Proposal from Japan to transfer Minke Whales

• Main Authors: Balaenoptera Acutorostrata, Southern Hemisphere Stock
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Balaenoptera acutorostrata; minke whale
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.650.2843; http://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/11/prop/16.pdf

Japan proposes, in accordance with the provisions of Article XV 1. (a) of the Convention, to transfer the Southern Hemisphere stock of minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, from Appendix I to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This proposal is presented in accordance with Resolution Conf. 9.24 with particular emphasis on the following: (1) The biological criteria (cf. Annex 1, Res. Conf. 9.24) for Appendix 1stocks are not met for this stock. (2) Precautionary measures (cf. Annex 4, Res. Conf. 9.24) are fulfilled through national conservation and management measures and establishment of a trade control system based on DNA analysis techniques. Minke whales are well known as the most robust and healthy whale stocks. The Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC, 1999a; b) endorsed population estimates of 761,000 for the Southern Hemisphere stock. This is well above the optimum and sustainable stock level for this stock of minke whale as shown below. Therefore, from a biological perspective there is no reason to retain this stock in Appendix I, which is to include species threatened with extinction. Furthermore, downlisting of the Southern Hemisphere minke whale stock to Appendix II will not endanger the stock. Historical trend of the size of the Southern Hemisphere minke whale stock (Hakamada, unpublished) in 1971/7260 % of population size