October 29, 2018: The Walrus Working Group

The NAMMCO Scientific Working Group on Walrus met last week at the Greenland Representation, Copenhagen, under the Chairmanship of Rob Stewart (Canada) with scientists for Canada, Greenland, Nunavut and USA, and the NAMMCO Secretariat. The WG reviewed the status of the 3 Greenland Stocks of walrus, Baffin Bay, West Greenland-Southeast Baffin Islands and East Greenland stocks, the two first being shared with Canada.

The WG gave advice on sustainable removals for all three stocks. It also provided recommendation for research for informing the next assessment and on other management measures, which would help ensure a precautionary conservation of the stocks. The Report of the meeting is being finalised and will be available in December on the NAMMCO website.

After a well completed Working Group meeting, it was time to relax and enjoy a nice meal close to the Copenhagen Greenland Representation, which hosted the meeting.

 

Participants of the WWG 2018 (from left to right):

Rikke Guldborg Hansen (Greenland)

Rod Hobbs (Invited Expert)

Rob Stewart (Chair, Invited Expert)

Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen (Greenland)

Thomas Doniol-Valcroze (Invited Expert)

Eva Garde (Greenland)

Lars Witting (Greenland)

Mike Hammill (Canada)

Geneviève Desportes (NAMMCO)

Samuel Smith (NAMMCO)

David Lee (Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated – absent from photo)

Cory Matthews (Canada – absent from photo)