Size Matters, Although It Shouldn't: The ICRW and Small Cetaceans. A Reply to Stephenson, Mooers and Attaran

摘要

Written as a response to the article 'Does Size Matter? The ICRW and the Inclusion of Small Cetaceans' by Sean Stephenson, Arne Mooers and Amir Attaran, this commentary considers how important global and regional biodiversity- or conservation-related conventions have deliberately avoided the issue area of cetacean management. One of the effects of this is that so-called 'small cetaceans' - approximately 70 species - are left largely unregulated. This article differs from that of Stephenson and his co-authors, who argue that the 'only appropriate' forum for dealing with the issue is the International Court of Justice. Instead, it is argued here that the 'Future of the IWC compromise process may yet represent the best course for bringing small cetaceans under IWC management authority. Another alternative was recently suggested in a draft resolution put forward by Monaco in 2012 -and is likely to be put forward again in 2014 - which advocated involving the United Nations General Assembly in the issue. The issue is both complicated and important, and a solution is needed.