HUMPBACKS ON KILL LIST

The International Whaling Commission remains deeply divided as 88 nations debated a request by Greenland to add nine humpbacks to its quota for subsistence whaling.

Commissioner is Ole Samsing said "the humpback has been hunted for a very, very long time, and therefore it is not only a part of the food supply, but also contains a cultural element in the Greenlandic culture."

The Latin American nations, Australia and Monaco objected pointing out that Greenland's indigenous quota was already enough and adding a species like the humpback is unnecessary.

Monaco's commissioner is Frederic Briand responded, "this population is not exactly starving. I mean they enjoy one of the highest average household incomes in the world."

Jeanine Compton Rambally, the commissioner for the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia, said he humbacks "can't grow food; they can't rear cattle."

New Zealand and the United States backed Greenland's request. New Zealand's commissioner Geoffrey Palmer said the addition of humpback must be granted and the divisions of the IWC should not be upheld.

"I don't not believe that purity and absolutism can be the guide for an international organisation that works."