BENIN SUPPORTS HOGARTH'S IWC PRIORITIES

UNCLAS COTONOU 000332 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W DANA BANKS AND OES/OA JOHN FIELD USDOC FOR CHERI MCCARTY/NMFS E.O.12958:N/A TAGS: SENVEFISPRELIWC SUBJECT: BENIN SUPPORTS HOGARTH'S IWC PRIORITIES REF: STATE 57319 ¶1. EconOff delivered Reftel demarche to Joseph Ouake, Benin's International Whaling Commission (IWC) commissioner and Catherine Hounkpe, Benin's Director of Fisheries and Benin's alternate IWC commissioner, on June 9, 2008. Ouake and Hounkpe support Dr. Hogarth's plan of action, the establishment of a small working group, and the activities of the small working group detailed in Reftel. Econoff reminded Ouake and Hounkpe that Benin's fledgling whale watching ecotourism operators depend on whale sightings. Ouake and Hounkpe will both attend the IWC meeting in Santiago. ¶2. Ouake and Hounkpe repeatedly stated the GOB's position in favor of making decisions based on scientific evidence at the IWC. Both support the sustainable management of whale populations which do not jeopardize the fish populations on which Benin's fishers depend. They stated their concern that the growth in whale populations led to a decrease in yields for Benin's farmers. Ouake told EconOff the GOB and other African governments asked for a study on the effects of whale stocks on fisheries. Ouake stated that African governments will establish a common position before the meeting in Santiago. ¶3. Ouake and Hounkpe support Dr. Hogarth and his efforts to build consensus. They felt that the Latin American and African groups need seats in the proposed small working group. Ouake supports some NGO participation but feels that it deters several governments from seeking consensus. He also supports closed door meetings to avoid NGO interference. Hounkpe echoed this with her support for secret votes as a way to achieve consensus. BOUSTANI