This informal working group was established upon recommendation of the 6th Meeting of the Parties in order to provide advice to Parties: 

• To summarise information on abundance, distribution and status of large cetacean species occurring within the ASCOBANS Agreement Area. 
• To identify major issues likely to be having a negative effect upon large cetacean populations in the Agreement Area, and the extent to which they can be addressed alongside small cetaceans. 
• To make informal recommendations of appropriate mitigation measures.