Press Release...Press Release...Press Release
MARINElife Receives Further Support from Leading Ferry Operator DFDS Seaways
UK based conservation charity, MARINElife, has received further support for its research activities on the English Channel from award-winning ferry operator, DFDS Seaways. The ferry company has agreed to provide the charity with free passage on its Portsmouth – Le Havre route on the western Channel from April 2014.
The DFDS Group has been a long standing supporter of MARINElife, providing our charity with a variety of different survey and research opportunities in the North Sea and eastern English Channel.
Many species of whale, dolphin, porpoise and seabird are known to use the English Channel giving this route specific importance to the charity as part of their monitoring of the animal movements throughout the year. The data gathered from these surveys can help MARINElife learn more about population changes as well as the effect climate change is having on the eco-system.
Adrian Shephard, from MARINElife, extends his gratitude to the company: “We really appreciate the continued support of DFDS Seaways in an important area around the UK. People are often surprised that taking a ferry from the UK gives you the chance to see dolphins and other marine wildlife but its true and the English Channel is no exception.” He went on to say: “We will be particularly interested in looking out for threatened species such as the Bottlenose and and Harbour Porpoise and other species which appear to be reacting to changes in climate”.
Stephen House, campaign manager at DFDS Seaways, says: “We are delighted to further support this important Marine Wildlife charity on our Western Channel routes. The charity conducts vital research to chart the migration and numbers of cetaceans in UK waters.”
The information collected by regularly surveying this new route will be added to the significant sightings database that MARINElife records on a monthly basis around the UK, giving the fundamental information forming the basis of long-term measures to help conserve animals.
1. MARINElife
MARINElife is a charity, established to co-ordinate and develop a growing portfolio of cetacean and seabird research and monitoring projects, chiefly in European Waters. Focal areas of work include whale, dolphin and seabird monitoring from ferries and other ‘ships of opportunity’, and research on Balearic Shearwaters, Bottlenose Dolphins and White-beaked Dolphins. Through these projects and collaborations, we aim to further the conservation of the wildlife of oceans and coasts through scientific investigation and educational activities.
MARINElife continues to work in partnership with a number of other research groups, spearheading an international initiative, the Atlantic Research Coalition (ARC) that aims to describe changes in the status of whales and dolphins at a European scale. Further information on MARINElife can be found by visiting our website at marine-life.org.uk
- DFDS Seaways
DFDS is Northern Europe‟s leading integrated shipping and logistics network. DFDS Seaways passenger ferries and cruise-ferries operate between Copenhagen and Oslo, on the North Sea (Amsterdam-Newcastle and Esbjerg-Harwich), English channel (Dunkirk-Dover), and the Baltic Sea (Kiel-Klaipeda/Karlshamn-Klaipeda/Sassnitz-Klaipeda). The roll-on roll-off freight service operates across the North Sea, English Channel and Baltic Sea with additional container transport services operating through DFDS Logistics. Further information on DFDS Seaways can be found by visiting our website at dfdsseaways.co.uk