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Reposted by ASCOBANS

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 03/09/2026

The 30th Meeting of the @ascobans.bsky.social Advisory Committee concluded today. 50 participants adopted 40 action points, recommendations and decisions for the conservation of cetaceans in the Baltic, North-East Atlantic, Irish & North Seas. 🐬 Learn more: www.ascobans.org/meeting/ac30

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Reposted by ASCOBANS

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 01/09/2026

The 30th Meeting of the @ascobans.bsky.social Advisory Committee kicked off today! 🐬 From 1–3 September, Parties, experts and partners will review key pressures and conservation priorities for small cetaceans across the Baltic, North-East Atlantic, Irish & North Seas: www.ascobans.org/meeting/ac30

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Most ASCOBANS Parties maintain national networks that record & assess cetacean 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 along their coastlines 🐬Data is gathered on health status, diet, potential causes of death. The findings provide essential insights to support small cetacean conservation AC30: tinyurl.com/8ycepkne @cms.int

Do you know what happens when a harbour porpoise, Risso’s dolphin or other marine mammal strands?

Most ASCOBANS Parties maintain 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 that record and assess cetacean strandings along their coastlines. Only a small percentage of stranded individuals are still alive and can be rescued.

🐬 In many cases, stranded dead animals undergo necropsies to gather crucial information on health status, diet, and potential causes of death. These findings provide essential insights that support the conservation of small cetacean populations.

You may also be interested in :
🔹 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 -protocol, annexed to Resolution 8.10 (Rev.MOP9) 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦: https://www.ascobans.org/document/small-cetacean-stranding-response-0
🔹 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀: https://www.ascobans.org/document/guidelines-genetic-sampling-harbour-porpoise-carcasses
🔹 The progress report of the 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘜𝘯𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴: https://www.ascobans.org/document/progress-report-intersessional-working-group-unusual-mortality-events-umes-and-mass

𝘛𝘩𝘦 30𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 (𝘈𝘊30) 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 1–3 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘯. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥-𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

📸© Nynke Kouwenhoven - Utrecht University

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Abundance estimates & life history data are critical for tracking 🐬🐬 population health, status, mortality events. Monitoring programmes help spot trends, trigger mitigation measures & enable spatially targeted conservation responses. 📆 These are on the AC30 agenda: tinyurl.com/4yrukraj @cms.int

𝗔𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 and 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 are of critical importance for the determination of broader species attributes such as populations levels, health and overall status. These parameters can contribute towards determination of ‘good environmental status’ and provide a reference for mortality events. Abundance and life history parameters are typically assessed from 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 🐬🐳🐋

📊 Fluctuations in these parameters can provide insight into trends in populations. Information on abundance and life history parameters can inform the need for mitigation measures, and regional assessment of these parameters allows for a more spatially targeted and concentrated response to support national assessments.

🎙️ One key initiative is 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗛 𝗜𝗜, a project using passive acoustic monitoring to map the entire range of the harbour porpoise population in the Baltic Sea. The data will be used to assess the size of the population, the priority areas of occurrence and possible changes in these areas, and to assess the risk areas for man-made threats.

🎥 Another important survey initiative, 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗦-𝗜𝗩 (‘Small Cetaceans in European Atlantic waters and the North Sea’) covered an area of 1.7 million km², where the observer teams using aerial and shipboard surveys recorded thousands of cetacean groups from 17 different species.

🤝 These projects were carried out collaboratively across national borders, strengthening international cooperation and supporting the objectives of ASCOBANS.

𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘈𝘊30 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 1–3 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘯. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥-𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

📸: © Wouter Jan Strietman

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Reposted by ASCOBANS

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 17/08/2026

Deep-sea mining could bring industrial activity to some of the quietest, darkest and least understood ecosystems on Earth. A CMS report examines what this could mean for migratory species that move through or depend on these areas and how it could affect the wider ocean: www.cms.int/publication/...

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘀 threatens cetaceans via ingestion & entanglement. Even small amounts of marcoplastics can cause gut damage or leach toxins. Entanglement in discarded fishing gear may lead to physical injuries, reduced survival or drowning🚩 📆 The topic is on AC30 agenda: tinyurl.com/4yrukraj @cms.int

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘀, such as macroplastics and discarded fishing gear, poses a threat to small cetaceans due to the potential for these materials to be 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 or to cause 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

🚢 Commercial fishing operations, recreational fishing and cargo shipping are notable sources of this material, of which the majority is plastic and ghost nets. However, it is assumed that most of the marine litter worldwide comes from land, although this differs per region.

🥤 Even small amounts of macroplastics that have been ingested may present serious effects on small cetaceans, such as detrimental influence on the gastrointestinal tract or leaching pollutants into the body, potentially leading to mortality or reduced body condition.

Entanglement is well-established as a threat to small cetaceans as plastic debris continues to accumulate in aquatic environments, and may cause physical injuries, reduced survival or drowning. Owing to these concerns, ASCOBANS Parties have adopted Resolution 9.3 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘴: https://www.ascobans.org/document/marine-debris-0

🐬 The overall significance of plastic pollution for cetaceans is still not fully understood. However, it is clear that individuals are affected by marine debris, with documented cases of ingestion and entanglement.

Within the ASCOBANS Parties, marine debris is closely monitored, and a range of mitigation measures are already in place.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 30𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 (𝘈𝘊30) 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 1–3 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘯. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥-𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

📸 © Nina Strüh - MEER e.V.

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

🐟 Prey depletion from over-fished stocks & other man-made pressures threatens small cetaceans with starvation, lowered reproduction, and habitat shifts. Addressing the issue is critical for marine ecosystem health. 📆 AC30 in Sept has resource depletion on its agenda: tinyurl.com/4yrukraj @cms.int

🐟 Herring, mackerel, and sandeel are key prey species for many dolphins and whales in the ASCOBANS Area. However, these fish stocks are not only under pressure from fisheries but are also affected by the long-term exploitation of marine ecosystems. Combined with increasing anthropogenic impacts such as climate change, this has led to 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, significantly affecting the diet, health, and overall well-being of cetacean populations.

🤝 Recognising these challenges, ASCOBANS Parties adopted 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 9.4 𝑜𝑛 𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝐴𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, encouraging Parties to prioritise and support relevant monitoring, assessment, and research activities.

➡️ Resolution 9.4: https://www.ascobans.org/.../food-availability-and...

ASCOBANS also works closely with the European Commission, as well as other regional agreements such as OSPAR and HELCOM, to strengthen coordinated marine conservation efforts across regions.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 30𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 (𝘈𝘊30) 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 1–3 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘯. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥-𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

➡️ AC30 documents: https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/ac30#documents

📸 © Tilen Genov / Morigenos

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

🎣 𝗕𝘆𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 remains the greatest threat to small cetaceans in the ASCOBANS Area - particularly harbour porpoises are affected. 🤝 The 30th Meeting of the Advisory Committee in September will consider the recommendations from the Joint Bycatch Working Group of ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS. @cms.int

🎣 𝗕𝘆𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 remains the greatest threat to small cetaceans globally and also across the ASCOBANS Area. Although countries have implemented strong regulations and monitoring programmes, many animals are still killed each year as a result of bycatch and entanglement. In Europe, particularly harbour porpoises are affected due to its ecological traits, hunting behaviours, and overlaps with high-intensity fishing.

🐬 Encouragingly, reduced use of gillnets in recent years has contributed to a slight decrease in bycatch risk for harbour porpoises across the ASCOBANS Area. This reflects the value of sustained international conservation efforts.

🤝 But there is much work to be done. At AC30 in Bonn this September, Parties will come together to review and address challenges, and consider the recommendations from the Joint Bycatch Working Group of ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 30𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 (𝘈𝘊30) 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 1–3 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘯. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥-𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.

📸 © Krzysztof Skóra Hel Marine Station

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Reposted by ASCOBANS

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 23/07/2026

In many parts, summer is well underway. ☀️🌊 Whether you’re watching dolphins, snorkelling on wildlife-rich reefs or joining a whale-watching tour, our International Guidelines for Sustainable Marine Wildlife Interactions offer simple ways to help protect wildlife. More: www.cms.int/publication/....

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

NEW CAMPAIGN: Best practices to reduce fishing gear loss 🎣 HELCOM, KIMO International & the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management have launched a new awareness campaign that promotes best practices for fishing gear marking among recreational fishers. More info: buff.ly/VxTUBG1

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Marine Mammal Research at Aarhus University, Ecoscience @marinemammalsau.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

New paper! 🐬🔊🌐🧪🌱🇩🇰 6 Danish marine protected areas showed stable or increasing harbour porpoise density, despite an overall population decline. Sveegaard et al., 2026. Passive acoustic monitoring: optimising power to detect temporal changes in relative density of Phocoena phocoena. Read 📷 caption

My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in MEPS:

Sveegaard S, Owen K, Kyhn LA, Galatius A, Jørgensen PB, Mikkelsen L, Teilmann J, van Beest FM (2026) Passive acoustic monitoring: optimising power to detect temporal changes in relative density of Phocoena phocoena. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 787:meps15155 https://doi.org/10.3354/meps15155

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) in 6 Danish marine protected areas showed stable or increasing harbour porpoise density, despite an overall population decline. The setup had sufficient power (>80%) in 4 of 6 areas and can detect ~30% changes in density. Detecting smaller changes (20%) would require more stations (+40%) or longer monitoring (+111%). Key factors affecting reliability are number of stations, monitoring duration, and variation in density.

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iwc-whales.bsky.social @iwc-whales.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The IWC Scientific Committee has published the report of its 2026 meeting. Topics vary from management plans & status assessments for individual populations to mitigation of global threats such as vessel strikes and marine pollution. Read it here archive.iwc.int?r=22706

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 08/06/2026

This #WorldOceansDay, let us reimagine our relationship with the ocean and how we can take care of it. The entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (#BBNJ) marks a historic milestone for the conservation & sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the high seas: www.cms.int/news/high-se...

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

#WorldEnvironmentDay Climate change is affecting ecosystems worldwide, creating growing challenges for species also in the ASCOBANS Area: 🌡 Rising water temperatures 🪸 Ocean acidification 🐟 Changes in prey distribution and availability 🌊 Habitat loss and degradation @unep.org | @cms.int

📅 5 June marks 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆, dedicated to environmental action and awareness. This year's focus is climate change.

Climate change is affecting ecosystems around the world, including the habitats of small cetaceans in the Baltic Sea, Northeast Atlantic, Irish Sea, and North Sea. As oceans continue to warm, the impacts are increasingly being felt by migratory species such as harbour porpoises and other small cetaceans.

Some of the key effects of climate change on marine habitats include:
🌡 Rising water temperatures
🪸 Ocean acidification
🐟 Changes in prey distribution and availability
🌊 Habitat loss and degradation

These are only some of the challenges facing marine ecosystems. As human-driven climate change continues to intensify, conservation efforts must address both current and emerging impacts. Increasingly, evidence points to how cetaceans contribute in to enhancing ecosystem function, including carbon sequestration and storage. However, climate change alters animal migration, which then influences seascape carbon storage.

Learn more on climate change and migratory species: https://www.cms.int/.../climate-change-and-migratory-species

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 1972 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘕 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 5 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 1973. 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘵.

#WorldEnvironmentDay | UN Environment Programme | Convention on Migratory Species

📷: Harbour porpoise. © Wouter Jan Strietman

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

#MOP10throwback: At MOP10, ASCOBANS Parties adopted 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯-𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 #MSP. They emphasize strategic direction, spatial & temporal coordination, and dynamic adaption 🌊 Read more here ➡️ www.ascobans.org/document/mar... 📷© Wynand Uys / Unsplash @cms.int

Today is the European Maritime Day 📆

𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭, 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 2008, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.

At the 10th Meeting of the Parties (MOP10) to ASCOBANS, countries adopted comprehensive 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻-𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (MSP) with 23 high-level recommendations.
The guidelines stress the importance of integrating cetacean conservation and habitat restoration into MSP, including the provision of ecologically critical network of MPAs.

🌊 Resolution 10.5 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, where the guidelines were adopted, records Parties' concern that the current rise in anthropogenic activity at sea translates into increasing cumulative disturbance, deteriorating environmental condition, reduced productivity, lower life expectancy and declining population trends for cetaceans across the ASCOBANS region.

🌊 The Resolution urges Parties to conduct MSP in accordance with a strategic direction, spatial and temporal coordination, dynamic adaptation, and with incremental planning aligned with cetacean conservation objectives to ensure that a Favourable Conservation Status can be reached.

Check out the Guidelines and Resolution 10.5 here ➡️ https://www.ascobans.org/document/maritime-spatial-planning 🗺️

#MOP10throwback | #MSP | #cetaceans

📷© Wynand Uys / Unsplash

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Today marks the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲! #IDBHP 🐬 The Baltic Proper #harbourporpoise is listed in @cms.int Appendix 1 and assessed as Critically Endangered by the #IUCN. It faces multiple threats across its habitat 🌊 Read more: www.ascobans.org/news/interna...

Today is the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲, the only native cetacean of the Baltic Sea 🐬

The Baltic Proper population is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and assessed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. It faces multiple threats across its habitat, including:
🎣 Bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear
🔊 Increasing underwater noise
🐟 Prey depletion
⚠ Pollution

Through initiatives such as the 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴, ASCOBANS is working to improve the conservation status of this unique cetacean. But lasting protection will only be possible through greater awareness, stronger engagement, and international cooperation.

Together, we can help safeguard the future of the Baltic harbour porpoise 🌊

Read more: https://www.ascobans.org/news/international-day-baltic-harbour-porpoise-celebrating-unique-baltic-species

#IDBHP

📷: Harbour porpoise © Maren Reichelt / Sea Watch Foundation

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 14/05/2026

For marine wildlife, sound is essential to communicate, find food, avoid predators and navigate. When man-made noise becomes too loud or lasts too long, it can cause harm. A quieter ocean is vital for marine migratory species that depend on sound to move and survive: www.cms.int/topics/marin...

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 20/04/2026

Pollution is harming migratory species. 🦭 Urgent action is needed, especially where critical habitats overlap with pollution hotspots. 🧴 Protecting #MigratorySpecies means tackling marine pollution at its source and strengthening cooperation across sectors, across borders & along migratory routes.

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 14/04/2026

Migratory animals have a special role as ecological keystone species and as indicators of the state of our natural world. Their conservation is essential to maintain healthy ecosystems and we must work together to keep habitats connected around the world, for their sake and for ours. 🌍 🔗

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

🐬 22nd Meeting of the Jastarnia Group took place 14-16.4.2026 The group reviewed progress in implementing the action plans to conserve the #harbourporpoise in the Baltic Proper, Western Baltic, Belt Sea, and the Kattegat. Outcomes will be posted in due course ➡️ www.ascobans.org/meeting/jg22

The 22nd Meeting of the ASCOBANS Jastarnia Group (JG22) took place last week 🐬

The Steering Group for the 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 (Jastarnia Plan) and the 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵 - the Jastarnia Group - met online from 14 to 16 April 2026. Joined by invited experts, IGOs and NGOs, the group reviewed progress in implementing the species action plans.

JG22 developed a list of Action Points, which will be available in due course here with the meeting report: https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/jg22#documents
Thank you to the 29 participants!

#harbourporpoise | Convention on Migratory Species
📷:©️ASCOBANS Secretariat

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

14th Meeting of the North Sea Group took place 13-14.4.2026 🐬 The group reviewed progress in implementing the 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑒𝑎 and was joined by invited experts, IGOs, NGOs, who also presented work that feeds into the progress. ➡️ www.ascobans.org/meeting/nsg14

The 14th Meeting of the ASCOBANS North Sea Group (NSG14) took place early this week 🐬
The Steering Group for the 𝐴𝑆𝐶𝑂𝐵𝐴𝑁𝑆 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑒𝑎 (North Sea Group) met online from 13 to 14 April 2026. Joined by invited experts, IGOs and NGOs, the group reviewed the progress in implementing the Conservation Plan. Several scientific presentations feeding into the progress were heard, which will be available on the meeting page soon.

NSG14 developed a list of Priority Recommendations, which will be available in due course here with the meeting report: https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/nsg14#documents

Thank you to all the 35 participants!

#harbourporpoise #NorthSea Convention on Migratory Species

📷:©️ASCOBANS Secretariat

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Are you attending #ECSconference2026 in Dundee? Join our workshop! 📅 Tuesday 21 April 2026, 14:00-18:00 BST 📍 Dundee, Scotland Register today: www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference-w... More info: www.ascobans.org/meeting/ecs-... @cms.int

📣 Last day to register to the ECS-ASCOBANS Workshop 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘀 !

We have a few seats left at this workshop, organized as part of the 2026 Conference of the European Cetacean Society (ECS) - register today through the ECS website: https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference-workshops-37

📅 When: Tuesday 21 April 2026, 14:00-18:00 BST
📍 Where: Queens Hotel, Dundee, Scotland
➡️ More information: https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/ecs-ascobans-workshop-building-knowledge-building-action-atlantic-white-sided-and-white

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘴 (𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 & 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘳 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺), 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘻𝘦 (𝘡𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯), 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯 (𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥)

#ECSconference2026

📷: White-beaked dolphin © Ben Burville

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

📣 Last day to register to our workshop at #ECSconference2026 ! 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #𝗥𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗼’𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 ➡️ www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference-w... 📅 Monday 20 April 2026, 14:00-18:00 BST 📍 Dundee, Scotland Details: www.ascobans.org/meeting/ecs-...

Are you attending the 2026 Conference of the European Cetacean Society (ECS) in Dundee? Join the ASCOBANS workshop on Risso's dolphins!

⏰ We have a few seats left - today is the deadline to register through the ECS website: https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference-workshops-37

🧰 What: Workshop 𝑇𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑜’𝑠 𝐷𝑜𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝐴𝑡𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐
📅 When: Monday 20 April 2026, 14:00-18:00 BST
📍 Where: Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee, Scotland

➡️ More information: https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/ecs-ascobans-workshop-towards-meaningful-conservation-action-rissos-dolphins-north-atlantic

If you cannot attend but wish to contribute relevant information to the workshop, complete this online form by 15 April: https://tinyurl.com/3b5nj6xa

The workshop is organized together with OceanCare International, MARA, and Sea Watch Foundation 🐬

#ECSconference2026

📷: Risso's dolphin © Nicola Hodgins

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 25/03/2026

Today at #CMSCOP15, Parties are discussing aquatic conservation issues — threats that affect migratory species across oceans, coasts and freshwater systems. Explore some of the many issues on today’s agenda. Learn more by downloading the meeting document for each topic at www.cms.int/cop15docs

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

CMS COP15 begins today! Held in Campo Grande, Brazil, COP agenda includes items relevant to ASCOBANS, e.g. bycatch, marine pollution, underwater noise, vessel strikes, and much more: www.cms.int/cop15 🐬 ASCOBANS progress report to COP15 is available here: www.cms.int/document/rep... @cms.int

🎉Today marks the start of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Migratory Species !
CMS COP15 is hosted by the Government of Brazil in Campo Grande from 23–29 March 2026. The COP agenda includes several items that are closely related to ASCOBANS’ work on small cetacean conservation, such as bycatch, marine pollution, underwater noise, vessel strikes, and conservation priorities for cetaceans. Check out the provisional agenda here: https://www.cms.int/.../provisional-agenda-and-documents-39
🐬 ASCOBANS has submitted its progress report to COP15, which is available here: https://www.cms.int/.../report-agreement-conservation...
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📷 © 髪結師 / AdobeStock

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

🌍 Today is World Wildlife Day! A good moment to spotlight the wildlife ASCOBANS exists to conserve: small cetaceans, incl. harbour porpoises & dolphins, across its Agreement area. Protecting these marine migratory species requires transboundary cooperation 🐬🤝🌊 @cms.int 📷: Orca pod © Rob Lott

🌍 Today is World Wildlife Day! A good moment to spotlight the wildlife ASCOBANS exists to protect: ASCOBANS focuses on conservation of small cetaceans, including harbour porpoises and dolphins, across its Agreement area.

🐬Protecting these species requires not only national efforts, but also transboundary cooperation including preventing harm and mitigating impacts. World Wildlife Day is a reminder that this work is ongoing and that progress depends on consistency of our actions.

Check out our activities via www.ascobans.org !

United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated every year on 3 March to recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.

📷 : Orcas © Rob Lott

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

#InternationalDayOfCleanEnergy As offshore renewables expand, ASCOBANS highlights the importance of managing impacts on cetaceans, incl. underwater noise 🔊 ➡️ At MOP10, Parties adopted resolutions on noise during offshore RE construction & on ocean energy: www.ascobans.org/meeting/mop1... @cms.int

↗️ Offshore renewable energy development is accelerating ↗️

Today, on the International Day of Clean Energy, it feels especially timely to talk about what it means offshore, where climate action meets marine life. 🌊

At ASCOBANS MOP10 (2024), Parties adopted two Resolutions focused on this exact intersection: Resolution 6.2 (Rev.MOP10) on the 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘕𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘋𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 and Resolution 8.6 (Rev.MOP10) on 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺. These Resolutions, among other ASCOBANS contributions, speak to managing impacts on cetaceans so that climate action and marine protection can move forward together.

🐳 For cetaceans, the construction phase is particularly detrimental. Pile driving and increased vessel traffic can add intense and chronic noise conditions that whales and dolphins rely on for communication, navigation, foraging, and other everyday activities.

The goal is to build policies and practices that cut emissions while also reducing risk to marine life through intentional planning, mitigation, and cooperation across all industries involved.

➡️ Resolution 6.2 (Rev.MOP10): https://www.ascobans.org/.../adverse-effects-underwater...
➡️ Resolution 8.6 (Rev.MOP10): https://www.ascobans.org/document/ocean-energy-1

Read more about the International Day of Clean Energy: ➡️ https://www.un.org/en/observances/clean-energy-day

📷: © Canva

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

#MOP10throwback: At MOP10, ASCOBANS Parties adopted a resolution on conserving #beakedwhales 🐋 Resolution 10.4 highlights monitoring, noise mitigation and international cooperation to support protection measures 🌊 Read more here ➡️ www.ascobans.org/document/con... 📷: © Andrea Izzotti / Adobe Stock

At the 10th Meeting of the Parties (MOP10) in Odense, ASCOBANS Parties came together to address pressing conservation challenges for marine life. One of the key resolutions focused on the Conservation of Beaked Whales, a vulnerable group of cetaceans that is particularly sensitive to human impacts.

The resolution emphasizes actions to reduce threats such as underwater noise, bycatch, and pollution. It highlights the importance of enhanced monitoring, noise mitigation, and designated protected areas as part of a broader strategy to support beaked whale conservation. Overall, it underlines the role of international cooperation in protecting these elusive and ecologically important species.

Photo © Andrea Izzotti / Adobe Stock

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

That's a wrap 🎁 The 6th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Common Dolphin Group gathered 40+ participants to share updates on: ✅implementation of the action plan ✅strandings ✅bycatch ✅+ much more The recommendations & meeting report will be available in due course ➡️ www.ascobans.org/meeting/cdg6 @cms.int

That's a wrap 🎁

The 6th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Common Dolphin Group (CDG6) gathered 40+ participants over two days, who shared updates on:
✅ implementation of the Common Dolphin SAP
✅ strandings patterns
✅ bycatch
✅ other work on any hazardous substances, causes of mortality,
health status, nutritional status, diet or life history analysis on the common dolphin
✅ ...and much more

The agreed recommendations and the meeting report will be made available in due course on the ASCOBANS website: https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/cdg6

📷: Some of the CDG6 participants on Day 2. ©️ ASCOBANS Secretariat

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

The first ASCOBANS meeting of 2026 started today! 🐬 The 6th Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Species Action Plan for the North-East Atlantic #CommonDolphin meets online 13-14 Jan to review progress in implementation, hear about complementary initiatives & focus on conservation actions.

🐬CDG6 started today ! It is the first ASCOBANS meeting of 2026 📑

The 6th Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Species Action Plan for the North-East Atlantic Common Dolphin (Common Dolphin Group or CDG), is held online from 13–14 January 2026.
Across the two days, the CDG will review progress under the species action plan, hear about complementary initiatives, and focus on what it will take to move the implementation of conservation actions forward.

Meeting page➡️ https://www.ascobans.org/meeting/cdg6
Common Dolphin SAP ➡️ https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/ascobans-species-action-plan-north-east-atlantic-common-dolphin

📷 © Nicola Hodgins / WDC

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 06/01/2026

New year, new skills benefiting people and wildlife! 🎓🐘 Enrol in Connectivity 101, a free self-paced course. Learn the basics on ecological connectivity along with tools, strategies and approaches for conserving and restoring habitats & ecosystem processes: www.learningfornature.org/en/courses/c...

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Looking for an internship at the heart of migratory species conservation? The CMS Secretariat in Bonn is offering multiple full-time internships (3-6 months) in the Aquatic Species Team in 2026 - including at ASCOBANS 🌊🐬🐋🦈🐢🦭🦦 Apply today! (or by 16 January 2026)➡️ careers.un.org/jobSearchDes...

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

The orca occurs also in the ASCOBANS Area 💙 #dolphins

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

🐬 Season’s Greetings & Happy New Year 2026 from the ASCOBANS Secretariat! This year our thanks for organising the ASCOBANS Season’s Greetings card competition goes to #CoalitionCleanBaltic and @oceancare.bsky.social. The winning entry enclosed was created by Amia von Arenberg - congratulations! 🎉

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

🔊 We are hiring! Applications are invited for the post of Executive Secretary at the Helsinki Commission Secretariat. The post, which is based in Helsinki, Finland, will become vacant on 1 February 2027. Apply by 22 March 2026. Vacancy announcement 👉 buff.ly/CpiN6AL

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CIBBRiNA @cibbrina.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

New research involving CIBBRiNA partners is shedding valuable light on marine mammal #bycatch. 🐳 A recent paper in the ICES Journal of Marine Science focusing on #EU waters explores how long-term stranding network data can add to our understanding of where & how much bycatch is happening. [1/3]

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iwc-whales.bsky.social @iwc-whales.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

JCRM is the IWC’s scientific journal. Our latest volume, includes papers on the impact of climate change on migratory whale species & potential solutions to reduce the threat of entanglement for North Atlantic right whales. journal.iwc.int/index.php/jc... #jcrm #whales #whalescience

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 16/12/2025

Discover outcomes of @ascobans.bsky.social workshops on MPA management for cetaceans + a practical toolbox to translate threats into SMART conservation objectives & measures. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SxT... Download: protectbaltic.eu/ascobans-sma... Read: protectbaltic.eu/news/f/prote...

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Today, we are co-hosting a webinar with @helcominfo.bsky.social and @protectbaltic.bsky.social on 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 #𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 – 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀* 𝗼𝗻 #𝗠𝗣𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🐬 📽️ The recording will be made available online - follow us for notification! * tinyurl.com/bdy2atsu @cms.int

Today, ASCOBANS is co-hosting a webinar with HELCOM and PROTECT BALTIC on 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 – 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗣𝗔 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🐬
✨ The webinar presents an opportunity to explore the outcomes of the ASCOBANS Workshops* on the Management of MPAs for Small Cetaceans – where experts from across Europe developed innovative, evidence-based tools for Marine Protected Area (MPA) management
* 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/second-ascobans-workshop-management-mpas-small-cetaceans
🔹 Learn about new management approaches and international standards
🔹 Get inspired to apply fresh tools for small cetacean conservation
📽️ The recording will be made available online - follow us to get a notification when the link is posted!

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CIBBRiNA @cibbrina.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

New CIBBRiNA report out! A dizzying array of measures have been developed & trialled with the aim of reducing #bycatch of #ETP species. Our report catalogues & breaks these down according to their relevance to different #fishing gears, regions, species, & socio-economic contexts in Europe. [1/2]

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 21/11/2025

For migratory wildlife, rising heat, extreme weather and disrupted waters are shrinking habitats, cutting food and undermining ecosystem services. As #ClimateChange #COP30 ends, we must put migratory species at the heart of climate action. 🌍🐋 More on these impacts: www.cms.int/news/global-...

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 02/12/2025

Research shows underwater noise from vessels drowns out clicks & whistles narwhals rely on to navigate, feed & communicate. Slower speeds, rerouting around sensitive areas and quieter propellers, hulls & engines can all help quiet the ocean for migratory species: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

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Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) @cms.int · 20/11/2025

This week, CMS and ASCOBANS are at the 9th Meeting of the Parties to ACCOBAMS. On the agenda: long-term monitoring of cetaceans, reducing bycatch, tackling underwater noise & vessel strikes, improving response to strandings, and addressing debris & pollution. More at accobams.org/meetings/9th...

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UN Environment Programme @unep.org · 01/10/2025

We are deeply saddened by the passing of UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall. Her life’s work championing conservation, humanity and the natural world leaves an enduring legacy. Our condolences to her family, the Jane Goodall Institute and all who draw hope from her example.

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

The 29th meeting of our Advisory Committee took place last week - thank you to all who joined in the course of 3 days! Outcomes 👉 www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a... (report will follow) 🐬 @cms.int | @ospar.bsky.social | @helcominfo.bsky.social | @iwc-whales.bsky.social | @icesmarine.bsky.social

The 29th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee took place last week - thank you to the 69 participants who joined the sessions in the course of three days!

The 42 agreed action points, recommendations and decisions are available on the AC29 page here: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/action-points-and-recommendations-29th-meeting-ascobans-advisory-committee

Among those, the AC decided:
🔵 to establish a Working Group on Cetacean Culture, to consider the potential importance of social learning and culture for cetacean conservation in the ASCOBANS region. The group will liaise with the CMS Expert Working Group on Animal Culture;
🔵 to task the Joint Noise Working Group of CMS, ACCOBAMS and ASCOBANS to review new information on noise emitted by seismic surveys and the extent of ultra-short baseline (USBL) signals and underwater acoustic positioning systems;
🔵 that the Intersessional Working Group on Unusual Mortality Events (UME) and Mass Stranding Events (MSE) would report to AC30.

Let's not forget that two massive reports were submitted for the AC to note:
🟦 A Review of Available Information on White-beaked Dolphin and Atlantic White-sided Dolphin 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/review-available-information-white-beaked-dolphin-and-atlantic-white-sided-dolphin
🟦 Overcoming Challenges to Protect Beaked Whales in the Northeast Atlantic 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/overcoming-challenges-protect-beaked-whales-northeast-atlantic-%E2%80%93-ascobans-intersessional-0
☑️☑️ The AC endorsed the recommendations within both reports.

The AC29 report will be available on the ASCOBANS website in due course: https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲! The next meeting of the Advisory Committee (AC30) is tentatively scheduled for 1-3 September 2026. The venue will be announced later.

📷: ©️ ASCOBANS Secretariat

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Animal culture discussed at AC29 this morning! Defined as 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 - 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 - 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, evidence of animal culture is found in many cetaceans🐬 ➡️ royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202... @cms.int

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

AC29 is now underway! 🎉 From 16–18 September, the Advisory Committee is meeting online to review reports on pressures to small cetaceans, including noise, ocean energy, unexploded ordnance. 👉 Keep updated on key outcomes here: www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a... 📷© IrkIngwer /Adobe Stock @cms.int

AC29 is now underway! 🎉

From 16–18 September, the Advisory Committee is meeting online. One of its tasks is to review reports on pressures and threats to small cetaceans, as outlined in UNEP/ASCOBANS Resolution 10.1 on National Reporting.

Stay tuned for updates on key outcomes! The adopted Action Points and Recommendations will be posted on the ASCOBANS website after the meeting. Learn more: https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

At AC29, Parties will report on Maritime Spatial Planning 🌊 Cetacean-sensitive MSP includes long-term strategy, spatial & temporal coordination, dynamic adaptation, incremental planning, mitigation, & environmental impact assessments. 👉 ascobans.org/en/document/maritime-spatial-planning @cms.int

🌊 Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) will be a key topic at AC29 next week.

MSP must be based on a functional understanding of marine ecosystems and ensure that all human activities are compatible with maintaining healthy, biodiverse seas.

Cetacean-sensitive MSP is vital to achieving and maintaining their Favorable Conservation Status. This means:
– Clear long-term strategies aligned with conservation goals
– Strong spatial and temporal coordination
– Flexibility to adapt to ecosystem and knowledge changes
– Step-by-step implementation with regular evaluation
– Rigorous use of the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, remediate, offset)
– Thorough environmental impact assessments at both plan and project levels

Learn more in the ASCOBANS resolution on MSP 👉 https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/maritime-spatial-planning

AC29 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

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ASCOBANS @ascobans.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Unexploded ordnance—a key issue at AC29—still litter ASCOBANS waters. Underwater blasting to clear them emits intense sound that can harm cetaceans + chemicals from decay or detonation add further pressure 💣 🔗 www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a... @cms.int @helcominfo.bsky.social @ospar.bsky.social

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) dumped at sea during wars pose risks to cetacean populations 💣

Large quantities of ammunition are still found throughout the ASCOBANS Area. For example, in German waters of the North and Baltic Seas, an estimated amount about 1.6 million tons of conventional munitions and 5,000 tons of chemical warfare is still lying dormant.

UXO removal by blasting represents a particular hazard to cetaceans as high sound pressure and explosion-related shock waves can lead to severe injury and hearing impairment. The animals and their habitats may also be affected by chemicals released due to the explosion or from decaying weapons.

UXO is a key point of discussion at AC29, happening online 16-18 September 2025. 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

Read more: ASCOBANS Resolution 8.8 𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/addressing-threats-underwater-munitions

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