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Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) are an important conservation initiative of the IWC.  They provide a framework for countries within the range of vulnerable cetacean populations (known as range states) to work together, and in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, to protect and rebuild those populations.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Introduction

Cetaceans face an array of threats including fishing bycatch, entanglement, ship strikes, habitat loss, pollution, climate change and acoustic disturbance.  CMPs are flexible management tools that help range states address these threats.  They draw on the best available science and management expertise from the international community, and can be tailored to meet individual circumstances.  

CMPs are in place for five vulnerable cetacean populations: the Western North Pacific Gray Whale, the Western South Atlantic Southern Right Whale, the Eastern South Pacific Southern Right Whale, the Franciscana dolphin (the first CMP for a small cetacean species) and South American River Dolphins (the first for a freshwater cetacean). 

In 2024, the Commission endorsed proposals for another four CMPs.  Reflecting the particular challenges faced by many small cetaceans, three of the new CMPs are focused on dolphin species: Guiana, Lahille’s, and the Irrawaddy dolphin which is endorsed pending additional government input. The fourth new CMP is for Central American humpback whales. 

The activities taking place under the CMPs vary from fieldwork such as surveys and tagging programmes establishing population size and behaviours, to practical workshops teaching safe and effective entanglement response. Outreach and information-sharing is an important component of each CMP with recent events including a public awareness campaign for ‘Our Neighbour the Franciscana.’

Process and Governance

The growing demand for CMPs was evident at the Commission meeting in 2024, with the launch of a new CMP Handbook.  The Handbook explains the requirements and processes involved in developing and implementing a CMP.

The CMP programme is managed by the Standing Working Group on CMPs in accordance with the principles outlined in the CMP Strategic Plan (2022-32). The CMP work plan (2025-28) outlines priorities for existing and future CMPs, and includes guidelines for their development and implementation. The Standing Working Group collaborates closely with the Scientific and Conservation Committees to ensure that policy and management actions are underpinned by the best available scientific advice.  You can read the latest report of the Standing Working Group here. 

Latest news

The September 2024 CMP Newsletter
A new edition of the newsletter, bringing together activities ongoing under different CMPs, and featuring a profile of the CMP coordinator for Southern Right Whales in the eastern South Pacific and a spotlight on Arabian Sea humpback whales, a potential candidate for a future CMP (see below).
Read more

Workshop on Western South Atlantic southern right whales: March 2024
The next meeting of stakeholders for this CMP will take place in March. The workshop will review progress and update research and conservation Puerto Williams Chile nov 23 2
activities. Key topics include movement, migration and feeding grounds, long term monitoring of abundance and trends, and the regional
entanglement strategy (see below).

Western South Atlantic southern right whale entanglement response training
In December 2023, thirty five participants attended a two-day, bi-national workshop to learn safe and effective protocols for responding to  
entangled large whales. Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is an identified threat in the CMP. As well as building capacity and 
equipping teams to respond to entanglements, the workshop addressed the ultimate aim of preventing whales from becoming entangled in
the first place.
Read more 

Aerial surveys of the franciscana dolphin 
A month-long, multi-agency survey was conducted in March 2023 by scientists from Brazil and Uruguay. This fieldwork was the next step   franciscana aerial survey mar 23
in work to establish the size of the population, vital to understanding its conservation status and an important component of the franciscana
CMP framework.
Read more 

 

Priority species for future CMPs

Arabian Sea humpback whales

The Arabian Sea population of humpback whales was first suggested as a possible candidate for the development of a CMP in 2010. The population is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is believed to comprise less than 100 individuals.

Severe scarring from entanglement, coastal infrastructure developments, offshore hydrocarbon exploration, the potential for unregulated whale-watching, and the planned commencement of new shipping routes and increased shipping traffic through known habitats is concerning, and make the population an ideal candidate for a CMP.

Consistent with advice from the Scientific Committee, research on this population has continued, along with efforts amongst scientists and non-government organisations to establish a regional initiative to co-ordinate conservation efforts for the population.

An Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Network was formed during a workshop held in Dubai in 2015. The network has been used to exchange information and showcase research and conservation in various range states.

In October 2017, the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Migratory Species agreed a Concerted Action for the population, which included the development of a CMP. Supporting statements were made by Oman, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the IWC’s Secretariat.

The IWC will build on these developments and continue to engage with relevant range states to encourage and support the development of a CMP for the population. 

Mediterranean sperm whales

This population is listed as endangered by the IUCN and considered by the IWC Scientific Committee to be a priority population for the CMP development process. Particular threats include ship strikes, ocean noise and bycatch in fishing gear. Mediterranean sperm whales are also considered especially vulnerable to the threat posed by marine litter. 

Co-ordination is complex as there are a large number of IWC member and non-member range states including Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.

Mediterranean fin whales

Work on a CMP for Mediterranean fin whales has been led by ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area). Ship strikes and ocean noise are key concerns. This population is also believed to be impacted significantly by habitat degradation including chemical and micro/nano-plastic pollution.

Mediterranean fin whales are also considered a priority population for the CMP development process and a draft CMP has been developed by ACCOBAMS. It's hoped this can be formalised and endorsed shortly.