IMMAs are identified through an expert-led process involving the collation and assessment of evidence against a set of selection criteria. This process, lasting approximately 12 months, aims to engage a wide range of representatives within the marine mammal science and conservation communities where much of the evidence necessary to assess IMMAs is held. Experts are selected based on their region-specific knowledge, experience and skills relevant to the task of weighing evidence and applying the IMMA selection criteria. Potential sources of information are actively sought in a process engaging with experts and other holders of evidence on a region-by-region basis.
A five-stage process with the help and support of the Task Force is used to identify, review, and accept or reject IMMA nominations, as follows:
Stage 1 – Nomination of preliminary ‘Areas of Interest’
The starting point in the process is the nomination of preliminary Areas of Interest (pAoI). Any expert or interested party may propose a pAoI following a simple template, accompanied by supporting evidence. These are also solicited publicly via ‘call for information’ announcements made 4-6 months in advance of regional expert IMMA workshops (see Stage 2). Each pAoI, along with existing marine mammal place-based conservation areas (e.g., MPAs, EBSAs, KBAs, etc.) is then presented and evaluated at regional expert workshops. Participants invited to attend these workshops are encouraged to develop pAoI in advance of the workshops, and to supply information for the creation of a joint regional Inventory of Knowledge (IoK) using a standardised Data Appraisal Form (DAF).
Stage 2 – Development of ‘candidate IMMAs’
The development of candidate IMMAs (cIMMAs) is a multi-step process guided by the Task Force. Regional workshops are publicly announced with ‘calls for information’ 4-6 months in advance. Each workshop reviews all pAoI to determine if they meet one or more of the IMMA criteria. Participants use their regional knowledge to develop cIMMA, based on their review of pAoI submitted in advance or generated during the workshop itself, whilst also consulting the shared IoK produced in partnership with other experts. Workshop-agreed cIMMAs are then submitted to the Task Force on an agreed IMMA Review Template to (a) identify proposed boundaries, (b) provide a thorough rationale based on one or more of the IMMA criteria, (c) summarise and provide access to the full supporting evidence and (d) identify any existing conservation measures within the areas proposed.
Stage 3 – Final review and IMMA Status Qualification
The Task Force, in consultation with the IUCN (e.g. through the Chairs of the relevant specialist groups), nominates an independent Review Panel, charged with assessing the scientific robustness of the proposals and satisfaction of the criteria.
The Review Panel is chaired by Randall R. Reeves. Members serving on the Panel during the review process in past regions include Robert L. Brownell Jr, Phil Hammond, Amanda Hodgson, Kit Kovacs, Lloyd Lowry, Helene Marsh, Howard Rosenbaum and Peter Shaughnessy.
Stages 4 and 5 – Reporting, communication, final review and IMMA Status Qualification
Confirmed IMMAs and their associated documentation are made publicly available by the Task Force on its website via a searchable and downloadable database, and a dedicated online IMMA e-Atlas. Individual IMMA Fact Sheets are created on the website, together with summaries of key information on every individual IMMA, and information on how to obtain the GIS shapefiles. Finally, detailed Brochures are completed for each IMMA, and posted on the website for download as PDF.
Areas that are not accepted as full IMMAs by the Task Force because they do not present convincing evidence that they satisfy the criteria remain as Areas of Interest (AoI). These are included in the searchable database and displayed on the IMMA e-Atlas, with a different colouration, recognising that, although not IMMAs, AoI have been deemed to be of interest and that they can potentially become IMMAs in the future, subject to undergoing a new workshop and review process.
Towards the implementation of management and conservation actions within IMMAs
By engaging regional experts and evidence holders, the process of identifying IMMAs helps to establish common ideas, consistency and protocols for best practices across the marine mammal community. These ideas are reinforced by the Independent Review Panel’s feedback on the cIMMAs assessed. This approach mirrors the regional/national scale achievements of other similar processes (e.g., seabirds in IBAs). This helps to provide an initial regional focus, helping to prioritise the use of IMMAs in informing the design of effective protection networks or national management schemes and the creation of Regional IMMA Expert Groups, trained in common methods of best practice for the future identification of IMMAs.
See IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force reports from previously completed regional workshops for details and real-life examples of how the IMMA selection process works.
Stages of regional IMMA identification process
| Stage | Actions | Timing | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Workshop preparation | a) Delimit region (including sub-regions); b) Identify experts; c) Select date and venue; d) Make public announcement of workshop and call for pAoI e) Circulate preliminary Area of Interest (pAoI) submission form to experts; f) Prepare and circulate pAoI report; g) Identify and circulate the species list for the region; h) Prepare and circulate Inventory of knowledge on the geographical and biological features of the region; i) Post background materials onto CANVAS; j) Send Save the Date, invitations and background materials (and follow up) to workshop participants; k) Arrange flights, transfers and accommodation; l) Set up administrative arrangements for workshop. | From month I to month IV | Workshop announced and ready in all its aspects (venue, budget, final list of participants, flights booked, documentation circulated, received and elaborated). Critical mass of invitees has accepted and is confirmed. |
| 2. Workshop delivery | a) Deliver workshop; b) Guide and support workshop participants in completion of cIMMA templates; c) Define cIMMA spatial layers. | Month V (the workshop itself is scheduled to last 5 days) | cIMMA templates completed and boundaries delineated. cIMMAs and AoI formally adopted. |
| 3. cIMMA review | a) Compile cIMMA proposal templates and boundaries and prepare summary and instructions for Review Panel; b) Submit package of revised templates and boundaries to Review Panel; c) Compile reviews and send Feedback and suggested necessary amendments to cIMMA points of contact; d) Work with points of contact to revise boundaries and finalise text based on comments from review panel; e) Compile resubmissions from points of contact and produce final IMMA and AoI text and static maps; f) Produce IMMA and AoI spatial layers (boundaries and buffers). | From month VI to month XI | cIMMA review process concluded. IMMA templates and boundaries finalised. |
| 4. Reporting and communication | a) Finalise and publish preliminary workshop report; b) Publish final version of workshop report; c) Prepare news release; post on social media; send announcement to 1,000+ active users; coordinate with IUCN, WDC and others for broader engagement. | Month VI (preliminary report); months XI – XII (final report) | Preliminary report completed for limited circulation.
Final report completed and posted; communication campaign delivered. |
| 5. e-Atlas & online database population | a) Populate e-Atlas and database with new IMMAs and AoI and test for glitches; b) Update IMMAs summary on website (e.g.info on IMMAs by numbers and graphs) c) Produce IMMA spatial layers package for requests; d) Update metadata, licencing document to include new region; e) Convert IMMA spatial layer to different formats and upload to external platforms; f) Recalculate relevant performance Indicators to include new region; g) Individual IMMA fact sheets created on website with summary of IMMA key Info and download options for GIS layer. | From month XI to month XII | e-Atlas and online database populated; spatial layers package finalized (IMMA brochures to be posted at a later date, once they are available). |
Exceptional inter-workshop area revision process
Rationale. Establish a mechanism for scientists or the IMMA Secretariat (the SEC) to propose new IMMAs or modify existing IMMAs/AoI between regional 10-year reviews. This process is reserved for exceptional cases where an area that should have been considered failed to be identified as an IMMA at the relevant regional workshop. The aim is to allow the Task Force to incorporate new, reliable, and recently obtained scientific information, particularly for threatened species, while preserving the overarching authority, expert review, and collective endorsement that underpin the validity of IMMAs during the standard process.
Possible modifications include: a) creating a new AoI; b) creating a new IMMA; c) upgrading an AoI to IMMA; d) combining or splitting existing IMMAs and/or AoI; e) adjusting the boundaries of an IMMA based on new data.
Process. The proponent submits a new candidate IMMA template to the SEC (which may also be the proponent) by email.
- The SEC confirms that the criteria for exceptionality and urgency are met (e.g., threatened status of the concerned species or population(s), prospected or actual pressure levels in the area).
- The SEC evaluates whether the scientific rationale and feasibility, such as the availability of sufficient scientific data that meet the IMMA criteria, are satisfied.
- The SEC forms an ad hoc Committee to review the submission. The Committee should include:
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- at least one member of the SEC;
- the proponent, who acts as the area’s point of contact (PoC);
- at least two experts from the same region who are not SEC members, and may include the regional coordinators.
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- If the ad hoc Committee agrees that the submission is robust, the SEC submits the cIMMA template to the Review Panel (RP) Chair, who may appoint one or two additional independent experts with relevant geographical and/or species expertise to evaluate the submission against the IMMA criteria and provide an expert opinion on whether it should be accepted and if major or minor revisions may be necessary.
- If the RP Chair’s opinion is favourable, the new area is identified, added to the List and communicated to the proponent (PoC).
- The PoC works with the SEC to carefully delineate the boundaries of the identified area.
- The PoC takes the lead in preparing the Factsheet and drafting the Brochure materials.
- The new area officially acquires its status (IMMA or AoI) once the process is completed, and the relevant Regional Coordinators are properly informed of the outcome. However, the area’s inclusion in the complete IMMA package (such as e-Atlas, online database, etc.) will take place as soon as the next opportunity to create a new package arises (for example, at the end of the next regional identification effort)..
