Christmas in the mud

It is one of the shortest days of the year. 

In fact it is Christmas Eve (December 24th, 2016) and in Bembridge Harbour and the neighboring St Helen's lagoon on the Isle of Wight the waterfowl are busy enjoying a midwinter feast on the mud, seaweed and shingle uncovered by the low tide.

Little egrets are a recent addition to the British fauna - they have emigrated from the continent. They are very welcome. This one's brilliant white plumage shines in the weak winter sun

Mute swan wades slowly in the rich ooze left by the tide in the lagoon.

Boats and birds - Bembridge

And some dabbing ducks dabbling.

Eurasian Teal (boy) 

Eurasian teal (girl)

The male's rear end; very disinctive

A little line of birds at the sea edge

Lovely lapwings sleep facing into the wind

A seemingly lonely curlew.

Some other waders - bait diggers on Christmas eve on The Duver foreshore.

Overhead two kestrels seem to spar 

The writing is on the sand. 

Concluding Overview of ACCOBAMS CoP 6

ACCOBAMS CoP 6 worked through almost thirty resolutions focused on the key issues affecting the animals and important matters of infrastructure such as staffing arrangements and budget.

Some of the discussions were difficult and, at times, I feared that we might not reach conclusions by the end of the meeting, but we did!

The table below shows the list of resolutions discussed, amended and then (all bar one) endorsed.

Draft Resolution 6.1	Granting the Right to Vote
Draft Resolution 6.2	Amendments to the Headquarters Agreement with the Host Country
Draft Resolution 6.3	ACCOBAMS Staff
Draft Resolution 6.4	Amendments to the Rules of Procedures for the Bureau
Draft Resolution 6.5	Work Programme 2017-2019
Draft Resolution 6.6	Financial and Administrative Matters for the Triennium 2017-2019
Draft Resolution 6.7	Scientific Committee
Draft Resolution 6.8	Amendments to the Follow-up Procedure
Draft Resolution 6.9	Format for National Implementation Reports
Draft Resolution 6.10	Acceptance of the Amendments on the Extension of the ACCOBAMS Geographical Scope
Draft Resolution 6.11	Scientific and Technical Cooperation between ACCOBAMS Parties and the Red Sea States - WITHDRAWN
Draft Resolution 6.12	Strategical Alliance concerning Management and Conservation Measures for the Mediterranean Environment between GFCM, RAC/SPA, and IUCN-Med in Collaboration with MedPAN
Draft Resolution 6.13	Implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and Relevant Ecosystem Approach Processes (EcAP)
Draft Resolution 6.14	Cetacean Population Estimates and Distribution in the ACCOBAMS Area
Draft Resolution 6.15	Population Structure Studies
Draft Resolution 6.16	Assessment of IUCN Conservation Status of Cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS Area
Draft Resolution 6.17	Interactions between Fisheries and Cetaceans
Draft Resolution 6.18	Anthropogenic Noise
Draft Resolution 6.19	Implementation of an ACCOBAMS Certification for Highly Qualified Marine Mammals Observers
Draft Resolution 6.20	Ship Strikes on cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea
Draft Resolution 6.21	Commercial Cetacean Watching Activities in the ACCOBAMS area
Draft Resolution 6.22	Species Conservation and Management Plans
Draft Resolution 6.23	Live Strandings
Draft Resolution 6.24	Capacity-Building
Draft Resolution 6.25	New Areas of Conservation of Cetacean Habitats
Draft Resolution 6.26	List of Resolutions into Force
Draft Resolution 6.27	Tribute to Organisers
Draft Resolution 6.28	Date, Venue and Funding of the Seventh Session of the Meeting of the Parties

I will focus on a couple of these

1.     The resolution on fisheries interactions (Resolution 6.17) stands out as important. It speaks to various key strategic collaborations including with the IWC which now has its own bycatch initiative. Similarly, it picks up an idea that came from the ASCOBANS meeting (that’s the COP of the more northerly sister agreement) to work jointly on this pressing issue.

2.   Noise [Resolution 6.18]: over the Agreement’s lifetime, the issue of noise has come centre stage in the region. Early disbelief that loud noise could really affect cetaceans followed by scepticism that live strandings could be linked to military activities, have now fully given way to a general acceptance that this is an issue and should be addressed. Resolution 6.18 now defines the approach to be taken by the parties and whilst complex, its key points are the call “on the Parties to undertake Strategic Impact Assessments (SIA), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and other relevant assessments such as Appropriate Assessments (AA) under EU Habitat Directive prior to plans, programmes and projects that may affect cetaceans and especially those involving impulsive noise, noting that, as a minimum standard, such assessments should:

·        provide adequate information on baseline biological and environmental information to describe the area being impacted;

·        fully characterise operations and their acoustic components – this should include professional modelling of the sound propagation features and the spatial region that will experience anthropogenic noise above natural ambient sound levels;

·        assess the impact on cetaceans within this area and consider the potential cumulative effects from other anthropogenic activities;

·        describe how the impacts are proposed to be mitigated and effectiveness monitored before, during and after the operation; and

·        provide an objective consideration of the risk posed by the proposed activity against alternatives”

The resolution also requests the Secretariat in consultation with the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee to enter dialogue with NATO and national navies of non-NATO countries as appropriate and to show how the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee can provide advice and assistance with respect to mitigating adverse effects on cetaceans for any future exercises. Further development of the concept of quiet zones was also mandated.

Other highlights included a call for a Vessel Traffic Separation Scheme in the Hellenic Trench (off Greece) to reduce ship strikes and the progress of the ACCOBAMS whale watching ‘label’. This is an endorsement method for whale watching operations in the region to try and ensure that they meet certain standards prescribed by the Agreement.  

At the same time that all these complex matters were being dealt with, the ACCOBAMS was also celebrating its twenthy birthday. It did this with some style: first came the visit of Prince Albert II of Monaco to open the meeting; then a reception in Monaco’s new Yacht Club (opened in 2014) and then another at the Oceanographic Museum’s magnificent banqueting room; and then there were special coffee and tea breaks and lavish lunches (in fact we were fed throughout the event). Never was an international meeting better catered! And we all also brought home a cornucopia of gifts:  ACCOBAMS-themed cap, robust tote bag, pen, sticker and mouse-mat, plus several reports, a box of chocolates, a box of biscuits and, for those that went on the Friday morning trip, their very own perfume!

Thank you ACCOBAMS Secretary and Monaco – that was all very kind.

A cornucopia of ACCOBAMS gifts.

And a final comment on IWC 66

Concluding words on IWC 66 on the Huffington Post HERE 

"....in a less widely appreciated move, the now 70-year-old Whaling Commission quietly took two big strides..."

IWC 66 during a break

ACCOBAMS COP6 The final curtain

Some modest yachts in Monaco Marina facing the castle opposite on 'The Rock'.

So the final day at ACCOBAMS CoP 6 here in the lovely little principality of Monaco starts quite early; in fact at 07.30, so that we can get back on track and finish on time.

All resolutions now receive their final checks and are fully endorsed (except for those that have been removed). One hour later, the meeting breaks and the Secretariat and report writer team is left to finalise the minutes of the meeting,which will be reviewed in the afternoon. Whilst they work in peace, many of us are packed onto a coach and treated to a tour.

We are sent to a famous local perfumerie (no really) where, under the tutelage of an expert, we spend a happy hour creating perfume ('Eau de Simmonds' - very special). Then we walk up into the pretty medieval village of Eze, which stares out across the Mediterranean from its ancient ramparts and twisted cobbled streets.

In the perfume school.

The lab of many fine smells.

The view from Eze looking towards Nice

We return to the principality via a high road that provides stunning views of Monaco - driving along the same road where Princess Grace of Monaco had her tragic car accident and died.

View of Monaco

Back at the Novotel which is hosting CoP6, we  are corralled for yet another sumptuous lunch and then move back into the meeting room for the final session.

The minutes are swiftly concluded with few comments and we move to the closing session. 

During this final session the ancient and grey representative of HSI - who spotted a photo of his younger self during a slide show of ACCOBAMS across the years last night - offers salutations from this younger self; He notes that more than twenty years ago, he had been involved in the 'conception' of both ACCOBAMS and [its sister agreement] ASCOBANS when he had been working at the time for Stichting Greenpeace Council, which was involved in the early negotiations of these agreements with first the Bonn and then the Berne Conventions. He recalls that the aspiration at that time from civil society was to make the world a better and safer place for cetaceans and to ensure not just their survival but also their good health and that of their habitats and ecosystems. Since that time we, he added, we have learned a lot more about these remarkable animals, their intelligences, capabilities, vulnerabilities and their cultures, and more than two decades later the aspirations remain irrevocably the same.

Then the 'grandad' of the NGOs passes the microphone to young Nicolas Entrup who provides the following comment:

Dear Chair, dear Madam Executive Secretary, dear Representatives of the Parties to ACCOBAMS,

Niki delvers joint-statement

This statement is provided on behalf of EcoOcéan Institut, GIS3M, Humane Society International, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Mare Nostrum, NRDC, OceanCare, Oceanomare Delphis Onlus, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, WWF

First of all, we would like to thank Monaco for its hospitality and for providing excellent facilities to make us all feel comfortable and welcome during this 6^th Meeting of the Parties of ACCOBAMS.

We would like to use the opportunity of providing a closing remark - a kind of reflection about the purpose of why we have met and why we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of ACCOBAMS. 

When ACCOBAMS was originally developed, it was a reaction to the fact that cetaceans in the region were in trouble. A spirit rose to take on the challenge to protect these important marine mammals that contribute to the health of the Mediterranean and Black Seas and the people that depend on these ecosystems.

Twenty years are now gone, dozens of decisions have been adopted; plans developed; and actions defined. We still believe in this Agreement; we believe that we have jointly made progress and achieved successes. And that “success” is only defined by one parameter: that the situation for the animals improved.

And yes, there are many examples for such successes. And this is the reason why we celebrate the existence of this Agreement, the only reason. 

At the same time, there is also an important reason why we continue to meet. Because we still witness that some species and populations are still in peril and decreasing; new threats are arising and old ones are returning.

For us, though the two decades of its life, ACCOBAMS has been a friendly and cooperative agreement – built on parties working hand in hand with their NGO friends and Partners. However, in our discussions this week, we fear something significant may have been lacking.

Yes, procedure, provisions, sound preparation and rules are important and are the framework and solid platform for the professional delivery of work. However, we are concerned that there was very little time available during this MOP to explore, debate and discuss the substance of many of the very important issues affecting cetaceans and their environment, leaving many documents and plans provided for us largely “untouched”.

We note that the ACCOBAMS observer organisations have spent many hours volunteering whether in the field or within the bodies of the Agreement, and contributed a significant amount of funds to the objectives of the Agreement. Indeed, the bodies of the Agreement rely to a certain extent on these contributions to cope with their tasks.

To conclude: Yes, we do appreciate many of the decisions adopted and progress being made, but at the same time we would like to remind all here that it is the conservation of cetaceans that the shared purpose of this gathering, and the motivation to continue engaging in this fora.

So, we encourage everyone here to rekindle the spirit which established the Agreement; find again our enthusiasm, our energy and again join forces to prevent whale and dolphin populations from continuing to decrease or even disappear. 

Thank you.

The meeting chairman, Xavier Sticker, French Ambassador for the Environment, next provides his concluding thoughts, saying first that he was moved by the vibrant speeches that he has just heard; he too would like to make it a better world for the animals and he speaks about the need at the meeting of parties to put in place the mechanisms that allow work to go forward. He then summarizes the matters that have been agreed upon giving emphasis to the big survey project which has been discussed for ten years but will now come to fruition. 

 Next the Executive Secretary, Florence, thanks everyone including the report writers for their contributions .... she clearly is moved and she also has to say goodbye to Anne Tappa one of her staff has been with the team for ten years and is retiring. There is a presentation and applause.    

The Secretariat say farewell to Anne

Finally we close - there is a group photograph (perhaps something for a future generation to admire in another twenty years) and we disperse back around the world. 

I will provide a summary of main conclusions next. 

ACCOBAMS COP 6 Birthday Reception

Just some photos:

The grand chamber of the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco which hosted the birthday reception. 

Happy delegates mill and browse.

Some birthday cakes.

Marina of Portugal and Cami of the Secretariat

Heidi of CMS/ASCOBANS and Simon of Israel

 During the reception a short film featuring images of the past events and people associated with the agreement is show. This includes a young (brown-haired) Mark Simmonds.

From the past: Marie-Cristine -the previous (and first) Executive Secretary
of the ACCOBAMS Agreement and (left) Rob Hepworth the then Exec Sec of CMS

Wise heads from years gone by ... I recognize from the left Giuseppe, Tulio
(present at this meeting too) and Alexi

And back to the present - Florence welcomes everyone to the reception

Ambassador Van Klaeveren and one of his paintings 

Marine animals made of marine debris

And some more

The great right whale of marine debris.

Marie Cristine and Sigi in the aquarium

ACCOBAMS COP 6 Day 2

High on the prominatory above the main marina in Monaco - with its remarkable array of huge yachts - the royal palace shines.  

A view of the ACCOBAMS reception at the Royal Yacht Club
last night.

A sperm whale made by local children high over the reception
it is a new species as the teeth are in the upper jaw!

Tuesday is another grey day in Monaco.

We start with a little more administration and then soon we are in the company of Dr Simone Panigada, the distinguished chair of the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, who eloquently describes the work of his committee. It is a comprehensive list, including work on strandings networks, surveys and trainings and threats-related work (e.g. climate change and marine debris), with a strong emphasis on noise.

Among the questions that follow, HSI asks about the threat of pollutants (in particular PCBs) to small cetaceans, especially – for example - orcas in the Western end of the Mediterranean and he points to a briefing available about this at the back of the room from Wildlife and Countryside Link.

Simone replies that not all work could be detailed in his presentation and notes work on pollution conducted via the University of Sienna and encourages some addition to the triennium work plan on this matter. He also notes that the Scientific Committee is devoting a lot of work to killer whales and the new evidence of the threat from PCBs will strengthen this.

Spain speaks up to say that they are ready to assess the impact of whale watching in the Straits of Gibraltar. [This be another pressure on the local orca population which is believed to be especially vulnerable to pollution.]

The Chair thanks the Committee for its wonderful work and notes that Dr Panigada’s input will be important going forward during the meeting.

The Black Sea Commission tells us about the MOU with ACCOBAMS and lists joint activities including meetings between secretariats. Next we hear from the various regional coordination units across the agreement area.

We look at draft resolution 6.5, which covers the work programme.

WWF commends the scientific committee and highlights collaboration.

A number of issues are raised with the work programme by parties including concern about the large number of actions identified and the costs involved but, more positively, the opportunity for collaboration with various work programmes in other bodies highlighted, for example the IWC initiative on bycatch.

HSI suggests that prioritisation should be around concrete conservation action, noting that the many actions reflect the reality for the animals in the agreement area.

Oceancare reminds us forcefully that the common dolphin species is slipping away ‘on our watch', we need to address this.

Sigi Luber of Oceancare speaks up for the common dolphin

The Chair asks if the Scientific Committee chair would like to reply. He does and he will make sure that all suggestions made will be brought before the scientific committee and he will bring forward more information on funding. Regarding the prioritisation of actions, this - he urges - should be task of the Scientific Committee and he will provide a document to the ACCOBAMS bureau with prioritisation and some funding information. And Dr Panigada adds that not all actions need funding.

We all need to swim in our own corridors says the Chair and sends us off to lunch noting that we have not even started to look at the budget.

Over lunch (which features buns dangerously loaded with alcohol) the secretariat has developed a list of actions and links to resolutions that underpin them. Italy speaks to say that marine debris and other pollution should be added to the priorities. France finds the listing a good start.

After some more too-ing and fro-ing we move to the budget report and Florence reports on available funds and presents a proposed budget for the coming three years. Some concerns are raised including lack of documentation of other options and the previous budget. In effect the discussion stalls. [This could be serious.]

We move through other administrative matters, including the membership of the Scientific Committee. A long discussion follows and eventually stalls and it is concluded that there has to be an election. 

The chair calls for a ten minute coffee break and once again many more minutes than this pass…. In the corridors many delegates are concerned that ACCOBAMS is in an impossible position to conclude its work. The budget is flapping open still and many other issues, including many resolutions.

Ambassadeur e.r. Patrick Van Klaveren
of Monaco, adviser to the agreement 

We move to a vote – rare in ACCOBAMS – on the membership of the Scientific Committee.

The legal expert – Tulio Scovatzi - refers us to rule 18 and each delegation entitled to vote shall cast its vote by encircling the name of the candidates. Interestingly the NGO partners are also allowed to vote for their NGO delegate to the Scientific Committee.

The vote is conducted by ballot. Votes are tallied and people are appointed – two from countries and one NGO  (The NGO delegate is Tilen Genov).

Draft Resolution 6.9 wonders in. This concerns the Format for National Implementation Reports. Concerns are raised and the Chair pushes back noting that there is still much to do, please only bring forward essential matters he encourages. 

Soon we are talking about educating young people on cetacean conservation and Cami from the Secretariat nicely thanks the NGO partner organisations for their help. 

The Chair notes we are four hours behind schedule. We move to the extension of the agreement area. Seven parties have ratified the extension (Monaco says France has ratified too - so that is 8). There is a resolution. It is reviewed. [By the way all resolutions are online at the ACCOBAMS website.]

We move to a discussion about whether ACCOBAMS should extend to the Red Sea. Egypt speaks up strongly in support of this. The Chair thanks him for his passion. However, he is not supported and....

.... the resolution is withdrawn, 

We move to a resolution with a remarkably long name: "Strategical Alliance concerning management and conservation measures for the Mediterranean environment between GFCM, RAC/SPA, and IUCN-Med in collaboration with MedPAN" - it is revised and adopted. 

Resolution 6.13 on the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the relevant Ecosystem Approach Processes arrives next. Some ammendment allows approval.

Next we come to Resolution 6.14 which concerns the big survey project.The Secretariat notes that Parties have established this as a priority, identifies some funding sources and notes that work is progressing to extend survey work to the Black Sea. A project manager is being recruited and will start work next year.

Simone Panigada is returned to the microphone to explain the need for this resolution, including that without such work we cannot deterimine if the populations are increasing or declining.

Various issues are raised with the text which amongst other things calls on countries to issue appropriate permits to allow the survey to take place. One small battle concerns whether or not a scientific coordinator should be specified in the text. .... it is adopted!

And we close.

The first couple of ACCOBAMS -
Margheruta Zanardelli and Simone Panigada