CONTENTS

Overview	Background information on aboriginal subsistence whaling
Catches	Aboriginal subsistence whaling catches taken since 1985
Catch limits	Aboriginal subsistence whaling catch limits
Needs statements	Statements of cultural & subsistence needs submitted to IWC
PDF Translations of this page:	French	Note on translations

ABORIGINAL SUBSISTENCE WHALING

Since its inception, the IWC has recognised that aboriginal subsistence whaling is of a different nature to commercial whaling. This is reflected in the different objectives for the two. For aboriginal subsistence whaling these are to:

• ensure risks of extinction not seriously increased (highest priority);
• enable harvests in perpetuity appropriate to cultural and nutritional requirements;
• maintain stocks at highest net recruitment level and if below that ensure they move towards it.

Under current IWC regulations, aboriginal subsistence whaling is permitted for Denmark (Greenland, fin, humpback and minke whales), the Russian Federation (Siberia, gray and bowhead whales), St Vincent and The Grenadines (Bequia, humpback whales) and the USA (Alaska, bowhead and gray whales). It is the responsibility of national governments to provide the Commission with evidence of the cultural and subsistence needs of their people. The statements of cultural and subsistence need submitted to previous Commission discussions on aboriginal subsistence whaling can be accessed below. The Scientific Committee provides scientific advice on safe catch limits for such stocks.

With the completion of the RMP for commercial whaling, the Commission asked the Scientific Committee to begin the process of developing a new procedure for the management of aboriginal subsistence whaling (the AWMP). This is an iterative and ongoing effort. The Commission will ultimately establish an Aboriginal Whaling Scheme that comprises the scientific and logistical (e.g. inspection/observation) aspects of the management of all aboriginal fisheries. Within this, the scientific component might comprise some general aspects common to all fisheries (e.g. guidelines and requirements for surveys and for data c.f. the RMP) and an overall AWMP within which there will be common components and case-specific components.

Until the AWMP is completed then the Committee provides advice on a more ad hoc basis, carrying out major reviews according to the needs of the Commission in terms of establishing catch limits and the availability of data. It also carries out brief annual reviews of each stock. (Click HERE for the Scientific Committee's most recent advice).

NEEDS STATEMENTS