The IWC turns 60th, and after more than 20 years, has returned to South America, specifically to Santiago de Chile, where from June 1st until 27th, it will gather to determine the whale’s future.
More than 200 researchers from 30 countries attends the Scientific Committee, one of the instances of this meeting, which is currently being carried out from May 1st to June 13th. For Fundación Cethus Jimena Belgrano is participating, and, as part of the Argentina delegation, Miguel Iñiguez, who is also President of Fundación Cethus.
We stress the wide participation of Latin American researchers, proving the importance of the IWC for the region. The Scientific Committee receives the latest scientific advances in the study of cetaceans and recommendations are made, which then will be taken into account at time of voting during plenary meeting, which will take place from June 23 th to 27th.
Moreover, last June 1st,and within the context of the International Whaling Commission, the 1st Regional Workshop on Stranding and Marine Mammal Necropsy was carried out and it was attended by representatives of 21 institutions from nine countries. The workshop was organized by the Cetacean Conservation Center (CCC) a Chilean NGOs, the government of Chile, the NOAA of U.S.A and the University Mayor of Chile, and was dictated by the most worldwide prestigious researchers in the subject, from U.S.A and Spain.
During Scientific Committee’s meeting, Fundación Cethus will present the following papers, which can be downloaded from the official site of the IWC www.icwoffice.org) and soon from our site (www.cethus.org):
• Belgrano, J., C. Gribaudo, D. Arcucci, F. Kröhling and M. Iñíguez. 2008. Recent increase in the number of Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Golfo San Jorge, Santa Cruz, Patagonia Argentina. Unpublished paper submitted to the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. June 2008, Santiago, Chile. S C/60/BRG4.
• Sironi, M., López, J.C., Bubas, R., Carrilero, A., García, C., Haris, G., Iñiguez,
M. and Payne, R. 2008. Predation by killer whales (Orcinus orca) on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) off Patagonia, Argentina: effects on behavior and habitat choice. 18pp. SC60/BRG29.
• Bolaños Jiménez, J., Fertl, D. and Iñíguez, Miguel. 2008. Killer whale (Orcinus orca) in Venezuela waters 2001-2008. SC60/SM8.
From here we will continue keeping you abreast of recent events that may occur during this new meeting that is so important for the future of our cetaceans.
