ASCOBANS

CMS Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas

The North Atlantic is an extremely diverse marine environment, covering an enormous stretch of ocean that extends from the tip of Africa to Iceland, Scandinavia and the frontier of the Arctic Circle. WDCS has been working through ASCOBANS, the first whales and dolphin agreement under Convention for Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), to address chronic problems of cetacean bycatch in European fisheries.

Bycatch is considered one of the most serious threats to cetacean populations in the ASCOBANS area. Marine pollution, noise pollution, habitat destruction, and competition with fisheries are further dangers.

The extent of the threat to small cetaceans in the ASCOBANS area is dramatically illustrated by the decline in the population of harbour porpoises in the Baltic Seas. The harbour porpoise is the most common cetacean species in the North Sea and the only native cetacean inhabiting the Baltic.

Cetaceans And Pelagic Trawl Fisheries The Western Approaches of the English Channel are intensively trawled by pelagic fisheries during the winter and early spring from October to May. These fishing activities coincide with relatively high levels of cetacean strandings. 2008-March-26

WDCS And Year Of The Dolphin WDCS is working with the Convention on Migratory Species to highlight the plight of wild dolphins and the need for urgent conservation efforts 2008-March-14

Noise Pollution Shipping, marine industries and military activities around the world are introducing powerful, loud noise into the oceans. 2008-February-25

Baltic And North Seas The serious threats facing whales, dolphins and porpoises of the North East Atlantic, including the Baltic and North Seas, are many. 2008-February-20

Related links

WDCS CMS Programme
ASCOBANS official website