NAMMCO Workshop to Address the Problems of Struck and Lost

Hunter, Greenland. Photo Kristin Laidre

The NAMMCO Committee on Hunting Methods hosted a workshop to Address the Problem of "Struck and Lost" in Seal, Walrus and Whale Hunting, 14-16 November in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Terms of Reference for the meeting was:

• To review hunting methods for seal, walrus and whale with respect to the problem of “struck and lost” (S/L)
• To identify possible studies of S/L to be undertaken in co-operation between researchers and hunters, in order to achieve accurate and reliable estimates of S/L
• To identify the reasons why some hunts have a high or low S/L rate
• To make recommendations on how to reduce S/L, in consideration of hunting techniques, equipment modifications, season, locality and reduction of animal suffering.
  

The aim of the Workshop was to improve catch relative to effort, to reduce animal suffering and improve the public image of hunting.
The  Workshop formulated recommendations both on a general and species specific level on methods, techniques and equipment to reduce S/L that are applicable at the local level. 

Copenhagen November 2007