The International Whaling Commission, formed to regulate whaling and conserve whale populations, introduced a commercial ban in 1986. Since then, member nations have been locked in unproductive debates about the possible resumption of whaling.

Over 20 years on, WSPA wants to reframe the debate. Rather than 'how many whales can be killed sustainably?', the key question must be: 'as whales cannot be killed humanely at sea, should they be hunted at all?'

This year's meeting offers an opportunity to tell whaling and non-whaling member nations that the time has come for the IWC to devote its resources to protecting these animals and encouraging a sustainable industry of whale watching, helping us understand more about how these creatures live.

WSPA's new report - Whaling: defying international commitments to animal welfare?

Commercial whaling is neither humane nor sustainable and has no place in the 21st century. If whaling resumes, many species will decline and others may face possible extinction. People interested in protecting the whales can help spread the word that the whales haven't been saved--yet.

View the video, "The Hidden Lives of Whales," by clicking and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

For more information on The Humane Society of the United States' Save the Whales - Not Whaling Campaign, click here.

If you would like to take action, you can write to the governments of whaling nations. WSPA has sample letters, posters and more.

Photo credit WSPA