Antigua and Barbuda’s whaling resolution was withdrawn at the International Whaling Commission’s 70th meeting in Hobart, Australia, while its allies sought scientific discussions on reviewing the ban on commercial whaling.

Grenada withdrew the proposal on Antigua and Barbuda’s behalf, according to reporting by the Antigua Observer and conservation organisation OceanCare. The Observer described the withdrawal as conditional.

Alongside the withdrawal, Grenada requested discussions between the commission’s Science Liaison Group and Scientific Committee on a procedure for reviewing paragraph 10(e) of the IWC Schedule, which contains the commercial whaling moratorium.

The resolution sought the implementation of a conservation and management programme for whale stocks aimed at the sustainable use of whale resources. OceanCare opposed the proposal, arguing that it could pave the way for commercial whaling to resume.

Antigua and Barbuda had called for a formal review of the moratorium in its opening statement to the meeting, arguing that the measure had not been reassessed as originally intended.

OceanCare welcomed the withdrawal, saying opposition from other member governments had prevented the proposal from advancing. The organisation also confirmed that the commercial whaling moratorium was upheld at the meeting.

The moratorium was adopted in 1982 and took effect from the 1985-86 whaling season. It remains in place, and the withdrawal did not authorise a resumption of commercial whaling.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Withdraws Whaling Resolution but Keeps Pushing to Review the Ban.