 Japan's second-phase whale research program in the western North Pacific (JARPN II) for 2003 was wound up on August 8,further elucidating the feeding ecology of whales in the region, the Institute of Cetacean Research announced (ICR) recently.
The research,
an exercise of the sovereign right under Article VIII of the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, is aimed to contribute
to multi-species comprehensive management of marine living resources
in the sea surrounding Japan by constructing an ecosystem model
based on interaction between whales and feed species.
| Chum
salmon and pomfret in the stomach of a minke whale sampled
in the offshore area, indicating the diversity of feeding
habit of minke whales. |
|
| Pacific saury found in the stomach of a minke whale. This species is one of the main food species for minke whales. |
JARPN II started in 2002 after two years of prelimiary research from 2000.
This year's research consisted of two parts: coastal research from early April to early May, with sampling of 50 minke whales, and offshore research from May 17 through August 8, in which 100 minke
whales, 50 Bryde's whales, 50 sei whales and 10 sperm whales were sampled. The current estimates for the four species in this region are: 25,000 minkes, 23,000 Bryde's, 28,400 seis, and 102,000 sperms. |
