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Introduction to IWC 2002 |
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As has been common in recent years, this year's meeting is likely to be contentious, with considerable differences of opinions between the pro- and anti- whaling members. There is likely to be argument on issues such as Icelandic participation in the Commission, Japanese scientific whaling, Norwegian commercial whaling and whale trade and the South Pacific whale sanctuary proposed by Australia and New Zealand. This section provides a brief background to some of the events prior to the meeting that are likely to heighten tensions at the meeting, focusing on the activities of Norway and Japan, and provides a basic overview of some of the issues that are likely to dominate the meeting.