The ASI II Steering Committee, together with representatives of UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention and scientific, technical, and policy institutions involved in marine biodiversity monitoring and management in the ACCOBAMS area, met in Athens at the UNEP/MAP Secretariat.
The ASI II Steering Committee includes representatives from:
- ACCOBAMS Sub-Regional Coordination Units: the Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission and UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention – SPA/RAC
- IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation
- Office français de la biodiversité
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA)
- ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee and Secretariat
ASI II (Second Edition of the ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative) is the second phase of a regional project dedicated to monitoring marine biodiversity, in particular cetaceans and other marine species, as well as anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
The Athens meeting is part of the preparatory phase for the 2026 summer synoptic survey and aimed to:
- Provide strategic guidance and coordination for the implementation of ASI II.
- Strengthen collaboration among regional partners and ensure alignment with the priorities of ACCOBAMS and UNEP/MAP.
- Support alignment with regional monitoring programs, such as the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP), and contribute to regional assessments like the Mediterranean Quality Status Report.
The meeting represents a key step in preparing the scientific and synoptic activities of ASI II, designed at a regional scale to provide data useful for both science and Mediterranean environmental policy.
Through synoptic surveys and standardized protocols, ASI II will complement the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP), directly supporting key Ecological Objectives, particularly EO1 (Biodiversity) and EO10 (Marine Litter).