12. WHALE SANCTUARIES

(from "Chairman's Report of the Thirty-Second Annual Meeting")


The Scientific Committee endorsed the proposal to plan a programme of monitoring and research on marine mammals in the Indian Ocean, recommended by a meeting of Indian Ocean States. The Commission agreed to co-sponsor an international meeting of scientists to plan the programme, and the Seychelles welcomed this initiative and announced its intention to host the proposed meeting within the next twelve months.

Examination of the general concept and characteristics of whale sanctuaries was initiated by Australia in the belief that it is important to develop basic principles if other sanctuaries were to be established, particularly concerning management and research. There was some discussion on the distinction between sanctuaries encompassing all or most of the animals' range and those much smaller areas especially set aside to protect, for example, breeding stocks. The Scientific Committee agreed that in this context its discussion next year after the meeting in the Seychelles should be directed to the larger areas.

Mexico emphasised the difference it perceives between large sanctuaries and smaller refuges, and indicated that the latter should also increase research activity.

Argentina stressed its view that the Scientific Committee should exclude considerations beyond those of a strictly scientific nature and stated its reservation on coastal state jurisdiction in this context.

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