(from "Chairman's Report of the Fifty-First Annual Meeting")
Japan objected to the admission of two NGO observers, as in the Infractions Sub-Committee (Item 10 above), but all other observers were admitted.
The Chairman of the Scientific Committee's Standing Working Group (SWG) on the Development of the Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Management Procedure (AWMP), Mr Greg Donovan (Secretariat), presented its report.
A major feature of the SWG's discussions this year was how to make as rapid progress as possible in the light of the agreement last year that it is possible to provide the Commission with components of an AWMP as soon as they are available. This means that Strike Limit Algorithms (SLAs) for bowhead and gray whales will be able to be developed before those for other species. As in previous years, a number of scientific issues related to simulation trials were looked at.
Thanks to the advice sought from the Commission during the development process, the SWG has been able to make further progress in both the design features of SLAs and the trial structure by which they can be evaluated against the Commission's objectives. Those addressed this year included: catch variability; block quotas; short-term need; and multi-species considerations.
With regard to the level of progress and when this work might be finished, the aim is to ensure as rapid progress as possible to provide recommendations to the Commission for each of the fisheries. In this respect, a timetable has been developed, but this by nature must be somewhat tentative as the development process is an iterative one and it is not possible to predict the performance of candidate SLAs in the trials.
11.1.1.1 FUTURE WORK PLAN
With respect to the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales both
a 'faster' and 'slower' timetable have been provided to illustrate the
tentative nature of the process.
With the 'faster' timetable, a recommendation should be ready to be presented
to the Commission at the 2002 meeting.
The present catch limits for bowhead whales are set up to and including the
2002 season.
It was emphasised that the timetable will be lengthened considerably if
consideration has to be given to developing multi-stock trials.
The eastern stock of gray whales has not been looked at in any detail yet but given the similarities between this and the bowhead whale, at least with respect to information available, it is expected that this can be developed in parallel. Thus, under the 'faster' timetable the expectation is that a recommendation will be presented to the 2002 Commission meeting.
As noted last year, with the currently available data for the Greenland fisheries for minke and fin whales it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for development of an SLA that will satisfy all the Commission's objectives for this fishery. Last year the Commission had accepted the recommendation of the need to develop a cooperative research programme with Greenlandic scientists to advance this work. Work began this year on developing this programme, and the feasibility of a new approach is being investigated. Initially it will require a field trial of a biopsy sampling gun and, assuming success with this, it will probably involve a large-scale biopsy sampling programme as well as aerial surveys. This will have financial implications for future years. There are a number of practical and theoretical issues still to be resolved for this multi-species fishery and it looks likely to be at least 2006 before management advice and recommendations will be able to be provided.
St Vincent and The Grenadines humpback whales have not yet been looked at in any detail. Both the major review of North Atlantic humpback whales to be undertaken at the 2001 meeting and proposed research work in the eastern Caribbean will be important to this work. The question of stock identity and the relationship of these whales to those of the wider western North Atlantic will be very important to this work and the Scientific Committee has recommended that at least tissue samples are obtained from any animals taken under this quota.
Some general matters regarding progress were outlined, including issues relating to computing and the dependence of the speed with which the work can be done on having appropriate software as soon as possible; the importance of intersessional meetings and workshops to the development process; and the general scientific aspects of the scheme. The first two of these points have particular financial implications and, with respect to the third, a discussion paper will be produced for next year's meeting to promote dialogue with the Commission.
The USA expressed satisfaction at the progress made and said that it looked forward to the results of the work at coming meetings. Denmark expressed the willingness of Denmark/Greenland to cooperate with the IWC and its Scientific Committee but underlined the situation with resources in Greenland and the need for assistance, including financial assistance, from the IWC.
The Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Sub-Committee agreed to forward this report to the Commission.
11.1.2 Action arising
The Commission noted the comments in the report.
11.2 Review of aboriginal subsistence whaling catch limits
11.2.1 Report of Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Sub-Committee
11.2.1.1 BERING-CHUKCHI-BEAUFORT SEAS STOCK OF BOWHEAD WHALES
The Scientific Committee agreed that there is no reason to change the
management advice given last year that it is very likely that a catch limit of
102 whales or less would be consistent with the requirements of the Schedule.
11.2.1.2 NORTH PACIFIC EASTERN STOCK OF GRAY WHALES
The Scientific Committee agreed that it has no reason to change the advice
given in 1997 that a take of up to 482 whales per year is sustainable, and is
likely to allow the population to stabilise above MSYL.
Given the level of interest, the USA offered to provide some preliminary information on the Makah hunt, noting that it would not normally provide such information at this stage. It advised that the hunt began on 17 May when the Makah struck and landed a whale. The harpoon was thrown from a canoe, it was attached to a float, the whale dived, and was then pursued by a motorised chase boat. The kill was then completed by use of a .577 calibre rifle, with two of four shots striking the whale. The total incident took eight minutes.
11.1.1.3 NORTH ATLANTIC WEST GREENLAND STOCK OF MINKE WHALES
The Scientific Committee noted that it has never been able to provide
satisfactory scientific advice on either fin or minke whales off Greenland.
It strongly recommended the establishment of a research programme for fin and
minke whales off Greenland and endorsed the plan for such a programme outlined
in its report.
Sweden endorsed the recommendation referred to by the Scientific Committee concerning the feasibility study, and in agreeing with Sweden, the UK noted that such a decision is likely to have financial consequences in future years, which members should bear in mind, and indicated its readiness to support such a study.
The Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Sub-Committee then endorsed the proposal of the Scientific Committee for the feasibility study proposed in its report.
11.2.1.4 NORTH ATLANTIC HUMPBACK WHALES
The Scientific Committee repeated its advice from the 1997 meeting that a
catch of up to three whales annually is unlikely to harm this stock.
It also drew attention to the fact that the comprehensive stock assessment for
North Atlantic humpback whales, previously agreed to take place in 2000, would
now not take place until 2001.
The Commission may wish to look at this when considering the Scientific
Committee's Work Plan.
St Vincent and The Grenadines requested a renewal of its quota of two humpback whales a year. It stressed the need for the continuance of this small quota and reiterated its request of previous years that this be for a three year period.
There followed an extensive debate, covering the issues of the possibility of continued whaling after the retirement of the original whaler; the killing methods used; the possibility that a calf and its mother may be taken; the importance of a documented needs statement; the social, subsistence and cultural aspects; the impact of the small catch on the stock estimated to number 10,600 animals; and the balanced and multiple use of resources in the Caribbean.
11.2.2 Action arising
11.2.2.1 RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ABORIGINAL SUBSISTENCE WHALING
SUB-COMMITTEE
It was agreed that the Sub-Committee's report of the above discussions would
be forwarded to the Commission.
In particular, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee noted that while many
delegations had expressed support for the St Vincent and The Grenadines
request, there was no consensus, including on the question of need.
The various points of view were reflected in the Sub-Committee's report.
In the Commission, St Vincent and The Grenadines repeated the request it has made since 1988 for a quota of two whales for each of the next three years. The nutritional need had been accepted in 1994 and 1996 and continues. It is collecting tissue samples and providing more information. It maintained that no infractions had occurred, despite the concern over the small whale taken in 1998. This was based on its belief that paragraph 14 of the Schedule is not applicable, and refers only to commercial whaling, and that lactating is equivalent to suckling.
It proposed that the Scientific Committee should be instructed to consider the effect on the stock of taking calves, small whales and lactating females. It wondered what is the problem of taking two whales from a stock of 10,600, which is subject to annual review, when a catch of three whales would not cause harm.
Although it was not obliged to answer questions raised by the UK on welfare, it did state that the times to death are 20-30 minutes, a bomb lance is not used, only two whales had been lost out of 12 struck since 1989, one or two attempts are needed with a steel-tipped lance to kill the whale, there were six men in each of the two boats used in 1998 and 1999, and a motorised boat is used only to tow the whale after the hunt. It also stated that the larger of two whales together is always struck first.
St Vincent and The Grenadines was aware of the concerns raised by the false reports, and discussions had been initiated with technical people. It noted that it can expect to kill more whales with improved efficiency, and the demand for whale meat had increased because of the publicity.
Ireland proposed an amendment to the suggested Schedule text, by adding to
paragraph 13(b)(4):
It is forbidden lo strike, take or kill calves or any humpback whale
accompanied by a calf.
Although Ireland does not take whales and has declared its waters a sanctuary, it respected other people's cultures and traditions.
It asked for a definition of a calf, which the Chairman said was an animal of less than 8m in length. The Scientific Committee should review this next year.
Although St Vincent and The Grenadines undertook to cooperate, the Netherlands still had concerns over the needs statement, possible violation of paragraph 14, when the whaling would stop, and wished for reassurance on these matters. The matter was then adjourned for further negotiations outside the meeting, following which the Chairman of the Commission reported that consensus had been reached on the Schedule amendment proposed by St Vincent and The Grenadines to delete the dates '1996/97 to 1998/99' and replace with '2000 to 2002' and with the additional sentence put forward by Ireland.
In reaching this consensus, the Commission took note of:
Australia said its reservations remain, but it welcomed the commitments and regulation. Denmark expressed satisfaction on reaching agreement. New Zealand associated itself with these remarks. The Netherlands still had concerns over the way the hunt is conducted and will watch future conduct, while the UK welcomed the changes concerning calves but still had reservations on need.
The USA, as an aboriginal subsistence whaling nation, supported native groups in other countries. It had been troubled in the past but was somewhat encouraged by the amendment and definition of a calf; targeting calves and accompanying whales is unacceptable. Monaco thought that clarification on excluding the killing of mothers and calves is essential.
Japan welcomed the agreement; this non-issue had taken too long, since people commonly eat small chickens, lamb and veal.
The Solomon Islands and Chile congratulated the Chairman for his guidance, believing that understanding by countries is the way to go forward. St Vincent and The Grenadines thanked everyone.
11.3 Catches by non-member nations
11.3.1 Report of Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Sub-Committee
The Scientific Committee considered bowhead whales other than the
Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock and reported that a bowhead whale was taken
at Pangmirtung, eastern Baffin Island, in the summer of 1998.
The Scientific Committee reiterated its advice that given the apparent
interest in continuing harvests from the Baffin Bay-Davis Strait and Hudson
Bay stocks that were depleted by commercial whaling, additional knowledge of
their status is crucially needed.
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