Prior to every IMMA workshop, experts are asked to fill out an Area Template form for any areas that they would potentially like to nominate for consideration as candidate IMMAs. This template form is then used at the workshop to draft the cIMMA submissions. These areas are called “preliminary Areas of Interest” or pAoI. If they are aprroved at the workshop, usually with changes, they can then go forward for review as candidate IMMAs, or cIMMAs.
It is possible for anyone at any time to submit Area Template forms, suggesting new areas to be considered in future. However, IMMAs can only be identified, reviewed and put on the map using the regional expert workshop process of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force. Area Template forms will be held until the next regional workshop in the region where the template is located.
