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A program
The European LIFE project: "Conservation of Cetaceans and Turtles in Murcia and Andalusia"
This project started in 2002 and will end up in 2006. Its main objective is to establish a management protocol for the conservation of cetaceans and turtles in Murcia and Andalusia (South of Spain), which has the ambition to be applied later to any other region in Europe.
The four research boats of the LIFE
project, from left to right: Morena, Else, Toftevaag and our Elsa
Three target species are part of the project: the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and the loggerhead turtle as they are considered endangered, or vulnerable, on the whole of the European coasts. Since the beginning of the project, we met a very low number of porpoises that does not allow us to conclude the study on this species. Loggerhead turtles are still regularly seen but for how long? Every year, we estimate bycatch of turtles in fishing nets of many thousands.
In order to establish management plans, we are arranging meetings between the competent authorities, scientific community, professional of the sea and the public. Links created have to allow their implication in the decisions, management and control of the Marine Protected Areas.
Itinerant exhibition with a turtle, a dolphin and a porpoise real size!
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An itinerant exhibition goes all along South coast of Spain to present the project and inform the public on the presence of cetaceans living near the coast. Indeed, most of the population ignores that dolphin and marine turtles live next to them. The exhibition also considers pollution issues like plastic bags that are often taken for prey and many times lead to the death of turtles and sometimes even dolphins. |
The ancient sailing boats also take children at sea to show them cetaceans in their natural environment. For this purpose, CIRCE’s team presented talks in the schools of Algeciras that participated to a wall painting contest on cetaceans and threats they encounter. The winners embarked on the sailing boat Toftevaag to see the dolphins of the Bay of Algeciras.
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CIRCE Newsletter n°8 - made by Philippe Verborgh & Anne Collet