(from "Chairman's Report of the Forty-Third Meeting")

It reviewed proposals for 1991/92. In particular the Committee recommended that the cruise to survey Antarctic Area V (130°E - 170°W) be funded as a contribution to the Comprehensive Assessment. The Committee noted with appreciation that the Government of Japan has allocated the resources required for this cruise.

In the plenary, Japan indicated that it will continue to contribute the vessels, manpower, logistics and financial support for the cruises inaugurated in 1978/79. The data obtained belong to the IWC, and they represent a most important investigation into the Antarctic whale stocks. It will provide two vessels and 200 million yen to the programme this year.

Three unsolicited research proposals dealing with the recovery of depleted populations of humpback and right whales, stock identity of humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere, and genetic variability were recommended for support by the Scientific Committee.

All those proposals were submitted to the Finance and Administration Committee for consideration.

In the plenary, Brazil sought for and received assurances that proper authorisations from the non-member government of Mozambique are obtained for one of these proposals off its coasts.

Disposition of IDCR photo-id and biopsy specimens
It was agreed that the Secretariat would contact researchers who had participated in the IWC/IDCR cruises to determine if they have photographs suitable for photo-identification studies. Such photographs should be curated in accordance with agreed guidelines.

The Secretariat agreed that it would circulate a listing of available biopsy samples collected during IWC/IDCR cruises to institutions that may be interested in analysing them.

13.2 Action arising
The Commission adopted the recommendations and decisions noted above.

_