Addressing International Relations on National
Scientific Research and Management Decisions

IWMC would like to address the manner in which nations discuss each other's scientific research and specific matters such as the humane slaughter of large mammals. First, the majority of concerned people would agree that when an animal is killed or rendered entirely insensate in an instantaneous manner, that this would fit a definition of suitably appropriate humaneness. From the perspective of the hunter, such an accomplishment would also be the most efficient method, because it would mean no further energy expended on a chase, or in dealing with a struggling creature, and further, the dangers associated with handling and dispatching a wounded animal would be eliminated.

Some IWC members have wished to continue raising the question of the humaneness of the grenade harpoon method used to take minke and perhaps, other whales. Arni Mathiesen, Icelandic Minister of Fisheries, noted in an October 3 opinion piece printed in the Canberra Times, Section A page 11, that Australia, Netherlands and the United Kingdom put forward IWC resolution 2001-02, regarding the humane killing of whales.

Minister Mathiesen noted that "the resolution not only encourages governments to submit information regarding whaling but also comparative data from the killing of other large mammals." As Australia has recognized the importance of comparative data for this purpose, it would seem a fair assumption that Australia would willingly submit data to the next IWC workshop on killing methods used on large mammals in Australia. Minister Mathiesen is suggesting that it is entirely appropriate that Australia should submit scientific data to the next IWC on the efficiency and humaneness of the methods used there to dispatch two nuisance species, kangaroos and feral camels, which it permits its nationals to kill in large numbers. In Iceland, the very abundant minke whale is traditionally killed not only for human consumption, but now also for scientific research. Eventually, Iceland proposes to control its numbers in the marine ecosystem around that fishing nation. Iceland has been very open in sharing its data on both whale abundance and the efficiency of whale killing methods.

Mathiesen is suggesting that Australian Minister Ian Campbell is employing a double standard when he rejects suggestions that data from its killing of 'roos and camels be submitted to IWC, when he has joined others in calling for comparable data from the killing of other large terrestrial mammals in other countries. Why should Australia be exempt from similar scrutiny? Although Minister Campbell claims that minke are endangered, Australian scientists on the IWC Scientific Committee have confirmed that Iceland's minke whales have been proven abundant.

IWMC firmly believes that all government sanctioned dispatch of mammals, whether for scientific research or for purposes of pest removal, should be subject to high standards of efficiency and humaneness, and that data regarding these matters should be collected and analyzed under a rigorous scientific protocol managed by each such nation. Nations should respect each others' sovereign rights and genuine efforts to conduct research on the abundance of their species and to act upon the results of such research in ways that each nation shall deem appropriate. It is time that nations support each others' scientific research in constructive ways, in order that all may learn about the effects of hunting and fishing, or the lack of same, on total ecosystems. The integrity of scientific research projects and the decisions made on the basis of such research are important to all of us on this planet. It is not constructive when nations reject each others' research and resource management because of petty cultural prejudices. Not only humaneness of killing methods, but decisions based on species relationships and species abundance, are relevant to us all as we consider our impact on life systems around us.