The exhibition is free and open at all hours of the day and evening up until the Hotel is open to the public. Also a BICREF member will be available every day on site around 6 to 8pm during the week and also between 10.30 and 12 on weekends.

A photographic exhibition of dolphins in their natural environment in Maltese Waters is being organized at the Westin Dragonara Resort between the 31st of March and the 16th of April 2001.

The activity is being sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Westin Dragonara Resort.

This exhibition is being set-up by the Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF which is a non-government and non profit organisation), to increase local awareness and support for research and effective conservation measures for endangered species - represented by dolphins in this event.

As organisms at the top of the food chain, dolphin survival and abundance serve as indicators of the overall wellbeing of the rest of the marine environment and thus pose a necessary challenge to local biodiversity research.

The photographs on exhibit are just a few taken during research observations at sea and are being put on show to allow the general public and local authorities to consider closely these elusive but important inhabitants of our sea.

The cetacean research, launched by Dr. Adriana Vella, Ph.D. as part of her academic research projects at the University of Malta, allows the gathering of accurate information of these and other marine organisms with the goal of improving future local development and exploitation. This conservation project aims at recommending ways of decreasing current degradation and impoverishment of our marine biodiversity.

The BICREF research assistants who voluntarily dedicate time and effort to the conservation projects allow greater local awareness and human resources to expand where demands are high but financial resources are low.

The photos on show is a limited and unique edition produced for this fund raising cause and thus each photo will be given in return to an important contribution to this research project. As such local government and private organizations are also invited to consider purchasing these photos as a way to assist our natural heritage to be preserved through accurate knowledge and long-term effective action.

Donations are welcome and may be sent to BICREF, PO. Box 30, Hamrun.