Parties to a regional treaty that seeks to protect dolphins and whales have agreed on a work programme setting out their priorities for the next three years.

The second meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area was held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from 9-12 November. The 16 Parties to the agreement adopted a work programme listing priority actions for the period 2005-2007 to improve regional conservation efforts for whales and dolphins. Parties supported collaboration with relevant conventions and organizations, and agreed to contribute towards implementation of the joint work programme between the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The meeting also addressed the impact of man-made noise on cetaceans, agreeing on a resolution urging range States to try to avoid underwater sound that might cause adverse effects on cetaceans, and to exercise extreme caution until satisfactory guidelines are developed. Parties also welcomed a conservation plan for the common dolphin in the Mediterranean Sea and stressed the need to ensure that fishing operations are conducted in full accordance with existing regulations aimed at the mitigation of cetacean bycatch.
Links to further information
Official documents on the meeting
CMS press release