Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas
( UNEP/ASCOBANS )

ASCOBANS was concluded in 1991 under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS). The Agreement covers all species of toothed whales—with the exception of the sperm whale—in north-western European waters, including e.g. dolphins, orcas and harbour porpoises. These animals are threatened by numerous factors, including bycatch in fisheries, pollution, and disturbance and underwater noise caused by activities like shipping, offshore construction and seismic exploration. Ten European countries have so far become Parties to the Agreement, which seeks to achieve and maintain a favourable conservation status for small whales, dolphins and porpoises.