Shark underwater at Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico / Photo by Elianne Dipp
High Seas Treaty: A New Era for Migratory Species and Ocean Governance
Bonn, 25 September 2025 - The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conse
Harbour porpoise. © Jan Zoetekouw / AdobeStock
International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise 2025: Continuing the Fight to Survive
This Sunday marks the International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise (#IDBHP), an annual day dedicated to raising awareness about the only cetacean native to the Baltic Sea: Phocoena phocoena.
Some of the NSG13 participants at the end of the meeting. © ASCOBANS Secretariat
13th Meeting of the North Sea Group
Tackling Bycatch and Habitat Threats: Outcomes from the 13th ASCOBANS NSG Meeting
The 13th Meeting of the Steering Group for the ASCOBANS Conservation Plan for Harbour Porpoise in the North Sea (North Sea Group) took place online, on 28 and 29 April 2025. The meeting brought together representatives from North Sea countries, environmental organizations, and invited experts, to assess the current state of harbour porpoise conservation and threat mitigation measures.
Internship Opportunities in the Aquatic Species Team
Are you a university student or a recent graduate? Are you interested in aquatic migratory species? Are you interested in the work of a multilateral environmental agreement of the United Nations? If your answer is yes, maybe consider applying for an internship in our Aquatic Species Team! (ASCOBANS, CMS, Sharks MOU, IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU)
https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/251445?language=en
Internship Opportunities in the CMS Aquatic Species Team in 2025
Are you a university student or a recent graduate? Are you interested in aquatic migratory species? Are you interested in the work of a multilateral environmental agreement of the United Nations? If your answer is yes, consider applying for an internship in our team!
© ASCOBANS Secretariat.
2024 Season's Greetings from ASCOBANS
Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year 2025 from the ASCOBANS Secretariat!
Photo credit: Marine Nationale.
Joint ACCOBAMS-ASCOBANS Workshop with Navies in Toulon
The Joint ACCOBAMS-ASCOBANS Workshop on Underwater Noise and Cetaceans, which took place from 26 to 27 November 2024 in Toulon, France, brought together 30 representatives from national Navies or navy-adjacent research institutions, NATO, and invited cetacean experts. Hosted by the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée, this workshop was the result of ongoing efforts by the ACCOBAMS and ASCOBANS Agreements, focusing on the conservation of cetaceans.
Photo © Hanna Michel.
ASCOBANS and ICES Strengthen Cetacean Conservation Efforts
This week, ASCOBANS signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). This is a great step in in fostering stronger collaboration dedicated to the protection of small cetaceans. The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation and facilitates collaboration between ASCOBANS and ICES in areas of mutual interest.
Sowerby's beaked whale © Justin Hart/Cetaceanwatching-Azores
Governments Adopt Key Measures for the Conservation of Dolphins, Porpoises and other Ocean Species - ASCOBANS MOP10 Press Release
Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish, and North Seas (ASCOBANS) agreed on a series of important conservation measures at a meeting held from 10-12 September in Denmark. The agreement covers small migratory marine mammals, such as dolphins and porpoises, which are found in these northern and western European waters. Key outcomes of the 10th Meeting of the Parties to ASCOBANS (MOP10) are aimed at critical threats to these marine mammals.
Guido Keijl.
ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award to Guido Keijl & Dutch Strandings Network
Guido Keijl & the Dutch strandings network have just been announced the winner of the ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award 2024 at the 10th Meeting of the Parties, which began today in Odense, Denmark.