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

1997:

A. Review of small cetaceans in coastal waters of Africa.
B. Further consideration of the criteria for assessing the status of harbour porpoise populations.
C. Global review of Stenella coeruleoalba.

1998:

A. Global review of the white whale and narwhal.
B. Review bycatch mitigating measures.

1999:

A. Global review,of the genus Tursiops.
B. Global review of the genus Lissodelphis.

The Scientific Committee recognised the desirability of involving coastal and range states in its work on these topics. It agreed to encourage such participation through the relevant sub-committee convenor.

Denmark commented on its position on IWC competence concerning small cetaceans. With respect to white whales and narwhals, it referred to the joint Greenland/Canada Commission on the conservation and management of these stocks and stated that it has decided to give priority to the scientific working group of that Commission.

Mexico reiterated its view that any expansion of the IWC mandate to include small cetaceans is not possible until such a time as the revision of the Convention has been undertaken. It believed the Commission should agree specific instructions for the Scientific Committee, including:

(1)

to reiterate the importance of involving local agencies, governments and scientists when researchers are developing research in specific coastal states as stressed in the Scientific Committee Report;

(2)

to recognise those countries which have contributed to the work of the sub-committee on a voluntary basis;
and

(3)

to reiterate that the Scientific Committee should not adopt recommendations or decisions on management issues.

Japan also commented that it believes small cetaceans are outside the IWC's terms of reference and it should not give management advice. It expressed concern about the expansion of the work of the Scientific Committee on small cetaceans, considering that the Comprehensive Assessment, sustainable use and management of large whales should receive priority. It noted the useful information obtained from whole carcasses taken as bycatch and landings.

The UK believed that the process established last year had worked quite well. It thought it important to involve the range states in research on small cetaceans, and suggested that the recommendations for 1997 and 1998 should be confirmed, and that the Secretary should seek views on the 1999 proposals which can be confirmed next year. The USA agreed, and specifically accepted the initiative on white whales in 1998. Norway indicated its scientific cooperation through IWC, NAMMCO and ASCOBANS, and supported the proposed topics. The Netherlands similarly supported the proposals, particularly mentioning the review of small cetaceans in coastal waters of Africa and its contribution to the Commission's special fund to enable scientists to participate. South Africa also welcomed this research initiative.

The Russian Federation commented on the small response received from coastal states on the proposals which suggested a lack of real interest. It indicated that its international cooperation on Arctic species would be through the forum of Arctic States and recorded that it did not support this particular topic. It also pointed out that Georgia had not been, but should be, consulted about the species Tursiops before the Commission takes any decision.

The Chairman concluded that while a number of delegations preserved their position on the approach of the Commission to small cetaceans, there was a general agreement to continue the exercise, bearing in mind the other organisations to contact, and the specific objection of the Russian Federation.

9.2 Other matters
Mexico introduced a document setting out its recovery strategy for the vaquita. The management plan for the biosphere reserve of the Upper Gulf of California and the Colorado River Delta was published in December 1995, and Mexico has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources. An ad hoc advisory group will be established to offer guidance on specific research lines to develop a strategy for the recovery of the vaquita, and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee will be asked to suggest a list of recognised experts for eventual inclusion in the advisory group.

9.3 Action arising
The UK introduced a Resolution which it cosponsored together with Austria, Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. This reminded governments of previous Resolutions on small cetaceans and of various requests for information and invitations to take appropriate action; congratulated the People's Republic of China and Mexico on the actions that they are taking to protect two of the world's most endangered cetaceans, the baiji and vaquita; and commended the Scientific Committee for the valuable work that it does and encouraged it to continue its efforts. While recognising the differences of view on regulatory competence, the common theme is the need for cooperation to conserve and restore depleted stocks.

Mexico indicated its willingness to join a consensus on this Resolution while noting its position regarding IWC competence on small cetaceans. Japan pointed out its objections to previous Resolutions dealing with the management of Dall's porpoise, but would not block a consensus. The People's Republic of China outlined its efforts to protect the 100-150 baiji remaining. It had no instructions to discuss the baiji in this meeting, a freshwater species outside IWC competence, but will report back on the Resolution and seek to submit relevant information to the next Annual Meeting. St Vincent and The Grenadines and Denmark recorded their reservations on the competence question, and the Russian Federation noted its position on the management and financial issues. Sweden informed the Commission that it had taken on special responsibility for the endangered population of harbour porpoise in the Baltic Sea. St Lucia, supported by Grenada, recalled the strong Resolution last year from the Caribbean states.

The Resolution shown in Appendix 4 was then adopted by consensus.

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