Tonga, Tuvalu sign MoU to protect cetaceans

TONGA and Tuvalu are the newest signatories to the memorandum of understanding to protect cetaceans in the Pacific. 
The signing took place during the 21st annual meeting of the Pacific regional environment programme held in Madang from Sept 6-10.
The MoU for the conservation of cetaceans and their habitats in the Pacific, operates in the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation toward the protection of whales and dolphins and their habitats.
The non-legally binding arrangement was opened for signing in 2006 and now has a total of 13 SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Progamme) member countries.
 The MoU was concluded under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in partnership with the SPREP.
Under this MoU, whales and dolphins are recognised as an integral part of the marine environment connect ecosystems and cultures and should be conserved for the benefit of present and future generations.  It also encourages countries to implement the whale and dolphin action plan, to conserve whales and dolphins and their habitats in the region.
The regional whale and dolphin action plan has nine themes for achievement: National, regional and international collaboration and cooperation; threat reduction; ecosystem and habitat protection; capacity building; education and awareness; cultural significance and value; legislation and policy; research and monitoring; and whale and dolphin-based tourism. 
The MoU can develop into a legally-binding agreement which would require wider consultation and negotiation.
During the meet, six member countries also signed different MoU’s under the convention of migratory species of wild animals.