The International Whaling Commission, created by a convention signed on December 2, 1946, which entered into force on November 10, 1948, held its first meeting in London from May 30 to June 7, 1949. Of the seventeen signatories to the convention, thirteen had ratified or adhered and, accordingly, were represented: Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States; Union of South Africa and USSR. The commission, within the framework of the convention, determined its course of work as follows: 1) to amend from time to time as required the schedule of regulations controlling whaling; 2) to organize studies and investigations relating to whales and whaling; 3) to collect and analyze statistical information; and 4)to study, appraise and disseminate information concerning whaling stocks. At the first meeting of the commission, two standing committees were created: a Scientific and Technical Committee and a Finance and Administrative Committee.