Kia Kaha, Kia Toa
Be strong, be a warrior.
My Backyard From the Chapters Junior Activists
Partners Getting involved
Issue 1 l My Backyard
Faroe Islands
The year started out slowly as is usual north of 60 degrees latitude. As winter gradually loosened its grip on our weather beaten islands, activity began to manifest itself again after hibernation.
Realizing how much time needs to be spent raising awareness and educating“ fellow” activists about delicate matters about the Grind and Faroese island culture can lead even the most hardened astray.
Then again, we are tireless Vikings- and summer was approaching fast, a time when little and no sleep is needed, bathed in endless sunlight and bright nights. Bring it on!
Seminar connects activists In June last year, the Nordic Councils Bio Ethics Committee hosted a two day seminar about Marine Mammal matters in the North Atlantic. The topic was how to make environmentalism, whaling and whale watching co-exist.
The Earthrace Faroe Islands team attended and made a lot of new connections. Among them was Andy Ottaway from Campaign Whale and we have since started working on a joint project – all will be revealed later this year.
New documentation for pilot whale tracking around the Faroe Islands
Speaking up on TV Faroes Chapter Director, Runi Nielsen, was in a live debate on prime time Faroese TV representing Earthrace on the daily national news. Facing him was long time whaling enthusiast Hans Jacob Hermansen and a somewhat biased TVhost. Needless to say, Rúni gave them hell and came out on top.
Travelling the islands together
In the wake of these events, the team continued to travel around the Islands with long-time fellow environmentalists, Leah A. Lemieux and Hans Peter Roth and others – much of this was done in the evenings as with all our volunteers, day time jobs continue – so there was little sleep!
Dolphin Advocate Ric O’ Barry sharing his knowledge In July, following
in Pete Bethune’ s footsteps, renowned dolphin advocate, Ric O’ Barry, visited the Faroes as a guest at Vitan( Knowledge) 2012, when he gave a lecture about marine mammals, mercury poisoning and related matters.
Keeping a grip on the grinds
Asurvey was organised by WSPA and Planet Whale( Faroe Islands Whale Watch) to document marine wildlife in the Faroe Islands during August and September 2012. Its main aim was to understand the distribution of cetaceans( whales, dolphins and porpoises) around the islands using previously tagged animals. Using information from tags is good news as tagged animals are not allowed to be hunted..
Contact Earthrace Faroe Islands: runi @ earthrace. net
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