International Whaling Commission

IWC Resolution 2000-6

Resolution on POP's and Heavy Metals

RECALLING the two protocols on International Actions on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP's) and Heavy Metals under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution which were signed in Aarhus, Denmark on 24 June 1998 by the European Union and 35 countries;

NOTING that the International Whaling Commission with its specific responsibility in management and conservation of whale stocks may have a mutual interests in supporting the process of ratification of the protocols;

NOTING that most IWC countries have signed the protocols but that only a few member states have ratified the protocols;

WHEREAS the Commission several times has expressed concerns about the negative effects of degradation of the environment;

WHEREAS organic contaminants and heavy metals are seriously polluting the environment and its living resources including whales, and may have a significant negative health effect on consumers of marine mammal products;

NOW THEREFORE the Commission:

ENCOURAGE Contracting Governments, who has signed the protocols but not yet ratified these, to do so as soon as possible;

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