Decisions 13.54 to 13.57 - Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs)

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.

The Secretariat shall, subject to the availability of external resources, a) 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; b) support the engagement of national support for a new decade of scientific research about the habitats of marine mammals and other migratory species on the high seas; c) continue to engage in the negotiation process for and implementation of the treaty on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), with a view to its relevance for marine mammals as well as other migratory marine species.