DELPHIS OPERATION 2009

SAILORS AND YACHTS MEN IN THE SERVICE

OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The Delphis operation, nowadays at its 13th edition, is the biggest international mobilization of sailors and yachtsmen for the knowledge and protection of whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a unique demonstration in matters of originality and scientific value, an important celebration of the sea, an appointment that all naturalist seamen cannot miss.

Delphis 2009 aims to involve a number of boats and crews  as big as possible to realize a panoramic snapshot of the Mediterranean and Black Sea surface, useful to the scientific community.

Since 1996, every year thousands sailors and yachtsmen dedicate a day on the sea for the knowledge and monitoring of cetaceans. On their boats placed over coordinates arranged in advance and spread equally, the people who take part into the Delphis operation become helpful to Science, because they all observe the sea surface at the same time, searching for cetaceans.

Each boat will be given a squared sea surface of 2 nautical mile length per side. Crews will have to observe and take pictures of cetaceans in their own areas.

Registration to Delphis is free of charge and crews will have to attend a specific training course which will enable them to recognise the different species of cetaceans living in the zone of observation.

DELPHIS OPERATION 2009

GOALS

To create a celebration of the sea, every year on the same day and in all the countries on the coasts of Mediterranean and Black Sea.

To create a mass media event that arouses great interest on a largely shared theme like the protection of cetaceans. The event aims to involve all the countries on the coasts of Mediterranean and Black Sea.

To make the vast public of sea users and sea lovers aware of the importance of

protecting cetaceans into their own natural environment; to inspire behaviours

responsible for all forms of life in the sea; to spread out rules of behaviours to keep

in presence of cetaceans (such as  ACCOBAMS, the Agreement on the

Conservation of  Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and IWC

International Whaling Commission, suggested by the scientific community).

Between 12.00 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to place a big number of boats over coordinates

arranged in advance and spread equally in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, thus

realizing simultaneously observations and snapshots of the sea surface and of the

cetaceans, by means of filling the form about sightings and observations.

Thanks to sailors and yachtsmen, to realize a snapshot of the sea surface in a way to obtain an objective evaluation of the minimum number of the living cetaceans.

To promote the transformation of the Mediterranean area process into a space of

cooperation, prosperity, peace and democracy universally recognised. 

enhance the presence of cetaceans off the coasts and to promote the still

untouched qualities of the Mediterranean and Black Sea among European citizens.  

To promote the sustainable and integrated development on the coasts of the

Mediterranean and Black Sea and a correct environment management of the vast

common heritage.

To promote the role of the Union for the Mediterranean in the safeguard of sea and

coasts;

to  promote the Union’s visibility and to enhance the numerous opportunities that

will occur at the starting up process of the Union for the Mediterranean.

To strengthen the multilateral cooperation among FISPMED (International

Federation for  Sustainable Development and Fight to Poverty in the

Mediterranean-Black Sea: www.mediterraneanblackseanetwork.net) members;

to develop new synergies among all the ONLUS, among public and private

institutions, among associations for environment and those for sustainable

development, among sailors, yachtsmen and fishermen of the whole Mediterranean

and Black Sea;

to share and create a network on our knowledge on cetaceans.

DELPHIS OPERATION 1996/2008

RESULTS ACHIEVED

Since 1996, thanks to Delphis operation it was possible:

To create a new generation of naturalist-seamen respectful of the navigation spirit,

of its rules, of the life-stile on board and of the environment.

To get sailors, yachtsmen and sea lovers associated in monitoring the sea and

cetaceans, to let these people become aware of their personal responsibility in

protecting the sea.

To improve the knowledge on the distribution, the number and species of

cetaceans living in the Mediterranean, and especially in the  International

Sanctuary for sea mammals placed in the eastern Mediterranean area. 

To promote the still untouched qualities of the Mediterranean Sea among mass

media and public opinion, enhancing the number and the species of existing

cetaceans, in order to better protect them in their natural environment.

To promote the growth of international projects for conservation and safeguard of

the Mediterranean sea.

To create new forms of sustainable tourism and advantages for tourism economy.