The Institute of Cetacean Research
2020 Whale Resources Survey in the western North Pacific
－ Departure of research vessels
July 31, 2020
Designated Corporation for Scientific Whale Research
THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCH
1. Background
The Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) is conducting a survey of whale resources in the western North Pacific during the summer (August-September) season. With the resumption of commercial whaling for large whales on July 1, 2019, it has become even more important to understand the status of whale stocks in the western North Pacific. This year, six ICR researchers will be onboard of three research vessels to conduct simultaneous sighting surveys in a wide area of the western North Pacific, including the coast of Japan, with the main objective of estimating the abundance of sei, Bryde's and common minke whales. This is the first of such large-scale survey since 2008. Furthermore, the surveys will also collect sighting and other information from fin, humpback, as well as other baleen whales including the rare western North Pacific blue and right whales.
2. Survey outline
Non-lethal research methods such as sighting surveys for abundance estimates, skin biopsy sampling, photo-id and satellite tagging for studies on distribution, movement and stock structure will be applied.
The survey area is a part of the western North Pacific Ocean north of 35°N and from the coast of Japan to 170°E (Figure 1). The Yushin-Maru and the Yushin-Maru No. 3 will depart from Ishinomaki on July 31 and will return to Shiogama on September 24. The Kaiyo-Maru No. 7 will depart from Hachinohe on August 5 and will return to Kurihama on September 18.
Figure 1. The research area for the 2020 Whale Resources Survey in the western North Pacific. The Yushin-Maru (YS1) will survey the area between 150°and 160°E and between 40°and 48°N (pink area). The Yushin-Maru No. 3 (YS3) will survey the area between 150°and170°E and between 35°and 40°N (blue area), and the Kaiyo-Maru No. 7 (KY7) will survey the area between 140°and 150°E and between 35°and 43°N (green area).
3. Survey organization
3.1 Operating body
The Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR)
3.2 Research vessels and crews
Dedicated sighting vessel Yushin-Maru (724 ton, Captain Hidenori Kasai, 16 crewmen)
Dedicated sighting vessel Yushin-Maru No. 3 (742 ton, Captain Chikamasa Okoshi, 16 crewmen)
Dedicated sighting vessel Kaiyo-Maru No. 7 (649 ton, Captain Yasuaki Sasaki, 20 crewmen)
3.3 Researchers
Takashi Yoshida (Institute of Cetacean Research)
Tatsuya Isoda (Institute of Cetacean Research)
Megumi Takahashi (Institute of Cetacean Research)
And other 3 researchers
2020 Whale Resources Survey in the western North Pacific－ Departure of research vessels (PDF file)