16. CONSERVATION OF WHALE STOCKS (1994)

16. CONSERVATION OF WHALE STOCKS

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

16.1 Report of the Scientific Committee
A Steering Group was established by the Scientific Committee last year to identify a set of objectives for research on Southern Hemisphere blue whales and to identify individuals who could contribute to the development of a research proposal. An intersessional meeting of the Steering Group was held in Tokyo in October 1993. Three possible objectives were considered by the Scientific Committee: (a) to refine estimates of abundance in feeding areas; (b) to determine the distribution of breeding areas and whether animals that utilise a particular low latitude breeding area utilise particular feeding areas in the Southern Ocean; and (c) to evaluate the potential for competition for krill between blue whales, other baleen whales and other high-level predators.

A number of research projects were identified, some of which are already in hand. In view of the difficulties associated with estimating blue whale abundance, the Scientific Committee strongly recommended that the potential of acoustic methods for both determining areas of blue whale concentration and assessing their abundance be determined. It noted the value of the information obtained from the US Navy 'Whales 93' project and its future potential and strongly recommended that the USA ensures that this work is continued.

The Scientific Committee also considered the results of analyses of IDCR cruise data and agreed that as these cruises covered the major feeding grounds of blue whales, the estimate of 460 (95% CI 210 - 1,000) represents the best estimate of abundance available for Southern Hemisphere true blue whales for the 1985/86 - 1990/91 cruises.

Plans for a Japanese sightings cruise for blue and Bryde's whales around the Solomon Islands in September and October 1994 were presented, covering an area where blue whales have previously been seen. The Scientific Committee noted the relevance of this survey to its work, recommended that it be conducted and looked forward to receiving a report of the cruise.

The segregation of blue and pygmy blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere has been examined using available sightings data and catch records on the basis of separation at 55°S. The Scientific Committee concurred with the view that an identification key for separating the two sub-species at sea be developed if possible. Information on the final phase of pelagic exploitation of blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere and the actual catches of pygmy blue whales by Japan and the USSR were reviewed, including catches of over 9,000 pygmy blue whales not previously reported by the USSR during the seasons 1962/63 -1971/72.

In the Plenary, the USA supported the study on competition for krill so long as it does not involve lethal takes. It also stated that it will make every effort to see that the work on the use of acoustics for determining areas of blue whale concentration and their abundance is continued. The UK confirmed that it is funding a two-year project to analyse Discovery data to investigate changes in feeding ecology and historical concentrations of blue and other large baleen whales in the Southern Ocean.

Australia and New Zealand, while supporting such work, questioned the practicality and financial implications of some of this research given the low number of sightings. Japan emphasised its initiative in promoting these studies to encourage the recovery and protection of the large baleen whales. It might be necessary to stop the passage of all vessels within the habitats and it thought it important that urgent international cooperation should be started and funded by the Commission.

16.2 Mechanism to finance research programme
The financial implications of any programme were such that the Scientific Committee agreed to bring this matter back to the Commission for further guidance and consideration. If the Commission did approve the proposal in principle and were willing to make funds available, a detailed programme could be developed.

Japan proposed establishing a Working Group to include the Secretary, the Chairman of the Scientific Committee and a few of its relevant members to correspond initially and meet intersessionally if necessary to start collecting and analysing data. It proposed a budget of up to 0,000 for this work. Australia considered this a useful and positive suggestion, and thought the Working Group might meet just before next year's Scientific Committee to save resources. Japan believed the Working Group could make the decision on if or when it should meet.

The Commission approved starting the work by correspondence coordinated by the Secretary and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, and the Working Group will itself decide the necessity of meeting intersessionally, or at the next Annual Meeting.

16.3 Action arising
Japan introduced a Resolution on promotion of research related to conservation of large baleen whales in the southern oceans. This noted the work of the intersessional Steering Group and the Scientific Committee, the concerns on the status of the large baleen whales and the need for research, and allocated up to 」10,000 for the development of research programmes to be presented to the 47th Annual Meeting for consideration of financial support.

New Zealand proposed a series of amendments to the text which were supported by the USA, UK and Brazil, and with these changes the Resolution (Appendix 13) was adopted, noting some continuing concerns from New Zealand.