IFOP Scientific Observers spread protection and conservation of sea turtles in Arica’s schools
August 30th, 2017
Daniel Fuenzalida, Georgio Pacheco Rojas, Rodrigo Ulloa scientific observers and Carolina Navarro IFOP coordinator, are conducting a series of talks in Arica’s schools about protection and conservation of sea turtles, this time they visited Arica College, dictating a talk to 5th and 6th grade students.
Georgio commented “I want to emphasize that it is an enriching activity, not only for the opportunity to contribute to the conservation and protection of these long-lived and important species through the dissemination of information, but also to represent IFOP and work with students of First cycle education (levels from 3 rd to 5 th grade). These talks, in addition to creating ecological awareness, makes our work known as scientific observers, as a professional and Ariqueño (a person natural from Arica) I have a duty to contribute to this noble task, because this natural beach sector “PUNTILLA” is a feeding area for Turtles and it is locally protected by a municipal ordinance. Personally, the most salvageable thing for me is the fact of instituting the motivation and interest in these boys and perhaps awakening the vocation by the sea and the activities associated with this “.
IFOP researcher Patricia Zárate, chair of the National Working Group on Marine Turtles, added: “These talks, as Georgio mentioned, help to improve the general public’s knowledge about marine animals and their conservation problems, which is important especially in animals such as sea turtles, which are threatened with extinction by problems caused directly and indirectly by man. Every research program should consider disseminating information not only to scientific audiences but also to the local community and better than the children who will pass on this knowledge to their families. I am grateful to the scientific observers Giorgio, Daniel Fuenzalida, Rodrigo Ulloa and the coordinator Carolina Navarro for carrying out these talks and the motivation. ”
On scientific observers Erick Gaete, IFOP Head of Sampling Management Department explained “are the people in charge of the observation and compilation of biological-fishing data throughout the country (they are distributed from Arica to Puerto Williams), whether they are boarded on board of artisanal or industrial fishing vessels in fishing operations, points or ports of landing and also in processing plants, always linked to the task of collecting data of the activity for the correct integral technical advice that the Institute provides to the fishing national authority.
A global trend aims to recognize the importance of scientific observation programs because of the information they collect wich constitutes an important contribution to decision making management. In this way, and recognizing the role they play, Chilean regulations have incorporated changes and demands that seek to professionalize the work of observers and ensure that their work is carried out in a safe environment, free of interference and with modern tools, so that the quality and representativeness of the information collected is indisputable and the basis of a correct administration of the country’s natural resources. ”
One of the important changes to the Institute’s role in recent years is linked to the collection and recording of data from adjacent species that could interact with fishing activity, incorporating them with a more global view of the activity (ecosystemic approach), and In which charismatic species such as turtles, birds or marine mammals take a preponderant role of recording (presences and interactions), as well as bringing the community to the ecosystemic role they play and the importance of their protection and / or care, which is a little bit the real purpose of this particular activity. “