15 October 2015: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has published a report from the ‘IWC Expert Workshop on Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling (ASW),’ which contains a series of recommendations to support the IWC’s work. The Commission will discuss the recommendations at its next meeting in Slovenia in 2016.

Experts in cultural and nutritional anthropology, social science, biology and human rights law from more than 12 countries attended the workshop, which met from 14-18 September 2015 in Maniitsoq, Greenland, and aimed to support a Commission initiative to improve procedures for considering aboriginal whaling catch limits. Hunters from each of the IWC’s four ASW hunts shared information on their culture and hunting practices.

During the workshop, experts discussed developments in international law and attitudes towards indigenous rights over the past twenty years; considered the need for the IWC to understand and align its ASW management practices with the wider global context; and addressed the evolution of traditional societies in the modern world and the inevitability of change, particularly regarding an appropriate balance between tradition and modern, humane killing methods.

The workshop also discussed: a ‘Needs Statements,’ which was provided to the IWC by governments on behalf of their subsistence whaling communities to explain the need for the hunt; and clearer timetabling and processes in order to add clarity and transparency to ASW management.

The workshop report explains that the meeting, inter alia: emphasized integrating the rights of indigenous peoples into all stages of its ASW discussions; recognized that indigenous cultures can and will change in response to external circumstances including those related to climate, economics, technology and politics; acknowledged the advantages of adopting broad, flexible guidance for the provision of information on hunts related to catch/strike limit requests for ASW; and stressed the importance of information and dialogue exchange well before the year in which quotas are to be renewed.

As detailed in the report, the workshop recommended that IWC member States, inter alia: with the full and effective participation of the indigenous peoples concerned, consider preparing a statement or resolution for adoption, if possible at the 2016 meeting, recognizing developments in the rights of indigenous peoples and their relevance to the IWC; and consider commissioning a survey of international indigenous and general human rights instruments and intersecting international treaties, agreements and other arrangements to further elaborate their significance to the IWC’s work in relation to ASW.

The Workshop also recommended that the IWC: consider exploring options regarding how the IWC could stay better informed of current developments regarding indigenous peoples’ rights; look at mechanisms to improve the status of indigenous delegates to IWC meetings to establish a more timely, distinct and steady approach to ASW issues; discuss the appointment of an IWC representative to attend a session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; and explore the potential benefits of joining the UN Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues, through its Secretariat.

The Workshop also recommended that the term ‘need statement’ be replaced by the term ‘Description on the [insert name] hunt relevant to catch/strike limit requests,’ and that a draft outline be developed, taking into account the need: for flexibility; to avoid any indication of prescription or compulsion; and to minimize the effort involved and avoid duplication. [IWC News Story] [Publication: Report from the IWC Expert Workshop on ASW] [ASW Website]