it would be in a better position to evaluate the long-term 

 value of the research after the 1988 results have been analyzed 

 and indicated that it would be pleased to review Norway's 

 detailed research proposal to be submitted at next year's IWC 

 Scientific Committee meeting. 



On 31 August 1988, the Secretary of Commerce wrote to 

 the President advising that he had reviewed matters pertaining 

 to Norway's proposed 1988 research program and that he had 

 determined that the proposed taking of whales, in conjunction 

 with Norway's commitment to work within the IWC process, 

 would not diminish the effectiveness of the IWC conservation 

 program. 



U.S. Review of Matters Pertaining to the Comprehensive 

 Assessment and Special Permits — In view of the increasing 

 amount of work to be done for at least the next two years on 

 the comprehensive assessment and the likely need for 

 determinations under U.S. law on whether the taking of whales 

 for research purposes by other members of the IWC would diminish 

 the effectiveness of the IWC conservation program, the Marine 

 Mammal Commission wrote to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration on 7 November 1988. In its letter, the Commis- 

 sion noted that these matters involve complex guestions and 

 that plans to address them should be developed now. To help 

 in this regard, the Commission suggested that a gualified 

 cetacean data analyst be appointed full time for at least the 

 next two years to perform tasks such as reviewing, analyzing, 

 and critiguing data sets and statistical procedures critical 

 to the comprehensive assessment and, as appropriate, analyses 

 resulting from research conducted under special permits. 



In addition, with respect to determinations under U.S. 

 law on the killing of whales for research purposes, the Marine 

 Mammal Commission noted that IWC guidelines call for reports 

 of data and results to be put forward by nations wishing to 

 extend their special permits. If such reports are not put 

 forward in sufficient time for review by the IWC Scientific 

 Committee, or if the Scientific Committee cannot conclude 

 that the research is meeting critical research needs and/or 

 contributing to the comprehensive assessment; the Commission 

 expressed the view that further takings to continue that 

 research be considered as diminishing the effectiveness of 

 the IWC conservation program and thereby as justification for 

 a certification finding under the Packwood-Magnuson and Pelly 

 Amendments. With respect to timely submissions of interim 

 reports, the Commission suggested that results of catches in 

 the northern summer season should be made available prior to 

 the next Scientific Committee meeting and that reports of 

 catches in the austral summer season should be made available 

 by January of the following year (i.e. , within 9 to 10 months) . 



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