South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary

South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary
Name	South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary
Location	South Atlantic Ocean
Established	Proposed 1998
Governing body	International Whaling Commission

South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary. The South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary is a long-proposed marine protected area intended to prohibit commercial whaling across a vast expanse of the South Atlantic Ocean. First formally proposed to the International Whaling Commission in the late 1990s, the sanctuary aims to protect numerous cetacean species and their critical habitats. The proposal has faced consistent political opposition, preventing it from achieving the required supermajority for adoption under IWC rules.

Background and history

The concept of whale sanctuaries gained international traction following the International Whaling Commission's 1982 decision to implement a moratorium on commercial whaling. Precedents were set with the establishment of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979 and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1994. These areas were created under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, which allows the IWC to designate regions where commercial whaling is prohibited. The push for a South Atlantic sanctuary was spearheaded by Brazil and Argentina, with strong support from other Latin American nations and global conservation organizations. The historical context includes decades of commercial exploitation by whaling fleets from nations like the Soviet Union and Japan, which significantly depleted populations in the region.

Proposal and establishment

The formal proposal for the sanctuary was first submitted by the government of Brazil to the International Whaling Commission at its 1998 meeting in Oman. Co-sponsored by Argentina, South Africa, and Uruguay, the initial draft outlined a sanctuary encompassing waters below the Equator in the Atlantic Ocean. The legal mechanism for establishment requires a three-quarters majority vote of IWC member countries. Despite repeated submissions and revisions at subsequent annual meetings in locations like London, Berlin, and Florianópolis, the proposal has consistently failed to secure the necessary supermajority. Key supporting documents and ecological assessments have been prepared by bodies like the IWC Scientific Committee and non-governmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund.

Geographic scope and boundaries

The proposed sanctuary would cover the entire South Atlantic Ocean, from the coast of South America eastward to the western shores of Southern Africa. Its northern boundary is generally defined as the Equator, extending south to the existing boundary of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary at approximately 40°S latitude. This vast area includes critical habitats within the exclusive economic zones of numerous coastal states, including Gabon, Namibia, and the United Kingdom's overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The region encompasses major oceanographic features like the Benguela Current and the Brazil Current, which are vital for marine productivity.

Scientific and ecological rationale

The scientific case for the sanctuary is built on the need to protect recovering whale populations and their ecosystems. The waters of the South Atlantic are important feeding and breeding grounds for several vulnerable species, including the southern right whale, the Antarctic minke whale, and the humpback whale. Research institutions like the Brazilian Antarctic Program and the University of Cape Town have documented migration routes between the Antarctic and breeding grounds off Brazil and Madagascar. The sanctuary aims to safeguard these animals from potential threats, including bycatch, ship strikes, and the resumption of commercial whaling, thereby supporting broader marine biodiversity and the health of the pelagic zone.

Political and legal challenges

The primary obstacle to the sanctuary's establishment has been sustained opposition from pro-whaling nations within the International Whaling Commission, notably Japan, Norway, and Iceland. These countries argue that existing whale stocks are healthy enough for sustainable harvests and that the moratorium on commercial whaling is sufficient. They have frequently invoked procedural arguments and questioned the scientific necessity of the sanctuary during IWC debates. The political dynamic often reflects a broader cultural and diplomatic divide between anti-whaling states and those supporting traditional or scientific whaling. Legal opinions have also been contested, particularly regarding the IWC's mandate and the interplay with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Current status and future prospects

As of recent International Whaling Commission meetings, the proposal remains in a state of deadlock. A significant vote at the 2018 meeting in Florianópolis failed to achieve the 75% threshold, garnering support from a simple majority but not a supermajority. The future of the initiative is uncertain and is likely tied to broader shifts in the composition and politics of the IWC membership. Proponents, including the Buenos Aires Group of Latin American countries, continue to advocate for its adoption, often linking it to global climate change and sustainable development agendas. The increasing focus on marine protected areas by bodies like the United Nations may provide alternative avenues for advancing similar conservation objectives in the region.

Category:Whaling Category:Protected areas Category:South Atlantic Ocean