The Commission noted that the ASW Sub-Committee agreed to close its current recommendations which show the excellent progress made on this key part of the IWC?s responsibilities since the two workshops of the ASW Working Group.

The Commission decided that the ASW Sub-Committee will facilitate a discussion among the hunters from the relevant ASW countries to consider the term ?aboriginal? as it applies to their whaling and report back to IWC70 on whether they wish any further action on the use of that term.

The Commission determined by consensus that all the ASW countries have complied with the approved timeline and that the information provided represents a status quo continuation of the hunt. The Commission therefore agreed that the conditions of Schedule paragraph 13(a)(6) have been met and
the ASW Strike/Catch Limits can be extended for six years.

The Commission noted the Executive Secretary?s Report and agreed to include this report as a standing agenda item for future IWC meetings.

The Commission decided to refer the Rules of Procedure on quorum to the WGOE for further consideration in the next intersessional period with two options to be presented to IWC70 before the adoption of other decisions.

The Acting Chair explained that, under his interpretation of the existing Rules of Procedure, a quorum would be established at the start of each 90-minute session and would then be taken as standing for the duration of that session, so that, if there were a majority of members present at the start of the session, a decision could be taken at that session. The Acting Chair would inform the members in advance of sessions at which decisions would be made.

The Commission decided that, not having reached consensus among the options proposed by the WGOE, the existing Rules of Procedure B.1 and E will remain for IWC69.

The Commission decided that, should consensus not be reached to change the Rules of Procedure on quorum, the existing Rules of Procedure will remain for the purpose of IWC69.

The Commission agreed to leave all Resolutions and Schedule Amendments open for decisions to be taken in a single session later in the week, to be announced.

The Commission adopted the Agenda by consensus.