RESOLUTION 1.12

CONSERVATION OF THE BLACK SEA Tursiops truncatus: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

The Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area,

Recalling Article II.1 of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area, stating that Parties shall prohibit and take all necessary measures to eliminate, where this is not already done, any deliberate taking of cetaceans.

Taking note of the report of the status of the Black Sea Tursiops truncatus (MOP1/inf 8) and the figures concerning its international trade;

Concerned that Tursiops truncatus is severely threatened in the Black Sea due to multiple anthropogenic pressures;

Aware of the obligations towards this species under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) and the Barcelona Convention Protocol relating to Specially Protected Areas and Biological diversity in the Mediterranean;

Recognizing that domestic and international commercial trade in Black Sea Tursiops truncatus may increase the stress on its population;

Recognizing also that the trade pressure could impede the conservation measure taken by the range States in respect of this population;

Recalling that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the competent body to regulate international trade in endangered species, but that its efficacy is reliant upon efficient control tools and enforcement of its provisions in exporting and importing states, and;

Recalling further that CITES Article XV 2.b) provides that, in order to determine the appropriate level of protection for marine species in international trade, CITES shall consult inter-governmental Bodies having a function in relation to those species especially with a view to obtaining scientific data these bodies may be able to provide and to ensuring co-ordination with any conservation measures enforced by such bodies;

Having in mind the CITES Decisions 11.91 and 11.139[1] on the Black Sea Tursiops truncatus calling for a co-ordination of measures with relevant international Organization and specifically ACCOBAMS;

Acknowledging that the genetic identification of this population is not yet well established and that this increases the difficulties of implementing trade control measures, but;

Aware that Article II. 4 of the ACCOBAMS Agreement appeals for the application of the precautionary principle in implementing such measures;

Having also in mind the Bern Convention recommendation n° 86 (2001)[2];

1. Invite the Parties to make every effort to strictly enforce the prohibition of deliberate taking and keeping of Black Sea Tursiops truncatus;

2. Invite also the Parties to ban importation, exportation and re-exportation of Tursiops truncatus from the ACCOBAMS area Range States and particularly Black Sea riparian countries;

3. Advises Parties who are also Parties to the CITES to notify this prohibition to the Secretariat and to the others Parties to the CITES[3].

4. Calls upon other countries and especially other range states of Tursiops truncatus to implement the same measures;

5. Supports

- The CITES Secretariat, and Parties to CITES that have not yet done so, to ensure the full implementation of CITES Decision 11.139;

- The CITES Animals Committee, and Parties to CITES that have not yet done so, to ensure the full implementation of Decision 11.91;

6. Calls upon the CITES Parties to provide better protection to this population by inter alia upgrading it to appendix I;

7. Requests the Scientific Committee :

- to advise on further research to be carried out on this topic;

- to consider to the status review of Tursiops truncatus by the International Whaling Commission’s Small Cetaceans Sub Committee of the Scientific Committee in 2002  

8. Urges the Sub Committee to consider the status of Tursiops truncatus ponticus at this time, rather than in 2003.