9.7
Summary and Conclusion
Whether or not any of the scenarios above will become reality remains of course in
the realm of speculation. I chose to include this chapter, however, to point to the fact
that currently the world appears to be at a crossroads regarding international marine
mammal law. On the one hand, whales, seals and polar bears will remain iconic
species that will always retain a special place in international law-making. On the
other, the approach to environmental conservation is currently changing and more
and more ecosystem-based management is appearing. This means that marine
mammal species are no longer singled out, but considered within a wider environmental perception. This perception does include humans as well. The consideration
of humans as part of the ecosystem is, of course, not new and has been part and
parcel of indigenous worldviews and mythologies. However, in the western world,
this link has been coined a ‘socio-ecological system’ in which both nature and
culture depend on one another.
4
With the presentation of these scenarios I end this book. Ideally, I would hope to
see international marine mammal law develop in a way that does indeed see all
different interests combined. This would essentially also mean that some degree of
whaling, sealing and polar bear hunting and trade is possible. None of this, however,
should occur at the expense of the species in question. That is to say, the
sustainability of marine mammal populations should be the highest good, rooted in
the principle of precaution. Blanket bans on either hunting or trade, however, can be
counterproductive as they do not motivate dissenting views to be accommodated.
With the multitude of threats towards marine mammals, I am quite certain that
they will not disappear from international attention. Furthermore, marine mammals
will certainly not disappear as iconic species. With this book I hope I have managed
to shed some light on the misconceptions on marine mammal and international
marine mammal law. Yet, no book is ever complete and it is possible that within a
short period of time it becomes clear that neither of my scenarios is a realistic one.
Time will tell.
Questions and Research Tasks
• In your opinion, what might the future of international marine mammal law
look like? Are there other scenarios that you could envision?
• Which of the five scenarios presented here is the most reasonable and which
one is not?
• Are there any other ways to overcome differences in perception on marine
mammals?
4 Berkes et al. (2003).
9.7 Summary and Conclusion
197
Summary and Conclusion
Whether or not any of the scenarios above will become reality remains of course in
the realm of speculation. I chose to include this chapter, however, to point to the fact
that currently the world appears to be at a crossroads regarding international marine
mammal law. On the one hand, whales, seals and polar bears will remain iconic
species that will always retain a special place in international law-making. On the
other, the approach to environmental conservation is currently changing and more
and more ecosystem-based management is appearing. This means that marine
mammal species are no longer singled out, but considered within a wider environmental perception. This perception does include humans as well. The consideration
of humans as part of the ecosystem is, of course, not new and has been part and
parcel of indigenous worldviews and mythologies. However, in the western world,
this link has been coined a ‘socio-ecological system’ in which both nature and
culture depend on one another.
4
With the presentation of these scenarios I end this book. Ideally, I would hope to
see international marine mammal law develop in a way that does indeed see all
different interests combined. This would essentially also mean that some degree of
whaling, sealing and polar bear hunting and trade is possible. None of this, however,
should occur at the expense of the species in question. That is to say, the
sustainability of marine mammal populations should be the highest good, rooted in
the principle of precaution. Blanket bans on either hunting or trade, however, can be
counterproductive as they do not motivate dissenting views to be accommodated.
With the multitude of threats towards marine mammals, I am quite certain that
they will not disappear from international attention. Furthermore, marine mammals
will certainly not disappear as iconic species. With this book I hope I have managed
to shed some light on the misconceptions on marine mammal and international
marine mammal law. Yet, no book is ever complete and it is possible that within a
short period of time it becomes clear that neither of my scenarios is a realistic one.
Time will tell.
Questions and Research Tasks
• In your opinion, what might the future of international marine mammal law
look like? Are there other scenarios that you could envision?
• Which of the five scenarios presented here is the most reasonable and which
one is not?
• Are there any other ways to overcome differences in perception on marine
mammals?
4 Berkes et al. (2003).
9.7 Summary and Conclusion
197