ASCOBANS

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Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS). A treaty of the United Nations. #UNEP #MigratorySpecies

🎣 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

📅 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

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

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

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

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

📣 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

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

🎉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

🌍 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

↗️ 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

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

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

🐬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

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!

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

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

🌊 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

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

Offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy are vital renewable sources for combating climate change, but they can also pose risks to small cetaceans. Across the whole lifecycle of ocean energy development—from construction, operation, to decommission—ocean energy projects can introduce underwater noise, increase collision risks, and cause displacement or injury for marine mammals. The magnitude of these impacts is still poorly understood, making careful planning and strong mitigation measures essential to protect marine life. At AC29, Parties will report on this growing pressure to small cetaceans. 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29
Learn more:
🧰 UNEP/ASCOBANS Resolution on Ocean Energy: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/ocean-energy-1
🧰 UNEP/ASCOBANS Resolution on Adverse Effects of Underwater Noise on Marine Mammals during Offshore Construction Activities for Renewable Energy Production: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/adverse-effects-underwater-noise-marine-mammals-during-offshore-construction-activities-0

Impulsive noise is intense, short pulses of very loud sound, repeated over a period of time. This type of underwater noise pollution often occurs from pile-driving for offshore construction (featured here in the graphic), seismic surveys, and explosions triggered to dispose of underwater munitions. Impulsive noise can cause direct injuries to cetaceans, ranging from bruising to organ rupture and death. It can also cause hearing damage –permanent or temporary– directly impacting their ability to survive. This topic will be a key agenda point discussed at the upcoming 29th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee: https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

Continuous underwater noise - such as from shipping - puts pressure on small cetaceans. https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

Full house at the workshop. © ASCOBANS Secretariat

Read more at https://www.ascobans.org/en/campaign/international-day-baltic-harbour-porpoise

NSG13 participants. © ASCOBANS Secretariat. (10+ participants are missing from the group photo, which was taken at the end of the meeting.)

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 (𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵 (𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯).
📸: ASCOBANS Secretariat.

Photo: Harbour porpoise by Tilen Genov / Morigenos