10. NEW WHALE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE AND REVIEW OF THE PRESENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE

(from "Chairman's Report of the Thirtieth Annual Meeting")


Australia had proposed the discussion of a new management procedure, based upon a paper prepared by Dr K.R. Allen. This was intended to improve upon the current scheme by overcoming identifiable weaknesses.

The Scientific Committee had reviewed the various factors involved, including the effect of environmental variability and changes in carrying capacity resulting from important interspecies interactions.

Errors in assessment of yields and of population levels arising from model structure and parameter values are generally of greater significance than stochastic environmental effects. Single species models which provide for a changing environment could be an effective approach.

The Scientific Committee believes that the time seems appropriate to develop improvements in the present management procedure. Possible subjects to be considered, including safety factors, optimum target levels and duration of quotas were summarised.

The Commission agreed that a special group of scientists should consider these matters by correspondence during the coming year, with perhaps a short meeting before the next Annual Meeting. The following membership was proposed:

Mr J.F. Mermoz (Argentina)
Dr K.R. Allen (Australia) - convenor
Dr W.G. Doubleday (Canada)
Dr Y. Fukuda (Japan)
Mr D.J. Garrod or Mr J. Horwood (UK)
Dr D.G. Chapman (USA)
Dr S.J. Holt (FAO)
The USSR may also participate.

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