| ACCOBAMS | |
| Long Name: | Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area |
| Type: | Multilateral |
| Context: | Cetacea conservation |
| Location Signed: | Monaco |
| Date Effective: | 1 June 2001 |
| Condition Effective: | Ratification by seven range states |
| Depositor: | Government of Monaco |
| Languages: | |
The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area, or ACCOBAMS, is a regional international treaty that binds its States Parties on the conservation of Cetacea in their territories. The Agreement aims is to reduce threats to Cetaceans in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as in the contiguous Atlantic area west of the Straits of Gibraltar.[1] [2]
The Meeting of the Parties (MOP) is the main decision-making body of the Agreement. It meets triennially to review progress made towards the implementation of the Agreement, as well as any challenges this implantation faces. The MOP also adopts the budget for the Agreements and reviews scientific assessments on the conservation status of cetaceans of the Agreement area. Finally, at the MOP, member states also lay out the priorities for the next triennium.
Member states of the Agreement are automatically entitled to representation at the MOP and each have one vote. Additionally, organisations qualified in the conservation of cetaceans may also be represented by observers in the MOP.[3]
The Bureau is the working body of the agreement and acts as the decision-making body for the agreement in-between the MOP, and carries out interim activities on it behalf. It also provides guidance to the Secretariat concerning the implementation and promotion of the Agreement.
The Bureau is composed of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, all elected by the MOP. Additionally, the Chair of the Scientific Committee is invited to participate as an observer. The Bureau meets at least once a year.[3]
The Secretariat is the executive body of the Agreement. It coordinates and organises the activities of the MOP, the Bureau and the Scientific Committee in order to ensure they can fully perform their assigned duties. Additionally, it monitors the budget, works to increase public awareness concerning the Agreement and its objectives, executes decisions addressed to it by the MOP and creates a report to present at each MOP on the work of all bodies of the Agreement.[3]
The Scientific Committee acts as an advisory body to the MOP. Its main duties include:
The Scientific Committee is composed of "persons qualified as experts in cetacean conservation science" and meetsat the request of the MOP.[3]
According to Article 1 of the Agreement, the geographic scope of this Agreement is as follows:[3]
In 2010, at MOP4, Portugal and Spain both submitted proposals to extend the Agreement area to cover parts of their respective exclusive economic zones. The proposal was adopted at the MOP, as Resolution A/4.1, and is currently in effect.[4] [5]
The Agreement covers 28 species of Cetacean that migrate throughout the range of the Agreement. [6] [7]
Balaenidae
Balaenopteridae
Delphinidae
Kogiidae
Phocoenidae
Physeteridae
Ziphiidae
The following are all the States Parties to the Agreement, as well as the date the Agreement entered into force in waters under their jurisdiction:
| Country | Signature | Ratification | Entry into Force |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 24 November 1996 | 25 May 2001 | 1 October 2001 |
 | – | 19 March 2007 | 1 December 2007 |
 | 16 September 1999 | 23 September 1999 | 1 June 2001 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 3 May 2000 | 1 June 2001 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 30 January 2006 | 1 May 2006 |
 | – | 4 March 2010 | 1 July 2010 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 26 February 2004 | 1 June 2004 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 30 March 2001 | 1 June 2001 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 24 November 1996 | 1 June 2001 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 10 February 2005 | 1 September 2005 |
 | – | 5 May 2004 | 1 March 2005 |
 | – | 12 May 2002 | 1 September 2002 |
 | 23 March 2001 | 23 March 2001 | 1 June 2001 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 25 April 2001 | 1 June 2001 |
 | – | 17 February 2009 | 1 August 2009 |
 | 28 March 1997 | 13 May 1999 | 1 June 2001 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 30 September 2004 | 1 January 2005 |
 | 28 September 1998 | 13 June 2000 | 1 June 2001 |
 | – | 12 July 2006 | 1 December 2006 |
 | 24 November 1996 | 7 January 2001 | 1 June 2001 |
| – | 7 February 2002 | 1 June 2002 | |
 | 24 November 1996 | 21 December 2001 | 1 April 2002 |
 | – | 29 May 2017 | 1 February 2018 |
 | – | 9 July 2003 | 1 January 2004 |
The following are the Range States that have not ratified or acceded to the Agreement:[8] [9]
Signed, but not ratified:
Other Range States: