Buoyed by the enthusiastic reception of Yearof the Dolphin 2007, the founding Partners CMS, its two whale and dolphinagreements ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society,and the German-based global travel enterprise TUI AG, today announced theirdecision to extend the initiative into 2008 to ensure that many more newactivities to conserve dolphins and their marine environment will take placearound the world.

Committed people across the world support thecampaign by raising awareness on dolphins and their fragile habitats as naturalheritage of the blue planet. Professional swimmers, sailors and otherAmbassadors of the オプショナルツアー ドルフィン Year of the Dolphin will pass the message that theseintelligent marine mammals need to be protected. The Convention on theConservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and its partners highlyappreciate the committed support given so far and look forward to continuingthis responsible work to protect endangered dolphin species all over the world.

Commenting on today's announcement, RobertHepworth, Executive Secretary of CMS said: “YoD is gathering momentum and wehave officially endorsed a variety of activities in 30 countries since thecampaign began in January 2007. We are still receiving new offers to supportthe campaign and publicise it around the world, most recently through a specialevent in Panama on 27 Augusttargeted at Latin America. The Partnersdecided we should carry on the campaign into 2008 to give more individuals,organisations and countries the chance to participate in the Year of theDolphin”.

Contact:

Veronika Lenarz
Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10
53113 Bonn, Germany
T. +49 228 815-2409
F. +49 228 815-2449
vlenarz@cms.int
www.cms.int