In the United States, Norway, Japan and Iceland, seasonal whale hunts are underway or in preparation. Nothing that happens in Sorrento will have any consequence on these activities and, most likely, nothing that happens in Sorrento will have any impact on future hunts either.

Alaskans are working within their five-year IWC quota of 280 bowheads, landing, processing and storing meat and maktak for the coming year. The formula works out to 56 animals per year for the years 2003 through 2007. US scientists assure the world that this quota – the largest in terms of catch to population ratio – will not harm the stock of the western bowhead.

The Norwegian government is set to allow its whalers to take up to 1,800 minke whales per year. This is sustainable, being less than the stock's reproduction rate of at least 2%. With little protest to the news, it is tempting to conclude that Norway’s strong stand has thrown a wet blanket on protest ambitions. As part of its plan to establish sound ecosystem management for all marine mammals, Norway may soon be considering widening its hunt to cover other species.

Japanese plans for the North Pacific research program are similarly based on ecosystem data gathering. Japan will take up to 100 minke, 50 Brydes, 50 sei, and 10 sperm whales, with an additional 50 minke to be selected from waters near Japan's shores. Information will include stock age profiles, fertility, general health, and dietary data on the amount and species of fish and squid consumed by each stock of cetacean studied.

Iceland, too, is planning its scientific research take of 25 minke whales in its own waters. Its concerns about ecosystem evaluation and management are now being addressed, with a 2nd year of research whaling.

Because of the failure of the IWC to exhibit leadership in scientific management schemes, Norway and Japan may switch their future focus to NAMMCO (the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission), the conservation and management body established in 1992. NAMMCO is not hampered by anti-whaling NGO political pressure on its members and could have a real impact on future whale management programs. Sorrento, of course, will not have any impact on this either.