Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Annex 3Knowledge gapsProblem: Marine animal rescues can becomplicated by a lack of efficient, appropriateand effective government engagements(regulation/legislation etc.).Solution: To motivate governments to change legislationwith the aim of improving response to entangled animals.An international animal welfare NGO (or a working groupof several of them) should provide a review of currentresponse/rescues. This would provide examples of goodand bad practice and compliance.What do we know?• Lack of regulation through to too much bureaucracy canhamper rescue efforts• There is a need for a global review of existing regulations• Rescue efforts do take place outside of existing protocols• Compliance is difficult• Compliance is unlikely in developing countriesWhat is unknown?• Existing regulations and protocols worldwide• Existing regulations and protocols worldwide• Actual number of entanglement cases• What the best practice guidelines are• Who would be best placed to undertake a review• What sort of legislation is needed in each place• Whether animal welfare is going to be a priority forany governments• Best practice for some species• What examples of best compliance are there and what lessonscan be learnedWho knows it?• IWC, NOAA• NGOs and rescue groups• Government agenciesWho might know?• Fishing industry and fishermen• Coastal authorities• Holders of stranding databases• Public29