Invitation to Tender: Survey of Indigenous and Human Rights Instruments

The IWC is inviting tenders for an Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling survey of international indigenous and human rights instruments. 

Regulation of Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling is a key responsibility of the IWC and work has been ongoing for some years to improve the Commission's management of this unique type of whaling which is conducted not for profit or to maximise catches but in order to meet nutritional and cultural needs.

In 2018, the Commission endorsed a series of proposals designed to facilitate a more straightforward process when catch limits are considered.  These included a new timetable for sharing information to maximise discussion time and transparency, a process through which status quo catch limits could be renewed automatically, and a commitment to establish closer ties with international and inter-governmental organisations focusing on indigenous rights.  A survey of Indigenous and Human Rights Instruments is the next step in delivering on this third proposal.

The Tender for this survey seeks a suitably qualified senior and junior expert, working together to collect information regarding international indigenous peoples' and human rights instruments. They will also look at other relevant agreements, practices and policy developments in relation to indigenous peoples’ management of natural resources and participation in decision-making processes, including within ASW. 

The successful team are asked to produce a report which will be reviewed by ASW countries and participants of previous expert workshops, responsible for developing the survey proposal. The closing date for responses to the Invitation to Tender is 7 April 2023.  The decision of the selection panel will be communicated on or before 9 June 2023 and the deadline for submitting the report is 9 June 2024.

More information and a copy of the Invitation to Tender