SOSF to Support Three Key Meetings in 2009
Finally, at the beginning of August 2009, the Save Our Seas Foundation, and the SOSF-funded Project Basking Shark, will sponsor a workshop focussing on the ecology and conservation of the Basking Shark, the second largest fish in the world, and a scarce but dramatic migrant to favoured temperate coastal waters, in Europe, North America and the southern hemisphere. The meeting is to take place in Port Erin on the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea, mid-way between Britain and Ireland, where it will hosted by the Department of Environment of the Isle of Man Government, and by the Manx Wildlife Trust’s Basking Shark Watch.
Basking Sharks, despite their huge size (up to 15 metres) and iconic status, were heavily exploited, during the mid 20th century, for their livers which were processed to extract an oil called squalene. More recently basking sharks world-wide have been caught up in the demand for shark fins to supply the South-east Asian demand for shark-fin soup. Nevertheless the species is now protected through Western Europe, with indications that numbers there may be recovering. However the likely extent of recovery will be affected by the recent discovery by Project Basking Shark researchers that large individuals may cross whole ocean basins. The Isle of Man workshop, called “Basking Sharks - the Global Perspective” is being organised in particular to discuss the conservation significance of this finding, and discuss the potential for global collaboration between researchers.
Further details of the workshop, which will be held in the coastal town of Port Erin, can be obtained from Dr. Mauvis Gore of Project Basking Shark Scotland (mauvis@saveourseas.com), or Jackie Hall of Manx Basking Shark Watch (Inter.Tech@btinternet.com), or Dr. Fiona Gell of the Isle of Man Department of Environment (Fiona.Gell@gov.im). Further information including a conference brouchure will be published on a workshop page on the Save Our Seas site as well as the Manx Basking Shark Watch site (www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com).
As 2008 nears its end the Save Our Seas Foundation has announced that it will be supporting three important scientific meetings in 2009. These meetings are planned to boost protection for several threatened marine animal species around the world. The first meeting takes place in Hawaii focusing on populations of marine turtles, including hawksbills, loggerheads, leatherbacks and green turtles which are being caught accidentally by fishing gear. The second meeting will be held in the Maldives to look at key data on whales and dolphins from across the Indian Ocean in order to secure an extension of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The third meeting, being held on the Isle of Man, will focus on the Basking Shark, the second largest fish in the world, which although protected in western Europe, is struggling to survive globally in the face of the shark-finning industry.
Protecting Turtles (Hawaii)
Hawksbill Turtle (Photo © Thomas Peschak, SOSF)
In January 2009 the Save Our Seas Foundation will be supporting an important workshop in Hawaii directed at protecting marine turtles throughout the Pacific, and in particular preventing them from being impacted by fishing gear and activities. In recent years huge numbers of turtles have been accidentally caught up and drowned in gill and trawl nets, resulting in an accelerated decline in many populations. The workshop, entitled “Technical Workshop on Minimizing Sea Turtle Interactions in Coastal Net Fisheries” and organised by Eric Gilman of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN), is being held in the Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu, from January 20th-22nd 2009. The meeting is being co-sponsored by the Western Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre, the Indian Ocean – Southeast Asian Marine Turtle MoU (IOSEA), the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.
In addition a draft technical review entitled ‘State of Knowledge for Sea Turtle Bycatch Reduction in Coastal Gillnet and Pound Net Fisheries through Gear Technology’ will shortly be distributed to act as a basis for discussion during the workshop. Anyone interested in attending the workshop should contact either Bella Hirayama (Bella.Hirayama@noaa.gov) or Eric Gilman (eric.gilman@iucn.org).
Download the workshop flyer | Download the registration form | Download the draft agenda
Download the workshop participant pack | Download the draft technical report
In addition a draft technical review entitled ‘State of Knowledge for Sea Turtle Bycatch Reduction in Coastal Gillnet and Pound Net Fisheries through Gear Technology’ will shortly be distributed to act as a basis for discussion during the workshop. Anyone interested in attending the workshop should contact either Bella Hirayama (Bella.Hirayama@noaa.gov) or Eric Gilman (eric.gilman@iucn.org).
Download the workshop flyer | Download the registration form | Download the draft agenda
Download the workshop participant pack | Download the draft technical report
Indian Ocean Whales & Dolphins (Maldives)
Spinner Dolphins (Photo © Thomas Peschak, SOSF)
From 18 – 20 July 2009 the first regional symposium on the whales and dolphins of the Indian Ocean, entitled “Cetaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean”, will be held in the Maldives Islands, organised by the Maldives Marine Research Centre, and jointly sponsored by Save Our Seas. This will mark 30 years since the International Whaling Commission (IWC) agreed to the declaration of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary (IOS) within which all whales should be protected from hunting. In fact at that time little was known about what species of cetaceans (whales or dolphins) were present, and where, within the region they could be found. Indeed it may have been assumed that few whales were present. Since then Indian Ocean populations of species including hump-backed and sperm whales have been identified, and an increasing number of studies have been undertaken on dolphins, such as the spinner, and hump-back dolphin.
At the same time the Indian Ocean environment has been under increasing threat from coastal development and climate change, and whales and dolphins have been increasingly impacted by a near universal intensification of fishing. Further, the status of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary is due for reconsideration by the IWC, so that an overview of the present status of the region’s species is urgently required. The meeting will thus provide a much needed opportunity for researchers and environmental managers to share their findings and perspectives, as well as plan future collaboration.
Further details of the symposium, which will be held at the Sun Island Resort and Spa, on Ari Atoll, can be found on the meetings web-site at http://www.mrc.gov.mv/iocs09.html, or obtained from either Dr. Shahaama Abdul Sattar (sasattar@mrc.gov.mv) or Dr. M Shiham Adam (msadam@mrc.gov.mv).
Download the conference brochure.
At the same time the Indian Ocean environment has been under increasing threat from coastal development and climate change, and whales and dolphins have been increasingly impacted by a near universal intensification of fishing. Further, the status of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary is due for reconsideration by the IWC, so that an overview of the present status of the region’s species is urgently required. The meeting will thus provide a much needed opportunity for researchers and environmental managers to share their findings and perspectives, as well as plan future collaboration.
Further details of the symposium, which will be held at the Sun Island Resort and Spa, on Ari Atoll, can be found on the meetings web-site at http://www.mrc.gov.mv/iocs09.html, or obtained from either Dr. Shahaama Abdul Sattar (sasattar@mrc.gov.mv) or Dr. M Shiham Adam (msadam@mrc.gov.mv).
Download the conference brochure.
Protecting Basking Sharks (Isle of Man)
Basking Shark (© SOSF)
Basking Sharks, despite their huge size (up to 15 metres) and iconic status, were heavily exploited, during the mid 20th century, for their livers which were processed to extract an oil called squalene. More recently basking sharks world-wide have been caught up in the demand for shark fins to supply the South-east Asian demand for shark-fin soup. Nevertheless the species is now protected through Western Europe, with indications that numbers there may be recovering. However the likely extent of recovery will be affected by the recent discovery by Project Basking Shark researchers that large individuals may cross whole ocean basins. The Isle of Man workshop, called “Basking Sharks - the Global Perspective” is being organised in particular to discuss the conservation significance of this finding, and discuss the potential for global collaboration between researchers.
Further details of the workshop, which will be held in the coastal town of Port Erin, can be obtained from Dr. Mauvis Gore of Project Basking Shark Scotland (mauvis@saveourseas.com), or Jackie Hall of Manx Basking Shark Watch (Inter.Tech@btinternet.com), or Dr. Fiona Gell of the Isle of Man Department of Environment (Fiona.Gell@gov.im). Further information including a conference brouchure will be published on a workshop page on the Save Our Seas site as well as the Manx Basking Shark Watch site (www.manxbaskingsharkwatch.com).