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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Whale Watching Handbook

(
Intergovernmental organization
)
#OceanAction41739
    Description
    Description
    Whale watching and the tourism it brings, presents an economic opportunity for many communities around the world.

    Through its Scientific and Conservation Committees, the IWC is studying the potential impact of whale watching on individual whales, their populations and their habitats; it has developed principles and guidelines for whale watching; and it has produced a Strategic Plan for Whale Watching to support the development of a sustainable, responsible whale watching industry. One of the primary methods for achieving the objectives of the Whale Watching Strategic Plan is the development of a web-based, living Handbook on Whale Watching. The Handbook will support whale watching operators, national and regional regulators, and the general public, to ensure whale watching is sustainable now, and as it develops into the future.

    The Whale Watching Handbook will be an online, interactive tool to support sustainable management of whale watching. Policy makers, regulators, industry and the public will be able to search for and retrieve relevant information based on their management question, species or country of interest. The Handbook will feature interactive maps of whale watching around the world and information on the species that can be viewed. It will also include up-to-date information on the sustainable management of whale and dolphin species and a range of case studies to support decision making.

    The Handbook will be available in English, French and Spanish.
    Partners
    Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
    Completion of the Whale Watching Handbook
    Financing (in USD)
    54000
    In-kind contribution
    In-kind support from the Convention on Migratory Species who will undertake translation of the Handbook in to French and Spanish
    In-kind contribution
    In-kind support through the expertise of the Scientific and Conservation Committees
    Title Progress Status Submitted
    Partnership Progress 2019-12-10 Completed
    False
    Action Network
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    Timeline
    01 June 2017 (start date)
    01 December 2018 (date of completion)
    Entity
    International Whaling Commission
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    Cambridge, UK
    Other beneficiaries
    Whale watching industry operators; Whale watching public
    Ocean Basins
    Global
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Sustainable blue economy
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Sarah Ferriss, Head of Programme Development