Who & What this is about...
Brad Robertson moved to Mallorca 3 years ago after nearly 10 years living and working on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The contrast in Marine Environments is a contributing factor to his continuing Marine Conservation work. One of the most noticable differences being the lack of Sharks & Rays around the Balearic Islands.
The planning for the Mallorca Stingray Survey started 12 months ago when Brad was told of a relatively dense population of Common Stingrays around the Bay of Palma. After a couple of exploritory dives, with which he saw some of the densest populations of rays he has ever seen and also some of the largest rays he has ever seen, the project was constructed.
The project is a 12 month survey within a Marine Protected Area to study this migratory population of Stingrays with the view of understanding their reasons to visit the Bay of Palma and to help local authorities protect similar environments around the Balearic Islands.
This could be one of the very few healthy populations of stingrays around the Balearics.
Working with local Government, local volunteers, local children and local marine biologists not only to understand the rays but to also raise awareness of local issues, create a community vision and inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
The project is a joint venture between Joves Navegants & Ondine. Joves Navegants have been working with under privalidged local children here in the Balearic Islands for 20 years. Teaching the children the value of sailing, the sea and what lies beneath. Now these same children will be learing how to conduct scientific research programs, snorkelling and diving techniques and given a new direction to follow as a possible career path.
You can download the Mallorca Stingray Proposal, including the budget at the following link...
http://ondineescape.com/mallorca-stingray-survey/
What We Need & What You Get
This is a 12 month survey with 2 trips per month, hence 24 days per year to gather data. Following the project will be a further couple of months to collate the data and produce a scientific report on. The report will be written by Gabriel Morey, local Marine Biologist and member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.
We are completely transparent with what we are doing, the funds we are raising and where these funds will be allocated. The funds raised will go to the hire or boats, dive equipment, maintenence, fuel costs, captains, dive supervisors, marine biologists and purchasing supplementary equipment. Also things like water and food for the volunteers and basic running costs of this 12 month project.
Should we not reach our entire goal on Indiegogo the funds collected here will stay with Joves Navegants whilst we raise funds externally through local businesses, fund raising days & the local community.
There are very few shark & ray community based projects in the Med, your help with this will be not only assisting this particular project but will also inspire future projects like it.
The Impact
With the Mediterranean Sea on the brink of total collapse and the European Union in a similar situation it is up to the people to come together and create projects like this. To create, manage and find funding for the recuperation of this historc sea.
The Mediterranean is home to approximately 80 different species of elasmobranches (Sharks, Rays & Skates) with 42% of them listed as endangered of extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
If we want to see any chance of this huge devastation reversed then we need to start now.
The Mallorca Stingray Survey is a relatively short project with a foreseeable conclusion and foreseeable success, making this a foundation building project, once complete, using it as a launchpad for larger more abitious Shark & Ray projects here in the Balearic Islands.
Other Ways You Can Help
Spreading the word of this project is also a massive way you can help, share it on your facebook, twitter, linkedin and other social media platforms.
Making comments on our facebook page showing your interest is also another way you can help.
Brad Robertson, Bea Esparza, Gabriel Morey, Erica Lay and Joves Navegants thank you for taking your time to read this campaign and thank you for your support, in whichever form it may come in.THANK YOU!!
