Jun 17, 2003 /FW/ -- This week, delegates from over 40 nations -- including the U.S. -- will gather in Berlin for the International Whaling Commission's annual meeting. Global concern for whales is on the rise, as over 20,000 of them have been slaughtered for commercial purposes in the last 20 years.

Whale watching is the world's fastest growing eco-tourism business, bringing in over 1.25 billion dollars each year.

Those opposed to the killing of whales cite not only the economic benefits of having more whales in the oceans, but humanitarian reasons as well, claiming that whale hunting has become completely unnecessary.

For example, we no longer use whale oil for light, and whale meat is significantly less in demand in countries that used to consume large amounts of it, like Japan.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is partnering with local whale-watching companies to promote the protection of these giant, but gentle, creatures of the sea. Animal rights groups hope that one outcome of this week's conference will be an end to commercial whaling.

For more information on helping save the whales, go to www.ifaw.org.