The necessity for lethal methods was recognized by the 1997 IWC
JARPA Mid-Term Review WG, which fully took into account the views
challenging the need for lethal methods427 The WG clearly stated:
“[T]here were non-lethal methods available…but that logistics and
the abundance of minke populations in Areas IV and V probably
preclude their successful application ”428
4 62 The terms “non-lethal methods available” here refers to individual
identification of Antarctic minke whales through photo-identification It
should be emphasized here that this method is not appropriate for Antarctic minke whales because members of this species have no obvious individual body characteristics