The Pacific Cetaceans MoU 3rd Meeting of the Signatories, held in Noumea (8th September) 2012 was pleased that the agenda developed under the regional Whale and Dolphin Action Plan (WDAP) was both ambitious and comprehensive, and represented a solid regional foundation for moving forward. Signatories agreed that establishing medium-term implementation priorities would help prioritize the WDAP work areas; assist partners identify where resource is most urgently needed; and provide a tangible means of measuring collective progress. At the same time Signatories also wished to provide input relevant for the implementation of the CMS Global Programme of Work for Cetaceans and the CMS Scientific Council review of the Concerted and Cooperative Action Species.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme proposes to establish the Lui Bell Post-Graduate Scholarship for Marine Species Conservation to honour the life and work of Lui Bell and his commitment to conservation of Pacific marine species.

The Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has announced that Vanuatu has joined the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (Sharks MoU) as its 26th Signatory. Vanuatu signed the MoU in the Philippines on 19 February 2013.

Manila, Philippines, 20 February 2013 - The Second Signatory State Meeting for the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MOU) was hosted by the Government of the Philippines on 19 and 20 February in Manila, Philippines. The Dugong MOU was concluded in 2007 under the auspices of the UNEP Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to protect an endangered sea cow species. The Dugong MOU Secretariat coordinates support for international efforts to conserve dugongs and seagrasses from the UNEP/CMS Abu Dhabi Office which is hosted by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), on behalf of the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce/NOAA) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) have signed a renewed Letter of Cooperation (LOC) aimed at continuing collaboration in the conservation and management of migratory marine species and their habitats. Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, and Bert Lenten, CMS Deputy Executive Secretary and Officer in Charge, signed the Letter at the United States Embassy in London, United Kingdom, on 12 February 2013. Shannon Dionne and Alexis Gutierrez, NOAA officers involved in development of the LOC were also present at the signing.

The Micronesia Challenge is highlighting recent support for the Awareness Campaign for Sustainable Management of the Tafunsak Marine Protected Area Project in Kosrae, and spotlights the outcomes of a Micronesian Challenge Communications workshop, which convened in Guam.

A new international science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystems, set up to assist governments and citizens to better understand the state, trends and challenges facing the natural world and humanity in the 21st century, has now put in place many of the administrative and staffing structures needed to implement its important work.

It was with deep regret that the CMS Secretariat team heard about the sudden death of Lui Bell, Marine Species Adviser at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) on 29 November 2012.

The UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) has published a policy brief titled “Securing the Future of Mangroves.” The brief is based on the World Atlas of Mangroves and describes both the current status of mangroves, including their economic value, as well as threats to mangrove ecosystems and considerations for good management practices.