The international deadlock on whaling is set to continue with pro-whaling nations vowing to make an unprecedented bloc vote at upcoming talks.

The 32 countries ramped up their pro-whaling stance at a meeting in Tokyo recently, with papers just released showing they will vote unanimously at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) talks in Portugal in June. The decision, an apparent backlash at an anti-whaling bloc vote by the European Union, ensures the IWC impasse will continue, with no majority decisions possible. This is a serious step backwards.

In March, the 23 EU countries decided to vote as a block to support anti-whaling causes, including the current moratorium, more sanctuaries and the end to scientific whaling. This frustrated Japan and its whaling allies who, on April 23, decided to formally rule the other way on all points. Now it could mean that neither side will have the numbers to reach decisions at the commission's coming annual meeting. It also threatens an alternative process of closed-door discussions under way to try to resolve the gridlock through consensus, rather than by vote.

Once again it's the whales that are the real losers because it basically puts back the chances of any kind of resolution being reached at this up and coming IWC meeting.