The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is calling on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to support the establishment of the South Atlantic whale sanctuary.

Kelvin Alie, IFAW's senior programme officer in the Wildlife Trade programme of the Wildlife and Habitat Protection Department, told the Express that the organisation was also trying to gain the support of other Caribbean countries.

"Even though Trinidad and Tobago is not a member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) we do feel that the country, with its tremendous influence, can play a role in terms of policies towards the protection of whales," said Alie, who is a native of Dominica.

"The problem is that small Caribbean islands have been voting against the sanctuary, we are hoping that the island will support it. We need 75 per cent of the majority."

His comments come in the light of the 40- foot whale that was washed ashore at Mayaro last week and picked apart by corbeaux and villagers.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) meets on June 23 in Santiago, Chile. Commission members will consider a proposal to create a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary that will extend across the South Atlantic, from the coast of South America to the coast of Africa, and on down towards Antarctica.

The proposed sanctuary is an important whale conservation area that provides the bordering nations with opportunities to develop whale-watching operations. In addition, the sanctuary would provide a safe area to conduct humane scientific research.

In his role as senior programme officer, Alie's responsibilities are focused on developing strategies and projects towards the protection of wildlife against commercial and illegal trade and promoting the principles of traditional wildlife conservation and animal welfare.

He has additional responsibilities for the development and implementation of IFAW's activities and projects in the English-speaking Caribbean to support wildlife conservation and animal welfare.

Alie is a conservation biologist by training and holds a Diploma in Forestry, a Masters of Science Degree in Conservation Biology and a Masters of Arts in Economics. Prior to joining IFAW, Kelvin was employed with the Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division in Dominica.