Zoomarine is one of the founding members of AMERG – Aquatic Mammals Emergency Response Group -, a new international network promoted by the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM), which brings together institutions, experts and qualified resources to provide a rapid and coordinated response to emergencies involving marine mammals, such as mass strandings, oil spills, natural disasters and cases of orphaned or injured animals.
AMERG was created in response to an increasingly worrying scenario: according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, 26% of marine mammal species are currently threatened – a significant increase on the 15% recorded in 1991. Mass strandings, contact with fishing activity, collisions with boats, pollution and climate change are some of the threats that have intensified, requiring swift action, technical expertise and international coordination.
Martin Boye, President of EAAM, states that “AMERG reflects EAAM’s commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare and conservation. It is our responsibility as professionals and institutions dedicated to aquatic mammals, to act swiftly and collaboratively when emergencies arise. This initiative strengthens our ability to respond effectively – and most importantly, to make a real difference for the animals and ecosystems that need us. Institutions that care for dolphins and other aquatic mammals play a critical role in this effort – their knowledge, infrastructure, and commitment are irreplaceable.”
More than a response task force, AMERG will focus on technical and scientific capacity building, promoting training, knowledge sharing and strengthening local preparedness in the most vulnerable regions where marine mammals face the most obstacles to their survival. The AMERG network already includes dozens of reference partners, such as Oceanogràfic (Spain), Georgia Aquarium (USA), Fundación Omacha (Colombia), Sea World Abu Dhabi (UAE), African Aquatic Conservation Fund (Senegal), Instituto Mamirauá (Brazil) and Zoomarine (Portugal).
A global network with a Portuguese presence
As a founding member of AMERG, Zoomarine joins a global network of organisations that can be quickly activated in response to strandings, accidents, natural disasters or other emergencies involving marine mammals, both in Portugal and abroad. Zoomarine’s role includes mobilising highly specialised technical teams to rescue and clinically stabilise the affected animals, making its own infrastructures available for reception, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as collaborating in the scientific coordination of operations on the ground, guaranteeing an integrated and effective response together with the network’s international partners.
To João Neves, Zoomarine’s Conservation Director, “Zoomarine’s integration into AMERG reinforces our commitment to marine conservation based on science, field experience and international collaboration. It also recognises the work we have been doing over the years, particularly through Porto d’Abrigo, which is now a national benchmark in the rehabilitation of marine mammals.”
“In the face of growing threats to life in the oceans, it is essential to guarantee rapid and well-coordinated responses capable of ensuring the well-being of animals and protecting the integrity of ecosystems. We believe that only with qualified action and effective cooperation networks will we be able to respond with impact to the challenges facing marine conservation in the 21st century – and AMERG is exactly that response,” adds the responsible.
This integration not only recognises Zoomarine’s solid experience in the rehabilitation and protection of marine fauna, but also reaffirms its commitment to remain at the forefront of marine ecosystem conservation, through the combination of environmental education, social awareness and structured technical-scientific intervention, capable of responding effectively and quickly to growing environmental threats.
Together, We Protect!
