Developing States) Conference in May. In the magazine which was distributed to all participants, the government of Antigua and Barbuda highlighted the numerous ways we as an island-nation are \u201ccreating a sustainable future for all\u201d and we emphasized our \u201ccommitment to preserving marine diversity and fragile ecosystems\u201d.\u00a0This Resolution directly contradicts the above statements, as well as our own legislation in the Environmental Protection Act 2019 which states that all whales, dolphins and porpoises are protected species and prohibits hunting them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s pro-whaling position will not only be detrimental to the health of our struggling whale populations, but it could also negatively impact Antigua and Barbuda\u2019s tourism sector and international investment, as we continue to promote our country as an \u201ceco-conscious\u201d destination. We are very concerned with the power the 25 NGOS (with membership worldwide of over 10 million) has to damage our tourism, especially via social media, should they go this course.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We respectfully request that Antigua and Barbuda withdraws this Resolution at once and reverse our pro-whaling position within the IWC going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully,<\/p>\n\n\n\n