For three days 16 countries and territories of the Pacific Islands gathered together to discuss WHALES!! SPREP (the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Pacific Environment Programme) hosted this unprecedented 3-day conference titled “Whales in a Changing Ocean” in Tonga April 4-6.
The conference focused on three issues that were addressed by working groups including: 1) emerging threats to whales; 2) whale watching; and 3) scientific research. Cet Law co-convened and co-facilitated the emerging threats break-out session. Blue Climate Solutions presented a draft report on Pacific Island Whales and Climate Change co-authored by Cet Law.
Outcomes from the conference include a Ministerial Declaration currently signed by 11 of the attending countries, recommendations for the SPREP Secretariat, including for its Whale and Dolphin Action Plan, and a draft Voluntary Commitment to the UN Oceans conference that countries are in the process of signing.
