The WATCH negotiations were the culmination of resolutions from COP7 and COP8 and research work undertaken over the past ten years in West Africa by Koen van Waerebeek with support from CMS. It was now for the range states to determine what sort of instrument they wanted and what taxonomic scope to cover and to elaborate Action Plans for the cetaceans and manatees of the region. In conclusion, Mr Hepworth thanked the hosts, the donors and the supporting organisations and hoped the meeting would leave a tangible legacy for conservation.