//Context

The CetAMBICion project seeks to respond to the need to reduce cetacean bycatch in EU fisheries, in particular in the Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast, one of the threats to the survival of these protected species. This objective is aligned with the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, and the Common Fisheries Policy.

CetAMBICion will address mortality rates, abundance, demographic characteristics, pattern distribution and range and habitat of cetaceans with the aim of improving monitoring, especially in relation to bycatch mortality, and investigating the effectiveness of different mitigation measures in the Bay of Biscay and on the Iberian coast, which will help to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES).

It is based on the involvement and active participation of the competent authorities for MSFD implementation in the three Member States concerned (Spain, France and Portugal), the competent national authorities for the implementation of Natura 2000 and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as well as national fisheries institutes and major research departments with a relevant scientific track record in the study of marine ecosystems, food webs, cetacean biology and conservation.

The project therefore brings together a set of core institutional and scientific players able to contribute their expertise and bring along much-needed technical input for GES determination.

The species of this project, among many others, are the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).