Decisions 12.40 to 12.41 - Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs)

The Scientific Council should:

a) Collaborate with the IUCN Joint Species Survival Commission/World Commission on Protected Areas (SSC/WCPA) Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force to include data on CMS-listed pinnipeds, sirenians, otters, polar bears and cetaceans in the identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs);

b) Upon receiving information from the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force about newly identified IMMAs, review their relevance for CMS-listed species, consider any contributions received from Parties, and provide advice concerning conservation measures.

The Secretariat should:

a) Collaborate with the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force to promote the value of IMMAs for the conservation of CMS-listed aquatic mammals;

b) Transfer information on newly identified IMMAs received from the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force to the Scientific Council and to the Parties and invite contributions from Parties and Range States;

c) Report to the Standing Committee at its 48th and 49th meeting on the progress in implementing this Decision. 

Parties are requested to make use, as appropriate, of the identified Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) posted on the website of the IUCN Joint Species Survival Commission/World Commission on Protected Areas (SSC/WCPA) Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (www.marinemammalhabitat.org) when identifiying habitat at risk or designing threat mitgation measures, and when designating marine protected areas, for marine spatial planning purposes, for CMS-listed pinnipeds, sirenians, otters, Polar Bears and cetaceans.

Parties that are Range States of Dugong dugon are requested to consider, including consulting the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their Habitats throughout their Range, whether their regional population of the species merits inclusion on Appendix I of CMS.

The Scientific Council is requested, subject to the availability of resources: a) upon request, support Parties to make use of the identified IMMAs posted on the website of the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (www.marinemammalhabitat.org) when identifying habitat at risk or designing threat mitgation measures for CMS-listed pinnipeds, sirenians, otters, Polar Bears and cetaceans; b) collaborate with the IUCN SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force to include data on CMS-listed pinnipeds, sirenians, otters, polar bears and cetaceans in the identification of IMMAs; c) provide advice to Parties on request on the scientific merits of including regional populations of Dugong dugon on Appendix I of CMS.