Documents and Information
Press release from NAMMCO 18 on the EU ban on seal trade
NAMMCO issued a statement on the EU seal trade ban at the conclusion of its 18th Annual Council meeting in Tromsø, Norway, 8-10 September 2009
Report of the Council NAMMCO 17
Report of the Management Committee for Seals and Walruses NAMMCO 17
Report of the Management Committee for Cetaceans NAMMCO 17
Report of the Committee on Hunting Methods NAMMCO 17
Report of the Committee on Inspection and Observation NAMMCO 17
NAMMCO 16 Press Release
NAMMCO held its 16th Annual Council meeting in Tromsø, Norway, 27 February - 1 March 2007. A press release was issued at the conclusion of the meeting.
NAMMCO Agreement
The NAMMCO Agreement, which was signed in Nuuk, Greenland on 9 April 1992 by Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, focuses on modern approaches to the study of the marine ecosystem as a whole, and to understanding better the role of marine mammals in this system.
NAMMCO Council
The NAMMCO Council, the decision-making body of the Commission, meets on an annual basis to review advice requested from the Scientific Committee, and through the Management Committees, to coordinate recommendations for further scientific research and advice to members. The
Rules of Procedure govern Council's functions. The Council furthermore reviews and gives advice on hunting methods for marine mammals through the
Committee on Hunting Methods, relevant to the NAMMCO member countries, and operates a
Joint Control Scheme for observation of whaling and sealing activities in member countries. The NAMMCO Council comprises government representatives from the member nations. The currently elected Chairman of Council is Halvard Johansen (Norway) and the Vice-Chairman is Ásta Einarsdottír (Iceland).
NAMMCO Council Rules of Procedure
The Rules of Procedure for the Council govern its functions.
Management Committees
Management Committees make proposals for conservation and management and recommendations for scientific research with respect to stocks of marine mammals within their mandate. Currently there is a Management Committee for Cetaceans, which was the former general Management Committee, and a second newly established Management Committee for Seals and Walruses (which had its first meeting at the NAMMCO 16th Council meeting). The Rules of Procedure govern the Committees' functions. The Chair of the Management Committee for Cetaceans is Ásta Einarsdóttir (Iceland) and the vice-Chair is Ulla Wang (Faroe Islands). The Chair of the Management Committee for Seals and Walruses is Amalie Jessen (Greenland) and the vice-Chair is Árni Snæbjörnsson (Iceland).
The sub-Committee on Inspection and Observation that monitors the implementation of the Joint Control Scheme for the Hunting of Marine Mammals previously reported to the Management Committee. However, at the 16th NAMMCO Council meeting in 2007, it was agreed that this committee would in future report directly to Council to avoid duplication of discussions within the two Management Committees.
The Management Committees may also appoint Working groups to investigate specific issues. In recent years these have included an Ad Hoc Working Group on Enhancing Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM), a Working Group on By-Catch, and a Working Group on User Knowledge in Management. Topics considered under EBM and User Knowledge in Management were recently (NAMMCO 16 in 2007) transferred to Council and any associated Working Groups were requested to report directly to Council. The By-Catch topic was also transferred to the Scientific Committee for consideration.
Rules of Procedure for the Management Committees
The Rules of Procedure for the Management Committees govern their functions.
Scientific Committee
The Scientific Committee provides scientific advice in response to requests from the Council, utilising to the extent possible existing scientific information. The Rules of Procedure govern the Committee's functions. The current NAMMCO Scientific Committee comprises members appointed by the member nations. Members of the Secretariat are automatically members. The current Chair of the Scientific Committee is Geneviève Desportes (Faroe Islands) and the Vice-Chair is Lars Witting (Greenland).
The Scientific Committee has had a number of Working Groups over the years that address specific issues as needed. Currently there are standing working groups on fin whales and walrus, and a new group on harbour seals that will meet during 2006. External experts may be invited to these specialist working groups in order to acquire the best possible knowledge. NAMMCO has special joint meetings with the Joint Commission on Narwhal and Beluga (JCNB) that is between Canada and Greenland, and has recently (March 2006) held a joint working group meeting on fin whales with the IWC. NAMMCO also has links with the ICES-NAFO working group on harp and hooded seals.
Rules of Procedure for the Scientific Committee
The Rules of Procedure for the Scientific Committee govern its functions.
Committee on Hunting Methods
The Committee provides advice on hunting methods for the marine mammals relevant to NAMMCO member countries.
The Rules of Procedure govern the Committee's functions.
The Committee has organised four Workshops;
Nuuk in 1999,
Sandefjord in 2001 and
Copenhagen in 2004, and
Copenhagen in November 2006.
As a follow up of recommendations from the workshops, members of the committee conducted shooting trials on heads of dead pilot whales and developed guidelines to test the efficiency of rifle ammunition used for hunting and euthanasia of small whales.
The currently (2006/2007) re-elected Chair of the Committee is Egil Ole Øen (Norway) and the vice-Chair is Kristjan Loftsson (Iceland).
Rules of Procedure for the Committee on Hunting Methods
The Rules of Procedure for the Committee on Hunting Methods govern its functions.
Committee on Inspection and Observation
The Committee on Inspection and Observation monitors the implementation of the Joint NAMMCO Control Scheme for the hunting of marine mammals and reports directly to Council. The Committee also provides advice on the implementation of the Scheme upon request from the Secretariat.
Presently Greenland holds the chairmanship under Ole Heinrich, and Justines Olsen (the Faroe Islands) is Vice-Chair.
Provisions of the Joint NAMMCO Control Scheme for the Hunting of Marine Mammals
NAMMCO has had a fully operational Observation Scheme since 1998. Observation focused on Norwegian sealing during 2008. During 2009, focus is on whaling in Norway.
Finance and Administration Committee
The Finance and Administration Committee has representatives from all member governments, and is responsible for making recommendations on budget to Council, and approving annual audited budgets for years-ended, and providing budgets for the current and future fiscal years for Council's approval. Presently the Chair is Ásta Einarsdóttir (Iceland) and the vice-Chair is Ulla Wang (Faroe Islands).
Member Government Organisations
There are currently
four member governments of NAMMCO: Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Norway.
