SC/64/NPM2

Updated summary of information on sighting survey procedures of the Japanese
dedicated sighting surveys.
Takashi Hakamada1, Koji Matsuoka1 and Tomio Miyashita2
1: The Institute of Cetacean Research, 4-5 Toyomi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0055 Japan
2: National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, 2-12-4 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama,
Kanagawa, 236-8648 Japan

Contact e mail: hakamada @cetacean.jp
ABSTRACTThis paper provides an updated summary of the information on survey procedure of the Japanese
dedicated sighting surveys conducted by the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) and the National
Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF). This summary is made in response to a
recommendation from the First Intersessional Workshop for the Implementation Review of western North
Pacific common minke whales. From this information it can be concluded that the sighting procedure of
the ICR dedicated sighting surveys met the RMP requirements and guidelines for surveys, except that thesurveys were not oversighted. It can be also concluded that the survey procedures of the NRIFSF
dedicated sighting surveys met all the RMP requirements and guidelines for surveys.
INTRODUCTION
The First Intersessional Workshop for the Implementation Review of western North Pacific common
minke whales agreed that whether and how to use estimates with low coverage and the treatment of
JARPN surveys that did not have Committee oversight at the 2012 Annual Meeting (IWC, 2012). To
assist such discussion, the Workshop requested Japan and Korea to prepare documents for that meeting
containing appropriate information on the surveys whose results were accepted for conditioning. This
information should include:(1) details of the basis used to design the cruise tracks, including selection of the starting points, and thesurvey mode(s) used;(2) details of procedures used to complete cruise tracks, e.g. decision rules used to skip portions of the
track because of delays caused by bad weather;(3) plots of the achieved cruise track for each survey showing the position of minke whale sightings
made; the direction of each cruise track and the sequence in which survey blocks were covered;(4) a summary of the extent to which each cruise met the RMP requirements and guidelines for surveys
extant at the time of the surveys (IWC, 1997;2005;2008).
This paper attempt to present information on survey procedures of Japanese dedicated sighting surveys
conducted by Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) and National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries(NRIFSF) of which data were used for abundance estimates by Hakamada and Kitakado (2011) andMiyashita and Okamura (2011).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Dedicated sighting survey by ICR
Abundance estimate accepted for conditioning were based on JARPN II surveys from 2002 to 2007.
Summary information of 2008 and 2009 JARPN II surveys are also provided in this paper.
Sighting survey procedure
Research hours during the cruise was from 6:00-18:00; begin 60 minutes after sunrise and end 60 minutes
before sunset, with a maximum 12 hours per day. Activities onboard the ship are classified into two
principal groups: on-effort and off-effort. On-effort activities are times when full search effort is being
executed and conditions (such as weather and sea conditions, see below) are within acceptable parameters
to conduct research. Off-effort activities are all activities that are not on-effort. All sightings recorded
while the ship is on-effort are classified as primary sightings. All other sightings are secondary sightings.

1

The usual guidelines for acceptable conditions will apply, i.e. visibility is greater than 2.0 n.miles andwind speed is <21 knots; the sea state should be <Beaufort 6. On-effort sightings survey research is
conducted by the closing mode and passing mode, respectively (see ‘Survey modes). Two primaryobservers will be in the barrel whenever full searching effort by reticles binoculars with the angle board isconducted. Two primary observers (captain and helmsman) will be at the upper bridge by binoculars withreticles, regardless of the research mode. Also present on the upper bridge, whenever the sighting survey
is conducted, will normally be the chief engineer (or an alternate).
Selection of starting point and survey design
Latitudinal or longitude line was selected so that sighting surveys can be conducted efficiently andstarting point was chosen randomly on the selected latitudinal/longitudinal line. Regular zig-zag lines
were established systematically in each sub-area so as to cover survey stratum uniformly. These lines
were established independently from those for sampling surveys (Nisshin-Maru unit) (Kiwada, et al.,2009). Zig-zag lines are set west to east in coastal survey blocks (Most of survey blocks in sub-area 7)
and north to south in offshore survey blocks (eastern part of sub-area 7 and sub-areas 8 and 9). During
2002-2005, the survey area was planned to be covered for two years whereas during 2006-2009 thesurvey area was planned to be covered for a year.
Survey vessels
Sighting survey was conducted by dedicated sighting vessel (SV) Kyoshin-maru No. 2 (KS2) during
JARPN II 2000-2007. Sighting survey was conducted by SVs Kaiko-maru (KK1) and KS2 in 2008 and by
SVs KK1 and Yushin-maru No.1 (YS1) in 2009. Specification of the vessels was provided in (Kiwada etal., 2009).
Survey modes
The sighting survey by the SV was conducted under the closing mode (ASP mode; see below) and thepassing mode (NSP mode; even if sighting was made on the predetermined track line, the vessel did not
approach the whale directly and searching from the top barrel was uninterrupted). Survey mode of NSP
was conducted during transit survey and sighting data in this mode were not used for abundance
estimation except 2009. In 2009, closing mode and passing with abeam closing mode were conducted.
Normal closing mode (ASP) was conducted by the following manner. Two topmen in top
barrel observed from the top barrel at all times. There are open communications between the top barrel
and the upper bridge by microphone. When a sighting is made, the topman (or upper bridge observer)
gives an estimate of the distance and angle to the sighting and the ship turns immediately, regardless of
the angle to the sighting. The whales are approached and the species and number of animals estimated.
All subsequent sightings are regarded as secondary until normal search effort is resumed. When a sighting
is made, the person who made the sighting provides the sighting information. The ship then changes
course to the appropriate heading to approach the whale, and vessel speed is increased as fast as possible
to hasten the closure. Ship speed is decreased when the group is neared, usually at a distance of 0.2-0.4
n.miles from the initial sighting position.
After the whale group has been approached, the species, number of animals in the group,
estimated body lengths, number of calves present, and other observation such as behavior recorded. Afteras many data as possible have been collected, other activities might take place, such as natural marking or
biopsy experiments. Until the ship resumes the transect with full search effort, any whale sightings madeafter the initial sighting are classified as secondary sightings. After observation is finished, the vessel
returns to the position on the trackline where closing was begun and resumes the survey effort.
Passing mode (NSP) was conducted by the following manner. Two topmen on the top barrel
and two topmen in the upper bridge observe at all time. There are open communications between the top
barrel and the upper bridge by microphone. Immediately after a sighting is made from the barrel or upper
bridge, the topman informs the upper bridge of his estimate of the distance and angle to the sighting, andafter that, if possible, the species and number of animals present, but does not change his normal
searching pattern in order to keep contact with the sighting. The observers on the upper bridge including
the captain, the helmsman and researcher must attempt to locate the sighting made by the topman anddecide whether it is possible for them to confirm the species and number before the sighting passes abeamof the vessel. After observation is finished, the vessel returns to the position of abeam of vessel where
abeam closing was begun and resumes the survey effort.
Procedures used to completion of cruise track2

Total research distance was determined according to survey period (number of the research days). When
weather is bad sighting survey was not conducted. When early recovering weather was expected, thevessel drifts at the position where the survey was stopped. When it was not expected, the vessel
proceeded along the track line without surveying.
Planned and realized track lines and order of the survey area
Figures 1-8 show planned track lines for JARPN II from 2002 to 2009. Figures 22-29 show order of thesurvey area for each survey. Figures 43-50 show track line surveyed actually and primary sighting
positions of the minke whales. Red lines in each figure indicate the boundary for survey blocks to which
estimate was applied.
Dedicated sighting surveys by NRIFSF
Sighting survey procedure
NRIFSF has made the sighting survey plan considering the results of the IWC Scientific Committee
and/or the related domestic matters around cetacean resources management. Usually the rough plan waspresented to the Government of Japan in autumn of the previous year. After discussion and arrangementin the previous year, the plan became concrete just after the start of the fiscal year in April. The unit of thesurvey period was usually one month or twenty days considering the navigation period without refuelingor embarkation of foods and water.
Two types of research vessels were used by NRIFS. One is chartered vessel which is the past
whaling catcher boats or fishing type vessel. All vessels have a top barrel and some vessels has plus IO
platform. And another is the institute research vessel with a top barrel. For former, the vessel isdetermined by bidding under the conditions of ability and equipment of the vessel to conduct the survey.
The researchers on board were determined from the staff of the institute or the temporally
employed scientists. Usually two researchers were on board, and one became senior scientist. Seniorscientist has a responsibility for conducting surveys and is selected from the institute staff or theexperienced scientists.
The survey plan is examined further and determined in the institute, and the pre-cruise meetingis held just before the start of the survey gathering the researchers and all staff of the vessel.
The survey starts at 6:00 a.m. or at the 30 minutes after the sunrise when the time is after 6:00
a.m. The survey was continued during the acceptable weather conditions when the visibility is longer
than 2 n.miles and the wind force less than beaufort 4. The vessels steamed at 11.5 knots during searching
and closed to the schools as fast as possible when closing mode.
When the survey is conducted, two top-men observed from a top barrel and researchers
observed from the upper-bridge. When IO mode, additionally two top-men observed from the IO platform.
The sighing information was recorded by researchers and the weather and effort recorded by officer in thebridge.
Selection of starting point
The research distance was determined considering the research period, the area of research area, the past
results (expected number of sightings) and expected weather conditions. Basically zig-zag form of trackline is used to cover each blocks uniformly. Starting point of the track line is tentatively at the corner ofthe block considering the convenience of coverage arrangement. Then the starting point is randomly
selected on the border line of the block and the whole track lines are shifted in a paralle fashion.
Survey mode
Three modes were used since 2002 by NRIFSF. Those were normal closing mode, independent observer
passing mode and independent observer with abeam closing mode.
Normal closing mode was conducted by the following manner. Two topmen observed from the
top barrel at all times. There are open communications between the top barrel and the upper bridge by
microphone. When a sighting is made, the topman (or upper bridge observer) gives an estimate of the
distance and angle to the sighting and the ship turns immediately, regardless of the angle to the sighting.
The whales are approached and the species and number of animals estimated. All subsequent sightings are
regarded as secondary until normal search effort is resumed. When a sighting is made, the person who

3made the sighting provides the sighting information. The ship then changes course to the appropriate
heading to approach the whale, and vessel speed is increased as fast as possible to hasten the closure. Ship
speed is decreased when the group is neared, usually at a distance of 0.2-0.4 n.miles from the initialsighting position.
After the whale group has been approached, the species, number of animals in the group,
estimated body lengths, number of calves present, and other observation such as behavior recorded. Afteras many data as possible have been collected, other activities might take place, such as natural marking or
biopsy experiments. Until the ship resumes the transect with full search effort, any whale sightings madeafter the initial sighting are classified as secondary sightings.
Independent observer passing mode was conducted by the following manner. Two topmen on
the top barrel and two topmen in the independent observer platform (IOP) observe at all time.
Communications are essentially one-directional, with the topmen reporting information to the upper
bridge observers, but no information being exchanged between the top barrel and IOP. The observers on
the upper bridge should communicate with the topmen only to clarify information on the sightings.
Immediately after a sighting is made from the barrel or IOP, the topman informs the upper bridge of hisestimate of the distance and angle to the sighting, and after that, if possible, the species and number ofanimals present, but does not change his normal searching pattern in order to keep contact with thesighting. The observers on the upper bridge including the captain and the helmsman must attempt tolocate the sighting made by the topman and decide whether it is possible for them to confirm the species
and number before the sighting passes abeam of the vessel and also confirm the duplicate sightings or not.
The topman gives no further information to the upper bridge unless the whale group happens to surface
again within the normal searching pattern of the topman.
Independent observer abeam closing mode was conducted by the following mode only in 2003
Okhotsk sighting survey in order to increase the possibility for color type identification of Dall’s
porpoises. Sighting method is same as the IO mode (two topmen on the barrel and two topmen on the IOP,
no communication between two places), but when the sighting is Dall’s porpoise and the abeam distanceis less than two n.miles, the vessel closes the sighting just after pasting abeam of the vessel. If the color
type of Dall’s porpoises was identified before passing abeam, the vessel does not close the sighting andcontinue passing. After closing the sighting, the observation method was same as NCM. After observation
is finished, the vessel returns to the position of abeam of vessel where abeam closing was begun andresumes the IO mode survey.
Procedures used to completion of cruise track
Before starting, the survey period was allocated to each block considering the pre-determined research
distance. When the weather conditions are bad to conduct the survey and the early recovering of weather
is expected, the vessel drifts at the position where the survey was stopped. However when the earlyrecovering of weather is not expected, usually the vessel moves without survey (top down cruise) forsome time. The duration of top down cruise is determined by the researcher and the captain considering
the progress of the survey and the long term weather forecast. They try to cover the block as uniform as
possible during the allocated period.
Coverage on effort
The track line traversed with sighting effort and the positions of primary sightings of common minke
whales in recent years were shown in Figs 51 –58. There were low covered sub-blocks or blocks mainly
because of the weather conditions. Those were off shore sub-block in 6ES in the Sea of Japan in 2002 (Fig.
51), ONW, OSW, and OE in the Sea of Okhotsk in 2003 (Fig. 57). Additional reason in the case in 2003,
there was an injury accident of crew rescued by the Japan Coast Guard. In the offshore sub-block in 6EN
in the Sea of Japan, there is vast training area of the Self-Defense Forces. Then the entrance wassometimes limited and the vessel did not enter (Fig. 52). In the case of entering the Russian 200 n.miles
EEZ, the survey was continued in the waters as long as possible because it is necessary for passing thecheck point when the vessel enters and leaves the EEZ. Then sometimes there were not so much effort in
the blocks outside the Russian EEZ such as the Sea of Japan in 2006 (Fig. 55) and the east of the Kuril
archipelago in 2005 (Fig. 58).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Dedicated sighting survey during ICR
It can be concluded that sighting procedure of the dedicated sighting surveys by ICR follows the4requirement and guideline except that the surveys were not oversighted. There were some survey blocks
that there was not large number of sightings. This may be partly because coverage was poor due to bad
weather condition in some block and partly because there were some difference between survey timing
and migration peak. It may be difficult obtain appropriate abundance estimate using standard
methodology.
Dedicated sighting surveys by NRIFS
The surveys conducted in the recent seasons were oversighted, it can be also concluded that the survey
procedures of the NRIFSF dedicated sighting surveys met all the RMP requirements and guidelines forsurveys. However, in some blocks in some years, the coverage was poor because of bad weather
conditions and/or accident causing injury (e.g. 2003 Okhotsk survey). And in some areas, the number ofsightings was not large because of some possible reasons such as difference in the timing of survey andmigration of whales. In those areas, it is difficult to get the abundance estimate using the traditional
analysis method. And it is known that minke whales are distributed in higher density in the vey coastal
waters such as in small bay, and our surveys could not cover such area in the foreign territorial waters.
Therefore when the results are used in RMP, those factors should be taken into considerations.
REFERENCES
Hakamada, T and Kitakado, T. 2011. Abundance estimation for the western North Pacific common minke
whales based on sighting information from JARPN and JARPN II. Paper SC/63/RMP18
submitted to IWC Sceintific Committee, May, 2011. Tromso, Norway. (unpublished) 25pp.
International Whaling Commission. 1997. Report of the Scientific Committee, Annex K. Requirements
and guidelines for conducting surveys and analysing data within the Revised Management
Scheme. Rep. int. Whal. Commn 47:227-35.
International Whaling Commission. 2005. Report of the Scientific Committee. Annex D. Report of the
sub-committee on the Revised Management Procedure. Appendix 3. Requirements andGuidelines for Conducting Surveys and Analysing Data within the Revised Management Scheme.
J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 7:92-101.
International Whaling Commission. 2008. Report of the Scientific Committee. Annex D. Report of the
sub-committee on the revised management procedure. Appendix 7. New text for requirements
and guidelines for conducting surveys and analysing data within the Revised Management
Scheme (RMS). J. Cetacean Res. Manage. (Suppl.) 10:117.
International Whaling Commission. 2012. Report of the second ‘First Intersessional Workshop’ for the
Implementation Review of western North Pacific common minke whales. SC/64/Rep2 submitted tothis meeting.
Kiwada, H., Kumagai, S. and Matsuoka, K. 2009. Methodology and procedure of the dedicated sighting
surveys in JARPN II - Offshore and coastal component of Sanriku and Kushiro -. Paper
SC/J09/JR2 submitted to Workshop to review JARPN II. January, 2009. Yokohama, Japan. 16pp.
Miyashita, T and Okamura, H. 2011. Abundance estimates of common minke whales using the Japanese
dedicated sighting survey data for RMP Implementation and CLA – Sea of Japan and Sea of
Okhotsk. Paper SC/63/RMP11 submitted to IWC Sceintific Committee, May, 2011. Tromso,
Norway. (unpublished) 34pp.

5

53N

51N

49N

47N

Latitude

45N

43N
41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E
Longitude

160E

165E

170E

Figure 1. Pre-determined track lines and survey blocks for KS2 in 2002 JARPN II. Bold black lines
are pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.
53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 2. Pre-determined track lines and survey blocks for KS2 in 2003 JARPN II. Bold black lines
are pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.

6

53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 3. Pre-determined track lines and survey blocks for KS2 in 2004 JARPN II. Bold black lines
are pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.
55N

50N

45N

40N

35N

30N
135E

140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 4. Pre-determined track lines and survey blocks for KS2 in 2005 JARPN II. Bold black lines
are pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.

7

53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 5. Pre-determined track lines and survey blocks for KS2 in 2006 JARPN II. Bold black lines
are pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.
53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 6. Pre-determined track lines and survey blocks for KS2 in 2007 JARPN II. Bold black lines
are pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.

8

53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 7. Pre-determined track lines for KK1 and KS2 in 2008 JARPN II survey. Bold black lines are
pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position is indicated by black circle. Starting position of KK1 is indicated by blue circle.
Starting position of KS2 is indicated by brown circle.
53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 8. Pre-determined track lines for KK1 and YS1 in 2009 JARPN II survey. Bold black lines are
pre-determined track lines and red bold lines are boundary for suvey blocks. Starting
position of KK1 is indicated by blue circle. Starting position of YS1 is indicated by brown
circle.

9Fig. 9. Pre-determined track for Kurosaki, 10 April – 9 May in 2002.

Fig. 10. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru No.2, 13 May – 1 July in 2002.

10

Fig. 11. Pre-determined track line for Kurosaki, 11 April – 10 May in 2003.

11

Fig. 12. Pre-determined track line for Shoanan-maru No.2, 12 May – 30 June in 2003.
Dotted area shows the training area of the Self-Defense Forces.

12Fig. 13. Pre-determined track line for Shoanan-maru No.2, 11 May – 29 June in 2004.

13

Fig. 14. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru No.2, 12 May – 30 June in 2005.
Because the Russian permission to survey in the 200 n.mile EEZ was not issued, the vessel
coveredonly in the Japanese side block in the first period, 12 May – 4 June in 2005.

14

Fig. 15. Revised pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru No.2 for the last period, 5 June – 30
June in 2005.

Fig. 16. Pre-determined track line for Kaiko-maru, 18 May – 28 June in 2006.

15

Fig. 17. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru No.2, 18 May – 28 June in 2007.

Fig. 18. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru, 22 July – 19 September in 2003.

16

Fig. 19. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru No.2, 22 July – 19 September in 2003.

17

Fig. 20. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru, 29 July – 20 September in 2005.

18

Fig. 21. Pre-determined track line for Shonan-maru No.2, 29 July – 20 September in 2005.

19

Figure 22. Survey order in 2002 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KS2. KS2 started
from the position (35oN 150o8’E)

Figure 23. Survey order in 2003 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KS2. KS2 started
from the position (37oN 144oE)

20

53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 24. Survey order in 2004 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KS2. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.
55N

50N

45N

40N

35N

30N
135E

140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 25. Survey order in 2005 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KS2. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.

21

53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 26. Survey order in 2006 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KS2. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.
53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 27. Survey order in 2007 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KS2. Starting
position is indicated by black circle.

22

53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 28. Survey order in 2008 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KK1. Blue circle
indicates starting position of KK1. Brown arrows indicate survey order by KS2. Brown
circle indicates starting position of KS2.
53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 29. Survey order in 2009 JARPN II. Blue arrows indicate survey order by KK1. Blue circle
indicates starting position of KK1. Brown arrows indicate survey order by YS1. Brown circle
indicates starting position of YS1.

23

Fig. 30. Survey direction of Kurosaki in 2002.
Date shows the day to start/finish survey in each sub-block.

24

Fig. 31. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in 2002.

25

Fig. 32. Survey direction of Kurosaki in 2003.

Fig. 33. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in 2003.
26

Fig. 34. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in 2004.

27

Fig. 35. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in the first half of the cruise in 2005.

Fig. 36. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in the last half of the cruise in 2005.
28

Fig. 37. Survey direction of Kaiko-maru in 2006.

29

Fig. 38. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in 2007.

30

Fig. 39. Survey direction of Shonan-maru in 2003.

31

Fig. 40. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in 2003.

32

Fig. 41. Survey direction of Shonan-maru in 2005.

Fig. 42. Survey direction of Shonan-maru No.2 in 2005.
33

53N
51N
49N
47N

Latitude

45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Longitude

Figure 43. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2002 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.
53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

35N

33N

Figure 44. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2003 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.

34

53N
51N
49N

47N
45N
43N
41N
39N

37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 45. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2004 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.
53N
51N
49N
47N
45N

43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 46. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2005 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.

35

53N

51N

49N

47N

45N

43N

41N

39N

37N

35N

33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 47. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2006 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.

53N
51N
49N
47N
45N

43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 48. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2007 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.

36

53N
51N
49N
47N
45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 49. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2008 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.

53N
51N
49N
47N
45N
43N
41N
39N
37N
35N
33N
140E

145E

150E

155E

160E

165E

170E

Figure 50. Track line actually surveyed and primary sighting positions of common minke whale schools
in the 2009 JARPN II. Black lines indicate track line actually surveyd. Red lines indicatesboundary for survey blocks. Blue triangle indicates primary sighting positions of the minke
whales.

37

Fig. 51. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Japan in 2002.

38

Fig. 52. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Japan in 2003.

39

Latitude(N)

45

40

35
130

135

Longitude(E)140

Fig. 53. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Japan in 2004.

40

47

46

45

Latitude(N)

44

43

42

41

40

39
135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

Longitude(E)Fig. 54. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Japan in 2005.

41

51

49

Latitude(N)

47

45

43

41

39
132

134

136

138

140

142

Longitude(E)Fig. 55. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Japan in 2006.

Latitude(N)

46

44

42

40
136

138

140

142

144

146

Longitude(E)Fig. 56. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk in 2007.
42

Fig. 57. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in the
Sea of Okhotsk in 2003.

43

Fig. 58. Track line traversed on effort and sighting positions of common minke whale schools in thewaters east of the Kuril archipelago and the Kamchatka peninsula in 2005.

44