Scientific Committee

Scientific Committee in Tasiilaq in April 2012

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 Thorvaldur Gunnlaugsson (Iceland) and the Vice-Chair is Tore Haug (Norway).

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 abundance and assessment , marine mammal - fisheries interactions, and coastal seals (harbour and grey seals), and occasional working groups on walrus, seal and whale species, and by-catch as needed. 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 in 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.