31. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

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


Mexican request
Mexico submitted a request to the IWC to assist it in the review process it is undertaking for a proposed additional commercial salt-producing operation in the Baja California peninsula. The original proposal was rejected by the Mexican authorities, but there has been an appeal, and the government decided to approach the Commission in order to request assistance in selecting one or two independent scientists from outside Mexico to add transparency and impartiality to the review. There would be no cost to the Commission. The IWC was asked to note the request and authorise the Secretary and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee to consult with the Mexican Government on the implementation of the request, and report back to the Commission on what was done.

The proposal was welcomed by India, Netherlands, Brazil, Chile and the USA because of the importance of the Sam Ignacio Lagoon as a breeding site for gray whales.

The Russian Federation sought and received clarification that only minimal postal and telephone costs would be incurred by the Secretariat, but also asked under what provision of competence of the IWC was the issue raised and in what capacity the selected scientist would act? Mexico indicated that the scientist would act in a personal capacity with no formal link to the IWC. Reporting back to the Scientific Committee could be through the Mexican member and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, and thence to the Commission. The area of competence is gray whales under Article VI.1. While it basically did not oppose the idea, the Russian Federation was still uneasy about the linkage between the formal involvement of the Commission in selecting the scientist and the non-involvement in the expert process. It asked to return to this matter after further reflection.

Subsequently, the Russian Federation proposed adding wording to make clear that the scientist selected would have competence in respect of migration and reproduction of gray whales in the area. With this addition the 47th Annual Meeting took note of the Government of Mexico's request for the Commission's assistance in the identification and selection of one or several international renowned scientists to assist the Government in reaching a scientifically-based final decision on the review process of a proposed expansion of commercial salt operations in the 'El Vizcaino' Biosphere Reserve of Baja California in respect of migration and reproduction of gray whales in the area.

The Commission agreed with this request and decided to authorise its Secretary, as well as the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, to consult with the Mexican Government on the implementation of this request and to report to the 48th Annual Meeting on the final arrangements made.


NGO observers
Japan commented on the fact that some individuals are listed as government delegates attending the preliminary meetings of Working Groups and Sub-committees, but registered as NGO observers in the Plenary week. The Secretary recalled the Commission's decision that the number of delegates attending the final week should be used as the basis for calculating the shares for financial contributions. The experts and advisers taking part in the earlier meetings of the Scientific and other Committees and Working Groups were regarded as adding to the technical expertise of the Commission but were not taken into account in the share calculation. For practical convenience the identity badges issued were based on the final week status. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Finance and Administration Committee for further consideration next year.

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