(from "Chair's Report of the 54th Annual Meeting")

At the 2001 meeting⁸, 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 review of data sources and analytical methodology. After considering many of the factors affecting abundance estimates, there is still evidence of a decline in the abundance estimates, although it is not clear how this reflects any actual change in minke abundance. Three hypotheses that might explain these results were identified:

(1)

a real change in minke abundance;

(2)

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

(3)

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

A considerable amount of work to investigate this further was undertaken at the 2002 meeting and a number of high priority tasks have been identified and recommended for completion before the 2003 meeting.

Last year, it had been hoped that the full third circumpolar series of IWC/SOWER⁹ cruises would have been completed by the 2002/2003 season. Unfortunately poor weather on the 2001/2002 cruise means that this will no longer be possible. The Committee does not anticipate being able to provide a full report on the status of Antarctic minke whales (including an agreed estimate of current abundance) until the third circumpolar has been completed - at the earliest at the 2005 meeting. It thanked Japan for once more providing the two vessels used on the SOWER cruises.

5.1.2 Commission discussions and action arising
The Commission noted the Scientific Committee report and accepted its recommendations.

5.2 Southern Hemisphere blue whales
5.2.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
The Committee is beginning 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 progress is being made on this. Work on genetic and acoustic differentiation techniques is continuing and there is considerable progress with morphological methods. The Committee received information that point estimates of blue whale abundance appear to show an increase between the third circumpolar series of cruises (CPIII) and the previous two, although this was not statistically significant. The Committee has agreed on a number of issues that need to be resolved before it is in a position to carry out an assessment, which it believes should commence in 2005. In addition to research recommendations, the Committee recommended that the Commission requests the Japanese and Chilean governments to make available any data from blue whale catches in the 1960s in order to help determine whether the two sub-species were taken from Chilean landstations.

5.2.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan commended the Scientific Committee's work and the contribution made by the IWC's research cruises. It was pleased to learn of the recent signs of recovery of this species. However, it noted that the increase in numbers was not statistically significant, linking this to competition with minke whales for prey species. Japan suggested that consideration be given to resumption of commercial whaling of minke whales as a means of enhancing protection of blue whale populations.

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

5.3 Southern Hemisphere humpback whales
5.3.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
Considerable progress has been made in recent years in working towards an assessment of humpback whales. Attention has focussed both on data from historic whaling operations and on newly acquired photo-identification, biopsy and sightings data. A number of new abundance estimates were reviewed from both mark-recapture and sightings programmes as well as some preliminary model runs for Areas IV and V which suggested increasing populations to the east and west of Australia. The Committee made a number of research recommendations to enhance progress towards an assessment. An intersessional group has been established to review progress and determine whether it is feasible to set a deadline for the assessment to be completed.

5.3.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan noted that the population increase reported by the Scientific Committee was also found in results from the JARPA programme where highest numbers of humpback whales were recorded during the latest survey. It hoped that JARPA data would make a valuable contribution to the Comprehensive Assessment for this stock.

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

5.4 North Atlantic humpback whales
5.4.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
At the 2001 meeting, priority was given to the Comprehensive Assessment of North Atlantic humpback whales¹⁰. The Committee recognised the important contribution the international YoNAH (Years of the North Atlantic Humpback) project made to the assessment. This project combined photo-identification and molecular genetic techniques to collect as many photographs and skin biopsies as possible in four sampling periods over a wide geographical range during a period of two years (1992-1993). The principal objectives of the study were to increase understanding of: (a) abundance - both regionally and in total; (b) population genetic structure; (c) population spatial structure including rates of exchange among feeding grounds; and (d) reproductive behaviour and vital rates.

In reviewing population structure, the Committee concluded that 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, it is not known where other central North Atlantic animals and those from the Barents Sea breed.

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 Committee reviewed a number of population estimates for the feeding and breeding grounds.

This year, the Committee hoped to complete its assessment. It reviewed historical removals and agreed that the catch series was essentially complete for the 20th century although catches prior to then might be substantially underestimated. It also received new estimates of abundance from recent surveys in various parts of the North Atlantic. The Committee agreed that the population size of the West Indies breeding stock was around 10,750 (between 9,400 to 12, 300) in 1992 and it was increasing at around 3% from 1979 to 1992, the period for which suitable data are available. Attempts to model the population were unsuccessful (i.e. there was unacceptable model fit to the data) and a number of possible reasons for this were identified.

The Committee identified a number of research items that need to be completed before any further assessment is attempted.

5.4.2 Commission discussions and action arising
Japan appreciated that the Comprehensive Assessment was now complete, noted that the West Indies stock is above the optimum level and commented that it understood there was agreement in the Scientific Committee that the stock is increasing at an annual rate of 3%. Japan estimated that this would give an annual sustainable catch of 300 animals. It therefore considered that the aboriginal take by St. Vincent and The Grenadines should be allowed and noted the Scientific Committee's view that there would be no effect on the stock if the catch limit is increased to 4 whales per year. In response, the UK noted that the Scientific Committee had not resolved the question of population identity in the eastern Caribbean and that this has a bearing on the quota for St. Vincent and The Grenadines. (The issue of the aboriginal subsistence catch limits is discussed under Item 6.)

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

5.5 Other stocks - bowhead, right and gray whales
5.5.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
SMALL STOCKS OF BOWHEAD WHALES
Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported on studies in the eastern Arctic and the Committee welcomed the offer from Canada to provide more information next year. No information on direct or incidental catches was received for this area. Danish scientists reported that killer whales killed about 10 bowhead whales from a group of 30 in Disko Bay in April 2002. The Committee was grateful for this information and requested that the Greenlandic authorities provide more details next year, if possible. Some information on the sightings of bowhead whales in the Sea of Okhotsk was received from Russian scientists.

NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES
The Committee has paid particular attention to the status of the North Atlantic right whale in the western North Atlantic in recent years¹¹. The Committee is extremely concerned about this population, which, whilst probably the only potentially viable population of this species, is in serious danger (ca 300 animals). 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.

This year, the Committee reviewed progress on a number of research and management recommendations concerning this stock. It once again noted that individuals are continuing to die or become seriously injured as a result of becoming entangled in fishing gear or being struck by ships. It repeated 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.

WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC GRAY WHALES
This is one of the most endangered populations of great whales in the world. It numbers less than 100 animals and there are a number of proposed oil and gas-related projects in and near its only known feeding ground. The Committee made a number of research and management recommendations for this population and will hold a Workshop in October 2002 to review this further. In conclusion, the Committee strongly reiterated that it is a matter of absolute urgency that every effort is made to reduce anthropogenic mortality (including direct catches) and disturbance to zero to save western North Pacific gray whales from extinction.

5.5.2 Commission discussions and action arising
BOWHEAD WHALES
In response to a request from Austria for more information on the killing of 10 bowhead whales by killer whales, Denmark indicated that local hunters had reported the incident to the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and that it had not been possible to take issue samples since the dead whales had sunk. It undertook to ask the hunters to provide a clearer description of what had happened.

RIGHT WHALES
No comments were made on the Scientific Committee's report in relation to North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere right whales.

WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC GRAY WHALES
The USA expressed its concern about the status of this stock, and noted that after the concern reported by the Scientific Committee last year, it had provided funding to IWC to support research. It strongly supported the latest Committee recommendations and endorsed the workshop proposal for which it was considering making funding available.

The Russian Federation confirmed that seismic surveys had been stopped last year. It reported that such surveys are subject to compulsory public environmental impact assessments, in which, as recommended previously by the Scientific Committee, independent scientists are invited to participate. It added that preliminary results do not definitely indicate that seismic surveys have a negative impact on the stock. However, the Russian Federation undertook to report the Scientific Committee's recommendations to its scientists so they could take note of the views expressed. It supported the workshop proposal.

As other range states for this stock, Japan and the Republic of Korea also expressed their concern regarding the status of the stock and support for the proposed workshop. Japan indicated that it hoped that protection measures could be implemented through international co-operation. The Republic of Korea offered to host the workshop in October 2002.

Austria indicated that it was grateful for the concern for this stock shown by the USA and the Russian Federation and that it was pleased that Resolution 2001-3¹² had helped in the initial protection steps taken.

The Commission noted the Scientific Committee report in relation to Item 5.5 and accepted its recommendations.

5.6 Other
Alarmed at various press and other reports suggesting that the worldwide sperm whale abundance could be lower than assessed previously, Germany asked for clarification on when the Scientific Committee could provide information on this matter. The Scientific Committee Chair indicated that the Committee would start work on an in-depth assessment of sperm whales at its meeting next year but that she did not know when it would be complete. The Committee does not have agreed estimates of sperm whale abundance. She added that given the many priorities of the Committee, work on sperm whales could not be given extremely high priority until completion of the abundance assessment of Southern Hemisphere minke whales.

Japan expressed its interest in the initiation of the in-depth assessment of sperm whales, particularly since this is one of the species included in JARPNII. It stressed the need to devote sufficient time to this work.

⁷J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 3 (Suppl.): 29-32.
⁸See J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 4 (Suppl.): 30-6.
⁹SOWER: Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research.
¹⁰See J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 4 (Suppl.): 39-44.
¹¹See J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Special Issue 2) - Right whales: worldwide status.
¹²Ann. Rep. Whaling Comm. 2001: 55.

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