News

13 Mar

Historic treaty to protect the high seas

After 15 years of negotiations, the UN member states, including Germany, have agreed on a treaty to protect the high seas. In the future, at least 30% of the world’s high seas, which have so far lacked any protection by law, are to be designated as protected areas. In addition to this, any expeditions, economic projects and other activities within these areas are to be assessed for environmental compatibility. The treaty must now be ratified by the individual member states. Upon ratification, marine protected areas can be designated by a three-quarters majority of member states, preventing obstruction by individual nations....

20 Feb

MEER is now on gooding

MEER e.V. now has an association profile on the donation website “gooding.de”. With this the association or one of its specific projects can very easily be supported with online purchases. Depending on the online shop, approx. 5% of the purchase value (excluding VAT and shipping) goes to the association of choice. There are no additional costs. If you install the gooding toolbar in your browser, you will be directly informed that your current purchase supports MEER e.V. More under this link: https://www.gooding.de/m-e-e-r-e-v-107631

1 Jan

New Year’s post from us

Our New Year’s post recently went out to all of our supporting members! We would like to thank everyone who supports us with either regular or one-off donations and all those who are giving up some of their free time to keep the association running. Without you we would not be able to continue our research and the protection of the oceans. We are looking forward to an exciting 2023! PS: Our cards are produced in a climate neutral manner with green electricity, printed on recycled paper and with vegan vegetable oil-based inks. And for all those who didn´t receive...

2 Nov

Digitalisation: Data acquisition via app

In the past months we have made a huge step forward in the digitalisation of our data recording in cooperation with the company Pegenau (Erfurt): Software developer Stefan Werfling has developed an app specifically for M.E.E.R. e.V. that digitally records sightings of whales and dolphins. Sighting data (coordinates of the sighting, species, displayed behaviour, group size and composition, etc.) can now be digitally collected on each tour and fed directly into the database. In addition to this, photos can also be taken with a tablet, assigned to the respective sighting and uploaded to the database. The tour’s location data is...

1 Nov

Behavioural Biology Course on La Gomera

From September 17th to October 1st 2022 a behavioural biology course under the direction of biologist Christina Sommer took place on La Gomera for the first time since the pandemic related restrictions had been put in place. This waiting period was used to rearrange and update the course content somewhat: In addition to the usual elaboration of behavioural biology methods, two additional focal points were set: the first on land-based observation and the calculation of associated sighting coordinates, the other on habitat threats and conservation efforts for cetaceans off the island. In addition, the latest scientific publications were presented (e.g....

30 Oct

Mindful Conservation

In October 2022, the scientific journal “Advances in Marine Biology” published an article by our chairman Fabian Ritter: “Marine Mammal Conservation in the 21st Century: a plea for a Paradigm Shift Towards Mindful Conservation”. The article deals with differing approaches in marine conservation and pleads for a holistic and conscious approach towards the oceans and its inhabitants. This requires the development of a (new) narrative of connectedness between humans and nature, which must replace the currently prevailing narrative of separateness. Read the Abstract of the article here: Marine mammals are held in high esteem by the general public, and are...

12 Sep

Our partner Oceano becomes even more sustainable

Since July 2022, our partner Oceano has been compensating for the CO2 emissions caused by their fuel consumption on whale watching tours. For this purpose, the corresponding amount is donated on a monthly basis to the local project Plántate, through which native trees and shrubs are planted on La Gomera. Plántate – translated “plant yourself” – is a reforestation project of the Environmental Department of the Island Government in collaboration with the Garajonay National Park and ATUSOS, the association of tourism businesses belonging to the Charter for Sustainable Tourism. Together with the population, schools, administrations, companies and associations, native species...

1 Aug

Exclusive WDC Experience Course

Exclusive WDC Experience Trip to the M.E.E.R. La Gomera Project on the Canary Islands Come with us to one of the most dolphin and whale rich areas in Europe. Experience 10 days of responsible whale watching together with certified experts. La Gomera is home to an incredible variety of dolphin and whale species – ideal conditions to observe and explore the animals. Both – observation and exploration – are the focus of this course, but above all it is about experiencing the animals live. In the encounter with these animals lies the potential to create a deep connection between man...

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