IWC Marks 40 Years Since Whaling Ban, Pivots to Modern Marine Threats

The international community is approaching the 40th anniversary of the global moratorium on commercial whaling, an agreement that took effect in 1986 following a 1982 vote by member nations of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Established in 1946 under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, the IWC currently comprises 88 contracting governments. This milestone coincides with the organization’s preparation for its 80th anniversary in 2026, creating a dual occasion for assessing conservation progress and addressing emerging challenges.

The 1986 moratorium is widely credited with halting the severe decline of numerous whale populations decimated by intensive hunting, which resulted in the killing of nearly three million whales during the 20th century alone. Despite broad adherence to the agreement, a small number of nations continue whaling activities, often utilizing specific interpretations within the IWC framework. Iceland, Norway, and Japan remain the principal countries conducting commercial whaling since the late 1980s, with estimates indicating these three nations have collectively killed approximately 45,000 whales since the ban was implemented.

Recent actions by these nations highlight ongoing divergence from the moratorium. Norway recently announced an increase in its minke whale quota for 2026 to 1,641, citing the transfer of unused quotas. Japan resumed commercial whaling within its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone after withdrawing from the IWC in July 2019, moving away from its prior Antarctic research activities. Iceland maintains its whaling operations through a reservation lodged against the moratorium upon its rejoining the IWC in 2002.

As the direct threat of hunting recedes, scientific analysis now identifies entanglement in fishing gear and resulting bycatch as the most immediate and severe threats facing cetaceans globally. These human-caused interactions within fisheries are estimated to cause the mortality of over 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises annually, averaging roughly 800 deaths per day. Research suggests that up to 80% of right and humpback whales have experienced entanglement at least once, with associated stress and injury significantly reducing reproductive success and survival rates.

In response to this evolving threat landscape, the IWC is strategically broadening its mandate beyond its historical role in regulating whaling. The Commission is actively incorporating conservation measures to address modern perils such as ship strikes, marine pollution, and the pervasive issue of bycatch. This expanded agenda will be a central topic at the upcoming IWC70 meeting, scheduled to convene in Hobart, Australia, from September 28 to October 3, 2026. The deliberations at this meeting will be crucial in determining the international framework for safeguarding marine mammals, a commitment reinforced by the organization's 2018 Florianópolis Declaration.