Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COTONOU332
2008-06-10 17:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
BENIN SUPPORTS HOGARTH'S IWC PRIORITIES
how-toVZCZCXRO5666 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #0332 1621723 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 101723Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0363 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
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
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
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