The Parties recognised that "In recent years the Agreement area has been the scene of major cetacean mortality events, involving mass strandings over wide geographical areas, which have evoked great concern and have attracted considerable attention from the scientific community. To face possible new mortality outbreaks, as well as major accidental events affecting cetacean populations or their critical habitats, the establishment of a Task Force for marine mammal mortality and special events, formed by international experts, is highly recommended. When necessary, and if requested by the Secretariat, the Task Force will convene and arrange for a small team of experts to assess the situation on the ground and advise national groups. The development of intervention protocols and of code of conducts to be followed in case of emergency situations should also be included within the tasks of such group".

During the first meeting of the Scientific Committee in Tunis (3-5 October 2002) a discussion was made on the establishment of such task force: "After a brief discussion, in which several members pointed out the importance for the SC to provide precise indications on the type of scientific support, both preventive and as a follow up, in case of special events, it was decided to create a working group for this task within the following three months".

As a result, a Working Group was established composed as follows:

Mark Simmonds (Coord.)
Alex Aguilar
Stefan Braeger
Anastasia Komnenou
Toni Raga

The following steps are proposed to the WG, in order to support the expeditious implementation of an ACCOBAMS Emergency Task Force (ETF):

(1) Preparation of a list of the possible events for which the ETF may be called upon. For example: epizootic outbreaks, massive oil- or chemical-spill in known cetacean critical habitat, cetacean mass mortality of unknown cause, etc. For each event type, the WG arranges for a set of protocols and guidelines detailing actions that the ETF should undertake, as soon as it is notified of the event. It is highly recommended that government disaster management experts be informally consulted to acquire basic tips on the organisation of such tasks.

(2) Establishment of the ETF: peparation of a roster of contact persons and experts from a number of appropriate fields of expertise (not necessarily members of the ACCOBAMS SC), who agree to volunteer and remain on call in case of emergency, and familiar with the instructions detailed in the above mentioned protocols and guidelines. Different experts may be designated for different event types, as needed. Emergencies might be generally addressed by putting ETF members in contact with local correspondents or officials on the site of concern, to provide guidance and assistance by telephone or email, and only in exceptional cases by dispatching one or more ETF members on the event site.

(3) Periodical updating of protocols and guidelines, based on past experiences and the availability of new techniques and technologies.

(4) When appropriate, organisation of training and exercises to enhance the effectiveness of the ETF.

(5) Support to the Permanent Secretariat in the preparation of the budget for an emergency fund, to enable the timely implementation of the ETF activities, whenever and wherever these may be needed.