Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Annex 3Knowledge gapsProblem: A lack of capacity in terms of training,infrastructure, responder networks and monitoringin the rescue community is hampering animalwelfare efforts.Solution: An international animal welfare NGO shouldcreate a standing expert group to develop, monitor andshare international protocols describing best practice inrescue training, infrastructure and evaluation with keyinfluential governments and relevant intergovernmentalorganisations, lobbying for official adoption of bestpracticeprotocols into law. These protocols could alsobe disseminated to stakeholders and would enable aneffective approach to the successful rescue of entangledmarine animals around the world.What do we know?• Local protocols exist• Protocols exist for whales• There is a lack of authority for this in some locationsWhat is unknown?• Who the key influential governments are• Whether there is a key international veterinary organisation whocould endorse protocols once they exist• Whether there are any suitable coordinating bodies• What an expert panel should consist of and who shouldbe on it. Whether there should be an expert panel per speciesor per group• Whether it is possible to create a best practice for all species• Euthanasia options for all species• Where the areas of greatest need are, and where lacks a rescuenetwork that needs one• Whether it is better to have localised best practice as opposedto globalWho knows it?• Response and rescue networks, BDMLR (UK), MARK (UK)• Law enforcement agencies• Marine Mammal Conservancy• Marine Mammal Stranding Network• IWC (whales)• Sea Turtles Restoration ProjectWho might know?• Existing rescue organisations/networks• Coast-guards• Veterinary associations may be able to advise on euthanasia• Local rescue organisations and networks should be able toadvise on their local conditionsProblem: A lack of adequate protocol, infrastructureand knowledge to enable fishermen, coastalcommunities, workers and other ocean users totell the people equipped to take action about anentangled animal requiring rescue.Solution: Best practice for successful detection,response and rescue should be shared more widelyand more effectively between government agenciesand responders.What do we know?• New and existing protocols• Contact details/numbers if an entangled animal is seen – insome places• That we need a no-blame culture on this issue• In water, humans risk deathWhat is unknown?• Who else is willing and able to participate• Reporting methods – not everyone has access to telephones• Unknown scale of entanglement over the world• What different protocols exist in different parts of the world• Whether the existing protocols are the sameWho knows it?• NOAA, IWC, CWT, MSN (UK)• NOAA, PCCS, FWC, Coast Guard, NSRI, BDMLR, ONDB• Fishing representatives• New partners in the developing world, e.g. Brazil,the Philippines• UNEPWho might know?• Existing rescue networks• Stranding networks/databases: NOAA; Environment Agency(Argentina); SAWDN (South Africa)• Probably isn’t known without a review process28