Management Plan Review Workshop

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review is hosting a special workshop following the Hawai`i Conservation Conference

WORKSHOPS - 9 am - 12 pm
Room 305AB, Hawaii Convention Center

Visit the Conference Website

REGISTRATION
This workshop is limited to 40 participants. To register for this
workshop email or 808-397-2651 ext. 257.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS or sanctuary) protects humpback whales and their habitat in the main Hawaiian Islands: The sanctuary works to achieve this goal through scientific research, education, public outreach, and by facilitating observance of federal and state laws that prohibit disturbing these endangered marine mammals. Congress established the sanctuary in 1992 via the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (HINMSA). Full designation of the sanctuary was completed with the finalization of the sanctuary’s first management plan in June 1997. Sanctuary staff reviewed the plan in 2002 and is currently in the process of reviewing and revising its existing management plan.

This workshop will provide attendees with detailed information on the current HIHWNMS management plan review process. Topics will include: a history of the sanctuary and programs; background on management plans, why they are reviewed, and the process; outcomes of the 2002 management plan review; information on existing/emerging issues and the role of the sanctuary; information on the possible addition of resources to the sanctuary including other whales and dolphins, critically endangered monk seals, several species of threatened and endangered sea turtles, and maritime heritage resources; details on the scoping process that will take place in early 2010 and how the public can get involved and comment; current resource protection initiatives; the role of biogeographic assessment in natural resource management; and the future of sanctuary management activities.