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within existing initiatives for natural sites conservation (especially the Natura 2000 and
the SPAMI networks) and integration of cetacean habitat protection into the existing
networks before considering the creation of new protected areas.

2. Objectives
The ACCOBAMS programme of work on MPAs proposed in this document is a
response to Resolution 2.14, in order to facilitate the implementation of its provisions.
In addition to the criteria for the selection of specially protected areas for cetacean
conservation and the format for the proposal of protected areas for cetaceans, the
proposed programme of work includes activities to be carried out at regional and
national levels. Its objective is to launch a coherent and coordinated process for
identifying sites of special interest for cetaceans with the view of granting them
protection status that will give them long-term protection. The ultimate goal of the
programme of work is to set up a network of MPAs that will help achieve and maintain
a favourable conservation status for cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS area.

The programme also aims at helping countries in the ACCOBAMS area achieve the
CBD’s 2010 targets.

This work programme was crafted bearing in mind the information on the subject that
was available, particularly the pertinent programmes of the countries and other
concerned organisations.

3. Actors to implement the work programme
This programme is particularly aimed at the national authorities concerned about
cetacean conservation, at the level of both government administrations and research
institutions. It is also aimed at non-governmental organisations and other bodies and
the Secretariats of relevant international treaties and conventions. The ACCOBAMS
Secretariat is one of the main actors for implementing this programme of work,
assigned to act as a catalyst, coordinating regional actions and helping those countries
which so request to implement this programme of work.

To implement this programme experts and other kinds of qualified staff are needed. In
the Appendix 1 to this work programme a list of experts appears who could help in
implementing the work programme nationally and internationally. The list is not
exhaustive and thus should be supplemented and regularly updated.

4. Actions to be implemented at the national level
4.1. National inventory of sites that are important for cetacean conservation in the

area covered by the Agreement

Identifying sites that are important for cetaceans is the first step in setting up a marine
protected area network that is balanced as regards to geography, species and type of
habitat covered. It is important to note that for the Mediterranean and the Black seas,
cetacean populations have not been sufficiently studied, and there is incomplete
information on their habitats and geographical distribution, and, in several parts of
these two seas, no information at all. However, studies by Cañadas (2006), Cañadas
et al (2002, 2005), Panigada (in progress) and Fortuna (in progress, 2006) are using
the latest habitat modelling techniques to more precisely identify cetacean habitat. A
special session of the subgroup meeting on cetacean MPAs will be dedicated to this
topic during the Fourth Meeting of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS.

In many places in the Agreement area, however, such modelling studies have yet to
be initiated. In these cases, there are some basic criteria that could be used to decide
whether a site is important for cetaceans, based on ecological and behavioural

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