Collaboration with the Marine Mammal Advisory Group (MMAG)

M.E.E.R. has recently begun collaborating with the Marine Mammal Advisory Group (MMAG). The MMAG (mmag.world) focuses extensively on the issue of collisions between boats and cetaceans, uniting various stakeholders under one banner to develop concrete solutions. A particular focus is placed on offshore sailing regattas. Through technical solutions, data generation and sharing, risk assessments, citizen science, and educational measures, the goal is to create a platform that integrates diverse projects and expertise into a unified protection strategy.

For our association, this specifically means contributing our experience and perspectives regarding ship collisions in the Canary Islands region. M.E.E.R. can provide valuable expertise based on its long history of scientific work in the field of ship-cetacean collisions. For instance, in 2010, we published the world’s first study on accidents between sailboats and whales, which documented a significant increase in such incidents.

We are pleased to now be among the scientific advisors to the MMAG. This role includes participating in a new study—an “update” to the 2010 study—currently being launched by the MMAG in cooperation with Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh (Scotland), which will include all known collision cases in sailing regattas from recent years.