Paul McCartney has joined the fight against law changes that will make whaling legal.
In a World Society for the Protection of Animals statement this week, Sir Paul said: “It’s time to end the cruel slaughter of whales and leave these magnificent creatures alone. In the 21st century how can we even contemplate killing whales – or any animal – in such barbaric ways? Governments should act on their responsibilities and protect these beautiful creatures.”
As the International Whaling Commission (IWC) opens its 62nd annual meeting in Agadir, Morocco today, Sir Paul and WSPA strongly condemn a proposal which would effectively lift the ban on commercial whaling and give a green light to the industrial slaughter of almost 1,400 whales next year. The deadly proposal, published by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the IWC, is expected to be voted on by the IWC’s 88 member nations this week.
WSPA’s Marine Mammal Program Manager, Joanna Toole said, “In a perverse attempt to save some whales, the IWC is considering signing a death warrant for almost 13,000 whales over the next 10 years. This misguided proposal would resuscitate the world’s dying whaling industries and would be a huge step backwards for animal welfare and conservation globally.”
The proposal would endorse the killing of up to 760 minke and fin whales by Norway and Iceland each year in the north Atlantic. Contrary to claims by proponents, it would realise no significant overall reduction in the number of whales killed, at the cost of legitimising an inherently and unacceptably inhumane industry.
Sir Paul joins Leona Lewis in speaking out about the proposal for WSPA. Pierce Brosnan is also actively working at raising awareness of the IWC’s plans.
“The best future for our relationship with whales is watching, not hunting,” said the former Beatle.
Source: WSPA
