Side Event
Conservation Strategies of Aquatic Mammals and their Contribution to CBD
Organizer
Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade
Date and Time
1 January 0001 0:0 - 0:0
Brazil is a megadiversity and large country with an expressive number of species of aquatics mammals: about 45 species of cetaceans (whale, dolphins and porpoises – including two freshwater species in the Amazon), two of sirenians (Amazon manatee and Antilean manatee) as well as seven of pinipeds (seals and furseals). Important components to conserve the biological diversity of aquatic mammals in Brazil and elsewhere include 1) consistent legal instruments at national level affirming the policy of non-lethal use; 2) international instruments such and conventions, trades and partnerships; 3) National Action Plans; 4) National List of Endangered Species; 5) long-term scientific research programs; 6) Aquatic Mammals Stranding Networks; 7) Marine Protected Areas; 8) Interactive Data Base Systems; and, 9) capacity building. Brazil is signatory of CBD and other international instruments such and conventions, trades and partnerships which complete the framework for the conservation of the biodiversity of aquatic mammals in Brazil and further contribute to CBD. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), to which Brazil is also a signatory, is the most important multi-lateral organism or instrument to manage cetaceans and its conservation, the later being strictly connected to the CBD. Further, migratory species of cetaceans such as large whales are treated by The Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). These instruments thus should work closely to achieve the conservation of biological diversity. The Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP) was established in March 2009 to enhance cetacean conservation and the delivery of non-lethal whale research to the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The partnership is a major component of an Australian initiative to reform the IWC and was joined by Brazil and other countries. The Southern Ocean Research Partnership is an integrated, collaborative, non-lethal whale research consortium that aims to maximize conservation outcomes of Southern Ocean whales through an understanding of the status, health, dynamics and environmental linkages of their populations and the threats they face. The primary focus of the SORP is the large whale species managed by the IWC, including the humpback whale, blue whale (both Antarctic and pygmy forms), fin whale, Antarctic minke whale, sei whale, southern right whale, and sperm whale. Killer whales will also be considered as an important component of the Southern Ocean ecosystem. The Southern Ocean will be the regional focus of the partnership, but relevant research efforts will also include associated migratory corridors and breeding grounds. Providing few examples of actions at the National level, whaling and any capture of cetaceans is forbidding in Brazil since 1986 with other legal instruments fostering the conservation of their biodiversity. The National Action Plan for the Conservation of Aquatic Mammals was reviewed, discussed and approved during four meetings with scientists and non-government organisations (NGOs), providing strategies over a 5-year period for cetaceans, sirenians and pinipeds. A large number of Protected Areas contribute to aquatic mammals´ conservation in both the Amazon and the marine environment, with their Management Plans constituting important tools regarding this outcome. Two large programs on cetaceans which would be ongoing in 2010: Conservation Biology of Cetaceans in Brazil and Biogeography of Aquatic Mammals of Brazil, the later establishing The Brazilian Stranding Network for Aquatic Mammals and the System of Information on Marine Mammals (SIMMAM). SIMMAM is the acronym in Portuguese for a GIS platform for marine mammal sighting and stranding database. It was created by the National Center for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Mammals (CMA/ICMBio) and the CTTMar-Univali, largely contributing to policy makers’ decisions and conservation biology science. The Brazilian List of Endangered Species is under review following the methodology and with the supervision of IUCN. CMA/ICMBio is responsible for the cetacean issues under this review. The non lethal use of cetaceans has long been practiced and legally enforced in Brazil, including the Federal Decree #6698 in December 2008 declaring Brazilian jurisdictional waters a Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary, reaffirming the National policy to protect cetaceans and to promote their non-lethal use through scientific research and sustainable responsible tourism. Our event would present and discuss these as well as other actions undertaken in Brazil to achieve the goals of conserving the biological diversity of aquatic mammals at both the national and international levels, seeking the mission of CBD.