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

15.2 Action arising
15.2.1 Sperm whales
Western North Pacific stock
The sensitivity tests on the length-specific models had been completed by the Secretariat and a set of conditions and input of model runs for assessment were determined. These treated males and females separately but there were some problems in interpreting the results. Several views were apparent within the Scientific Committee. For males, some members saw no reason to change classification as PS starting with the 1988 season and believed that females should be unclassified. Others believed that the ambiguous results did not warrant such status for males. Of these members, some believed there was no basis for recommending classifications, while others believed both males and females should be classified SMS. The Committee agreed that additional data were needed to help interpret the results of the length-specific models. An independent estimate of current abundance and information on stock identity were of high priority. In addition, examination and analysis of pregnancy rate data may provide useful information. Also theoretical and field studies should be carried out to enable sightings and acoustic surveys of sperm whales to be undertaken.

Japan spoke in appreciation of the work done by the Scientific Committee. It believed that most of the analyses point to a classification as SMS whereas analyses of partial data two years ago led the Commission to a classification as PS in 1988. It therefore proposed in the Technical Committee that this stock should be unclassified. Iceland seconded this proposal.

Sweden commented that the present analyses suggest that the population is close to the SMS/PS boundary and preferred that the PS classification should be unchanged, while the USA commented on the doubtful reliability of the results.

It was agreed by consensus not to recommend a change of classification on the understanding that Japan's views would be recorded.

The Scientific Committee also recommended that skin biopsy samples should be taken from long term studies such as those now being conducted in the Galapagos Islands.

The Scientific Committee indicated that it is now prepared to return to consideration of assessment of Southern Hemisphere stocks.

The Technical Committee endorsed and the Commission adopted all the recommendations of the Scientific Committee.

15.2.2 Minke whales
Southern Hemisphere
The Scientific Committee concentrated on the minke whale sighting data collected on the IWC/IDCR cruise conducted each year since 1978/79. There were some problems with the interpretation of the results and it was recommended that the data from all the cruises should be analysed in the same way in time for the next meeting and that other analytical procedures should also be tried.

The Scientific Committee's best estimates of the total and recruited populations in the Southern Hemisphere south of 60°S (58°S for Area II) which were surveyed and which cover 64% of this area are shown below.

The Scientific Committee recommended that it should develop appropriate correction factors to improve comparability of estimates in different areas.

Japan welcomed the improved reliability from these nine years of research, and the Technical Committee and the Commission agreed to the recommendations of the Scientific Committee, including the development of an image-processing system to aid in the reading of minke whale ear plugs.

Northeastern Atlantic
The Scientific Committee examined sightings data from vessel surveys but encountered substantial difficulties with the methods used. It recommended that data from the forthcoming North Atlantic sighting surveys should be collected to apply suitable corrections.

Mark recapture data were also examined but again there were considerable uncertainties and it was recommended that further studies should be undertaken.

A new CPUE series was available which took account of catches of bottlenose whales, but the Scientific Committee was unable to evaluate this fully and recommended that new analyses be undertaken before the next annual meeting.

Given the substantial difficulties identified above, some members of the Scientific Committee believed that there was no appropriate basis for undertaking an assessment at this time nor for providing advice on the classification of the stock. Others believed that the results gave some general guidance from which they concluded that there was no basis for changing the classification which should remain as PS.

The Scientific Committee discussed a research programme drawn up by Norway. It proposed incorporation of certain important elements to provide estimates and indices of abundance, full provision to the Secretariat of the data needed for assessment and utilisation of non-lethal techniques, particularly for use of biopsy darts and DNA apalysis.

Norway stated that it was taking careful note of the Scientific Committee's report and its recommendations and referred to the independent group of scientists established by its Government to report on the analysis of this stock. It hoped that the Scientific Committee would discuss this report next year.

Okhotsk Sea - Western Pacific
This item is reported under Agenda Item 16.2.7, but Japan requested it to be recorded that it had proposed a catch limit of 210 whales be incorporated in Table 1 of the Schedule.

Sea of Japan - Yellow Sea - East China Sea
The Scientific Committee received an analysis which suggested that the stock had been depicted to 18.4 - 43.0% of its initial level (with one dissenting view) and recommended continued classification as PS.

The Scientific Committee could give no advice on the effects of zero catches. It noted that catches from this stock were once taken by the People's Republic of China and recommended that the Secretary write to this Government requesting details of catches and the catch history of this stock.

The Republic of Korea stated that it could not accept classification as PS because of the uncertainties in the analysis, and proposed that the stock should be unclassified. This received no seconder.

The People's Republic of China supported PS classification because it believed that the stock is depicted. It would try and supply the data requested for its catching operations which had ended in 1980.

Other minke whales
The Scientific Committee did not analyse any other minke whale stocks at this meeting and so provided no new advice.

15.2.3 Fin whales
East Greenland - Iceland stock
This was not a priority stock for assessment by the Scientific Committee this year but scientific permit catches are being taken and a new assessment was presented.

Several concerns were raised in the Scientific Committee on the analysis of the CPUE data and some members thought there was no evidence to support a change of classification. Others believed that the stock had not been stable under a constant regime of catches and therefore should not be classified as SMS. There was no consensus on the classification and the Scientific Committee recommended that a full assessment be undertaken.

Iceland commented in the Technical Committee that because of the Scientific Committee's workload this stock had not been made a priority this year, but despite this, considerable time had been spent on it without any new information available.

The Seychelles reviewed the long history of catching and the evidence that it has not remained stable, and proposed that the stock should be unclassified until its correct status is resolved. This was seconded by Antigua and Barbuda.

Iceland considered that it was not appropriate at this time to make such a decision. Norway commented on the widely distributed opinions in the Scientific Committee and the results expected from the multinational programme of research planned. It proposed that the matter should be deferred for consideration next year and this was interpreted as a procedural motion to Adjourn the Debate in the Technical Committee, proposed by Iceland and seconded by Norway.

There was an exchange of views amongst a number of delegations on the procedure to be followed at this point, and the Chairman of the Technical Committee ruled that a proposal of Adjournment of Debate implies that any decision is also deferred. He subsequently stated that, following further consideration of the Rules of Debate and consultation with his Chairman, he would not accept as a procedural motion to adjourn the debate on a particular subject or question under discussion, a proposal to defer that matter beyond the length of the current meeting.

On returning to this subject later in the meeting of the Technical Committee it was agreed to defer the consideration of the Seychelles' proposal to the next Annual Meeting, and this was approved by the Commission.

Other fin whale stocks
These were not assessed by the Scientific Committee.

15.2.4 Sei whales
The Scientific Committee made no assessment of sei whale stocks this year.

15.2.5 Bryde's whales
Western North Pacific stock
The Scientific Committee had a new assessment using the catch series from 1899 after separating the Bryde's and sei whale records. This assessment was conducted based on a 1983 population size estimate of 15,686. Using the most conservative assessment, the level of depletion for the recruited stock under recent coastal whaling operations was, estimated to be to 54.0 - 57.7% of the initial size, suggesting classification as SMS. However, pelagic fishery results suggested PS classification. An alternative sighting estimate of 19,776 was also presented. Use of this figure and the same catch series would result in higher estimates of the ratio of current to initial stock size. But this was not attempted during the Scientific Committee meeting. Thus the Scientific Committee could come to no consensus and three suggestions were put forward:

(1) retain the current classification IMS;
(2) unclassified as there is no agreement whether SMS or PS; or
(3) unclassified until revised assessment is made.

The Scientific Committee recommended specific models and methods if a new assessment is conducted.

New Zealand considered that there were insufficient data to classify this stock and proposed in the Technical Committee that it should be unclassified, and Australia was disturbed to find that the history of exploitation was so much longer than first thought. The Netherlands stated its preference to take the most cautious line and therefore seconded the proposal, which was also supported by Finland, Sweden, and Oman.

Japan believed that the Commission should wait until fuller analyses are available and that there is no reason to change the present classification of IMS.

After an adjournment in the Technical Committee, Japan proposed that this matter should be postponed until the next Annual Meeting. New Zealand believed it was still justified to declassify the stock but was ready to defer consideration of its proposal until next year, and this was agreed by the Technical Committee and approved by the Commission.

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