At the annual conference of the AMMPA on 7 April in Alexandria, Virginia, CMS and AMMPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation on marine mammal conservation and public education.

The conference was attended by a large and diverse group of marine mammal managers and keepers representing both national and international aquariums and parks. CMS North America Representative Elaine Yu took the opportunity to inform stakeholders on the role of CMS and address participants as well on CMS's outreach work in Washington D.C.

Alliance members discussed the welfare of the marine mammals they researched and were decided to promote high standards of husbandry and education by displaying them to the public.

CMS supports both in situ and ex-situ conservation and sustainable use of wildlife. AMMPA helps ex situ conservation by contributing to marine mammal research and displaying them for educational purposes.

The MoU partnership between AMMPA and CMS is a part of the overall goal to conserve dolphins and marine life by commonly joining forces between the private sector, the NGO community, and the United Nations. Joint activities between AMMPA and CMS will be discussed in the near future.

The MoU points out several ways in which AMMPA and CMS will work together. The CMS Secretariat and the Alliance will work in partnership towards the achievement of the 2010 target and marine mammal conservation at the international level, by enhancing their communication and cooperation.

They will also keep each other informed of current issues, internal plans and documents and other information of mutual interest to ensure harmonisation of activities at global and regional levels. Co-ordination of their activities in research, training and public awareness activities is another goal. The CMS Secretariat and the Alliance will communicate agreements on areas and subjects of common concern within their respective networks. The Alliance will promote enhanced awareness and understanding of CMS through its work.

The CMS Secretariat and the Alliance will develop and support programmes and projects of mutual interest and identify possible projects for the Alliance or its members to fund, both independently and through the CMS small grants programme. The development of concrete project proposals is the next step that will be taken soon.