MARINE MEGA FAUNA STRANDING GUIDELINES

Subject: Environment

Context: Guidelines to protect marine species released.

Concept:

Over the past few years, live and dead stranding of lone and groups of marine mammals and turtles have been reported across the country’s coastline.
However, as there was no database of the stranded marine animals, the frequency and the hotspots have not been identified.
These guidelines aim to improve coordination between various independent governments and civil societies responding to marine stranding, research and management, data sharing and thus promote inter-sectoral coordination in the conservation of marine animals.

These guidelines highlights:

Actions to be taken for handling stranded animals on shore, stranded or entangled animals in the sea or on a boat,
Management actions for improved coordination,
Reducing threats to marine species and their habitats,
Rehabilitation of degraded habitats,
Enhancing people’s participation,
Advance scientific research and exchange of information on marine mammals and marine turtles and their habitats.