Decisions 15.57 to 15.60 - Vessel Strikes
Aquatic Species Conservation Issues
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Decision directed to: Parties
Parties identified in Table 1 of UNEP/CMS/Doc.25.3.2 Vessel Strikes are requested to implement actions to reduce the risk of vessel strike on at-risk CMS-listed cetacean populations identified by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), including:
a) undertaking risk analysis and assessment of potential mitigation options where this has not yet been done;
b) introducing mitigation measures through national regulations or the International Maritime Organization (IMO);
c) implementing monitoring measures to evaluate their effectiveness, including awareness of and compliance with such measures by industry;
d) taking advantage of existing initiatives under IWC and IMO to enhance the protection of marine megafauna.
Decision directed to: Parties
Parties that are Range States are requested to reach out to relevant stakeholders engaged in commercial, recreational or other vessel activities to encourage systematic reporting of all vessel strike incidents involving whales, dolphins or porpoises to the Ship Strike Database of the IWC.
Decision directed to: Scientific Council
The Scientific Council is requested, subject to the availability of resources, to:
a) identify further populations of CMS-listed species and areas where they are at risk of vessel strike by mapping shipping lanes against Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) and Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), in collaboration with IUCN Commissions, as well as the IWC and IMO;
b) for cetacean species develop advice, in collaboration with IWC and IMO, on appropriate placement of re-routing measures, such as area avoidance (ATBA) and/or the establishment of vessel speed restrictions for key cetacean habitats, and make recommendations to Parties.
Decision directed to: Secretariat
The Secretariat shall, subject to the availability of resources,
a) support the Scientific Council with the implementation of Decision 15.59;
b) liaise with the Secretariats of IWC and IMO on their process to develop guidance on risk assessment for vessel strikes.