Maldives Meeting on Indian Ocean Whales and Dolphins

The Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium held in Maldives from 18-20 July 2009 concludes with a declaration pressing for improved conservation and management of whales and dolphins in the Indian Ocean. Sixty scientists and conservationists from 22 countries particpated at the Symposium. A wide range of research, management and conservation work being carried out in the Indian Ocean was presented. Problems faced by whales and dolphins in the region include by-catch, ship strikes and habitat degradation in general.

A major outcome of the meeting was the Lankanfinolhu (Maldives) Declaration, which urges concerned authorities to improve conservation and management of whales and dolphins in the Indian Ocean.

For more information:
http://www.mrc.gov.mv/index.php/news_events/iocs_concludes_with_lankanfinolhu__maldives__dec