Dear MARMAM Subscribers, The Important Marine Mammal Areas Secretariat and the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (MMPATF) are pleased to announce the publication of the following comprehensive paper on the development of IMMAs in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. *Tetley MJ, Braulik GT, Lanfredi C, Minton G, Panigada S, Politi E, Zanardelli M, Notarbartolo di Sciara G and Hoyt E (2022) The Important Marine Mammal Area Network: A Tool for Systematic Spatial Planning in Response to the Marine Mammal Habitat Conservation Crisis. Front. Mar. Sci. 9:841789. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.841789* *Abstract* The Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) initiative was launched by the Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2016, as a response to a conservation crisis in the protection of marine mammals and wider global ocean biodiversity. IMMAs identify discrete portions of habitat that are important for one or more marine mammal species, and that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. They are identified by scientific experts during regional workshops, on the basis of satisfying one or more of eight criteria that capture critical aspects of marine mammal biology, ecology and population structure. Candidate IMMAs undergo independent scientific review prior to being accepted, and then are publicly available via a searchable and downloadable database and a dedicated online e-Atlas. Between 2016 and 2021, eight expert workshops - engaging more than 300 experts - have resulted in the identification of 173 IMMAs located in 90 countries or territories, across a third of the globe. IMMAs identified to date provide important habitats for 58 of the 131 recognized marine mammal species. Around two-thirds of all IMMAs (65%) were identified on the basis of important habitat for a marine mammal species that is threatened on the IUCN Red List. Approximately 61% of IMMA surface areas occur within Exclusive Economic Zone waters, while 39% fall within areas beyond national jurisdiction. The Task Force undertook implementation planning exercises for IMMAs in Palau (Micronesia), the Andaman Islands (India) and the Bazaruto Archipelago and Inhambane Bay (Mozambique), engaging with a range of stakeholders including government and management bodies. IMMAs are increasingly being utilized in environmental impact assessments, marine planning exercises and in international, national and supra-regional conservation, policy and management initiatives, including the Convention on Migratory Species and Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the design and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the extension of MPA networks. The Task Force is working toward completing a global network of IMMAs that will contribute the scientific information needed to fulfill the current collective goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. This Open Access paper is available as a PDF for free download from here <https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.841789/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Marine_Science&id=841789#h2> . Please see here <https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/new-frontiers-in-marine-science-paper/> for more information on the Task Force website about the IMMA process and our global programme of work. Regards, Dr Mike Tetley, on behalf of the IMMA Secretariat and IUCN MMPATF. [image: logo] *Michael J. Tetley, Ph.D. | IMMA Data Coordinator* IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force www.marinemammalhabitat.org Isle of Mull, Argyll, Scotland, UK, PA75 6QJ michael.tetley@imma-network.org +44 1688 400 524 This e-mail transmission is intended only for the addressee (s) indicated above. It may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Any review, dissemination or use of this transmission or its contents by persons other than the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please be so kind to contact us by e-mail at the mail (privacy@imma-network.org) and delete the message from your server.