Local groups celebrate withdrawal of Antigua’s bid to resume commercial whaling

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Local environmental groups congratulate the Government of Antigua  &  Barbuda for  withdrawal of the  

‘Resolution 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’ 

Earlier in the week  SIX local  environmental  groups   joined  forces and  sent a  letter to The Honourable Prime Minister Gaston Browne  and  copied  the  Honorable  Minister of  Tourism  Charles Max Fernandz   requesting that Antigua and Barbuda withdraws this Resolution  presented to the IWC  and reverse the  pro-whaling  position of the country within the IWC going forward.   On the afternoon of   September  26th the  resolution was  withdrawn by  Antigua and Barbuda Whaling Commission  Daven Joseph  stating  “ Antigua  &  Barbuda and a number of  interested governments and  NGos  met and   we were not able to move the resolution  froward in there of it receiving concensiust .  The  intention of  Antigua and barbuda  is to  withdraw the resolution at this time.”     The  Environmental groups were  very concerned  at the  ramifications  this  resolution could have  in a number  of areas  ton include  reintroduction of commercial whaling which would  result in  removal of whales from the environment. 

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.  Their feeding habits stimulate phytoplankton growth, the foundation of the marine food web, ensuring health and productivity in marine ecosystems.       In a statement from ABITP PRO  Martha Watkins Gilkes   who speareheaded  the  groups coming together   commented “ It is heartwarming  to   see  something positive happen  regarding the protection of the marine environment with all the negative  things around us.  Anything that can be done to protect the marine environment is a  win win.   It has been awsome to see how many  Antiguans have taken a stand against  this pro whaling stand.”    

The groups who joined in  include 

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA INDEPENDENT TOURISM PROMOTION CORP. (ABITPC) 

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA OCEAN TRUST  

ELKHORN MARINE CONSERVANCY  (EMC) ,   AB SEA TURTLE AWARNESS  BODHICHARYA ENVIRONMENT ,    ANTIGUA CONSERVATION SOCIETY  and    ADOPT A COASTLINE    

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22 COMMENTS

  3. A very good commendable stance on the part of the environmental groups, and the consciousness of good governance working in unison to hearkened to the voices of the people’s will.

  4. Badly conceive from the onset and was always heading for a defeat. An embarrassing, troublesome and humiliating blow which made us look like idiots in the international arena.

  6. This is very misleading news article as the withdrawal of the resolution had absolutely nothing to do with the opportunistic critics of the resolution and its intent. The resolution was co-sponsored by many countries and received the support of several other countries including the United States. With or without the support of Antigua and Barbuda, I will continue to promote the rights of countries to utilize their marine resources sustainably. An attack on this principle is an attack on the way of life of fisher folks and coastal communities the world over including the fishermen of Antigua and Barbuda. My voice is embedded within my expertise and professionalism and not the opportunistic values and political intent of the critics. I will have a lot to say about the cynical intent of those environmental Opportunists who continue to pillage Antigua and Barbuda natural resources for their benefit, especially Eli Fuller and Martha Watkins Glikes. More to come. Then I will speak on my behalf and not on behalf of my government.

  9. Eli just nuff n edge up and like to be in things. What a guy love publicity! He and Turks Lee a de same

  10. My years of public service have brought tremendous benefits to our nation, especially to vulnerable individuals. I can say without any reservations that no other ambassador in either government that has administered our country has brought more tangible benefits to the people of this country than Daven Joseph. The record speaks for itself. If that is idiotic do tell me. As I said I will continue to advocate for the helpless and the vulnerable with or without the support of the government of Antigua and Barbuda. Look at the west bus station, PharamUrlings, Point Wharf Barbuda Frys reverse Osmosis plants for the testaments of my contributions to my country just to name a few.

  12. When the bourgeoisie in antigua decide to speak out on issues such as whaling and dolphins the government buckles and back tracks. Yet this class of people always remain silent on any other issues affecting ordinary Antiguans.

  13. A whey this group yah dey when Gaston a plunder Barbuda lands and tear gas black human being? As soon as a whale thump he toe or a dog this white group is active, but never stood up with black people because they are so comfortable with white privileges, but by the way, what davin Joseph have im conversation of whale eating? it’s no part of our black culture, are black people just some sort of a sentient being? To be used as hand, to produce wealth for white monopoly capital? Black people leaderless with no ideology, can be paid by the white people as though they are still property as slaves to do things that is not even out culture, I can imagine how davin Joseph must have been emotional for his pay dubbing about whales.

  14. A whey this group yah dey when Gaston a plunder Barbuda lands and tear gas black human being? As soon as a whale thump he toe or a dog have problem, this white group is active, but never stood up with black people because they are so comfortable with white privileges they enjoy, but by the way, what davin Joseph have in a conversation of whale eating? it’s no part of our black culture, are black people just some sort of a sentient being? To be used as hand, to produce wealth for white monopoly capital? Are Black people leaderless with no ideology? We can be paid by the white people as though we are still property as slaves to do things that is not even our culture, I can imagine how davin Joseph must have been emotional for his pay dubbing about whales.

  15. Mr Joseph,
    Your points have some validity; some because the fisherfolk are not threatened by this sentiment as much as they are of the distant water fleets of countries like China, Taiwan and Japan globally. Yes, European fisheries have messed up food security in West Africa and groups like Seashepherd have lent their resources to address this, why has Japan not done the same ? Why do you not address that ?

    Your rhetoric does not fit an honest reflection of what is a significant problem….. and of course Antigua and Barbuda can never openly criticize China as we have been colonized by the Chinese Communist Party.

  16. MASS EXODUS CONTINUES FROM UPP!!!! Please Mr. Pringle do something!!! Plug the hole, stop the leak!!!

    UPP GONE, UPP GONE, UPP GONE! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!!

  17. This one has evaded Davin, he has lost his box hand and I think that Gaston is mad at him because he has lost his too. Everything they do is all about enriching themselves and if we happen to get a spinoff, so be it.

  18. @Daven Joseph: does the Agreements contain anything regarding the trawling of our waters by the MEGA TRAWLERS and fishing fleets coming out of Asia?

    Also since we’re dealing with the sea around us, could you give us a run down on the drowning of the Africans off St. Kitts and the fake airline Antigua Airways!

  19. In résponse to Mr Daren Joseph’s comments suggesting that “the bourgeoisie … remain silent on any other issues affecting ordinary Antiguans”, I am reminded of John MacEnroe’s famous response that he gave to a bad call from a tennis umpire, “You cannot be serious!”. Seriously, Mr Joseph, these Antiguans only care about whales and dolphins? I wholeheartedly disagree.

    Having served as the Commander of the U.S. Air Force’s Antigua Air Station (formerly the Pan Am Base) and later for a dozen years as the Station Manager there, I have known many of your so-called “bourgeoisie”, including Martha, Eli, and I suppose you would also add John Fuller, Desmond Nicholson, to name a few.. all luminaries who are doing, or who did, much to affect the positions that the GOA took — while at the same time being far from “silent on any other issues affecting ordinary Antiguans”. Let me talk about Martha Gilkes.

    For example, Mr Joseph, certainly one issue that affects all Antiguans and the tourists alike is the trash that litters our roads. There is no one on this land of sea and sand who has tried to do more than Martha to clean up this mess. I know, for I was personally involved in her island-wide clean-up in 2001 when we organized volunteers to walk every road and clean the verges. 15,000 (yes – fifteen thousand !) Antiguans came out to CLEAN UP THE LAND. Trucks carried tons of trash to Cook’s all day and at sunset, for one glorious moment, our roads were not an embarrassment. The following weekend the same was done in Barbuda. She did this again two more times in the following years, at which point she finally realized that Antiguans don’t give a damn about what trash lies along their roads.

    So Martha looked elsewhere to help what concerns many Antiguans: having tried the land, she turned her attention toward the sea, where many derive a livelihood, a livelihood that is being threatened by the invasion of the dreaded Lion Fish. Because of her long, professional association with divers, she reached out to her fellow SCUBA enthusiasts and again organized an island-wide clean-up, but underwater this time. She offered $13,000 US of prizes and gave trophies to those who caught the most lionfish. Over 40 Antigua fishermen and women took part . There was also published information on the destruction these fish are causing to fishermen, and even wrote a recipe for cooking them so restaurants could include them in their menus!

    OK, one more, this time with an eye to restoring our disappearing reefs, so that not only would the fish return (a boon to the fishermen), but so would the tourists return (to snorkel the vibrant reefs, many of which are now just plain, bleached coral, devoid of any creatures.) To this end, Martha has devoted her time and talents (talents, both in skills and in the Biblical sense), to starting what is promising to be a huge colony of new reefs along the south coast. From tiny seedlings, already cricket-ball size elkhorn coral is forming. It is a very promising start that will have a long-reaching effect on all of us. Furthermore, in between her activities on island, she flew the Antiguan flag for tourism promotion at international scuba diving conferences in New York, Las Vegas, Miami and New Orleans. She worked with the New York – Antigua Tourism team to share her love for her adopted home country of 40 years with potential tourists.

    You cannot be serious? Right, Mr Joseph; we must be serious about every issue, on land or sea, whether it concerns the GOA or not. I would say that what we really need are more bourgeoisie to get involved in Good Works like Martha Gilkes and her ilk are doing, not only for Antigua and those who visit our shores but especially for all Antiguans.

    Tim deGavre
    Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired

  20. @Nemo September 27, 2024 At 1:55 pm
    Why would Antigua and Barbuda openly criticize China. We have good diplomatic relationship with China. If there is something we have diplomatic channels to voice our concern. Do you see the US openly criticizing England or France or Europe for that matter. And look at Israel’s behavior, Biden cannot bring it over his lips to criticize Netanjahu for the kind of destruction he has brought on the Palestinians. They have Veto all UN resolution, knowing Israel is committing genocide. We don’t hang our dirty wash with our friends in public. if that is what you wish, sorry but that won’t happen.

  21. @Audley Phillip September 27, 2024 At 9:08 am
    it seems like you take pleasure in taking cheap shots at Gaston Browne whenever you can. And even though this issue doesn’t rise to the level of any international embarrassment, only you would try to bring it to that level. While it is plain for all to see that under Gaston Browne as our Prime Minister and leader, our country has received so much high praises, especially when we hosted the SIDS 4 conference. The Secretary General personally praised him and the country for the successful hosting of the conference. So much so that the OAS has no decided that in 2025 the OAS will have their conference here as well. If we were the laughing stock as you want people to believe we would not even be considered to hold these events. i hope you have taken the time to listen to wonderful and intellectual speech the Prime Minister again gave at the UNGA. Something your wannabe Prime Minister Pringle would never be able to achieve. He cannot even pronounce certain words. Anyway as the saying goes, ” while the dog barks the wagon moves on”. So called Political Analyst and Commentator.

  22. For as long as I remember Martha Gilkes has done many successful environmental efforts for Antigua and Barbuda bringing awareness to the issues we face today and thinking for tomorrow.
    Martha has always fought for our oceans and the best interests of the local fishermen. Martha organized one of the most successful lionfish tournaments in the Caribbean. She pushed for as many commercial fishermen as possible to be involved and was able to put together a pot of over 10,000$ US in prize money. It’s unnecessary for Antigua to involve them selves in the dark whaling fiahery and a bright future for this island will only come through more intelligent channels.

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