The word cetacean is derived from the Latin Cetacea, the scientific name for the order of marine mammals that comprises whales, dolphins and porpoises. Two suborders of Cetacea exist today: the Mysticeti, or baleen whales and the Odontoceti, or toothed whales. While all species of baleen whales are relatively large or very large, most members of the seven families of toothed whales are considerably smaller. They are small cetaceans.

Several species commonly occur in the North Sea and, more rarely, in the Baltic. ASCOBANS covers all species, subspecies or populations of toothed whales in these two seas except for the sperm whale.

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No. Small cetaceans are no longer deliberately hunted in the Agreement area. However, they are threatened in many other ways. See below for more on these threats.

Many species of whales, dolphins and porpoises migrate seasonally between their breeding, feeding and over-wintering ranges, or follow their prey over long distances. En route they encounter a variety of man-made threats. Bycatch, the accidental entanglement in fishing gear, is considered the most serious threat to cetacean populations in the ASCOBANS area. Marine pollution, acoustic disturbance and competition with fisheries are further dangers.

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Migrating cetaceans regularly cross national boundaries. Therefore, their effective protection can only be achieved by means of international cooperation. To achieve its aim, ASCOBANS cooperates not only with Parties to the Agreement, but also with non-Party Range States, relevant intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations.

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ASCOBANS currently has ten Parties: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In addition, there are four non-Party Range States: Estonia, Latvia, Norway and the Russian Federation.

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Sufficient data are essential to the conservation of marine mammals. You can assist scientists in collecting these data by reporting any sightings or finds of stranded or bycaught specimens. Moreover, you can become active in non-governmental organisations dealing with cetacean conservation. In addition, please remember that in contributing to keeping the seas clean, you are contributing to the survival of cetaceans and other marine life.

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