Coalition Launches – By Azara Lavia[email protected]
Coalition Launches Petition Reverse
A coalition of local non-governmental organisations is calling on Prime Minister Gaston Browne to reverse Antigua and Barbuda’s support for commercial whaling ahead of a major international meeting in Australia next month.
The Antigua and Barbuda Coalition for the Protection of Whales has launched a petition urging the government to oppose commercial whaling and support the establishment of a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary.
The coalition comprises nine organisations: Adopt a Coastline, the Antigua and Barbuda Environment Foundation, the Antigua & Barbuda Independent Tourism Promotion Corporation, the Antigua & Barbuda Ocean Trust, Antigua & Barbuda Sea Turtle Awareness, the Antigua Conservation Society, AnuBlue, Bodhicharya Antigua and Good Humans 268.
It says the groups are committed to protecting whales in Antigua and Barbuda’s waters and worldwide.
Five prominent Antiguans are also participating in the campaign by speaking publicly about whale protection and encouraging people to sign the petition.
The coalition says the government’s support for commercial whaling does not reflect the views of most Antiguans and Barbudans.
According to the group, Antigua and Barbuda joined the International Whaling Commission, or IWC, in 1982 and voted for the ban on commercial whaling, which took effect in 1986.
However, it says the country’s representatives have supported proposals to resume commercial whaling since 1994 and have opposed conservation measures, including the establishment of whale sanctuaries.
The coalition says this is despite Antigua and Barbuda having no whaling tradition, no practice of eating whale meat and domestic laws that protect whales.
It also claims the country’s pro-whaling position is linked to close diplomatic and financial ties with Japan, one of three countries that continue commercial whaling.
The coalition says Antigua and Barbuda submitted proposals at the last two IWC meetings aimed at creating a pathway for the return of commercial whaling. Both proposals were withdrawn.
It says the proposal has again been submitted for consideration at the IWC’s 70th meeting, scheduled to take place in Australia in late September 2026.
The campaign is also highlighting a June 2026 opinion poll of more than 500 Antiguans and Barbudans.
The poll found that 64.2 per cent of respondents opposed commercial whaling, while 16.7 per cent supported it.
Sixty per cent opposed Antigua and Barbuda proposing an IWC resolution that could lead to the resumption of commercial whaling.
The poll also found that 67.8 per cent of respondents were unaware that the government supports commercial whaling at the IWC, while 30.5 per cent were aware.
Fifty-six per cent opposed the country’s continued resistance to a proposed South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary.
The survey also found that 62 per cent believed Antigua and Barbuda’s continued support for commercial whaling could harm the country’s international reputation.
Another 52 per cent believed opposition to the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary could harm the tourism industry.
The coalition says whales play an important role in ocean health by transporting nutrients, supporting phytoplankton and helping to store carbon.
It says whale populations also face threats from fishing nets, vessel strikes, pollution and climate change.
The petition calls on Browne to ensure Antigua and Barbuda stops supporting commercial whaling and backs a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary.
It says the country’s reputation and economy, as well as the future of whales, are at stake.
More information about the campaign and petition is available at protectwhales.org.
