A Sysselsmann (head of local governement) announcing the allocation of the shares (meat and blubber) after a pilot whale drive.

The Management Committees make proposals for conservation and management measures to member countries, and advise Council on needs and priorities for scientific research with respect to stocks of marine mammals. The Council’s decisions on requests for future scientific advice are based on these recommendations.

In 2007, one Management Committee dealing with all species, was split into a Management Committee for Cetaceans (MCC) and a Management Committee for Seals and Walrus (MCSW). The Committees’ activities are governed by their Rules of Procedure. The Management Committees are composed by members appointed by the member countries. The reports of the Management Committees may be found here and are also included in the Annual Reports.

The Management Committees may appoint working groups to investigate specific issues. Up to 2016 these have included an Ad Hoc Working Group on Enhancing Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM), a Working Group on By-Catch, and a Working Group on User Knowledge in Management. Topics considered under EBM and User Knowledge in Management were in 2007 transferred to Council and any associated Working Groups were requested to report directly to Council. By-Catch issues were also transferred to the Scientific Committee for consideration.

Current Chairs:

Greenland holds the Chair of the MCSW and the Faroe Islands holds the Chair of the MCC.