The Pelagis Observatory for the conservation of marine megafauna is a Joint Service Unit (JSU 3462) created on January 1st 2011 and renewed in January 2018. The unit, attached to the CEBC, is an observatory for populations of marine mammals and birds. Its objectives are the knowledge and monitoring of the distribution, abundance and conservation status of the main species of marine mammals and birds in French waters. The state of health and the main causes of mortality of marine mammals are also monitored. The UMS's missions are to support research through the acquisition and management of long-term data series and the collection and banking of biological samples of marine megafauna, as well as to support public policies through its role as an expert for the Ministry in charge of the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.