Nature Trust (Malta) was recently appointed a partner of ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the conservation of cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area).

ACCOBAMS is the first agreement binding the countries of these two regions, enabling them to work together for the conservation of marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Malta had ratified this agreement some years ago.

The purpose of ACCOBAMS is to reduce threat to cetaceans in Mediterranean and Black Sea waters and improve our knowledge of these animals. It requires the States to implement a detailed conservation plan for cetaceans, based first on respect of legislation banning the deliberate capture of cetaceans in fishing zones by their flag vessels or those subject to their jurisdiction, measures for minimising incidental capture and, finally, on the creation of protected areas.

Nature Trust (Malta) will now be working closely with ACCOBAMS to bring Malta in line with such measures.