In 2019, the ACCOBAMS Secretariat organized a workshop with navies to showcase how the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee can provide advice and assistance with respect to mitigating adverse effects on cetaceans for military exercises. The proceedings of this workshop are available here. During MOP8 in 2022, ACCOBAMS Parties expressed their interest in organizing a second workshop to facilitate the exchange of relevant information with the competent authorities before the start of any military exercises.

In addition, the 26th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee (AC26) requested the ASCOBANS Secretariat to convene a workshop with representatives of national navies (and NATO) to consider underwater noise issues, specifically addressing (1) navies' mitigation protocols for use of military sonar and management of other activities that can contribute to potentially harmful underwater noise, including the removal and/or detonation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), and (2) Solutions for acoustic monitoring and bycatch mitigation (deterrent devices) in synergy with national security activities.

The two Agreements are now joining forces to organize this workshop. 

Participation to the workshop is by invitation only. For any queries, please contact the ASCOBANS Secretariat or the ACCOBAMS Secretariat.