In order to preserve biodiversity and protect whales and dolphins, the European Parliament invited experts to a meeting in Brussels.
Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen (1st Chairman of YAQU PACHA) was invited to this event and reported on our projects to reduce bycatch of dolphin species such as the critically endangered La Plata dolphin – Franciscana and our strategies to avoid bycatch. Here, YAQU PACHA works closely with fishermen and fishing communities.
The event was initiated by MEP Gabriel Mato and Loro Parque Fundación in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission and WAZA . In addition to the researchers Javier Almunia Portolés, Boris Culik and Lorenzo von Fersen, the scientific director of our partner Planète Sauvage, Martin Böye, presented the collaboration between zoos and research as well as with fishermen. He reported on the strategies that have been developed to counteract the bycatch of dolphins and whales in fishing nets. Professor Boris Culik presented the results of his work on the protection of dolphins with acoustic signals (pingers) to keep dolphins away from fishing nets.
We are very pleased that our organisation is involved in such important projects of the European Parliament for the conservation of biodiversity.
