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

The sub-committee recorded its disappointment that infractions reports for 1985 had not been submitted by Peru, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. It noted that submission of these reports is not only vital to the sub-committee's work but an obligation under the Schedule and Article IX of the Convention. It recommended that these governments be urged to submit infractions reports.

The sub-committee reiterated its view that the continued use of cold grenade harpoons by the Republic of Korea should be reported as infractions. The representative of the Republic of Korea stated that technical problems had prevented the development of an explosive harpoon. The sub-committee noted that Japan and Norway had developed explosive harpoons suitable for small-type whaling for minke whales and recommended that governments whose operations still use cold harpoons implement the use of the explosive harpoons as a matter of urgency. Japan expressed its readiness for the transfer of such technology to other Contracting Governments on request, and Norway indicated that its explosive harpoons are available on a commercial basis.

The international observer appointed to the Philippine land station concluded that this operation and treatment of whales had been conducted in accordance with IWC regulations.

The sub-committee noted with concern that outstanding infractions reports from Chile (1980-83), and Peru and St Vincent and the Grenadines (1984), had still not been submitted. However, new information was provided by Chile after the meeting of the sub-committee which will be reviewed next year.

The Netherlands reported that the total tonnage of minke whale products exported to Denmark from the West Greenland fishery in 1984 violated the restriction of local consumption given in paragraph 13(b)(3) of the Schedule. Denmark provided a written summary of the matter which had arisen from the varying responsibilities of the Danish, Greenlandic and EEC regulations. Denmark stated that it has taken every effort to ensure that such an event does not happen again.

Antigua and Barbuda provided evidence of the capture of a humpback whale by St Vincent and the Grenadines in February 1986, and the sub-committee recommended that the latter government provide full details of the take as well as the take of all humpback whales in 1986 at the next Annual Meeting. The Commissioner for St Vincent and the Grenadines indicated that this would be done.

A photograph taken at the end of 1984, or during the preceding four years, of a right whale associated with a whaling vessel from the Republic of Korea was discussed, and the sub-committee recommended that details of the take should be submitted next year. The Republic of Korea advised that it would investigate the matter and so report.

10.2 Action arising
The Technical Committee adopted the report of the Infractions sub-committee and its recommendations, noting the statement from St Vincent and the Grenadines that it will attempt to fulfill its obligations under the Convention and Schedule. The Commission noted all these matters and endorsed the various recommendations.

_