Statement on Japan’s Southern Ocean programme, NEWREP-A

New Zealand, on behalf of a number of states, requests that the following be included in the Chair’s report of IWC66 under Agenda item 14.1, Special Permits:

In accordance with Resolution 2014-5, the Commission considered the report of the Scientific Committee on NEWREP-A. 

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States, a majority of members attending the meeting:

1. noted with concern that Japan issued special permits before the Scientific Committee review was complete and before the Commission had considered the report of the Scientific Committee on NEWREP-A
2. assessed that on the basis of the information before the Commission, NEWREP-A is not ‘for purposes of scientific research’ as required by Article VIII(1) of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
3. requested that Japan cease the lethal component of NEWREP-A.