The Workshop on Cetacean Abundance Estimation through Distance Sampling Methods (WKCETAB) aims to coordinate European experts in methods for estimating cetacean abundance with the objective of adopting a common methodology within the group. This agreed-upon methodology will be used annually to collectively analyze data collected during aerial and ship surveys. The resulting values obtained during the annual analytical sessions will be utilized by EU countries to report these figures as required at regional, subregional, and/or national levels, in accordance with various international and national legislation.
The resulting workshop report, presented to ICES Advisory and Science Committees, is expected to contribute to conservation objectives and the management of cetacean populations at the European level. The agreed-upon and coordinated values provided by the WKCETAB will be usable by other working groups, such as the Working Group on Bycatch of Protected Species (WGBYC) and the Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology (WGMME).
WGCETAB will work with the Working Group for the Joint Cetacean Data Program (WGJCDP) on stream-lining a workflow from data to abundance estimates.
WKCETAB will be chaired by Caterina Fortuna (Italy), Jose Antonio Vázquez (Spain), and Matthieu Authier (France), and will take place 16–18 April 2024 in Rome, Italy.
Registration for the workshop should be sent to Jette Fredlund at ICES Secretariat.
