ecinteractions

Eco-Interactions has spent many years all over the globe, experiencing and bridging the gap between research, education, tourism and conservation. Below is a sampling of events that we have been involved in.

In 1993 we spearheaded the effort to get the country of Dominica NOT to vote against the proposed Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary at the 1993 International Whaling Commission meeting. At first a dialogue was created between the International Wildlife Coalition (who were at that time initiating a tourism boycott of Dominica in protest of Dominica’s announced support of Japan in voting against the whale sanctuary) and the government of Dominica. We continued by contacting countless important environmental organizations in the world and persuading all of them to flood Dominica with praise and promises of visitation if they voted in favor of the sanctuary. This worked, Dominica ended up abstaining from voting, other small Caribbean countries followed suit, and much to the dismay of the Japanese, the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary referendum passed at the IWC meeting of 1993.

In 1996 work was begun with the Mingan Islands Cetacean Study (MICS) of Longue Pointe de Mingan, Quebec. Responsibilities included, running field research teams of up to 9 people in Perc'e, Quebec. Doing every bit of field research imaginable including driving the research boats and being the photographer for the following. Photo ID of blue, finback, humpback, sperm, gray and killer whales. Driving for biopsy work on blue, finback, humpback and minke whales. Driving for satellite tag work on blue whales. Helping to do matching work in the blue whale catalog which MICS curates for the North Atlantic Ocean. Working in the field with Pacific blue and finback whales in particular off Baja California each winter and assisting in curating MICS 18 year old Baja catalog of blue whales. Doing fundraising for MICS which is a 21 year old non profit organization. This includes organizing for groups to come and actively participate on MICS research boats, which we do in all MICS locations and is one of MICS main ways of supporting itself.

 Created El Delfin Joven (School of the Sea). The mission statement is to bring high school aged students into a real live marine mammal research setting. The school has operating locations in Spain, Costa Rica and Baja California. Students can participate for 2 week sessions in the location of their choice and afterwards are eligible to take a short inexpensive course by computer through Wheelock College of Boston, Mass. and be eligible for 3 college credits.

Conceived of the concept of creating a marine reserve adjacent to Corcovado National Park and the Osa Peninsula on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast. These waters are home to many species of whales and dolphins, as well as numerous sea turtles. They house coral reef systems, as well as huge schools of tuna and are the only place on earth where humpback whales from both hemispheres are known to frequent. This concept with great internal Costa Rican support is still in the planning stages.

Eco-Interactions has for many years tirelessly made "in school" presentations and led groups of schoolchildren on field seminars. To experience, appreciate and strive to conserve is always the theme. The primary institutuion that we have worked with is the Durham Academy of Durham, North Carolina. At all times we will have upcoming trips to offer interested individuals, school groups as well as specialized groups, to join us in the field of nature and experience the awesome life forms we share the earth with as we continue to study and protect the natural world.

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