ABSTRACT
In order to evaluate the present status of habitat protection for cetaceans, I have examined each of the 18 marine regions of the world ocean following the scheme adopted by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) (Kelleher et al, 1995b), which was revised in 2008 (see Figure 5.1). The 18 marine regions were devised mainly on the basis of biogeographic criteria but, for practical reasons, also pay heed to
political or pragmatic boundaries. For example, South Africa extends from the Atlantic to the Indian oceans but is included in Marine Region 8, West Africa. In addition, Central America, minus México, is included as part of the South East Pacific Marine Region. Despite these and a few other incongruities, I have used the WCPA system of dividing the 18 regions, mainly for practical reasons of consistency for MPA practitioners and for those working within the IUCN species and other commissions.
