16. HUMANE KILLING
(from "Chairman's Report of the Thirty-First Annual Meeting")
A Technical Committee Working Group Discussed in detail the report of
Professor Rowsell's 1978 field observations in Iceland sponsored by the IWC
on the rapidity of unconsciousness and death and of the nature of the injuries
caused by harpooning.
The Scientific Committee had reviewed this report and noted in particular the
difficulty in establishing criteria for death or unconsciousness and the need
for improvement in technology.
The Working Group also had considerable information on Japanese techniques
including the use of electric harpoons, electric lances and drugs.
The Technical Committee endorsed nine recommendations proposed by its Working
Group which included five from the Scientific Committee.
These were adopted by the Commission with additional comments for
implementation and action as indicated (Appendix 6).
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