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WDCS Supports the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act
Ask your Congressional Representative to Cosponsor Today!
On May 18th, a comprehensive whale protection bill entitled the International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009 (H.R. 2455) was introduced into the US House of Representatives by representatives Eni Faleomavaega (D-America Samoa), William Delahunt (D-Massachusetts), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) as original sponsors. WDCS worked in coalition with other animal protection and conservation groups to include operative language on international Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), provisions to strengthen admonitory certifications and trade measures under US law, modernization of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and a host of other provisions to maintain the United State’s leadership role in international whale conservation. The intent of this bill is to galvanize dialogue and not only sustain, but elevate, the profile of whale protection before the forthcoming IWC meeting to occur June 22-26th , and to focus positive pressure on the Administration to uphold its historical commitment without seeking compromises that would undermine the whaling moratorium and other incremental concessions to whaling nations.
This Act acknowledges the threats faced by the world’s great whales, and highlights the need for a global approach to their protection given their migratory nature. Whales and dolphins face increasing threats from climate change, chemical and noise pollution, marine debris, vessel strikes, entanglements with fishing gear, prey depletion, increasing offshore industrial development, and continued human exploitation through directed takes in hunts.
WDCS hopes that you will take a moment to contact your US Congressional Representative to ask him/her to cosponsor H.R. 2455. Whaling is cruel, unsustainable and unnecessary. Commercial whaling was ‘banned’ in 1986, but over 31,000 whales have been killed since then by Japan, Iceland and Norway and pressure is mounting for the ban to be lifted. The International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2009 currently before Congress will reaffirm the United States’ leadership on whales and ensure their survival for generations to come. Contact your congressional representative today! To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers and other contact information, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office, or visit http://www.house.gov.
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