SC/69A/SM/03  

Document Number

SC/69A/SM/03

Full Title

Taiji dolphin drive fishery and status of the exploited populations

Author

Toshio Kasuya and Robert L. Brownell Jr

Authors Summary

Paper SC/69A/SM/03 further expands Kasuya’s (2019a,b) analysis of catch statistics (1970 to 2014) from the drive fishery operating from Taiji (33º36’N, 135º57’E), Wakayama Prefecture on the Pacific coast of central Japan. The decline in numbers of small cetaceans hunted off Taiji is following the same pattern as has been seen in commercial whaling, with the most valuable species depleted first followed by less desirable species. A more precautionary management approach is needed.

Publisher

IWC

Keywords

Publication Year

2023

Abstract

By analyzing catch statistics of the drive fishery operating from Taiji (33º36’N, 135º57’E), Wakayama Prefecture on the Pacific coast of central Japan, for 45 years (1970 to 2014), Kasuya (2019a, b) recognized that the catch of short-finned pilot whales declined during 2010 to 2014 (647 whales) to about 17% compared to the catch during the peak period of 1980–1984 (2,188 whales).  The fishery for this most preferred species  failed to reach the annual quota established in 1982 (except in1996); however, catches of less preferred species, such as Risso’s dolphins, were always closer to their quota.  Kasuya inferred that the quota allocated for the short-finned pilot whale fishery did not limit the catch, and that the fishermen enjoyed, within their capacity, free unlimited take of this species.  This interpretation suggests that the population of southern form short-finned pilot whales migrating off Taiji is depleted to a level that indicates the species requires more protection.