Conservation
AIMM shares its scientific results with different organizations, researchers and public administration entities in order to promote effective conservation measures. We also organize ocean expeditions with very concrete objectives, in collaboration with other organizations and entities. Many of these expeditions have had a positive impact on political decisions taken in relation to the protection of marine life, thus increasing the sustainability and biodiversity of the oceans.
Past oceanic expeditions:
Oceano Azul Expedition Gorringe 2024
The Gorringe is an underwater seamount in the Atlantic Ocean, located 200 km off the Portuguese coast. The expedition’s mission is to perform a scientific assessment and provide crucial recommendations for establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA) here, supporting the global 30×30 target – aiming to protect 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. AIMM was one of the scientific partners, having the task to monitor rand collect data on every marine mammal and sea turtle observed during the whole expedition. Know more about the expedition here.
Project NGANDU 2021
Project NGANDU (The Importance of Shark Populations and Sustainable Ocean Use for Human Well-being in Cabo Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa) with the reference number 541746579, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) – Chief Investigator Rui Afonso Bairrão da Rosa. In collaboration with the Institute of Engineering and Marine Sciences – ISECMAR – Universidade Técnica do Atlântico, University of São Tomé and Príncipe CIBIO – BIOPOLIS Association, University of Porto, University Nova of Lisbon – Nova School of Business and Economics, BIOS.CV, General Inspection of Fisheries, Directorate for the Environment São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe Foundation, MARAPA NGO “Environmental Sea and Artisanal Fishing”, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Center for Biological Sciences, University of Santa Catarina of Brazil, OIKOS – Cooperation and Development (Portugal).
OCEAN ALLIANCE & AIMM // SnotBot Expedition Azores 2021
AIMM was invited to be the Portuguese partner in this SnotBot Expedition from Ocean Alliance, an NGO that protects whales and their environment, the Ocean. Part of the AIMM team went to Faial island in the Azores to study sperm whales. With the help of SnotBot we hope to collect as many blow samples from several species. This expedition counts with the help from OceanX. Know more about the expedition here.
Cape Verde Shark Expedition 2016
Study of shark species that occur in Sal Rei bay, on the island of Boa Vista in Cape Verde, in collaboration with MARE and Rui Rosa Lab. This expedition resulted in a published scientific paper (consult paper).
Cape Verde humpback whales project 2015
Started in 2015 and lasted 3 years. AIMM collaborated with catamarans company Sea Turtle. The goal of the project was the study of whales on the island of Boavista and the promotion of sustainable tourism in whale watching, providing training and lectures to the companies in the region.
AIMM/Nautilus Gorringe Expedition 2015
In June 2015, AIMM participated in an expedition to the Gorringe sea mountain, onboard the NTM Creoula. Our team was composed by three researchers responsible for conducting the cetacean and sea turtles visual survey. The survey effort started at sunrise until the sun set (approximately 12h daily). Right after leaving Lisbon the first whales were observed. During all the expedition 23 groups of cetaceans were observed: 10 sightings of dolphins (mainly common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins); 5 sightings of fin whales; 9 sightings of non-identified cetaceans.
Survey EMEPC/M@rBis/Lisboa/Oeiras/Cascais 2015
The collaboration between AIMM and EMEPC (Estrutura de Missão para a Extensão da plataforma Continental) continues. The M@rbis project 2015, took place in Lisbon and Cascais, and AIMM researchers were present on board NTM Creoula, studying the cetaceans populations and sea turtles present in the area.
Survey EMEPC/M@rBis/Arrábida 2014
Following the collaboration started in 2013 with EMEPC (Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf), AIMM participated in 2014 in the M@rbis survey that this year took place in Arrábida (Portugal). The AIMM team was once again responsible for studying the cetaceans and sea turtles.
Survey EMEPC/M@rBis/Algarve 2013
AIMM participated in the 2013 survey of the M@rbis project, being responsible for the team studying cetaceans and sea turtles aboard. M@rBis project is coordinated by EMEPC (Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf) and it constitutes a marine biodiversity georeferenced information system, whose main goal is to provide the necessary information in order to fulfill the Portuguese commitments under the EU process of extending the Natura 2000 Network to the marine environment.
Sirena 2011
Following the collaboration started in 2010 with NURC (NATO Undersea Research Centre), AIMM was present at the survey Sirena 2011 that took place in the Mediterranean Sea (Italy).
Sirena 2010
AIMM participated in the survey Sirena 2010 which is part of the Marine Mammal Risk Mitigation Programme of the NATO Undersea Research Centre. This survey was held in the Algarve (Portugal) and its main goal was to study the mitigation of the effects of sonar on marine mammals.
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