× Information on this section of ECOLEX comes from the InforMEA Portal which compiled information from MEA Secretariats with the support of the European Union. The accuracy of the information displayed is the responsibility of the originating data source. In case of discrepancy the information as displayed on the respective MEA website prevails. Resolution on whaling under Special Permit Tipo de documento Resolution Número de referencia 1998-4 Fecha May 16, 1998 FuenteUNEP, InforMEA Estado Adoptado Materia Especies silvestres y ecosistemas, Mar Tratado Convención internacional para la reglamentación de la caza de la ballena (Dic 2, 1946) Reunión 50th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC50) Página web crm.iwc.int Resumen WHEREAS Article VIII of the Convention provides for the issuing by Contracting Governments of special permits for scientific research and paragraph 7 (b) of the Schedule establishes a sanctuary in the Southern Ocean; RECALLING previous resolutions on whaling under special permits adopted by the Commission (1995-9, 1996-7 and 1997-5), relating to lethal scientific research in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean; NOTING that in 1997 the Commission affirmed that the JARPA and JARPN programmes did not address critically important research needs for the management of whaling in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean; NOW, THEREFORE, THE COMMISSION: REGRETS that despite multiple IWC resolutions affirming that these lethal research programmes did not address critically important research needs, the Government of Japan continues the programmes of lethal research, particularly in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. DIRECTS the Scientific Committee, with respect to all special permit research programmes, to continue to identify non-lethal methods and alternative sources of data that might be used in meeting the stated research objectives; INSTRUCTS the Secretary to notify the Contracting Government concerned if a continuing or proposed special permit research programme does not meet critically important research needs, as determined by the Commission in the above resolutions; NOTES the grave concerns of eminent members of the international scientific community over the continuation of lethal whale research programmes which were specified in a letter, (IWC/50/17) of 23 January 1998, to the Chairman of the Commission; in particular; “that moral and ethical isssues are properly raised when: A single research programme results in over 2,500 cetaceans being killed over 8 years, with the prospect of another 8 years to come; and Whale meat and other whale products resulting from lethal scientific whaling are being sold in commercial markets, while a moratorium on commercial whaling remains in force.” REQUESTS that the Secretariat undertake, for the next Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, a comprehensive review of the ethical considerations taken into account by other international scientific organizations with respect to scientific research; RECOMMENDS that, if whales are killed under the provisions of Article VIII of the Convention, this should be done in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section III of the Schedule; REAFFIRMS its previous request that the Government of Japan refrain from issuing any further permits for the take of minke whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and the North Pacific Ocean.