Middle Sea Race crews to record whale and dolphin sightings

The Biological Conservation Re-search Foundation (BICREF) will be obtaining whale and dolphin sighting records data from the participants of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, starting on Saturday.

The exercise is part of the BICREF-Rolex Middle Sea Race Cetacean project that has been running since 2000.

This year, the 70 participating sailing boat crews will be especially encouraged to give their full contribution in view that it is the Year of the Dolphin, declared by the UN Environment Programme.

The project, which allows for the collection of valuable data on dolphin and whale sightings through the race route of 607 nautical miles, involves the co-operation of the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the sponsorship of Fotovision Imaging International and HSBC-Earthwatch fellows.

BICREF makes available especially designed sighting forms and disposable cameras for the project, and this year each crew is being donated posters to celebrate the Year of the Dolphin.

BICREF said the data and photos would also complement local scientific cetacean research undertaken by the Conservation Biology Research Group at the University of Malta, led by Adriana Vella.

Last year's winner of the BICREF - RMSR Best Dolphin and Whale Sighting records award went to the crew of sailing boat Elusive, skippered by Arthur Podestà.

bicref@nextweb.net.mt

www.bicref.org