Institute of Cetacean Research - Research Programs

Research Programs

The research conducted by the ICR includes:

Whale Research Programs

Biological research including the collection of samples from the Antarctic Ocean and the North-Western Pacific Ocean under special permit from the Government of Japan (#JARPA and #JARPA II Programs). Samples are used for studies related to estimation of biological parameters, resource abundance, elucidation of stock structure and the role of whales in the marine ecosystem, and elucidation of the effect of environmental changes on cetaceans.

Sighting Surveys

Conducted in the Southern Hemisphere and the North Pacific to elucidate trends in abundance, density, distribution, and behavior of whales. These surveys include the IWC Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (SOWER) Program.

Socio-Economic Research

Conducted to document and clarify the relationship of man and whales from the social, cultural, historical, economical, and dietary culture aspects.

The ICR also conducts research with the objective of promoting normalization of IWC activities in line with the ICRW objective of the sustainable utilization of whale resources.

Specific ICR research programs include:

1. Development of a whale products distribution surveillance system using genetic techniques including the creation of a database for the determination of species and place (sea area) of origin, and establishment of individual identification techniques;
2. Development of age assessment techniques using age characteristics, including chemical analysis;
3. Research on biotelemetry technology development using artificial satellites;
4. Research on natural marks identification;
5. Research on the bioaccumulation of heavy metals and environmental chemicals such as organic chlorine compounds;
6. Research concerning improvement and development of whale capture/harvesting techniques;
7. Collection and analysis of marine mammal stranding records on the coast of Japan.