The conservation status of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea

This report gives an overview of the status of Mediterranean cetaceans (whales and dolphins), informed by IUCN Red List assessments undertaken between 2018 and  2022. Compared to the first review by IUCN, published in 2012, these recent assessments provide better information on the status of resident Mediterranean  subpopulations, thanks to improved regional monitoring. A total of 24 cetacean species have been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, of which 10 are considered to be resident. This second regional IUCN Red List assessment on the cetacean species in the Mediterranean Sea shows a clearer image of the cetacean subpopulations  residing in the Mediterranean, but also highlights the need for more efforts to halt the decline of cetacean subpopulations resident in the Mediterranean Sea.