Greens Aim for Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary
Tue., September 15, 2009. 11:17.
The Scottish Greens are planning to introduce an amendment to the current Scottish Marine Bill to designate Scottish waters as a cetacean sanctuary to protect whales and dolphins.
This has been a long-term manifesto commitment for the Greens, who launched the idea in April 2003, and who have campaigned consistently on the issue since that time (1). The Marine Bill provides the Greens with an ideal opportunity to deliver that manifesto commitment.
The whale and dolphin sanctuary would cover all of Scotland's inshore and offshore waters out to the 200 mile territorial limit, and would introduce a presumption of protection for cetaceans while they are in those waters. Scotland has a number of resident populations of cetaceans in its waters, and Scottish waters are used by a large number of species as they migrate between feeding and breeding grounds each year. Unfortunately, many of these species find themselves hunted in other waters around the world.
Cetacean species that are regularly sighted in Scottish waters include harbour porpoises; common, bottle-nosed, Risso's and Atlantic white-sided dolphins; and Minke and Killer Whales. Less common sightings also include humpback, fin and sperm whales.
Robin Harper MSP said:
"The designation of Scottish waters as a cetacean sanctuary would boost Scotland's burgeoning whale and dolphin-watching businesses, and, in doing so, would provide much needed support for the fragile coastal communities that rely on eco-tourism for much of their income and employment.
"The move would also send a strong message to the world's few remaining whaling nations that Scotland values and wants to protect those whales and dolphins that live in and migrate through its waters. These animals are of great significance and importance to Scotland, and we will do everything we can to ensure that they are protected.
"While whales and dolphins are not hunted in Scottish waters, these are the same animals that are hunted elsewhere. They also find themselves under threat from development, pollution, loss of habitat and lack of food. If we can do anything to help these beautiful, peaceful, charismatic creatures, then we must, and I am confident that the other parties in the Scottish Parliament will share this view. I also hope that other marine nations will be inspired to follow suit."
Whales worldwide find themselves under a large number of threats, including direct hunting, chemical and oil pollution, coastal and offshore development, noise pollution, shipping and defence-related activity, loss of habitat, and disruption to their feeding and breeding grounds. The impact of all of these threats together has had a significant negative effect on whale populations worldwide.
Contacts for third-party comment:
- Campaign Whale - 01273 471403 - www.campaign-whale.org
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society - 01249 449 534 - www.wdcs.org.uk
- Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust - 01688 302 620 - www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk
Notes
1. See:
http://tinyurl.com/nal8xp, and:
http://tinyurl.com/lu53k8, and:
Motion Lodged on 30 May 2007 - S3M-00094 Robin Harper (Lothians) (Scottish Green Party): Scottish Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary - That the Parliament notes that the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is presently meeting in Alaska; further notes with concern the IWC vote last ye Government for the efforts it is making to reverse that vote, and calls on the Scottish Executive to include making Scottish waters an official whale and dolphin sanctuary in any future marine bill proposal.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.