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SAVE OUR PLANET… Concerned advocates urge for preservation of the world’s whales.
Organizations such as the Animal Welfare Institute, Humane Society International, and the Whale
and Dolphin Conservation Society have come together to support the longstanding and proven
success of a ban on whaling that was originally approved by the International Whaling Committee
(IWC) in 1984. With the Committee meeting next week in Morocco to consider lifting this
moratorium, these animal welfare groups have highlighted the importance of upholding the
ban to protect the long-term survival of whales. Wendy Elliott, Species Manager for World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) International also stated that the primary historical threat to whales has
been whaling.
Wendy Elliott, Species Manager, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International (f): Most of the
great whales that are listed as threatened by IUCN (International Union for Conservation
of Nature) are threatened specifically because of previous whaling activities. They were
driven to such low levels by previous whaling that they haven’t been able to recover.
The second element I wanted to talk about was science in the deal. It was essentially
a lack of taking into account the science that led previous whaling activities to drive
most species to near extinctions. This is exactly what we need to avoid happening again.
VOICE: To further clarify the benefits of the whaling ban, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Society has published online statistics documenting its success and the estimated hundreds of
thousands of lives that have been saved. Based on these facts, Humane Society International
Vice President Kitty Block, commented, “What we should be concentrating on is not lifting
the successful ban that we currently have, but working harder on ways to … stop this
cruel and unnecessary practice once and for all.”
Sirpa Pietikäinen - Finnish member of the European Parliament: The [European] Commission
with the Parliament should have a better coordinated position and a role in these negotiations.
When it comes to this proposal itself, I really would like to hear strong and affirmative
comments by the Commission and [EU] Council, to take these points up on the negotiations.
Firstly, to strongly oppose any moves to legitimize commercial whaling or introduce any new form
of whaling.
Heaven bless and many thanks Ms. Wendy Elliott, Ms. Kitty Block, European Parliament members,
global whale advocates and all the concerned animal welfare organizations for your dedication
to protecting precious marine life. We pray for wise leadership in the International Whaling
Committee meeting to aid in sustaining the fragile balance of the beautiful ocean and
her inhabitants.
Supreme Master Ching Hai has long encouraged humanity toward a deeper understanding and
appreciation of the gifts shared by our animal co-inhabitants, as in an August 2009 videoconference
in Thailand.
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
August 15, 2009 – Bangkok, Thailand
Supreme Master Ching Hai: The animals are truly noble, gentle beings, selfless, and
in harmony with one another, the environment, and with Heaven. Their role has always been
since time immemorial to bring love and blessing to the world with their pure presence. If
we would only stop harming and torturing them and killing them, and give them a chance to
fulfill their God-given mission, then our planet will be saved and will be kept in splendor.
They wait on the sidelines in full support of humans, for the day they can be our friends
again, truly, not our victims. On that day of peacemaking between humans and animals,
our eyes may begin to be opened to our co-inhabitants’ true magnificent roles on Earth�