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Draft Resolution 6.11	Scientific and Technical Cooperation between ACCOBAMS Parties and the Red Sea States - WITHDRAWN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.