A: The Revised Management Procedure (RMP) is a set of rules and methods for managing baleen whale populations on a species by species, area by area, and stock by stock basis. It is designed to safeguard whale populations while providing for sustainable utilization of stocks that are determined to be at healthy population levels. It took the IWC's Scientific Committee six years to develop.

Q: How does the RMP protect endangered or threatened whales?

A: The RMP does not permit whaling for any species or stocks considered to be threatened or endangered. Moreover, it will not allow catches of species or stocks that fall below the protection level, designated as 54 percent of the original population level.

Q: What other safeguards are employed in the RMP?

A: Population abundance data and population growth rates in allowable catch calculations are adjusted downward to reduce the probability of risk to a minimum. The procedure is designed to maintain stocks at 72 percent of their original population size and rebuild stocks that fall below that level. The RMP also requires constant monitoring of the stocks through periodic sightings surveys. Catch limits will be phased out if monitoring stops.

Q: Is there a possibility that a catch limit may inadvertently be granted for a stock that is thought to be at a population level over 54 percent but is really under?

A: It is highly unlikely. Even if it were to happen, the IWC Scientific Committee concluded that the catch limit allowed in such a case would be so small as to have only a marginal effect on the stock's recovery rate.

Q: What information is needed to calculate catch limits?

A: The RMP was designed to calculate safe catch limits and safeguard whale populations with a minimum of data. Initial annual catch limits will not exceed 0.5% of the population, well under annual stock replacement through reproduction. Using the assumption of a high probability of error, the RMP incorporated the most conservative population assessment methods consistent with the science of population dynamics. Basically, the core procedure of the RMP needs: (1) an estimate of the abundance of a whale population from sightings surveys together with an estimate of the statistical uncertainty associated with it; (2) a series of data detailing past catches from the population; (3) a conservative estimate of the productivity (annual increase percentage) of the population; and (4) a series of assumptions and rules to safeguard against uncertainties in the data, population dynamics, stock identity, or ecological interaction. This core procedure is often called the catch limit algorithm.

Q: What safeguards protect against errors in the catch limit algorithm calculations?

A: Both the data and assumptions are thoroughly tested against worst case scenarios with computer models which compare predicted data with actual data. The ultimate safeguard, however, is the fact that the catch limit algorithm provides for the continuous monitoring of the population to detect changes. Catch limits will be reduced if population declines are detected or phased out if monitoring stops.

Q: What will prevent whaling countries from exceeding catch limits or taking protected species or stocks?

A: The International Whaling Commission will require all whaling operations to be conducted under the scrutiny of trained international observers. The observers will inspect each whale caught, make sure that all catch and biological data are recorded properly, and report all violations.

Q: Can the RMP safeguard against threats to whale populations from catastrophic events, such as an epidemic of disease or some ecological disaster affecting the whales' food supply?

A: Of course. The RMP is flexible and responsive to change or uncertainty. Its mandatory monitoring of the whale populations will detect changes and trigger reductions in catch limits, if needed. More likely, disease or catastrophic events will be detected first by the whalers. Also, catch limits can be reduced or suspended by the IWC at any time in the event of an emergency.

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