FAQ
What are Cetaceans?Cetaceans are marine mammals. Among cetaceans, a distinction is made between baleen whales (Mysticeti), such as the fin whale, and toothed whales (Odontoceti), examples being the sperm whale and dolphins. These animals have adapted to practically all aquatic environments (rivers, estuaries, high sea) from the equator to the poles. Currently there are about 90 cetacean species known throughout the world. Why do Cetaceans need protection?They need protection because they are under threat from several sources: incidental mortality in fishing gear (bycatch), overexploitation of fish stocks causing the reduction of prey resources, chemical pollution, increasing noise levels, collisions with vessels, and disturbance e.g. from sea traffic and unregulated whale-watching. Cetaceans are also highly evolved and intelligent mammals who are long-lived (bowhead whales can live more than 200 years), have low reproductive rates, and are essential components of the marine ecosystems. Why is an intergovernmental Agreement needed to conserve cetaceans?Cetaceans are migratory and/or highly mobile animals, moving regardless of national boundaries. This is why cooperation among different Countries is an essential way of protecting them. What is the Area covered by the Agreement?The Agreement Area covers all the maritime waters of the Mediterranean and Black Sea and the Atlantic Area contiguous to the Mediterranean Sea west of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Agreement includes Pelagos - the Mediterranean Marine Mammal Sanctuary established by France, Italy and Monaco. Which are the Countries of the ACCOBAMS Area?The ACCOBAMS Riparian Countries are: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom (because of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory). Which are the species that ACCOBAMS protects?ACCOBAMS protects all the regular, vagrant and visiting cetacean species in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area. In the Mediterranean and Black Seas, 21 species have been sighted at least once, of which 10 are resident (in the Black Sea, only three small cetacean species are represented by regularly occurring populations).
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Design & Development: (R)evolution Ltd. | Photos: © IFAW & Blue World
Design & Development: (R)evolution Ltd. | Photos: © IFAW & Blue World