IFOP and NGO Oikonos meet to identify common lines of action and agenda regarding seabirds incidental capture.
January 30th, 2018
On January 10, an IFOP team wich included Dr. Rodrigo Vega, Dr. Patricia Zárate and researchers Luis Adasme and Catalina Román, and Oikonos, project director, Chile Dr. Peter Hodum,, Valentina Colodro, Co-director of projects and Researchers Verónica López and Ryan Carle, came together to review, identify and define different topics of common interest on the problem of South East Pacific incidental capture of seabirds and pollution in waters.
Rodrigo Vega explained “These instances allow to consolidate different organisms cooperative work, adjusting common interest lines and that are both of vital importance, to comply with agreements that Chile has acquired in the international scope as to strengthen the ecosystemic approach that drives current administration. ”
Luis Adasme highlighted “The meeting was developed with a clear encouragement of proactive collaboration. We are optimistic of being able to conclude with Oikonos a cooperation agreement that allows us to advance and promote a common interest agenda on various issues involving seabirds and fisheries in Chile. ”
Peter Hodum, Oikonos Director said ” today we are meeting to explore action lines that we want to define for collaboration agreement between both institutions focusing on issues related to the conservation of seabirds and bycatch in fisheries”.
Verónica López, Oikonos coordinator for Chile, added “we have been working together with IFOP on issues mainly dissemination and information for fishermen about seabirds conservation and care, within that, one of the activities is the creation of a calendar, focused on the species that die the most in northern and southern Chile fisheries. In the calendars birds images are shown and fishermen are invited to work in their proper care. Our main species of interest is the white shearwater, since they are dying in the purse-seine fisheries “.