Indian Ocean Rim Association Whale and Dolphin Watching Workshop

The Workshop seeks to bring together governmental policy makers and scientists to enable IORA Member States to share experiences in managing whale and dolphin watching tourism and gain access to international whale and dolphin watching expertise.

The aim of the workshop is to evaluate the need for an 'Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Whale and Dolphin Watching Tourism Network' (hereafter referred to as "the Network"), develop an action plan for implementing such a Network and identify potential Network members. The collective advice arising from workshop discussions will form the basis of recommendations to develop the Network, which will be submitted to the IORA Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) for their consideration to endorse the development and implementation of a regional Network.

The development of such a Network would build capacity, knowledge, skills and networking of IORA member States and partners through regional cooperation and enable them to work together to build long term sustainable whale and dolphin watching tourism in the Indian Ocean region.