Dr. Federico Sucunza of GEMARS, a partner NGO of YAQU PACHA in Brazil, was honored with the Science on a Shoestring Award at the recent conference of the Society for Marine Mammalogy in Perth, Australia. This award recognizes groundbreaking, low-cost ideas that have a significant impact on marine conservation.
Dr. Sucunza’s initiative, called Projeto PESCA, focuses on reducing bycatch through sustainable and innovative methods. His solution involves attaching empty PET bottles to fishing nets to create a sound barrier that allows dolphins and other marine mammals to detect and avoid the nets. Field trials have shown an impressive reduction in bycatch, making this approach a game-changer for marine conservation.
Since the launch of the Projeto PESCA, YAQU PACHA, Nuremberg Zoo, and ZOOMARINE – Algarve have been key partners whose support and expertise have contributed to the project’s success. This collaboration underscores the importance of partnerships in effectively addressing global conservation challenges.
In addition to receiving the award, Dr. Sucunza was selected to participate in a prestigious panel discussion, where he shared insights into the development and implementation of this cost-effective and impactful solution. His work highlights the power of community-driven innovation and partnerships that advance marine conservation.
YAQU PACHA, the Nuremberg Zoo, and ZOOMARINE-Algarve congratulate Dr. Sucunza and GEMARS on this award and this remarkable achievement, and will continue to support Projeto PESCA in its mission to protect marine biodiversity.
