WHEREAS, the American Society of Mammalogists sent resolutions on whaling to the International Whaling Commission in 1965 and 1966; and
WHEREAS, the International Whaling Commission has taken favorable action on (1) reducing the catch of Antarctic fin and sei whales below the present combined sustainable yield of both species in terms of blue whale units, (2) imposed a limit that reduces the catch of fin and sei whales in the North Pacific to the level of the present sustainable yield of each species, the American Society of Mammalogists commends the International Whaling Commission for these favorable acts; and
WHEREAS, the International Whaling Commission has not abolished use of the Blue Whale Unit and has not implemented an international observer scheme;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists requests the International Whaling Commission to abolish the Blue Whale Unit and regulate the taking of whales strictly according to the best biological information available for each species and stock; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an international observer scheme be implemented.