Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Scientists set the stage for international whaling conference in St Kitts
05-30-2006

BASSETERRE, St Kitts: Nearly 200 scientists from around the world are in St Kitts for the scientific meetings that are being held in preparation for the June conference of the International Whaling Commission.

The scientists are gathered for a series of meetings at the St Kitts Marriott. The Scientific Committee is an arm of the IWC that is responsible for evaluating research carried out in response to issues and decisions raised by the IWC. In particular, the Scientific Committee has been engaged in a process aimed at establishing a management system for sustainable commercial whaling.

The chairman of the Scientific Committee, Mr Arne Bjorge, said the Committee “has a full agenda for the next two weeks with several sub-committees looking at a wide range of matters, such as population dynamics of whales, ecological issues and the effects of seismic activity on whales.”

Commenting on the work of the Committee, Bjorge said, “The Scientific Committee has made comprehensive assessment of several of the large whales stocks around the world, and we have had a major effort in developing a management procedure to make sure that conservation aspects are included in any management decisions taken.”

In related news, the minister responsible for fisheries, Cedric Liburd, welcomed the IWC scientists during a cocktail reception hosted at the St Kitts Marriott. He entreated them to take some time to enjoy the cultural and historical heritage of the Federation. Among the officials attending the reception was the Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas.