WHEREAS, pelagic whaling effort in the North Pacific has increased greatly since 1961; and
WHEREAS, analyses of North Pacific whale stocks by competent population dynamics experts have revealed that stocks of blue and humpback whales have greatly decreased, and that exploitation of fin whale stocks in recent years has substantially exceeded the sustainable yield; and
WHEREAS, the International Whaling Commission, at its 1965 meeting, prohibited the taking of blue and humpback whales in the North Pacific and its dependent waters, but did not place appropriate limits on the catch of fin whales;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists commends the International Whaling Commission for its action in affording complete protection to the depleted blue whale and humpback whale stocks; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists urges the International Whaling Commission to restrict the catch of fin whales in the North Pacific to the level of the sustainable yield so that these stocks will not, like so many others, be reduced to a level far below the maximum sustainable yield.