For much of the last century many countries have competed for whale resources in the Antarctic and as a result of this the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling was established in 1946 and its aim was to ensure the conservation of whale species and the orderly development of the whaling industry. With the International Whaling Commission (IWC) being formed in 1948 so as to implement the convention. Through various developments in the commercial whaling industry, in particular the development of purpose built factory ships and whale catchers, the depletion of the worlds whales went rapidly into decline. The IWC identified that all species of whale need protection from further over fishing and possible extinction of some species. It also establishes that only species of whale that are best able to sustain exploitation should be hunted in whaling operations. The IWC also designates areas as whale sanctuaries and sets limits on the number and size of whales that are allowed to be caught. It also prohibits the capture of lactating females and their calves.

The IWC encourages and funds whale research and publishes the results of scientific research and promotes studies into related matters such as the humanness of killing operations. The Commission has three main committees, scientific, technical and financial. In 1997 the number of nations that were members of the IWC stood at 39 with an increase today to 51 countries being members of the IWC. The IWC meets each year and the regulation adopted by the Commission are implemented through the national legislation of the member states who appoint inspectors to oversee their whaling operations. Several species of whales are now showing signs of increases in their population since their protection has been implemented but some whales are still allowed to be caught for scientific and research purposes, under special permits that are granted by the convention, these are primarily mikie whales. Click here to go to the International Whaling Commission