Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) Criteria Consultation
- Autumn 2015
The IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (MMPATF) has developed a classification scheme for the identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs). The aim of the IMMA classification is to identify and delineate discrete habitat areas that are judged to be important for one or more marine mammal species and that have the potential to be managed for conservation. This will require the application of a standardized process for the collation and categorization of evidence, using a consistent protocol and agreed methodology.
The MMPATF is now seeking initial consultation with the marine mammal science and conservation community on the IMMA selection criteria. The consultation will last from September until the end of October. The results of the consultation will be used to assist the IMMA development team and will inform MMPATF presentations at the Society for Marine
Mammalogy Biennial Conference in San Francisco this December.
If you would like to contribute to the IMMA consultation please follow the link below to access the online IMMA survey. Please read through the information carefully and provided responses to the questions provided.
For additional information about the development process of the IMMA classification please use the following link below:
Any assistance or information you can provide the MMPATF regarding the development of the IMMA classification scheme would be most helpful and appreciated.
Michael J. Tetley - IMMA Coordinator
IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force
Erich Hoyt and Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara - Co-Chairs
IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force