Whale and dolphin conservation high on environmental agenda of UN and Pacific Islands
Pacific Island Countries met today in Samoa for the first meeting of the signatories to a regional cetacean Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) developed under the aegis of the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
Apia, Samoa, 6 March: Spread over 40 million square kilometres, the Pacific Island Region accounts for 10% of the world’s oceans and over half of the world’s known species of whales and dolphins. Direct take and by-catch, degradation and disturbance of habitats, chemical and noise pollution, decline in food availability, ship strikes, climate change and other threats have seriously depleted cetacean populations.
The Convention on Migratory Species, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP), developed a regional agreement to foster cooperation, build capacity and ensure coordinated region-wide actions to conserve cetaceans. Nine parties had joined the agreement since it was opened for signature, in September 2006 in Noumea. Two more country signatories - Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea - and a non-governmental organization - WWF - joined today.
“This is a milestone meeting for the region” said Mr. Lyle Glowka, Agreements Officer at the CMS Secretariat. “CMS is very excited to see the MoU membership grow quickly. We are on our way to universal membership and the agreement’s full implementation”, he added.
“One of the most significant undertakings for cetacean conservation in the region has been the development of this MoU” stated SPREP Director Mr. Asterio Takesy. “I consider it as one more important step towards achieving SPREP’s vision that people of the Pacific Islands are better able to plan, protect, manage and use their environment for sustainable development” he added, citing the current SPREP marine species framework.
The Pacific Cetacean MoU was recognized not only as a contribution to cetacean conservation in the region, but also an opportunity to build bridges and exchange experiences with the rest of the world on these marine mammals.
“Achieving and maintaining a favourable status for all cetaceans and their habitats is an ambitious goal that we all share although we are geographically so far apart”, said Dr. Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, on behalf of Dr. Marie Christine Van Klaveren, Executive Secretary of the CMS Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Seas (ACCOBAMS). Dr. Notarbartolo, who chairs the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, shared ACCOBAMS’ success stories and will take back to his agreement information and experiences gained while visiting the Pacific.
The Pacific Islands Cetaceans MoU has a detailed plan with practical actions to guide countries in the region to conserve whales and dolphins effectively. The Action Plan will be reviewed by the SPREP members in Samoa in the coming days.
Technical information:
As a contribution to the First Meeting of the Signatories to the Pacific Cetacean MoU the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society issued a report on the “Current Status of Knowledge of Cetacean Threats, Diversity, and Habitats in the Pacific Island region”. The report can be downloaded from the WDCS website at: www.wdcs.org
Note
CMS: The Convention on Migratory Species, an intergovernmental treaty developed under the aegis of UNEP, addresses key challenges and barriers to the migration of species, such as climate change, illegal taking and pollution and other threats to the survival of migratory animals. For more information visit: www.cms.int
SPREP: The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is an intergovernmental organisation that works with Pacific Island countries and territories to strengthen environmental management and promote sustainable development.
The Convention on Migratory Species, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP), developed a regional agreement to foster cooperation, build capacity and ensure coordinated region-wide actions to conserve cetaceans. Nine parties had joined the agreement since it was opened for signature, in September 2006 in Noumea. Two more country signatories - Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea - and a non-governmental organization - WWF - joined today.
“This is a milestone meeting for the region” said Mr. Lyle Glowka, Agreements Officer at the CMS Secretariat. “CMS is very excited to see the MoU membership grow quickly. We are on our way to universal membership and the agreement’s full implementation”, he added.
“One of the most significant undertakings for cetacean conservation in the region has been the development of this MoU” stated SPREP Director Mr. Asterio Takesy. “I consider it as one more important step towards achieving SPREP’s vision that people of the Pacific Islands are better able to plan, protect, manage and use their environment for sustainable development” he added, citing the current SPREP marine species framework.
The Pacific Cetacean MoU was recognized not only as a contribution to cetacean conservation in the region, but also an opportunity to build bridges and exchange experiences with the rest of the world on these marine mammals.
“Achieving and maintaining a favourable status for all cetaceans and their habitats is an ambitious goal that we all share although we are geographically so far apart”, said Dr. Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, on behalf of Dr. Marie Christine Van Klaveren, Executive Secretary of the CMS Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Seas (ACCOBAMS). Dr. Notarbartolo, who chairs the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, shared ACCOBAMS’ success stories and will take back to his agreement information and experiences gained while visiting the Pacific.
The Pacific Islands Cetaceans MoU has a detailed plan with practical actions to guide countries in the region to conserve whales and dolphins effectively. The Action Plan will be reviewed by the SPREP members in Samoa in the coming days.
Technical information:
As a contribution to the First Meeting of the Signatories to the Pacific Cetacean MoU the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society issued a report on the “Current Status of Knowledge of Cetacean Threats, Diversity, and Habitats in the Pacific Island region”. The report can be downloaded from the WDCS website at: www.wdcs.org
Note
CMS: The Convention on Migratory Species, an intergovernmental treaty developed under the aegis of UNEP, addresses key challenges and barriers to the migration of species, such as climate change, illegal taking and pollution and other threats to the survival of migratory animals. For more information visit: www.cms.int
SPREP: The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is an intergovernmental organisation that works with Pacific Island countries and territories to strengthen environmental management and promote sustainable development.
