© Aaron Crowe

From 18 to 22 June 2018, government representatives and experts gathered at the Headquarters of the United Nations to discuss the issue of anthropogenic underwater noise in the context of the UN consultative process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-19). CMS Executive Secretary, Bradnee Chambers, delivered an opening statement and brought the CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessments for Marine Noise-generating Activities to the attention of UN Member States.

• UN Bonn

© Frank Dhermain/GECEM

It is estimated that the Mediterranean hosts almost 10 per cent of the world’s marine biodiversity despite it representing just 1 per cent of the world’s seas. Whales and dolphins are an essential component of the natural heritage of Mediterranean and Black Sea countries and play a key role in maintaining the equilibrium of marine ecosystems.

• UN Bonn

Underwater noise

A side event, where experts will discuss the urgent need to assess, regulate and address the impacts of underwater noise, a transboundary threat, will be held on the side lines of the 19th

• UN Bonn

Please be informed, that the 3rd Meeting of Signatories (Sharks MOS3) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks will take place from 10 to 14 December 20

• UN Bonn

Turtle Dove © Ricardo Gomez-Calmaestra

The “Eyes on the Flyways” Conference, held at the Natural History Museum in Brussels on 24 May, was the concluding event of the LIFE EuroSAP project which set out to tackle the threats facing sixteen endangered bird species in Eurasia. Funded by the EU, LIFE EuroSAP involves 13 partners and covers 16 species the populations of which have been in continuing decline.

• UN Bonn

A curious Laysan Albatross checks out a toothbrush on the beach © NOAA CREP

Thanks to the wonders of modern industrial technology we are now producing 20 times as much plastic as we were doing in 1964. If the current trend continues, output will double in 20 years and double again by 2050. Our hunger for the convenience of plastic products is insatiable. Buy it, use it, throw it away, buy another one -- drinks come in plastic bottles with plastic drinking straws; food comes wrapped in cling film; fast food is served in polystyrene containers with plastic cutlery.

• UN Bonn