Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, will host a free public lecture entitled ‘Dolphins across the Mediterranean’, with two leading marine scientists, at the Royal Geographical Society in March.

Earthwatch scientists Ricardo Sagarminaga van Buitan and Joan Gonzalvo Villegas will talk about their vital conservation work with dolphin populations in Spain and Greece respectively.

Dolphins have long held a special place in the public’s affection but like so many other species, they are threatened by human activities such as commercial fishing and boat traffic, and face an increasingly tough battle for survival. Take this opportunity to learn more about the dolphins’ plight, what Earthwatch is doing to help and how you can make a difference.

Sagarminaga van Buitan explains: ‘Over the past few decades common dolphins have declined in the Mediterranean. The work that we are doing with Earthwatch volunteers in critical habitats, such as the Alboran Sea, could mean the difference between survival and extinction for them and many other marine species.’

Along with Earthwatch volunteers from 54 countries, Sagarminaga van Buitan and his colleagues have worked with boat operators, fishermen and the Spanish Navy to gather enough data to persuade the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to divert shipping lanes off the southern coast of Spain to avoid important dolphin foraging grounds.

Meanwhile in Greece, off the island of Kalamos, severe overfishing has resulted in the depletion of fish populations and ecosystem collapse. Deprived of their main food source, the area’s formerly healthy population of bottlenose dolphins has drastically declined, with the few remaining only surviving thanks to their opportunistic and flexible behaviour. In 2001, Gonzalvo Villegas launched a parallel study of bottlenose dolphins in the Amvrakikos Gulf, where abundant prey allows this population to thrive. His presentation will cover 15 years of research and public awareness efforts, which hope to convert the area into an official Marine Protected Area.

Anyone wishing to attend the event should contact Earthwatch on 01865 318856, or email events – at – earthwatch.org.uk