SC/54/O2
Strictly confidential until after the start of the 54th IWC Annual Meeting

Research Plan for Cetacean Studies in the Western North Pacificunder Special Permit (JARPN II)
Government of Japan

ABSTRACTJARPN, the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the western North
Pacific was conducted between 1994 and 1999 with two main objectives related topopulation structure and feeding ecology of common minke whales (Balaenoptera
acutorostrata). IWC Scientific Committee’s review of JARPN (JARPN Review Meeting,February 2000) agreed that there were unresolved scientific issues related to minke whale
stock structure and also made a series of recommendations to strengthen the feeding ecology
part of the program (IWC, 2001a). Taking into account the results of the Review Meeting, atwo-year feasibility study of the second phase of JARPN (JARPN II) was conducted in theyears 2000 and 2001. This paper presents the research plan for the full JARPN II research
program taking into account results from the JARPN II feasibility study.
Based on the success of the feasibility study (Government of Japan, 2002) andincreasingly strong support from international fisheries organizations, including FAO, forresearch to improve multispecies approaches to management, the Government of Japan isconvinced that it should start JARPN II as a full-scale research program from 2 002.
Considering the increased importance of and interest in the issue of competition between
marine mammals and fisheries, the priority of JARPN II is placed on feeding ecology andecosystem studies, involving studies of prey consumption by cetaceans, prey preferences ofcetaceans and ecosystem modeling. The second priority is to monitor environmental
pollutants. Further data related to stock structure, particularly for minke whales, will also becollected.
One hundred minke whales (effectively O Stock and putative W Stock), 50 Bryde’s
whales (Balaenoptera edeni; Western North Pacific Stock), 50 sei whales (Balaenoptera
borealis; Asian Stock) as a new study component and, as the continuation of the feasibility
study, 10 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus; Western Division Stock) will be sampledeach year by the Nisshin Maru research fleet. To cover the temporal and spatial gaps, whichcannot be sampled by the Nisshin Maru fleet, another 50 minke whales will be sampled eachyear by small type whaling catcher boats as a two-year feasibility study. These species werechosen for sampling because they occupy an important niche in the pelagic zone of the North1

Pacific and also because their populations are relatively abundant. The effects of theresearch catches will be negligible on whale stocks sampled.
The research methods for the full JARPN II are basically the same as in 2000 and 2001
feasibility studies with some modifications. The program involves both non-lethal researchtechniques such as sighting surveys, biopsy sampling, acoustic surveys for prey species andthe collection of oceanographic data as well as lethal sampling since collection of certain
information, of vital importance to the overall study, requires examination of internal organs
such as ovaries, earplugs and stomachs.
The research area for the feeding ecology studies will be extended eastwards to sub-area
9 and stratified mainly on oceanographic conditions. Small type whal ing catcher boats will
be operated in the coastal strata in spring and autumn. If permission to enter Russian waters
is obtained from Russian authorities, this research plan will be modified in order to conduct
sampling of minke whales in sub-area 12 to meet the objective of JARPN (i.e. stock
structure) while the total sample size will be the same. In such case, the research plan forother species may be modified and but will be carried out to the extent possible. Cruise
reports will be submitted annually to the IWC/SC.
JARPN II is designed as a long-term research program of undetermined duration. A
comprehensive review will be conducted following completion of the first 6 years of th e
research. JARPNII is fully consistent with IWC resolution 53-1 in which the Commission
unanimously decided to make the study of interactions between whales and fish stocks amatter of priority.

CONTENTSABSTRACTI. INTRODUCTION
II. BACKGROUND
1. Feeding ecology and ecosystem studies
2. Environmental study
3. Stock structure
III. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF JARPNII FEASIBILITY STUDY IN 2000 AND 2001
1. Introduction
2. Results(1) Prey consumption by cetaceans(2) Prey preference of cetaceans(3) Ecosystem modeling(4) Stock structure(5) Pollutant monitoring
IV. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND NEEDS
1. Objectives
22. Research needs(1) Feeding ecology and ecosystem studiesi) Prey consumption by cetaceansii) Prey preference of cetaceansiii) Ecosystem modeling(2) Monitoring environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine ecosystemi) Pattern of accumulation of pollutants in cetaceansii) Bioaccumulation process of pollutants through the food chainiii) Relationship between chemical pollutants and cetacean health(3) Stock structurei) Minke whaleii) Bryde's whaleiii) Sei whaleiv) Sperm whale
V. RESEARCH DESIGN
1. Research area
2. Research duration and period
3. Target cetacean species and sample sizes(1) Target cetacean species(2) Sample sizes(3) Sampling scheme
4. Research vessels
5. Non-lethal components
6. Research organizations
7. Participation of foreign scientists
VI. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1. Feeding ecology and ecosystem studies(1) Prey consumption by cetaceans(2) Prey preference of cetaceans
2. Monitoring environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine ecosystem
3. Stock structure
4. OthersVII. ECOSYSTEM MODELING
VIII. EFFECTS ON THE RESOURCES
IX. OTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED
1. Processing of cetaceans sampled
2. Reports to the IWC/SC
3. Killing methods
X. SUMMARY OF PROGRAM IN RELATION TO IWC GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH
TAKE(A) The Proposal(B) Objectives(C) Methodology(D) Effect of catches on the ‘stock’(E) Research cooperation
XI. REFERENCES
Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the current and frontal systems in the western North
Pacific.
Fig. 2. The research area and strata for the full-scale JARPN II surveys.
Fig. 3. Distribution of Pacific saury at pre-fishing season (June-July) and recruitmen t to theJapanese fishing grounds.
Fig. 4. Commercial catches of major small pelagic fishes by Japan.
Appendix 1: Abundance and biomass of major cetaceans occurring in the western North
3

Pacific particularly in sub-areas 7, 8 and 9, and biological aspects of cetaceans
species to be sampled by JARPN II
Appendix 2: Prey species of seven cetacean species distributed in the western North PacificAppendix 3: Biology and fisheries of the prey species of cetaceans in the western North
Pacific
Appendix 4: Two types of ecosystem models to analyze multi-species interactions in thewestern North PacificAppendix 5: Sample size of minke whale, Bryde’s whale and sei whale required forstatistically significant examinations of consumption of various prey items
Appendix 6: Examination of the effect on the whale stocks of future catches under JARPNII

I. INTRODUCTION
The introduction of the moratorium on commercial whaling in the 1980's has provided
protection to both abundant and depleted species of whales. Furthermore, other marine
mammals including seals have for a number of decades, also been protected by many
countries irrespective of their stock status. As a result, many species of marine mammals
have increased in abundance and are now exerting a significant influence as top predators
consuming huge amounts of fisheries resources within the marine ecosystem.
The issue of competition between fisheries and marine mammals (whales, seals, and sea
lions) is of increasing concern to fishers worldwide as well to many governments andinternational fisheries research and management organizations, including the United
Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Fish consumption by marine mammals is
related to world food security and has the potential to undermine fishery conservation efforts(Tamura and Ohsumi, 2000; Morishita and Goodman, 2001; FAO, 2001) .
For this reason, the main purpose of the second phase of the Japanese Whale Research
Program under Special Permit in the Western North Pacific (JARPN II) is to study thecompetition between whales and fisheries, and to elucidate the role of the cetaceans in themarine ecosystem of the western North Pacific, which is a very important fishing ground forthe coastal countries of the region, including Japan.
Data on fish consumption by whales, including what, when, where, and how much they
eat will be collected and used together with oceanographic and other marine living resource
data to construct an ecosystem model which will contribute to improved fisheries
management in the region. The JARPN II feasibility study conducted in 2000 and 2001 has
shown that in the waters around Japan, common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
and Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni) are consuming large amounts of several species of4prey that are also the target of commercial fisheries (Government of Japan, 2001; 2002).
The second purpose of JARPN II is data collection to continue monitoring the levels ofenvironmental pollutants such as organochlorines and heavy metals in whales and theecosystem as a whole. Since marine mammals can function as indicators of changes in theenvironment this has been a part of previous studies. However, this component has beenstrengthened in the current research plan to reflect increasing concern about the issue ofenvironmental pollutants. Specifically, subjects such as the temporal and spatial variationsof accumulations of pollutants in cetaceans, the characteristics of their accumulation pattern,
and the process of bioaccumulation through the food chain will be examined.
JARPN II is also designed to collect data for the ongoing analysis of the stock structurein minke whales since some questions remain unresolved. The analysis of stock structure isessential for the application of the IWC Scientific Committee’s (SC) Revised Management
Procedure (RMP) on this species.
JARPN II is designed as a long-term research program that takes into full accountinformation and scientific data from JARPN (1994-1999) and the JARPN II feasibility study(2000 and 2001). Sampling of minke whale, Bryde’s whale and sperm whale (Physeter
macrocephalus) as in the JARPN II feasibility study will be continued in the full research
program with the addition of 50 sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) in each year and 50
minke whales to be taken by small-type whaling catcher boats. Sei whale is newly selected
as a target species as they feed on fisheries resources such as common squid and theestimated biomass is larger than that of Bryde’s and minke whales. The additional 50 minke
whales will provide full coverage of the spring and autumn seasons in coastal waters where
the competition between cetaceans and fisheries is likely to be substantial. Ten sperm whales
will continue to be sampled because their biomass is too large to be ignored in the ecosystemmodels.
Sampling will be conducted in sub-areas 7, 8 and 9 with an extension of sampling
eastward to 170 E. Sampling of minke whales will be conducted in sub-area 12 if permission
is obtained from Russian authorities.

II. BACKGROUND
1. Feeding ecology and ecosystem studies
Marine mammal interactions with fisheries have become a major issue worldwide. It is an
important issue in the context of world food security since the estimates are that cetaceans5consume 3 to 5 times the amount of marine resources harvested for human consumption(Tamura and Ohsumi, 2000). Many international fisheries organizations have urged thedevelopment of multi-species or ecosystem management systems (see for example, various
reports from FAO, ICES, NAFO, NAMMCO, IOTC and others discussed in: Morishita andGoodman, 2001). Indeed, in 1998, the FAO's High-level Panel of External Experts in
Fisheries expressed the view that FAO and all fishery bodies must increasingly develop an
ecosystem approach to management. Given the FAO's projection for supply and demand of
products from marine fisheries which shows that 10 years from now, only at the lower end of
the range projected for demand, can this be met by supply (FAO, 1999), it is clear thatfisheries management regimes must be based on multi-species models that take account of
the consumption of fish by marine mammals.
Most significantly, at its 24th Session in 2001, COFI (FAO’s Committee on Fisheries)
unanimously agreed that the FAO should conduct studies on the interaction between
fisheries and marine mammals. This agreement was endorsed by the 120th Session of the
FAO Council and reaffirmed in the October 2001 Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible
Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. The Reykjavik Declaration also affirmed that theincorporation of ecosystem considerations implies increased attention to predator-prey
relationships and agreed that it is important to advance the scientific basis for incorporating
ecosystem considerations including the study of diet composition and food webs, species
interactions and predator-prey relationships.
In the North Atlantic, the feeding ecology of top predators has already been studied.
According to the Norwegian feeding ecology research conducted between 1992 and 1994,
the prey species consumed by minke whales change conspicuously according to area, season
and year, and minke whales have flexible feeding patterns to match the local abundance of
prey species (Haug et al., 1995a). By inputting these data into a Multspec model it was
shown that, when minke whales increase, important fish resources such as cod decrease by
predation, resulting in serious consequences for fisheries targeting these species.
Competition between top predators and fisheries has also been discussed at IWC
meetings since at least the 51st meeting in 1999 (Tamura and Ohsumi, 1999). Aftermodification of estimates, the estimated prey consumption by cetaceans worldwide wasreported as 248 to 434 million metric tons (Tamura and Ohsumi, 2000). At its 53rd meetingin 2001, the IWC unanimously decided to make the study of interactions between whales andfish stocks a matter of priority.
The above summary clearly demonstrates strong international support for research on
marine mammal interactions with fisheries including predator-prey relationships as a basis
for incorporating ecosystem considerations into fishery management regimes.
6

In order to respond to the recommendations from the JARPN Review meeting and toaddress the issues of the competition between marine mammals and fisheries, JARPN II was
initiated as a feasibility study for the years 2000 and 2001 (Government of Japan, 2000). The
priority research in JARPN II is on the feeding ecology. In addition to minke whales, Bryde's
and sperm whales were added to the feeding ecology study, as these species are very
abundant in the research area and almost certainly play an important role in the ecosystem.
Baird's beaked whales (Berardius bairdii), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephalamacrorhynchus) and Dall's porpoise, (Phocoenoides dalli), are also included as samples
because these three species are available from the commercial fisheries.
JARPN II feasibility study had an unprecedented design, which involved concurrent
surveys of whales and their prey species. One dedicated fisheries research vessel was added
to the normal whale research fleet. Many useful results have been obtained from the twoyear feasibility study (see report of the feasibility study for details) for example:(a) The diet of minke whales was very diversified and flexible. Both quantitative andqualitative data have to be accumulated in order to assess the extent/impact of theirfeeding on commercial fisheries resources.
(b) Bryde’s whales were distributed in the southern and offshore waters and fed mainly on
krill and Japanese anchovy. They fed on different size of same prey species (Japanese
anchovy) compared to minke whales which occurred in nearly overlapping areas.
(c) Sperm whales were abundantly distributed in the whole research area and mainly fed on
deep-sea squids. Although the information on the ecology of the deep-sea squids is quite
limited, sperm whales may have important effects on the pelagic ecosystem.
(d) The first concurrent whale and prey surveys were conducted without serious practicalproblems. Preliminary analyses showed minke and Bryde’s whales had a negative
preference to lanternfishes and Bryde’s whales had a positive preference to larger fishamong small-sized anchovy.
This full JARPN II research plan was built on these findings and designed to obtainfurther data on the feeding ecology of whales and the whole marine ecosystem of theresearch area.
2. Environmental study
Organochlorines (OCs) such as PCBs, DDTs and HCHs are generally produced on land, thenmove to coastal and pelagic waters in run-off as well as by atmospheric transportation andother ways. The monitoring of these and other contaminants in the marine environment
through the examination of biological tissues of marine mammals is of importance sincemarine mammals can serve as useful biological indicators of environmental conditions andbecause they can be most affected by pollutants. The IWC/SC has noted that physical7

processes affect body condition and the abundance of whales through availability of food,and emphasized the need for such research (IWC, 1997).
Environmental study has been a part of Japan’s whale research programs and has
produced valuable information on the kinds, distribution, and magnitude of pollutants suchas heavy metals and PCBs through the examination of various tissues of sampled animals.
The study has shown that it is important to continue to monitor the movement and fate ofthese pollutants.
3. Stock structure
In 1994 the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Western North
Pacific (JARPN) was initiated with the main objective of addressing the issues of the stock
structure and stock mixing rates of minke whales, as requested for the Implementation
Simulation Trials (IST) of IWC/SC (Government of Japan, 1994). Specifically, objectives
were to clarify whether or not W Stock exists in offshore areas of the North Pacific, toexamine the mixing rate of the hypothesized W Stock with O Stock (the Okhotsk Sea-the east
coast of Japan) and to assess the validity of O sub-stock scenario. Clarifying further when
and to what extent J Stock whales mix in sub-areas 7 and 11 is also important for the IST.

An IWC/SC workshop was held in Tokyo in February 2000 to: a) review methods andresults of the JARPN, b) assess the further potential of existing data and c) evaluate whether
the main objectives have been achieved. Although most of the scientific evidence presented
at the JARPN review meeting did not support the existence of the W Stock, the workshop
agreed that, in the light of the results of mtDNA analysis, the possibility of the existence ofsome group of minke whales to the east of Japan that differ from the O Stock could not be
ruled out. One of the recommendations of the workshop was to obtain further genetic
samples from sub-areas 12, 9 and possibly sub-area 8. This full JARPN II program continues
to address this issue and the issue of J/O mixing around the Japanese coast.
In 1998 the IWC/SC agreed that for Bryde’s whales, there should be two sub-areas(sub-area 1 and sub-area 2) within the Western North Pacific Stock area divided at 180°. In
response to some concerns expressed by some SC members that sub-area 1 is very large andthat there is limited information for some parts, the JARPN II feasibility surveys wereconcentrated in some areas previously not covered for stock structure analysis.
The attainment of stock structure data from sei and sperm whale samples will contributeto the future comprehensive assessment of these species.

8III. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF JARPN II FEASIBILITY STUDY IN 2000 AND 2001

1. Introduction
The JARPN II feasibility study was designed to respond to the recommendations from the2000 JARPN Review Meeting and to address the issue of competition between cetaceans andfisheries with the overall goal of contributing to the conservation and sustainable use ofmarine living resources including whales in the western North Pacific, especially within
Japan’s EEZ (Government of Japan, 2000). The priority for the research was feeding ecology
and ecosystem studies. Other objectives were related to continuing studies on the stock
structure and monitoring environmental pollutants.
JARPN II began as a two-year feasibility study in order to evaluate, among others, thepracticability and performance of concurrent whale and prey surveys for estimation of prey
preference. The “feasibility” also applied to the addition of Bryde’s and sperm whales to theresearch. The research area was off the coast of Tohoku and southern Hokkaido, (sub-areas
7, 8 and 9) which is Japan’s richest fishing grounds and therefore provides an ideal area tostudy the interactions between cetaceans and fisheries. A total of 140 minke whales, 93
Bryde’s whales and 13 sperm whales were sampled. The first feasibility survey of JARPN II
was conducted from 1 August to 16 September 2000. The second year survey was conductedfrom 14 May to 3 August in 2001.
With regard to feeding ecology and ecosystem studies the feasibility studies addressed
questions such as: whether information on the diet composition and daily and seasonal
consumption can be obtained with adequate precision through the examination of stomach
contents of the whales; whether the weights of the stomach contents can be measured forlarge whales such as Bryde’s and sperm whales as is the case for minke whales; whether the
first concurrent whale and prey surveys with six research vessels involved are practicable
and; whether these provide data to assess prey preferences. This latter point is importantsince it is a key parameter for most ecosystem models.
Regarding the stock structure of minke whale, following the discussions andconclusions of the JARPN review meeting, the objective was focused on investigating
whether or not the W Stock exists in sub-area 9, and if so, to investigate the spatial andtemporal extent of its occurrence. Another objective for the 2-year feasibility study was toinvestigate the pattern of mixing between O and J stocks in sub-area 7. Since there were no
genetic samples for Bryde’s whales in the research area, one of the objectives of thefeasibility study was to determine whether samples for stock structure studies could becollected from such area. Also whether the analysis of such samples could provide additional
information on the stock structure.
9

The research plan also included the monitoring of PCBs, DDTs and other pollutants inwhales and their prey as well as in their environment.
2. Results(1) Prey consumption by cetaceans
Prey species of minke whales varied both geographically and temporally (similar to theresult obtained during the JARPN). Japanese anchovy was the most important prey species.
Walleye pollack was an important prey species in sub-area 7. On the other hand, Pacificsaury was consumed in low proportion compared to the results obtained during the JARPN.
This may be due to the low abundance of Pacific saury in recent years. There is evidence ofcompetition between minke whales and commercial fisheries. For example, dip-net
fishermen complain about impediments by minke whales more frequently in recent years.
This topic needs to be addressed with further research. Estimates of the daily prey
consumption were 1.4 to 8.2 % of body weight. More precise daily consumption rates can becalculated with more data of the caloric value of prey species on a seasonal, area and annual
basis.
One of the objectives of the feasibility study was to check how to sample and measure
Bryde’s whales. There were some few problems related to sampling cow/calf pairs. Prey
species of Bryde’s whales varied temporally within the research area. The major preyspecies were krill and Japanese anchovy. They fed on different size of same prey species(Japanese anchovy) compared to minke whales which occurred in nearly overlapping areas.
More data are needed to better understand the geographical and temporal changes of pre yspecies. Most of the Bryde’s whale sightings occurred close to the fishing grounds ofskipjack tuna. Both Bryde’s whales and skipjack tuna feed mainly on Japanese anchovy.
Therefore, further research is necessary to understand the nature of this competition.
Estimates of the daily prey consumption were 3.3 to 8.2 % of body weight.
Another of the important objectives of the feasibility study was to examine methods forsampling and examination of stomach contents of sperm whales. Sperm whales could besampled at random except for the large bull whales. A variety of species and sizes ofdeep-sea squids were found in the stomach contents. The species were identified byexamining beaks in the case of squid and otolith in the case of fishes. The body length andweight of the main prey species could be estimated using regression equations to the otolith
length or lower rostral beak length. The sperm whale seems to feed on prey during thedaytime in the meso- and epi-pelagic layers. As the sample size is small (13 animals), no
conclusion can be drawn on the role and contribution of this species to the surface ecosystem.

10(2) Prey preference of cetaceans
The most important objective in the feasibility study was to evaluate the practicability andperformance of concurrent whale and prey surveys. Such concurrent surveys were conducted
for the first time in the North Pacific and involved many research vessels operating at thesame time (Government of Japan, 2000 and 2001). Several small blocks were set in the
research area and both surveys were conducted concurrently in each small block. Stomach
contents were examined and compared to the biomass of each prey in the sea, which wasestimated with an acoustic device and mid-water trawl net.
There were no serious practical problems in the conduct of the concurrent surveys. Close
cooperation between the two surveys is indispensable for good performance. Preliminary
analyses showed evidence of prey preference of cetaceans. For example, the preference ofminke and Bryde’s whales to lanternfishes is judged as zero. Bryde’s whales may preferlarger fish among small-sized anchovy. The prey preference of cetaceans can be estimated if
the concurrent whale and prey surveys continue.
(3) Ecosystem modelingSome initial analyses were conducted using eco system models: Ecopath and Ecosim. These
analyses were conducted to assess the potential effectiveness of these models in relation to
the goals of JARPN II. Ecopath and Ecosim models indicated possible competition between
cetaceans and fisheries and that the ecosystem of the western North Pacific may be affected
on a large scale by trophic interactions and changes of fishing. The results of many tests
suggested the utility of the Ecopath and Ecosim models to study the western North Pacificecosystem. Cetaceans, especially minke and sperm whales, are probably important key
species in the western North Pacific ecosystem because removals of these species brought
fluctuations in the biomasses of direct and indirect prey species. Long-term information ondiet composition is needed to clarify the characteristics of the ecosystem. More precise
estimates of other biological parameters are also necessary, particularly temporal and spatial
migration and prey preference of cetaceans.
(4) Stock structure
MtDNA analysis detected some genetic heterogeneity among the samples collected from thewestern part of sub-area 9 in some years. These results might suggest that putative W stockindividuals, if they exist, enter sub-area 9 only every few years. However, analysis of otherbiological data does not show any differences among samples collected from sub-areas 7, 8
and 9. Therefore, conclusions about the putative W stock in the east side of western North
Pacific are still pending.
Using the same maximum likelihood method used to estimate the mixing rate in sub-area
11 (Pastene et al., 1998), J-stock proportion in sub-area 7 was estimated at 0.08 (SE: 0.08)
11and 0.07 (SE: 0.04) for the 2000 and 2001 JARPN II surveys, respectively. These rates aremuch smaller than those recorded for some months in sub-area 11, indicating that very few
J stock animals migrate into the sub-area 7.
JARPN II in 2000 and 2001 sampled Bryde’s whales in regions within sub-area 1 notcovered previously. Even by adding samples from regions in sub-area 1 not previously
covered, no strong evidence of additional stock structure within this sub-area was found.
(5) Pollutant monitoring
For the concentration levels of organochlorines such as PCBs, DDTs and HCHs, some ofcontaminants in sea water and air samples taken in JARPN II feasibility studies showed adecrease from past levels. However no conclusive results were obtained due to small sample
size.

IV. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND NEEDS
1. Objectives
The overall goal of JARPN II is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use ofmarine living resources including whales in the western North Pacific, especially within
Japan’s EEZ. Toward the overall goal, three objectives are set, (a) feeding ecology andecosystem studies, (b) monitoring environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine
ecosystem and (c) elucidation of stock structure. The priority is put on the first objective,
which will contribute to the understanding the nature of competition between cetaceans andfisheries. Therefore, it is important to collect data and materials related not only tocetaceans, but also to prey species and their fisheries, oceanographic conditions, and otherenvironmental factors, to analyze them, and finally to integrate them by using ecosystemmodels.
At the start of the full-scale JARPN II, the cetacean species to be sampled under special
permit include minke, Bryde’s, sperm and sei whales. Sei whales were not sampled in thefeasibility study. Baird’s beaked whales, short-finned pilot whales and Dall's porpoises will
be examined using the samples from the commercial fisheries as in the feasibility study.
Hypotheses to be addressed are mainly related to the interactions among species as wellas the competition between cetaceans and fisheries. Specifically: Do cetaceans consume alarge quantity of fisheries resources compared to the catches of commercial fisheries? Does
the consumption by cetaceans have a significant impact on natural mortality and recruitmentof the prey? Inversely, does the abundance and distribution of the prey species affect the12migration pattern, recruitment and geographical segregation by sex of cetaceans? Is there
direct and/or indirect competition among cetaceans and between cetaceans and other top
predators such as fur seals, tunas and sharks? Do sperm whales have an impact on the surface
ecosystem?
2. Research needs(1) Feeding ecology and ecosystem studies
This is the top priority research in the program, including both prey consumption and prey
preference of cetaceans, as well as an assessment of how cetaceans use their habitats throughfeeding activities.
Baleen whales, as is well known, feed on relatively low trophic level organisms such as
krill and small schooling fishes, while toothed whales feed on relatively high ones such as
squids and larger sized fishes, thus they occupy different ecological niches in the marine
ecosystem. For this reason, the two groups should be considered separately in considering
the species to be sampled.
One of most important issues for choosing target species is their abundance and biomass,
but biomass may be more important from the view of ecosystem studies. For baleen whale
components, as given in Appendix 1, minke, Bryde’s and sei whales are the primary baleen
whale components in the western North Pacific region. Their biomass in summer is 164
thousands tons, 408 thousands tons and 477 thousands tons, respectively. While sei whales
are almost same as minke and Bryde’s whales in terms of their abundance, their relative
biomass is second following sperm whales, and bigger than that of minke and Bryde’s whales
because their average body mass is larger. As the commercial hunting of sei whales wasbanned in 1976, the stock has increased. Among toothed whales, the biomass of sperm whaleis overwhelmingly dominant being nearly 2 millions tons. Short-finned pilot whale is at 57
thousands tons and Baird’s beaked whales are also important especially in sub-area 7 (16thousands tons).
Ecological niches are obviously another important issue for choosing target species. Bothminke and Bryde’s whales are main components and feed on krill and small schooling fishes(Appendix 2). Although the recent food habits of sei whales are not known, past information
tells us that sei whales also feed on schooling fish and squid as well as krill in the JARPN II
research area while copepods are important in the northern North Pacific. Biology andfisheries of the prey species are shown in Appendix 3. Comparison between these threebaleen whale species should be examined for clarification of species-specific nature of
feeding habits of baleen whales in the same region.
For deep-sea feeders, both sperm and Baird’s beaked whales are typical deep diving
13

predators feeding mainly on deep-sea squids and fishes. The clarification of their feeding
habits and food consumption are important to investigate the relationship between thesurface marine ecosystem and the deep-sea ecosystem. Toothed whales also feed as surface
feeders on pelagic fishes and squids. Dall’s porpoises are typical surface feeders. They are
the most abundant toothed whale (over 554,000 animals) although their biomass is not sogreat. Short-finned pilot whales feed mainly on pelagic squids.
In the two-year feasibility study, it was planned to examine whether sperm whales had
direct and/or indirect relationship with the surface ecosystem or not. Sperm whales taken in
the feasibility study mainly fed on a variety of non vertical migratory deep-sea squids andsome deep-sea squids which conduct daily vertical migration between the deep sea (say,deeper than 400m in depth) in the daytime and the surface layer (shallower than 200m) atnight. Preliminary examination of ecosystem models suggested that sperm whales might
have some impact on the surface ecosystem. However, as the total number of samples is only
13, final conclusions require that sampling be continued as a feasibility study.
In addition, further comparison of feeding habits among the species with similar feeding
habitats (e.g. minke, Bryde’s and sei whales) may provide information on how cetaceans use,share and compete in their habitats through feeding activities. This is important for better
understanding of the marine ecosystem.
In summary, sampling should be prioritized according the two issues discussed above,
biomass (or abundance) and ecological niches, therefore the following species should be
examined at the start of the full-scale JARPN II project:(a) Krill (zooplankton) and small schooling fishes feeders: Minke, Bryde’s and sei whales by
research take.
(b) Deep-sea feeders: Sperm whales by research take and Baird’s beaked whales bycommercial harvests.
(c) Pelagic squids and fishes feeders: Short-finned pilot whales and Dall’s porpoises bycommercial harvests.
In building ecosystem models, information on prey species of whales is also essential.
During the two-year feasibility study, attempts were made to collect the information and data
indicated below. Substantial progress was made during the feasibility study (Appendix 3)
and this research will continue being an important component of JARPN II.
(a) Distribution of prey species in place and time where the target whale species were
sampled.
(b) Biomass of the prey species in the target ecosystem.
14

(c) Biological information on the prey species including their migration pattern, age andgrowth, feeding, etc.
i) Prey consumption by cetaceans
Many papers have reported on the prey species of cetaceans in the western North Pacific.
Quantitative information on diet and prey consumption, however, is not sufficient because
the stomach contents were not weighed and not identified to the species level. Also, past
analyses were mostly limited to the commercial catches that were taken in particular fishinggrounds and seasons. In addition, whalers usually damaged the stomach by cutting theabdominal cavity and then it was difficult to weigh and analyze the stomach contents. The
following information on the diet of each cetacean species is based on limited literature
updated with the results from the JARPN and JARPN II feasibility study.
Minke whales feed on schooling fish such as Japanese anchovy, Japanese pilchard,
Pacific saury and walleye pollock and swarming zooplankton such as krill. There were
geographical, seasonal and yearly changes of prey species in the western North Pacificduring JARPN survey in 1994-1999. On the Pacific side, Japanese anchovy (Engraulisjaponicus) was the most important prey species in May and June, while Pacific saury(Cololabis saira) was the most important prey in July and August (Tamura et al., 1998;
Tamura and Fujise, 2000a). Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) was also importantin the coastal waters. In the southern Okhotsk Sea, krill was the most important prey species
in July and August. During JARPN II feasibility study the main prey species of minke whalesin the coastal areas was Japanese anchovy, followed by walleye pollock and common squid.
Few Pacific sauries were found in the stomachs in September 2000, when the saury fishery
had a poor fishing season. These changes in the prey species reflect the changes in theavailability of prey species in these areas. It should be emphasized that this species is a fish
feeder rather than zooplankton feeder in this research area. Daily prey consumption rate wasestimated as 1.8 – 5.7 % of body weight. These values are similar to the estimates in theeastern North Atlantic and the Antarctic.
Bryde’s whales feed on krill and schooling fish. Off the Pacific coast of Japan, they fed
on krill, Japanese anchovy and chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus). In the waters aroundOgasawara Islands, they fed on krill and lanternfishes. In the East China Sea, they fed
mainly on Japanese pilchard (Sadinops melanostictus), Japanese anchovy and horsemackerel (Trachurus japonicus). During JARPN II feasibility study, Bryde’s whales were
distributed in the southern and offshore part of sub-area 7. The main food was krill andJapanese anchovy; the former dominated in the early season and the latter in the late season.
The change may reflect the abundance and distribution of both species in the research area.
As skipjack tuna also feeds on Japanese anchovy and Bryde’s whales are known to swim withskipjack (Japanese fisherman call Bryde’s whales “skipjack whales”), some interaction
15

between skipjack tunas and Bryde’s whales is suspected.
Sperm whales feed on squids and fishes. The most important squid species in the
Tohoku-Hokkaido were Kurage ika (Japanese name) (Histioteuthis dolfleini), Octopoteuthissp., Giant squid (Moroteuthis robusta) and Neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartrami).
Neon flying squid supports the large jigging fishery in the North Pacific. There were few
quantitative data on the stomach contents for sperm whales in the western North Pacific.
During JARPN II feasibility study, sperm whales were the most abundant species anddistributed in the whole research area. The main food was deep-sea squids such as H.
dolfleini. Relatively fewer squids, which may conduct vertical migration to the surface atnight, were found in the stomachs. This may be related to the recent unsuccessful jigging
fishery for neon flying squid.
Sei whales feed on common squid, schooling fish such as Japanese anchovy, Pacificsaury and Chub mackerel, and zooplankton such as krill and copepods (Nemoto, 1959; 1962).
More varied food items are found in the coastal area, including gregarious fishes and evensquids (Nemoto and Kawamura, 1977). There is no information on the diet of sei whales in
sub-areas 8 and 9.
Baird’s beaked whales mainly feed on deep-sea squids in waters off northern Japan, andon bottom fishes in waters off central Japan (Nishiwaki and Oguro, 1971; Walker and Mead,
1988; Ohizumi et al., in prep.). During JARPN II feasibility study, Baird’s beaked whales
from the commercial samples fed on deep-sea cod-like fishes such as longfin grenadier(Coryphaenoides longifilis) and crustaceans.
Short-finned pilot whales (northern form) mainly feed on ommastrephid squids andoctopus in the northern Pacific coast. During JARPN II feasibility study, northern form
short-finned pilot whales from the commercial samples fed mainly on neon flying squid (O.
bartrami), and Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus). Both are the main target
species of Japanese jigging vessels.
Dall’s porpoises were studied in almost all their distribution area including Sea of Japan,
Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea, and northern North Pacific. Generally, they feed on smaller
fishes and pelagic squids. Most of the prey items are mesopelagic micronekton in the North
Pacific and Bering Sea, but limited to the fishes and squids that perform diurnal verticalmigration to shallower waters at night. In contrast to the North Pacific and Bering Sea,
epipelagic fishes such as Japanese pilchard and Japanese anchovy are important food itemsin the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, as well as benthos which are alternatively
utilized when epipelagic prey are less abundant. Estimation of the daily prey consumption
rate was 5.0 % of body weight (Ohizumi, 1998).
16

As mentioned above, although quantitative data on stomach contents of these cetaceans
were collected during JARPN and JARPN II feasibility study, the data are still not sufficientfor estimating the temporal and spatial variation in consumption of those species. Prey
consumption by cetaceans is therefore the main part of the research. Data obtained in the
full-scale JARPN II will be analyzed together with data already obtained in JARPN and
JARPN II feasibility studies in order to contribute to the construction of ecosystem models.

Furthermore, the data collected to date have been limited in time and areas. Specifically,
the data on the competition between marine mammals and fisheries are missing from early
spring (April to May) and late autumn (September to November) and from waters very close
to the coast, because the current research fleet of JARPN is available only between midMay and mid- September and the research vessels are too big to conduct efficient researchin inshore areas. This poses a serious problem to the research because many important
Japanese coastal fisheries are conducted during these seasons in the inshore areas. Therefore,
it will be useful to conduct the survey using the small type whaling catcher boats, which havemore mobility in these inshore areas.
ii) Prey preference of cetaceans
Prey preference of cetaceans to be estimated in JARPN II is not that for an individual animal
but that for the species within the particular ecosystem. This data will be inputted to theecosystem models as one of the key parameters. Minke whales feed on Japanese anchovy,
Japanese pilchard, Pacific saury, walleye pollock, krill, etc. (Omura and Sakiura, 1956;
Government of Japan, 2001). Prey species of Bryde’s whales are krill, Japanese anchovy andchub mackerel (Nemoto, 1959; Government of Japan, 2001). For Sei whales, copepods, krill,
Japanese anchovy, mackerel, saury and squid are reported (Nemoto, 1959; 1962). However,no useful data have been reported on the prey preference of these cetaceans.
In JARPN II feasibility study, the concurrent whale and prey surveys designed mainly forminke and Bryde’s whales were conducted and the practicability and performance was
evaluated. There were no serious problems in the conduct of the concurrent surveys. Somepreliminary results on prey preference of cetaceans were obtained: negative preference ofminke and Bryde’s whales to lanternfishes and Bryde’s whale p reference to larger fishamong the small-sized anchovy. These results are encouraging but more data from theconcurrent surveys are needed. Also direct observation of feeding behavior and integrated
analysis combined with oceanographic data may be needed to understand the prey preferenceof cetaceans.
iii) Ecosystem modeling
17

The final goal of JARPN II is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of all
marine living resources including whales in the western North Pacific, especially within
Japan's EEZ. Although Japan's fisheries management has been depending upon input control
measures such as limited entry licensing system, Japan has recently initiated substantial
reforms in its fisheries management systems including; establishment of a unique system of
the combination of input and output control management measures, announcement of theprinciple for the fundamental policy on fisheries and its action program to implement thepolicy and, amendments to the Fisheries Law.
In this new fisheries management regime, an ecosystem approach is supposed to play animportant role because marine living resources and its habitats around Japan are quite
diversified and their relations are very dynamic. Understanding of the marine ecosystem
around Japan needs to be substantially strengthened in order to take, for example, thefollowing factors into account in prescribing fisheries management measures:(a) Drastic decrease of Japan's fisheries catch from 12,785 thousand metric tons in 1988 to
662 thousand metric tons in 2000.
(b) Introduction of the moratorium on commercial whaling since 1988 and resultant increaseof whales around Japan.
(c) Historical drastic fluctuation of the pelagic fisheries resources in a process so-called“species replacement” in the western North Pacific.
JARPN II is designed to provide important data in order to build ecosystem models thatwould be used to promote the understanding on the factors above. The ecosystem models are
expected to provide insights to the relations between different species in the marine
ecosystem and the dynamics of the ecosystem. For example, a total allowable catch (TAC)
for a particular species can be calculated taking into account factors such as the impact of theremoval (i.e. catch under the TAC) on other species in the marine ecosystem. The models are
expected to provide information on the extent of the predation by the increased marine
mammals on the fisheries resources and, therefore, some optimal stock levels for marine
mammals, which will balance the need for the effective utilization of fisheries resources andthe conservation of marine mammals. The need for such multi-species management
approaches or ecosystem approaches is now widely recognized by many international
resource management organizations including the FAO.
(2) Monitoring environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine ecosystem
There is concern related to the effects of environmental pollutants on marine resources,
especially whale stocks. Therefore, this program includes comprehensive monitoring andassessment of chemical pollutants. For this objective, the following three components areincluded:18i) Pattern of accumulation of pollutants in cetaceans
Yearly variation of mercury levels was observed in liver of Antarctic minke whales during
1980’s to 1990’s (Fujise et al., 1997; Watanabe et al., 1998). Furthermore, similar yearlyvariation was also observed for PCBs in blubber of the minke whales (Tanabe et al., 1995;
1999). These authors emphasized that monitoring of the pollutants in the whale should becontinued to determine whether they are increasing or not. On the other hand, geographicaldifferences of the accumulation levels were also reported for organochlorines and heavy
metals such as Hg and Cd and between Antarctic and North Pacific minke whales (Aono etal., 1997; Fujise et al., 1997). The differences were expected to reflect the degree ofpollution by contaminants and their prey species.
In order to understand the accumulation characteristics of pollutants in cetaceans, it isessential to consider biological information such as age, sex and maturity. It is known thatthe concentrations of most lipophilic pollutants and several trace elements increase with age
in males because input exceeds the ability of the organism to excrete these compounds.
Various proportions of the pollutant load are transferred to offspring during gestation andlactation, therefore tissue concentrations in adult females are generally lower than in adultmales (IWC, 1999a). Therefore, the general expectation is that older male whales andfemales which have not experienced gestation and lactation tend to show higher
accumulation level of pollutants than other growth and reproductive stages of the whales.
The accumulation is also different for whales having different biological and ecologicalprocesses such as gestation period, number of foetuses, migration route, and prey species
and feeding rate. However, it has not been determined exactly to what degree thesebiological and/or ecological processes effect the accumulation of pollutants. The JARPNII
program will collect the biological information necessary to examine the relationshipbetween biological parameters and accumulation characteristics.
ii) Bioaccumulation process of pollutants through the food chain
It is also known that differences in the accumulation levels of organochlorines such as PCBs
and DDTs are observed between baleen and toothed whales. These differences reflect thefact that their prey species are in different trophic levels and/or have different contaminationlevels. This research plan includes monitoring of several types of whales, which havedifferent feeding habitats (i.e. krill and small schooling fish feeder, and deep-sea feeder).
Analyses of pollution levels in the prey species collected from the stomach contents ofwhales, and from catches by the trawling surveys as well as that of seawater and air will also
be done. This information is not available for the period since the 1980s (Iwata et al., 1993).
From the preliminary results of the analyses of the samples taken during the 2001 feasibility
cruise, concentration levels of some organochlorine compounds in the environment has
tended to decrease, but such trend is not observed for the levels in the whale blubber (See thereport of the feasibility study: SC/54/xx). Continuation of these analyses is important tounderstand the bioaccumulation process through the marine food chain.
19iii) Relationship between chemical pollutants and cetacean health
Chemical pollution is known to have considerable effects on cetaceans inhabiting the coastal
area of the Northern Hemisphere, such as beluga, bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise.
For these species, the POLLUTION2000+ was conducted to examine cause-effectrelationships (IWC, 1999b).
In the western North Pacific, a considerable number of minke whales are observed withanomalous testis tissues. It is necessary to continue the monitoring of the occurrence of
these anomalies and also continue to examine the cause(s). To this point, histopathologicaland immunological examinations were conducted but such examinations had not determinedthe cause of the anomalous testes. Efforts to identify the cause are continuing. Recently
another bacteriological examination was initiated from 2001. It is also interesting that suchanomalous testes were found in Bryde’s whales. Monitoring of the occurrence rate is very
important for the conservation of resources.
Recent studies have used biomarkers to examine the health condition of cetacean
presenting some level of contamination (Fossi et al., 1992; Hugget et al., 1989; Subramanian
et al., 1987; Urian et al., 1996; Watanabe et al., 1989). In the Bergen workshop, it wassuggested that “hazard assessment could be aided by biomarker data since this gives
information on effects rather than merely documenting residue levels”. As an ideal, they
considered that “cetaceans in the open ocean should be physiologically normal, i.e. thathuman activities should not result in their physiological functions being outside normal
limits”(IWC, 1999a). In this context, North Pacific minke whales and Antarctic minke
whales are considered as normal condition individuals compared with species inhabiting
coastal habitats such as small cetaceans. Therefore, toxicological examinations using theseminke whales are considered to have advantages over the sampling of polluted individuals.

In the program, some biomarkers will be examined for the relationship with somecontaminants in light of metabolic ability and sensitivity of the pollutants in the whales.
Possible indices for biomarkers will be examined for: P450, AH receptor, sex hormone andcomposition of PCBs.
(3) Stock structurei) Minke whale
The following objectives are defined:a) Investigate the stock identity of minke whales distributed in offshore sub-area 9
Following discussions at the JARPN review meeting, the JARPN II feasibility surveys werefocused to investigate whether or not a different stock (W) exists in sub-area 9, and if so, toinvestigate the spatial and temporal extent of its occurrence. Results of the mtDNA analysis
20

showed a certain degree of heterogeneity in samples collected from these surveys in thewestern part of sub-area 9 in 2000 and 2001, similar to that observed from samples collected
in 1995. Microsatellite analysis also provided some evidence (weak) of genetic
heterogeneity in the western part of sub-area 9 in 2001. It seems that, if a different stock
exists, its occurrence in sub-area 9W is not consistent every year. A possibility is that thegenetic heterogeneity observed in sub-area 9W reflect a mixed assemblage scenario between
the O Stock and a putative W Stock distributed mainly to the east of sub-area 9W, including
sub-area 13. The JARPNII feasibility study demonstrated that further genetic samples fromsub-areas 8, 9, and possibly 13 (see objective c) are required to facilitate clearer
discrimination among alternative W stock hypotheses. The results will allow us to select thebest scenario for IST.
b) Systematic monitoring of the occurrence of J Stock like animals in sub-area 7 to determine
the dynamics (spatial and temporal) of its occurrence
In order to ensure adequate management of coastal whaling in future, the occurrence of J
Stock like animals in sub-area 7 should be investigated. The frequency of their occurrence,
regions and period in which they occur, will be investigated by systematic monitoring. The
results will be necessary for the management of coastal whaling in future.
c) Investigation of the stock identity of minke whales in sub-areas 12 and 13
Sub-areas 12 and 13 are two potentially important sub-areas fo r surveys. The rational for
sub-area 13 is the same as in a). It should be noted that sub-area 13 is not a target area for
the feeding ecology study. This sub-area may be surveyed for the stock structure study
considering the time available and practicability of deployment of fleet in each survey, after
the surveys on feeding ecology have been completed in other sub-areas.
Surveys in these sub-areas are very important, as only limited information on stock
structure has been available for these sub-areas so far. O and J Stock animals occur in thesouthern part of the Okhotsk Sea (sub-area 11) and it is possible that they also occur in thenorthern part (sub-area 12). It is important to investigate whether J, O and other putative
stocks occur in this sub-area and if so, the frequency of their occurrence and mixing
proportion. The results will allow us to select the best scenario for IST. If permission is
granted by the Russian Federation, sampling of minke whale will be conducted in sub-area
12. It should be noted that even if sampling is allowed in this sub-area the total sample sizefor minke whale will be the same. If permission for whale sampling is not granted, analternative is biopsy sampling if permission for such survey is granted.
ii) Bryde's whale
While JARPNII feasibility study in 2000 and 2001 covered some previously unsurveyed
21

regions within sub-area 1, there are other regions west of 180° not covered yet, which should
be investigated. Effort should be spent to cover these regions. On the other hand the genetic
analysis based on the feasibility surveys revealed a weak mtDNA heterogeneity between
recent JARPNII samples and historical samples from Ogasawara. This heterogeneity shouldbe tested with the analysis of additional samples from the same region. The results of thisstudy will definitely contribute to the IST for Bryde’s whales.
iii) Sei whale
Samples of sei whales will be obtained mainly for the objective of feeding ecology. The CA
for the NP sei whale has not been conducted yet. Very little is known on the stock structureof the sei whale in the North Pacific. The attainment of data on stock structure willcontribute to the comprehensive assessment of this species in the future. As a first step,
recent molecular genetics techniques will be applied to estimate genetic diversity of sei
whales, and compare it with those in other ocean basins.

Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the current and frontal systems in thewestern North Pacific (Yasuda et al., 1996; modified from Endo, 2000). SC:
Soya Current, TW: Tsugaru warm current, O1: Oyashio first branch, O2:
Oyashio second branch, WCR: worm core ring,
CCR: cold core ring, KF: Kuroshio Front.

22iv) Sperm whale
Samples of sperm whales will be obtained mainly for the objective of feeding ecology.
The IWC/SC has conducted preliminary discussion to start the CA for the North Pacificsperm whale. The attainment of data on stock structure will contribute to the futurecomprehensive assessment of the species.

V. RESEARCH DESIGN
1. Research area
In the western North Pacific, there are numerous fronts and water masses (Fig. 1). The
Kuroshio, which is one of the strongest west-boundary currents of subtropical gyre, flows
northward from the offshore area of the Philippines to the waters off Japan with warm
high-salinity water. It turns eastwards off the Pacific side of Japan as the Kuroshio Extension.
On the other hand the Oyashio flows southward along the Kurile Islands with cold lowsalinity water. It branches into two flows off the northern Japan. The Kuroshio and the
Oyashio flows eastward, and the area between the Kuroshio Extension and Oyashio east off
Japan was usually called the Kuroshio-Oyashio Inter-frontal zone or the Transition Zone.

12

11

13

Fig. 2. The research area and strata for the full-scale JARPN II surveys.

23

The research area covers the Kuroshio, the Oyashio and the Transition Zone between
them (Fig. 2). It is east of northern Honshu Island, north 35ºN, west of 170ºE, south of
Hokkaido (sub-areas 7, 8 and 9 for the North Pacific minke whale management). The
research area in the full-scale JARPN II is extended eastward to 170ºE to cover the fisheries
resources caught by Japanese fisheries. Especially Pacific saury is distributed in sub-areas
8 and 9 in summer just before they recruit to the Japanese fishing grounds in autumn (Fig. 3).
For stock structure of minke whales, important areas are sub-areas 9 and 8 to investigate
whether or not a different stock exists, and sub-area 7 to determine the dynamics of J stock
type occurrence.

Fig. 3. Distribution of Pacific saury at pre-fishing season (June-July) andrecruitment to the Japanese fishing grounds (from HP of Tohoku National
Fisheries Research Institute). The area of each circle indicates the number ofsaury taken by research drift nets (x: no catch).

2. Research duration and period
Pelagic fish resources in the research area have shown drastic fluctuations in a process
called “species replacement” for the past 100 years (Wada, 1997). The most abundant species
were replaced successively in the order of pilchard, saury and anchovy, chub mackerel, andpilchard again in periods of 10 to 20 years. Currently, anchovy is dominating (Fig.4 and24

survey was planned in these seasons by employing the small type whaling catcher boats inthe coastal waters, where the competition between cetaceans and fisheries is likely to be
severe.
The survey plan for the first two-year period is as follows. The surveys in 2002 will be
conducted in late season from June to October. The small type whaling catcher boats will
cover mainly Stratum 7N in September and October. The survey in 2003 will be conductedin early season from April to August. The small type whaling catcher boats will cover Strata
7MI and 7SI in April and May. The logistic feasibility of sampling using small type whaling
catcher boats will be evaluated after the first two-year period. Basically the same pattern
will be repeated three times until the 6-year comprehensive review.
3. Target cetacean species and sample sizes
In the full-scale JARPN II, 150 minke whales (effectively O Stock and putative W Stock), 50
Bryde’s whales (Western North Pacific Stock), 50 sei whales (Asian Stock) and 10 sperm
whales (Western Division Stock) will be sampled in each year under special permit. Of the
150 minke whales, 50 will be sampled by small type whaling catcher boats to cover the
temporal and spatial gap of the research to date. Sei whales are newly included as target
species in this program as sei whales are expected to consume a large quantity of fisheries
resources such as Pacific saury just recruiting to the Japanese fishing grounds. These
cetacean species are found in abundance (Appendix 1) and could readily be subject tosustainable harvesting. Furthermore, Baird’s beaked whales, short-finned pilot whales andDall's porpoises will be also included in the program using the samples from the commercial
fisheries in the coastal area.
(1) Target cetaceans species
JARPN (1994-1999) and JARPN II feasibility surveys (2000-2001) showed that minke
whales are distributed in the coastal areas in sub-area 7 and the northern offshore areas in
sub-areas 8 and 9. Minke whales fed on krill and schooling fish such as Japanese anchovy,
Pacific saury, walleye pollack and Japanese common squid. All of these are major target
species of Japanese fisheries in the coastal waters. The competition between cetaceans andthe fisheries appears to be the most severe in the case of minke whales. In the full-scale
JARPN II, minke whales should be the main target cetacean species. However, seasons fromlate autumn to early spring have not been covered in JARPN and JARPN II feasibility study
because of the lack of availability of the Nisshin Maru research fleet. Also the coastal areas
on the continental shelf have not been surveyed because the Nisshin Maru research fleet is
too big to operate in the coastal areas. Thus, in the full scale JARPNII survey, the small type
coastal whaling catcher boats will be used for the feeding ecology surveys.
Bryde’s whales were only taken in JARPN II feasibility surveys. They were densely
26distributed in the southern offshore area of sub-area 7 and the main food was krill andJapanese anchovy. The former dominated in the early season and the latter in the late season,
although the seasons were covered in different years. Bryde’s whales are known to feed on
krill and schooling fish as do minke whales. The sampling of Bryde’s whales will be
continued in the full-scale JARPN II in the wider areas.
Sei whales are also known to feed on krill and schooling fish. Off the Pacific coast ofJapan they feed on krill, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, saury and squids (Nemoto, 1959).
They feed on copepods in the northern North Pacific (Nemoto, 1962). As the commercial
take was banned in 1976, the stock appears to have increased. Both absolute and relative
abundances in JARPN and JARPN II feasibility studies are higher than those in previous
surveys. Samples are required for information on diet, especially in sub-areas 8 and 9 whererecruits of Japanese saury are distributed in summer.
Sperm whales were taken in 2000 and 2001 as a feasibility study. The total number ofsamples was only 13. They were commonly found throughout the whole research area. Spermwhales were the most abundant species and were distributed in the whole research area as it
was the case in JARPN surveys. The food was composed of a variety of species of deep-sea
squids (Tamura et al., 2002). Squids known to occur in the upper layer or migrate to thesurface at night were relatively scarce in the stomachs except for some species such as
Gonatopsis borealis. A few neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartrami), which is the main
target of squid jigging vessels, was found in the stomachs. This is partly due to the extreme
low abundance of neon flying squid in the recent years.
The issue of whether sperm whales should be retained as part of the full-scale JARPN II
or not has been also examined using Ecopath with Ecosim (Oka mura et al., 2002). In most of
the test runs, prey species were influenced by the removal of sperm whales as well as in thecase of the removal of minke whales, although these results were strongly dependent on the
input parameters of deep-sea squids and their prey and predators. Deep-sea squids may havemassive biomass in the western North Pacific, judging from the huge consumption by sperm
whales. But little on the ecological niche of deep-sea squids is known. Whether or not sperm
whales have a relationship with the surface ecosystem still being an interesting question toresolve. Because of their large biomass it is desirable that sperm whales be retained as oneof the target cetaceans in the full-scale JARPN II, and that the ecological study on deep-sea
squids be conducted in the near future.
(2) Sample sizes
JARPN surveys during 1994-1999 showed that there are geographical and seasonal changesof prey species of minke whales in the western North Pacific. For the feasibility study of
JARPN II, the sample sizes for estimating prey consumption with good precision27

(Coefficient of Variation; C.V.=0.2) were calculated by the Norwegians method(Government of Norway, 1992). The same method and precision were applied to the fullscale JARPN II. In this method sample sizes are calculated for the estimation of prey
consumption of important prey species.
Two surveys, one by the Nisshin Maru research fleet and the other by the small typewhaling catcher boats, will be conducted every year. The former will cover total researcharea (sub-areas 7, 8 and 9), and the latter will cover only minke whales in the inshore areasof sub-area 7. Therefore the required sample sizes for minke whale were calculated
separately (the total research area and the inshore areas of sub-area 7). Required sample
sizes of Bryde’s and sei whales were calculated for the total research area. For sei whales thedata used were the number of the dominant prey species (squid, fishes and krill) fromcommercial whaling and the average stomach contents weight and its standard deviation of
Bryde’s whales examined in JARPNII feasibility study. Results are shown in Appendix 5.
For minke whales (case of total research area), a mini mum of 66 to 138 animals are
required in each year. These calculations did not use the data from 1998 a nd 1999 because
the research area in these years was limited compared to that in other years. One hundred
animals should be maintained.
For minke whales (case of inshore areas of sub-area 7), a minimum of 26 to 102 animals
are required in each year. Fifty animals should be adopted. The sample size may be modified
using new data obtained after two-year (small type whaling catcher) feasibility survey.
For Bryde’s whales (total research area), a min imum of 50 animals are required in eachyear. To improve the accuracy of this estimation, a re-calculation will be made after moredata become available.
For sei whales (total research area), a min imum of 50 animals are required in each year.
The past commercial whaling data and the stomach contents data from Bryde’s whales wereused for the calculation. New data are required to improve the accuracy of this estimation.
The sample size will be recalculated after the first two years making use of the new data
accumulated.
For the pollution study, in the Barcelona meeting related to ‘POLLUTION 2000+’, it wasnoted that ‘in order to investigate cause-effect relationships of pollutants in cetaceans would
require the ability to obtain a large enough sample size for each of the groups to be compared,
to allow robust statistical analysis (preferably n>30)’ (IWC, 1999a).
Comparing this sample size and those of the present research plan (150 minke, 50 Bryde's,
28

50 sei, and 10 sperm whales), sampling in JARPNII is too small for monitoring temporal andspatial variation in pollution burdens. A large scale and long-term sampl ing is needed tomonitor the pollution in the marine ecosystem surrounding Japan. Therefore, theEnvironmental Ministry of Japan and many other organizations including universities are
now conducting a wide variety of such investigations. For example, the Environmental
Ministry is conducting a monitoring project of the contaminants mainly in the North Pacificso-called ‘SQUID WATCH’, which monitor the pollutant burden in squid liver (Yamada et al.,1997). Furthermore, the Fisheries Agency has been conducting similar research for the fish
resources.
In the JARPNII, the major part of the environmental component is to construct acomprehensive monitoring and assessment system for monitoring impacts of pollution on
cetaceans and marine ecosystem. Therefore, at least at the present stage, no definitive
conclusions related to the sample size for this purpose have been reached. It would be
preferable to use as large sample size as possible. Adequate sample size for pollution studies
may be determined in the future if further information becomes available.
In the genetic studies, the necessary sample size will generally depend on the degree ofgenetic differentiation between putative stocks and on the resolution of the genetic
technique to detect such differentiation. Several workshops have recommended a similar
sample size to that proposed here. For example the Workshop on the Genetic analysis of
Cetacean Population ‘recommends sample sized of 20-50 from each population are desirable
and that these should be taken throughout the geographical range’ (Hoelzel, 1991). The
Special Meeting on the Comprehensive Assessment of Right Whales also suggested that‘samples should be collected from a minimum of 20-50 individuals’ (IWC, 1999c).
Finally, it also should be further noted that sample size was determined mainly based on
the objective of feeding ecology and ecosystem studies. We will use samples and data as
effectively as possible for other objectives within the limited framework.
In conclusion, although necessary sample sizes are different depending on objectives andmethodologies, the sample sizes for estimating prey consumption of baleen whales are
adopted. These are 150 for minke, 50 for Bryde’s and 50 sei whales. The sample size forsperm whales remains as it was in the feasibility study (10).
(3) Sampling scheme
Whale sampling will be conducted using the random sampling scheme adopted in the JARPN.

29

During the JARPNII feasibility studies, a total of nine calves of Bryde’s whale werecollected with cows. The examination of these individuals for feeding ecology showed thatthe stomach contents of cows were not different from other animals and calves only had milkin the stomach. Consequently, calf samples are of less value for the studies of feeding
ecology. On the other hand, calf animals are excluded from the genetic analysis. Therefore
in the full-scale surveys, cow and calf pairs will not be targeted for sampling.
Sampling of sperm whales will be restricted to individuals below 10m in body length dueto the limited capacity of the research base ship Nisshin Maru.
4. Research vessels
The whale research fleet will consist of a dedicated sighting vessel, the Kyoshin Maru No.2
and three sighting/sampling vessel the Kyo Maru No.1, the Toshi Maru No.25 and the Yushin
Maru. The Nisshin Maru will act as the research base. The survey on prey species will be
conducted by the Shunyo Maru, a new trawler-type research vessel equipped with asophisticated acoustic device. For the study of prey preference of cetaceans, it is requiredthat all of these research vessels are operated cooperatively.
In addition, three small type whaling catcher boats will be employed as sampling vessels
for minke whales in the inshore areas of sub-area 7 in spring and autumn. These surveys willbe also conducted together with prey species surveys. One researcher will be placed on board
each catcher boat and two researchers will be deployed at a land base where collection ofdata and samples will be conducted.
5. Non-lethal components
The dedicated sighting survey vessel (Kyoshin-Maru No.2) will cover the research area tocollect information on the distribution and density of whales as well to conduct biopsy
sampling and oceanographic surveys. Oceanographic surveys will be also conducted on the
Shunyo Maru. .
6. Research organizations(1) The Institutes of the Fisheries Research Agency (FRA) such as
National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF),
National Research Institute of Fisheries Science (NRIFS)(2) The Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR)(3) Other research institutions
7. Participation of foreign scientists
Participation of foreign scientists, especially those from neighboring countries, is welcome,insofar as their qualifications meet the requirements set by the Government of Japan. These30

requirements are the same as those for JARPN.

VI. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Basically the research methods follow those of the two-year feasibility study conducted in2000 and 2001. Major changes in the full-scale research are the addition of 50 minke whales
taken by small type whaling catcher boats, the inclusion of 50 sei whales, an eastward
extension and stratification of the research area for the feeding ecology and ecosystem
studies. The methods may be changed in the course of the program after reviews by IWC/SC
and/or other organizations.
1. Feeding ecology and ecosystem studies
No selection will be made as to sex and size in the sampling except for the bull sperm whales
that are too heavy to lift on the board of the Nisshin Maru and the cow/calf pairs that will not
be sampled. The sampled whales are measured in the same way as in the JARPN. Stomach
contents are measured following the Norwegian procedure regarding number, weight andbody size by prey species (Haug et al., 1995b). For fully digested prey, hard tissues (otoliths
for fishes and beaks for squids) are used for species identification and body size estimation.

In addition, three small type whaling catcher boats will be employed to cover the temporaland spatial gap in the research, that is, the inshore areas in sub-areas 7 in spring and autumn.
These vessels will conduct sampling in a designated area within the radius of approximately
50 nautical miles from a land base (e.g. Kushiro in Hokkaido and Ayukawa in Sanriku).
Intensive fisheries are conducted in this area in spring and autumn. As the primary objectiveof this component of JARPNII is to collect information on direct competition between
fisheries and whales, sampling will be conducted in the close proximity to ongoing fisheries.
In principle, samples will be transferred to the land base where data and tissue sample
collection will be conducted by two researchers. All the vessels will come back to port daily.

The concurrent whale and prey surveys will be conducted so that whales and fish aresampled as near to simultaneously as possible in both space and time. The surveys of preyspecies will be conducted on a trawler-type research vessel, the Shunyo Maru. The surveys
will be supplemented with the dedicated sighting survey vessel, Kyoshin Maru No.2,
equipped with a sophisticated acoustic device. Distribution and abundance of prey species
by depth range is estimated using echo integrator.

31

Responses on the echo sounder are identified to species using mid-water trawl, drift -nets
and jigging. The catch will be sorted by species and weighed. At each operation about 100
individuals of the main species will be selected at random and measured to nearest cm. Also
10 individuals will be sampled for biological measurement including stomach contents.
Frozen samples of main prey species will be used to analyze the energy density and to extract
hard tissues for species identification and body size estimation from digested stomach
contents.
(1) Prey consumption by cetaceans
The amount of prey consumption by cetaceans per day is estimated using two me thods: oneis the indirect method based on standard metabolism and the other is the direct method basedon the temporal changes of the weight of stomach contents in a day. For the former method,
physiological parameters will be obtained for the time being from the past studies (e.g.
Lockyer, 1981; Folkow et al., 2000; Tamura and Fujise, 2000b). The energy density of prey
will be estimated from the literature and samples collected during the research. With respect
to the information needed for the latter method, evacuation rate from the stomach will be forthe time being obtained in reference to Bushuev (1986) and other studies (e.g. Tamura et al.,
1997; Tamura and Fujise, 2000b). Seasonal consumption of each prey species by whales willbe estimated from consumption per day, composition of prey species and the number ofwhales in the area.
(2) Prey preference of cetaceans
Prey preference will be estimated by comparing the prey composition in the stomach ofwhales and the prey composition in the environment, based on the concurrent whale and preysurveys in a narrow area (Lindstrøm and Haug, in press). Practicability and perfor mance ofconcurrent whale and prey surveys was evaluated in the feasibility study, and there were noserious practical problems (Government of Japan, 2000 and 2001), however, close
cooperation between the two surveys is indispensable in order to match the progress of bothsurveys.
As the research area is stratified into several strata, the strata and/or narrower areas withhigh abundance of cetaceans will be used for estimating the prey preference. A zigzag trackline will be set within each narrow area. The surveys will be conducted on the same track line
within one week. Diet compositions and body size composition of each prey species are
estimated for digested stomach contents using hard tissues. Biomass of each prey in the sea
will be estimated acoustically and the prey species will be identified with the mid-water
trawl, IKMT and plankton nets. For squids and saury, the biomass is estimated with the
mid-water trawlings from a 100m depth at predetermined stations. The body size
compositions will be obtained with the direct measurement of catches. Two indices will be
used to express the prey preference; the relative frequency of occurrence by number and the32individual number index (Lindstrøm et al., 1998). Also, the data on oceanographic
conditions, preys and cetaceans will be analyzed in detail with the Geographical Information
System (GIS).
2. Monitoring environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine ecosystem
Tissue samples will be collected from blubber, liver, kidney, muscle and other tissues as wellas blood from each whale sampled and from some prey species taken from stomach contentsof the whales and by the trawling survey. These samples will be analyzed for pollutants suchas organochlorines and heavy metals. Furthermore, the contaminant levels of lower-trophic
organisms such as krill will be also examined. The level of pollutants in sea water and air
will be analyzed in the same way.
Chemicals to be analyzed include heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Hg),
organochlorines (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, HCB and CHLs) and dioxin related chemicals(PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar-PCBs). As to physiological index (biomarker), sex hormone,
P450, AH receptor and others will be examined. The analyses of organochlorines and heavy
metals will be conducted by the procedures described in previous reports (Aono et al., 1997;
Honda et al., 1982; Iwata et al., 1993; Tanabe et al., 1994; Tanabe, 1998; Kang et al., 1997).
Sex hormone and other physiological indices will be analyzed using standard analytic
methods (e.g. Saito et al., 1986; Subramanian et al., 1987).
3. Stock structure
Stock structure will be investigated using the same methods used under the JARPN. Samples
and data for genetics and other biological markers will be collected from each whale sampled.
Internal tissue and biopsy samples will be used in the genetic analysis. Genetic variation will
be analyzed using allozymes, mtDNA sequencing of control region and microsatellites. All
the laboratory procedures for the genetic analyses are described elsewhere (Wada andNumachi, 1991; Goto and Pastene, 2000; Goto et al., 2001).
To address O-W stock issues of minke whales, data will be analyzed following the
IWC/SC recommendation that J stock whales should be removed for all comparisons (IWC,2002). Suspected J stock animals are excluded from the analysis based on the genetic
criterion, biological markers (such as conception date and accumulations of pollutants) andmorphometrics.
Mixing rate between O and J Stocks in sub-area 7 will be estimated using two methods:
maximum likelihood method (Kishino et al., 1994; Pastene et al., 1998) based onallele/haplotype frequencies obtained from the genetic markers mentioned above andindividual assignment using mtDNA sequencing profiles complemented with otherindependent biological and ecological markers. If the putative W Stock is confirmed in33

offshore areas, the mixing rate between O and W Stocks will be also examined using genetic
markers.
4. Others
In this program sighting records will be collected for all cetaceans. Observations involve
whale species such as right, blue, minke, Bryde’s, sei, fin and sperm whales. In addition tosighting records, photo-ID, observation of whale behavior, especially feeding behavior, willbe also recorded.
Oceanographic surveys will be obtained using XCTD, CTD, EPCS. Echo soundings willbe also made concurrently during the survey. Information on oceanographic conditions in the
research area will be collected during the research activities using these instruments.

VII. ECOSYSTEM MODELING
Demands to develop and improve ecosystem model approaches to fisheries management are
greatly increasing all over the world. Management based on multispecies models will be able
to improve conventional single species management, even the RMP (Ulltang 1995). In the
JARPN II project, ecosystem models suitable to the western North Pacific will be developed
based on the models such as Ecopath (Christensen et al., 2000 ) and Multspec (Bogstad et al.,1997). These two models have been investigated separately as initial works (see Appendix 4).

The Ecopath model has the purpose to illustrate the trophic flows in the ecosystem ofinterest. It is being recognized in recent years that it is useful to construct food web andtrophic structure using known data from fisheries and research activities. We will make useof this model to evaluate the relative importance of predator species and to know thedistinction between keystone predators and trivial ones at the first stage. After the trials,
Ecosim and Ecospace will be also used and examined to grasp dynamic change includingchanges in exploitation rates and the environment. Ecosim is a dynamic simulation model for
predicting results of human and climatic impact on ecosystem components. Ecospace is aspatial equilibrium model and predicts biomass and exploitation distribution over twodimensional space.
On the other hand, construction of the Multspec model, which is achieving some successin the Norwegian aquatic ecosystem, is to be undertaken. The model integrates the dynamicof each fish and marine mammal species and focuses on a few groups with direct interactions.
Unlike Ecopath, there are some difficulties to include many species and complicated foodweb. However, it is possible to examine the dynamic changes of each entry in details. At the34

first stage, we will consider a simple model to include minke whale, Pacific saury, Japanese
anchovy and krill (Appendix 4). This enables us to utilize available information to a
maximum and describe dynamic changes including various uncertainties and predict futureinteractions among cetaceans and fisheries.
As mentioned above, each of Ecopath and Multspec has different characteristics.
Ecopath is useful for understanding the overall ecosystem and Multspec for describing maininteractions and detailed dynamics. Indirect and complicated effects can be comprehended
through Ecopath-type model and the influences of the uncertainty of parameters andmigration should be examined using Multspec-type model. The integrated model withadvantages of Ecopath and Multspec will be constructed to be able to predict the dynamicchanges more precisely. Through demonstration and quantifications of interactions between
cetaceans and fisheries with sufficient precision, we can provide the basis of advice
concerning multi-species management.
The construction of integrated model and the extensive sensitivity analyses for various
parameters are likely to take several years before completion. At first, outputs from bothmodels obtained over four years will make clear their advantages, faults and shortcomings
in detail. In the subsequent years, we will make trials to integrate the two models into one
model. Also new information obtained from JARPN II will be incorporated to the models as
appropriate. The outputs from the models should also be fed back to the JARPN II surv eys.
These ecosystem model trials will be reviewed at IWC/SC along with a comprehensive reportof JARPN II following six-year research.

VIII. EFFECTS ON THE RESOURCES
The effects on the minke, Bryde’s, and sei whale stocks of future catches under special
permit of JARPN II are examined in Appendix 6. The assessment is based on the standard
HITTER method (Butterworth, 1996).
For minke whales, one case is examined. Total 150 minke whales will be sampled, 90 ofwhich are to be caught from sub-areas 7 and 30 from each of sub-areas 8 and 9. Incidental
catches same as option Jii) in IWC/SC is taken into account (IWC, 2001b). Two scenarios on
O Stock are used. i) all of sub-areas 7+8+9+11+12 are O Stock, and ii) sub-areas
7+8+9+11+12 (70% in sub-area 9 and 81.3% in sub-area 12) are O Stock. The effects of thecatch on the stock are assessed from the trend of abundance. HITTER calculations show that,for all cases, the minke whale stocks would increase. Therefore it can be concluded that theeffect on the minke whale stocks is negligible. Details of the calculations are shown in35

Appendix 6.
Fifty Bryde’s whales will be sampled from the Western North Pacific Stock. Because theproposed sampling area is far from the coastal region of southwest Japan, in which the East
China Sea Stock extends (Pastene et al., 1997; Yoshida et al., 1997; Yoshida and Kato, 1999),
it is unlikely that Bryde’s whales from other stocks will be taken. Two scenarios are usedaccording to the recent IST. i) a single stock exists in sub-areas 1 and 2, and ii) a single stock
exists in sub-area 1. The effects of the catch on the stock are assessed in the same way as in
the minke whale. HITTER calculations show that for all cases the Bryde’s whale stocks
would increase. Therefore it can be concluded that effect on the Bryde’s whale stock isnegligible. Details of the calculations are shown in Appendix 6.
As for sei whales, 50 animals will be sampled. One scenario that there is two stocks inNorth Pacific divided by 180 degrees longitudinal line is examined. The effects of the catchon the stock are assessed in the same way as in mink e and Bryde’s whales. HITTER
calculations show that for all cases the sei whale stocks would increase. Therefore it can beconcluded that effect on the sei whale stock is negligible. Details of the calculations areshown in Appendix 6.
Sperm whales will be sampled from the Western Division Stock. While no calculation wasmade for sperm whales, the sample size is so small (10 animals) compared to the abundance
and obviously well below the critical level to affect the stock.

IX. OTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED
1. Processing of cetaceans sampled
All the whales sampled will be processed in accordance with Article VIII (2) of theInternational Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. Tissue samples will be taken fromall whales sampled and the DNA data will be registered for market control (individual
identification).
2. Reports to the IWC/SC
A report of each cruise will be submitted to annual meetings of IWC/S C and to otherorganizations. A report on the two-year feasibility surveys by small type whaling catcher
boats will be submitted to the IWC/SC following completion of the survey to check thelogistic feasibility. At the same time the results of sample size recalculation for sei whales
will be reported using the new data. A comprehensive report following six-years of research
will be submitted to IWC/SC.

36

3. Killing methods
All the whale sampling will be carried out in a quick and effective manner by means of
explosive harpoons. When whales are not killed instantly with the primary killing method,
an appropriate secondary killing method will be chosen according to the whale species andwhale condition. For minke whales, a large caliber rifle will be used in principle as asecondary killing method. For Bryde’s, sperm whales and sei whales, appropriate quick andefficient methods such as large caliber rifle and second explosive harpoon will be used as
secondary killing method, if necessary.

X. SUMMARY OF PROGRAM IN RELATION TO THE IWC GUIDELINES FORRESEARCH TAKE
A number of guidelines for the review of scientific permit proposals have been given by theCommission. All the guidelines grouped under five headings (Donovan, 2001) are follows,(A) The Proposal
The research plan adequately specifies the four sets of information required under paragraph
30 of the Schedule; (a) objectives of the research, (b) number, sex and stock of the animals
to be taken, (c) opportunities for participation in the research by scientists of other nations,and (d) possible effect on conservation of stock.
(B) Objectives
The overall goal of JARPN II is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use ofmarine living resources including whales in the western North Pacific, especially within
Japan’s EEZ. Toward the overall goal, three objectives are set, 1) feeding ecology andecosystem studies, 2) monitoring of environmental pollutants, and 3) elucidation of stock
structure. The first and second priorities are placed on the first and second objectives,
respectively.
The information obtained from the feeding ecology and ecosystem studies is needed tounderstand the role of cetaceans in the ecosystem. Also, the competition between cetaceans
and fisheries is one of the major issues at IWC/SC. In relation to these matters, several
hypotheses will be examined in the studies: Do cetaceans consume a large quantity offisheries resources compared to the catches of commercial fisheries? Does the consumption
by cetaceans have a significant impact on natural mortality and recruitment of the prey?
Inversely, does the abundance and distribution of the prey species affect the migration
pattern, recruitment and geographical segregation by sex of cetaceans? Do sperm whales
have an impact on the surface ecosystem? The answers to these hypotheses will contribute to37

the science-based rational management of whales as well as to the management of fisheries
resources.
The monitoring of environmental pollutants in cetaceans and the marine ecosystem, is asignificant component of the IWC’s concern regarding environmental change. The
information obtained through this program is expected to document levels of environmental
pollutants and contribute to our understanding of the process of bioaccumulation through thefood chain.
Questions addressed for the stock structure studies of minke and Bryde’s whales areclearly relevant for the RMP/IST of these species in the western North Pacific. For spermand sei whales, the Comprehensive Assessment (CA) has not yet been carried out. The
attainment of information on stock structure as well other biological information such as
growth rate and maturity will contribute to the future CA of these species in the North
Pacific.
The proposed numbers of minke, Bryde’s, and sei whales to be sampled are necessary toestimate the amount of prey consumption with appropriate accuracy. The calculation ofsample size is based on the data obtained from JARPN surveys and JARPN II feasibility
study (Appendix 5). Furthermore, these levels of samples are necessary for the studies on
stock structure. Although larger samples are required for detailed pollution monitoring,these sample sizes are adequate for some analyses.
(C) Methodology
Both lethal and non-lethal methods will be used in JARPN II. The objectives cannot be
attained only by means of non-lethal methods for practical and scientific reasons described
below.
Among baleen whales, minke whales are opportunistic feeders and their prey compo sitionshows drastic changes reflecting the distribution pattern and level of abundance of preyspecies (Kasamatsu and Tanaka, 1992). Existing data on stomach contents are only
qualitative data from the commercial whaling period for all whale species, because thestomach contents were not weighed and not identified to the species level. Also, past
analyses were mostly limited to the commer cial catches that were taken in particular fishinggrounds and seasons. In addition, whalers usually damaged the stomach by cutting theabdominal cavity. Quantitative research on stomach contents began in JARPN for minke
whales and in JARPN II feasibility survey for Bryde’s whales. Research on excrement does
not give very reliable results on the prey composition in the stomach (e.g. Smith andWhitehead, 2000). Prey preference can be studied only by using the lethal method, in which
38

whales are caught and their stomach contents are examined in parallel with the concurrent
survey of prey species. The concurrent whale and prey surveys have been conducted for the
first time for the North Pacific in JARPN II feasibility survey. In the full-scale JARPN II, theconcurrent surveys will be conducted so that whales and fish are sampled as near tosimultaneously as possible in both space and time. Further, data on body condition,
especially fat, cannot be obtained by means of non-lethal methods.
The effect of pollution on cetaceans can be monitored by measuring the accumulated
amount of pollutants such as organochlorine compounds and heavy metals as well as theobservation of abnormalities in viscera and tissues. In addition, the interpretation of thelevel of contaminants should be made by taking into consideration other biologicalinformation such as the reproductive status and age. Age information is an important factor
in examining the contamination levels, because these pollutants are accumulated with age.
Usually lethal methods provide a more comprehensive and faster approach to this issue ascompared with non-lethal methods such as biopsy sampling.
The methods proposed for studying stock structure are the same as in the JARPN, i.e.
genetic and non-genetic analyses. While the genetic approach is considered the most useful
method to examine stock structure, it should be recognized that DNA-based genetic analyses
are complemented with the analyses of other biological data such as morphometrics andconception dates, which only can be obtained using lethal methods. The best strategy to
examine stock structure is the use of different and independent approaches both genetic andnon-genetic (example for this comprehensive approach is that used under the JARPN andpresented and discussed at the JARPN review meeting and IWC/SC) (e.g. Hakamada andFujise, 2000; IWC, 2001a; Fujise et al.2001). DNA-based genetic analyses can be conductedusing biopsy samples, however, biopsy sampling is difficult to conduct for minke whales,
especially in the open sea due to their quick and fast movement as well as the limitation of
the cost.
Whales will be killed in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section III of theschedule as described in Item 3 of Chapter IX of the research plan.
(D) Effect of catches on the ‘stock’
The most recent information on the stocks concerned is reviewed in Appendix 1 of theresearch plan. The possible effects on the minke, Bryde’s, and sei whale stocks of futurecatches under special permit of JARPN II are evaluated using the standard HITTER method(Appendix 6). HITTER calculations show that minke, Bryde’s and sei whale stocks would
increase. Therefore it can be concluded that the effect on the stocks is negligible. While nocalculation was made for sperm whales, the sample size is so small (10 animals) compared39

to the abundance and obviously well below the critical level to affect the stock. The research
can be conducted without adversely affecting the success of the comprehensive assessmentof all stocks.
(E) Research cooperation
Arrangements for participation by scientists of other nations are described in Item 7 of
Chapter V of the research plan.
XI. REFERENCES
Aono, S., Tanabe, S., Fujise, Y., Kato, H. and Tatsukawa, R. 1997. Persistentorganochlorines in minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and their prey species
from the Antarctic and the North Pacific. Environ. Pollut. 98:81-9.
Bogstad, B., Hauge, K. H., and Ulltang, Ø. (1997) MULTSPEC – A mu lti-species model
for fish and marine mammals in the Barents Sea. J. North. Atl. Fish. Sci. 22. 317-41.
Bushuev, S.G. 1986. Feeding of minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, in the
Antarctic. Rep. int. Whal. Commn, 36:241-5.
Butterworth, D.S. 1996. The effects on proposed scientific permit catches of minke whales
from Antarctic Areas V and VI from the North Pacific. Paper SC/48/O1 presented to
the IWC Scientific Committee, June 1996 (unpublished). 13pp.
Christensen, V, Walters, C. J. and Pauly. D. 2000. Ecopath with Ecosim: a User’s Guide,
October 2000 Edition. Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
Canada and ICLARM, Penang, Malaysia. 130pp.
Donovan. G. 2001. Guidelines for the review of scientific permit proposals. J. Cetacean
Res. Manage 3 (Suppl.):371-2.
Endo, Y. 2000. Japanese waters, Distribution and standing stock. pp.40-52. In: I. Everson(ed.) Krill biology, ecology and fisheries. Backwell Science, London.
Food Agriculture Organization of the United Naions 1999. The State of World Fisheries
and Aquaculture, 1998. FAO, Rome.
Food Agriculture Organization of the United Naions 2001. Report of 24th Session ofCommittee on Fisheries, 2001. FAO, Rome.
Folkow, L.P., Haug, T., Nilsen, K.T. and Nordøy, E.S. 2000. Estimated food consumptionof minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata in Northeast Atlantic waters in 19921995. NAMMCO Sci. Publ. 2. (in press).
Fossi, M.C., Marsili, L., Leonzio, C., Notarbartolo-di-Sciara, G., Zanardelli, M. andFocardi, S. 1992. The use of non-destructive biomarkers in Mediterranean cetaceans– preliminary data on MFO activity in skin biopsy. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 24(9):459-61.

40

Fujise, Y., Honda, K., Yamamoto, Y., Kato, H., Zenitani, R. and Tatsukawa, R. 1997.
Changes of hepatic mercury accumulations of Southern minke whales in past fifteen
years. Paper SC/M97/20 presented to the IWC Intersessional Working Group to
Review Data and Results from Special Permit Research on Minke Whales in the
Antarctic, May, 1997. (unpublished). 16pp.
Fujise, Y., Zenitani, R. and Goto, M. 2001. Utility of non-genetic information for stock
identification- The case of the western North Pacific minke whale-. Paper SC/53/SD5
presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, July 2001 (unpublished). 9pp.
Goto, M., Kanda, N. and Pastene, L.A. 2001. Genetic examination of western North Pacificminke whales including samples from JARPNII. Paper SC/53/RMP11 presented to
the IWC Scientific Committee, July 2001 (unpublished). 11pp.
Goto, M., and Pastene, L.A. 2000. Population structure in the western North Pacific minke
whale based on RFLP and sequencing analyses of mtDNA control region, using datafrom the 1994-1999 JARPN surveys. Paper SC/F2K/J11 presented to the IWC
Scientific Committee Workshop to Review the Japanese Whale Research Programme
under Special Permit for North Pacific Minke Whales (JARPN), Tokyo, 7-10
February 2000 (unpublished). 15pp.+Appendix 1pp.
Government of Japan. 1994. Research program for clarification of minke whale stock
structure in the northwestern part of the North Pacific. Paper SC/46/NP1 presented to
the IWC Scientific Committee, May 1994 (unpublished). 13pp. +Appendix 22pp.
Government of Japan. 2000. Research plan for cetacean studies in the western North
Pacific under special permit (JARPN II) (Feasibility study plan for 2000 and 2001).
Paper

SC/52/O1

presented

to

the

IWC

ScientificCommittee,

June

2000

(unpublished). 68pp.
Government of Japan. 2001. Progress report of the feasibility study of the Japanese whale
research program under special permit in the western North Pacific-phase II (JARPN
II). Paper SC/53/O10 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, July 2001
(unpublished). 77pp.
Government of Japan. 2002. Report of the 2000 and 2001 feasibility study of the Japanesewhale research program under special permit in the western North Pacific-phase II(JARPN II). Paper SC/54/xx presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, May 2002
(unpublished).
Government of Norway. 1992. A research proposal to evaluate the ecological importanceof minke whales in the Northeast Atlantic. Paper SC/44/NAB18 presented to the IWC
Scientific Committee (unpublished). 85pp.
Hakamada, T. and Fujise, Y. 2000. Preliminary examination of the heterogeneity of
external measurements of minke whales in the western part of the North Pacific,
using data collected during 1994-1999 JARPN surveys. Paper SC/F2K/J15 presented
to the IWC Scientific Committee Workshop to Review the Japanese Whale Research
Programme under Special Permit for North Pacific Minke Whales (JARPN), Tokyo,
41

7-10 February 2000 (unpublished). 12pp.
Haug, T., Gjøsæter, H., Lindstrøm, U., Nilssen, K.T. and Røttingen, I. 1995a. Spatia l andtemporal variations in northeast Atlantic minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
feeding habits. pp. 225-239. In: A.S. Blix, L. Walløe and Ø. Ulltang (eds.) Whales ,seals, fish and man, Developments in Marine Biology 4. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 720pp.
Haug, T., Gjøsæter, H., Lindstrøm, U. and Nilssen, K.T. 1995b. Diets and food availability
for northeast Atlantic minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata during summer 1992.
ICES J. Mar. Sci. 52:77-86.
Hoelzel, A.R (ed.). 1991. Genetic Ecology of Whales and Dolphins. Rep. int. Whal. Commn(Special Issue 13). 311pp.
Honda, K., Tatsukawa, R. and Fujiyama, T. 1982. Distribution characteristics of heavy
metals in the organs and tissues of striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba. Agric. Biol.
Chem. 46:1011-21.
Hugget, R.J., Kimerle, R,A., Mehrle, D.M. and Bergman, H.L., 1989. Biomarkers:
Physiological and Histological Markers on Anthropogenic Stress. Lewis, Boca Raton,
Florida. 346pp.
International Whaling Commission. 1997. Report of the Scientific Committee. Rep. int
Whal. Commn 47:59-319.
International Whaling Commission. 1999a. Report of the workshop on chemical pollution
and cetaceans. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (special issue) 1:1 -42.
International Whaling Commission. 1999b. Planning workshop to develop a programme toinvestigate pollutant cause-effect relationships in cetaceans: POLLUTION 2000+. J.
Cetacean Res. Manage. (special issue) 1:55-72.
International Whaling Commission. 1999c. Report of the Scientific Committee. J.
Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 1:1-52.
International Whaling Commission. 2001a. Report of workshop to review the Japanese
Whale Research Programme under Special Permit for North Pacific Minke Whales. J.
Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 3:377-413
International Whaling Commission. 2001b. Report of Scientific Committee, Annex D.
Report of the Sub-Committee on Revised Management Procedure. J. Cetacean Res.
Manage. (Suppl.) 3:114-25
International Whaling Commission. 2002. Report of the Scientific Committee. Annex D.
Report of the Sub-Committee on the Revised Management Procedure. J. Cetacean
Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 4:00–00.
Iwata, H., Tanabe, S., Sakai, N. and Tatsukawa, R. 1993. Distribution of persistentorganochlorines in the oceanic air and surface seawater and the role of ocean on theirglobal transport and fate. Environ. Sci. Technol. 27:1080-98.
Kang, Y.S., Matsuda, M., Kawano, M., Wakimoto, T. and Min, B.Y. 1997. Organochlorine42

pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins anddibenzofurans

in

human

adiposetissuefromwestern

Kyungnam,

Korea.

Chemosphere 35:2107-17.
Kasamatsu, F. and Tanaka, S. 1992. Annual changes in prey species of minke whales taken
off Japan 1948-87. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi, 58:637-51.
Kishino, H., Kitada, S. and Hiramatsu, K. 1994. Sampling scheme for the estimation of thestock composition in the mixed population based on the genetic data. Nippon Suisan
Gakkaishi 60:359-64. [In Japanese]
Lindstrøm, U., Harbitz, A., Haug, T. and Nilssen, K.T. 1998. Do harp seals Phoca
groenlandica exhibit particular prey preferences?. ICES J. Mar. Sci., 55, 941-53.
Lindstrøm, U. and Haug, T. Feeding strategy and prey selectivity in minke whales foraging
in the southern Barents Sea during early summer. Submitted to J. Cetacean Res.
Manage.
Lockyer, C. 1981. Estimation of the energy costs of growth, maintenance and reproductionin the female minke whale, (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), from the southernhemisphere. Rep. int. Whal. Commn 31:337-43.
Morishita, J. and D. Goodman. 2001. Competition between fisheries and marine mammals– Feeding marine mammals at the expense of food for humans. In: Proceedings of The
Third World Fisheries Congress. 31 Oct.- 3 Nov., 2000, Beijing, P.R. China. in press.).
Nemoto, T. 1959. Food of baleen whales with reference to whale movements. Sci. Rep.
Whales Res. Inst. 14:149-290.
Nemoto, T. 1962. Foods of cetaceans. Geiken Sosyo, 4: 136pp. [In Japanese].
Nemoto, T. and Kawamura, A. 1977. Characteristics of food habits and distribution ofbaleen whales with special reference to the abundance of North Pacific sei and
Bryde’s whales. Rep. int. Whal.Commn (special issue) 1:80-7.
Nishiwaki, M and Oguro, N. 1971. Baird’s beaked whales caught on the coast of Japan inrecent 10 years. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. 23:111-22.
Ohizumi, H. 1998. The study of feeding ecology of Dall’s porpoises. Doctoral Thesis,
Tokyo University. 152 pp. [In Japanese].
Ohizumi, H. and N. Miyazaki. 1998. Feeding rate and daily energy intake of Dall’s
porpoise in the northeastern Sea of Japan. Proc. NIPR Symp. Polar Biol., 11:74-81.
Okamura, H., Ohizumi, H. and Kawahara. S. 2002. Appendix IV Examination of key
cetaceans based on JARPN II data using Ecopath-type model. Paper SC/54/xx
presented to the IWC Scientific Committee, April 2002 (unpublished). xxpp.
Omura, H. and Sakiura, H. 1956. Studies on the little piked whale from the Coast of Japan.
Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. 11:1-37.
Pastene, L.A., Goto, M., Itoh, S., Wada, S. and Kato, H. 1997. Intra and interoceanic
patterns of mitochondrial DNA variation in the Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni.
43Rep. int. Whal. Commn 47:569-74.
Pastene, L.A., Goto, M. and Kishino, H. 1998. An estimate of mixing rate of ‘J’ and ‘O’stocks minke whale in sub-area 11 based on mitochondrial DNA haplotype data. Rep.
int. Whal. Commn. 48:471- 4.
Saito, S., Nagamine, Y., Oshima, I., Kita, T., Fujise, Y. and Tatsukawa, R. 1986. Serumcomponents of small cetaceans in north-western Paific waters. Agric. Biol. Chem.
50:30-9.
Smith, S.C. and Whitehead, H. 2000. The diet of Galapagos sperm whales Physeter
macrocephalus asindicated byfecal sample

analysis. Mar. MammalSci.

16(2):315-25.
Subramanian, A.N., Tanbe, S., Tatsukawa, R., Saito, S. and Miyazaki, N. 1987. Reductionin the testosterone levels by PCBs and DDE in Dall’s porpoises of the northwestern
North Pacific. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 18:643-6.
Tamura, T. and Fujise, Y. 2000a. Geographical and seasonal changes of prey species in thewestern North Pacific minke whale. Paper SC/F2K/J22 presented to the JARPN
review meeting, February 2000 (unpublished). 26pp.
Tamura, T. and Fujise, Y. 2000b. Daily and seasonal food consumption by the western
North Pacific minke whale. Paper SC/F2K/J24 presented to the JARPN review
meeting, February 2000 (unpublished).18pp.
Tamura, T., Fujise, Y. and Shimazaki, K. 1998. Diet of minke whales in the northwesternpart of the North Pacific in summer, 1994 and 1995. Fish. Sci., 64(1):71-6.
Tamura, T., Ichii, T, and Fujise, Y. 1997. Consumption of krill by minke whales in Area IV
and V of the Antarctic. Paper SC/M97/17 presented to the JARPA review meeting,May 1997 (unpublished). 9pp.
Tamura, T., T. Kubodera, H. Ohizumi and Y. Fujise. 2002. Appendix xx Preliminary resultsof prey species of 13 sperm whales base on JARPN II. Paper SC/54/xx presented to
the IWC Scientific Committee, May 2002 (unpublished). xxpp.
Tamura, T. and Ohsumi, S. 1999. Estimation of total food consumption by cetaceans in theworld’s oceans. The Institute of Cetacean Research.: 16pp.
Tamura, T. and Ohsumi, S. 2000. Regional assessments of prey consumption by marine
cetaceans in the World. Paper SC/52/E6 presented to the IWC Scientific Committee,
May 1999 (unpublished). 42pp.
Tanabe, S. 1998. Analytical methods of dioxins and PCBs in wildlife. In: An investigating
manual of contaminated status of dioxins in wildlife. Center for Natural
Environmental Studies, Tokyo, pp 90-100 [In Japanese].
Tanabe, S., Sung, J-K., Choi, D-Y., Baba, N., Kiyota, M., Yoshida, K. and Tatsukawa, R.
1994. Persistent organochlorine residues in northern fur seal from the Pacific coast ofJapan since 1971. Environ. Pollut. 85:305-14.
Tanabe, S., Aono, S., Fujise, Y., Kato, H. and Tatsukawa, R. 1995. Persistentorganochlorines residues in the Antarctic minke whales, Balaenoptera acutorostrata.
44

Paper SC/M95/P13 presented to the IWC Workshop in Bergen, March, 1995.
(unpublished). 6pp.
Tanabe, S., Aono, S., Fujita, K., Nakata, H., Fujise, Y., Kato, H. and Tatsukawa, R. 1999.
Temporal trend of persistent organochlorine residues in minke whale (Balaenoptera
acutorostrata) collected from the Antarctic during 1984-1995. Paper SC/51/E4
presented to the Scientific Committee of International Whaling Commission, May,
Grenada. (unpublished). 8pp.
Urian, K.W., Duffield, D.A., Read, A.J., Wells, R.S. and Shell, E.D. 1996. Seasonality of
reproduction in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncates. J. Mammal. 77(2):394-403.
Ulltang, Ø. 1995. Multispecies modeling and management with reference to the Insitituteof Marine Research’s multispecies model for the Barents Sea. pp.659-670. In: A.S.
Blix, L. Walløe and Ø. Ulltang (eds.) Whales, seals, fish and man, Developments in
Marine Biology 4. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 720pp.
Wada, T. 1997. Review of the small pelagic resources and their fisheries in Japan. Pages
227-243 in M. Devaraj and P. Martosuborto editors. Small Pelagic Resources andtheir Fisheries in the Asia-Pacific Region, Proc. First Session APFIC Working Partyon Marine Fisheries, Bangkok, 13-16 May 1997. FAO Regional Office for Asia andPacific, Bangkok.
Wada, S. and Numachi, K. 1991. Allozyme analyses of genetic differentiation among the
populations and species of the Balaenoptera. Rep. int. Whal. Commn. (special issue)
13:125-54.
Walker, W. A. and Mead, J. G. 1988. Preliminary report on the food habits of Baird’s
beaked whales taken off the Pacific coast of central Japan. 1985-1987. Paper
SC/40/SM16 presented to the IWC Scientific meeting (unpublished).
Watanabe, I., Yamamoto, Y., Honda, K., Fujise, Y., Kato, H., Tanabe, S. and Tatsukawa, R.
1998. Comparison of mercury accumulation in Antarctic minke whale collected in
1980-82 and 1984-86. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 64:105-9. [In Japanese].
Watanabe, S., Shimada, T., Nakamura, S., Nishiyama, N., Yamashita, N., Tanabe, S. and
Tatsukawa, R. 1989. Specific profiles of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 indolphin and whales. Mar. Environ. Res. 27:51-65.
Yamada, H., Takayanagi, K., Tateishi, M., Tagata, H. and Ikeda, K. 1997. Organotin
compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls of livers in squid collected from coastal
waters and open oceans. Environ. Pollut., 96:217-26.
Yasuda, I., Okuda, K and Shimizu, Y. 1996. Distribution and Modification of North PacificIntermediate Water in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Interfrontal Zone. J. Phys. Oceano.,
26(4):448-65.
Yatsu, A., Nishida, H., Ishida, M., Tomosada, A., Kinoshita, T. and Wada, T. 2001.
Trajectories of catch and stock abundance of dominant small pelagic fishes and45

common squid with some related environmental indices around Japan. PICES Sci.
Rep., 18: 175-8.
Yoshida, H., Kato, H. and Kishiro, T. 1997. Phylogentic comparison of Byrde's whales off
Kochi with the whales in western North Pacific and off Solomon Islands by
motochondorial DNA sequence analyses. Paper SC/49/NP6 presented to the IWC
Scintific Committee (unpublished).7pp.
Yoshida, H. and Kato, H.1999. Phylogenetic relationships of Bryde's whales in the western
North Pacific and adjacent waters inferred from motochondorial DNA sequences.
Mar. Mamm. Sci. 15(4):1269-86.

46