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

Statements supporting this proposal because of the past failures of the IWC to prevent over-exploitation of whale stocks, the uncertainties in the assessment of stocks and sustainable yields and the belief that the killing methods employed are far from satisfactory, together with the need to increase research effort, were made by France, the Seychelles and the UK.

Japan stated its view that this proposal is in contravention of Article V(2) of the Convention, since it is not based on scientific findings nor takes into consideration the interests of the consumers of whale products, and would create serious unemployment problems in the whaling industry. The Commission cannot act in a manner which is contradictory to the Convention.

Iceland noted its claim to be a leader in conservation of marine resources. Its policy on whales is no exception and as Iceland is totally dependent on the resources of the sea, it believes that a stock by stock approach is the most appropriate policy to adopt. Canada and South Africa also spoke in favour of a policy which recognises whales as a harvestable resource subject to the needs of conservation, while New Zealand saw reason for a pause in whaling to develop management and research procedures.

The USSR commented on the division apparent between the countries supporting moves to end whaling in the name of conservation and those engaged in whaling and research.

Sweden, seconded by the Seychelles, put forward an amendment to the proposal which would delay its implementation for two years, so that the moratorium would become effective from the 1982/83 pelagic season in the Southern Hemisphere and the 1983 coastal seasons. This received 13 votes in favour with 9 against and 2 abstentions and thus failed to achieve the three-quarters majority necessary to become effective. The original proposal for an immediate moratorium then received the same number of votes for and against, and therefore also failed to become binding on members.

Brazil indicated that it is working towards a cessation of whaling but it needs sufficient time to alleviate the nutritional and economic problems which will be caused in one of the poorest regions of its country.

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