INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (of UNESCO) Tenth Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-X)

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1 Restricted distribution IOC/SC-WESTPAC-X/ May 2015 English only INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (of UNESCO) Tenth Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC-X) Phuket, Thailand, May 2015 PROGRESS REPORT (MAY 2012-MAY 2015) ON MAPPING THE HARMFUL JELLYFISHES IN THE TROPICAL WEST PACIFIC WATERS (WG 003: MAPPING HARMFUL JELLYFISHES) In accordance with the Terms of Reference of IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific, the report is provided to facilitate the consideration by the Sub-Commission on the progress made by WESTPAC Working Group on Mapping the harmful jellyfishes in the tropical West Pacific waters. The Sub-Commission is invited to provide comments on its present activities, and further decide whether to continue or terminate this Working Group, taking into account the suggestions made by the Working Group.

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3 page 1 I Project 1. Mapping the harmful jellyfishes in the tropical West Pacific waters II Project Objectives and Expected Outputs/Outcomes 2. The objective of the proposed project is to review and analysis the historical pattern and trend of distribution and occurrence of harmful jellyfishes in the tropical West Pacific region, and define the potential knowledge gaps for such purpose. The expected outcomes of the project will be: (i) available quantitative (and qualitative) information is collected by members and compiled as one dataset for the region; (ii) history and trend of distribution and occurrence of harmful jellyfishes in the tropical West Pacific region; (iii) the dataset and research results are distributed in terms of public outreaches such as schematic map for main species pictures and their occurring location and season, recommendations to relevant management sector and academic publications; and (iv) proposal for follow-up study or monitoring. III Project Leader (Chairperson) and Project Steering Group Chairperson: Prof. Dr. Xuelei Zhang Members: Dr. Charatsee Aungtonya, Phuket Marine Biological Center, Thailand Mr. Sim Yee Kwang (M.Sc.), Centre For Marine & Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia IV Terms of Reference of the Steering Group 3. Each member country, through its IOC National Focal Point, is welcome to designate one or two members with expertise on jellyfish in consultation with the Chairperson of the Working Group. The Group is encouraged to conduct the work through correspondence. However, they shall meet if needed at the expense of the participating countries as far as possible. Other participants may be invited as observer if deemed necessary. 4. The Steering Group is established to meet the scientific, managerial implementation, and resource needs of the WESTPAC- Harmful Jellyfish Working Group. It has overall responsibility for the formulation of strategy, and for the WG planning and coordination. 5. The Group will carry out the following functions: 1) Review the regional concerns on harmful jellyfishes, and identify the project requirements; 2) Promote efficient and cost-effective implementation of the WG and prepare recommendations on this implementation to the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific and the IOC s Intergovernmental Panel for harmful jellyfish (HJ); 3) Identify the resources necessary to meet HJ project needs; 4) Ensure effective interaction and communication with WESTPAC and IOC Intergovernmental Panel on HJ, as well as other regional intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (e.g., PICES) involved in research on harmful jellyfish; and

4 page 2 5) Report to the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific and IOC s Intergovernmental Panel on HJ. V. Activities Carried out During the Last Intersessional Period (May 2012 May 2015) 1. New members joined the Working Group: Dr. Somchai Bussarawit Natural History Museum, National Science Museum, Thailand Somchai@nsm.or.th Mr. Phuping Sucharitakul Chiangmai University, Thailand phupingsuc@hotmail.com Dr. Mohammed Rizman Bin Idid Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaysia rizman@um.edu.my Dr. Jie Xiao First Institute of Oceanography, SOA, China jxiao@fio.org.cn Dr. Angel A. Yanagihara University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA ayanagih@hawaii.edu Andrew Jones Journalist, Australia andrewgj.2010@gmail.com Dr. Kenneth Winkel University of Melbourne, Australia kdw@unimelb.edu.au Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services lisa.gershwin@stingeradvisor.com Dr. Peter J Fenner James Cook University, Australia pjf@occupationalhealthmackay.com.au Dr. John Lippmann Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific, Australia johnl@danasiapacific.org 2. The Working Group conducted the following activities Oct Dr. Xuelei Zhang and Dr. Sim Yee Kuang attended the Annual Meeting of PICES in Hiroshima, Japan. They communicated with experts there on jellyfish blooms world wide. Oct Dr. Xuelei Zhang visited Dr. Charatsee Aungtonya, Puket Marine Biological Center, Thailand. They discussed collaborative study on venomous jellyfishes in Thai coastal waters.

5 page 3 May Dr. Xuelei Zhang visited Dr. Charatsee Aungtonya, Puket Marine Biological Center, Thailand. They shared samples to study taxonomy of box jellyfishes from Thai coastal waters. Nov Dr. Xuelei Zhang discussed cooperation in the WESTPAC Working Group on Jellyfish with colleagues from the University of Malaysia, at the ASEAN-China Workshop on Marine Science and Technology Cooperation in Bali, Indonesia. Apr Dr. Xuelei Zhang and Dr. Sim presented their results of venomous jellyfish studies at the 9th WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Dr. Zhang discussed with Dr. Somchai Bussarawit the WESTPAC Working Group on Jellyfish. Dr. Somchai became new member of the WG. Apr-Jun experts from the USA and Australia became new members of the WG. May Dr. Xuelei Zhang visited Dr. Charatsee Aungtonya, Puket Marine Biological Center, Thailand. They discussed joint study plan on box jellyfishes in Thai coastal waters. Jun Dr. Somchai visited Dr. Allen Collins and other scientists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, USA. They discussed studies of box jellyfish. Jun The Extended MOU in Thailand was signed between Department of Epimeodiology and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources on jellyfish biodiversity monitoring and public sting cases. The four-year MoU will cover a study on jellyfish population expansion; training for hospitality business operators and medical personnel in providing first aid to victims; and creating local networks to alert tourists to the spread of jellyfish. Jun Dr. Ken Winkel presented study results of venomous jellyfishes in Australia at the 10th International Society of Toxins Asia Pacific Congress on Animal, Plant and Microbial Toxins, in Changsha, China. Two other studies were also presented on venomous jellyfishes in the temperate seas. Dr. Xuelei Zhang attended these talks. Jul Dr. Jie Xiao presented preliminary results of joint studies on box jellyfish at the China-Thailand Joint Workshop in Qingdao, China. Nov Dr. Xuelei Zhang visited the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaysia for discussion of jellyfish study cooperation. VI Problems Encountered and Actions to be Considered by the 10th Intergovernmental Session, tentatively scheduled for May 12-15, 2015, Phuket, Thailand 1. The region still lacks of research for jellyfish hazards and prolonged incubation is in need of potential project under IOC/WESTPAC 6. Jellyfish hazard is an outstanding issue in the tropical West Pacific seawaters and drawing high public concerns, in particular such as the venomous stings to people in Thailand, Australia and Indonesia and the giant jellyfish blooms in Malaysia and Thailand. Notwithstanding, within the region there is limited research sources except for the more developed monitoring system in Australia and the primary studies in Thailand and Malaysia. Lacking of sufficient expertise and knowledge, it was conceived that a new project on jellyfish hazard is premature and requires further incubation. 2. Request for extension of the Working Group 7. In light of the serious problem of jellyfish hazard in the tropical West Pacific seawaters and high public concerns, the current WG perceives that it s highly relevant and important to

6 page 4 extend the WG s duration to incubate a new project on this topic under present working background.

7 page 5 VII Workplan and Budget for May 2015 May 2017 Project/Programme Mapping the harmful jellyfishes in the tropical West Pacific waters Funding Required Other sources Activities Objectives Expected outputs/outcomes Date and place IOC (i.e. from national or internation al) Improve knowledge on Inauguration and maintenance of jellyfish hazards and webpage for the Working Group promote communications 1. Establishment of web based information exchange within the Working Group 2. Bilateral and multilateral exploration of potential cooperation among WG members 3. International training course on taxonomy of venomous jellyfish species Explore more partners and the focus and methods for the followup activities Dissemination of skills for taxonomy of jellyfish species in the region. 4. WG meeting Discuss and decide the WG s followup and whether apply for new project More partners involved, identify the focus and methods for the followup activities Capacity building on taxonomy of jellyfish species for follow-up research in the region. Application of WG s extension or new project Jun 2015 ~ May 2017, webpage at the WESTPAC website Jun 2015~Feb secon half or 2016 first half, Thailand or Malaysia , Malacca City Provision by WESTPAC of web site for the WG webpage Provision of meeting room during the WESTAC USD (payment of lecturer honorable) USD (meeting venue and materials) Provision of support by FIO/SOA to design and maintain the web page Supports from the WG members affiliation Local and travel supports from members affiliation Travel supports from WG members affiliations Remark