15 August 2014: Participants discussed how the International Whaling Commission (IWC) can best use its management focus and scientific expertise to address and reduce the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans. The discussion took place at an international workshop held in advance of the 65th meeting of the IWC, which is convening in September.

At the workshop, titled ‘Mitigation and management of the threats posed by marine debris to cetaceans,’ participants recommended the IWC, inter alia: provide increased scientific information on marine debris and on mitigating its impacts; serve as a scientific data platform; and establish partnerships with inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

There is not sufficient quantitative information on the prevalence of impacts within populations to understand which species are most affected by marine debris and there is extremely limited data on the population level effects of marine debris, according to the findings that were presented at the workshop from a series of three reports on marine debris by the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The reports were mandated by CMS Resolution 10.4 on Marine Debris.

The IWC is expected to review the workshop’s final report at its 65th meeting, which will take place in Portoroz, Slovenia, in September 2014.

IWC organized the workshop, which was hosted by the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The workshop took place from 5-7 August, in Honolulu, Hawaii, US. [CMS Press Release] [Conference Website] [Publication: Migratory Species, Marine Debris and its Management [Publication: Marine Debris and Commercial Marine Vessel Best Practice] [Publication: Marine Debris Public Awareness and Education Campaigns] [NOAA Marine Debris Website][IWC website]