Member:
Aula del Mar - Spain

Best practice Guidelines for Environmental Volunteers
May 2005, Malaga, Spain

If, by any chance, while you are swimming this summer in the Andalusia waters and find a marine animal exhausted, unable to dive or floating on the surface, and nearly stranded on the beach, you will know what to do thanks to the Manual recently published by the Centre for the Recovery of Threatened Marine Species (CREMA).
The coastline of Andalusia stretches across 1000 kms from the Atlantic side (Huelva) to the Mediterranean beaches of Cabo de Gata (province of Almeria). It stands out as a unique area where the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters clash. The different conditions between the two seas creates a range of diverse ecosystems. However these ecosystems suffer from human-induced pressures such as tourism, pollution and over-fishing. Over the years, many marine species, such as dolphin,, whales, sharks and turtles, are stranded in the Andalusia waters, or incidentally caught by fishermen. In order to increase awareness of the problems faced by the species and develop protectionist attitudes, the Centre for the Recovery of Threatened Marine Species (CREMA) run by the Aula del Mar NGO has recently launched a Manual of best practice for environmental volunteers on how to deal with marine animals that might end up stranded along the coast.
The Manual sets different steps to be followed by environmental volunteers to respond to sick, injured or dead marine species before they are transported to the Recovery Center for short-term care and rehabilitation. An adequate response is vital to recover these animals but also to provide an opportunity for scientists to examine them and to teach the public about marine mammals and sea turtles that occur in Andalusian waters.
The Manual also provides information about the main threatened species such as the common dolphins, monk seals, loggerhead turtles and common porpoises.

If you want to get a hard copy of the Manual, please contact Juan Jesús Martín

Manual: Varamientos de Especies Marinas Amenazadas.
Chapter I: Litoral Andaluz y Voluntariado
Chapter II: Especies Marinas Amenazadas
Chapter III: Claves de Identificación de Tortugas Marinas
Chapter IV: Directorio