Tonga, which took a world lead in banning whaling, has signed the Pacific Islands Year of the Whale Declaration 2016/17.
The declaration commits Tonga to working with other Pacific islands and territories to ensure a safe future for whales in the region.
The kingdom was one of 11 Pacific nations which sent delegates to the ‘Whales in a Changing Ocea’n conference in Nuku’alofa.
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries, Hon. Semisi Fakahau, signed the declaration on behalf of the Government of Tonga.
The declaration asked specialists who attended the conference to help SPREP draft a Whale and Dolphin Action Plan for review at the regional body’s next annual meeting.
The declaration will remain open for signature until December 31, 2017.
Other countries at the conference which signed the declaration included Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Palau, Fiji, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.
Tonga banned whale hunting in 1978 under a royal decree issued by His Majesty King Tupou IV. This was four years before the international ban on whale hunting. All Tongan waters are considered a sanctuary for whales.
The 1989 Fisheries Act 1989 called for the ban of killing cetaceans (the group of mammals that includes whales and dolphins).
Whale breeding populations in Tongan waters have increased from 50 to 2000 since the ban.
In ancient times Tongans hunted humpbacked whales. Now whale watching is a major part of the tourist industry, with Vava’u and Ha’apai popular destination.
The declaration in full:
“Conscious of the deep cultural relationship, including traditional knowledge, between whales and Pacific peoples;
Recalling that many species of large whales that overwinter in Pacific islands breeding grounds were reduced to near-extinction by industrial whaling fleets in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries;
Aware that some populations of these species are now recovering in numbers, thanks to the global moratorium on commercial whaling imposed and maintained by the International Whaling Commission;
Grateful that many Pacific island countries and territories have established legislation, whale sanctuaries, and other commitments which add to the regional protection of whales;
Noting that for many Pacific island countries and territories, the presence of whales in their waters is an important cultural resource, and that well-managed whale-watching activities can promote sustainable economic benefits;
Aware also that recovering populations of whales in the Pacific island countries and territories are now at risk from an emerging range of new threats, including climate change, entanglement in marine debris, by-catch in fishing operations, noise and pollution;
Endorsing the Year of the Whale theme that whales are living sentinels that reflect and contribute to the health of our oceans;
Gratefully acknowledging the generous hospitality of the Government of Tonga and the excellent arrangements provided to host the Whales in a Changing Ocean conference;
Acknowledging the contributions of regional and international agencies, IGOs, NGOs, private sector and others to promote the recovery of whale populations;
Now therefore [we]
Recognise that lost and abandoned fishing gear is one of the most harmful forms of marine debris for whales, and that accelerated action to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution is needed;
Commend SPREP’s commitment to the production of a Whale and Dolphin Action Plan to provide a framework for conservation activities in the Pacific islands region 2018-2023;
Request the experts at the Whales in a Changing Ocean conference to work with SPREP to develop a draft Whale and Dolphin Action Plan for their review and endorsement at the SPREP Annual Meeting in September 2017;
Request SPREP to engage with Pacific islands and territories and others to identify key capacity development needs for the conservation of whales, for consideration in the 2018-2023 Whale and Dolphin Action Plan;
Commit our governments to collaborations with other Pacific islands and territories to provide a secure future for whales in the Pacific islands region;
Welcome the engagement and contribution of all stakeholders in this endeavour, including IGOs, NGOs, academia, the private sector, civil society and local communities;
Welcome new partnerships including multilateral organisations, to implement voluntary commitments by Pacific islands and territories to meet the aspirations of this Declaration.”
The main points
- Tonga, which led the world in banning whaling, has signed the Pacific Islands Year of the Whale Declaration 2016/17.
- The declaration commits Tonga to working with other Pacific islands and territories to ensure a safe future for whales in the region.
- The kingdom was one of 11 Pacific nations which sent delegates to the ‘ Whales in a Changing Ocean’ conference in Nuku’alofa.
- Tonga banned whale hunting in 1978, four years before the international ban on whale hunting.
For more information
Pacific countries sign Whale Declaration in Tonga
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Tonga signs Pacific Islands Year of the Whale Declaration 2016-2017
