16. The Humane Killing of Whales
(from "Chairman's Report of the Twelfth Meeting")
The Commission considered the Report of the Expert Working Party set up as a
result of the decision at the Eleventh Meeting to study the question of the
humane and expeditious killing of whales.
It was noted that at the present time there was no conclusive evidence that
the killing of whales by electrical means was more humane than the present
method of the explosive harpoon and that the chief criterion was the speed of
killing.
There were no other methods likely to prove more humane.
There was, however, a prospect of further progress towards the development of
a satisfactory electric harpoon and the Commission agreed with the suggestion
of the Working Party that to this end there should be consultation at a
technical level between representatives of the United Kingdom and Norwegian
industries.
The United Kingdom Commissioner stated that the industry of his country was
willing to take part in such consultations and the Secretary was instructed to
ask those responsible for the Norwegian industry whether they would
participate.
It was decided that copies of the Working Party's report should be sent to the
various organisations that had been asking for information on the subject, but
that an accompanying letter should point out to them that at the moment there
was no conclusive evidence that electrical killing was more humane than the
existing means.
Finally the Commission considered that the Working Party should continue in
existence and instructed the Secretary to convey their thanks to the members
for their valuable work.
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