News

La Gomera, June 2016. Those students who exceeded expectations by improved performances in the past semester were invited to a very special whale watching trip on June 16, at 9 a.m. The kids from the Valle Gran Rey at the age of 14 to 15 years and their accompanying teacher had the opportunity to discover the large number of cetaceans off the coast of their hometown. Biologist Volker Boehlke started by introducing the most common species and explaining their habitat.  

Berlin/Madeira, March 2016. For the 3rd time in a row M.E.E.R. e.V. is the main organizer of an educational workshop at the annual conference of the European Cetacean Society (ECS). This year, the conference takes place on Madeira with a focus on the deep sea. The full day workshop “4th workshop on communicating marine mammal science to the general public” takes place in the Madeira Whale Museum on March 13th. It includes a presentation of the Madeira Whale Museum and a guided tour. The workshop is open for everybody interested in marine mammals’ protection, focusing on education. Therefore, it is... Continue Reading

La Gomera, February 2016. Our active member Josy Amey represented M.E.E.R. e.V. at the CETS meeting (CARTA EUROPEA DE TURISMO SOSTENIBLE) that was held in Agulo, La Gomera, at the beginning of February. Activities were presented that promoted eco-tourism and led at the same time to benefits of locals. In addition, there was a presentation and evaluation of companies, which sustainably work in tourism and are part of CETS, including our long-standing cooperation partner OCEANO. Furthermore, future demands and problems as well as possible sustainable solutions were collected and discussed. It was important for M.E.E.R. e.V. to be present at... Continue Reading

La Gomera, Oktober 2015. On the 7th and 8th of October, 200 pre-schoolers and primary school children of the local school in Borbalán, La Gomera, took part in a very special excursion within their ‘ocean weeks’: For two days, with the support of M.E.E.R., the pupils aged three to twelve had the chance to learn more about the sea and its inhabitants. Coordinated by our biology teacher and M.E.E.R.-biologist Volker Smit, the children were introduced to the life of whales and dolphins in the rooms of our permanent exhibition located close to the harbour. Additionally, marine biologist Volker Boehlke explored... Continue Reading

M.E.E.R. e.V. proudly presents its 3rd workshop at the annual ECS Conference 2015 (European Cetacean Society, 23 – 25 March, Malta): “Communicating marine mammal science to students & the general public”. The workshop is organised by Volker Smit (M.E.E.R. e.V.) and takes place at InterContinental (St. Julians, Malta) on 21st March 2015.

Biology teachers at sea! La Gomera, 2014. Due to the close cooperation with OCEANO La Gomera and the contact to the local school in the Valle Gran Rey at La Gomera, it has been possible to invite biology teachers on a tour out to sea with OCEANO. Beforehand, marine biologist Volker Boehlke held a lecture for the teachers at their school about „Life at the coast of La Gomera“. We are pleased about this development, since M.E.E.R. e.V. repeatedly invited the teachers to use the trilingual exhibition also for their lessons. Campaign for teachers of the „Instituto de Educación Secundaria... Continue Reading

End captivity for dolphins in Europe! 28th of June was a very particular day for the dolphin defenders of Europe. For the 2nd year, a small group of enthusiasts organised – with the help of Animal Rights organization Bite Back – a European demo against dolphinaria. Special guest was Ric O’Barry, the ex-trainer of Flipper, but since 40 year on a constant quest to put an end to all kinds of dolphin suffering and captivity of cetaceans. 400+ activists from all over Europe joined Ric at the foot of the Atomium in Brussels to demand a dolphinaria-free Europe. The atmosphere... Continue Reading

Berlin, June 2014. Summarized by Volker Boehlke based on articles by „Ecologistas en Acción“, translated by Pia Ditscher. On June, 5th 2014 the international „Day of environment“, five big nature conservation associations (Amigos de la tierra, Ecologistas en Acción, Greenpeace, SEO/BirdLife and WWF) came together in Madrid to point out the problems resulting from oil drillings. The protest was induced by the decision of the Minister for the Environment to permit the oil drillings off the Canary Islands. With their protest the organisations want to support the planned demonstrations at the Canaries and all over the country for the following weekend.