206 



In terms of the blue whale unit, the Commission turned down a 

 rhaiifre for procedural reasons, but agreed that it would go into etfect 



next year. 



Now, this is a very major adyanee. It is years late, but there are 

 some problems in terms of a pi-actical change as significant as that, 

 and so there will be next year a change from the blue whale unit to 

 a species unit of catch of whales taken from the Antarctic. We will 

 haye then a control and a quota on these species themselyes rather 

 than grouping them all under the general blue whale unit category. 



Then, it was agreed, and I think this is a major step, to institute 

 an effectiye inspection system where, for example, Japanese would 

 be on Soviet ships and Soviets would be on Japanese ships. 



That particular agreement is now being consummated in Tokyo at 

 the present time. 



Mr. Dix(;ei>l. What about American inspectors on Soviet ships and 

 Japanese landing ports? 



Mr. McKkrxax. That is under consideration at the present time. 



The question is with the United States not having any whaling or 

 affording any reciprosity, in other words we will not have any whal- 

 ing stations open, whether we ought to provide inspectors for the 

 whaling countries. 



Mr. DiNGELL. That would tend to make us honest men. We have 

 no commitments not to resume whaling. 



We simply are not doing it at this time because the whales have 

 been jeo]>ardized. 



"Why should we be denied the opportunity of inspection ? 



Mr. McKerxan. That possibility is not eliminated, but I am sure 

 the whaling nations would want reciprocity, and will want to inspect 

 those nations who are inspecting them. 



Anyway, in terms of effective enforcement, this is a very major step 

 forward, in my judgment. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Xow. is it your view that the nations are respecting 

 catch limitations? 



Mr. McKerxax. Generally. 



Mr. DixGELL. Generally? 



Mr. McKerx'ax'. Yes ; I am not positive about it. 



Mr. DixGELL. I have heard it said that they are not respecting 

 catch limits as to the number of whales or the species or the size, as 

 a matter of fact. 



I will have you note there has been information that has been 

 brought to my attention that would indicate that some of the nations, 

 including the Soviet I^nion, are not respecting the size, the species or 

 the numbers. 



Mr. M^KERXAX^ That may be true. I frankly would doubt it. 



I think that the Soviet T^nion and Japan, while they have not been 

 in favor of as effective regulations as we, realize just as we do that 

 these stocks must be protected. 



My general experience with the Soviet I^nion is that they enforce 

 agreed upon regulations very assiduously, and whenever we have had 

 an opportunity to check up on them, we find that they are more severe 

 in their penalties than we are when we have violations, and that they 

 do generally live up to their international commitments. 



