International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling Document type Multilateral Field of application Global Date Dec 2, 1946 Source IUCN (ID: TRE-000074) Title (French) Convention internationale pour la réglementation de la chasse à la baleine Title (Spanish) Convención internacional para la reglamentación de la caza de la ballena Title (Other) Internationales Übereinkommen zur Regelung des Walfangs Place of adoption Washington D.C. Depository United States of America Language English Entry into force Nov 10, 1948 Subject Wild species & ecosystems, Sea Keyword Seasons Marine resources management Institution Marine fisheries Hunting gear/hunting methods Management/conservation Hunting authorization/permit Hunting/capture Data collection/reporting Protected animal species Size Marine mammals Abstract This abstract takes into consideration the amendment of 1956. Objectives: To protect all species of whales from overfishing and safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks and to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks. Summary of provisions: Contracting Governments agree to take measures to enforce the regulations adopted by the International Whaling Commission for the conservation and utilisation of whale stocks, and to report any infraction to them to the Commission (art. 9). Institutional mechanisms: An International Whaling Commission is established (art. 3). It is to encourage research and investigation, to collect and analyse statistical information, and to appraise and disseminate information concerning whaling and whale stocks (art. 4). The Commission is to meet annually to adopt the regulations mentioned above, dealing with protected and unprotected species, open and closed seasons, open and closed areas, size limits for species, maximum catches for any other season, types of gear and apparatus to be used (art. 5). (Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005, based on UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 1996) Comment This Convention set up an International Whaling Commission for the control of whaling, both from land- stations and by pelagic operations. It is supplemented by a Schedule in which details of the stocks on which taking may be conducted and the number of whales which may be taken are set out. The Schedule also addresses questions relating to the treatment of whales which are taken and for enforcement of the Convention. Provides that the International Whaling Commission may instigate or organise scientific studies connected with 'whales and whaling', and may collect and analyse statistics. It may also disseminate information on methods of maintaining or increasing the population of whales. States parties must take all practicable measures to collect and analyse biological data. Provision is made for the preparation of catch returns and the keeping of 'statistical and biological records.' Provision is also made for the taking of whales under scientific permits. Yearly submission (at least) must be made to the International Whaling Commission of information on whales and whaling, including data received from scientific permits. Regulates taking of whales, with reference to seasons, areas, methods of taking, etc. Infractions must be recorded by governments and reported to the International Whaling Commission. Full text English French Website iwc.int www.state.gov Country/Territory/Participant See Expanded View Show Map Countries Entry into force Ratification * Simple signature Antigua and Barbuda Jul 21, 1982 Jul 21, 1982 [2] - Argentina May 18, 1960 May 18, 1960 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Australia Nov 10, 1948 Dec 1, 1947 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Austria May 20, 1994 May 20, 1994 [2] - Belgium Jul 14, 2004 Jul 14, 2004 [2] - Belize Jun 17, 2003 Jun 17, 2003 [2] - Benin Apr 26, 2002 Apr 26, 2002 [2] - Brazil Jan 4, 1974 Jan 4, 1974 [2] - Bulgaria Aug 10, 2009 Aug 10, 2009 [2] - Cambodia Jun 1, 2006 Jun 1, 2006 [2] - Cameroon Jun 14, 2005 Jun 14, 2005 [2] - Chile Jul 6, 1979 Jul 6, 1979 [1] Dec 2, 1946 China Sep 24, 1980 Sep 24, 1980 [2] - Colombia Mar 22, 2011 Mar 22, 2011 [2] - Congo May 29, 2008 May 29, 2008 [2] - Costa Rica Jul 24, 1981 Jul 24, 1981 [2] - Croatia Jan 10, 2007 Jan 10, 2007 [2] - Cyprus Feb 26, 2007 Feb 26, 2007 [2] - Czech Republic Jan 24, 2005 Jan 24, 2005 [2] - Côte d'Ivoire Jul 8, 2004 Jul 8, 2004 [2] - Denmark May 23, 1950 May 23, 1950 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Dominica Jun 18, 1992 Jun 18, 1992 [2] - Dominican Republic Jul 30, 2009 Jul 30, 2009 [2] - Ecuador May 10, 2007 May 10, 2007 [3] - Eritrea Oct 10, 2007 Oct 10, 2007 [2] - Estonia Jan 7, 2009 Jan 7, 2009 [2] - Finland Feb 23, 1983 Feb 23, 1983 [2] - France Dec 3, 1948 Dec 3, 1948 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Gabon May 8, 2002 May 8, 2002 [2] - Gambia May 17, 2005 May 17, 2005 [2] - Germany Jul 2, 1982 Jul 2, 1982 [2] - Ghana Jul 17, 2009 Jul 17, 2009 [2] - Grenada Apr 7, 1993 Apr 7, 1993 [2] - Guinea Jun 21, 2000 Jun 21, 2000 [2] - Guinea-Bissau May 29, 2007 May 29, 2007 [2] - Hungary Jun 1, 2004 Jun 1, 2004 [2] - Iceland Oct 10, 2002 Oct 10, 2002 [2] - India Mar 9, 1981 Mar 9, 1981 [2] - Ireland Jan 2, 1985 Jan 2, 1985 [2] - Israel Jun 7, 2006 Jun 7, 2006 [2] - Italy Feb 12, 1998 Feb 12, 1998 [2] - Kenya Dec 2, 1981 Dec 2, 1981 [2] - Kiribati Dec 28, 2004 Dec 28, 2004 [2] - Korea, Republic of Dec 29, 1978 Dec 29, 1978 [2] - Lao, People's Dem. Rep. May 22, 2007 May 22, 2007 [2] - Liberia Aug 10, 2018 Aug 10, 2018 [2] - Lithuania Nov 25, 2008 Nov 25, 2008 [2] - Luxembourg Jun 10, 2005 Jun 10, 2005 [2] - Mali Aug 17, 2004 Aug 17, 2004 [2] - Marshall Islands Jun 1, 2006 Jun 1, 2006 [2] - Mauritania Dec 23, 2003 Dec 23, 2003 [2] - Mexico Jun 30, 1949 Jun 30, 1949 [2] - Monaco Mar 15, 1982 Mar 15, 1982 [2] - Mongolia May 16, 2002 May 16, 2002 [2] - Morocco Feb 12, 2001 Feb 12, 2001 [1] - Nauru Jun 15, 2005 Jun 15, 2005 [2] - Netherlands Jun 14, 1977 Jun 14, 1977 [2] - New Zealand Jun 15, 1976 Jun 15, 1976 [2] - Nicaragua Jun 5, 2003 Jun 5, 2003 [2] - Norway Sep 23, 1960 Sep 23, 1960 [2] - Oman Jul 15, 1980 Jul 15, 1980 [2] - Palau May 8, 2002 May 8, 2002 [2] - Panama Jun 12, 2001 Jun 12, 2001 [2] - Peru Jun 18, 1979 Jun 18, 1979 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Poland Apr 17, 2009 Apr 17, 2009 [2] - Portugal May 14, 2002 May 14, 2002 [2] - Romania Apr 9, 2008 Apr 9, 2008 [2] - Russian Federation Nov 10, 1948 Sep 11, 1948 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Saint Kitts and Nevis Jun 24, 1992 Jun 24, 1992 [2] - Saint Lucia Jun 29, 1981 Jun 29, 1981 [2] - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Jul 22, 1981 Jul 22, 1981 [2] - San Marino Apr 16, 2002 Apr 16, 2002 [2] - Sao Tome and Principe May 18, 2018 May 18, 2018 [2] - Senegal Jul 15, 1982 Jul 15, 1982 [2] - Slovakia Mar 22, 2005 Mar 22, 2005 [2] - Slovenia Sep 20, 2006 Sep 20, 2006 [2] - Solomon Islands May 10, 1993 May 10, 1993 [2] - South Africa Nov 10, 1948 May 5, 1948 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Spain Jul 6, 1979 Jul 6, 1979 [2] - Suriname Jul 14, 2004 Jul 14, 2004 [2] - Sweden Jun 15, 1979 Jun 15, 1979 [2] - Switzerland May 29, 1980 May 29, 1980 [2] - Tanzania, Un. Rep. of Jun 23, 2008 Jun 23, 2008 [2] - Togo Jun 15, 2005 Jun 15, 2005 [2] - Tuvalu Jun 30, 2004 Jun 30, 2004 [2] - United Kingdom Nov 10, 1948 Jun 17, 1947 [1] Dec 2, 1946 United States of America Nov 10, 1948 Jul 18, 1947 [1] Dec 2, 1946 Uruguay Sep 27, 2007 Sep 27, 2007 [2] - * [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature reset zoom out zoom in References - Treaties Amended by Protocol to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling Treaty | Multilateral | Washington D.C. | Nov 19, 1956 Keyword: Hunting/capture, Hunting gear/hunting methods, Institution, Marine mammals, Protected animal species, Data collection/reporting, Seasons, Size, Marine fisheries, Hunting authorization/permit, Management/conservation Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-000471) Other references Treaty decisions 123 decisions related to this treaty. View decisions Literature 43 records related to this treaty. View literature