HSBC Earthwatch fellows support BICREF projects

Ten HSBC Bank Malta employees are supporting BICREF, the Biological Conservation Research Foundation, by participating in a number projects that aim to improve the management of the effective conservation of Malta's biodiversity, the available research on the Maltese Islands, and monitoring processes.

The employees, who are also "Earthwatch Fellows", have all been on environmental research expeditions abroad as part of the HSBC Employee Fellowship. Once back home, employees are encouraged to set up or support community projects, which are also generously funded by HSBC.

HSBC staff will collaborate on different kinds of environmental work with BICREF. These include monitoring Malta and Gozo's coastal conservation areas, such as Ghajn Tuffieha and Ramla Bay, through terrestrial and marine surveys. Another project is that of coastal and offshore monitoring of vulnerable dolphins, whales (cetacean) and turtles, through aerial and boat surveys.

Those who will be snorkelling and scuba diving around the Maltese Islands (including Filfla) will be monitoring marine biodiversity. Other work will consist of increasing awareness on the vulnerability and needs of various habitats and species, and promoting the importance of conservation research practice through seminars, and dissemination of information.

The employees are Robert Mallia, Celine Schranz, Eugene Schembri, Marian Ellul, Nathaline Camilleri, Natalino Xuereb, Reuben Fenech, Doreen Balzan, Mark Bencini and Michael Cassar.

"HSBC is funding this research because it believes that detailed conservation information and monitoring are a must if Malta's marine natural heritage is to be safeguarded," said Shaun Wallis, HSBC Bank Malta's CEO. "We recommend that others take up similar commitments."

More information on BICREF is available by logging onto the Website www.bicref.org, or by sending an e-mail to bicref@gmail.com.