SC/66b/IA

Result of the Japanese dedicated cetacean sighting survey
in the western North Pacific in 2015
KOJI MATSUOKA1, TAKASHI HAKAMADA1 HIDETO HONMA 2, MASAHIRO YAMAZAKI 2, SASAKI YASUAKI 2,NOBUO ABE2, AND TOMIO MIYASHITA3
1

Institute of Cetacean Research, Toyomi 4-5, Chuo-ku Tokyo, 104-0055, JAPANKyodo Senpaku Co. Ltd., Toyomi 4-5, Chuo-ku Tokyo, 104-0055, JAPAN3
National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, Fukuura 2-12-4, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa
236-8648, JAPAN
2

Contact e-mail: matsuoka@cetacean.jp

ABSTRACT
A systematic large-scale and vessel-based sighting survey was conducted in 2015 by Japan to examine the
distribution and abundance of large whales in the western North Pacific. The research area was set between
35° N and 52° N and between 157° E and 170° E. The research area was divided into eastern and western
strata by 163°30’E longitude. The survey was conducted between 23 April and 6 June. The research vessels
Yushin-Maru and Yushin-Maru No.2 were engaged for this survey. A total of 2,660.2 n.miles was searched in
the research area. Successful coverage of the searching efforts of the planned cruise track line was 87.8% for
the eastern stratum and 87.4% for the western stratum, respectively. In total, seven large whale species
including blue (10 schools / 15 individuals), fin (19/25), sei (40/56), common minke (2/2), humpback (10/12),
North Pacific right (2/3) and sperm (34/113) whales were sighted in the research area. Photo-ID images werecollected from blue (12 individuals), humpback (9) and North Pacific right whales, respectively. Biopsy skinsamples using a Larsen gun system were successfully collected from blue (6 individuals), fin (3), common
minke (1), humpback (5) and North Pacific right (2) whales, respectively. These sighting data including 17
biopsy samples will contribute to the work on management and conservation of large whales by the IWC SC.

KEY WORD: BLUE WHALE, FIN WHALE, SEI WHALE, RIGHT WHALE, SPERM WHALES,SURVEY VESSEL, NORTH PACIFICINTRODUCTION
In the western North Pacific dedicated cetacean sighting surveys based on the survey procedures of theInternational Whaling Commission/Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (IWC/SOWER) have been
conducted since 1995 as a part of the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Western
North Pacific (JARPN/JARPNII). Based on the collected data the distribution patterns of large whales such as
blue, fin, sei, Bryde’s, common minke, humpback, North Pacific right and sperm whales, and abundance
estimates of common minke, sei and Bryde’s whales were investigated and reported to the IWC SC (IWC, 2001,
2010, 2016, Pastene et al., 2009, Hakamada et al., 2009, Matsuoka et al., 2009, Murase et al., 2009). The
National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF) has also conducted dedicated sighting survey forcetaceans in the North Pacific since the 1980s (Buckland et al., 1992; Miyashita et al., 1995., Miyashita andKato, 2004; 2005, Shimada, 2004, Kanaji, 2012). In 2015 the Government of Japan planned to continue thesighting surveys in the North Pacific. The collection of sighting data to estimate abundance andbiopsy/photo-identification data to examine stock structure will contribute to the work on management andconservation of large whales by the IWC SC (IWC, 2010, 2015a, 2016). This paper reports the result of theJapanese dedicated sighting surveys conducted in 2015. The plan for this survey had been presented to the 2015
IWC/SC meeting (Matsuoka et al., 2015) and endorsed by the SC (IWC, 2015b).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The surveys were conducted in 2015 in the western North Pacific by the research vessel Yushin-Maru (YS1) andYushin-Maru No.2 (YS2). The vessels were equipped with a top barrel platform (TOP) and upper bridge.
Specifications of these vessels are shown in Appendix A.
Research area and period
The research area was set between 35° N and 52° N and between 157° E and 170° E, during 23 April to 6 June
(Table 1). The research area was divided into eastern and western strata by 163°30’N longitude (Figures 1).

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Track line design
The Survey blocks and pre-determined track lines are shown in Table 2 and Figure 1. The start point of the tracklines are decided at random using the “Distance program (ver.6.2)” and the number of the line (width in thelongitude) is decided by the research schedule based on the IWC survey guideline (IWC, 2012).
Sighting procedure
Passing mode with abeam closing was used, which followed the protocol endorsed for the IWC/SOWER cruise(IWC, 2008). There were two primary observers in the top barrel (TOP) and the upper bridge (captain andhelmsman), respectively. On the TOP, two observers conducted searching for cetaceans by using scaled
binoculars (7x). On the upper bridge, two primary observers also searched for cetaceans and recorded sighting
information. The survey was conducted 12 hours per day from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. basically when the weather
conditions were suitable for observations: visibility better than 2.0 n.miles and wind speed less than 21 knots.
The vessel searching speed was planned to be 11.5 knots with slight adjustment to avoid vibration of vessel.
Research personnel
One researcher was on board of each research vessel. The researchers had considerable experience on whale linetransect surveys in the North Pacific and Antarctic as well as experience conducting photo-id and biopsy
experiments through participation in the IWC/IDCR-SOWER and JARPN II Programs.
Yushin-Maru (YS1)
Masahiro Yamazaki (Japan) – sighting data, photo-ID, biopsy

Yushin-Maru No.2 (YS2)
Hideto Honma (Japan)– sighting data, photo-ID, biopsy

Experiments
Distance and angle experiments were conducted earlier in the Surveys. The experiment to evaluate measurement
error was conducted late in the survey following the protocol of the IWC/SOWER cruise (IWC, 2008). Whenlarge cetaceans such as blue, humpback and North Pacific right whales were found, photo-id experiments wereconducted. Biopsy skin samples of blue, fin, sei, humpback, North Pacific right and sperm whales were
opportunistically collected.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Brief narrative of the Surveys
Research vessels (YS1 and YS2) departed from Shimonoseki, Japan on 23 April and started the survey in the
research area on 30 April (Table 1). The YS1 surveyed in the western stratum and YS2 surveyed in the eastern
stratum. They surveyed on the pre-determined trackline from north to the south in each stratum (Table 2 andFigure 1). The vessels left the research area on 30 May and arrived at Tokyo on 6 June.
Searching effort
A summary of the period covered and sighting effort in each Survey block is shown in Table 3. A total of
1,524.2 n.miles (planned cruise track was 1,735.5 n.miles, 87.8 % covered) in the eastern strata, and 1,136.0
n.miles (planned cruise track was 1,299.7 n.miles, 87.4% covered) in the western strata were searched. A total of
2,660.2 n.miles were searched in the whole research area.
Sightings
Sightings made are summarized by the whole research period (Table 4) and sighting location of each species in
the research area are shown in Figures 2a to 2f.
Estimated Angle and Distance
The Estimated Angle and Distance Training Exercise were conducted early in the Surveys. During the exercise
the observers familiarized themselves with distance estimates from the TOP and Upper Bridge. The EstimatedAngle and Distance Experiment were conducted on 16 May by YS1 and 29 May by YS2, respectively.
Blue Whale
10 schools and 15 individuals including 2 mother and calf pairs of blue whales were sighted in the research area
(Table 4 and Figure 2a). Observed mean school size was 1.50 (n=10). Estimated body lengths of blue whales
were between 19.1 and 26.3 meters except calves. The sea temperatures of the sighting position of these whales
were 2.6°C and 17.4 °C, respectively. It was known that there were some sightings of this species in this area2

SC/66b/IA

during May to June between 1964 and 1990 (Miyashita et al., 1995). It is recognized that this area is still
important area of this species in May. These information are important and useful for the future sighting survey
planning in the North Pacific.

Fin Whale
Fin whales were mainly sighted in the northern part of the research area (Figure 2b). A total of 19 schools (20individuals) including 2 mother and calf pairs of this species were sighted (Table 4). High density was observed
between 165°E- 170°E (45°N-50°N). Observed mean school size was 1.32 (n=19). Range of the estimated bodylength confirmed was 17.2 – 21.8 meters except calves. Range of the sea temperature of the sighting positionwas 3.2°C – 17.2°C. All mother and calf pairs were sighted in the western part of the research area.
Sei Whale
Sei whales were mainly sighted (38 schools, 54 individuals) including 4 mother and calf pairs in the in thesouthern part of the research area (Table 4 and Figure 2c). Observed mean school size was 1.42 (n=38). Range ofthe estimated body length was 8.2 -15.4 meters except calves. Range of the sea temperature of the sighting
position was 9.8°C - 15.3°C.
Common minke whale
Common minke whales were sighted (2 schools and 2 individuals) in the southern part of the research area
(Figures 2c). No mother and calf pair was observed. Range of the estimated body length was 5.5-5.5 meters.
Range of the sea temperature of the sighting position was 12.9°C – 15.9°C. In general, common minke whales
were tended to distribute in the coastal area as surveyed in 2012 surveys (42 schools and 52 individuals sighted
during 44 days coastal survey area, Matsuoka et al., 2012).
North Pacific right whale
North Pacific right whale was most rare species for baleen whales in the research area (2 school and 3
individual) and in the transit survey (a solitary school). They were sighted in the northern part of the researcharea (Figure 2d). No mother and calf pair was observed. Range of estimated body length was 13.0-15.0 meters.
Range of the sea temperature of the sighting position was 2.3- 4.0°C. Head of this animal was photographed as
Photo-ID data and 2 biopsy sampling was also collected (see Experiments).
Humpback whale
Humpback whales were most sighted frequently for baleen whales in the research area (66 schools and 88
individuals). They were mainly sighted in the western part of sub-area 8 (Figure 2). Observed mean school size
was 1.33 (n=66). Five mother and calf pairs were observed. Range of the estimated body length was 11.2 – 14.3
meters except calves. Range of the sea temperature of the sighting position was 5.6°C – 16.7 °C.
Sperm Whale
Sperm whales were most frequently sighted and widely distributed in the whole research area (Tables 4 andFigure 4f). A total of 34 schools (113 individuals) were observed in the research area. Observed mean school
size was 3.32 (n=34). There were no mother and calf pair was recorded. Because of limited closing to theschools, there was no information for body length and calves. Range of the sea temperature of the sighting
position was 2.1°C - 21.6°C.

Experiments
Photo-ID experiments
Photographs were taken from 12 blue individuals, 6 fin, 9 humpback and 2 north Pacific right whales (Table 4
and 5). All photographs were stored at the ICR catalogue such as North Pacific right whale database (Matsuoka
et al., 2014) and will be used for investigating their stock structure in the future.
BiopsyAll of the biopsy attempts were made using the Larsen gun system. Allocation of research time to biopsy
attempts was initially restricted with the aim of maximizing the searching effort to cover the research area. A
total of 17 biopsy samples were collected from 6 blue, 3 fin, 1 common minke, 5 humpback and 2 North Pacificright whale individuals (Table 6a). All samples were stored at the ICR laboratory and will be used forinvestigating their stock structure in the future.

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Report of the IWC oversight and data submission to the IWC
Detailed report of the IWC oversight was shown in Appendix B. All equipment and the survey method were thesame as in the past sighting surveys. The design of the survey blocks and track lines was improved to cover eachsurvey block based on the IWC guidelines. The planned sighting procedure was in accordance with theguidelines agreed by the SC (IWC, 2012). Objectives and procedure of the survey were explained to the captains,
officers, crew and researcher in advance. Sighting data was sent to the IWC secretary and confirmed on 28
September 2015.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge the Government of Japan’s assistance in providing the research permits and funding for thiscruise. We also thank the captains and the officers and crew of the Yushin-Maru and Yushin-Maru No.2 for their
hard work and dedication that led to the successful execution of this cruise. We thank Drs. Seiji Ohsumi,
Yoshihiro Fujise, Luis Pastene, Tsutomu Tamura and the staff of the Institute of Cetacean Research (Tokyo) andKyodo Senpaku Co. Ltd. for their assistance in arrangements and support for the cruise. We thank to Dan
Goodman and for his constructive suggestions to improve the draft of this paper.

REFERENCES
Buckland, S.T., Cattanach, K.L. and Miyashita, T. 1992. Minke whale abundance in the northwest Pacific andthe Okhotsk Sea, estimated from 1989 and 1990 sighting surveys. Rep. int. Whal. Comn 42: 387-92.
Hakamada, T., Matsuoka, K. and Miyashita, T., 2009. Distribution and the number of western North Pacificcommon minke, Bryde's, sei and sperm whales distributed in JARPNII Offshore component survey area.
SC/J09/JR15. 18pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
IWC, 2001. Report of the Workshop to Review the Japanese Whale Research Program under special permit for
North Pacific minke whales (JARPN). J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 3 (Supp.):377-413.
IWC,
2008.
IWC
SOWER
Cruise2008/09,
InformationforResearchers.
http://iwcoffice.org/_documents/sci_com/SOWER/Guide%20%20for%20Researchers%202008-09.pdf
IWC, 2010. The Report of the Expert Workshop to review the ongoing JARPN II Programme. J. Cetacean Res.
Manage. 11 (Supp.2):405-450.
IWC. 2012. Requirements and Guidelines for Conducting Surveys and Analyzing Data within the Revised
Management Scheme. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 13 (Supp.):507-18.I
IWC, 2015a. Report of the meeting of the IWC-POWER Technical Advisory Group (TAG), Tokyo, Japan, 8-10
October 2014. SC/66a/REPS1. .

IWC. 2015b. Report of the Scientific Committee. Annex G. 23pp. San Diego, USA, 2015. [Paper available
at the IWC Office].
IWC, 2016. The Report of the Expert Workshop to review the ongoing JARPN II Programme. J. Cetacean Res.
Manage. XX (Supp.X):xxx-xxx.
Kanaji, Y., Iwasaki, T., Kishiro, T. and Miyashita, T., 2012. Cruise report of the sighting and satellite tagging
survey for common minke whales in the sub-area 7 in 2011. SC/64/O9. 10pp. [Paper available at the IWC
Office].
Matsuoka, K., Kiwada, H., Fujise, Y. and Miyashita, T., 2009. Distribution of blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin(B. physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and north pacific right (Eubalaena japonica) whales in
the western North Pacific based on JARPN and JARPN II sighting surveys (1994 to 2007). SC/J09/JR35.
12pp. The IWC/SC JARPNII review meeting, Yokohama, 26-30, January. [Paper available at the IWC
Office].
Matsuoka, K., Hakamada, T. and Miyashita, T., 2014. Recent sightings of the North Pacific Right (Eubalaena
japonica) whales in the western North Pacific based on JARPN and JARPN II surveys (1994 to 2013).
SC/65b/BRG11. 8pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Matsuoka, K., Hakamada, T. and Miyashita, T., 2015. Research plan for a cetacean sighting surveys in theWestern North Pacific in 2015. SC/66a/IA11. 3pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Miyashita, T., Kato, H. and Kasuya, T., 1995. Worldwide Map of Cetacean Distribution based on Japanese
Sighting Data (Volume 1). pp43-56.
Miyashita, T. and Kato H. 2004. Plan for the North Pacific minke whale sighting surveys in 2004. SC/56/RMP3.
3pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Miyashita, T. and Kato H. 2005. Plan for the minke whale sighting surveys in the North Pacific in 2005.
SC/57/NPM2. 5pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].
Murase, H., Hakamada, T., Kiwada, H., Inagake, D., Okazaki, M., Tojyo, N. and Matsuoka, K., 2009.

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Preliminary results of estimation of sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) distributuion and abudnace in thewhole North Pacific basin. Appendix 2. 11pp. In: Hakamada, T., Examination of the effects on whale
stocks of future JARPN II catches. SC/J09/JR36. 56pp.
Pastene, L,A., Hatanaka, H., Fujise, Y., Kanda, N., Murase, H., Tamura, T., Miyashita, T. and Kato, H., 2009.
The Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the western North Pacific Phase-II(JARPN II): origin, objectives and research progress made in the period 2002-2007, including scientificconsiderations for the next research period. SC/J09/JR1 (Rev 1). 73pp.
Shimada, 2004. Abundance estimate of the western North Pacific stock of Bryde’s whales using sighting datafrom 1998 to 2002. SC/56/PIF6. 8pp.

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Table 1. Cruise itinerary of this survey.
Date

Event

23-April-2015

Vessels depart Shimonoseki, Japan

30-April

Vessels arrive at the starting point in the research area

30-MayVessels complete the research at 35º00’N (30 days in the research area)

6-JuneVessels arrive Shiogama, Japan

Table 2. Waypoint (WP) in the research area.
West

WP

Lat.

Long.

East

101

47

-

43.7

N

159

-

28.9

102

44

-

29.0

N

163

-

103

41

-

14.0

N

157

-

104

37

-

59.0

N

163

-

105

35

-

0.0

N

157

-

WP

Lat.

Long.

E

201

35

-

0.0

N

168

-

30.0

E

202

35

-

59.3

N

170

0.0

E

203

39

-

14.3

N

163

30.0

E

204

42

-

29.3

N

170

32.0

E

205

45

-

44.3

N

163

206

48

-

59.3

N

207

51

-

22.9

N

1.3

E

-

0.0

E

-

30.0

E

-

0.0

E

-

30.0

E

170

-

0.0

E

165

-

12.9

E

Table 3. Summary of the survey periods and searching effort (n.miles).
Research
vessels

Cruise period(y/m/d)Research area
periodPlanned cruise
track (n.miles)

Searchingeffort (n.miles)

Coverage ofeffort (n.miles)

Eastern(YS2)

2015/4/23-6/6

2015/4/29- 5/30

1735.5

1,524.2

87.8%

Western(YS1)

2015/4/23-6/6

2015/4/29- 5/30

1,299.7

1,136.0

87.4%

Total

2015/4/23-6/6

2015/4/29- 5/30

3,035.2

2,660.2

87.6%

Table 4. Number of sightings by species and stratum in the research area including transit survey between port
and the research area.
Species

T ransit to R.A. Western stratum Eastern stratum T ransit from R.A.
sch.

Ind.

sch.

Ind.

sch.

Ind.

sch.

Ind.

T otalsch.

Ind.

Blue whale

0

0

5

7

5

8

0

0

10

15

Fin whale

0

0

5

6

14

19

0

0

19

25

Sei whale

0

0

22

29

16

25

0

0

38

54

Bryde's whale

0

0

0

0

0

0

27

39

27

39

Common minke whale

2

2

1

1

1

1

0

0

4

4

Like minke

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

1
11

Humpback whale

0

0

2

3

7

8

0

0

9

North Pacific right whale

1

1

1

2

1

1

0

0

3

4

Sperm whale

0

0

15

60

19

53

5

7

39

120

Unid. Large whale

0

0

1

1

2

2

1

3

4

6

6

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Table 5. Number of photo-ID individuals photographed, by each stratum.
Photo-ID

Western (YS1)

Eastern (YS2)

Total

Blue whale

4

8

12

Fin whale

0

6

6

Humpback whale

3

6

9

North Pacific right whale

0

2

2

Total

Table 6a. Number of biopsy samples collected, by each stratum.
BiopsyWestern (YS1)

Eastern (YS2)

Blue whale

2

4

6

Fin whale2

1

3

Common minke whale

0

1

1

Humpback whale

2

3

5

North Pacific right whale

1

1

2

Table 6b. Number of biopsy samples collected, by each stratum. Including one mother and calf pair in theSouthern strata.
Form

Date

Sight

numberyyyymmdd

No.

YS1

BY101

20150429

2

YS1

BY102

20150429

4

Blue

1

46

3611

161

120

YS1

BY103

20150501

1

Humpback

2

44

4846

163

623

YS1

BY104

20150504

1

Fin

1

43

5299

162

1204

11:41:33

YS1

BY105

20150504

3

Humpback

1

43

4306

161

4976

YS1

BY106

20150504

5

Fin

2

43

3957

161

YS1

BY107

20150513

2

C.minke

1

40

3000

158

YS1

BY108

20150518

2

Blue

1

39

2854

160

3162

08:28:09

YS1

BY109

20150524

11

C.minke

1

37

1852

167

2549

14:05:54

YS1

BY110

20150525

1

Blue

2

36

5228

168

1821

12:08:00

YS1

BY111

20150525

2

Fin

1

36

4469

168

2556

14:18:56

YS1

BY112

20150527

1

Blue

1

36

3250

169

4229

08:48:12

09:24:22

00:36:10

19.1

4

YS2

BY201

20150430

1

Humpback

1

51

1899

165

2487

06:50:24

07:06:49

00:16:25

12.8

0

YS2

BY202

20150430

2

Humpback

2

51

1535

165

3355

08:00:34

08:16:50

00:16:16

12.8 12.6

6

YS2

BY203

20150430

3

Blue

2

51

532

165

4850

09:39:32

10:20:59

00:41:27

25.5 22.8

YS2

BY204

20150430

5

Blue

1

50

5401

166

970

12:32:08

12:49:10

00:17:02

22.5

YS2

BY205

20150430

6

Humpback

1

50

4935

166

2046

13:39:08

14:14:52

00:35:44

11.2

YS2

BY206

20150430

9

Fin

2

50

3453

166

5423

16:55:40

17:20:57

00:25:17

17.2

1

YS2

BY207

20150501

2

Humpback

1

50

1985

167

2132

07:56:26

08:25:39

00:29:13

12.7

1

YS2

BY208

20150501

5

Humpback

1

49

1892

169

1861

17:03:04

18:08:04

01:05:00

11.8

5

1

YS2

BY209

20150506

9

Fin

2

48

1008

168

1923

17:09:31

18:00:00

00:50:29

21.8

1

0

0

-

LarsenYS2

BY210

20150508

1

Humpback

1

47

751

166

1344

10:05:12

10:18:51

00:13:39

10.2

1

1

1

J15NYS2H03

LarsenYS2

BY211

20150509

3

N.P. Right

164

2411

13.1

3

1

1

J15NYS2R01

LarsenYS2

BY212

20150509

4

Fin

1

45

5180

163

4449

15:45:04

15:54:55

00:09:51

20.8

0

0

0

-

LarsenYS2

BY213

20150526

5

Blue

2

37

4692

163

531

17:24:32

18:48:36

01:24:04

26.3 12.5

5

2

1

J15NYS2B02

LarsenYS2

BY214

20150528

1

Blue

2

37

1220

161

5486

15:28:25

15:53:29

00:25:04

26.3 23.5

2

0

0

-

LarsenYS2

BY215

20150528

2

Blue

1

37

437

161

3911

17:42:27

18:01:16

00:18:49

22.6

1

0

0

-

Larsen

Vesl.

SpeciesN.P. Right

Start time

End time

ExperimentEst. body length

numbernumbernumberSampleShooting

size

Scl.
Lat.

[min.]

Long.

[min.]

of BX

of BX

durationof target ind. [m]of shootof hitof sample

No.

equipment

1

47

1815

159

5986

09:48:16

10:02:31

00:14:15

13.0

1

1

1

J15NYS1R001

Larsen

16:13:29

16:26:22

00:12:53

22.0

1

1

1

J15NYS1B001

Larsen

07:37:53

07:53:54

00:16:01

12.5

1

1

1

J15NYS1H001

Larsen12:40:35

00:59:02

18.5

2

0

0

-

Larsen

14:26:40

14:39:36

00:12:56

13.1

1

1

1

J15NYS1H002

Larsen4404

16:25:01

17:12:30

00:47:29

20.0 8.8

5

2

2

2795

16:55:10

17:10:17

00:15:07

5.5

1

1

0

J15NYS1F001
J15NYS1F002-

Larsen

09:00:44

00:32:35

25.0

1

0

0

-

Larsen

14:11:22

00:05:28

5.5

1

1

1

J15NYS1M001

Larsen

12:56:03

00:48:03

15.5 25.2

32

2

14:50:1100:31:15

20.8

2

0

0

J15NYS1B002
J15NYS1B003-

Larsen1

1

J15NYS1B004

Larsen00-Larsen1

1

J15NYS2H01

Larsen3

2

1

J15NYS2B01

Larsen000-Larsen100-Larsen1

1

J15NYS2F01

Larsen00-Larsen1

J15NYS2H02

Larsen1

Sighted Position

46

1202

10:28:20

10:47:54

7

00:19:34

LarsenLarsenNotes.

Mother & calf

Mother & calfSC/66b/IA

Figure 1. The 2015 research area and the track lines with their order for the western and eastern strata.

Figure 2a. Sighting locations of blue whales in the research area.

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SC/66b/IA

Figure 2b. Sighting locations of fin whales in the research area.

Figure 2c. Sighting locations of sei (yellow circle), common minke (black square) and ‘like minke’ (whitesquare) whales in the research area.

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SC/66b/IA

Figure 2d. Sighting locations of humpback (black circle) and North Pacific right (purple square) whales in the
research area.

Figure 2f. Sighting locations of sperm (triangle) whales in the research area.

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SC/66b/IA

APPENDIX A.

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS AND CREW LIST OF YUSHIN-MARU ANDYUSHIN-MARU NO.2.

Ship photo:

Ship specifications:
Call sign
Length overall [m]Gross tonnage (GT)TOP barrel height [m]IO barrel height [m]Upper bridge height [m]Bow height [m]Engine power [PS / kW]

Yushin-Maru
JLZS
69.61
724
19.5
13.5
11.5
6.5
5280 / 3900

Yushin-Maru No.2
JPPV
69.61
747
19.5
13.5
11.5
6.5
5280 / 3900

Researcher
Captain
Chief Officer
Second Officer
Junior Second Officer
Third Officer
Chief Engineer
First Engineer
Second Engineer
Third Engineer
Chief Operator
Second Operator
Boatswain
Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Sailor
SailorChief Steward
Steward

Yushin-Maru
Masahiro Yamazaki
Sasaki YasuakiMotonori Aki
Takehiro Konagai
Chikara Ohmukai
Hiroya Mure
Hidetoshi Saito
Shigeki Miyamoto
Koji Takamatsu
Takashi Matsubara
Semii Takeshi
Hisaji Suzuki
Takuitsu Abe
Kazuyuki Sugiyama
Kazumitsu Kurisu
Yamato Sekine
Atsuo Yamasaki
Naoto Suzuki
Yuto Yamagata
Seichi Hamashita
Tadashi Abe

Yushin-Maru No.2
Hideto Honma
Atsuo Abe
Koji Maki
Ryuichi Moriyama
Ikuo Narasaki
Keisuke Mizofuchi
Yoshimasa Koga
Yoshiaki Kimura
Jun Kuwaoka
Kenji Tsuda
Kenji Wakatsuki
Takashi Kurogi
Takahiro Nagai
Akihiko Tsuji
Kaimu Sato
Yoshiki Namiguchi
Kosuke Kato

Crew list:11

SC/66b/IA

Appendix B. Oversight for the 2015 Japanese dedicated sighting survey in the western North PacificKoji Matsuoka
Institute of Cetacean Research
4-5, Toyomi, Chuo, Tokyo, 104-0055, JAPANThe plan of this survey was presented to the 2015 IWC/SC meeting (Matsuoka et al., 2015) and endorsedby the Scientific Committee (IWC, 2015). On behalf of the IWC Scientific Committee I carried out theoversight work during the 2015 Japanese dedicated sighting survey in the western North Pacific. This is abrief report of the oversight activities conducted on that survey.
Preparatory work
The pre-cruise meeting carried out at Tokyo and at Shimonoseki on 22 April 2015. The survey organizers,
researchers and crewmembers also participated in that meeting. During the meeting the organizes explained
the objective of the survey and the procedure to be used for both sightings and experiments. The plannedsighting procedure was in order with that agreed by the Scientific Committee. The research vessels
Yushin-Maru and Yushin-Maru No.2 were engaged for this survey.
The research area was set between 35° N and 52° N and between 157° E and 170° E. The research area wasdivided into eastern and western strata by 163°30’N longitude. The survey was conducted between 29 April
and 30 May. The vessels were assigned to cover pre-determined transects in these areas by the passing withabeam closing mode. Two experienced researchers were assigned to work on board each vessel.
Oversight method and period
The research activities of the vessels were oversight by e-mail communication and by examining the daily
report prepared by each researchers on board. In some instances Inmarsat satellite telephone calls weremade for further clarification of the activities, procedure and sightings made. Further, geographicalpositions and weather information of each vessel were tracked each other per day. Over sight activity werecarried between 23 April and 3 June.
Brief narrative of the oversight vessel
Research vessels (YS1 and YS2) departed from Shimonoseki, Japan on 23 April and started the survey in the
research area on 29 April. The YS1 surveyed in the western stratum, and YS2 surveyed in the eastern stratum.
The vessels left the research area on 30 May and arrived at Tokyo on 6 June.

Post-cruise meeting
I participated in a post-cruise meeting held on 7 June 2015. Survey organizers, researchers and the Captainparticipated in that meeting. Apart to discuss and assess the results of the surveys, the researchers engaged
in the verification and checking of data.
Conclusion
All equipment and the survey method of each vessel were the same as in the past sighting surveys. The
design of the survey strata and track lines were improved to cover each strata completely. The plannedsighting procedure was in accordance with the guideline agreed by the SC (IWC, 2012). Objectives andprocedure of the survey were explained to the captains, officers, crew and researcher in advance. I thenendorse the information and data obtained during the 2015 Japanese dedicated sighting survey in thewestern North Pacific.
Reference
IWC. 2012. Requirements and Guidelines for Conducting Surveys and Analysing Data within the Revised
Management Scheme. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl2.) 11:507-18.
IWC. 2015. Report of the Scientific Committee. Annex G. 23pp. San Diego, USA, 2015. [Paper available atthe IWC Office].
Matsuoka, K., Hakamada, T. and Miyashita, T., 2015. Research plan for a cetacean sighting surveys in theWestern North Pacific in 2015. SC/66a/IA11. 3pp. [Paper available at the IWC Office].

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