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 country’s 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
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).
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
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
BN2 4GJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 64
2284
E-mail: 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: pr@planalto.gov.br
Address:
|
Palácio do Planalto Brasil Presidency Office
Chief: Mr. Fernando
de Lima |
|
E-mail: 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. 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 |