Dear Colleagues, Many of you might have already heard or read about the criminal killing of over 80 porpoises in the northern coast of Brazil a month ago (CBS News link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/17/tech/main3066834.shtml?source=). It is believed that this type of activity happens more often than it is witnessed by researchers, authorities and the press. According to a recent note published by the Brazilian press, the Federal Police of Brazil has identified the boats and respective crew involved in the crime. The responsibles for the slaughter will be judged in accordance with the countrys environmental law and each one of them can spend one year in jail per each porpoise that was killed. Although we must be relieved to know that justice seems to be on its way, we also must bear in mind that the lethargy and bureaucracy that involve the Brazilian politics can prevent justice from happening. Some Brazilian researchers and an environmental non-governmental organisation decided to take legal action against the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) for their lack of concern and liability in dealing with this specific case. It is very important to stress that intentional abuse and killing of cetaceans is a federal crime in Brazil since 1987. What happened in the northern coast of Brazil one month ago (and was broadcasted nationwide by the most popular news TV channel of Brazil and can be watched though the web link: http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_070719_1.html) is totally different from accidental cetacean by-catch. The people involved in the killing aimed to kill porpoises and were aware of the implications of the law. Now, the most important thing to do is to stop this kind of thing from happening again. There are many marine mammal researchers engaged in environmental education programs along the Brazilian coast determined to decrease the mortality of cetaceans from the interaction with fisheries. However, due to the criminal nature of the episode in question, I believe that in order to tackle the problem it will be necessary to go beyond ecological awareness strategies. It will be necessary to secure the implementation of the existing laws and to do a close monitoring of fishery activities in areas where these animals are threatened by unscrupulous people. Hence it is fundamental that the Brazilian government and authorities employ pertinent measures to combat this type of crime everywhere in the coast. I believe this will only happen if they are pressurised to do so. Because protecting cetaceans does not get economic wins for the Brazilian economy, there is a big chance it might not be in the government priority list to save them. However, if the international public opinion moves the current scenario, there will be a chance the government and authorities will try to do something for the good of nature. The reason why I come here today is to ask for your help. I would be very grateful if researchers and leaders of this mailing list could take some of their time to write letters to the Brazilian government and authorities expressing their concerns and requesting effective measures to fight existing threats to cetaceans in the Brazilian waters. Their contact details are at the bottom of this message. I started a petition that now has a bit more than 1000 signatures (link to petition: <http://www.PetitionOnline.com/tucuxi07> http://www.PetitionOnline.com/tucuxi07). I understand that petitions are not a scientific way of attempting to resolve environmental problems. On the other hand, if thousands of people from everywhere in the globe sign an appeal document requesting to protect wild animals (that should be already legally protected), then I do think this document has a chance to endorse a campaign to stop the illegal killing of cetaceans in Brazil. Last, but not least, I want to apologise for the long text. I also would like to invite you to express your opinion or make comments about the issues raised in this message. Thank you very much for your attention and time. I do appreciate it. All the best, Aline Aline S. C. Holt Marine Biologist, M.Sc. Ph.D. Student School of the Environment University of Brighton Cockcroft Building Lewes Road Brighton BN2 4GJ Tel: +44 (0) 1273 64 2284 E-mail: <mailto:Aline.Holt@brighton.ac.uk> Aline.Holt@brighton.ac.uk Useful contact details of Brazilian politicians and authorities: President of Republic President Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva E-mail: <mailto:pr@planalto.gov.br> pr@planalto.gov.br Address: Palácio do Planalto 4º andar - sala 37 Praça dos Três Poderes Brasília - DF CEP: 70150-901 Brasil Presidency Office Chief: Mr. Fernando de Lima Santos E-mail: <mailto:%20fernandols@planalto.gov.br> fernandols@planalto.gov.br IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) President of IBAMA: Mr. Bazileu Alves Margarido Neto E-mail: E-mail: bazileu.margarido@ibama.gov.br Address: Setor de Clubes Esportivo Norte - SCEN, Trecho 2, Ed. Sede do IBAMA, Bloco "A", Brasília - DF CEP 70818-900 Brasil IBAMA's Regional Office in Amapá Director: Mr. Edivan Barros de Andrade E-mail: edivan.andrade@ibama.gov.br Address: ESCRITÓRIO REGIONAL DE AMAPÁ AV. FAB, Nº 293 CENTRO CEP: 68.950-000 Amapa Brasil Ministry of the Environment Minister Mrs. Marina Silva E-mail: marina.silva@mma.gov.br Address: Esplanada dos Misnitérios, Bloco B Brasília - DF CEP 70068-900 Brasil Brazilian Chamber of Deputies President: Dep. Arlindo Chinaglia E-mail: dep.arlindochinaglia@camara.gov.br Address: Gabinete 706 - Anexo IV Câmara dos Deputados Praça dos Três Poderes Brasília - DF CEP: 70160-900 Brasil