Dear MARMAMers, A new book on the conservation of cetaceans in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, authored by myself and Alexei Birkun and with a foreword by H.S.H. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, has been recently published by ACCOBAMS in the occasion of the fourth meeting of its Parties. The book presents an update on the presence and status of cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS area, including details about the occurrences of all recorded species, and how the threats to cetaceans in the region are evolving. The book also contains a discussion of the most needed measures to improve the conservation status of the region's cetaceans. We conclude recommending that a strategic update be undertaken by the Parties to the Agreement, stimulated by renewed political vigour, if the continued existence of cetaceans in the region is to be assured. Citation: Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Birkun A., Jr. 2010. Conserving whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Mediterranean and Black Seas: an ACCOBAMS status report, 2010. ACCOBAMS, Monaco. A pdf version of the book can be downloaded from: http://www.disciara.net/documents/NotarbartolodiSciara_Birkun_2010.pdf Best regards, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara Tethys Research Institute, Milano, Italy giuseppe@disciara.net, www.disciara.net