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

The USA endorsed the concept of sustainable use of marine living resources as set forth in Agenda 21 of UNCED, but noted that this does not require consumptive use. Agenda 21 recognises the competence of an international organisation to prohibit the exploitation of marine mammals and the responsibility of the IWC for conservation and management of whale stocks and the regulation of whaling. The USA emphasised that whalewatching is a good example of sustainable use. Australia took the same position, and suggested keeping this item on the agenda so the Commission can monitor international developments in this area.

Japan spoke of the increase in human population expected into the next century and the limited food resources available on land. It looked to the seas to prevent poverty and food shortages in developing countries, but protection of the whales denied such utilisation. It emphasised its view that the world trend of total protection of marine mammal species regardless of their population status is wrong and should be reviewed.

St Lucia referred to the preamble to the Convention talking about the sustainable exploitation of whales, taking into consideration the consumers of whale products and the whaling industry.

The UK is also committed to the principles of sustainable use as agreed in UNCED and supported the USA's comments. It suggested deleting this item from the agenda in future, a position shared by the Netherlands, New Zealand (which noted it was the basis of all the Commission's discussions), the USA and France. St Vincent and The Grenadines expressed surprise at such a suggestion for an item at the heart of the Convention, a view shared by Norway, Sweden, Japan and Denmark.

After further discussion in a meeting of Commissioners it was decided to retain the item on the agenda, for review at the next meeting.

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