20 October 2026.
We join colleagues in Latin America, Africa, Europe and the South Seas to announce today the publication of Spanish, French and Italian translations of MAKING SPACE: The story of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) and how they help to protect whale habitats. A limited number of printed copies will be handed out at upcoming international meetings and workshops. In addition, online versions can be read and downloaded for free from the links below. This page also has links for downloading the Portuguese and English versions, published during the past year.
Making Space celebrates the power and joy of IMMAs with an appealing pictorial introduction to the IMMA story. The goal is to spread the information about identified whale, dolphin and other marine mammal habitats to communities facing conservation challenges for our shared ocean. Comics artist Rozi Hathaway worked closely with IUCN Important Marine Mammal Areas Specialist Group co-chair Erich Hoyt to produce this handy, visual booklet that tells the story of how IMMAs came to be and how they can help to make a healthier ocean for whales and humans.
More language editions will follow in the coming year, including German, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese.
Making Space: The story of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) and how they help to protect whale habitats, by Rozi Hathaway and Erich Hoyt, 40 pages. [English edition]
Espaços Vivos: A história das áreas importantes para mamíferos marinhos (IMMAs) e como elas ajudam a proteger os habitats das baleias. [Portuguese translation by José Truda Palazzo, Jr.]
Creando Espacio: La historia de las áreas importantes para los mamíferos marinos (IMMAs) y cómo ayudan a proteger los hábitats de las cetáceos. [Spanish translation by Lorenzo Rojas Bracho.]
Donner de L’espace: Histoire des zones importantes pour les mammifères marins (IMMAs) et leur rôle dans la protection de l’habitat des baleines. [French translation by Claire Garrigue.]
Fare Spazio: La storia delle aree marine importanti per i mammiferi marini (IMMA) e di come queste aiutano a proteggere i loro habitat. [Italian translation by Martina Gaglioti.]
