Apologies for cross posting The following workshop, sponsored by the ASCOBANS & ACCOBAMS Regional Conservation Agreements, will be held at the forthcoming ECS Conference: ECS/ASCOBANS/ACCOBAMS Workshop on "THE CHALLENGE OF SPATIALLY MANAGING CETACEANS - A HIGHLY MOBILE ANIMAL GROUP" to be held in Setubal, Portugal, Sunday 7 April 2013 Organising Committee: Peter Evans, Heidrun Frisch (ASCOBANS Secretariat), Marie-Christine Grillo-Compulsione (ACCOBAMS Secretariat), Erich Hoyt, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, and Michael Tetley During its history, the European Cetacean Society has held two workshops on Marine Protected Areas, the first entitled "Protected Areas for Cetaceans" was held in Valencia, Spain in April 1999, and the second "Selection Criteria for Protected Areas for Cetaceans" in San Sebastian, Spain in April 2007, in conjunction with the international conservation agreements, ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS. These workshops introduced the concept of marine protected areas for cetaceans, the various functions they can serve, and recommended criteria for use in their selection. The main piece of legislation catering for MPAs in Europe has been the EU Habitats Directive with the Natura 2000 network of Special Areas of Conservation for Annex I habitats and Annex II species. However, the Natura 2000 network has been of limited benefit for marine mammals in general. First, amongst cetaceans, only harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin are considered for SAC designation, and offshore foraging areas for seals have scarcely been considered. Second, many countries have been slow to propose cetacean SACs and where they have done, they often comprise only small areas covering a minor portion of the range of the population they were established to protect. Thirdly, even once an SAC has been designated for a marine mammal species, managing threats to that species remains a challenge. The concept of marine spatial planning and the zoning of areas for different activities and with different levels of protection has become incorporated in the new EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Beyond the European Union, countries throughout Europe and adjacent seas are looking to ways to establish wider marine protected areas, although focus remains upon the coastal zone where potential conflict with human activities is greatest. This inevitably presents many challenges, particularly for highly mobile marine species such as cetaceans. In addition, the work undertaken through OSPAR and the Barcelona Convention on the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas, and the development of representative networks of MPAs including not only national waters but also the high seas, is of particular relevance for cetacean conservation. This workshop proposes to examine best ways to spatially manage threats to marine mammals in Europe and adjacent seas both within and beyond MPAs. Attention will be paid to the areas covered by the two Regional Agreements, including the area of overlap. The intention is to draw upon the direct experiences of policy makers, managers and scientists using case studies where appropriate from Europe and beyond; and to examine possible approaches to improve MPA management so that it can deal with the wide range of threats that impact marine mammal populations throughout their range. Emphasis should be placed upon consideration of large zoned MPAs and the incorporation of multiple species across marine taxa as well as more general ecosystem considerations. The workshop will run from 9.30 am until 6.00 pm, and will have session themes covering both Problems and possible Solutions, followed by a general discussion session. There will be a charge of 25 euros per person. Anyone interested in participating or offering a talk, please contact me at <peter.evans@bangor.ac.uk>. Further details with a programme will be sent closer to the date of the workshop to those who have registered to attend. best regards, Peter Evans on behalf of Workshop Organising Committee -- Dr Peter G.H. Evans Director Sea Watch Foundation, Ewyn y Don, Bull Bay, Amlwch, Isle of Anglesey Wales LL68 9SD Hon. Senior Lecturer School of Ocean Sciences, University of Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales LL59 5AB Tel: 01407-832892 Mobile: 0776-556-6102 E-mail: peter.evans@bangor.ac.uk> -- Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig / Registered Charity No. 1141565 Gall y neges e-bost hon, ac unrhyw atodiadau a anfonwyd gyda hi, gynnwys deunydd cyfrinachol ac wedi eu bwriadu i'w defnyddio'n unig gan y sawl y cawsant eu cyfeirio ato (atynt). Os ydych wedi derbyn y neges e-bost hon trwy gamgymeriad, rhowch wybod i'r anfonwr ar unwaith a dil�wch y neges. 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