We have been carrying out a research project on pilot whales in Tenerife, (Canary islands) for the entire year. We have received support from the Biodiversity Foundation and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment support this project in collaboration with University of La Laguna., but unfortunately, public and private institutions of the island have not supported the project yet. If no one else helps us with financial support, it will no longer be possible to continue the study. With your help, we can continue this study and we can know the risk factors affecting the conservation of the resident pilot whale population in this area and the state in which these animals are. We will know the degree of stress they are subject to, their food habits, distribution, social composition and the likelihood of collision with vessels in the area. Thanks to you, we will know more about this species and therefore be able to perform a more appropriate management system.

In the south of Tenerife, within a protected marine area, resides one of the few populations of pilot whales ( Globicephala macrorhynchus ), which can be spotted all year round. This species is listed in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species under the category of "vulnerable" and in the Catalogue of Endangered Species of the Canary Islands as “special protection”. In addition, the south of Tenerife is currently the only known place in the world with a population of pilot whales showing so much loyalty for such a reduced space.

But this area supports approximately 15,000 to 20,000 whale watching trips alone a year,plus a high number of unauthorized vessels (which are not under any control) visiting the populations on a regular basis. The exponential growth of aquatic activities increases the risk of collision mainly due to the new boats’ high speed and their proximity to the animals. In addition, the noise from the engines introduces acoustic pollution into the environment, which affects primarily the cetaceans for being animals that use the sound as their primary means of communication, feeding and guidance.

Increased risk factors and the absence of data on the population dynamics causes great uncertainty when it comes to ensuring the viability of this population of whales, so it is essential to identify and assess the degree of impact of the various risk factors that could jeopardize their survival.

How we will allocate your contributions.

The funds received will be used IN FULL to cover the costs related to data collection for the MITCALD project. In addition, it will cover the costs of printing and layout of dissemination materials related to this project and will allow bringing the results to the general public by conducting dissemination sessions and workshops.

In the event of exceeding our target, the raised funds will be used towards increasing the number of campaigns to collect as many data as possible. If the raised funds were well above break even point, we will make a video that shows our day to day work and this emblem species of the south of Tenerife. If that happens, the name of all the sponsors will appear in acknowledgments at the end of the video and we will send you a digital copy of that video.

Help us know more about this protected species so we can preserve it for the future!

Regarding the rewards

Those rewards that are entirely up to us (sponsored pilot whale photos, audio downloadable materials, online courses, etc.) will be delivered within less than two months from the end of the Crowdfunding. The reaming rewards, due to its special nature (come work with us and have your name listed in our publications) will be confirmed with you (sponsor) depending on when you want to attend. As for having your name listed in our publications, it will depend on the date that publications are made. In any case rewards will be delivered before November 2015. If you have made a contribution that will grant you a t-shirt, this will be personally delivered to you at your “scientist day/week”.

Calendar

The project’s duration is one year, starting January 15 and ending December 30 of 2015. Several data collection campaigns will be conducted at sea and on land.

About us

In Asociación Tonina we believe in science to serve the public so we specialize not only in researching but also in sharing our researches by offering lectures, workshops and various dissemination sessions. We are a NGO made up of young, restless and committed to our work and objectives, marine biologists.

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