Kick-off Year of the Dolphin in Belgium
The Year of the Dolphin campaign in Belgium was launched January 17th by Natuurpunt (partner of Birdlife Belgium), EUCC - The Coastal Union and North Sea Foundation (Stichting De Noordzee). The presentation of the illustrated book "Whales and Dolphins in the North Sea" which gives an overview on the cetaceans living in the southern part of the North Sea raised major interest.
The campaign will focus on three pillars: Policy building by the National Committee of the Year of the Dolphin will be evidence of a bottom-up approach where practical experience on the ground will be the basis of a decent master plan for the North Sea. Secondly, the campaign will have a clear focus on developing an educational kit on cetaceans. Eventually financial support will be ensured by fund raising through the Dolphin Fund.
The Minister of the North Sea, Renaat Landuyt welcomed the idea of the Committee and promised to bring it further by creating a North Sea Platform. A splendid start for the Year of the Dolphin!
There will be a close collaboration between the campaigns in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The international campaign website for both countries is www.jaarvandedolfijn.org
The Minister of the North Sea, Renaat Landuyt welcomed the idea of the Committee and promised to bring it further by creating a North Sea Platform. A splendid start for the Year of the Dolphin!
There will be a close collaboration between the campaigns in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The international campaign website for both countries is www.jaarvandedolfijn.org
