The purpose of the workshop, as outlined in the related CMS Decisions, is to identify priority species and populations on the CMS Appendices, and to provide advice to Parties on rapid assessment techniques and how to augment existing conservation efforts using insights on aspects of sociality. The objective is to assist the Expert Group to fulfill its mandate given in Decision 13.103.

This workshop is held in two parts:

• A half-day virtual workshop starting at UTC 19:00 on 6 October 2022 - this session served to explain the mandates and propose a way forward, including the setting up of sub-groups for intersessional work and appointment of sub-group leaders
• A two-day in-person meeting in Parma, Italy, on 3-4 April 2023 - to review results of the work of the sub-groups and agree the recommendations to be made to the CMS Scientific Council and Parties

Participation is by invitation only.

Please refer to these meeting reports for background and context:

• Report of the CMS Scientific Council Workshop on the Conservation Implications on Cetacean Culture (2014)
• Report of the CMS Workshop on Conservation Implications of Animal Culture and Social Complexity (2018)
• Report of the 2^nd CMS Workshop on Conservation Implications of Animal Culture and Social Complexity - Part I (2022)

For any questions, please reach out to Heidrun Frisch-Nwakanma ([email protected]).