COMMERCIAL WHALING CATCH LIMITS
In 1982, the Commission took a decision, which came
into force for the 1986 and 1985/86 seasons, that catch
limits for all commercial whaling would be set to zero.
That decision also stated that by 1990 at the latest,
the Commission will undertake a
comprehensive assessment
of the effect of the decision on whale stocks and consider
modification of the provision and establishment of other
catch limits - See Schedule Para 10e.
Subsequently the Scientific Committee has developed
and the Commission adopted the Revised
Management Procedure (RMP) for commercial whaling.
This has not been implemented, awaiting agreement from
the Commission on the Revised Management
Scheme (RMS) which includes additional non-scientific
matters including inspection and observation.
At the 2003 meeting, as in previous years, the Commission
did not adopt a proposal by Japan for an interim relief
allocation of 50 minke whales to be taken by coastal
community-based whaling.
As Norway has lodged objections to the relevant items
in the Schedule, it has exercised its right to set national
catch limits for its coastal whaling operations for
minke whales. The Commission passed a Resolution calling
on Norway to halt all whaling activities under its jurisdiction.
Click
HERE for a list of commercial
catches taken under objection since the zero catch limits came into force
CATCH LIMITS FOR ABORIGINAL
SUBSISTENCE WHALING
The Commission sets catch limits for stocks subject
to aboriginal subsistence whaling.
With the completion of the RMP,
the Scientific Committee has been developing a new procedure
for the management of aboriginal subsistence whaling.
This must take into account the different management
objectives for such whaling when compared to commercial
whaling. This is an iterative and ongoing effort.
The Commission will 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.
At the 2002 meeting, the Committee completed its
work with respect to the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas
stock of bowhead whales. It agreed a Strike Limit Algorithm
(SLA) for bowhead whales and the scientific aspects of a Scheme; the SLA was
adopted by the Commission. Work on the Strike Limit Algorithm for gray whales
in was completed in 2004 and adopted by the Commission. The situation for the Greenlandic fisheries
for fin and minke whales is more complex. A considerable
amount of research, especially concerning stock identity,
is required and to this end, the Committee has developed
a research programme in cooperation with Greenlandic
scientists.
Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead
whales (taken by native people
of Alaska and Chukotka) - A total of up to 280 bowhead whales can be
landed in the period 2008 - 2012, with no more than 67 whales struck in any year
(and up to 15 unused strikes may be carried over each year).
Eastern North Pacific gray whales (taken by native people
of Chukotka and Washington State ) - A total catch of 620 whales is allowed
for the years 2008 - 2012 with a maximum of 140 in any one year.
West Greenland fin whales (taken by Greenlanders)
- An annual strike limit of 19 whales is allowed for the years
2008 - 2012.
West Greenland common minke whales (taken by Greenlanders)
- An annual strike limit of 200 whales is allowed for the years 2008 - 2012 with
an annual review by the Scientific Committee.
West Greenland bowhead whales (taken by Greenlanders)
- An annual strike limit of 2 whales is allowed for the years
2008 - 2012 with an annual review by the Scientific Committee.
East Greenland common minke whales (taken by Greenlanders)
- An annual strike limit of 12 whales is allowed for the years 2008 - 2012.
Humpback whales taken by St Vincent and The Grenadines
- For the seasons 2008-2012 the number of humpback whales to be taken shall not
exceed 20.
Click
HERE for a list of aboriginal
subsistence catches taken since the zero catch limits came into force
WHALING UNDER SCIENTIFIC PERMIT (SPECIAL PERMIT)
Since the ‘moratorium’ came into effect after
1986, Japan, Norway and Iceland have issued
scientific permits as part of their research
programmes. (Click HERE
for more information on Scientific Permits).
Click HERE
for a list of special permit catches taken since the zero catch limits came into
force
WHALE SANCTUARIES
As well as management measures governing catch and
size limits, species and seasons, the IWC also designates
open and closed areas for commercial whaling. (Click
HERE for information
on IWC designated sanctuaries and the history of
their creation).
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