HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2010-052 RESOLUTION NO. 2010-052
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ATASCADERO SUPPORTING THE PROTECTION OF
WHALES AND OPPOSING THE RESUMPTION OF
COMMERCIAL WHALING AND TEN-YEAR QUOTAS FOR
GRAY WHALES AS PROPOSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL
WHALING COMMISSION
WHEREAS, whales are considered sentient beings at the apex of the marine food chain
and are extremely important for the health and vitality of our oceans, and,
WHEREAS, the California gray whale is our official State Marine Mammal and is
enjoyed by whale watchers along the coast of California every winter and spring; and,
WHEREAS, whale watching of gray whales and other species is a valuable economic
activity in coastal communities throughout California; and,
WHEREAS, the California gray whale population is showing signs of stress; and,
WHEREAS, all whale populations, including the gray whale, are facing serious global
environmental problems including the effects of global climate change, acidification of the
oceans, and the harvesting of krill and other small fish species; and,
WHEREAS, as of the 1986-87 whaling season, the International Whaling Commission
(IWC) adopted an indefinite moratorium on commercial whaling; and,
WHEREAS, the US government vigorously promoted the whaling moratorium and has
in the past led efforts to protect whales, supporting the establishment of the entire Southern
Ocean as an IWC whale sanctuary; and,
WHEREAS, an IWC delegation has now proposed an agreement that would legalize
commercial whaling, including current so-called "scientific whaling," from which all the
products are marketed; and,
WHEREAS, this agreement would set ten-year whaling quotas for species for both
commercial and subsistence whaling, including gray whales, without regard to review of the
population status of the species or potential adverse impact on populations; and,
WHEREAS, this agreement would allow a subsistence quota of 1,400 gray whales over
the next ten years; and,
WHEREAS, the IWC is scheduled to consider this new whaling agreement and to take
action on it at their annual meeting on June 21-25, 2010, in Agadir, Morocco.
City of Atascadero
Resolution No. 2010-052
Page 2 of 2
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Atascadero does hereby oppose the agreement to renew commercial whaling and set ten-year
quotas for gray whales as proposed by the International Whaling Commission, and urges
President Barack Obama to direct the United States Delegation to the IWC to oppose any such
agreement, and further urges the IWC to end all commercial whaling, including whaling under so
called "scientific" permits, and urges the IWC to focus instead on protecting whales and their
habitat to encourage non-lethal encounters with whales for education and scientific study, and
address solutions to global environmental problems that threaten whale populations.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8`h day of June, 2010.
On motion by Council Member Beraud, and seconded by Council Member O'Malley, the
foregoing Resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Beraud, Kelley,O'Malley and Mayor Fonzi
NOES: Council Member Clay
ABSENT: None
ADOPTED: June 8, 2010
CITY OF ATASCADERO
By:
Roberta Fonzi,Mayor
ATTEST:
a m ,
Marcia-McC'lure,Torgerson, C.M.
City Clerk,
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Brian A. Pierik, City Attorney