The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling is an international agreement (see environmental agreement) signed in 1946 designed to make whaling sustainable.

It was signed by 42 nations in Washington D.C. on December 2 1946 and took effect on November 10 1948. Its protocol (which represented the first substantial revision of the convention and extended the definition of a "whale-catcher" to include helicopters as well as ships) was signed in Washington on November 19 1956. The convention is a successor to the International Agreement for the Regulation of Whaling, signed in London on June 8 1937, and the protocols for that agreement signed in London on June 24 1938, and November 26, 1945.

Objectives are protection of all whale species from overhunting, establishment of a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks, and safeguarding for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks. The primary instrument through which these aims were followed was the establishment of the International Whaling Commission. The commission has made many revisions to the schedule that makes up the bulk of the convention, reflecting changing economical, ecological and commercial standards.

Signatories

Nations signed up to the convention are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Republic of China (expelled and replaced with People's Republic of China), Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France, Germany, Grenada, Guinea, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

References

• Text of the Convention at the IWC website
• CIA World Factbook 2003. Available online at [1]