BICREF has been active in marine conservation research for many years now and is looking forward to another summer of active research and awareness work. Effective scientific work needs proper methodology and thus research expeditions are preceded by training sessions to allow its
volunteers to contribute the most to the effort. The next of these BICREF volunteers' training sessions will be held on the 27th of June at the GAIA foundation centre. The first topic to be covered will be "Dolphin and Whales of Maltese Waters how to study, assist and conserve".

While the dolphin and whale conservation research project out at sea is demanding in time and effort, the data accumulated, scientifically analyzed and presented at local and international conferences have put Malta on the map of cetacean conservation research for some time now.
The conservation biologist, that has launched in 1997 the cetacean research project in Malta and that BICREF is supporting, is Dr. Adriana Vella, Ph.D. (academic researcher on cetaceans at the University of Malta). Dr. Vella's research efforts and results have allowed her to forward recommendations to the ACCOBAMS (International Agreement for the Protection of Cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea which Malta has ratified) for the protection and conservation management of
Mediterranean vulnerable species. A poster illustrating some of the scientific results on the common dolphin research has been made available for the public at the IMAX foyer since May and is to remain there up to the end of this month, when children from schools will be putting up their images of dolphins and marine life.

BICREF's long-term assistance to the cetacean project has been investigating the status of various cetacean species in the Central and Southern Mediterranean including Bottlenose Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins, Striped Dolphins, apart from the previously mentioned Common Dolphins. Whales are also found in this study region and in particular work to understand movement patterns of the Sperm and Fin whales are integrated in BICREF's assistance to this project. Here BICREF thanks the various sponsors of this cetacean research project including the Medcoms Ltd., Mecca and General Soft drinks.

These training sessions are always excellent opportunities for persons wishing to join BICREF's work to start of with relevant training from an internationally recognized cetacean scientist.

BICREF, PO Box 30, Hamrun, MALTA
Email: bicref@hotmail.com