346 



Kecognizing that in the course of achieving these objectives, whaling 

 operations should be confined to those species best able to sustain ex- 

 ploitation in order to give an interval for recovery to certain species 

 of whales now depleted in numbers ; 



Desiring to establish a system of international regulation for the 

 whale fisheries to ensure proper and effective conservation and develop- 

 ment of whale stocks on the basis of the principles embodied in the 

 provisions of the International Agreement for the Regulation of 

 Whaling signed in London on June 8, 1937 [^] and the protocols to 

 that Agreement signed in London on June 24, 1938 [^J and November 

 26, 1945; p] and 



Having decided to conclude a convention to provide for the proper 

 conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly 

 development of the whaling industry ; 



Have agreed as follows : 



Article I 



1. This Convention includes the Schedule attached thereto which 

 forms an integral part thereof. All references to "Convention" shall 

 be understood as including the said Schedule either in its present terms 

 or as amended in accordance with the provisions of Article V. 



2. This Convention applies to factory ships, land stations, and 

 whale catchers under the jurisdiction of the Contracting Govern- 

 ments, and to all waters in which whaling is prosecuted by such fac- 

 tory ships, land stations, and whale catchers. 



Article II 



As used in this Convention 



1. "factory ship" means a ship in which or on which whales are 

 treated whether wholly or in part ; 



2. "land station" means a factory on the land at which whales are 

 treated whether wholly or in part ; 



3. "whale catcher" means a ship used for the purpose of hunting, 

 taking, towing, holding on to, or scouting for whales ; 



4. "Contracting Government" means any Government which has 

 deposited an instrument of ratification or has given notice of adherence 

 to this Convention. 



Article III 



1. The Contracting Governments agree to establish an International 

 Whaling Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Conmiission, to 

 be composed of one member from each Contracting Government. 

 Each member shall have one vote and may be accompanied by one 

 or more experts and advisers. 



2. The Commission shall elect from its own members a Chairman 

 a,nd Vice Chairman a nd shall determ in e its own Rules of Pro cedure . 

 Decisions of the Commission shall be taken by a simple majority of^ 

 those members voting except that a three-fourths majority of those 

 members vo ting shall be required for action in pursuance of Article V. 



^'Treaty Series 933 ; 52 Stat. 1460. 

 ^T^eaty Series 944 ; 53 Stat. 1794. 

 ' Treaties and Other International Acts Series 1597. 



