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ASCOBANS
@ascobans.bsky.social
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Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS). A treaty of the United Nations. #UNEP #MigratorySpecies
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ascobans.bsky.social
The 29th meeting of our Advisory Committee took place last week - thank you to all who joined in the course of 3 days!

Outcomes 👉 www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a... (report will follow) 🐬

@cms.int | @ospar.bsky.social | @helcominfo.bsky.social | @iwc-whales.bsky.social | @icesmarine.bsky.social
The 29th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee took place last week - thank you to the 69 participants who joined the sessions in the course of three days! The 42 agreed action points, recommendations and decisions are available on the AC29 page here: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/action-points-and-recommendations-29th-meeting-ascobans-advisory-committee Among those, the AC decided: 🔵 to establish a Working Group on Cetacean Culture, to consider the potential importance of social learning and culture for cetacean conservation in the ASCOBANS region. The group will liaise with the CMS Expert Working Group on Animal Culture; 🔵 to task the Joint Noise Working Group of CMS, ACCOBAMS and ASCOBANS to review new information on noise emitted by seismic surveys and the extent of ultra-short baseline (USBL) signals and underwater acoustic positioning systems; 🔵 that the Intersessional Working Group on Unusual Mortality Events (UME) and Mass Stranding Events (MSE) would report to AC30. Let's not forget that two massive reports were submitted for the AC to note: 🟦 A Review of Available Information on White-beaked Dolphin and Atlantic White-sided Dolphin 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/review-available-information-white-beaked-dolphin-and-atlantic-white-sided-dolphin 🟦 Overcoming Challenges to Protect Beaked Whales in the Northeast Atlantic 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/overcoming-challenges-protect-beaked-whales-northeast-atlantic-%E2%80%93-ascobans-intersessional-0 ☑️☑️ The AC endorsed the recommendations within both reports. The AC29 report will be available on the ASCOBANS website in due course: https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲! The next meeting of the Advisory Committee (AC30) is tentatively scheduled for 1-3 September 2026. The venue will be announced later. 📷: ©️ ASCOBANS Secretariat
September 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM
ascobans.bsky.social
Animal culture discussed at AC29 this morning!

Defined as 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 - 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 - 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, evidence of animal culture is found in many cetaceans🐬

➡️ royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202...

@cms.int
September 17, 2025 at 8:21 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
AC29 is now underway! 🎉

From 16–18 September, the Advisory Committee is meeting online to review reports on pressures to small cetaceans, including noise, ocean energy, unexploded ordnance.

👉 Keep updated on key outcomes here: www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a...

📷© IrkIngwer /Adobe Stock

@cms.int
AC29 is now underway! 🎉 From 16–18 September, the Advisory Committee is meeting online. One of its tasks is to review reports on pressures and threats to small cetaceans, as outlined in UNEP/ASCOBANS Resolution 10.1 on National Reporting. Stay tuned for updates on key outcomes! The adopted Action Points and Recommendations will be posted on the ASCOBANS website after the meeting. Learn more: https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29
September 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
At AC29, Parties will report on Maritime Spatial Planning 🌊

Cetacean-sensitive MSP includes long-term strategy, spatial & temporal coordination, dynamic adaptation, incremental planning, mitigation, & environmental impact assessments.
👉 ascobans.org/en/document/maritime-spatial-planning

@cms.int
🌊 Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) will be a key topic at AC29 next week. MSP must be based on a functional understanding of marine ecosystems and ensure that all human activities are compatible with maintaining healthy, biodiverse seas. Cetacean-sensitive MSP is vital to achieving and maintaining their Favorable Conservation Status. This means: – Clear long-term strategies aligned with conservation goals – Strong spatial and temporal coordination – Flexibility to adapt to ecosystem and knowledge changes – Step-by-step implementation with regular evaluation – Rigorous use of the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, remediate, offset) – Thorough environmental impact assessments at both plan and project levels Learn more in the ASCOBANS resolution on MSP 👉 https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/maritime-spatial-planning AC29 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29
September 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
Unexploded ordnance—a key issue at AC29—still litter ASCOBANS waters. Underwater blasting to clear them emits intense sound that can harm cetaceans + chemicals from decay or detonation add further pressure 💣

🔗 www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a...

@cms.int @helcominfo.bsky.social @ospar.bsky.social
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) dumped at sea during wars pose risks to cetacean populations 💣 Large quantities of ammunition are still found throughout the ASCOBANS Area. For example, in German waters of the North and Baltic Seas, an estimated amount about 1.6 million tons of conventional munitions and 5,000 tons of chemical warfare is still lying dormant. UXO removal by blasting represents a particular hazard to cetaceans as high sound pressure and explosion-related shock waves can lead to severe injury and hearing impairment. The animals and their habitats may also be affected by chemicals released due to the explosion or from decaying weapons. UXO is a key point of discussion at AC29, happening online 16-18 September 2025. 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29 Read more: ASCOBANS Resolution 8.8 𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/addressing-threats-underwater-munitions
September 1, 2025 at 7:47 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
Offshore renewable energy—a key agenda topic at AC29—helps fight climate change, but can harm cetaceans through noise, collisions, & habitat disruption. Careful planning & strong mitigation measures are necessary 🧰

ASCOBANS Resolution on Ocean Energy 🔗 www.ascobans.org/en/document/...

@cms.int
Offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy are vital renewable sources for combating climate change, but they can also pose risks to small cetaceans. Across the whole lifecycle of ocean energy development—from construction, operation, to decommission—ocean energy projects can introduce underwater noise, increase collision risks, and cause displacement or injury for marine mammals. The magnitude of these impacts is still poorly understood, making careful planning and strong mitigation measures essential to protect marine life. At AC29, Parties will report on this growing pressure to small cetaceans. 🔗 https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29 Learn more: 🧰 UNEP/ASCOBANS Resolution on Ocean Energy: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/ocean-energy-1 🧰 UNEP/ASCOBANS Resolution on Adverse Effects of Underwater Noise on Marine Mammals during Offshore Construction Activities for Renewable Energy Production: https://www.ascobans.org/en/document/adverse-effects-underwater-noise-marine-mammals-during-offshore-construction-activities-0
August 26, 2025 at 10:50 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
🔊 Impulsive #noise –short, intense pulses of very loud sound from pile driving, seismic surveys, underwater explosions– can injure 🐬🐋 causing temporary or permanent hearing loss, bruising, organ rupture or death.

This topic will be a key agenda item at the upcoming AC29 🔗ascobans.org

@cms.int
Impulsive noise is intense, short pulses of very loud sound, repeated over a period of time. This type of underwater noise pollution often occurs from pile-driving for offshore construction (featured here in the graphic), seismic surveys, and explosions triggered to dispose of underwater munitions. Impulsive noise can cause direct injuries to cetaceans, ranging from bruising to organ rupture and death. It can also cause hearing damage –permanent or temporary– directly impacting their ability to survive. This topic will be a key agenda point discussed at the upcoming 29th Meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee: https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29
August 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
👂 Cetaceans rely on sound to communicate, navigate, to find food. Continuous #underwaternoise – such as from shipping and ferry traffic – can cause disturbance and displacement.

🧾 The ASCOBANS AC will review countries' reports & new information on the topic at its 29th meeting on 16-18 Sept 2025.
Continuous underwater noise - such as from shipping - puts pressure on small cetaceans. https://www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/ac29
August 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
ascobans.bsky.social
🐬 Reminder! Registration for AC29

The 29ᵗʰ Meeting of the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee (AC29) will be held online, 16–18 September 2025. Parties and approved observer organisations can still register, by 17 August 2025.

🔗 Register via the meeting page: www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a...
August 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
📣 The countdown is on to ASCOBANS AC29!

Countries will come together to report on key pressures & threats facing small cetaceans in the Baltic, NE Atlantic, Irish and North Seas:

🌊 Ocean energy
💣 UXOs
🔊 Underwater noise
🗺️ Marine spatial planning

Learn more: 🔗 www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a...
August 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
ascobans.bsky.social
Plastics pose serious threats to cetaceans through:
🚫 ingestion
🥅 entanglement
🧪 chemical contamination
🌊 habitat disruption.

Today 5 June is #WorldEnvironmentDay - and this year it's about taking action to end plastic pollution.

Join the #BeatPlasticPollution movement:
worldenvironmentday.global
June 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
It's the International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise (#IDBHP)! 🐬

The Baltic's only native cetacean species, the #HarbourPorpoise is critically endangered in the Baltic Proper with only a few 100 remaining 🆘

More: www.ascobans.org/en/news/inte...
About #IDBHP : www.ascobans.org/en/campaign/...
May 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
🐳 We are at the 36th Conference of the European Cetacean Society in Ponta Delgada, Azores!

💡Yesterday we hosted a lively workshop, brainstorming novel conservation & awareness-raising approaches to #SavetheBalticPorpoise 🐬

💙 Thank-you to all the participants!

#ECSconference2025 #IDBHP
Full house at the workshop. © ASCOBANS Secretariat Brainstorming ideas. © ASCOBANS Secretariat Workshop participants. © ASCOBANS Secretariat
May 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
ascobans.bsky.social
The International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise #IDBHP takes place on the 3rd Sunday in May, to increase public awareness of the #HarbourPorpoise population in the #Baltic Proper, which is threatened with extinction.

📆 18 May 2025. Tag us in your IDBHP event!

See also fb.me/e/5Cerzrfaa
Read more at https://www.ascobans.org/en/campaign/international-day-baltic-harbour-porpoise
May 2, 2025 at 10:43 AM
ascobans.bsky.social
The 13th Meeting of the ASCOBANS North Sea Group (NSG) concluded today🐬

🎤 The NSG discussed #harbourporpoise conservation activities in the #NorthSea, bycatch, health, strandings +much more...

📑Recommendations & meeting report will be available in due course ➡️ www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/n...
NSG13 participants. © ASCOBANS Secretariat. (10+ participants are missing from the group photo, which was taken at the end of the meeting.)
April 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
ascobans.bsky.social
The ASCOBANS Jastarnia Group held its 21st meeting this week🐬

🎤The group discussed activities in the #Baltic #harbourporpoise Range States, offshore wind energy construction, carbon capture & storage +much more...

📑Proceedings will be available in due course: www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/j...
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 (𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘚𝘊𝘖𝘉𝘈𝘕𝘚 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵 (𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯). 📸: ASCOBANS Secretariat.
March 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
ascobans.bsky.social
Hello, BlueSky! 🌍

We're the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas 🌊🌊

Follow us for what's going on at ASCOBANS and for related stories, science & actions to safeguard #whales, #dolphins and #porpoises! 🐬
Photo: Harbour porpoise by Tilen Genov / Morigenos
March 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM