16. Minimum Size of Whales to be taken at Land Stations in North-east Pacific Area

(from "Chairman's Report of the Thirteenth Meeting")


The taking of blue, fin and sei whales at 5 feet below the general minimum lengths of respectively 70, 55 and 40 feet in the northern hemisphere is limited to where whaler are delivered to land stations on the understanding that the meat is to be used as human or animal food. On the grounds that conservation would not be affected and that the economics of a land station would be preserved, the Commissioner for Canada proposed and the Commissioner for Denmark seconded a resolution which relaxed the restrictive provision as to the use of the whale in respect of the North-east Pacific area for a period of three years starting on the 1st April, 1962. The period of three years it was thought might enable a check to be made on any adverse effect on conservation. To give effect to this resolution it was proposed that the Schedule should be amended as follows:
Paragraph 9(a): after the words "provided that" in the eighth line, insert a comma and the words "except in the North-east Pacific area for a period of three years starting 1st April, 1962".

Paragraph 9(b): delete the words "provided in each case that" in the seventh and eighth lines and insert the words "provided that, except in the North-east Pacific area for a period of three years starting 1st April, 1962, in each case".

The amendment was carried, there being nine in favour, none against and three abstentions.

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