As part of the cooperation between CMS and the International Whaling Commission (IWC) on shared priorities, we are pleased to draw the attention of our Parties and stakeholders to a questionnaire designed to gather global data on marine seismic surveys for hydrocarbon exploration over the upcoming five-year period (2023–2028). The IWC has distributed the questionnaire via Circular 441 and Circular 456. The IWC Secretariat also reached out to CMS, requesting assistance in disseminating it to a wider audience.

The primary objective of this questionnaire is to get a sense of the global scale, timing and locations of marine seismic surveys and identify sensitive areas where impulsive noise from these activities may have a potential impact on cetaceans.

The collected data will be visualized and analysed by a Geographical Information System, and then used to formulate recommendations. A final document will be shared within the IWC, as well as with other relevant organizations and bodies.

The questionnaire can be accessed through this link. All responses will be confidential. We kindly request your responses by 1 October 2023.

Please contact the IWC Secretariat ([email protected]) with any questions in the interim.