Resolution 2005-4
RESOLUTION TO ADVANCE THE RMS PROCESS
THE COMMISSION:
AGREES to hold an intersessional meeting to advance the work of the Working Group on the Revised Management
Scheme (RMS) and that of the Small Drafting Group, as established by Resolution 2004-6, with particular emphasis on
any outstanding issues and taking as a starting point the Group’s report to this Commission (IWC/57/RMS 3).
AGREES to hold a meeting of the RMS Working Group in connection with IWC 58 to discuss the remaining issues that
must be resolved before adoption of the RMS can be considered.
AGREES to consider, if appropriate, ministerial, diplomatic, or other high-level possibilities to resolve these issues
among the Contracting Governments to the Convention.
Agreed
PROPOSAL FOR A WORKSHOP ON WHALE KILLING METHODS AND ASSOCIATED WELFARE
ISSUES AT IWC58
RECALLING that the scientific Workshop on Whale Killing Methods and Associated Welfare Issues held prior to
IWC55 in 2003, adopted a Revised Action Plan that encourages the IWC to hold a further scientific and technical
workshop in 3-5 years;
NOTING that the Revised Action Plan on Whale Killing Methods, as noted in the Chair’s report of the 2003 Workshop,
recommends continued improvements in data collection and reporting; technical development of killing methods, and
criteria and methods to determine death;
RECOGNISING that the Chair’s report of the 2003 Whale Killing Methods and Associated Welfare Issues scientific
workshop surmises that penthrite grenade technology represents the current state of ‘best practice’ for a primary killing
method;
RECOGNISING the inherent importance of safety for whaling vessel crews in all proposals to improve whale killing
methods;
NOTING that the Working Group on Whale Killing Methods and Associated Welfare Issues agreed to convene a
workshop meeting at IWC 58;
NOW THEREFORE THE COMMISSION:
AGREES the following Terms of Reference for the Workshop on Whale Killing Methods and Associated Welfare
Issues at IWC 58;
The Workshop shall build on advances from previous years to consider the following issues and make
recommendations as appropriate:
1. Practical criteria for determining the onset of irreversible insensibility and death;
2. Means of improving the efficiency of whale killing methods;
3. Reducing times to death and other associated welfare issues;
4. Means for reducing struck and lost rates in whaling operations;
5. The welfare implications of methods used to kill whales caught in nets where they are not released alive;
and
6. Practicable methods of reviewing and collecting data from aboriginal hunts
Safety issues for the crew members of whaling vessels shall be taken into account in all proposals regarding
improvements to existing and new methods, and gear, e.g. killing methods for whales caught in nets. Cost issues for
aboriginal subsistence hunters shall also be taken into account.
In considering these issues the Workshop shall have regard, inter alia, to data furnished to the Working Group on Whale
Killing Methods and Associated Welfare Issues and also to relevant comparative data from the killing of other large
mammals.
Agreed
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COMPLIANCE WORKING GROUP
(1) To explore ways to strengthen compliance by analyzing the range of possible legal, technical, and
administrative measures available to the Commission which are consistent within the ICRW.
(2) To explore possible mechanisms to monitor and possibly address non-compliance of contracting governments
consistent with the ICRW and international law