Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Table 1Communication exercise – key messagesand target audiencesPriority problem Stakeholder Key messages to communicate Method/s Actions to ask them to takeSingle-use carrier bags (whetherintentionally or accidentlyimproperly disposed of byconsumers) enter the waterwaysand oceans where they areingested by marine mammalsand turtles, causing gut blockageand internal complicationsresulting in decreased health ofthe animal and/or deathPlastic packing bands usedby industry that enter themarine ecosystem and threatento entangle marine animalsincluding pinnipeds, cetaceans,turtles and large fishA lack of capacity in terms oftraining, infrastructure, respondernetworks and monitoring in therescue community is hamperinganimal welfare effortsA lack of adequate protocolinfrastructure and knowledgeto enable fishermen, coastalcommunities, workers andother ocean users to tell thepeople equipped to take actionabout an entangled animalrequiring rescueA ten-yearoldPlasticindustryThegovernmentofficialConsumerGarbage in the oceans killsmillions of animals. The numberone item is plastic bags. Yourparents use plastic bags – this iskilling turtlesAre you aware of the problem?Are there any advancesin technology to minimisethe problem?Ensure that the problemstatement is stated at‘consumer level’The economic impact,e.g. tourismNegative impact for human/animal lifeMarine animals becomeentangled in debris and fishinggear and people that find themdo not know what to do/ whoto informIn some places there is no oneto call even though there arean increasing number of rescuegroups around the worldThere needs to be more publicityabout problems and solutionsFace-to-faceconversationsEstablishingconstructivedialogue andrelationshipProtocols/facts/statisticsCase studieson the negativeimpactsCreate socialmedia network(Twitter,Facebook etc.)to inform public• It is really easy to fix this:Just say no! (in the shop)• Plastic bags become futuregarbage – let’s stop thistogether• Find out whether the industrybelieves any of the potentialsuggested solutions are viable• Find out what the barriers areto overcome from the industryperspective• Establish whether thecompany would be interestedin participating in extendedproducer responsibility• Set regulations• Set the local protocols• Organise the strandingnetworks• Funding the preventativeprogrammes• Establish a select committee• Benchmarks to highlightsuccess• Local participation andawarenessYou can help by finding out whatis being done locally and who isin chargeHuman safetyMarine animal rescues canbe complicated by a lackof efficient, appropriateand effective governmentengagements (regulation/legislation etc.)ThegovernmentofficialProvide solutionsto the problemsPlan programmesfor them• Protocol/monitoring• Facilities• Enforcement agencies• Training and capacity-building• Institutional legislature24