ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with a snapshot of the pre-International Whaling Commission (IWC) period. It discusses science–policy relations through four phases in the history of the IWC, each marked by a different political context limiting to varying extent the possibilities for scientific advice. However, the IWC is unusual because, since the 1980s, its management body has introduced regulations that restrict activity more severely than what scientists in the IWC’s Scientific Committee have recommended. Increasing political disagreement within the IWC about the size of the quotas inspired the UK government to suggest inviting independent scientists to assess stocks in hopes of alleviating mounting tensions. Developments outside the IWC were also reducing the influence of the whaling nations. Norway and Japan agreed to stop whaling from the 1987 and 1988 seasons, respectively, until the IWC had conducted the comprehensive assessment by 1990, as per the moratorium agreement.
