North Sea swimmers open Year of the Dolphin in the Netherlands
Noordwijk / Netherlands, 1 January 2007 - The Year of the Dolphin campaign in the Netherlands has been opened by the North Sea swimmers at the traditional New Year swim in Noordwijk, near Leiden.
Due to stormy weather and extreme high tide most of the
local swim events were officially cancelled. Some 10,000 swimmers were
expected, but due to the cancellation only 1000 to 1500 people were
allowed to participate in the various events. The opening event in
Noordwijk was supervised by officials and by the local rescue and
lifeboat team. Dolphin experts reported recent sightings of three
different dolphin species at the swim event locations, which is
exceptional. However, also less good news was reported; during the year
2006, more than 500 cetaceans have been found on the Dutch beaches,
mostly porpoises. This is more than ever before.
The opening event was organised by the Associate of the Year of the Dolphin campaign NatureNet Europe and EUCC – The Coastal Union who are preparing an intensive campaign targeting a broad public in several countries. One of the objectives is to raise funds for dolphin conservation projects in Europe and the Mediterranean. NatureNet Europe has announced the creation of a Dolphin Fund that will support and facilitate such projects.
In the Netherlands a National Committee for the Year of the Dolphin has been formed including officials representing 25 governmental and non-governmental organisations. Several of these organisations, including the North Sea Foundation, have collaborated in the publication of a new book (in Dutch) on whales and dolphins in the North Sea. A special Dutch language website has been opened to support the campaign in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
More information:
www.natureneteurope.org
www.dolphinfund.eu
www.jaarvandedolfijn.nl (Dutch)
The opening event was organised by the Associate of the Year of the Dolphin campaign NatureNet Europe and EUCC – The Coastal Union who are preparing an intensive campaign targeting a broad public in several countries. One of the objectives is to raise funds for dolphin conservation projects in Europe and the Mediterranean. NatureNet Europe has announced the creation of a Dolphin Fund that will support and facilitate such projects.
In the Netherlands a National Committee for the Year of the Dolphin has been formed including officials representing 25 governmental and non-governmental organisations. Several of these organisations, including the North Sea Foundation, have collaborated in the publication of a new book (in Dutch) on whales and dolphins in the North Sea. A special Dutch language website has been opened to support the campaign in the Netherlands and in Belgium.
More information:
www.natureneteurope.org
www.dolphinfund.eu
www.jaarvandedolfijn.nl (Dutch)
