(from "Chair's Report of the Fifty-Third Annual Meeting")

At the present meeting, considerable time was spent considering Antarctic minke whales with a view to obtaining final estimates of abundance and considering any trend in these. This included a thorough review of data sources (including the ways practical methodology had changed over time) and analytical methodology. After considering the many the factors that may potentially affect abundance estimates and trends in these, the Committee agreed that there is still evidence of some decline in the abundance estimates, although it is not clear how this reflects any actual change in minke abundance itself. Three hypotheses that might explain these results were identified:

(1)

a real change in minke abundance;

(2)

changes in the proportion of the population that is present in the survey region at the time of the survey;

(3)

changes in the survey process over the course of the surveys that compromise the comparability of estimates across years.

Given the important implications of this issue, the Committee has established a detailed work plan and is giving high priority to work on this issue both intersessionally and during the 2002 meeting (including a 2-day pre-meeting workshop). It noted that the full third circumpolar set of cruises will not be completed until the 2002/03 season and thus it does not expect to be able to complete a full review of the status of Antarctic minke whales (including an agreed estimate for current abundance) until the 2004 Annual Meeting.

6.1.2 Commission discussions and action arising
New Zealand thanked the Scientific Committee for its report and work done. It commented that it has a particular interest in Southern Hemisphere minke whales and that it had noted with interest last year's conclusion by the Scientific Committee that the 1992 population estimate of 760,000 is no longer valid. In its view, this conclusion should be stressed since it is being used by some to justify that scientific permit whaling causes no problems to the stocks. It was New Zealand's opinion that the IDCR/SOWER data (which in its view provide the best available data) indicate a very significant decline in abundance over the last decade, although it acknowledged that further data analyses will be needed before agreement on a new population estimate can be reached. It agreed that the Scientific Committee should work expeditiously on this issue. New Zealand was alarmed by the information on abundance presented in the Scientific Committee's report. In its view the fact that, unlike the IDCR/SOWER data, the JARPA¹⁴ data show no declining trend in Areas IV and V, casts doubt on the usefulness of data obtained from scientific whaling. Until a new agreed abundance estimate is obtained, New Zealand considered that a precautionary approach should be adopted i.e. that lethal takes should be suspended and that non-lethal research be performed to investigate whether environmental problems are causing a population decline. The USA and Italy associated themselves with these views.

Norway agreed that there is no current valid estimate, but indicated that this year's report from the Scientific Committee was far less alarming since part of the apparent decline has been shown to be due to different survey techniques and areas covered. Norway considered that it would not be possible for the Scientific Committee to have an agreed estimate at IWC/54 and drew attention to the Scientific Committee's view that the review would be finalised at its 2004 meeting.

Japan considered that the abundance estimate from the incomplete third IDCR/SOWER circumpolar c ruise could not be compared with those from the first two cruises. However, it did add that there was little difference between the estimates from the second and third cruises if confidence limits are taken into account. Furthermore, it noted that the Scientific Committee's evaluation of the JARPA results from Areas IV and V is not yet complete and that further analyses have been identified. Until this is completed, comparison of JARPA and IDCR/SOWER estimates is premature. However, Japan added that at this stage the JARPA results suggest that that minke whale abundance in these Areas, where research takes are made, is increasing. Irrespective of whether Antarctic minke whale stocks are stable, increasing or decreasing it is proud of the contribution it makes to the assessments through the provision of research vessels and crews. It believed that it was premature for Commissioners to comment on the status of minke whales until the Committee's review was complete and an agreed estimate available.

The Commission noted the Scientific Committee reported and accepted its recommendations.

¹¹ IDCR = International Decades of Cetacean Research; SOWER = Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research
¹² Rep. Int. Whal Commn 41: 117 and Rep. Int. Whal. Commn 43: 114
¹³ J. Cet. Res. Manage. 3 (Suppl.): 29-32
¹⁴ JARPA = the Japanese Research Programme in the Antarctic, the lethal part of which is carried out under scientific permit.

6.2 Southern Hemisphere blue whales
6.2.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee is in the process of reviewing the status of Southern Hemisphere blue whales. An important part of this work is to try to develop methods to identify pygmy blue whales from 'true' blue whales at sea and this is an important component of the SOWER programme. It made a number of research recommendations in this regard. The Committee received updated estimates of abundance for the IDCR/SOWER cruises but did not have time to consider these fully this year. It also received further information on revised Soviet catch data for this species. Catches (and sizes) were over-reported by the authorities for the 1954/55 - 1960/61 seasons for two fleets. The Committee agreed on a number of issues that need to be resolved before it is in a position to carry out an assessment and made a number of recommendations for scientific work.

6.2.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan noted that it valued highly the work of IDCR/SOWER on monitoring blue whale trends but that while there are signs of slight increases in abundance, the stock is still far from recovery. It considered that the slow recovery of blue whales indicates that minke whales, which compete with blue whales over prey, continue to prevail in the Antarctic and therefore need to be managed appropriately under the RMP/RMS.

New Zealand, supported by Australia, strongly rejected Japan's assertion that blue whale recovery is being hampered by minke whales and reported that there is no scientific evidence of competition between blue and minke whales for food in the Antarctic. New Zealand believes that the recovery of blue whales is slow because they were hunted to the verge of extinction.

Regarding work by Ukrainian scientists to correct falsified records from past Soviet whaling operations, the Russian Federation urged caution in referring to this work since the Russian Government has not been able to check these data as its requests for this material have been refused. On this same issue, Japan considered that the authenticity of such independent reports should first be confirmed before being used by IWC.

The UK emphasized the importance of accurate catch histories that allow the Scientific Committee to provide estimates of current and pre-exploitation population levels. It congratulated the ongoing efforts of the Scientific Committee on historical catches and considered that the efforts of various scientists to try to correct old data should be applauded.

At the end of its discussions, the Commission noted the Scientific Committee report and accepted its recommendations.

6.3 Southern Hemisphere humpback whales
6.3.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
Considerable progress has been made in recent years in working towards an assessment of humpback whales¹⁵. Attention has focussed both on data from historic whaling operations and on newly acquired photo-identification, biopsy and sightings data. This work continued at the present meeting and updated abundance estimates from the IDCR/SOWER and JARPA cruises were received. Further work is required to determine their applicability in the population dynamics modelling exercise. The Committee considered progress in the Antarctic photo-identification catalogue and will consider questions of access next year. It received reports of photo-identification studies in the Indo-South Atlantic region and strongly encourages continuation of these. The Committee made a number of research recommendations to further progress towards an assessment.

6.3.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan noted that as shown in the Scientific Committee report it estimates that the abundance of humpback whales in the JARPA areas have been increasing at an annual rate of 10-17%, indicating that there are about 12,000 whales present in Area IV and some 4,000 in Area V. Japan considers these findings to be one of the major contributions made by JARPA.

The Commission noted the Scientific Committee report and accepted its recommendations.

¹⁵ e.g see J. Cet. Res. Manage. 3 (Suppl.): 18-21.

6.4 Southern Hemisphere fin whales
6.4.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee received updated abundance estimates for fin whales from the IWC/SOWER and JARPA cruises but did not have time to consider them. In discussing further work on this species it noted that there was insufficient information at this time for this species to carry out an in-depth assessment and these stocks will not be considered at next year's meeting. However, it will work towards developing a form of assessment appropriate to the quality and quantity of data available at some time in the future.

6.4.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan expressed its regrets that the JARPA report had not been fully discussed because of time constraints caused, it its view, by the considerable time spent on issues such as small cetaceans, whalewatching and environmental matters. It requested that this situation be remedied. Japan reported that its surveys had revealed that some fin whale stocks have recovered considerably and that they are ready for a comprehensive assessment¹⁶. It noted that the comprehensive assessment of these stocks had not been included as a priority item in the work of the Scientific Committee's sub-committee on In-depth Assessments and requested that this be reconsidered. Japan also commented that consideration should be given to further sightings surveys since the present IDCR/SOWER surveys are primarily designed for minke whales and thus miss the major distribution area of fin whales.

The Commission noted the Scientific Committee report and accepted its conclusions.

¹⁶ Editor's note. The Comprehensive Assessment is an in-depth evaluation of the status of all whale stocks in the light of management objectives and procedures; this would include the examination of current stock size, recent population trends, carrying capacity and productivity. Clearly, it is not possible to 'comprehensively assess' all whale stocks simultaneously, and the Committee has been working in an objective manner towards this, initially concentrating on stocks that have recently or are presently being subject to either commercial or aboriginal subsistence whaling.

6.5 North Atlantic humpback whales
6.5.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
Priority was given to the comprehensive assessment of North Atlantic humpback whales at this year's Scientific Committee meeting. The Committee recognised the important contribution the international YoNAH (Years of the North Atlantic Humpback) project made to the assessment.

North Atlantic humpback whales are characterised by relatively discrete feeding substocks, with strong site fidelity by individuals. This latter factor also influences movement patterns within feeding grounds. There is clear evidence for at least two breeding stocks in the North Atlantic. Whales from the western North Atlantic breed primarily in the West Indies, as do some whales that feed in the central North Atlantic. However where other central North Atlantic animals and those from the Barents Sea breed is unknown. The only breeding ground, other than the West Indies, known from historical and contemporary data is the Cape Verde Islands, but to date there is no direct evidence to support the idea that this is a breeding ground used by central and eastern North Atlantic animals. There may be a separate breeding population in the Norwegian Sea (as suggested in the late 1920s) and the possibility that there are three separate breeding stocks in the North Atlantic cannot be ruled out.

The Scientific Committee reviewed a number of population estimates for the feeding and breeding grounds. A series of estimates for the West Indies breeding stock were obtained numbering from about 7,000 to 12,500 (CVs ranging from 0.07 to 0.39) and there is evidence that the population has been increasing at about 3%. It noted that information on abundance of humpback whales off Iceland should become available from a major sightings survey being carried out in the central and eastern North Atlantic. The Committee considered other information necessary for completing the assessment, particularly with respect to catch history. Finally, it agreed on a workplan that should enable it to complete the comprehensive assessment at next year's meeting.

6.5.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan and the USA were pleased that this work had begun and looked forward to its early completion.

Japan recalled that the Scientific Committee has yet to complete its assessment. However, Japan noted that from the abundance estimates for the West Indies stock and the estimated annual rate of increase, it estimated that the sustainable catch would be around 300 whales. It therefore considered that the aboriginal subsistence catch of St. Vincent and The Grenadines from this stock should be permitted.

Norway noted that important data for comprehensive assessments are abundance estimates from sightings surveys in the North Atlantic performed by Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Norway, i.e. the same sighting surveys for which the UK has denied access (see 9.1.2).

The Commission noted the Scientific Committee report and accepted its recommendations.

6.6 Other stocks - bowhead¹⁷, right and gray whales¹⁷
6.6.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
SMALL STOCKS OF BOWHEAD WHALES
The Scientific Committee received information on movements of bowhead whales from West Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic. It also received reports on genetic analyses that will provide better information on stock identity between the various small stocks of bowhead whales in the Arctic and it recommended that this be continued. The Scientific Committee's discussions of the Hudson Bay/Foxe Basin stock are given under Item 8.3.

The Scientific Committee also received a progress report on the long-term study begun in 1995 to better understand the status and ecology of Okhotsk Sea bowhead whales. The study is part of the USA-Russia Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection.

¹⁷ Note that the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales and the eastern North Pacific stock of gray whales are discussed under Item 8.2.

NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES
The Committee has paid particular attention to the status of the North Atlantic right whale in recent years¹⁸. The Committee is extremely concerned about this population, which, whilst probably the only potentially viable population of this species, is in serious danger. By any management criteria applied by the IWC in terms of either commercial whaling or aboriginal subsistence whaling, there should be no direct anthropogenic removals from this stock.

The Scientific Committee has stated that it is a matter of absolute urgency that every effort be made to reduce anthropogenic mortality in this population to zero. This is perhaps the only way in which its chances of survival can be directly improved. There is no need to wait for further research before implementing any currently available management actions that can reduce anthropogenic mortalities.

The Committee has made a number of research and management recommendations concerning this stock in the past and reviewed progress on these at this year's meeting.

Recent North Atlantic right whale mortalities were: 1999, 2 (one ship-strike, one entanglement); 2000, 1 (unknown cause, carcass not recovered); and 2001 to July, 4 (two ship-struck calves and two neonatal mortalities). The total number of known right whale deaths from 1970-2001 is 50 (18 due to ship-strikes, 3 due to entanglement, 15 neonatal mortalities and 14 of unknown causes). Human-related mortalities are probably under-represented in these data, since not all carcasses were recovered and necropsies in earlier years may not have been sufficiently thorough to rule out ship-strikes as a cause of death.

After several years of very low calf production (including only one calf in 1999/2000, three in 1998/99 and five in 1997/98), there were 30 calves observed in the winter of 2000/2001 - the largest number ever observed. To date (9 July 2001), four are known to have died, including two killed by ship-strike. The cause of the extreme variability in calf production in recent years is unclear, but there is some evidence from body condition data suggesting that food limitation is involved.

¹⁸ e.g. see the recently published special issue 2 of the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management - Right whales: worldwide status

NORTH PACIFIC RIGHT WHALES
The Scientific Committee received reports of recent surveys for right whales in the southeastern Bering Sea. Between 1997 and 2000, research vessel and aerial platforms were used to collect both genetic and photographic data from a small population of summering right whales. Eleven unique individuals have been photo-identified.

Analyses of right whale sightings and catches from the 19^th and 20^th centuries confirmed that the size and range of the right whale population is now considerably diminished relative to the peak period of whaling in the 19^th century.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE RIGHT WHALES
The Scientific Committee last reviewed these stocks in detail in 1998¹⁹. This year it received reports on a combined photo-identification/genetic study being carried out in South Africa. It also received information concerning right whales incidentally caught in fishing operations in South Africa between 1978 and 2000. During this period, 22 entanglements were recorded of which 80% of the individuals were released alive.

¹⁹ J. Cet. Res. Manage. (special issue) 2: 1-60 [2000].

WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC GRAY WHALES
The Scientific Committee received a number of reports on the status of this small population. It concluded that the evidence that the western gray whale population is in serious trouble is compelling. Based on results from a joint Russian-USA project, which indicated a small population size with fewer than 50 reproductive individuals, this population was listed by IUCN in 2000 as 'Critically Endangered'. Since the listing, several new concerns have arisen, including the occurrence of 'skinny' whales in the summers of 1999 and 2000, the small number (12) of known reproductive females, a lower than expected number of calves in 2000 and a male bias in the population (including all nine calves biopsied to date). Given this, the Committee believed that it is a matter of absolute urgency that research and management programmes be continued and expanded immediately. This is the only way to try to ensure the survival of the western gray whale population. Actions needed include: (1) the expansion of the current international research and monitoring programme with an adequate and stable funding base; (2) the establishment of more effective monitoring and protection measures; and (3) an increase in the level of cooperation between scientists, industry and government officials.

The Committee also stressed that it is a matter of absolute urgency that every effort be made to reduce anthropogenic mortality (including direct catches) to zero and to reduce various types of anthropogenic disturbances to the lowest possible level. The Committee took special note of a plan to conduct seismic surveys in the northern part of the gray whales feeding ground off Sakhalin Island in August 2001 and strongly recommends that no seismic work be conducted while whales are present, because: (1) gray whales are known to exhibit strong avoidance responses to seismic survey activities and could be displaced from critical feeding habitat; (2) this region is the only known feeding ground for the population; (3) the cumulative impacts of seismic operations on the health and survival of these whales are unknown; and (4) 'skinny' whales were observed in the area in 1999 and 2000. Furthermore, all future monitoring and mitigation plans for seismic surveys and other activities related to Sakhalin oil and gas development need to be reviewed by experts not funded directly by industry.

The Scientific Committee has previously recommended that the Commission should arrange to bring together scientists from countries with an interest in, or within the range of, this stock to identify the research and management measures required to maximise the chances of it recovering. The Committee repeats that a similar approach be adopted this year. It also noted the importance and value of continuing various comparative studies between the western and eastern gray whale populations.

6.6.2 Commission discussions and action arising
BOWHEAD WHALES
No remarks were made on the Scientific Committee's report on bowhead whales under this item but see Item 8.3.1.

NORTH ATLANTIC AND NORTH PACIFIC RIGHT WHALES
The USA reported on actions it had taken in respect of last year's Resolution 2000-8 on Western North Atlantic right whales. It noted that the USA remains very concerned about the status of this endangered species and described research and management activities in those areas that the US Congress has funded since 1986, i.e., population monitoring, ship-strike reduction and entanglement reduction.

Regarding population monitoring, the USA reported that it has performed some 200 aerial surveys in 1999/2000 and that these are continuing in 2001. The purpose of these surveys is to advise mariners of right whale locations and enable the population to be censored and individual whales to be identified.

Regarding reducing ship-strikes, the USA reported that it had established a mandatory ship reporting system in July 1999 that requires all ships greater than 300 tonnes operating in two coastal water areas to report their location, speed, destination and other aspects of their operation. In return, all ships receive the most recent right whale sighting locations and can therefore avoid key areas.

Regarding entanglements, it had implemented gear modifications and time/area restrictions and efforts to eliminate whale entanglements. In December 2000, the USA issued final rules that: (1) further limit the number of lines and reduced breaking strength for lobster trawls; and (2) reduce breaking strength of lines and specified anchoring configurations for gill net gear. And regarding area actions, the USA reported that it had commissioned a report to investigate regionally-specific ship speed and routing restrictions to reduce the threat of ship strikes. The report should be available in autumn 2001. On area closures, it noted that it has implemented programmes to temporarily close fishing areas where right whales congregate, and that a gill net fishery has been closed and a lobster fishery restricted in May 2001.

Finally the USA reported that it continues efforts to educate mariners to reduce ship strikes and fishermen to reduce entanglements and to assist in disentanglement efforts. The USA hopes that these actions will contribute to the recovery of this whale stock.

Denmark commended the USA for its efforts, and noted that it considers that such human-induced mortalities should be taken into account in whale sanctuaries.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE RIGHT WHALES
Brazil reported that following a recommendation from the Scientific Committee's 1998 workshop on the world-wide status of right whales²⁰, the Federal Government had established the Right Whale National Environmental Protection Area that encompasses the coastal waters of the state of Santa Caterina - the nursery area for the surviving population of southern right whales. It noted that this population has been studied for the last 19 years and its protection is being carried out through collaboration among three levels of government, i.e., Federal, State and township. In addition, Brazil noted that private conservation organisations co-operated in the development of whalewatching activities that are under strict Federal rules, now strengthened by the establishment of this sanctuary. Brazil expressed appreciation for the Scientific Committee's management advice and looked forward to continued participation in international initiatives on the recovery of this still-depleted stock.

The Commission noted the Scientific Committee report and accepted its recommendations.

²⁰ J. Cet. Res. Manage. (special issue) 2: 32 [2000].

RESOLUTION ON WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC GRAY WHALES
Prior to the introduction of the Resolution, several countries expressed their concern about the status of the Western North Pacific gray whale stock and their support for the Scientific Committee's conclusions and recommendations.

In introducing the Resolution, Austria on behalf of 11 other co-sponsors, repeated the concern expressed by the Scientific Committee and considered that research and management efforts to reduce anthropogenic mortalities to zero and to reduce disturbances to the stock should continue as a matter of urgency. Austria noted that the survival of this population through the 21^st Century would be a test to see if the people of the world could work together to prevent it from becoming extinct. It hoped that the Resolution could be adopted by consensus.

While agreeing with the substance of the Resolution, Japan, Norway and Antigua and Barbuda expressed concern that the main range states of this gray whale population had not been consulted in its development. They considered this to be an important procedural oversight and asked that the Resolution be withdrawn as a matter of principle. The Chair also noted that he would have preferred wider consultation as requested during his opening remarks. Austria apologised for this oversight but considered that the Resolution was too important to be withdrawn.

The Resolution was put to the vote by a show of hands and was carried by a large majority (Resolution 2001-3, Annex C). Antigua and Barbuda, Morocco, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of China abstained. Japan, supported by the Republic of Guinea, explained that it had opposed the Resolution for procedural reasons, and again urged that Resolutions be prepared in future with appropriate consultation. Denmark noted that insufficient consultation on Resolutions had occurred in the past and that this was an issue that should perhaps be addressed by the Advisory Committee or in another appropriate manner.

6.7 Other
Antigua and Barbuda congratulated the Scientific Committee for an excellent report. It stressed that in its view, one of the biggest issues for the IWC to address is how to manage whale stocks with the available methodology, particularly when, as demonstrated for Southern Hemisphere minke whales, up to 40% of the variation in abundance estimates can be attributed to methodology. Antigua and Barbuda noted that overall, there seems to be a bright prospect for some whale populations, especially those targeted for consumption, and that it would be possible to move away from zero catch limits. Finally, Antigua and Barbuda stressed the importance of assessing the impact on the management of other marine resources when taking action on whales.

St. Lucia also commended the work of the Scientific Committee but noted the tendency of some countries to criticise its work and to use a simple majority to railroad through Resolutions covering issues already addressed by the Scientific Committee.

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