Today, on World Oceans Day 2021, the Secretariat launched the second edition of its marine mammal campaign on its social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). This public education initiative aims to raise awareness on the threats to marine mammals, particularly those listed under our SPAW Protocol and encourage individual and collective action to protect these species. It also serves as an educational opportunity on the mandate of the SPAW Protocol with respect to marine mammals and the actions undertaken by the Secretariat to promote their protection and recovery.
The Wider Caribbean Region has over 35 species of marine mammals, making it one of the areas on the planet where this group is the most diverse. The lives of these beautiful warm-blooded creatures are unfortunately disrupted by habitat loss, accidental capture by fishing gear, harassment, marine pollution, boat and ship strikes, among other threats which can result in death and are caused in large part by human action. Greater individual and collective awareness of these species is therefore necessary to cultivate positive behaviours that will result in the protection of marine mammals and help them to fulfil their ecological roles in the marine ecosystem.
During our thirty-day day campaign which ends on July 7, we will feature daily interesting facts about these species, tips on how to appropriately interact with marine mammals when they are spotted and the work of the Secretariat and its SPAW Regional Activity Centre in the area of marine mammal conservation. The latest project being implemented in this regard is the CARI’MAM project, which aims improve the knowledge and preservation of marine mammals in the Wider Caribbean through greater partnerships.
Join us in this campaign and show your support to the movement by re-sharing our published resources…because #MarineMammalsMatter!
The 30 social media graphics used during this campaign can be downloaded here: https://www.unep.org/cep/resources/factsheet/marine-mammals-matter
