Resolution 1997-1

IWC Resolution 1997-1
Resolution on improving the humaneness of Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling
The International Whaling Commission:
RECOGNISING the need to hunt whales by aboriginal people with a continuing traditional dependence on
whaling to meet their nutritional, subsistence and cultural needs;
AWARE of the need to ensure that aboriginal subsistence whaling causes the least possible pain and distress to
hunted whales;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission:
WELCOMES the steps taken so far by the aboriginal subsistence whalers of the United States of America, the
Russian Federation and Greenland to improve the humaneness of whaling techniques in aboriginal subsistence
hunts;
URGES them to do everything possible to reduce still further any unavoidable suffering caused to whales in such
hunts;
REQUESTS the United States of America, the Russian Federation and Denmark to continue to inform the
Commission on an annual basis of progress made in this matter, and to provide other information concerning the
taking of whales under aboriginal subsistence quotas;
REQUESTS all Contracting Parties to provide appropriate technical assistance to improve the humaneness of
aboriginal subsistence whaling;
AGREES to consider this issue at annual meetings of the Humane Killing Working Group;
REQUESTS the next Workshop on Whale Killing Methods to review the data received by the Commission on
this matter