The Ministry of Fisheries has set an overall quota of 711 animals for the minke whale hunt in 2003. This includes the transfer of a certain number of whales from the 2002 quota, which was not filled.

The quota is based on the same stock estimate and harvesting level as in 2002, but the rules allow for the transfer of uncaught animals from the 2002 quota to 2003.

The quota has been set within the limits that the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) considers to give satisfactory protection of the minke whale stocks that Norway harvests.

• Norwegian minke whaling – background and determination of catch limits