Since 1986, Tethys has conducted a number of initiatives centered around public awareness, education and capacity building.
Some of the most important are listed below.
Please note that many activities conducted after 1998 are not included here.
Compagnia dei Cetonauti (Whale and Dolphin Friends)
In a way, the very first attempt to assess the presence and distribution of the cetacean species living in the Mediterranean Sea was not conducted by researchers, but by the public. In 1986, the Tethys Research Institute launched an initiative without precedent in Italy: pleasure boaters were invited to report their cetacean sightings; they were asked to note latitude and longitude of the encounter and to take a photograph, in order to enable the experts to exactly identify the species. Cetacean amateurs were enrolled as members of a club named "Compagnia dei Cetonauti" (The Company of Whale and Dolphin Friends). The initiative was advertised through the popular monthly magazine "Aqua", addressed to sea lovers and people dealing with marine biology, seamanship, sailing boats, nautical sciences, and marine culture in general. Members of the club were equipped with sighting forms and with a booklet explaining how to recognise the Mediterranean species. The idea had a great success: more than 600 members were registered, and 618 sightings were reported; the main areas in which pleasure crafts use to sail were covered, thus depicting the very first picture of the presence of cetacean species in the Mediterranean Sea. Besides the scientific information coming out from this experience, it became clear, on this occasion, that the collaboration of the public represented a major driving force in the field of marine mammal conservation.
Tethys Cetacean Sound Library: Cetacean sound collection for educational purposes
A comprehensive database of cetacean sounds from 12 species of toothed and baleen whales has been set up from the beginning of the activities of the Institute. Recordings, both analog and digital, are stored on the original tapes and selected cuts are digitised as computer files and stored on magnetic and optical disks. The database is already available upon request for scientific and educational purposes and will be soon available on the World Wide Web.
Internships, visitors and guest researchers
A considerable number of students from several European countries participated as interns in the Tethys Research Institute activities. Many continued their collaboration with Tethys after having finished their thesis, some of them becoming steady collaborators.
Hundreds of visitors, guest students and guest researchers from several countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, U.K. and U.S.A. have had the opportunity to visit the Tethys' bases and to participate in research and public awareness activities.
Since 1996 students from the Master course in "Marine Resource Development and Protection", Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, join the Tethys' Adriatic Dolphin Project for their MSc projects. By collecting information on Croatian laws, environmental impact of human activities, and on possible threats to the local bottlenose dolphin population, they contribute to defining new strategies for a sustainable development. The agreement between Tethys and Heriot-Watt University became official in 1998.
Educational activities
Public education towards environment and cetacean conservation is one of the Tethys main goals. A series of lectures, conferences and specialistic courses were organised, mainly through the collaboration of Italian and European NGOs active in the field of environmental education, such as Europe Conservation (offices in Italy, France, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland), Trapper (Italy), Verdeacqua (Italy), Marevivo (Italy), Friends of Veli Losinj (Croatia), the International Student Organisation of Zagreb (Croatia) etc. The remarkable impact of actions conducted in order to spread information on cetaceans has brought Tethys Research Institute to be considered by the public as the main reference point in Italy for what concerns conservation and research activities focusing on large marine vertebrates.
Since 1997, Tethys is actively promoting and conducting professional upgrade courses for primary and secondary school teachers, who gain the opportunity to include in their lessons topics such as marine environment conservation.
Spreading of information
An important role in Tethys public awareness activities was played by the production of TV documentaries and by the participation to popular TV and radio shows. Several national and international TV troupes were welcomed by Tethys to film the ongoing research and conservation activities, in order to produce documentaries that were released in several European countries.
Moreover, popular articles on the Tethys activities have been published by a remarkable number of magazines and newspapers in most European countries, most focusing on topics such as cetacean conservation, cetacean biology, whale and dolphin adoptions and environmental problems.
The Tethys Research Institute has also contributed to the production of audio CDs with cetacean sounds from the Tethys Cetacean Sound Library.
Invited participation of Tethys members to workshops and international meetings
1988
Consultancy to Regione Puglia for the organisation of a course for veterinary doctors concerning intervention techniques on stranded cetaceans
1990
Invited speaker at the round table: "Protection of marine fauna and introduction of alloctonous species", 53rd Conference of the Unione Zoologica Italiana, Palermo, Italy
1991
Invited expert at IWC Scientific Committee special meeting on North Atlantic fin whales, Reykjavik, Iceland, 25-28 February
1992
Invited speaker at the British Science Festival, Southampton, U.K., 25 August
Invited speaker at the Faculty of Biology, University of Zagreb, Croatia
1994
Invited speaker at the European Cetacean Society workshop "Methods for the study of bottlenose dolphin populations in the wild", Montpellier, France, 3 March
Invited speaker at the Workshop on Industrial Pollution in the Mediterranean, ICS-UNIDO, Trieste, Italy, 10-15 October
Invited speaker at the 9th Workshop of the International School of Ethology "Underwater bioacoustics: behavioural, environmental and evolutionary perspectives", Erice, Italy, 4-9 November
1995
Invited speaker at the "International Seminar on Marine Resource Management" organised by WWF International, Miramare, Italy, 12 July
Invited speaker at the Faculty of Biology, University of Trieste, Italy
Invited participation to the "International Workshop on the Scientific Aspects of Whale-watching Regulations", Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy, 31 March - 4 April
Invited lecturer at the Stage de Formation en Cetologie Mediterranþenne, organised by the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Montpellier, Sete, France, 16 February
Invited speaker at the 4eme Conference Internationale pour la Protection des Mammiferes Marins en Mediterranþe Occidentale, RIMMO. Antibes, France, 15-18 November
1996
Invited speaker at the Faculty of Biology, University of Padova, Italy
Invited participation to the Workshop on the special aspects of watching sperm whales (Organised by IFAW and WWF) held at Roseau, Dominica, 8-11 January
Invited lecturer at the Stage de Formation en Cetologie Mediterranèenne, organised by the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Montpellier, Sete, France, 26 February
Invited lecturer at the "Marine mammals: biology and conservation". Course on marine mammals at the Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo, Valencia, Spain, 9-13 September
1997
Invited listener at the Workshop on "Recycled Energy Sources - Solar Energy" organised by EKO Rijeka (Ecological Society), Bakar (Croatia), 27-28 June.
Invited talk to 6th Conference of Croatian Biologist, Croatian Biological Society, Opatija (Croatia), 22-26 September (Prof. Drasko Serman as co-representative of Tethys).
Invited talk to International Meeting of UNESCO-South-Eastern Mediterranean Sea Project (SEMEP), Thessaloniki (Greece), 6-12 December (Prof. Drasko Serman as co-representative of UNESCO-SEMEP and Tethys).
1998
Invited speaker at the Institut fôr Veterinÿrpharmakologie und Toxikologie, University of Zuerich, Switzerland.
Invited participation at the Bioacoustical Oceanography Workshop. University of New Hampshire. July 24 - August 8.
Guest student at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. August 8 - September 15.
Meeting of experts on the implementation of the action plans for marine mammals (monk seal and cetaceans) adopted within the MAP. Arta, Greece, 29-31 October.
Invited speaker at the 13th edition of "Giovedìscienza", Teatro Colosseo, Torino (Italy). Inaugural talk: "Our neighbors the dolphins"; with Prof. Dànilo Mainardi.
Organisation of conferences and workshops
1989
Organisation of the symposium "Social structures of Cetaceans" at the 5th International Theriological Conference, Rome, Italy. With Dr. P.L. Tyack, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
1992
Organisation of VI Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, San Remo, Italy, 20-22 February.
1994
European Cetacean Society Workshop: "Methods for the study of bottlenose dolphin populations in the wild", European Cetacean Society Workshop, Montpellier, France, 3 March 1994.
1995
International Workshop on the Scientific Aspects of Whale-watching Regulations, Monte Castello di Vibio, Italy, 31 March - 4 April 1995.
1998
Organization of a research workshop for Eastern Mediterranean Countries, funded by the Regional Activity Center for Special Protected Areas (RAC/SPA - MAP/UNEP). Tunis, May 21 - June 1.
Adoptions of whales and dolphins
Dolphins and whales have a strong emotional impact on the general public, which perceives these marine mammals as symbol of the state of good health of the marine environment. Research programmes emphasising the presence of popular mammals and attracting the public attention to their problems can become a powerful driving force for a number of conservation and awareness initiatives, to the benefit of the entire marine environment.
Tethys Research Institute, with the collaboration of Europe Conservation, has undertaken the initiative to attract the interest of the general public on the problems affecting Mediterranean cetaceans, and to popularise the principal highlights of the research. The public from a number of European countries (including Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany) was invited to "sponsor" cetacean research and conservation by symbolically adopting an identified fin whale from the Ligurian Sea or a bottlenose dolphin from the Adriatic Sea.
Participants received a personalised certificate, together with a close-up photograph of the whale or dolphin adopted. Information about locality of sighting(s) and time of observations, preferred associations with other conspecifics, as well as behavioural characteristics of the individual were also provided. News about resightings of adopted animals and updated information about the on-going research, with specific insights in the ecological issues, were later released in the pages of the Tethys Research Institute newsletter E.Co. Magazine Mare ("E.Co. Magazine Sea"), which was mailed to all adopters.
The yearly cost of one adoption was approximately 32 ECUs and included a T-shirt with the logo of the campaign. From 1991 to 1996 almost 10,000 whales and dolphins were adopted.
Whale and dolphin courses
Since 1990 the Tethys Research Institute organises every year a series of courses dedicated to whale and dolphin lovers who are willing to contribute in research and conservation campaigns by working side by side with professional teams. So far, these field courses have involved thousands of participants from all nationalities. The field courses are aimed at providing its participants with a unique opportunity to observe cetaceans in their natural environment, and discovering the world of cetacean research. Participants are involved in all activities conducted in the field, including whale and dolphin sightings, data collection at sea with advanced methodologies, and informal lectures held by researchers. No previous experience is requested to participate in the courses. Tethys offers whale & dolphin courses in three Mediterranean areas: 1) Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary, Italy; 2) Eastern Ionian Sea, Island of Kalamos, Greece; and 3) Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Islands of Ischia and Ventotene, Italy (a StudioMare - Tethys collaboration). The courses last 6-9 days, and usually take place between May-October.
Quarterly newsletter: Cetacea News
The Tethys Research Institute published a quarterly newsletter in Italian, Cetacea News. The circulation of the 40-page magazine, first issued in winter 1990-1991, was at about 5,000-6,000 copies. Besides being the house organ of Tethys, the magazine provided updated information and news on research and conservation of cetaceans. One of the principal aims of Cetacea News was to inform the Italian public and interested readership on activities and initiatives, especially in Italy and Europe, involving research, conservation, legislation and awareness campaigns on cetaceans.
Cetacea News was dedicated to a rapidly growing public of whale and dolphin enthusiasts. Its principal aim being education and public awareness, articles were written in a plain and easily understandable language. The newsletter was mailed to members of the "Compagnia dei Cetonauti", a group of whale-watchers and supporters of Tethys since its beginning, and to whale and dolphin adopters.
The Ligurian Sea fin whale becomes a symbol of conservation
The fin whale adoption campaign, initiated in December 1990, was the first programme of symbolical animal adoption ever started in Europe. The campaign had an immediate success in Italy. The symbolically adopted whale was a real individual, living in a familiar "home" sea (the Ligurian Sea), and not a generic, ideal animal. Thus, the adopted whales became immediately cetaceans with their own individuality, and sighting updates were provided by the Tethys newsletters sent to the adopters. The "hidden" message was that the area where the fin whales were living (i.e. the future Sanctuary) had to be protected from uncontrolled human activities, also in order to protect each individual whale that the adopter was supposed to care of. The strong impact of adoption programmes on the public contributed to the Sanctuary declaration, obtained in 1993.
Whale adoptions were promoted through different channels. Each year, during Christmas time, a series of banquets were strategically placed in Milan, and later in Rome. In 1994, a permanent banquet was settled at a popular and large commercial centre of Milan (the "Centro Bonola"). Besides these Christmas-targeted promotions, a continuos informative action was conducted by the Tethys Research Institute and by Europe Conservation by means of continuous press releases on the main magazines and newspapers (see ANNEX 4).
TV represented another information channel for the adoption programme. In 1991, the participation to the popular show "Tele Mike" (which had among the highest audiences ever recorded that year) largely contributed to the success of the adoption campaign, immediately reaching a vast public. Lately, the agreement obtained with the most spread Italian credit card ("Carta S"") enabled people to adopt whales and dolphins by telephone. The importance of this agreement was that information about adoptions was regularly released on the "Carta S"" informative leaflets and brochures, thus reaching an even wider public. The conservation message carried by the whale adoptions soon attracted the European public. Europe Conservation France opened in December 1991 to sell whale adoptions throughout the French territory. Other Europe Conservation offices opened in Croatia, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany between 1992 and 1993. In 1992, Europe Conservation France obtained a giant inflatable whale, 25 m long, that was exhibited at the Nautical Show in Paris in December 1992 and at the Sea Show in Rome in March 1993, for the promotion of whale adoptions and to increase public awareness for the creation of the Marine Sanctuary. Finally, in 1994, when Tethys researchers, in collaboration with other European scientists, discovered that fin whales were endemic in the Mediterranean, the climax in public awareness was reached, as most magazines and journals gave a great emphasis to this news. For the first time, a cetacean became a symbol of conservation, representing all what should be protected and cared of in the Mediterranean, and all what is unique in this mare nostrum.
Multimedial interactive programs on cetaceans
With the intent of providing to the general public an easily accessible source of information on Mediterranean cetaceans, the Tethys Research Institute produced two interactive computer programs, on display at the information desks of the Adriatic Sea World, Riccione (Italy) and of the Civic Museum of Natural History, Pordenone (Italy).
Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea: One of the very first multimedial computer programs containing a thorough description of all cetacean species frequenting the Mediterranean Sea, easily understandable and scientifically advanced, enriched with colour plates, graphs, drawings and tables. The program includes keys for the identification of specimens, both sighted at sea and stranded, which are expressly conceived for an interactive approach.
Cetaceans: How to know them better: The main purpose of this interactive program is to allow a public interested in the subject of cetacean science and conservation to readily gain access to information usually difficult to obtain, including: a) names and addresses of cetacean scientists in Europe; b) principal institutes, societies, and foundations involved in cetacean research and conservation; c) Italian museums possessing collections of cetaceans specimens; d) principal newsletters and magazines dedicated to cetaceans; d) a general bibliography on cetaceans; e) a bibliography on Mediterranean cetaceans; and f) a list of the main libraries in Italy where cetacean literature can be consulted.
Public awareness stands at popular exhibitions
During its collaboration with Europe Conservation, the Tethys Research Institute has promoted public awareness about cetaceans through the organisation of stands at popular exhibitions, where information concerning whale and dolphin adoptions, the creation of a Sanctuary and research stages was provided.
1991-1996 Several stands in Milan and Rome, Italy
1991- 1998 "Il Mare a Milano" (The Sea in Milan), Milan, Italy
1992 Boat Show, Paris, France
1993 Ecolandia (a whale built with recycled cans was presented), Fiabilandia - Rimini, Italy
1994 Stand for children at the commercial centre "La Rinascente", Milan, Italy
1994-1996 International Tourism Show, BIT, Milan, Italy
1995 20th Edition of the International Festival of Touristic Films, Milan, Italy
1995 Show of the Sea, Rome, Italy
1995 Ecofestival a the "Spazio Ansaldo", Milan, Italy
1995 Banquets to gather signatures for the implementation of the Sanctuary (Italy)
1996 First exhibition of Cultural Tourism, Torino, Italy
1996 Educational exhibition Campus, Milan, Italy
1996 Exhibition at the "Fiera Portello", Milan, Italy
1997 Exhibition at the Social Centre of Maarn, The Netherlands
Sponsorships as a public awareness vehicle
In several occasions Tethys Research Institute has been partially financed by private sponsorships from Italian companies, that lead to a further spreading of the awareness message on cetacean conservation among the public.
Among these sponsorships the following represented a significant step towards the involvement of people in Tethys activities:
1992 - 1994 Peqquod. The company, boat shoes producer, included one copy of the Tethys' "Guide to the Mediterranean Cetaceans" in the shoes container with the instructions for adopting whales and dolphins.
1994 Prþnatal. Whale and dolphin adoptions were linked together with some of the children-targeted products sold by the company.
1995 - 1996 Bauli. Whale and dolphin adoptions were promoted through the selling of chocolate eggs during Easter time.
1995 - 1998 Cinzano J&B Care for the Rare. Information on fin whale research and the Sanctuary was spread through the selling of the company product, within a support campaign for cetacean conservation. People was invited to write to Europe Conservation in order to get more information about the activities.
1995 - present Corsica-Elba-Sardinia Ferries. Posters and brochures representing cetaceans living in the Sanctuary, as well as Tethys Research Institute activities in conservation issues are constantly shown aboard the company ferries.
Collaboration with the European Cetacean Society
The European Cetacean Society is the largest association of European scientists studying whales and dolphins. It includes several hundred members from all European countries. It organises annual meetings that have a large attendance, and publishes a newsletter, conference proceedings and special issues. Members of the Tethys Research Institute participate actively in the ECS activities, including serving as President of the Society (Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara), ECS Board Members (Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Giovanni Bearzi), and National Contact Persons (Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Giovanni Bearzi), organising one of the Annual Meetings (in 1992 in San Remo, Italy), and one workshop (in 1994 in Montpellier on bottlenose dolphin field study techniques).
Quarterly newsletter: E.Co. Magazine Mare (with Europe Conservation)
E.Co. Magazine, resulting from a collaboration between the Tethys Research Institute and Europe Conservation Italy, replaces Cetacea News as the Tethys Research Institute newsletter. The magazine, averaging 5,000 copies per issue, is mainly targeted to whale and dolphin adopters and people participating in research stages. It provides information on public awareness and conservation issues on cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea. The newsletter is also intended as a vehicle to spread information about to participate in research programmes targeted to environmental conservation, including projects on cetaceans, marine turtles, monk seals, wolves, etc. in European and other countries.
Organisation of the "Dan Dupina" (Dolphin Day) in Veli Losinj, Croatia
Since 1993, the people involved in the Adriatic Dolphin Project participated in the yearly organisation of the "Dan Dupina" (Dolphin Day), in collaboration with the Club "Friends of Veli Losinj" and other NGOs (e.g. "Natura", Croatian Society for protection of the nature). This is a day dedicated to the dolphins that takes place in the main square of Veli Losinj, usually in mid-August. It features exhibitions of children drawings, children plays, theatre plays, concerts, creative workshops, dolphin information desks, video and/or slide projections, displays on dolphins, dolphin sounds, etc.
The popularity of this day is showed by the initiative of the Union of Croatian Philatelist which in 1997 made a commemorative post-mark and envelope.
Quarterly newsletter: Blowhole
A newsletter on the activities of the Adriatic Dolphin Project was spread in 1994 among volunteers participating in research stages, supporters, and other interested people. The newsletter - that included articles and contributions from both volunteers and researchers - was mainly distributed in order to keep involved in Tethys' activities a large number of dolphin enthusiasts.
Organisation of the "Day of the Whale"
The conservation message conveyed by whale and dolphin "adoptions" has been particularly enjoyed by the children, who are strongly attracted by cetaceans. In order to further promote this interest, the Tethys Research Institute, together with Europe Conservation, has organised two editions of the Children Day of the Whale, the first at the City Park of Milan (1994) and the second at the Civic Aquarium of Milan (1995). During the exhibitions, children were invited to participate to several games focusing on whales and marine life, and popular lectures were given by Tethys researchers.
In September 1997, the Tethys Research Institute organised another version of the "Day of the Whale", targeted to a broader public. This edition was dedicated to the fin whales and all cetacean species living in the Ligurian Sea. The show took place in the harbour of Stefano Mare (IM), often serving as a base for the Tethys' research boat. A talk on cetaceans living in the area, with slide and video projections, was organised in this occasion. Part of the exhibition was specifically dedicated to children and included a short lecture, a video projection, games, exhibition of children drawings, etc. Other lectures on different subjects were targeted to the general public, also including slide and video shows, and photographic exhibition.
Production of a data bank on CD-rom for Mediterranean fin whales
A CD-rom, containing a catalogue of 316 photoidentified fin whales from the Mediterranean Sea, was produced by the Tethys Research Institute with support from the Regional Activity Centre for Special Protected Areas(UNEP, Tunis). The data bank includes an archive of fin whale photographs (these follow specific photoidentification requirements that are adopted by the North Atlantic finback whale Catalogue, by the College of Atlantic, Maine) and of information such as 1) date of sighting, 2) dorsal fin type, and 3) additional notes about individuals. Aims of this operation were to create a database of Mediterranean fin whales that could be shared among different research institutes, thus facilitating the implementation of common research programmes on the whales' ecology and movement patterns in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as promoting communication and collaboration among Mediterranean scientists. Further improvement of the CD-rom catalogue with data from other research groups (whale photos and information) is programmed within summer 1998.
This initiative pioneers information exchange on individual cetaceans and will hopefully encourage the implementation of similar catalogues on other species of crucial importance within the Mediterranean.
Whale-watching weekends aboard the Corsica-Sardinia-Elba Ferries
Since 1995 whale-watching weekends targeted to schools are routinely organised aboard the ferries of the "Corsica/Sardinia/Elba Ferries" shipping company, and sighting data from the same company's operations are being processed and made available.
During spring and fall people are invited to spend a whole weekend, sailing from Livorno to Bastia, and back, from Bastia to Genova. Tethys personnel introduce people on board to cetaceans through a series of dedicated lectures. These include slide and film projections on cetaceans in general and on research activities carried out by the Institute. People are then invited to spend some time on the ship deck for spotting cetaceans, being informed by Tethys personnel on how to look for cetaceans at sea. When a sighting occurs, species determination and position are recorded, and data are stored for the production of a scientific report, along with the data that are continuously collected by the ship personnel of other ferries of the company.
A side programme is organised for children, including games concerning the sea and the cetaceans. On the cruises' last day, a conference is organised for both children and adults, and children are invited to ask questions about cetaceans and their life.
Compilation of the Directory of Marine Mammal Specialists (Mediterranean and Black Sea) in collaboration with UNEP
In collaboration with the UNEP (Tunis) a special effort was done in order to compile a directory of all the marine mammals specialists that are presently operating in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Specific forms to be compiled by the scientists were spread in all Mediterranean countries mostly through the National Contact Persons of the European Cetacean Society. Information requested in the form, apart personal coordinates, included the specification of marine mammals on which the research is focused (i.e. Cetaceans or Pinnipeds), and a list of professional interests, such as ecology, strandings, conservation, biology etc. Each single form was later edited by the Tethys Research Institute and published in the Directory. Aim of the programme was to give a tool in order to facilitate exchange of information among Mediterranean scientists.
Training and contact-making during a cetacean survey in waters off Southern Morocco
Morocco is a crucial country with respect to its position on the sea (facing both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean), and the potentiality for developing marine mammals research and promoting their conservation is therefore remarkable. The Groupe d'Etudes des Cþtacþs et Pinnipúdes du Maroc (GECPM) is a non-profit association, affiliated with the Zoology and Animal Ecology Department, Institut Scientifique of the Mohammed V University in Rabat, and since few years is undertaking the first steps to implement cetacean research in their countries. The cetacean survey organised and carried out by the Tethys Research Institute in 1996 in the waters of the Southern Morocco was the occasion to initiate a scientific collaboration with GECPM, as well as beginning an information exchange aimed at improving their capacity building among Moroccan students.
During the survey period an intensive training of a graduate student of marine biology at the University Mohammed V of Rabat, Hocein Bazairi, was undertaken by the Tethys Research Institute. Mr. Bazairi participated to all phases of the data collection, and was exposed to several aspects of field research techniques, including cruise design, observation techniques, sighting and effort data collection protocols and use of dedicated software. The cruise was also the occasion for GECPM responsibles to get in contact with local authorities such as the Royal Navy, the local components of the National Fisheries Office, the Ministry of Maritime Fisheries and Navigation, the Governor of the Dakhla Province and the science teacher of the Dakhla Secondary School. In particular, an agreement was reached between GECPM and the Royal Navy for the routine reporting of cetaceans sighted by the Navy during regular surface and air patrolling activities.
Research-training cruises organised in collaboration with UNEP, RAC/SPA
The Regional Activity Center for Special Protected Areas intends to organise, within the framework of the MAP/UNEP, a series of initiatives aimed at improving research and conservation effort on cetaceans among Eastern as well as Southern Mediterranean countries. In 1994 RAC/SPA funded the participation of four people, respectively from Egypt, Morocco and Turkey, to the ongoing research cruises conducted by the Tethys Research Institute, in order to improve information exchange and capacity building among Mediterranean countries. Following this first trial, two research and training cruise were organised with the technical support of the Tethys Research Institute, and held between the end of May and the beginning of June 1997 and 1998 in the Eastern Ionian Sea and in the waters of Tunisia and Malta, respectively. Eight Mediterranean countries (Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Israel) were invited to participate to the cruise. Two workshops were organised in December 1996 and 1997, in order to present and discuss the cruises programme and planned research methods with the representatives of the eight countries invited to the training cruise. The following points were discussed: 1) an overview on Mediterranean cetaceans and their conservation problems; 2) an explanation of the Mediterranean Action Plan for the Conservation of Cetaceans and its purposes; 3) examples of cetacean studies in the Mediterranean; 4) the design of cetacean field research; 5) the presentation of a draft programme for the research-training cruises. During the research-training cruises, organised in waters that enabled the comparison of pelagic and coastal habitats, participants were directly involved in all aspects of the logistic and scientific organisation of a research project. Training consisted in a series of lectures and discussions on different aspects of scientific research, as well as in the daily use of advanced technical instrumentation. In 1997, a visit was paid to the field base of the Ionian Dolphin Project of the Tethys Research Institute were additional information could be exchanged.
Consultancy to the Bellerive Foundation for issues relating to the keeping and releasing of captive dolphins
As a consultant to the Bellerive Foundation (Switzerland) for issues relating to the keeping and releasing of captive dolphins, a representative of the Tethys Research Institute visited several facilities in Florida, and had extensive talks with dolphin trainers and people dealing with the rehabilitation and release of cetaceans. The consultancy included the writing of a report on dolphin captivity issues, and management recommendation for the releasing of captive cetaceans.
Consultancy on bioacoustics and conservation of cetaceans to the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores
Upon invitation by the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP) of the University of the Azores at Horta, Fajal, a consultancy on bioacoustics was held between 19 and 29 September 1996 at Horta. During this period topics including 1) basic principles of acoustical oceanography, 2) fundamental instrumentation handling and care, 3) modern acoustical research methods, 4) combined visual-acoustic experimental design, and 5) cetacean species recognition on acoustical basis, were discussed. Experiments were made in order to assess the relative levels of underwater noise produced by boats that can be potentially used for whale-watching. Jet-propelled vessels proved to be less noisy than traditional propeller boats in the audible range.
Colouring booklet for children: "Dolphins of the Cres-Losinj Archipelago"
A colouring booklet for children dedicated to bottlenose dolphins living in the Kvarneric (northern Adriatic Sea) was produced and distributed by the Tethys Research Institute since 1996. The booklet, published in Croatian and Italian, proposes a new approach towards dolphins and encourages a direct involvement in simple nature protection activities. The booklet was also translated into French and German, and spread on a local level in these countries.
Guide to dolphins of Cres and Losinj
Two thousand copies of the "Guide to Dolphins of Cres and Losinj", an educational leaflet produced in two languages (Croatian and English), have been distributed in Croatia since 1996. The aims of this brochure include: 1) to give general information on dolphin biology and ecology; 2) to explain the activities of Adriatic Dolphin Project, its public awareness programme and the results obtained through scientific research; 3) to provide tourists and pleasure boaters with a Code of Conduct to be adopted in the vicinity of dolphins; and 4) to encourage people to report dolphin sightings and strandings. The Guide has been printed thanks to the financial support provided by the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society and by the Tourist Agency of Mali Losinj.
Organisation of the exhibition "Il Mare a Milano" (The Sea in Milan), in collaboration with the City Aquarium
From 23 February to 2 March 1997 a series of events, conferences, videos, children games and contests, having the Sea as the main theme, were organised by the City Aquarium of Milan and the Association Verdeacqua, in collaboration with the Tethys Research Institute. The weekly exhibition - targeted to the citizens of Milan - was organised in six different focal points of the city, including the City Aquarium, the University, the Museum of Science and Techniques, and the Cinema "de Amicis". People was invited through the spreading of informative brochures, articles on newspapers and magazines, radio and TV announcements, etc., and welcomed to participate in the exhibition following specific "tracks", explained in the guide leaflet. A number of talks were given, including topics such as the conservation of marine fauna and other marine issues (e.g. cetaceans, sharks, coral reefs, sailing, underwater photography, scuba-diving, etc.)
A photographic contest for amateurs was also organised, while children were invited to participate in a drawing contest. The best photographs and drawings were then exposed during the exhibition. Moreover, a series of videos and movies featuring the sea were continuously projected at the Cinema.
The Tethys Research Institute was involved in the organisation of the exhibition, and held two seminars: one about Mediterranean cetaceans and the challenge represented by their conservation, and another about sounds produced by cetaceans, presented as a interactive seminar targeted to children.
The exhibition had a remarkable success among the citizens of Milan, with an attendance of approximately 50,000. This enthusiastic participation provided the impetus for the organisation of a second edition of the "Sea in Milan", held in March 1998.
Educational support to whale-watching activities in the Ligurian Sea Sanctuary
Whale-watching is a world-wide rapidly growing industry, with well over 4 million participants per year in more than 50 countries, bringing economic benefits to many local communities, and providing a major contribution to the spreading of public awareness on cetacean conservation. However, this kind of tourism needs to be regulated and conducted in a responsible way if negative effects on the biology of the whales are to be avoided. Since the beginning of whale-watching operations in the Mediterranean, in 1996, the Tethys Research Institute interacted with the first (and currently unique) commercial enterprise of this kind, established off Imperia (north-west Italy) by the company "Portofino 82". The collaboration aims at ensuring that operations are conducted properly and that scientific data are collected during the cruises.
The constant presence of an experienced researcher aboard ensures that approaching operations create a minimum disturbance to the animals. A code of conduct, defined on the basis of the recommendations of the 1995 Whale-watching Workshop held in Montecastello di Vibio, was adopted. The researcher aboard also promotes awareness and education among the public, providing information on cetacean biology and conservation problems, and touching crucial issues such as the importance of the creation of the Sanctuary.
During daily exits at sea the researcher also collects a number of scientific data that integrate those gathered by Tethys research vessels.
The outcome of a two-summer period (1996-1997) is impressive: approximately 4,000 people attended the whale-watching cruises, thus showing a strong interest for a first-hand experience with cetaceans in the wild. Scientific data, gathered during whale-watching activities, were analysed and presented to the 1997 Third National Meeting on Cetaceans, Napoli (Italy), demonstrating that the combination of commercial activity and research may be an useful tool to promote awareness among large portions of the public.
Tethys seminars at the Venice Arsenal
In February 1998 Tethys organised "Dolphins: Key species of the marine ecosystem" - the first of a cycle of seminars at the ancient Arsenal of Venice, an historical area downtown Venice that currently houses the Venice Dolphin Project. The second seminar, "Methods for the study of dolphins in the wild", was held in October and was mailnly targeted to University students. These seminars, that are free and open to the general public, are held by Tethys biologists and scientists from other organisations. Target audiences include high school students and teachers, university students, soldiers and navy people, aged people, associations of divers, etc. The seminars aim to portrait dolphins as representative species that can be used as biological indicators of the health of a marine ecosystem.
Consultancy on bioacoustics and conservation of the Irrawaddy dolphin of the Mekong river, Lao PDR
From 22 March to 22 April 1998 a pilot study on the biology of the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) of the Mekong River (Si Phan Don area) was carried out for CESVI and the Centre for Protected Areas and Watershed Management of the Forestry Department of the Government of Lao PDR. Advanced acoustic detection methods combined with digital video techniques were used to assess presence and activity patterns of dolphins in a restricted riverine zone. The area, at the border to Cambodia, is subject to anthropogenic pressure, where blast-fishing habits have severely jeopardised survival of the local Irrawaddy dolphin population. Local staff have been trained in basic knowledge of underwater acoustics and effects and prevention of acoustic pollution.
Training courses on cetacean research and conservation
Since 2001, the Tethys Research Institute organises a series of intensive "workshops" designed for individuals who want a hands-on experience with dolphin research and conservation. The workshops are held in the Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary, Italy (boat-based) and in the Island of Kalamos, eastern Ionian Sea, Greece (land-based). The workshops include daily seminars on cetacean conservation and management, dolphin surveys from vessels or inflatable craft, practical field activities, data collection at sea, and direct involvement of participants in all phases of dolphin research. Daily seminars focus on issues ranging from cetacean conservation "in action" to practical tips (e.g., setting up and managing a field station, writing a proposal, fund-raising, etc.) The seminars will benefit from the know-how of Tethys professionals who have been leading cetacean research projects in the Mediterranean Sea over the past decade. Research methods including photo-identification, behavioural sampling, and remote tracking will be explained into detail and practical work will be done by each participant both in the field and at the base. During the workshops, the participants gain a comprehensive view on the problems faced by cetacean researchers, and learn how to solve them. By working side by side with the researchers, participants also acquire essential background to initiate their own field studies. They learn how to plan and develop their own research project, how to analyse the data, spread the results, and turn these into improved resource management. The workshop alternate theoretical seminars with field data collection and practical experiences at sea. Each participant is asked to engage in activities such as spoken presentations, proposal evaluation and behavioural data collection in the field.
Educational activities
Italy
1986-present Conferences and seminars are regularly held at the Civic Aquarium of Milan and the Museum of Natural History of Milan
1987 Series of lectures at the University of Parma, Italy. Course title: "Behavioural ecology of cetaceans"
1989 International exhibition "Echi del Mare", Genova
1989 Scuba-diver center, Arese (MI)
1989-present Conferences and seminars are regularly held in the city of San Remo (IM) targeted to the information and awareness of local population about the high naturalistic importance of the Ligurian Sea and its relative conservation problems
1990 Series of lectures at the University of Parma, Italy. Course title: "Ethology of large marine vertebrates"
1990-1993 Scuba-diver centers, Milan
1991 Lectures in a primary school in Genova
1991 Handicap Association, Como
1992 Provincial Museum of Natural History, Livorno
1992 Rotary Club, Florence
1994 Fiera Campionaria di Padova
1995 Teatro Nuovo, Milan
1995 Piazzola sul Brenta
1995-1996 Series of lectures held with the logistic support of the NGO Trapper, in primary schools in Milan, Brugherio (MI), San Donato (MI), Carugate (MI)
1996 Lecture in Tortona (GE)
1996 Two lectures at secondary schools in Milan, followed by the guided visit to the Aquarium of Genova
1996 Lecture for Diving Club, Padova
1996-1997 Lectures for the children of primary and secondary schools form Milan and adjacent towns at the Civic Aquarium of Milan
1996-1997 Organization, in collaboration with the Civic Aquarium of Milan, of marine biology courses aboard the Tethys research boat "Gemini Lab"
1997 Lecture for the Foundation of the "Cassa di Risparmio di Piacenza e Vigevano", Piacenza
1997 Lectures in Primary schools at Vallecrosia (IM), San Biagio (IM), Soldano (IM), Perinaldo (IM)
1997 Conference aboard the Italian Navy ship "Amerigo Vespucci", with the collaboration of "Marevivo"
1997 Series of lectures in state secondary schools of the province of Imperia about the cetaceans in the Ligurian Sea. The initiative was financed by the Provincial Administration
1997 Series of lectures on the biology and ecology of the big marine vertebrates (cetaceans, sharks and sea turtles) to the students of the State University of Milan
1997-1998 A series of lectures held in Milan and Vallecrosia (IM) on marine biology targeted to the professional upgrade for teachers of primary and secondary schools
1998 Conference at the International Meeting of the "Fauna in the Protected Areas", Sondrio
1998 Conference organised by Circolo Velico Annje Bonnje, Bellagio
1998 Conference organised by Circolo Velico Acqua Tonica, Oggiono
1998 Conference on the Ionian Dolphin Project at the Milan Civic Aquarium
1998 Seminar "Dolphins: Key species of the marine ecosystem", Thetis Marine Technologies Conference Room, Arsenal of Venice
1998 Seminar "Methods for the study of dolphins in the wild", Thetis Marine Technologies Conference Room, Arsenal of Venice
1998 Inaugural talk: "Our neighbors the dolphins" at the 13th edition of "Giovedñscienza", Teatro Colosseo, Torino (Italy). With Prof. Danilo Mainardi.
Croatia
1992 Lecture for local people, Veli Losinj
1993 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj
Lecture for Special Combat Corps, Croatian Army, Osor
1994 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, Cres
Lecture for Environmental Management Plan meeting, Cres
Lecture for children refugees, Veli Losinj
1995 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, Cres
Lecture for children refugees, Veli Losinj
1996 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, Cres
1996 Lecture for the kindergarden and children's camp, Veli Losinj
1996 Lecture in a high school, Hvar
1996 Lecture for the International Student Organisation of Zagreb, Mali Losinj
1996-1997 Over 1,600 kids, 6 to 18 year old, attended lectures held in Croatian schools on bottlenose dolphin ecology and biology in Pula and on the islands of Cres and Losinj
1997 Lecture for the kindergarden and children camp, Veli Losinj
1997 Invited speakers for the Childrens' Week, organized by the Society "Our Children"
1997 Lecture for the International Student Organisation of Rijeka, Mali Losinj
1997 Invited lecturer to the International High School of Rovinj
1997 Lecture for school teachers and ecological group leaders from the Rijeka County, Mali Losinj
1997 Organization of the first "Dolphin Week" in Pula, 6-12 October, with the collaboration of the NGO "Drustvo Nasa djeca" (Society "Our children") and the "Friends of Veli Losinj". It included an exhibition of children drawings at the City Library and nine meetings at the Children House, that involved over 1,200 children
Greece
1995 Lecture and slide show for the school of Kioni, Ithaka
1996 Lecture and slide show for the primary school of Mytika
1996 Lecture at the University of Athens
Germany
1994 Lecture for Europe Conservation Germany, Bonn
France
1994 Dolphin evening, Theatre de l'Olympia, Paris
The Netherlands
1997 Lectures at the Social Centre, Maarn
USA
1998 Seminar at the Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Other countries
1987-1989 Organization of naturalistic excursions including series of lectures on the biology and ecology of local fauna and flora, with particular emphasis on biodiveristy and conservation problems. The excursions included guided naturalistic excursions in Maldives, Red Sea (Egypt), and Sea of Cortez (Mexico), as well as whale-watching excursions in Baja California (Mexico).
Lectures & Public talks
Italy
1986-present Conferences and seminars are regularly held at the Civic Aquarium of Milan and the Museum of Natural History of Milan
1987 Series of lectures at the University of Parma, Italy. Course title: "Behavioural ecology of cetaceans"
1989 International exhibition "Echi del Mare", Genova
1989 Scuba-diver center, Arese (MI)
1989-present Conferences and seminars are regularly held in the city of San Remo (IM) targeted to the information and awareness of local population about the high naturalistic importance of the Ligurian Sea and its relative conservation problems
1990 Series of lectures at the University of Parma, Italy. Course title: "Ethology of large marine vertebrates"
1990-1993 Scuba-diver centers, Milan
1991 Lectures in a primary school in Genova
1991 Handicap Association, Como
1992 Provincial Museum of Natural History, Livorno
1992 Rotary Club, Florence
1994 Fiera Campionaria di Padova
1995 Teatro Nuovo, Milan
1995 Piazzola sul Brenta
1995-1996 Series of lectures held with the logistic support of the NGO Trapper, in primary schools in Milan, Brugherio (MI), San Donato (MI), Carugate (MI)
1996 Lecture in Tortona (GE)
1996 Two lectures at secondary schools in Milan, followed by the guided visit to the Aquarium of Genova
1996 Lecture for Diving Club, Padova
1996-1997 Lectures for the children of primary and secondary schools form Milan and adjacent towns at the Civic Aquarium of Milan
1996-1997 Organization, in collaboration with the Civic Aquarium of Milan, of marine biology courses aboard the Tethys research boat "Gemini Lab"
1997 Lecture for the Foundation of the "Cassa di Risparmio di Piacenza e Vigevano", Piacenza
1997 Lectures in Primary schools at Vallecrosia (IM), San Biagio (IM), Soldano (IM), Perinaldo (IM)
1997 Conference aboard the Italian Navy ship "Amerigo Vespucci", with the collaboration of "Marevivo"
1997 Series of lectures in state secondary schools of the province of Imperia about the cetaceans in the Ligurian Sea. The initiative was financed by the Provincial Administration
1997 Series of lectures on the biology and ecology of the big marine vertebrates (cetaceans, sharks and sea turtles) to the students of the State University of Milan
1997-1998 A series of lectures held in Milan and Vallecrosia (IM) on marine biology targeted to the professional upgrade for teachers of primary and secondary schools
1998 Conference at the International Meeting of the "Fauna in the Protected Areas", Sondrio
1998 Conference organised by Circolo Velico Annje Bonnje, Bellagio
1998 Conference organised by Circolo Velico Acqua Tonica, Oggiono
1998 Conference on the Ionian Dolphin Project at the Milan Civic Aquarium
1998 Seminar "Dolphins: Key species of the marine ecosystem", Thetis Marine Technologies Conference Room, Arsenal of Venice
1998 Seminar "Methods for the study of dolphins in the wild", Thetis Marine Technologies Conference Room, Arsenal of Venice
1998 Inaugural talk: "Our neighbors the dolphins" at the 13th edition of "Giovedñscienza", Teatro Colosseo, Torino. With Prof. Dànilo Mainardi.
1999 Seminar "The great whales of the Mediterranean Sea", Thetis Marine Technologies Conference Room, Arsenal of Venice
Croatia
1992 Lecture for local people, Veli Losinj
1993 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj
Lecture for Special Combat Corps, Croatian Army, Osor
1994 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, Cres
Lecture for Environmental Management Plan meeting, Cres
Lecture for children refugees, Veli Losinj
1995 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, Cres
Lecture for children refugees, Veli Losinj
1996 Several lectures for local people, Veli Losinj, Mali Losinj, Cres
1996 Lecture for the kindergarden and children's camp, Veli Losinj
1996 Lecture in a high school, Hvar
1996 Lecture for the International Student Organisation of Zagreb, Mali Losinj
1996-1997 Over 1,600 kids, 6 to 18 year old, attended lectures held in Croatian schools on bottlenose dolphin ecology and biology in Pula and on the islands of Cres and Losinj
1997 Lecture for the kindergarden and children camp, Veli Losinj
1997 Invited speakers for the Childrens' Week, organized by the Society "Our Children"
1997 Lecture for the International Student Organisation of Rijeka, Mali Losinj
1997 Invited lecturer to the International High School of Rovinj
1997 Lecture for school teachers and ecological group leaders from the Rijeka County, Mali Losinj
1997 Organization of the first "Dolphin Week" in Pula, 6-12 October, with the collaboration of the NGO "Drustvo Nasa djeca" (Society "Our children") and the "Friends of Veli Losinj". It included an exhibition of children drawings at the City Library and nine meetings at the Children House, that involved over 1,200 children
Greece
1995 Lecture and slide show for the school of Kioni, Ithaka
1996 Lecture and slide show for the primary school of Mytika
1996 Lecture at the University of Athens
Germany
1994 Lecture for Europe Conservation Germany, Bonn
France
1994 Dolphin evening, Theatre de l'Olympia, Paris
The Netherlands
1997 Lectures at the Social Centre, Maarn
USA
1998 Seminar at the Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Other countries
1987-1989 Organization of naturalistic excursions including series of lectures on the biology and ecology of local fauna and flora, with particular emphasis on biodiveristy and conservation problems. The excursions included guided naturalistic excursions in Maldives, Red Sea (Egypt), and Sea of Cortez (Mexico), as well as whale-watching excursions in Baja California (Mexico).
Television, Radio & Press releases
1985
Domenica In, RAI 1: interview on Tethys activities
1988
Alla Ricerca dell'Arca, RAI 3: interview on the fin whales in the Ligurian Sea
Uno Mattina, RAI 1: interview on Tethys activities1989
Alla Ricerca dell'Arca, RAI 3: interview and documentary on Ligurian Sea cetaceans
Documentary on the fin whales radio-tracking project in the Ligurian Sea1990
TG2: documentary on the fin whale research in the Ligurian Sea
Gaia, Retequattro: documentary on the Adriatic Dolphin Project1991
TeleMike, Canale 5: interview on whale and dolphin adoptions
Paneikon, RAI 3: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
Antenna 3: Production of a spot against the use of drift-nets in the Mediterranean
TG Leonardo, RAI 3: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
Special TG1, RAI 1: documentary on the activities of the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project 1992
Uno mattina, RAI 1: interview on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project1992
L'Arca di Noè, Canale 5: documentary and interview on Tethys activities
1993
Uno mattina, RAI 1: interview on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
Oceanopolis, National TV Switzerland: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
TG leonardo, RAI 3: documentary on the Ligurian striped dolphins
Magazine, Italia 1: interview on Tethys activities1994
TG1, RAI 1: interview and documentary on Tethys activities
TG Leonardo, RAI 3: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
TG Leonardo, RAI 3: documentary on the Ionian Dolphin Project
ZDF, German State TV: documentary on the Adriatic Dolphin Project
Video Music, TMC: talk show
Odeon TV: interviews1995
Uno Mattina, RAI 1: talk show
Verde Fazzuoli, TMC: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
HTV, Croatian State TV: talk show on the Adriatic Dolphin Project and cetacean conservation issues
Croatian TVs: several releases on the Adriatic Dolphin Project activities in the news
Swiss State TV: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
Production of a documentary on Tethys activities for the Swiss State TV, that has been released in several European countries1996
Linea Blu, RAI 1: documentary on the Mediterranean Fin Whale Project
Cicadas Film, U.K.: production of the documentary: "Giants of the Mediterranean"
Ford News Network: documentary on the activities of the Adriatic Dolphin Project (worldwide distribution)
Geos, RAI 3: interview on the Adriatic Dolphin Project
Planet, Italia 1: interview on the Ionian Dolphin Project
Planet, Italia 1: interview on the Sanctuary1997
Telelibertà: interview on Tethys activities
La Macchina del Tempo, Retequattro: interview on cetacean acoustics
TV Koper News (Slovenia): interview in the news and documentary
Private Croatian TV: documentary on the Adriatic Dolphin Project
HTV, Croatian State TV: interview within a naturalistic documentary
Linea Blu, RAI 1: interview and documentary on Tethys activities
Quark, RAI 1: interview and documentary on Tethys activities1998
Tele Venezia: interview on dolphin in the Venice Lagoon
Tele Venezia: interview on dolphins in the northern Adriatic
Italia 1 - Real TV
Italia 1- Animal Planet
Rete 4 - La Macchina del Tempo
RAI 3 - GEO & GEO
RAI 3 - Leonardo
RAI 2 - Io Amo gli Animali
RAI 1 - Super Quark
Radio
1994
Radio RAI 3 (Italy)
Radio Capital (Italy)
Radio RAI 2 (Italy)
Radio Mali Losinj (Croatia)
Radio Montecarlo (Principauté de Monaco)
Radio 105 Network (Italy)1995
National Croatian Radio (Croatia)
1996
National Croatian Radio (Croatia)
National Swiss Radio (Switzerland)1997
Private Split Radios (Croatia)
Radio Crikvenica (Croatia)
Radio Mali Losinj (Croatia)1998
Radio Punto Zero (Italy)
Radio Montecarlo (Italy)
Radio 2 - L'Arca di Noè (Italy)
Radio Fantasy (Italy)
Radio Reporter (Italy)
Radio Talk Show (Austria)1999
Radio RAI 2 (Italy)
Popular articles: Italy
1990
January CENTO COSE , CORRIERE DELLA SERA, IL GIORNALE (x2), DONNA MODERNA
February MONDO SOMMERSO
March IL MANIFESTO, IL SECOLO XIX, CORRIERE DELLA SERA
April MONDO SOMMERSO
May CORRIERE DELLA SERA, AIRONE
June CLASS JR, AIRONE, IL RESTO DEL CARLINO, IL CORRIERE DI PORDENONE, IL PICCOLO, AMICA, LA REPUBBLICA, PANORAMA
July IL GIORNALE, GIOIA, CORRIERE DELLA SERA, DONNA MODERNA
October IL GIORNALE, IL GAZZETTINO, LA GAZZETTA SPORTIVA
November IL RESTO DEL CARLINO, ITALIA OGGI, APPUNTI DI CARTA SI, LA NOTTE, IL GIORNALE, AIRONE
December CORRIERE DELLA SERA, SECOLO XIX, STAMPA SERA, PANORAMA, TUTTOMILANO (LA REPUBBLICA), DONNA, AMICA, GIOIA
1991
January DONNA MODERNA, VIE DEL MONDO, VENETO DELL'ECOLOGIA
April TUTTOMILANO (LA REPUBBLICA), PANORAMA
September CORRIERE DELLA SERA
November CARTASICURA, IL GIORNALE
December AIRONE, AQUA
1992
January CICLOTURISMO, COSMOPOLITAN
February CLASS, IL GIORNALE, ALISEI, CORRIERE DI MONZA, IL GIORNO, IL PICCOLO, IL RESTO DEL CARLINO, LA STAMPA, STAMPA SERA
March L'ECO DI BERGAMO
April LA STAMPA, CORRIERE DELLA SERA, PANORAMA
May CLASS, TUTTOMILANO
June VELA E MOTORE, CICLOTURISMO, IL MATTINO DI PADOVA, LA NOTTE, LA PREALPINA, VITAL
July NATURA OGGI, BRAVA CASA, CICLOTURISMO, LA SCELTA, OGGIDI
August CICLOTURISMO, LA PREALPINA
October LA NOTTE, LA PROVINCIA
November IL GIORNALE, L'UOMO VOGUE, AQUA
December GRAZIA, GEOS, CAPITAL
1993
January CORRIERE DELLA SERA, FORMA, LA REPUBBLICA
February DONNA MODERNA, LA REPUBBLICA, NUOVO VERONESE
March YACHT CAPITAL, IL RESTO DEL CARLINO, LA STAMPA, CORRIERE DELLA SERA, IL GIORNALE, GAZZETTA DI PARMA, LA PREALPINA
April IL GIORNALE, AQUA
May CORRIERE DELLA SERA, IL SECOLO XIX, NOI, AQUA, STOP, ALISEI, QUATTRO ZAMPE, IL CITTADINO DELLA DOMENICA, IL TIRRENO, LA STAMPA
June PANORAMA, IL SECOLO XIX, ALBA, AVVENIRE
July LA STAMPA, GULLIVER, ALISEI, IL SECOLO XIX, IL GIORNALE
August TOPOLINO, AQUA, ALISEI
September MILLEIDEE, IL GIORNALE, LA VOCE
November GIOIA, ALISEI, AIRONE
December GRAZIA
1994
January TOPOLINO, TUTTOMILANO
February VITALITY, FAMIGLIA CRISTIANA, TRAVEL, ARRIVEDERCI
March L'AGENZIA DI VIAGGI, ANNA, DONNA MODERNA, TRAVEL, AIRONE
April TUTTOMUSICA, IL GIORNALE, PROSPETTIVE, IL LAVORO, LA NOTTE, LA STAMPA, ALBA , IL GIORNALE D'ITALIA, TUTTOMILANO (LA REPUBBLICA), AIRONE, TUTTOTURISMO, IL GAZZETTINO
May TUTTOTURISMO, AIRONE, LA VOCE
June LA VOCE, AVVENIRE, DONNA MODERNA, GAZZETTA DI PARMA, LA REPUBBLICA
July LA VOCE DEL POPOLO, QUATTROZAMPE
August ECO, ALISEI, PIU' BELLA
September CORRIERE DELLA SERA, BELLA
October OGGI, ALBA, SETTE
November GEOS
December AQUA
1995
January AQUA
March IL MESSAGGERO
April CLUB DEL GOMMONE, ALBA, DONNA OGGI
May LA VOCE, LA STAMPA, LA STAMPA, OASIS, VIAGGIARE
June YACHT DIGEST, PESCA IN MARE, GENTE VIAGGI
July L'UNITA', IL GIORNALE, STOP, IL VENERDI DI REPUBBLICA
August OASIS, LA STAMPA
1996
January IL MANIFESTO, CORRIERE DELLA SERA, IL GIORNO
February NOTIZIARIO DELLA MARINA, CLUB DEL GOMMONE
March LA DIFESA DEL POPOLO
April LA NUOVA ECOLOGIA
May LA STAMPA, NOTIZIARIO DELLA MARINA
June LA REPUBBLICA (x3)
July MONDO SOMMERSO, GULLIVER
August YACHT CAPITAL, IL GIORNALE, AIRONE MARE
1997
March MONDO SOMMERSO
April AIRONE
May AQUA, AIRONE, LE SCIENZE, TOURING JUNIOR, CASA VIVA, TUTTO TURISMO, LA NAZIONE
June OASIS, MONDO BARCHE, GENTE VIAGGI, LA REPUBBLICA DELLE DONNE, MONDO SOMMERSO, SCIENZA E VITA, IL GIORNALE DI SESTO, IL GIORNO, LA PROVINCIA, IL VENERDI' DI REPUBBLICA, WEEKEND VIAGGI
July MEDITERRANEA, DISNEY MAGAZINE
Summer MAGAZINE DI REPUBBLICA
September IL SOLE 24 ORE, MARIE CLAIRE, AIRONE, T3
October ADESSO
November GIOIA, SUB, I VIAGGI (LA REPUBBLICA), PRIMO PIANO, CICLOTURISMO
December GENTE VIAGGI, OASIS, DONNA MODERNA, TUTTO TURISMO, AQUA, SYNCHRON (Agip Petroli Magazine)
1998
January - YACHT CAPITAL, NAUTICA
March - LA DIFESA DEL POPOLO, IL GAZZETTINO (x 2), LA NUOVA VENEZIA, IL MATTINO DI PADOVA
April - GLAMOUR, TUTTOTURISMO, FAMIGLIA CRISTIANA, D LA REPUBBLICA DELLE DONNE, TUTTOMILANO
May - VERA, AIRONE, SUB, GIOA, DONNA MODERNA (x 2), IL MANIFESTO, IL CORRIERE MERCANTILE. IL LAVORO
June - TOURING GIOVANI, EXECUTIVE, AIRONE, CENTO COSE , STAR BENE, MONDO SOMMERSO, SUB, IO DONNA (Corriere della Sera), IL GAZZETTINO
July - IL GAZZETTINO, IL GIORNALE DI BRESCIA
August - AIRONE MARE, LE SCIENZE, GLAMOUR, DONNA MODERNA (2 exits), IO DONNA, TV SORRISI E CANZONI, SETTE (Corriere della Sera), L'UNIONE SARDA, LE SCIENZE
September - AIRONE, TUTTOTURISMO, DONNA IN FORMA (DONNA MODERNA), PANORAMA, IL GIORNALE DI BRESCIA, IL SECOLO XIX, NAUTICA
October - AIRONE, NAUTICA, Il SUBACQUEO, I VIAGGI DI REPUBBLICA, CORRIERE DELLA SERA
November - FOCUS, GRAZIA, IL GAZZETTINO, LA STAMPA
December - NAUTICA, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (Italy), NEWTON, ANNA
Popular articles: Europe
1992
August THE TIMES (U.K.), FINANCIAL TIMES (U.K.), SOUTHERN EVENING ECHO (U.K.), NEW SCIENTIST (U.K.)
1993
February LOVACKI VJESNIK (Croatia), BEATTA (Croatia)
July SLOBDONA DALMACIJA (Croatia), RÉSEAU CETACÉS (France)
August CETVRTAK (Croatia), PONEDELJAK (Croatia)
September SLOBODNA DALMACIJA (Croatia), SLOBODNA DALMACIJA (Croatia)
October RÉSEAU CETACÉS (France)
1994
January RÉSEAU CETACÉS (France)
Jan-Feb PRIRODA (Croatia)
August SLOBODNA DALMACIJA (Croatia), SRIJEDA (Croatia)
September PRIRODA (Croatia)
November RÉSEAU CETACÉS (France)
1995
June MORE MAGAZINE (Croatia)
August ORKA (Croatia)
October NOVI LIST (Croatia)
1996
January ECHO (U.K.) April SONAR (U.K.)
May CETVRTAK (Croatia)
June NEDJELJA (Croatia), NEDJELJA (Croatia)
July NETWORK 21 (U.K.)
August MORE MAGAZINE (Croatia), VECERNJI LIST (Croatia)
October RÉSEAU CETACÉS (France)
1997
June VIKEND (Croatia)
August PRIMORSKO-GORANSKI DNEVNIK (Croatia)
September SONAR (U.K.)
November MUSENALP EXPRESS (Switzerland)
1998
March SONAR (U.K.)
May LA PRESSE (Tunisia)
September THE SUNDAY TIMES (U.K.)
October LOS ANGELES TIMES (U.S.A.)