Reeves, Randall R.

China’s Yangtze river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), was declared likely to be extinct in 2006, due to threats in the wild such as habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes, which were not effectively dealt with using the management tools available prior to that time. Mexico’s vaquita (Phocoena sinus), a porpoise found only in the Upper Gulf of California, will become extinct in the near future if the illegal fishery to obtain fish swim bladders for illicit international markets is not eliminated very soon.

China’s Yangtze river dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), was declared likely to be extinct in 2006, due to threats in the wild such as habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes, which were not effectively dealt with using the management tools available prior to that time. Mexico’s vaquita (Phocoena sinus), a porpoise found only in the Upper Gulf of California, will become extinct in the near future if the illegal fishery to obtain fish swim bladders for illicit international markets is not eliminated very soon.

Marine mammal conservation presents a number of challenges for scientists and other stakeholders, especially using natural resources in ways that avoid crisis management. Scientists play the special role of providing vital information to decision makers to help them understand long-term consequences of their actions and avoid crises before they develop.

An independent scientific review panel was formed under the auspices of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) to review the results of research on belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), or white whales, in the Sakhalin–Amur region of eastern Russia and to assess the sustainability of recent live-capture removals.

Live-capture, holding in captivity and export of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands began in 2003. These activities stimulated global interest and generated concern about the potential conservation implications. This report is based on a workshop on the assessment of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), with the Solomon Islands as a case study, that took place from 21–23 August 2008 in Apia, Samoa.

The population of western gray whales numbers only about 100 animals and is classified on IUCN's Red List as "critically endangered". Under the auspices of IUCN, an independent scientific review panel was established to evaluate scientific aspects of western gray whale conservation in the context of Phase 2 of the Sakhalin II, an integrated oil and gas project being developed by the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company under a production sharing agreement with the Russian Federation and its Sakhalin Oblast.

Consistent evaluation and new recommendations for action are required of protective measures to address threats that were unrecognised or non-existent until recently. Global warming, noise pollution and reduced availability of prey are now of great concern. The all too familiar threats of accidental killing in fishing gear and exposure to toxic chemicals remain almost intractable. This Action Plan reviews threats and offers possible solutions. It also contains a thorough review of the status of species and a list of 57 recommended research projects and education initiatives