The Institute of Cetacean Research
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- Population Dynamics
Population Dynamics section
This research section carries out assessment of large whale populations based on abundance information provided by the abundance estimation section, stock structure information provided by the genetic ecology section, and biological parameters information provided by the cetacean biology section. The aim of the assessment is to provide information on the status of whale populations. For the species target of the sustainable commercial whaling by Japan in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (common minke, Bryde's, sei and fin whales), this assessment process extends to calculate catch limits and provide advice on whaling under the provisions of the International Whaling Commission (IWC)'s Revised Management Procedure (RMP). Uncertainties associated with those calculations are investigated through the Implementation Simulation Trials (ISTs).
This section also deals with the development of ecosystem modelling including whales, which has application in a wide variety of disciplines including natural resources management. The long-term aim here is to move in the future from the single-species management procedure represented by the RMP to multi-species management procedures.
There is a close relationship between members of both abundance estimation and population dynamics sections in developing different research activities.