Dear MarmMamers!


The German NGO M.E.E.R. is currently investigating the impact of sailing vessel and regattas on cetaceans. For this purpose, we are collecting reports of collisions and near miss events between sailing vessels and whales as well as dolphins.

 

In cooperation with Noonsite.com, the global website for cuising sailors, we elaborated a questionnaire which is online from now until the end of this year (see also the press release given at the bottom of this email).

With this, we would like to invite you to provide information, if you have knowledge of a collision or near miss event between a sailing vessel and a cetacean - or if you know someone who has such information. We would be grateful if you or the according person could answer some questions given in the online query and/or use a questionnaire, which is available for download.


Please follow this link to get involved:
http://www.m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=441&L=2
or go directly to the online survey at:
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2bo3bbwfi64xbbh/start

In general it has to be said that collisions of ships with cetaceans are globally a growing problem. Several whale population are under massive threat due to a high collision risk in some areas (e.g. right whales off the east coast of the US, the Mediterranean Sea finback whales or the sperm whales in the Canary Islands). Still, after several years of investigation, information is still scarce. This is especially true for collision between sailing vessels and marine life.

 

Therefore, your support will be highly appreciated. We also welcome advise on where to publish such information so as to spread the word as widely as possible. Thank you very much for your contribution!


Best,
Fabian

-- 

Fabian Ritter
-President-
M.E.E.R. e.V.
Bundesallee 123
D-12161 Berlin
Germany

T/F: (0)30-85 07 87 55
e-Mail: ritter@m-e-e-r.de

www.m-e-e-r.org
_____________________________________________
The dolphins were having a great relaxed time 
and there were no major answers they wished 
to know the questions to...
(After Douglas Adams)

PRESS RELEASE
04 July 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact:

Peta Stuart-Hunt

T: +44 (0)1590 679 621
M: +44 (0)7711 477 707
E: peta@prworksuk.com

Whale Collision Survey launched by noonsite.com

noonsite.com - the global website for cruising sailors - has joined forces with marine environmental group MEER (www.m-e-e-r.org ) to launch a worldwide survey of collisions and near misses between cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and sailing yachts.


Collisions between ships and cetaceans are increasing around the world and several whale populations are under massive threat owing to a high collision risk in some areas such as the US East Coast, the Mediterranean and around the Canary Islands. However, information on collisions involving sailing vessels is scarce.


Marine biologist Fabian Ritter, working for the non-profit organisation MEER is investigating reports of collisions and near miss events between sailing vessels and cetaceans. As part of this research noonsite.com and MEER are inviting all sailors around the world to provide information on any whale/dolphin collisions or near misses during their sailing careers.  


All reports can be logged on www.noonsite.com with the objective of gathering statistical information on actual collisions and near misses, to help understand the reasons for the collisions and to help reduce the risk both for sailors and for cetaceans.


noonsite.com manager, Sue Richards, commented: "Whales and dolphins are held in special affection by all sailors around the world. We know from the feedback from our site visitors - all of whom are cruising sailors - that concern for the marine environment is a high priority for them. We welcome this opportunity to help focus research through the global sailing community, for the benefit of both sailors and the marine mammals, and I urge all sailors to look back though their logs and help build up some significant research data."
 


The MEER research project will run on noonsite.com until the end of 2008. To log a report, visit www.noonsite.com


- ends -

Notes to Editors:

 

KEY INFORMATION

 

noonsite.com - the global website for cruising sailors            www.noonsite.com

  • The website for cruisers: noonsite.com aims to provide a one-stop website featuring essential information on all matters of interest to sailors planning an offshore voyage anywhere in the world, whether already underway or still in the preparatory stages.
  • Countries : All cruising destinations are covered (currently 193 countries and almost 1800 ports) with information on clearance formalities, visa requirements, fees, weather, special events and other facts needed by visiting sailors. Also featured are details of repair facilities as well as marine and shore services for every major port visited by cruising boats.
  • General Cruising Information: These pages provide a library of cruising and routing information based on the experience of hundreds of cruising sailors around the world.
  • Free to use: All information on the noonsite.com is freeto view.
  • Sponsors: A range of sponsorships are available on noonsite.com to suit the needs of both large and small organisations, whose support is essential in maintaining noonsite.com as a free service.
  • Cruising Community: noonsite.com welcomes news and updates from the worldwide community of cruising sailors.
  • Noonsite.com is managed by the global cruising rally specialists World Cruising Club - www.worldcruising.com
 
About MEER     www.m-e-e-r.org
M.E.E.R. e.V. is a non-profit association based in Berlin, Germany which runs the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera, Canary Islands. The Association's objectives are the promotion of environmental protection through scientific research and public education, particularly concerning cetaceans and their natural habitats and the study of peaceful encounters between man, whales and dolphins.

 
Media Images
A selection of images are available free for editorial use.

Contact Information:

 

Media Enquiries:

 
Peta Stuart-Hunt
T:                 +44 (0)1590 679 621
M:                +44 (0)7711 477 707
E.                peta@prworksuk.com  

Fabian Ritter
President, M.E.E.R. e.V
E                 ritter@m-e-e-r.de

 
# # #