St. Lucians Back Whale Sanctuary

BASSETERRE, ST KITTS, 11 May, 2001 - As Greenpeace's ship, the Arctic
Sunrise, tours the Caribbean, the results of a MORI poll show that
people in the Eastern Caribbean support the creation of a South
Pacific Whale Sanctuary (SPWS) by a margin of four to one.

People living in the six Caribbean countries that are members of the
International Whaling Commission (IWC) were asked whether or not
those countries should support the establishment of a SPWS. Over half
(54%) of the public across the six countries support the Sanctuary,
and only 13% oppose it.

There was massive support of levels of eight to one in Antigua (47%
for, 7% against) and St Kitts Nevis (60% to 7%); seven to one in
Dominica (66% to 9%), four to one in Grenada (53% to 14%), and three
to one in St Lucia (47% to 15%), that their countries should support
the SPWS. Even in St Vincent, a country with whaling traditions,
those supporting the vote on the establishment of the SPWS,
outnumbered those opposing it in a ratio of 2 to 1 (51% compared to
26%).

At last year's IWC meeting in Adelaide, all of the countries surveyed
voted against the creation of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. This
position goes against the wishes of the South Pacific Island States
and, in light of the new survey results, it seems, against the wishes
of their own citizens.

"This poll shows the clear support of people in the East Caribbean
for the creation of a Whale Sanctuary in the South Pacific," said
Gean Dopwell, Greenpeace spokesperson native to St. Vincent and the
Grenadines,
"yet their Governments, under pressure from Japan, have voted against
the sanctuary."

This year's IWC meeting, to be held in London in July, will again
vote on a proposal for a SPWS. At a recent meeting, ministers from
the South Pacific Island States reiterated their calls for the SPWS.
Both the South Pacific and the East Caribbean States have been under
intense pressure from Japan to prevent the sanctuary from being
established. Japan expects countries to support its pro-whaling
agenda in exchange for development aid.

"The South Pacific Islands want a sanctuary, and Island States should
work together," said Lata Yaqona, Greenpeace spokesperson from the
Pacific.
"Greenpeace's ship is here to ask the Caribbean public and
governments not to give in to Japanese pressure, but to support
fellow Island States in their wish to establish the South Pacific
Whale Sanctuary."

Greenpeace's Ship, the Arctic Sunrise, arrived, at St Kitts on April
26, to begin a three-week tour of the Eastern Caribbean. The ship
will travel through St Kitts Nevis, Dominica and Barbados. Greenpeace
campaigners from around the world, including the South Pacific and
Japan, will discuss the importance of a whale sanctuary in the South
Pacific and the role the East Caribbean plays in achieving that goal.