2000 ANNUAL MEETING
Adelaide, Australia
The 52nd Annual Meeting of the International Whaling
Commission (IWC) was held from 3-6 July 2000 in Adelaide,
Australia. The proceedings were conducted by the Chairman,
Mr. Michael Canny (Ireland) and the Vice-Chairman, Prof.
Bo Fernholm (Sweden).
Catch limits
for commercial whaling
In 1982, the Commission took a decision, which came
into force from the 1986 and 1985/86 seasons, that catch
limits for all commercial whaling would be set to zero.
Norway has lodged objections to the ban and has exercised
its right to set national catch limits for its coastal
whaling operations for minke whales.
As in previous years, the Commission did not adopt
a proposal by Japan for an interim relief allocation
of 50 minke whales to be taken by coastal community-based
whaling. However, the Commission did pass by majority
a Resolution reaffirming the Commission’s commitment
to work expeditiously to alleviate the distress
caused by the cessation of minke whaling to the communities
of Abashiri, Ayukawa, Wadaura and Taiji.
Revised Management
Scheme
Although the Commission has accepted and endorsed
the Revised Management Procedure (RMP) for commercial
whaling, it has noted that work on a number of issues,
including specification of an inspection and observer
system must be completed before the Commission will
consider establishing catch limits other than zero.
This work is ongoing. The Commission passed a
Resolution by consensus with some reservations, to further
this work which will include the holding of an intersessional
Working Group meeting in February 2001.
In 1997, Ireland introduced a proposal for discussion
intended to lead to a break in the deadlock between
the governments opposed to a resumption of commercial
whaling and those in favour. Its elements include:
completion and adoption of the Revised Management Scheme;
designation of a global sanctuary for whales; permission
for closely regulated and monitored coastal whaling
within 200 mile zones by communities with a long tradition
for such activity; prohibition of international trade
in whale products; and the cessation of scientific research
catches. Reaching consensus on such a package
of measures is proving extremely difficult, but many
Commissioners expressed their interest in continuing
discussions and the Commission agreed to keep this Item
on its Agenda.
Catch limits
for aboriginal subsistence whaling
The Commission has agreed to the following catch
limits for several stocks subject to aboriginal subsistence
whaling.
Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales
(taken by Alaskan Eskimos and native peoples of Chukotka)
– The total number of landed whales for the years 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 shall not exceed 280 whales,
with no more than 67 whales struck in any year (up to
15 unused strikes may be carried over each year).
Eastern North Pacific gray whales (taken by those
whose "traditional, aboriginal and subsistence needs
have been recognised") – A total catch of
620 whales is allowed for the years 1998, 1999, 2000,
2001 and 2002 with a maximum of 140 in any one year.
West Greenland fin whales (taken by Greenlanders)
– An annual catch of 19 whales is allowed for
the years 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
West Greenland minke whales (taken by Greenlanders)
– The annual number of whales struck for the years 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, shall not exceed 175 (up
to 15 unused strikes may be carried over each year).
East Greenland minke whales (taken by Greenlanders)
– An annual catch of 12 whales is allowed for the years
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 (up to 3 unused strikes
may be carried over each year).
Humpback whales (taken by St Vincent and The Grenadines)
– for the seasons 2000 to 2002, the annual catch
shall not exceed two whales.
The taking of calves or females accompanied by calves
is forbidden. The Scientific Committee continued
to make progress towards developing new management regimes
for aboriginal subsistence whaling; this work has been
given high priority by the Commission.
Status of whales
Despite a long period of protection, several populations
of great whales remain highly endangered and number
500 or less. These include all bowhead whale stocks
apart from the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock that
numbers over 7,000; gray whales in the western Pacific
(those in the eastern Pacific, by contrast, number over
20,000); all stocks of northern right whales; and various
stocks of blue whales. Some of these small Arctic bowhead
populations are subjected to direct catches outside
IWC regulations (a bowhead was taken in 1998 by Canadian
Eskimos), or are killed by ship strikes or are caught
in fishing gear. The Scientific Committee will consider
their status as a priority subject next year. The Commission
passed by majority a Resolution calling on the Government
of Canada not to authorise takes from such stocks. The
Commission also passed a Resolution by consensus on
the western North Atlantic right whale, which numbers
only around 300 animals, on measures needed to reduce
human-induced mortality.
Scientific permit
catches
Two proposed permits by Japan were considered. One
is an extension of its continuing programme in the Southern
Hemisphere (now 400±10% minke whales from the Antarctic).
The second is for a two-year feasibility study primarily
aimed at feeding ecology in the context of contributing
to the ‘conservation and sustainable use of marine living
resources in the western North Pacific, especially within
Japan’s EEZ.’ The programme proposes the taking
of 100 minke whales, 50 Bryde’s whales and 10 sperm
whales in the western North Pacific. The issuance of
such permits is a sovereign right under the Convention.
The Commission adopted Resolutions by majority calling
on the Government of Japan to refrain from issuing these
permits and reiterated that in reviewing scientific
permits, the Scientific Committee should examine whether
the research is required for management or could be
carried out using non-lethal means.
Whale killing
methods and associated welfare issues
Last year, the Commission had passed a Resolution
that encouraged nations to supply relevant data on killing
times and related issues in future years and also to
provide technical assistance to reduce time to unconsciousness
and death in aboriginal subsistence fisheries. This
year the Commission reviewed progress in the context
of the revised ‘Action Plan’ developed by the Commission
last year.
Environmental
research
In recent years, the Commission has strengthened
its commitment to research on environmental changes
and the effects on cetaceans. In particular, last
year, it provided ‘seed funding’ of £126,000 for two
major collaborative research initiatives made by its
Scientific Committee with respect to
-
chemical pollutants (POLLUTION 2000+);
-
baleen whale habitat and prey studies in co-operation
with CCAMLR and Southern Ocean GLOBEC (SOWER 2000).
However, these programmes require considerably more
funding if they are to succeed. Although the Commission
has provided more money for the coming year, Governments
and others are requested to provide additional funding.
The Commission also continued its review of aspects
of human health issues related to cetacean products.
It passed a Resolution by consensus with some reservations
calling upon governments to take measures to reduce
emission of chemical pollutants.
Small cetaceans
Notwithstanding the different views of member countries
over the legal competence of the IWC to manage small
cetaceans, the Contracting Governments continue to co-operate
in consideration of small cetaceans, particularly with
respect to the work of the Scientific Committee.
The Committee’s main topic this year was to consider
the status of freshwater dolphins. A Resolution on this
matter was agreed by consensus with some reservations.
Co-operation
with other organisations
The Commission noted the importance of co-operation
with other organisations, particularly in the context
of scientific research. Further research co-operation
with a number of organisations (including The Agreement
on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic
and North Seas (ASCOBANS); The Convention on Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (CMS); International Council
for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES); Conservation
of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR); and Southern
Ocean GLOBEC (SO-GLOBEC)) has been strengthened this
year. In particular, the Commission has agreed a Memorandum
of Understanding with CMS.
Establishment
of a new scientific journal
Last year, the Commission was pleased to announce
a major new scientific journal, The Journal of Cetacean
Research and Management. In addition to the three issues
of the Journal, the supplement containing the Scientific
Committee report and the first special issue Chemical
Pollutants and Cetaceans were also published.
The Secretary
The Commission honoured Ray Gambell, who was retiring
as Secretary after 24 years and longer service still
as a member of its Scientific Committee and a friend
to all he encountered. He and his staff had served the
Committee with efficiency, diligence and good humour
throughout that time. He had established and run a Secretariat
that was widely acknowledged as one of the best of its
kind. The Commission wished him well for the future
and presented him with a print of an 18th century sperm
whale fishery.
The Commission also offered its congratulations and
best wishes to its new Secretary, Dr Nicola Grandy.
Chairman and
Vice-Chairman
The Commission thanked the out-going Chairman, Mr
Michael Canny from Ireland for his wise leadership at
a difficult time for the Commission. Prof. Bo Fernholm
(Sweden) was elected Chairman and Com. Henrik Fischer
(Denmark) was elected Vice-Chairman.
Date and place of the next Annual Meeting
The next Annual Meeting will be held in London in
July 2001. The 2002 meeting will be held in Shiminoseki,
Japan.
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