Accordingly, the Commission concluded that the proposed 

 sampling program may be ill-conceived and fundamentally 

 flawed. 



The Commission further noted that the draft research 

 program proposed studies to: compile and analyze available 

 catch, sighting, and biological data from fin, sei, minke, 

 humpback, and blue whales from the North Pacific Ocean; radio 

 tag and track fin whales and satellite tag and track other 

 whales; conduct shipboard and aerial surveys of whales 

 adjacent to Iceland; photographically identify individual 

 humpback and killer whales; and analyze and improve popula- 

 tion models for estimating maximum sustainable yield levels. 

 The draft research outline did not specify the research 

 protocol to be used in these studies, but it did note that 

 these studies would be based on recent experience and proven 

 methodology. The Commission concluded that, although the 

 information provided in the draft research outline was not 

 adequate to make an informed judgment, it seemed possible 

 that such research, if properly designed and carried out, 

 could provide useful new information for the comprehensive 

 assessment contemplated by the IWC. 



As indicated above, the IWC agreed during its 1985 

 meeting that a special meeting should be held in 1986 to 

 consider planning for the comprehensive assessment. That 

 meeting was held on 7-11 April 1986. Its objective was to 

 identify specific tasks and priorities and a timetable for 

 undertaking the comprehensive assessment of whale stocks 

 required under paragraph 10 (e) of the IWC Schedule of 

 regulations. Representatives of the Marine Mammal Commission 

 and the National Marine Fisheries Service attended from the 

 United States. Meeting participants proposed that the 

 comprehensive assessment be conducted through an iterative 

 process whereby individual whale stocks would be reviewed 

 according to a seven-point work plan outline consisting of 

 the following steps: an inventory of current knowledge of 

 whale stocks; a study of methodological problems involved in 

 determining stock identity and population trends; a parallel 

 examination of the availability of relevant data; a review of 

 scientific aspects of alternative management procedures; 

 preparation of a second-round inventory; an examination of 

 general aspects of whale population dynamics; and preparation 

 of a third-round inventory. 



Recognizing constraints associated with the iterative 

 nature of the comprehensive assessment process, the number of 

 stocks to be reviewed, and the availability of personnel and 

 financial resources, a timetable was developed with a view to 

 completing an interim report on the comprehensive assessment, 

 which would cover at least the major stocks of whales, by 

 1990. The report of this meeting was considered by the full 



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