Dear colleagues,Bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear is the greatest threat to cetaceans today. We need to join efforts to better understand and mitigate the threat working collaboratively with fishers and authorities, as well as make the most of the policy opportunities (such as the new MMPA regulations) to leverage action. We would like to cordially invite you to the SMM marine mammal bycatch workshop organized by WWF, NOAA, and the Marine Mammal Commission on Saturday October 28. For more information please contact my colleague Leigh Henry (leigh.henry@wwfus.org). SMM Marine Mammal Bycatch Workshop DRAFT AGENDA Saturday, October 28th HalifaxWorld Trade & Convention Center 8:30-8:45 Welcomeand Overview– Randy Reeves, Chair, IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group 8:45-10:30PANEL 1 Addressing the Challenges– Case Studies in Assessments and Mitigation of Marine Mammal Bycatch (Presentations andQ&A/Discussion) o Models and toolkits in datapoor situations - Ellen Hines, San Francisco State University o Using predictive habitatmodels to help reduce marine mammal bycatch - Nicholas B. Sisson, Old Dominion University o New tools for confronting marinemammal bycatch in fixed gear fisheries—Tim Werner, New England Aquarium o Zanzibar dolphin bycatchassessment and mitigation – Per Berggren, Newcastle University o Bycatch Assessment &Mitigation in Peruvian Small-Scale Fisheries - Elizabeth Campbell, ProDelphinus Peru o Cambodia –Not Confirmed 10:30-11:00 Break 11:00-11:30 Understanding the New MMPA Import Rule, the Implications& the Opportunities – Carolyn Doherty, NOAAFisheries 11:30-12:30 PANEL 2 Incentivizing Solutions to the Challenges (Presentations andQ&A/Discussion) · Overviewof incentivizing tools: transferable bycatch quotas, payments for ecosystemservices, market access, labeling schemes – Rebecca Lent, U.S. MarineMammal Commission · Casestudies: o Marketincentives for Vaquita Conservation – Sarah Mesnick, NOAA SouthwestFisheries Science Center o Lessonsfrom the Alaska pollock and Atlantic pelagic longline bluefin tuna fisheries –Rebecca Lent, U.S. Marine Mammal Commission 12:30-2:00 Lunch 2:00-3:00 PANEL3Mandating and Supporting Solutions to the Challenges through InternationalAgreements (Presentationsand Q&A/Discussion) · Whatis and should be done by RFMOS and other intergovernmental organizations toreduce marine mammal bycatch o IOTC/IndianOcean Bycatch - JeremyKiszka, Universityof Florida o CMS/ACCOBAMS-Simone Panigada, Chair, ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee and President,Tethys Research Institute o IWC– David Mattila, International Whaling Commission 3:00-3:30-Break 3:30-4:30 PANEL 4 – Solving the Puzzle: How Have We Put All the Pieces Together to Drive Meaningful Progress? (Presentationsand Q&A/Discussion) · TunaDolphin – Kate O’Connell, Animal Welfare Institute · DriftnetBan – Mike Gosliner, U.S. Marine Mammal Commission · DrivingPolitical Will: Wildlife Crime Model– Leigh Henry, WWF 4:30-5:00 Wrap Up Discussion andBrainstorm – How Can We Put All the Pieces Together toDrive Meaningful Progress on Maine Mammal Bycatch?
