North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission facts for kids
The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) is an international group. It helps countries work together to protect and study marine mammals. These are animals like whales, seals, and dolphins that live in the North Atlantic Ocean.
NAMMCO was created when Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands signed an agreement. This happened in Nuuk, Greenland, on April 9, 1992. The agreement became official on July 8, 1992.
The main goal of NAMMCO is to understand the ocean's ecosystem better. They want to know more about how marine mammals fit into this system. This helps them make good decisions about protecting these animals.
NAMMCO was formed because its member countries were not happy with how the International Whaling Commission (IWC) managed whales. NAMMCO believes that decisions about whaling should be based on science. They want to make sure whale populations are managed carefully.
Through working together, NAMMCO members aim to create strong rules for marine mammals. These rules are based on the best science available. They also consider how delicate the ocean is. Plus, they think about the needs of people living near the coast. These communities often rely on the sea for a sustainable living.
The IWC currently has a ban on most large-scale whaling. Some countries, like the United Kingdom, do not agree with NAMMCO's role. They still support the IWC for managing whale populations.
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NAMMCO's Start and How It Works
NAMMCO was officially started in Nuuk, Greenland. This was on April 9, 1992. The countries signed an agreement called the "Agreement on Cooperation in Research, Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals in the North Atlantic."
This agreement became active on July 7, 1992. It grew from an earlier understanding signed in Tromsø in 1990. That earlier agreement was between Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The main purpose of NAMMCO is explained in Article 2 of their agreement.
How NAMMCO Is Organized
NAMMCO has three main parts that work together.
The Council
The Council is the main decision-making group. They ask for advice from other parts of NAMMCO. Then, they make choices based on that advice.
Management Committees
These committees suggest ways to manage marine mammal groups. They focus on specific types of animals in the North Atlantic region.
Scientific Committee
This committee looks at all the latest scientific information. They also do their own research. Their job is to provide the best scientific advice to the Council.
NAMMCO also holds special meetings and workshops. These events discuss topics like hunting methods. They also talk about important environmental questions related to marine mammals.
