Prompted by a recommendation (Recommendation 1.1) adopted during the First Meeting of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS, a working group on competitive interactions coordinated by Drasko Holcer developed a questionnaire to gather data on the dolphin-fisheries competitive interactions throughout the ACCOBAMS area. Given that the collection of data is a difficult, time-consuming task, that cannot be expected to be undertaken on a voluntary basis, the questionnaire was conceived for use by trained personnel. Further steps in the work of the group will include the development of a plan for the collection of the data, and the identification of resources to implement it.

Considering that bottlenose dolphins appeared to be responsible for most interactions, during its Second Meeting the Scientific Committee (Istanbul, 20-22 November 2003) suggested combining this activity with the initiative to develop a conservation plan for that species. As the bottlenose dolphin is listed in Appendix II of the EU Habitat Directive, the possibility cannot be dismissed for substantive funding of such a project from the European Commission. In addition, a cooperative set of activities in this field can be developed with the Regional Activity Centre - Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of Tunis, which is planning the assessment of the levels of cetacean bycatch in the Mediterranean. A short concept paper on the issue is in preparation, to be submitted to relevant authorities and funding agencies.

The Committee also decided to support the ACCOBAMS Secretariat, which is frequently requested for advice on the use of acoustic devices to address the problem of cetacean-fisheries interactions. It was pointed out that the issue was complex, and that no single answer could be given, and situations needed to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Some guidelines were, on the other hand, considered opportune, especially for policy makers, as a matter of urgency. It was thus decided to convene soon a meeting, with the task of revising and updating relevant guidelines that had been produced in a previous workshop convened by ICRAM in Rome 2001. The document produced by the group would then be circulated to the Scientific Committee members for possible further elaboration and approval. A recommendation was adopted to this effect, Recommendation 2.1 on guidelines for the use of acoustic deterrent devices.