ASCOBANS

After 31 Dec, ASCOBANS will no longer be active here on X. Thanks for following us! You can follow us over on BlueSky and Facebook for what's going on at ASCOBANS and for related stories, science & actions to safeguard #whales, #dolphins and #porpoises !🐬🌊 . . . 📷© Rob Lott

This week, CMS’ scientific advisory body is meeting in Bonn, Germany, for the 8th Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC8). This is the Council's last meeting before #CMSCOP15. 👩‍🔬 During this session, the Council will evaluate proposals to add new species to the CMS Appendices (Amendments to the Appendices) and review issues related to illegal and unsustainable taking, ecological connectivity, infrastructure, renewable energy development, and climate change, as well as a wide range of taxa-specific and crosscutting conservation issues. All these matters will be considered by COP15 in March 2026 in Brazil. 🇧🇷 📅 Learn more about ScC-SC8 and view meeting photos: cms.int/meeting/eighth…

How can we set conservation objectives for small cetaceans that are clear, measurable and realistic to monitor? What does effective protection for small cetaceans in the Baltic Sea look like in practice? 🐬 Discover the outcomes of the ASCOBANS Workshops on the Management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for small cetaceans, along with a practical toolbox to translate key threats into SMART conservation objectives and concrete measures on the water. 🌊 ▶️ Watch the recording: youtube.com/watch?v=_SxTcU… 📥 Download the presentation: protectbaltic.eu/ascobans-small… 📰 Read the article: protectbaltic.eu/news/f/protect…

This week, CMS and its @ASCOBANS Agreement are joining Parties in Cyprus for the Ninth Meeting of the Parties to @ACCOBAMS. Together, we are strengthening regional cooperation to safeguard whales, dolphins, porpoises and other species in the area. 🐬 On the agenda: long-term monitoring of cetacean populations, reducing bycatch and other harmful interactions with fisheries and aquaculture, tackling underwater noise and vessel strikes, improving response to strandings, and addressing marine debris and other pollution. 🚢 🧴 Find out more at accobams.org/meetings/9th-m…

The 29th meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee took place last week - thank you to all who joined in the course of 3 days! Outcomes 👉 ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29 (the report will follow) 🐬 📢AC30 tentatively scheduled for 1-3 Sept 2026

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', animal culture is found in many dolphins and whales 🐬 ➡️ royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/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: ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29 📷© IrkIngwer /Adobe Stock

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/ma…

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 💣 🔗 ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

Offshore renewable energy—a key topic at AC29—helps fight climate change, but can harm cetaceans through noise, collisions, & habitat disruption. Careful planning & strong mitigation measures are necessary 🧰 Learn more: ascobans.org/en/document/oc… AC29: ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

🔊 Impulsive #noise –short, intense pulses of very loud sound from pile driving, seismic surveys, underwater explosions– can injure 🐬🐋 causing temporary or permanent hearing loss, bruising, organ rupture or death. This topic will be a key agenda item at the upcoming AC29.

👂Cetaceans rely on sound to communicate, navigate, to find food. Continuous underwater #noise – such as from shipping and ferry traffic – can cause disturbance and displacement. 🧾ASCOBANS AC29 will review countries' reports & new information on the topic in September 2025.

🐬 Reminder! Registration for AC29 Parties and approved observer organisations can still register for the ASCOBANS AC29, by 17 Aug 2025. 🔗Register via the meeting page: ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29 🔗Approved observer organisations: ascobans.org/en/page/approv…

🔔 Countdown is on to ASCOBANS #AC29 ! Key agenda topics: 🌊 Ocean energy 💣 Unexploded ordnance 🔊 Impulsive & ambient noise 🗺️ Marine spatial planning Stay tuned as we highlight each topic ahead of the meeting! Learn more here: 🔗 ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

Today, we were honoured to welcome Parliamentary State Secretary @carstentraeger from Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety to meet with the Secretariats of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and its Agreements at the UN Campus in Bonn. 🇩🇪 Mr. Träger met with the Executive Secretary of CMS, the Executive Secretary of AEWA, and staff members from the Secretariats of CMS, AEWA, @UNEP_EUROBATS, and @ASCOBANS, learning about our work on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals around the world. The discussions highlighted the importance of international cooperation for the conservation of wildlife that know no borders. 🐦🦇🐬 We thank Mr. Träger and his delegation for his visit and for supporting the mission of CMS and its Agreements to safeguard migratory species and their habitats.

Each summer, parts of the Baltic Sea display vivid green algal blooms. 🛰 This #ImageOfTheDay, captured by a #CopernicusEU #Sentinel2 satellite on 21 July shows the phenomenon. @CMEMS_EU delivers products useful for better understanding the biogeochemical status of the ocean.

The 29thMeeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee (AC29) will take place online from 16-18 September 2025. Observer organizations interested in attending AC29 are invited to register by 17 July 2025 via the meeting page: ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29

Plastics pose serious threats to cetaceans through: 🚫 ingestion 🥅 entanglement 🧪 chemical contamination 🌊 habitat disruption. Today, 5 June, is the #WorldEnvironmentDay - and this year it's about #BeatPlasticPollution . Join the movement: worldenvironmentday.global

Marine animals are essential, yet many species face severe threats due to human activities. 🐬 Managing such activities in a way that's legal, sustainable and ensures conservation is critical for implementing #SDG14 and the #GBF. Are you heading to #UNOC3? Then don’t miss our side event! 🦈 Come discover how to advance these goals through collaboration, innovative science and an inclusive approach. Speakers will provide actionable insights on how to protect marine wildlife, ensure ecosystem health and promote sustainable futures for all. 🐢 More info: cms.int/en/eventcalend…

It's the International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise (#IDBHP) ! 🐬 The #HarbourPorpoise population in the Baltic Proper is critically endangered with only a few 100 remaining 🆘 Read more: ascobans.org/en/news/intern…