The ACCOBAMS secretariat and SPA/RAC are organizing a training workshop for the ASI project aerial observers, from 22 to 28 May 2018 in France, in order to conduct the first cetacean large-scale survey during this summer throughout the whole Mediterranean Sea

The “ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative” (ASI) aims to establish an integrated and coordinated cetacean monitoring system in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The objective of acquiring knowledge comes together with a strong will of providing capacity building for scientists and national experts. The project also contributes to improving regional cooperation efforts, a key success factor in cetacean conservation.

In this context, the first cetacean large-scale survey will be carried out during the summer of 2018 throughout the whole Mediterranean Sea, combining visual observation methods (from aircrafts and ships) and passive acoustic monitoring, with the participation of scientists from the region.

As part of the training and capacity building component of the ASI project, the ACCOBAMS Secretariat organizes, in collaboration with the Regional Activity Center for Specially Protected Areas (UNEP-MAP-SPA/RAC), the training workshop of the ASI aerial observers.

The workshop is taking place in the city of Cuers in France from the 23^rd to the 28^th of May 2018. All the observers from the 10 teams involved in the aerial survey this summer are gathered at this occasion.

For more information about the project, please visit the website: http://www.accobams.org/main-activites/projects/accobams-survey-initiative/