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A word from the Executive Secretary,

 

As one of the CMS-family Agreements, ACCOBAMS embodies the collective conservation efforts put together by 24 signatory Countries on a group of migratory animals, in a way that individual countries alone could not do. ACCOBAMS illustrates the outreach of a successful regional cooperation mechanism aimed at conserving cetaceans, and contributing to halt marine biodiversity loss on a wider scale.

At the Meeting of the Parties, held in Malta, end of 2022, ACCOBAMS Countries reaffirmed their strong commitment to cooperate regionally towards the conservation of cetaceans and their habitats in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and its adjacent Atlantic area. They have entrusted the Presidency of the ACCOBAMS Bureau to Malta, assisted by Vice-Chairs from Bulgaria, Lebanon, Montenegro and Portugal, for the period 2023 to 2025.

ACCOBAMS Countries took important decisions, such as the ambitious work program for 2023-2025 focused on improving their collective response to the multiple and cumulative threats posed to cetaceans by human activities, such as marine pollution, anthropogenic underwater noise, unwanted interactions in fisheries, commercial whale watching activities, or collisions with vessels. Their commitment is further illustrated by the 23 Resolutions adopted – half of which based on recommendations issued by the Scientific Committee – with guidance on how to improve cetaceans’ conservation state and resiliency.

A long-term monitoring programme on dolphins and whales was recognised by the Parties as a priority activity in the ACCOBAMS area, particularly building up on the outbreaking Survey (ASI) that was recently conducted, for the sake of effective conservation efforts, and in face of the rapidly changing reality.

We are called to pursue stronger efforts and collective work in order to restore and improve cetaceans’ conservation state, in alignement with the huge objectives defined for the near future.

Susana SALVADOR, ACCOBAMS Executive Secretary