Hobart, the review
70th International Whaling Commission
Press release n°4
The 70th International Whaling Commission meeting concluded today.
The resolution on “cetacean strandings as a cross-cutting priority of the IWC”, submitted by the United Kingdom and Ireland on behalf of the countries of the European Union, was adopted by consensus (see “Tomb-beaches”, September 29, 2026).
The resolution on vessel strikes, submitted by Ireland on behalf of the countries of the European Union, was adopted by a vote.
The blue whale between Scylla and Charybdis
70th International Whaling Commission
Press release n°3
In 2026, the Scientific Committee of the IWC completed an in-depth assessment of blue whale populations in the Antarctic. The abundance of the species prior to industrial whaling is estimated at around 200,000 individuals. In 1973, the year of the last official catch report, the population was estimated at 418 individuals. By 2024, it had recovered to around 4,000 individuals. According to the Scientific Committee’s base model, blue whales in the Antarctic are expected to reach 60 per cent of their pre-whaling abundance – that is, 120,000 individuals – by… 2102. The two new threats facing blue whales will undoubtedly further delay this already distant deadline.
Tomb-beaches
70th International Whaling Commission
Press release n°2
The United Kingdom and Ireland, on behalf of the countries of the European Union, are submitting a draft resolution on “cetacean strandings as a cross-cutting priority of the International Whaling Commission”. The stranding of dead or live whales is a source of emotion and controversy for the populations of coastal countries, making them realise that there are still whales in the high seas. According to the terms of the resolution, the sharing of information could harmonise and improve rescue protocols and facilitate the understanding and reduction of all old and news threats to the daily lives of whales, such as food shortages, pollution, litter, disease, collisions, noise pollution and entanglement in fishing gear.
Whales at the service of oceans
70th International Whaling Commission
Press release n°1
Today, the 70th plenary meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) opened in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia). Within the animal kingdom, whales have the exclusive privilege of benefiting from a global convention, which demonstrates their biological, economic, social, and cultural importance.
“On the Trail” n°49, the defaunation bulletin
Issue 49 of “On the Trail”, 3 hours’ reading
Poaching and smuggling worldwide of animal species that are threatened with
extinction or are likely to become so.
1,690 events between November 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026
371 photos and 6 maps
1,192 sources, 256 pages, 8.6 Mo
