Karl-Hermann Kock, Germany

Name: Karl-Hermann Kock Organization: Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries Country: Germany Involved with ASCOBANS since: 1996

• UN Bonn

White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. © André Botha

An overarching workshop to develop a Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP) took place from 16 to 19 February in the historic city of Toledo, Spain, at the kind invitation of the Spanish Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha.

• UN Bonn

Recipients of the ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award

Raising awareness and engaging the public is an important aspect of nature conservation. People protect what they care about, and to care, some knowledge is necessary. People power also drives action by governments and the private sector. It is the same for ASCOBANS. Institutions and people throughout the Agreement Area play an important role in spreading the word about threats and dangers to marine mammals, and ways in which each person can help.

• UN Bonn

Zeb Hogan at Mekong River Project Press Launch © USAID

Dr Zeb Hogan, the host of the National Geographic TV Show “Monster Fish” and COP-appointed CMS Scientific Councilllor for fish, is leading a new project, the Wonders of the Mekong

• UN Bonn

Monika Lesz, Ministry of Environment, Poland

Name: Monika Lesz Organization: Ministry of Environment, Department for the Nature Conservation Country: Poland Involved with ASCOBANS since: 2008

• UN Bonn

Lappet-faced Vulture © Ahmed Al-Dhaheri

The fourth of a series of regional workshops to develop a Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP) took place from 6 to 9 February in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The workshop was held as a part of the 18th Sharjah International Conservation Forum for Arabian Biodiversity (SICFAB), at the generous invitation of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) of Sharjah.

• UN Bonn

Bycaught harbour porpoise © Lena Hohls / GSM

A recent report on the health of the ocean found that worldwide the marine vertebrate population declined by 49 per cent between 1970 and 2012 (see WWF/ZSL Living Blue Planet Report 2015). Globally, an estimated 300,000 small whales, dolphins and porpoises die each year from entanglement in fishing gear. Also in Europe, incidental catch is seen as the greatest threat to small cetaceans. However, the situation is much more complex than one might think.

• UN Bonn

Katarzyna Kamińska, Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways, Poland

Name: Katarzyna Kamińska Organization: Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways Country: Poland Involved with ASCOBANS since: 2009

• UN Bonn