Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium
Background
The past ten years has seen a rapid expansion of the cetacean research in the Indian Ocean. However, there has so far been no opportunity for regional researchers to gather, to share their findings, highlight conservation concerns, and plan collaborative research activities. This Symposium aims to do just that, bringing together active cetacean researchers from across the region, as well as representatives of international organisations concerned with cetaceans and marine research funding. Major themes of Symposium will include conservation, including fisheries interaction issues, and the role of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary.
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) established the Indian Ocean Sanctuary (IOS) in 1979. One of the main objectives of the IOS is to promote benign research on cetaceans. However, opponents of the IOS have pointed to the apparent lack of benign research being carried out within the IOS, and regularly called for its abolishment. This symposium (occurring as it will during the Sanctuary’s 30th anniversary year) will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the range and quality of current cetacean research within the IOS, to highlight conservation concerns, and to forge partnerships for future action, thereby helping to secure the Sanctuary’s future.
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) established the Indian Ocean Sanctuary (IOS) in 1979. One of the main objectives of the IOS is to promote benign research on cetaceans. However, opponents of the IOS have pointed to the apparent lack of benign research being carried out within the IOS, and regularly called for its abolishment. This symposium (occurring as it will during the Sanctuary’s 30th anniversary year) will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the range and quality of current cetacean research within the IOS, to highlight conservation concerns, and to forge partnerships for future action, thereby helping to secure the Sanctuary’s future.
Aims & objectives
The immediate aim of this project is to organize and host an international scientific symposium on the cetaceans of the Indian Ocean, highlighting the range of good cetacean science being carried out within the Indian Ocean, thereby bolstering support for the IOS.
The longer-term objectives of this project are to promote further scientific research (particularly involving coastal country scientists) and conservation of cetaceans within the Indian Ocean.
The Symposium will also:
The longer-term objectives of this project are to promote further scientific research (particularly involving coastal country scientists) and conservation of cetaceans within the Indian Ocean.
The Symposium will also:
- Bolster the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) Indian Ocean Sanctuary (IOS)
- Highlight particular conservation threats, including fisheries by-catch.
- Provide an opportunity for young regional scientists to interact with senior colleagues.
- Develop partnerships between scientists and with funding agencies to develop cetacean research and conservation in the Indian Ocean.
- Public awareness about cetaceans and the threats they face in the region will be addressed through local (and it is hoped regional and international) media.
- Local school children will be invited to some symposium sessions, and have their own forum for discussion.
- Public lectures will be given in Malé, to which school children (notably those studying environmental and fisheries sciences) will be invited.
- Key politicians will be invited to the opening session of the Symposium, and briefed on the outcomes of the Symposium.