(DNO) A local environmentalist is supporting calls by a former Caribbean diplomat that Dominica should stick to its position on whaling.
Former Caribbean diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders recently urged Dominica to keep its position on the wailing issue. However Environmentalist Atherton Martin says Dominica needs to provide leadership on the conservation issues that are raised at the IWC.
Martin said Dominica should propose the establishment of a whale sanctuary in the Caribbean.
“And when we take a position that is international, they must clearly be in our short, medium and long-term interest. If we go to this year’s IWC we should be proposing a whale sanctuary for the Caribbean. France has already taken the lead. We need to join and incorporate the science that France bring into the marine environment and do the same,” he said.
A very good idea which the PM should consider and hopefully implement if his administration agrees.
Athie needs to keep taking his medication for his mental illness.
Ignorance is bliss, what’s your reason for making comments that have nothing to do with the issue. Let me guess -maybe its because you have nothing of any value to say?
Maybe you are ignorant, know nothing of the issue, but still want to be heard?
You can take some time to see how this matter may affect you now, or in the future. Take a stand if you must, but stick to the IMPORTANT issues. Its so immature.
Bottom line you,and all the other INVALUABLE contributors of DNO comment should do one of two things: Go get an education or keep quiet. You are an embarrassment and I am appalled at what DUMBinicans are stooping to.
I donot believe proposing a sanctuary makes any sense whatsoever, what is the reason for this sanctuary?
THE ONLY ISLAND IN THE CARIBBEAN WHO ACTUALLY DO WHALING (ON A VERY SMALL SCALE) IS ST VINCENT!
WHALES ARE NOT ENDANGERED IN THE CARIBBEAN SO WHAT PURPOSE WILL THIS SANCTUARY SERVE?
THIS IS A VERY VERY FOOLISH IDEA!!!!
WE SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES, THIS HAS BEEN A POLICY OF DOMINICA SINCE THE DAYS OF FRANK BARON, AND IT CONTINUES UP TO TODAY I WOULD NOT CHANGE IT BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE!!!
WHALES SWIM IN OUR WATER FREELY AND THEY ARE SEEN, HENCE THE REASON WE ARE NOTED AS A WHALE WATCHING DESTINATION.
PROPOSING A SANCTUARY IS GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT WE ARE KILLING OFF THE WHALES THAT SWIM IN OUR WATERS AND THATS JUST NOT THE CASE!!!!
Of course, it will make not one iota of difference to where the whales swim! However, think about the free publicity Dominica would get from such an initiative! Something we could not hope to pay for in a month of sundays. If only for this reason it would be worth doing. Good move Athie
HUh??? Are you sure you know what you are saying????? How can proposing a sanctuary send the message that we are killing whales. Proposing a sanctuary means that we are interested in ensuring the longevity of the whales by protecting them, offering a safe zone (SANCTUARY) where they are not, cannot be hunted or killed.
Proposing a sanctuary in no way suggest that we are killing them off, it shows that we acknowledge the importance of the, that we do not agree with the senseless and BASELESS killings of whales (including dolphins which are cetaceans too)
It would be a great move on Dominica’s part to do something like this, it is AN INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE, stop thinking so narrowly Dominicans, we are not the only ones here, what we do today, the repercussion in 2 generations time, we will NEVER Feel, but our children and children will. We need to THINK deeply about the consequences of everything we do.
Our People are fooled into supporting an issue or denounce it only if their Govt. or friends say it is correct without seriously looking at the facts or interest of the country. Over the years, A cross section of Dominica, influenced by derogatory and inconsistent statements and actions of Govt. have continuously portrayed environmentalists like Athie and Wiltshire and others as wicked men who do not care for Dominica’s development. Every year the Govt must be reminded that WHALE WATCHING is a lucrative business for Dominica, whereas, support for the indiscriminate killing of whales cannot be in our best interest.
Because of the resilience of those men for decades and their strong belief in environmental protection and conservation, they continue to advocate against the destruction of our pristine environment and to make their fellowmen and women aware of the potential that Dominica has in preserving and making maximum use of its natural resources in a way that future generations would be able to enjoy. Were it not for their efforts and vigilance of some conscious persons, the PM and the DLP GOVT. would go on with the construction of an oil refinery which would surely have devastating negative effects on our environment. Just because Chavez proposed oil refinery for Dominica so he could sell his oil, doesn’t mean that we should blindly go against our own eco tourism initiatives.
Never in Dominica’s history that we have been faced with a group of the most environmentally unfriendly politicians. Their actions speak louder than even their negative statements regarding issues about protection of our environment and development. A classic example is the decision by GOVT and Planning re. the asphalt plant being built close to our longest and most attractive LAYOU river. Even though an entire community raised legitimate concerns in relation to effects on their health and protested, authorities cast them aside like rubbish and favored the actions of the BIG BUSINESSMEN. The community has embarked on meaningful eco-tourism projects realizing that is in their best interest without environmental destruction and negative impact on their health. People should come first in the development process. For a few dollars more, some in authority readily are willing to prostitute our country and do not show any concern for its sustainable development.
TIME WILL TELL. ATHIE, WILTSHIRE and all Dominicans must be vigilante and continue to protect our homeland. Environmentalists are not criminals as some in authority would want us to believe.
Hear Hear!!!!
Mr. martin has a good point, but the international committee has to help us financially so we can provide the sanctuary, because Dominicans need to eat too. I am against whaling, but reality is people have to eat. It is not right to eat whales it would be better to become friends and protector of the whales.. They have to be protected. but dominica needs financial assistance to do so.
And when the whales are gone, tell me what will they eat? Just like the Blue fin tuna and Japan issue. They are killing to extinction, rejecting bans that would ensure their survival, , so let them eat, eat eat, kill, kill kill. In 50 years, NO sushi for sushi lovers. In 50 years no whales for us to use as a viable economic resource.
What’s happening in distant waters will get here, when they fish, or whale to zero numbers, they will move in on our territory. thenour governments will porstitute our resources to them. Water next… just you wait.
Then we will wish we had done something about it.
It would be hypocritical, YES, but we have not been supporting Whaling in the last 2 years. So it would not be.
I do think that this would cause as it has already a bit more problems amongst the island. Although if sold properly we could make a very big difference in Caribbean environment and Tourism.
And then what, give a pass to the Japanese so they can hunt more easily…in the sanctuary? If the international community is so concern then they should help us like Japan does and then we won’t have to side with whaling. We’ve got to survive you know.
It would be hypocritical to have a sanctuary for whales when at the same time we support whaling, but perhaps it’s just a Dominican past-time.
You clearly seem to have no concept of what a sanctuary is. The man is suggesting an area within the Caribbean be put aside to protect whales, which I totally endorse, but you respond with “give a pass to the Japanese so they can hunt more easily…in the sanctuary?” Does that make sense to you? That someone would propose a sanctuary to PROTECT and then allow SLAUGHTER? Where did that idea come from? And who says we support whaling? The government has rightly taken a position NOT to vote with the Japanese for the killing of whales….how does that translate to support? What are you smoking?
Sir Sanders also said that the OECS supports whaling and Dominica is part of it so therefore Dominica supports whaling cuz the OECS is one unit.
Most times I disagreed with Martin, but now I am with you all the way. Save our whales.
athie please cool out they are not killin these whale
tHEY MAY NOT BE KILLING THEM HERE, BUT ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY COME. WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON TO SAY THEY ARE NOT KILLING WHALES….. GIVE ME A BREAK,
While i often do not agree with many of the things said or done by you Mr. Martin, i can say now that your point is one with which i fully agree. How can we be promoting Whale watching, when at the same time, we vote alongside countries who promote the killing and consumption thereof?
We should protect the whales. Watch out for the Chinese and Japanese,