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

14.1.1 Bering Sea stock of bowhead whales
The Scientific Committee noted the continuing downward trend in the proportion of the landed catch of whales greater than 13m, from 67% in 1983 to 33% in 1984 and 18% in 1985. Continued aerial surveys in spring for photographic identification and photogrammetry were recommended. Acoustic census results which should be available next year are likely to lead to a revised current population estimate. Discussion of the effects of industrial development indicated the need for more results on the reaction of bowhead whales to seismic noise.

The Scientific Committee had no reason to recommend any change in the classification as a Protection Stock or the advice to set any catch limit with caution. Any catch should continue to be directed at the smaller (< 13m) whales.

14.1.2 Northeastern Pacific gray whales
Biological samples were collected from the 1985 Soviet catch and programmes to obtain photographs of the landed whales for comparison with identified individuals elsewhere were continuing. Reports on comparisons between photographs from USSR, Mexico and USA studies are expected next year.

A new census carried out by the USA using slightly different analyses from earlier years gave a minimum estimate of 14,658 animals migrating southward off Monterey. This estimate does not include an upward correction factor for whales migrating off-shore. Further work on radio tagging was conducted and future work was recommended to provide information on rates of movement and behaviour. There was a significant increase in the population size from 1967 - 80 of 2.35% per year. The Scientific Committee recommended further censuses to determine the trend in population growth since 1980. In this situation there was no agreement on the appropriate classification of the stock, but since the recent stable aboriginal catches appear not to have caused any decline, no change in the present catch level was recommended.

Mexico stated its readiness to provide the results of its national research programme on this stock and the USA confirmed its desire to continue its census in a way to allow comparison with previous results as well as improve the estimates of present population size.

14.1.3 West Greenland minke whales
There is no new information to evaluate the stock boundaries which will be reviewed next year by the Scientific Committee. Line transect aerial surveys found only a few whales, perhaps because of poor weather conditions, and CPUE analyses were not fully evaluated. Most members of the Scientific Committee believed that the present classification as a Protection Stock is correct, although other members, referring to continuing uncertainties in the assessments, believed that the stock could not be classified.

14.1.4 West Greenland fin whales
There were no new estimates of abundance available this year nor information to classify the stock or apply the provisions of the aboriginal whaling management procedure. A comparison of aerial sighting rates relative to humpback whales in the same survey area suggests that the stock size might be in the order of between a few hundred and a thousand animals. Long term studies are necessary, including photographic identification of individual animals and the provision of full catch data including length and sex from all animals caught.

14.2 Report of Technical Committee Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling sub-committee
The Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling sub-committee, which was chaired by Mrs E.A. Blackwell (UK), was attended by delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sweden, UK, USA, USSR, and observers from Canada. Its report was received by the Technical Committee and the following Items were noted by the Commission.

(a) Consideration of the report of the Humane Killing Working Group on the killing methods used in aboriginal/subsistence whaling operations
The relevant part of the report of the Humane Killing Working Group appears under Agenda Item 17.1. The Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling sub-committee was pleased to receive this report, and noted that further information was requested by the Humane Killing Working Group. It looked forward to receiving in due course a further report from the Working Group.

(b) Consideration of the reports of the Working Group examination of the method of calculation used to quantify the annual need for Bering Sea bowhead whales in the US submission
Comments and questions provided by Australia and Japan were dealt with in a detailed response by the USA. There was considerable discussion of many of the factors involved and the calculations developed. The sub-committee agreed that its acceptance of the need and method of calculating need for bowhead whales be recorded, recognising that given the constraints of the data the USA calculations were as good as any method of calculation that could be identified by the sub-committee.

(c) Consideration of papers submitted in respect of:

(i) The use of whale products by the aboriginal population of the Chukotka region of the USSR
The USSR explained that, although substantial work had been done in respect of the paper requested, it was not yet ready for submission. The information requested would be provided as soon as possible.

(ii) Central Atlantic minke whales (Denmark)
Denmark was asked last year to make a submission concerning the Central stock of minke whales in the North Atlantic. The paper it presented described the two communities in East Greenland which took minke whales. The sub-committee discussed in some detail the communities and the cultural importance of whales and whaling to the people. The sub-committee concluded that the hunt could be recognised as aboriginal subsistence in nature. It recognised that the need had been demonstrated but noted that since a multispecies hunt was involved, the dependence was not totally on minke whales. It was noted in particular that all whales are used for local consumption and do not enter into commercial trade. It was noted that there is a tradition of whaling in a hunting economy based on species including sea mammals, and the villages are subsistence communities.

(iii) Small-type whaling in Japan's coastal seas
The Japanese submission concerning its view that certain domestic whaling has similarities to whaling in other countries in terms of subsistence, nutritional and cultural considerations was reviewed.

The sub-committee gave the submission detailed consideration, sought and recommended clarification in some areas, and identified certain other areas in which additional information was requested for future consideration. Japan offered to supply this additional information and the sub-committee agreed that it would then consider the matter further.

In the Technical Committee Japan restated its willingness to respond to the comments and criticisms received, and it will prepare a new submission for next year's meeting.

14.3 Action arising
14.3.1 Definition of aboriginal subsistence whaling
The sub-committee noted the possible conflict between traditional whaling techniques and the desire to utilise the most humane methods in all whale killing operations.

In the Technical Committee India, who had raised this matter last year, expressed the opinion that while fully appreciating the genuine needs of the aboriginal people, care has to be exercised that these provisions are not taken undue advantage of and accepted the suggestion of the sub-committee on Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling that the matter be deferred to the next meeting to permit clarification of the issues involved.

Australia drew attention to the discussion on this matter which had occurred at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Commission, and the Commission noted these comments.

14.3.2 Bering Sea stock of bowhead whales
The USA indicated that it would not seek any change to the current bowhead whale catch limits this year, which the Commission noted.

14.3.3 Eastern Pacific stock of gray whales
The USSR affirmed that the present level of gray whale catches appears to satisfy the whaling needs of the aboriginal people concerned. The Commission noted that no change was required.

14.3.4 West Greenland stocks
Denmark stated that in light of the 50% reduction in the West Greenland minke whale catch limit the one thing that made the zero quota on West Greenland humpback whales acceptable to the Greenlanders affected is the increase in the West Greenland fin whale catch limit from 8 to 10. The same catch limit of 10 was requested for 1987.

The Technical Committee endorsed this request, which was approved by the Commission.

14.3.5 Other stocks
(a) Central Atlantic minke whales
Denmark requested that a catch limit of 12 minke whales from this stock should be permitted, available to be taken by aborigines pursuant to paragraph 13(b)(3) of the Schedule. It was encouraging the Greenland authorities to initiate improved monitoring of the catches and data collection, and was establishing procedures by which the struck and lost rate can be studied and improved. The Technical Committee supported this proposal in the light of the promised improvements, which was then adopted by consensus in the Commission.

(b) St Vincent and the Grenadines' humpback whales
St Vincent and the Grenadines formally requested a quota of whales to support its aboriginal subsistence whaling by nationals on the island of Beqia. It stated that the Vincentians have a long tradition of artisanal whaling presently phasing out slowly, which results today in the taking of very few humpback whales. This subsistence fishery meets, however, all of the criteria for aboriginal exemptions established by the Commission. The products are used only within the community. The Government will submit a report to the Technical Committee's Sub-committee on Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling before the next Annual Meeting. The Government regrets the technical infractions as recorded in previous meetings. By establishing the existence of an aboriginal subsistence hunt and by obtaining a very modest quota, the Government will be able to cure these infractions in future.

The Commission noted that the Technical Committee agreed to consider this matter next year on the basis of the report of the Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling sub-committee.

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