ASCOBANS News

2024 Season's Greetings from ASCOBANS

Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year 2025 from the ASCOBANS Secretariat!

 

22 December 2024

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.

21 December 2024

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.

12 December 2024

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. 

13 September 2024

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.

10 September 2024

Internship Opportunities at the CMS 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, consider applying for an internship at the CMS Secretariat! Check out the details in the Job Opening on the UN Careers page.  

07 May 2024

ECS-ASCOBANS Workshop on recreational activities and their impact on cetaceans

On 9 April 2024, ASCOBANS organised a workshop on recreational activities and their impact on cetaceans, as part of the 35th European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference in Catania, Italy. Over 30 participants attended.

03 May 2024

ECS-ASCOBANS Workshop 2 on Development of a European Marine Strandings Database

As part of the European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference, ASCOBANS organised its second workshop on the development of a European marine strandings database, on 9 April 2024 in Catania, Sicily, Italy.

30 April 2024

ECS-ASCOBANS Workshop on Protecting the lesser-known cetaceans of the NE Atlantic

The workshop on protecting the lesser-known cetaceans of the NE Atlantic was organised as part of the 35th European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference, on 8 April 2024 in Catania, Sicily, Italy. 

26 April 2024

Creation of 33 new Important Marine Mammal Areas in the North East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea

Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. Now, 33 new IMMAs have been created in the North East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea by the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Taskforce.

29 March 2024