CCBs activities and aims to raise the focus on the Baltic whale, the harbour porpoise, has increased in recent years. Our action to address the Commission and to request emergency measures under the CFP gave dramatic results in 2020. 

ICES evaluated the suggested actions that CCB presented to the Commission and in May ICES advice was released. ICES considered the NGO proposals as needed measures and ICES advice went even further than CCB asked for. Since then, the Commission is considering implementing emergency measures for the Baltic harbour porpoise, and has requested that the Member States act and present a joint regional recommendation for long-term measures that match the ICES advice. In December 2020 BALTFISH submitted the first of two jointrecommendations to the Commission. 

This result must be considered a big step forward to both reduce the bycatches of porpoise but also to elevate the porpoise to the top of the agenda. 

CCB has during the year focused on a process to re-vitalize the network. The idea of and purpose of joining forces in a network like CCB has been revisited and a new structure is emerging. 

CCB has had more internal meetings, contacts, planning meetings etc.than ever before. Working groups have been created and old ones havelived up. More engaged members and more joint work on advocacy or restoration work is now hopefully the return of the investment made during this challenging period. Trust and hope is crucial in a period of conflicts and dismantled democratic principles around the Baltic Sea region.