WCC 2020 Res 094 - Progress Report

Two meetings have been held to promote regional collaboration between a wide range of stakeholders. The first was held virtually on November 25th, 2020. It was organised and hosted by the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and WWF Korea. This meeting included participation from scientists and policy makers from Japan and China, as well as scientists from around the world with expertise in bycatch reduction. The second meeting was held on September 23rd, 2022. It was a hybrid conference, hosted at the Chungcheongnam do Provincial Government, organised by Osan University and funded by the Ministry of Fisheries, Republic of Korea. This second meeting had both in-person participation from regional stakeholders and online participation from speakers around the world. Participants included scientists, policy makers, and representatives of Civil Society Organisations. Presentations ranged from technical presentations on ongoing Narrow-ridged finless porpoise (NRFP) population and status assessments in different range countries and bycatch mitigation trials, to presentations focusing on increasing public awareness and support for conserving the species and reducing bycatch. Discussions included the importance of range countries fulfilling the actions recommended in Resolution 094 as well as the additional incentive to reduce NRFP bycatch presented by the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Ruling. The organisers of this second conference intend to build on the momentum of the conference by inviting regional stakeholders to form a Working Group that will focus on implementing the resolution. The IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group supported the organisation and delivery of both meetings, and has had regular meetings with the Korean Member Focal Point for Motion 094, who has lead the efforts to organise both conferences and to form the regional working group.These two meetings have created vital links and inspired ongoing dialogue between government agencies, scientists, and civil society organisations in the three narrow-ridged finless porpoise range countries. The knowledge exchanged in 2020 helped to catalyse more research into population status and trends, as well as trialling of porpoise excluder devices on the fishing gears that are associated with the highest levels of porpoise bycatch. Stakeholders involved in these meetings are also working within each range country to raise public awareness and institutional support for bycatch reduction. This public awareness will be critical if any market-based incentives to reduce bycatch are to be trialled.