Dr. Chardine explained that a draft of the Circumpolar Murre Conservation Strategy and Action Plan had been prepared and is ready for formal review. He also reported that all countries are receptive to a circumpolar seabird data base and that the details of its development are being worked out. CAFF endorsed the activities and action plan of the Seabird Group and requested that the Murre Strategy and a report on seabird issues be presented to the Ministers in 1996. Some key points in the Report are as follows. In those countries with indigenous populations, special measures have been put in place to safeguard traditional lifestyles and practices.
Countries have the necessary legislation to designate and manage protected areas.
Countries share common threats to their protected areas. There are serious gaps in the existing protected area systems. He concluded by noting that this Report, while important, is only a first step towards a CAFF Habitat Conservation Strategy. It was agreed to establish an Ad Hoc Working Group, led by Russia and Norway, to draft the CAFF Plan for a Protected Area Network. Ms. Binnian also provided several examples of potential uses of the data base for CAFF which include tracking migration patterns and vegetation mapping.