"TAILS FOR WHALES" MAKES A BIG SPLASH AT WESTMINSTER

10.10.00am GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Andrew strikes the "Whale Tail" pose

Local MP Andrew Stunell showed his support for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)'s "Tails for Whales" campaign at an event last week in Westminster.

Andrew struck the "whale tail" pose, alongside over 70 other Members of Parliament, model and presenter Twiggy, and comedienne Jo Brand to show their support for increased protection of whales.

The aim of the campaign is to collect as many "whale tail" images as possible in the run-up to the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in June 2009. The IFAW hopes to urge all member countries to use their votes to support whale conservation, and ensure that there are no attempts to weaken or overturn the worldwide ban on commercial whaling. Anyone can take part by simply uploading images of anyone striking the "whale tail" pose to the tails for whales website.

Commenting, Andrew said:

""I am delighted to be taking part in the 'Tails for Whales' campaign.

"Whales face more threats today than ever before. Since 1986, more than 30,000 whales have been killed for commercial reasons - despite a worldwide ban on commercial whaling.

"This project sends out a positive message that we should all be working to protect them. I would strongly encourage as many people as possible to take part and submit their 'whale tail' photos to the website."

Ends

Whale tail images can be uploaded to the website www.tailsforwhales.org (JPEG format, minimum 1024x768pix).