Please find below a message we would ask you to circulate:

“The Belgian Ministry of Environment is happy to inform you about the release of a folder on ship strikes with whales. Ship strikes are now a recognized cause of mortality for whales globally. Every segment of the maritime industry is concerned, as well as sailing boats. The folder commissioned by Belgium includes advice to reduce the risk of collisions with whales. It also provides the link to the ship strikes database developed by the International Whaling Commission which offers an easy to use interface for data entry. Ship strikes are a priority area of work for the International Whaling Commission and other international organizations. The folder is available in six languages and can namely be used by ship strikes contact points, whale stranding networks coordinators and maritime authorities.

Link to the folder: http://www.iwcoffice.org/sci_com/shipstrikes.htm

Further information and printed copies of the folder can be obtained by contacting Alexandre de Lichtervelde, Chair of the IWC Ship strikes Working Group, at: Alexandre.delichtervelde@health.fgov.be”.

Yours sincerely.

Alexandre de Lichtervelde

Belgian Federal Public Service

Health, Food Chain security and Environment

Multilateral and Strategic Affairs

Eurostation building (DG5) Room 02C368

Place Victor Horta 40, box 10

B-1060 Brussels

Tel      +32/(0)2/524 96 17 (direct line)

Fax     +32/(0)2/524 96 00

Mobile +32/(0)474/496 355

http://www.health.fgov.be

NEW !!! Whales and dolphins exhibition in Brussels (till 29 August 2010):

http://www.sciencesnaturelles.be/museum/exhibitions/whalesdolphins/flash/files/fr/index.html