International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

The convention is a successor to the 1931 Geneva Convention for Regulation of Whaling and the 1937 International Agreement for the Regulation of Whaling, established in response to the overexploitation of whales in the post-World War I period. Neither instrument was effective, but each provided the framework for the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, which was spearheaded by the United States and signed by 15 countries in Washington, D.C., on 3 December 1946; the convention took effect on 10 November 1948. A protocol broadening the scope of the convention's enforcement was signed on 19 November 1956.

The objectives of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling are to protect all whale species from overhunting; establish a system of international regulation for whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks; and safeguard for future generations the important natural resources represented by whale stocks. The primary instrument implementing these aims is the International Whaling Commission, established by the convention as its main decision-making body. The IWC meets annually and adopts a binding "schedule" that regulates catch limits, whaling methods, protected areas, and the right to carry out scientific research involving the killing of whales.

Members

As of January 2021, there are 88 parties to the convention. The initial signatories were Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Although Norway is party to the convention, it maintains an objection to the 1986 IWC global moratorium and it does not apply to it.

Withdrawals

Ten states have withdrawn from the convention since its ratification: Canada, Egypt, Greece, Guatemala, Jamaica, Japan, Mauritius, the Philippines, Seychelles and Venezuela.

Belize, Brazil, Dominica, Ecuador, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Solomon Islands, Sweden and Uruguay withdrew from the convention temporarily but joined again; the Netherlands withdrew twice, only to join a third time.

Japan is the most recent member to withdraw, effective June 2019, so as to resume commercial whaling.