Please excuse X-postings!
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Dear All!

The non-profit association M.E.E.R. would like to announce it's next
field courses in behavioural biology in the Canary Islands:

"Assisting in field research of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera".
17-31 March 2006

The project M.E.E.R. La Gomera is conducting a study on the interactions
between cetaceans and whale watching boats since many years. The
participants of these 2-weeks practical courses will get an insight into
the behavioural research conducted from whale watching boats operating
off the island of La Gomera. In this area, 21 cetaceans species could be
identified during the last years, representing one of the highest known
species diversities in the world. A list of publications that resulted
from this project is given below.

The course includes a full training program: the theory and practice of
behavioural research will be learned and profound background information
on whale watching will be given. Research experience that will be gained
includes sighting data recording, behavioural sampling, photo
identification and others.

The course is fully accepted for the study of Biology at the
Humbodt-Universitaet Berlin (Germany) and the University of Vienna
(Austria).

Moreover, the research is embedded in conservation efforts aiming at the
preservation and promotion of whale watching as a sustainable use of
cetaceans and the establishment of a marine sanctuary in the waters off
La Gomera. M.E.E.R. La Gomera was honoured in 2001 with the
international environmental award "Tourismus und Umwelt", which is
granted since 1987 by the German Association of Travel Agencies and
Travel Operators (DRV). As was said during the bestowal, the project
"realises new ways of co-operation of research and tourism in an
exemplary and innovative way".

For further information please visit

http://www.m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=208&L=2

One course is offered during the 2004 springtime field season:
17-31 March 2005.

The price is 875.- € including 7 whale watching research excursions,
accommodation, full training program, scientific supervision, donation
to M.E.E.R. e.V., written working material, certificate of attendance
and one year MEER e.V. membership
(The journey to and from La Gomera is not included in the price.)

Early bookings are accepted until 31 December 2005 at a price of 814.- €

For further information, booking, etc., please send an e-mail to
[log in to unmask]

_____________________________________
The non-profit association M.E.E.R. is registred and based in Berlin.
The objectives of the association are conservation, research and
education in order to protect cetaceans in their natural habitats. Our
work aims at increasing the public awareness for the oceans and to
present ways how humans can deal with nature in a responsible way.
Our co-operation partners are the "Deutsche Umwelthilfe"
(Radolfzell/Germany) "Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine"
(Munich/Germany), " and the "Club de Mar" (whale watching operator/La
Gomera).

_____________________________________________
Publications in conjunction with the work of the project M.E.E.R. La
Gomera:

Ritter, F. & Ladner, U.A. 1996. Whale Watch Research on La Gomera: A new
Interdisciplinary Approach. European Research on Cetaceans 9. Proc. 9th
Ann. Conf. ECS, Lisbon 1996, 48ff.

Ritter, F. 1996. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Cetaceans off
La Gomera (Canary Islands) and Their Interaction with Whale
Watching-Boats and Swimmers. Diploma Thesis to the University of Bremen,
Faculty of Biology. 114pp.

Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1998. First Report of Blue Whales
(Balaenoptera musculus) Frequenting the Canary Island Waters. European
Research on Cetaceans 12. Proc. 12th Ann. Conf. ECS, Monaco, 20-24th
January 1998, 95-98.

Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1999. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour
of Dense Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) off La Gomera (Canary
Islands) and their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS, 25.2,
55-61.

Ritter, F. 2001. Twenty-one Cetacean Species off La Gomera (Canary
Islands): Possible Reasons for an extraordinary Species Diversity.
Poster presented at the 11th Annual Conference of the ECS, 5-7 May 2001,
Rome, Italy.

Ritter, F. 2002. Behavioural Observations of Rough-toothed dolphins
(Steno bredanensis) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) with a special
Reference to their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS 28.1,
46-59.

Smit, V., Ritter, F. & Neumann, K. 2003. Feasibility study: Land-based
observations of cetaceans off La Gomera. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran
Canaria, Spain.

Ritter, F. 2003. Boat-Related behaviours as a tool for the development
of species-specific whale watching guidelines. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS,
Gran Canaria, Spain.

Ritter, F. 2003. Interactions of Cetaceans with Whale Watching Boats -
Implications for the Management of Whale Watching Tourism. M.E.E.R.
e.V., Berlin, Germany, 91 pp.

Mayr, I. & Ritter, F.: PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS
OFF LA GOMERA (CANARY ISLANDS) WITH NEW INSIGHTS INTO SOCIAL
ORGANISATION. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the ECS, La
Rochelle, France, April 2005.


-- 
_________________________
Fabian Ritter
MEER e.V.
Bundesallee 123
D-12161 Berlin

TEL/FAX: (0)30-85 07 87 55
e-mail: [log in to unmask]

www.m-e-e-r.org
_________________________
"The dolphins were having a great relaxed time
          and had no major answers they wished to know
          the question to."
(after Douglas Adams)