The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) hosted the eighth International Meeting of the Parties of the United Nations Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and the contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS).
During the meeting, countries of the Mediterranean, the adjacent Atlantic area and the Black Sea discussed issues leading to the improvement of the status of whales and dolphins and adopted a three-year programme of work to further improve the state of these creatures in our regions.
The meeting included representatives of the contracting parties, as well as observers, experts and marine specialists. They met in Malta not only to discuss, share and improve on the knowledge of our seas but also to provide an ample update on the ACCOBAMS Programme of Work established to protect these marvellous creatures, and to tackle threats and pressures linked with their survival in the region.
The Parties recognised the importance of protecting the marine environment and preserve marine cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and agreed to an ambitious work programme for the next 3 years, tackling various related issues, including underwater noise, dolphin and whale strandings, and ship strikes, amongst many others. This plan is also accompanied by a long-term monitoring campaign on dolphins and whales, to ensure their safety.
Furthermore, a communication strategy was adopted to centralise information and gradually raise awareness and share knowledge to everyone who wishes to learn more and help take action for cetacean conservation.
Information about ACCOBAMS
ACCOBAMS, the United Nations Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area, is an international legal treaty implementing the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or the Bonn Convention). Its purpose is to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises (known collectively as cetaceans) in these regions and reduce threats to them by improving current knowledge on these animals and implementing conservation measures.
Established in 1996, ACCOBAMS is a legal conservation tool based on the cooperation between all members of the treaty. In 2022, the Agreement has 24 Parties: Albania, Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Türkiye and Ukraine.
Click here for more information about ACCOBAMS and the conference in Malta.
The conference was symbolised by an image of a dolphin with calf, stylised with Maltese features: a video prepared by ERA for ACCOBAMS is available here.
About cetaceans in Malta
Cetaceans are important to the whole marine ecosystem, as these mammals are predators that are able to control populations of other species and maintain a balance of marine ecosystems. Due to their importance and charismatic nature, all marine mammals found in our waters (which include all our dolphins and whales, as well as the harbour porpoise and the monk seal) are strictly protected in Malta since 1992. Deliberate disturbance as well as killing such species is illegal, primarily through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (SL 549.44). ERA coordinates a permitting system to ensure the implementation of such protection, has declared marine protected areas for such marine species, and finances rehabilitation in relation to stranded dolphins.
The Environment and Resources Authority has conducted scientific surveys in marine waters on cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and confirmed the presence of selected cetaceans in particular areas around the Maltese coast, and further monitoring studies are ongoing. The results were published as part of Malta’s Assessment of Marine Waters. This research has shown that four whale species and four dolphin species were reported from Malta in the latest surveys. The whales are: the Fin Whale; the Sperm Whale; the Cuvier’s Beaked Whale and the Long-Finned Pilot Whale; whilst the dolphins are: the Risso’s Dolphin; the Common Dolphin, the Striped Dolphin and the Bottlenose Dolphin.
Current data indicates the populations of the key species found in Malta are stable, although longer term monitoring is required. ERA is investing in such issues and is undergoing further monitoring studies.
Information on selected marine fauna, including the three main dolphin species in Malta can be found here, in the section marked ‘mammals’.
More information on the status of cetaceans in Malta available here.
12 December 2022
