APPENDIX VI APPENDIX VI 
I 
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International Regulatory Fishery Agreements to Which the United States 
is Party 
A. International Whaling Convention 
Prior to World War II, it was generally recognized by the inter- 
national community that several species of whales were in danger of 
being overfished. However, numerous efforts to reach agreements for 
the protection of whale species either failed or resulted in ineffective 
agreements. Not until December 2, 1946 was agreement on a total catch 
limit for Antarctic pelagic whaling achieved through the International 
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. This agreement was based on 
a seasonal limit of 16,000 BWU's (blue whale units) for all waters 
south of 40° South Latitude and established an International Whaling 
Commission as regulatory authority. 
The Commission consists of one representative per country. It has 
no scientific personnel and only a part-time administrative staff. 
World whaling statistics are compiled under the auspices of the Bureau 
of International Whaling Statistics located in Norway. 
Since the 1946 agreement, the convention has undergone several 
revisions and amendments, most recently during the period 1972-1975. 
And, in addition, membership has undergone substantial change. Present 
adherents to the International Whaling Convention (as of 1975) include: 
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Japan, 
Mauritius, Norway, Panama, South Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, despite 
the convention revisions and the modifications in membership, the basic 
responsibilities of the International Whaling Commission have remained 
the same: 
Article IV 
1. The Commission may either in collaboration with or through 
independent agencies of the Contracting Governments or other public 
or private agencies, establishments or organizations, or independ- 
ently 
(a) encourage, recommend, or if necessary, organize studies 
and investigations relating to whales and whaling; 
(b) collect and analyze statistical information concerning 
the current condition and trend of whale stocks, and the effects 
of whaling activities thereon; 
(c) study, appraise, and disseminate information concerning 
methods of maintaining and increasing the populations of whale stocks. 
25 stare 
Article V 
1. The Commission may amend from time to time the provisions 
of the Schedule by adopting regulations with respect to the 
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