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Links to
interesting dolphin info |
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Introduction
The Foundation Green Heritage Fund Suriname facilitates a
group of volunteers who on a regular basis collect data about the wild
dolphin populations (Sotalia guianensis) in the Suriname
River. This programme is the first research done in Suriname on wild
dolphins. The foundation manages for the dolphin programme the funds that
are obtained from donors and volunteers of the programme, so that data
collection can take place on a regular basis. |
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It is possible to join one of these trips
during which data is collected at a fee. Funds that are in excess of the
costs for one trip are deposited in the account of the programme, so that
except for guaranteeing the continuity also simple equipment and
accessories can be purchased for the programme. |
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© M.S. Pool 10dec06 |
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Mission
The mission of the volunteers of the Dolphin Programme is to protect
the population of wild dolphins in Suriname and set up
and maintain a good community monitoring programme . |
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© M.S. Pool 06jan07 |
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© Sylva Koemar 23jan07 |
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Objective
The Dolphin Programme aims at protecting the population of wild
dolphins by setting up and maintaining a good community monitoring
programme. This will be achieved by:
- Gathering data on
wild dolphins in Suriname;
- Creating a database
of basic research data;
- Engaging in public education
about dolphins;
- Engaging in advocacy
for the protection of wild
dolphins in Suriname;
- Establishing what is
the importance of dolphins in the wild;
- Finding out what the
threats are that wild dolphins face to their survival;
- Formulating actions
that could help their wild conservation;
- Informing
decision-makers;
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Promoting the conservation of the marine environment in general and
sustainable livelihoods.
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© M.S. Pool 10dec06 |
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© Sylva Koemar 25feb07 |
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For this reason we
will work and collaborate with:
volunteers, backers, independent researchers and scientists, behaviorists,
children and schools, the general public, tour operators, recreational
boaters, industrial and artisanal fishermen and sports fishermen.
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© Sylva Koemar 01mrt07 |
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© Sylva Koemar 25feb07 |
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We have set
ourselves the following goals, so that we can achieve our objective:
- Obtain equipment
necessary for our research
- Adapt existing
protocols to create a Suriname Dolphin Research Protocol
- Custom-design a
database to enter and process our data
- Design a training
manual
- Obtain a laptop for
onboard dolphin research and education
- Obtain a research
vessel with environmentally-friendly motor
- Collect onboard and
shore data
- Describe the estuary
in terms of its social and geographical dimensions
- Identify the
dolphins through photo identification
- Acquire land to
begin the construction of a self-sustaining research and visitor
facility
- Participate and
initiate community and agency meetings, and media outreach, to encourage
regulation of the dolphin - human interaction tour industry
- Organize Dolphin
Awareness and Conservation Events
- Organize
fund-raising events
- Organize children’s
and teen dolphin research camps
- Organize estuarine
and beach clean-ups
- Collaborate with the
local community on methods to protect nearshore resources
- Collaborate with the
local community on introducing sustainable dolphin tourism in the area
by introducing guidelines and assembling educational materials with
information to tourists, guides and other stakeholders.
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Attend marine and environment conferences.
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© Sylva Koemar 25feb07 |
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© Sylva Koemar 04mrt07 |
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