The International Whaling Commission - IWC

This month, a wide range of stakeholders will gather to discuss the next stages of work to introduce a new Conservation Management Plan for Arabian Sea humpback whales.

Successful conclusion to latest strandings response training, India

The IWC Strandings Initiative has expanded its capacity-building training into India with a two-day workshop in the northern city of Dehradun.

The Strandings Initiative was established in 2016 to share international expertise, establish best practice guidelines, and provide emergency response training. The ultimate goal of the programme is to build global capability in strandings response, research and data collection. Since 2016, the international network of trained responders has grown steadily.

The two-day workshops move from classroom to laboratory, using a syllabus which was developed in conjunction with the Strandings Initiative’s internationally recognised Expert Panel, and is tailored to the species and circumstances found in each training location. In Dehradun, classroom sessions began with the biology and physiology of marine mammals, including freshwater dolphins, important in a region that incorporates crucial habitat for the endangered Ganges River Dolphin. An overview of major threats such as fishing bycatch and vessel strikes was followed by an introduction to strandings networks and then a series of practical sessions. These included safe handling of live strandings, necropsy protocols, equipment and PPE requirements, identification of trauma and disease, and sample collection. The correct collection and storage of samples is another important component of the training because standardised, global data is vital to improving understanding of the causes of cetacean stranding and more accurate targeting of conservation efforts.

The training in Dehradun concluded with consideration of one final but important capacity building issue: strategies enabling participants to conduct their own local training and obtain further, advanced skills.

This workshop was hosted by the Wildlife Institute of India, and held at the request of the Government of India. Strandings training is available to all members of the IWC and anyone wishing to learn more should contact secretariat@iwc.int. Enquiries from non-IWC member governments are also welcome.

Namibia has hosted two successful IWC workshops on cetacean strandings and large whale disentanglement.

Funded by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, the workshops were held in Swakopmund/Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Each lasted three days and involved a total of some 70 participants. The training represents a significant step forward for marine conservation efforts in the region, equipping participants with a greater understanding of the threats to cetaceans and the skills to respond safely and effectively to strandings and entanglements.

The relevance of the training was painfully clear during the training as participants spotted and retrieved around 500m of fishing lines from an abandoned oyster farm floating in the bay.

Each workshop began with a day focused on theoretical and practical aspects of cetacean strandings, followed by a two-day session on large whale disentanglement. Both topics prioritised safety for both whales and participants.

Human safety is a very important concern. Handling any large, wild animal can be dangerous. Stranded whales may carry infectious disease and, even when seemingly incapacitated, can be unpredictable, particularly when agitated and in pain. Attempting to disentangle an entangled animal at sea clearly adds additional complexities and risks.  Careful implementation of safety protocols is essential to minimise risks and conduct the most effective response possible, whatever the scenario. 

Participants engaged in hands-on activities, employing specialized tools and techniques. This practical work also fostered a sense of camaraderie and collective effort which is crucial, as the challenges of marine conservation require coordinated, multi-disciplinary responses and shared expertise.

Workshop participants ranged from government officials and veterinarians to representatives of the aquaculture industry and conservation organisations. Participants not only learned about the immediate techniques for disentanglement but also discussed long-term strategies for preventing such incidents, including better regulation of aquaculture farms and the importance of marine debris management.

The NNF will continue to oversee and expand the Namibian Whale Disentanglement Network (NWDN). Namibia, along with nations like South Africa, Kenya, Mayotte, and Reunion, will now actively participate in the IWC Global Whale Entanglement Response Network, a programme that has trained over 1700 individuals from more than 43 countries.

The first workshop took place in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay from 9th to 11th April, and the second in Lüderitz from 14th to 16th April.

Namibia has hosted two successful IWC workshops on cetacean strandings and large whale disentanglement.

Funded by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, the workshops were held in Swakopmund/Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Each lasted three days and involved a total of some 70 participants. The training represents a significant step forward for marine conservation efforts in the region, equipping participants with a greater understanding of the threats to cetaceans and the skills to respond safely and effectively to strandings and entanglements.

The relevance of the training was painfully clear during the training as participants spotted and retrieved around 500m of fishing lines from an abandoned oyster farm floating in the bay.

Each workshop began with a day focused on theoretical and practical aspects of cetacean strandings, followed by a two-day session on large whale disentanglement. Both topics prioritised safety for both whales and participants.

Human safety is a very important concern. Handling any large, wild animal can be dangerous. Stranded whales may carry infectious disease and, even when seemingly incapacitated, can be unpredictable, particularly when agitated and in pain. Attempting to disentangle an entangled animal at sea clearly adds additional complexities and risks.  Careful implementation of safety protocols is essential to minimise risks and conduct the most effective response possible, whatever the scenario. 

Participants engaged in hands-on activities, employing specialized tools and techniques. This practical work also fostered a sense of camaraderie and collective effort which is crucial, as the challenges of marine conservation require coordinated, multi-disciplinary responses and shared expertise.

Workshop participants ranged from government officials and veterinarians to representatives of the aquaculture industry and conservation organisations. Participants not only learned about the immediate techniques for disentanglement but also discussed long-term strategies for preventing such incidents, including better regulation of aquaculture farms and the importance of marine debris management.

The NNF will continue to oversee and expand the Namibian Whale Disentanglement Network (NWDN). Namibia, along with nations like South Africa, Kenya, Mayotte, and Reunion, will now actively participate in the IWC Global Whale Entanglement Response Network, a programme that has trained over 1700 individuals from more than 43 countries.

The first workshop took place in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay from 9th to 11th April, and the second in Lüderitz from 14th to 16th April.

Three diverse and exciting employment opportunities have arisen at the IWC, each focusing on a different aspect of cetacean science and conservation.