IUCN SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Inter-Commission
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Inter-Commission

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Overview and description

Description:

The goal of the MMPATF is to facilitate mechanisms to encourage collaboration, sharing information and experience to access and disseminate knowledge and tools for establishing, monitoring, and ...

The goal of the MMPATF is to facilitate mechanisms to encourage collaboration, sharing information and experience to access and disseminate knowledge and tools for establishing, monitoring, and managing MMPAs and promoting effective spatial solutions and best practices for marine mammal conservation. The primary goal of the Task Force has been identifying Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) around the globe. IMMAs are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation.

Group leadership

Dr Giuseppe NOTARBARTOLO DI SCIARA
Co-Chair
Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara is a marine ecologist specially concerned with the conservation of the Mediterranean and Red Seas environment and their biodiversity. Born in Venice, Italy (1948); obtained a PhD at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (California) in 1985 with a thesis on the taxonomy and ecology of manta rays (of which he described a new species, Mobula munkiana), progressively moved towards place-based conservation. Spearheaded (1986) the creation of the Italian national cetacean stranding network, which he coordinated until 1990. Funded (1986) the Tethys Research Institute, which he directed until 1997 and again since 2010. Proposed (1991) the creation of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals, established by a treaty amongst Italy, France and Monaco (1999). President of the Central Institute for Applied Marine Research (1996-2003), a governmental body providing scientific support to Italy’s marine conservation policy. Commissioner/Alt. Commissioner for Italy at the International Whaling Commission (1999-2003), Chair of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS (2002-2010). Currently (in addition to IUCN tasks): CoP-appointed CMS Councillor for Aquatic Mammals (since 2014); Member, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) Scientific Steering Committee (since 2013); Advisor, Pew Fellows in Marine Conservation (since 2003). Teaches science and policy of the conservation of marine biodiversity at the University Statale of Milan. Author of over 150 scientific publications and several books. More details on: www.disciara.org, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Notarbartolo_di_Sciara
Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara is a marine ecologist specially concerned with the conservation of the Mediterranean and Red Seas environment and their biodiversity. Born in Venice, Italy (1948) ...
Mr Erich HOYT
Co-Chair
Erich Hoyt is Research Fellow with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) (UK, USA, Germany) where he leads the WDC Healthy Seas Programme. Hoyt is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission’s Cetacean Specialist Group and co-chairs the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force. He also co-founded and co-directs the Far East Russia Orca Project and the Russian Cetacean Habitat Project in Kamchatka. Hoyt is the author of more than 40 peer-reviewed papers and 25 books, including Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises; Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises; Creatures of the Deep and Orca: The Whale Called Killer. His work has been translated into 15 languages and published in 25 countries. In 2013, he received the Mandy McMath Conservation Award from the European Cetacean Society for his body of work on marine conservation. Hoyt lives in England with his wife, Sarah Wedden, a biomedical research scientist, and their children.
Erich Hoyt is Research Fellow with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) (UK, USA, Germany) where he leads the WDC Healthy Seas Programme. Hoyt is a member of the International Union for Conservation ...