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

It noted that recent measurable increases in stock size had been observed for two populations (South West Atlantic and South Africa) and that there were indications of apparent recent increases elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere. There was surprise at the generally low numbers estimated for known populations of right whales; where evidence for recovery was found, this had occurred only within the last 10 - 15 years. This might be the result of several factors: a very slow recovery from very low numbers in a species with a low net reproductive rate, competition with other baleen whale species, continued small takes of this species, recent considerable increase in public interest.

Commercial whaling has been banned on this species since the mid-1930s and the conclusion drawn is that there has been some recent recovery as a result. The Scientific Committee had explored the problems involved in quantifying effort for incidental sightings, but had been unable to establish an exact rate of increase from such data. It recommended that standardised surveys e.g. using spotter aircraft be continued and expanded to provide quantifiable data. The Technical Committee endorsed this recommendation, which was approved by the Commission.

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