12. International Observer Scheme
(from "Chairman's Report of the Twenty-Fifth Meeting")
Summaries of the reports concerning the 1972 and 1972/73 seasons by the
observers appointed by the Commission on the nomination of the member
countries operating in all the whaling areas under agreements made under
paragraph 3 of the Schedule were considered.
The Technical Committee recommend that as a result of the successful
establishment of the Scheme and the encouraging progress made in its first
year, contracting governments should be urged to extend those agreements
which expired at the end of the 1972/73 season.
The Commissioners for Japan and USSR expressed their doubts about the
possibility of the agreement for the Antarctic being renewed in view of the
situation that had arisen as a result of the differences on quotas and
sub-division of areas.
The Chairman urged the two countries to do their utmost to solve any problems
in good time so that the Scheme which had only been in operation for one year
could continue its beneficial work.
The Commission accepted the recommendation of the Finance and Administration
Committee that no special contribution should be required to meet the cost of
administering the Scheme having regard to the difficulty in assessing the
amount and the small sum involved.
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