Aim: Explore overlaps between legal requirements and agreement obligations, identifying scientifically sound synergies in order to take forward cetacean conservation in an integrated and effective manner.

Summary: Cetacean conservation in Europe is both mandated and mediated via a number of agreement obligations and legal requirements, including inter alia ASCOBANS, ACCOBAMS, OSPAR, CFP (and other fisheries measures) and the Habitats and Species, Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Strategy Framework Directives.  These provide a variety of instruments for cetacean conservation including strict protection through threat-based measures covering, for example, killing and capture, as well as area-based approaches (protected areas).  Overlaps in the conservation aims will be critically assessed, with the workshop seeking to explore and identify scientifically sound synergies in order to achieve an integrated and effective approach to cetacean conservation.

There are recognised challenges to spatial management for highly mobile species such as marine mammals, and this workshop will attempt to address ways to integrate both threat-based and area-based conservation measures.

More information here.