Why Whale Conservation Matters to Coastal Communities? India Seeks Better Protection for Them at IWC 70 Meeting
India has called for enhanced protection for whales, dolphins, and other marine life. India maintains that better science and cooperation are essential to safeguard marine ecosystems, which underpin the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
This issue was raised at the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC-70), being held in Hobart, Australia, from September 28 to October 2. India emphasized the need for collaboration among nations, scientists, and local communities to understand the changing conditions affecting whales and other cetaceans.
For ordinary people living in coastal areas, whale conservation goes beyond merely saving large marine animals. A healthy marine ecosystem is deeply linked to fisheries, coastal livelihoods, and biodiversity. Understanding the migratory patterns, breeding grounds, and threats faced by whales and dolphins can help governments make better decisions regarding marine activities and conservation efforts.
Better Information, Better Protection
India stated that effective conservation requires reliable scientific data on cetacean populations, movements, breeding habits, and the threats they face. India also advocated for the inclusion of local communities in conservation efforts to ensure that measures are practical and suited to ground realities.
This meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 80th anniversary of the 'International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling,' signed in 1946. The International Whaling Commission was established under this convention and currently has 89 member nations; India has been a member since 1981.
In India, whales and other cetaceans found in the country's waters enjoy the highest level of legal protection under the 'Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972'. 'Marine Protected Areas' have also been established to safeguard marine biodiversity.
India's 'Project Dolphin' encompasses dolphins, whales, and porpoises, as well as their aquatic ecosystems. Special emphasis has also been placed on the conservation of the 'Arabian Sea Humpback Whale'.
India stated that the future work of the IWC should be grounded in science, international cooperation, and practical measures to address the threats facing whales and other cetaceans.