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

The Commission noted this Report.

18.2 Collection of Data Required
The Commission noted a report on Japan's experiments on humane methods of catching whales during 1980/81.

18.3 Reports by Contracting Governments concerning Implementation of the Ban on the Use of the Cold Grenade Harpoon except to Kill Minke Whales
The Commission took note that there were no reports provided by governments.

18.4 Prohibition of the Use of the Cold Grenade Harpoon for Killing Minke Whales
Australia proposed an amendment to the Schedule forbidding the use of the cold grenade harpoon to kill minke whales from the 1981/82 pelagic and the 1982 coastal seasons. It spoke of the broadly held feeling that use of the cold grenade harpoon is cruel and unacceptable to civilised societies. An exception had been made for minke whales to allow time for an alternative method to be developed. It found difficulty in understanding how such cruelty could be allowed to continue.

Japan explained that a suitable alternative device had not yet been developed. Countries with expertise in weapon technology were not providing any assistance, but a new explosive was being tested. It emphasized that the whaling industry is not trying to kill whales inhumanely, it is not a sport fishery, but time should be given to develop new techniques.

India stated that it believes that the concept of humaneness applies to all whales regardless of their species or size, to the same extent as to humans. The technology must be available and it questioned if sufficient effort was being applied to find a solution. The world outside would applaud adoption of this proposal.

Norway indicated that it is well aware of the concern, but it had not found a practical solution, though it is embarking on a research programme. It was concerned that the explosive harpoon might cause more whales to be injured but not secured. The present methods are the only practical ones at the moment due to the small size of the minke whale, and the proposed amendment ignores supplementary killing methods, such as the large calibre rifles used in Norwegian fisheries. It gave an assurance that it would continue further investigations and adopt any suitable alternatives as soon as possible.

Iceland explained that its inshore fishermen cannot use explosives any more safely than some subsistence whale fisheries.

A number of delegations spoke in support of the proposal and the United Kingdom expressed the view that if the existing methods cannot be improved then whales should not be killed at all.

The Technical Committee recommended the proposed amendment by a majority vote, but after further discussion, the Seychelles proposed an amendment in Plenary Session to delay the starting date until the 1982/83 pelagic and 1983 coastal seasons in an effort to reach a workable compromise. This was seconded by Sweden, New Zealand, the USA, the Netherlands and Jamaica.

Japan again drew attention to the need for time both to develop a safe and effective alternative and to obtain authorisation for its use. It therefore recorded its reservation on the proposal, and Norway recorded its abstention because it cannot guarantee to find a safe and practicable alternative within the time limits set. Iceland associated itself with these comments.

The USA spoke in support of the proposal, believing that delay in improving killing methods has been due more to economic than technological considerations. Uruguay associated itself with these remarks, and Oman also shared this view, since the cold grenade harpoon minimises the meat rendered unusable. It therefore strongly supported the phasing-out proposal, as did Mexico, while the UK recalled the importance it attached to this question, following its initiatives for the partial ban adopted last year.

The USSR reserved its position, although it is actively studying alternatives to the auxiliary electrical shock technique currently used, and the Republic of Korea also entered a reservation before the Commission adopted by consensus the following amendment to the Schedule as an addition to paragraph 6:

'The killing for commercial purposes of minke whales using the cold grenade harpoon shall be forbidden from the beginning of the 1982/83 pelagic and the 1983 coastal seasons.'

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