Tackling the Marine Debris Issue at IWC Workshop

CMS, represented by its Focal Point for North America,  participated in an international workshop on marine debris and cetacean impacts held 5-7 August, Honolulu, USA. The workshop was organized by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and hosted by the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  IWC works in collaboration with CMS, UNEP and FAO and other international organizations on this issue. The primary aim of this workshop was to determine how the IWC can best use its scientific expertise and unique management focus to address and reduce impacts of marine debris on cetaceans. Some general recommendations from participants to the IWC included establishing partnerships with other IGOs and NGOs, providing more scientific information on marine debris impacts and mitigation of them, and serving as a platform for housing scientific data. 

CMS, a formal partner to IWC, presented recommendations for management drawing from the recent Marine Debris Assessment Reports submitted to the Scientific Council.  The final report of the Workshop will be submitted to the 65th meeting of the International Whaling Commission in September, 2014, in Portoroz, Slovenia.