Brussels, 23/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has sent a first written warning to eight member states for not adequately monitoring how effectively their populations of cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - are being protected. All cetacean species require strict protection under the EU's 1992 Habitats Directive. Member states' surveillance of their conservation status is an important element in this. The Commission considers that Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK have not established sufficiently effective surveillance systems. The Commission wants the Member States in question to take corrective action to ensure full protection of these marine mammals.