The First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, which was held 30 March - 3 April in Maui, Hawaii, issued recommendations to further address threats and identify solutions for the management of marine mammals around the globe.

At the conference, more than 200 marine mammal scientists, managers of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as well as educators and representatives of international institutions from more than 40 countries came together to share information on approaches to marine mammal management and conservation. The theme of the conference focused on “networks: making connections” – inviting conservationists to enhance networking within MPAs.

More than 500 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established or proposed in some 90 countries around the world. This was the first conference where relevant professionals discussed the role of MPAs and networks to mitigate threats to cetaceans and to manage the balance between commercial and economic interests. Successful Marine Mammal Protected Areas (MMPAs) must reconcile animal and human needs and take into consideration the interests of people.

Participants explored the possibility of a bilateral “sister sanctuary” agreement between the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Komandor Islands Biosphere Reserve in the Russian Aleutian Islands.

In addition, they highlighted the conservation opportunities that CMS, CMS regional seas agreements with a focus on marine mammals and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements such as CBD, SPREP, SARDPAN and SPAW provide to MMPAs; and called upon countries to join in these international efforts.

The objective of the conference was to learn from mutual experience and create opportunities to work together to address issues related to common species, populations, threats and the establishment of networks. Delegates emphasized the need of effective Highs Seas management and to create an advisory council for MPAs and MPA designation. In this context, more dynamic features for MPA designation such as climate change and alternating habitats need to be included.

The conference was hosted by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, CMS partner NOAA and NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs. Supporters of the conference included ACCOBAMS, IWC, Marine Mammal Commission, NOAA, WDCS, Pelagos and the Pacific Whale Foundation.