Amendments to the Schedule to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, Reykjavik, 1991

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International Whaling Commission The Red House, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge CB4 4NP United Kingdom Telephone: (0223) 233971 Fax: (0223) 232876

Chairman Dr. L.A. Fleischer (Mexico) Vice-Chairman Dr. P. Bridgewater (Australia) Secretary Dr. Ray Gambell

10 June 1991

Our Ref. RG/VJH/18693

CIRCULAR COMMUNICATION TO COMMISSIONERS AND CONTRACTING GOVERNMENTS Amendments to the Schedule International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, 1946

At its 43rd Meeting held in Reykjavik, Iceland, 27-31 May 1991, the International Whaling Commission adopted the following amendments to the Schedule (changes in bold type):

Amend paragraph 13(b) to read as follows:

(b) Catch limits for aboriginal subsistence whaling are as follows:

(1) The taking of bowhead whales from the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock by aborigines is permitted, but only when the meat and products of such whales are to be used exclusively for local consumption by the aborigines and further provided that:

(i)

For the years 1992, 1993 and 1994 combined, the total number of whales struck shall not exceed 141, except that:

(A)

any unused strikes up to ten percent (10%) of the total strikes allowed in the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 combined shall be carried forward from those years and added to the combined total of strikes for the years 1992, 1993, and 1994; and

(B)

in any one year no more than 54 whales shall be struck and no more than 41 shall be landed.

(ii) It is forbidden to strike, take or kill calves or any bowhead whale accompanied by a calf.

(iii)

This provision shall be reviewed annually by the Commission in light of the advice of the Scientific Committee.

(2) The taking of gray whales from the Eastern stock in the North Pacific is permitted, but only by aborigines or a Contracting Government on behalf of aborigines, and then only when the meat and products of such whales are to be used exclusively for local consumption by the aborigines.

(i) The number of gray whales taken in accordance with this sub-paragraph in each of the years 1992, 1993 and 1994 shall not exceed the limit shown in Table 1. (ii)

This provision shall be reviewed annually by the Commission in light of the advice of the Scientific Committee.

(3) The taking by aborigines of minke whales from the West Greenland and Central stocks and fin whales from the West Greenland stock is permitted and then only when the meat and products are to be used exclusively for local consumption.

(i) The number of fin whales from the West Greenland stock and minke whales from the Central stock taken in accordance with this sub-paragraph shall not exceed the limits shown in Table 1. (ii) For each of the years 1992, 1993 and 1994, the number of minke whales struck from the West Greenland stock shall not exceed 115, and the total number of whales struck shall not exceed 315 in these three years.

Amend Table 1 so that

1. The North Pacific Eastern stock of gray whales has a catch limit of 1691 with footnote 1 Available to be taken by aborigines or a Contracting Government on behalf of aborigines pursuant to paragraph 13(b)2. 2.

the North Atlantic West Greenland stock catch limit for fin whales is 212 with footnote 2 Available to be taken by aborigines pursuant to paragraph 13(b)3. 3.

the North Atlantic West Greenland stock of minke whales has a catch limit of 0.

Revise paragraphs 11 and 12, and Tables 1, 2 and 3 by substitution of the dates 1991/92 pelagic season, 1992 coastal season, 1992 season, or 1992 as appropriate.

These amendments become effective with respect to each Contracting Government ninety days following the date of this letter, in accordance with Article V of the Convention, unless any Contracting Government lodges an objection, in which case the procedure under Article V, paragraph 3 of the Convention will be followed.

The ninety days period will expire on 8 September 1991. In the absence of objections by that date the amendments will become effective. Contracting Governments will be notified accordingly.

Contracting Governments are reminded that Article V paragraph 3 of the Convention requires them to acknowledge receipt of this notification of amendments, a copy of which is being sent to each Commissioner.

Dr R. Gambell Secretary to the Commission