Dolphins Across the Med
The event was on Thurs 27th March 2008, 7pm, The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London
The marine environment has long been one of our priority areas, and dolphins, perennial favourites, have featured in previous lectures on projects in waters as far afield as Scotland and Brazil. Tonight we move to the Mediterranean, where the work of our scientists is markedly complementary.
Ricardo Sagarminaga van Buitan (Alnitak, Spain)
Over the past few decades common dolphins have experienced a decline in the Mediterranean. Protecting critical habitats, such as Spain's Alboran Sea, could mean the difference between survival and extinction for them, other cetaceans and marine turtles in the region. Our scientists on this project have designed Marine Protected Areas and make recommendations for management and monitoring schemes with support from the European Union. In addition, with the help of Earthwatch volunteers from 54 countries, and working actively with boat operators, fishermen and the Spanish Navy, major achievements include the decision by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to divert shipping lanes off the southern coast of Spain to avoid important bottlenose dolphin foraging grounds. Learn more about Ricardo's work at www.loveearth.com
Joan Gonzalvo Villegas, Tethys Research Institute/University of Barcelona
Hear a podcast of this lecture...
Greek_Dolphins.mp3
In 1991 the Tethys Research Institute started a study on common dolphins around the Greek island of Kalamos. The area has been severely overfished, resulting in prey depletion and ecosystem collapse, and only a few individuals of a formerly healthy population remain today. Bottlenose dolphins are also found around Kalamos, where they manage to survive thanks to their opportunistic and flexible behaviour. In 2001, Tethys started a parallel study on bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the neighbouring Amvrakikos Gulf, where abundant prey allows this population to thrive. Tonight's presentation will cover 15 years of research and public awareness efforts intended to support management action.
Earthwatch events kindly supported by
