WHEREAS the Commission has encouraged Contracting Governments to base their research programmes to the maximum extent possible on non-lethal methods ( Rep. Int. Whal. Commn 40:70);

WHEREAS the Commission recognises the past efforts by Japan in research on whales in the North Pacific, which do not involve the taking of whales;

WHEREAS the Commission has considered the Report of the Scientific Committee IWC/46/4 concerning the proposed catch of minke whales described in SC/46/NP1;

WHEREAS the Commission acknowledges that the Scientific Committee has agreed that the objectives of the research proposal directly address questions of scientific interest; and at the same time the Commission notes that these questions could also be addressed by non-lethal methods using biopsy sampling and DNA-analyses;

WHEREAS the Commission takes cognizance of Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, under which the granting by any Contracting Government to its nationals of a Special Permit authorising the killing, taking or treatment of whales for purposes of scientific research remains the responsibility of each Contracting Government, exercising its sovereign rights in respect of maritime areas under its jurisdiction and freedom of the high seas;

Now, THEREFORE, the Commission

CONSIDERS; taking into account the comments in the Report of the Scientific Committee (IWC/46/4); that the proposed kill of minke whales in the North Pacific described in SC/46/NP1 does not fully satisfy the criteria specified in both the 1986 Resolution on Special Permits for Scientific Research and the 1987 Resolution on Scientific Research Programmes;

RECOMMENDS the Government of Japan to restructure its research programme concerning minke whales in the North Pacific in such a manner that the research interests are adequately addressed with non-lethal methods. INVITES the Government of JAPAN to reconsider the proposed research take of minke whales in the North Pacific under special permit in 1994 in the light of the above;