Marine mammals protection in the Mediterranean Sea is a priority being part of the leading trophic hierarchy of consumers able to influence the whole marine biodiversity and nutrient cycling. The Pelagos Agreement, and the contextual creation of the Sanctuary, has been effective since 2002 among France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco as the first transnational convention with this purpose. The constant management of anthropic actions on the eight different species of cetaceans is a must. Thus, the most recent 16th Scientific and Technical Committee of the Pelagos Agreement (CST16) held in Rome at the headquarters of ISPRA (Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) on the 10th April 2024 aimed at planning technical interventions of absolute relevance such as the establishment of the action plan, pursuant to the Work Programme for the 2024-2025 Biennium, approved at the 9th Meeting of the Parties (Nice, 25th & 26th January 2024), as well as at updating framework of cooperation activities.
By the will of the Permanent Secretariat of Pelagos Agreement, delegates from the three Partners of the Agreement, together with scientific consultants and observers from various national and international organisations, debated on key topics. Dr Éric Béraud, researcher at the Scientific Centre of Monaco, and Dr Caterina Fortuna, First Researcher at ISPRA, were among them.
All that is fundamental to manage Pelagos Sanctuary, classified as the Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (ASPIM) under the umbrella of the Barcelona Convention by the United Nations Environment Programme. Lately declared as Particularly Vulnerable Maritime Area (ZMPV) within the Spanish Cetacean Corridor.
In addition, other priorities were identified during the meeting. Notably:
Species distribution maps.
Evaluation of maritime traffic and noise sub-marine.
Presence of chemical and biological pollutants.
State of pathogenic effects of various pollutants.
Sustainable harbours management.
Effects of fishing-related activities.
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By Maurice Abbati
Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication"Â by Springer International Publishing.
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