Dominica is being told to maintain its current stance at the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Dominica chose to abstain from voting in support of commercial whaling at last year’s IWC meeting, a move which the head of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) Simon Walsh, said has attracted media spotlight.
“I saw media coverage referring to the fact that Dominica abstained and was the only country in the region to take that position. Now, there are some other islands looking at possibly doing it as well,” Walsh said.
“We really have congratulated this government numerous times and the prime minister for taking the stance that it did. We really strongly hope it continues because we would be afraid of the backlash if we were to change,” he added.
The DHTA President also said Dominica’s move to abstain is in line with the country’s nature island image; however, Walsh hopes Dominica can take a step further and “change their vote completely.”
DNO CORRESPONDENT.
@ Fairplay:
Although I agree with you to a vast degree about Gov’t needing to represent the interest of Dominicans rather than that of selfish Hotel Owners, I have to say that from an environmental aspect I cannot see how it would benefit Dominica at all to let selfish fishermen come into our waters and destroy our whale population for their gain.
I have to agree with Steve but we as DOMINICANS wouldnt want to admit it for we might offend the Government and especially the PM.
why do i get the feel that dominicans have a problem with forigners ? i see these constant remarks about forigners and investors continually and am trying to understand whats up with us.
The government has to vote in the interest of the majority of Dominicans and not in the interest of a few selfish hotel owners( especially the foreign ones).
Let’s keep the current stance by not supporint commercial whaling. We need to keep these investors away from our natural resources because in the final analysis our waters will become polluted and the profits will mainly be outsourced. These whales should not be used for profit making but should be left alone in their natural habitat.
It grives me to see how animals have been, and are being used for pleasure and gain.
KEEP UP THE STANCE DOMINICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We all know why Dominica took this stand. Its the benefits and the negotiating tool that the politicans used to benefit the country and the development. Its not a vote based on the nature island and keeping with the theme. its either japan or China.
Way to go Dominica
Efrem