10. WHALE SANCTUARIES

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


10.1 Scientific research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary
The Commission received the report of the meeting held to plan research and co-ordinate activity in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary. This was reviewed by the scientific Committee, which expressed some concern that little research had been carried out since the inception of the Sanctuary. The Commission endorsed the agreement in principle by the Technical Committee that a Scientific Meeting should be held in the Sanctuary area before the 5-year review period expires. Activity will be centred on species listed in the Schedule and the Scientific Committee will consider the matter next year.


10.2 Examination of the general concept and characteristics of whale sanctuaries
A Technical Committee Working Group met to review comments of the Scientific Committee and from Japanese and Soviet scientists on the proposal Australia had submitted last year. The Working Group identified the prime objective of a sanctuary as a place where individual or groups of whale species populations are protected from whaling for a specified period. Additional objectives related to information and research interests. The Working Group defined certain characteristics of sanctuaries and outlined information required before a sanctuary is established. It suggested that the Commission may wish to consider the establishment of an assessment procedure to achieve a balanced approach. It recommended that in considering any future proposals for the establishment of whale sanctuaries in accordance with Article V of the Convention, the Commission and such committees as examine the proposals would have full regard to the guidelines contained in its report.

Many delegates, whilst welcoming the report and indicating their views on the use of sanctuaries as provided for under the Convention, nevertheless reserved their positions with respect to coastal state sovereignty and their rights to the resources within their 200 mile zones as well as the guidelines themselves. These included Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, Costa Rica, and Iceland. Norway believes that the establishment of sanctuaries must not be used as a tool to invalidate catch limits, and Japan shared this view in addition to the reservations on coastal state jurisdiction.

The Seychelles emphasized that it had approached all Indian Ocean coastal states before proposing the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, and it believes that sanctuaries encourage scientific research by being places of special interest.

The Commission took note of the Working Group's recommendation, bearing in mind the reservations expressed of a principle nature, and it supported the suggestion that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Commission could select a small group of Commissioners to assess and review any sanctuary proposals submitted, and report to the Commission.

The Commission also accepted a proposal from Denmark supported by Norway, that the Secretary should be instructed to write to Contracting Governments to ask for information on their national legislation within waters in which they exercise jurisdiction concerning areas where whale species populations are protected from whaling in order to compile a list for the next Annual Meeting of the areas where whales are prohibited from being taken.

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