The NAMMCO Scientific Committee was, in 1993, requested by the Council to analyze the effects of the pilot-whale drive hunt in the Faroe Islands on North Atlantic pilot whales, especially whether the numbers taken are consistent with sustainable utilization (NAMMCO Annual Report, 1996: 32). This request was in addition to an earlier one in which the Scientific Committee was asked to assess the status of the pilot-whale stock. The conclusions described below were based on distributional, genetic and morphometric evidence, and on studies of social structure and behavioural factors. In addition, the scientists relied on three separate abundance estimates, historical catches, population dynamics and population models. In discussing the sustainability of the Faroes catch of pilot whales the Scientific Committee "concluded that the effects of historic and present catches in the Faroe Islands have had a negligible effect on the long-term trends in the pilot-whale stock. The Scientific Committee also noted that an annual catch of 2,000 individuals in the eastern Atlantic corresponds to an exploitation rate of 0.26 % of the present best estimate of the abundance of pilot whales in the Northeast Atlantic (778,000 pilot whales from NASS-89)" (Annual Report, 1997: 99).

The NAMMCO Management Committee forwarded the conclusion to the Council.

In the case of walrus the Council requested the Scientific Committee to:

"…[Advise] on stock identity for management purposes, to assess abundance in each stock area, to assess long-term effects on stocks by present removals in each stock area, to assess effects of recent environmental changes (i.e. disturbance, pollution) and changes in food supply" (NAMMCO/2 – Report, 64).

Based on the Scientific Committee conclusions the Management Committee recommended (and endorsed by the Council) that:

"While recognizing the over all priority of further research on the delineation and abundance of walrus stocks in the North Atlantic area, it was recommended that Greenland take appropriate steps to arrest the decline of walrus along its west coast. Taking into account the views of the Scientific Committee that the Baffin Bay walrus stock is jointly shared with Canada and that the West Greenland stock may be shared, the Council encouraged Canada to consider working co-operatively with Greenland to assist in the achievement of these objectives" (NAMMCO Annual Report, 1995:22).

At the meeting the Management Committee in 1998, Greenland reported on the measures taken in response to the proposal agreed on in 1995. The Greenland authorities had legislated to implement the following regulations:

"[The] restriction of walrus hunting to people with valid professional hunting licenses only, a year round ban on walrus hunting south of 66 degrees Norway, limitations on the means of transport used in connection with walrus hunting to dog sleds and [smaller] vessels […], and the sale of walrus products limited to direct sales at open markets or for personal use only" (NAMMCO Annual Report, 1998: 74).