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2011-06-07 19:05
Last week a tank at Gibraltar’s sullage plant exploded, an additional one, containing oil waste, burnt out. With the change of wind yesterday, water pollution was evident in Coaling Island. It has yet to be determined, whether this is a result of the explosion; due to bunkering; or even the activities of Algeciras' refinery. Please, see our pictures below.
by Kristina
2011-05-27 10:11
The Bavarian Higher Administrative Court yesterday was the second authority to rule in favour of dolphin conservationists: The city of Nuremberg, as the provider of the city's zoo, had to provide access to its records in its dolphinarium's husbandry, breeding and dolphin death rates. As a consequence the legitimisation of Nuremberg's dolphinarium is threatened.
by Kristina
2011-03-22 09:58
Our waters are home to four different species of turtles, all of which are protected by EU law and Gibraltar's Protection Ordinance. While we usually see some 30 to 40 throughout the groups per year while being out on the boat, in 2010 we did not even see a dozen.
by Kristina
2011-01-05 18:36
When driving along Gibraltar's east side this morning we saw some 40 Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) flying South. As far as we know this was the first time that these gracious birds have crossed the Rock. Please, see our pictures below!
by Kristina
2010-12-24 11:31
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year! Many thanks for all of your support in 2010!
by Kristina
2010-12-23 12:11
Animal welfare, monitoring and seamanship: Last summer Conservation and Wildlife Management student Tessa Feeney has spent eight weeks with us volunteering. Next month, we are so fortunate to welcome her again in the framework of a college experience placement.
by Kristina
2010-10-06 18:29
It is a local first: 15 juvenile specimens of the Slender sunfish (ranzania laevis) could be seen in Gibraltar's Ocean Village Marina for a couple of days now, so that we may list it present in our waters. Have a look at our pictures below!
by Kristina
2010-09-14 10:38
Our sister charity, the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS), has welcomed Government's plan to regulate activities in the marine environment but criticises that the respective consultation paper misses the point and "lacks the necessary depth of knowledge of natural systems, nature conservation principles and relevant legal instruments".
by Kristina
2010-08-10 22:27
The PDP has accused the Gibraltar Government of ambiguity regarding its stance on the dolphinarium proposal, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that the PDP is asking both the GSD and the GSLP for a respective statement "which is the least the public deserve".
by Kristina
2010-08-09 20:02
Our sister charity GONHS has issued a press release both responding to Europa Point Marine Village Limited's (EPMVL) latest arguments in favour of a dolphinarium and to the company's claims as to the integrity of both GONHS and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
by Kristina
2010-08-05 21:19
Europa Point Marine Village Limited (EPMVL) has given further information on its proposal of a dolphinarium to be detailed in its Planning Application, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that EPMVL rejects all criticism of conservationists and locals.
by Kristina
2010-07-27 20:34
The dolphinarium debate finally has been reported on in the Spanish press: Europa Sur today wrote about the respective concerns of our sister charity GONHS.
by Kristina
2010-07-24 10:27
The Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (GFSA) has again asked Government to restrict access to the local coastline for non-resident fishermen to seriously regulate and control shore fishing, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2010-07-23 20:31
Last week Mr Clive Reed on behalf of Europa Point Marine Village Ltd. (EPMV) gave an interview to local radio station GBC, claiming that dolphins may live for longer when held in captivity. Our sister charity GONHS now has responded to this claim with a press release, contradicting it on the basis of research.
by Kristina
2010-07-21 10:21
The Gibraltar Government, in conjunction with the Gibraltar Sports & Leisure Authority, yesterday has issued a Public Consultation Paper regarding the regulation of spear fishing, scuba diving and boating in Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that Government is interested in feedback from the community before legislative plans are finalised in autumn.
by Kristina
2010-07-20 18:15
Within three weeks the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) has reported on 55 anglers who had been fishing illegally from Gibraltar’s beaches; all fisherman now face a fine, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that only three of them were locals.
by Kristina
2010-07-14 23:56
Our sister charity GONHS has received further backing in its opposition to the proposal of a dolphinarium in Gibraltar: The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) gave details on the harmful effects confinement has on dolphins.
by Kristina
2010-07-05 20:49
Last week, Europe Point Marine Village Limited (EPMVL) publicly defended its proposal of a dolphinarium and accused our sister charity GONHS of being both "irresponsible" and motivated by "private commercial interests" in its opposition to the project. Today, GOHNS has issued a press release in response.
by Kristina
2010-07-01 16:52
The Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers, which campaigns for the implementation of laws to protect the marine environment, yesterday visited all political parties to present them with a petition signed by almost 2300 locals, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2010-06-30 15:31
Europe Point Marine Village Limited (EPMVL)is defending its controversial proposal for a dolphinarium and has accused our sister charity and our our charity's chairman Dr Eric Shaw of being "irresponsible" regarding their opposition to the plan, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2010-06-24 11:30
Gibraltar's opposition party PDP said it its the only political party that outrightly rejects the dolphinarium project, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that the PDP stated it is dissatisfied with the evasive answers from Government in Parliament.
by Kristina
2010-06-22 21:40
Chief Minister Peter Caruana said, the Gibraltar Government disagrees with keeping dolphins in captivity which were caught in the wild, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that the Chief Minister Caruana said "the government is not, per se, against the existence of a dolphinarium".
by Kristina
2010-05-31 08:07
Monkey care, seamanship and research assistance: Vicky Howard is full of energy and always up for joining us in the field. Here she talks about the volunteering experience in Gibraltar, cheeky monkeys and wild life.
by Kristina
2010-05-27 23:56
An illegal fishing net of 300 metres length which was discovered this week in Gibraltar's Admiralty Waters has once again led to requests for the immediate implementation of fishing regulations. Both opposition party PDP and the Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (GFSA) have voiced their dismay in the Gibraltar Chronicle. The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) meanwhile discussed the matter in its TV programme "Viewpoint".
by Kristina
2010-05-19 20:47
Robin Levy of Europa Point Marine Village yet refused to comment to the Gibraltar Chronicle regarding details of the proposed dolphinarium. Mr Levy - whose company is understood to be responsible for the proposal - however told the newspaper that his Gibraltar based company "is negotiating with the Gibraltar Government in connection with certain proposals".
by Kristina
2010-05-18 20:21
Ocean Embassy - a company associated with plans to set up a dolphinarium in Gibraltar - has written to our sister charity GONHS denying any participation in the project and accusing GONHS of being "false and intentionally misleading". Despite documentation of the company's involvement, GONHS said, "it is willing to accept at face value the statement that Ocean Embassy neither are the developers of the site nor own dolphinaria" but "rejects the allegations made by the company as to GONHS's intentions".
by Kristina
2010-05-10 22:33
Ocean Embassy's plan to open a dolphinarium in Gibraltar has lead to numerous protests and was reported on in local television. Our sister charity GONHS now issued a press release urging the three locally based companies listed in the project's documentation to withdraw their support and asking Government to reject the proposal.
by Kristina
2010-05-06 22:24
Yesterday, our sister charity GONHS launched a facebook group against the proposed dolphinarium in Gibraltar. Meanwhile, the group has more than 600 members. Today, the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has picked up on the issue and interviewed Dr Eric Shaw, Chairman of the Helping Hand Trust and Marine Section Head of GONHS.
by Kristina
2010-05-06 02:27
There are plans to open a dolphinarium in Gibraltar's Rosia Bay - a site protected under EU law. Our sister charity GONHS has launched a facebook group to protest against these plans. We believe it is wrong to keep dolphins in captivity for our amusement. Besides, tourists can already watch wild-living Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins and Striped dolphins in the Bay of Gibraltar.
by Kristina
2010-04-23 12:12
The GSLP/Liberals has urged the Gibraltar Government to implement fishing regulations for non-resident anglers to avoid over-fishing, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today, adding that the GSLP said, it has made respective requests in Parliament during recent years, but only received evasive answers.
by Kristina
2010-04-20 20:21
The Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (GFSA) has received support: Opposition party PDP issued a press release in the Gibraltar Chronicle stressing that Gibraltar needs laws to protect marine life; the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) highlighted that it has campaigned for marine protection for decades.
by Kristina
2010-04-16 11:22
The Gibraltar Police Authority (GPA) is reacting on a public request and has asked the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) to guarantee "appropriate action to reduce the unauthorised feeding of Barbary Macaques", the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today. The request comes as a result of research, which suggests that this interaction leads the monkey to roam residential areas in search for food.
by Kristina
2010-04-15 13:14
In the Gibraltar Chronicle the Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (GFSA) today voiced its frustration regarding lack of marine protection and fishing regulations despite 16 years of queries to the Government. It argues that something has to be done immediately to avoid the "destruction and decimation of all marine life".
by Kristina
2010-04-14 18:49
Gibraltar’s Queensway Quay Marina today is hosting a very welcomed guest: The Green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) – protected under EU Law and the Gibraltar Protection Ordinance – can be observed feeding on Luminescent jellyfish.
by Kristina
2010-03-25 19:33
Almost a month after the last alert, our charity has counted more than 40 specimen of the poisonous Portuguese man o' war washed ashore the east side of Gibraltar. They have been removed by the Environmental Agency, but caution should be taken when visiting the beaches.
by Kristina
2010-03-18 20:17
It seems it is recession time for bees as well. You do not see as many around as before – and bee pollination is responsible for 60% of mankind's food. Today though, we were extremely fortunate: The Environmental Agency called us out to remove a single swarm of African bees, but we found three!
by Kristina
2010-03-01 23:28
Heavy storms brought the Portuguese man o' war to Gibraltar. According to tonight's Newswatch on GBC television the Government advised caution as its sting can be very harmful to humans. News presenter Sean Sullivan interviewed our charity's chairman Dr Eric Shaw about this creature of the sea.
by Kristina
2010-02-11 10:34
Our sister charity GONHS (Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society) is holding the second Cave and Climate Science Field Workshop in Gibraltar this week, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2010-01-15 18:48
2010 started off stormy. Sea birds such as cormorants and razorbills still came to feed in Gibraltar's Queensway Quay Marina and thus confirmed that all is well. The developer now aims to further improve the area with the planting of queen palms by the waterline.
by Kristina
2010-01-09 19:35
Reporter Rei-Yuin Chu and photojournalist Alberto Buzzola from the Taiwanese magazine Rhythms Monthly (RM) have seen many of the wonders and problems of our planet. Now their work has taken them to Gibraltar and our charity. Despite their busy schedule they were so kind to give us an interview.
by Kristina
2010-01-02 20:17
Gibraltar's oldest free-ranging male monkey, Giorgio, died a natural death today. With 29 years of age he beat the Barbary Macaque's average span of life by ten years, yet we will miss him very much.
by Kristina
2009-12-24 08:58
We wish you a merry Christmas! May the New Year be a happy, healthy and wonderful one for all of you!
by Kristina
2009-12-23 10:02
Two Gibraltar-based fuel tankers ran aground in nearby Spain during yesterday's heavy weather; no injuries or pollution have been reported, but environmentalists from Gibraltar and Spain criticise the lack of marine safety, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2009-12-19 22:06
During the construction of Gibraltar's Queensway Quay Marina our charity advised the developers on key features to increase the circulation within the marina basin - more and more species now opt for permanent residency. Among them terrestrial species such as the wagtail and the cormorant!
by Kristina
2009-12-10 09:45
Last week the Gibraltar Government announced that works on the wreck of the Panamanian cargo ship 'MV New Flame' have been completed: Wreck remains will stay on the seabed, and Government has secured £5.5m compensation which it intends to use to protect and enhance the environment. Our sister charity - like ourselves - is very pleased with the outcome.
by Kristina
2009-12-05 14:50
Three weeks ago we started our monitoring program to establish whether the shrinking Bay of Gibraltar has an impact on local dolphin populations and on those migrating – here you can read a first update.
by Kristina
2009-12-05 13:05
More than two years after the Panamanian cargo ship 'MV New Flame' sank in Gibraltar's territorial waters wreck removal works have been completed; Government received £5.5m compensation which it will invest in "environmental protection and enhancement", the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2009-12-04 20:44
Our sister charity today responded to the statement of EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, who proposed Gibraltar's MEP Graham Watson an Anglo-Spanish management of marine conservation in Gibraltar's waters. Below you can find the press release in full length.
by Kristina
2009-12-01 20:00
Reacting to the Development and Planning Commission's (DPC) decision to give the construction of a fossil fuel power station in Gibraltar environmental clearance, our sister charity expressed concerns and called for an energy-rethink.
by Kristina
2009-11-13 10:17
Environmental groups from both Gibraltar and Spain have submitted a letter to the Tripartite Forum asking it to realise its agreements on environmental issues in the Bay of Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2009-11-12 17:17
Land reclamation, shipping industry, ferry traffic and tourism - the Bay of Gibraltar is continuously getting smaller. The Helping Hand Trust intends to monitor potential effects on dolphins and their habitat.
by Kristina
2009-11-03 10:30
The GSLP/Liberal Opposition said the Gibraltar Government needs to treat the gaps in local diving regulations with "a greater degree of urgency than is being shown at the present", the Gibraltar Chronicle wrote today.
by Kristina
2009-11-01 11:04
During this weekend's conference 'IX Jornadas de Flora, Fauna y Ecología del Campo de Gibraltar' held in the Finca la Alcaidesa in San Roque Dr Alfonso Gallardo-Mayenco and Dr Eric Shaw from Helping Hand Trust presented a paper on endemic species in the Campo de Gibraltar.
by Kristina
2009-10-27 09:26
The dental students Geoff Stone and Iain Henderson to our knowledge are the first ever scholars to examine the teeth of Barbary macaques. Their efforts were rewarded: The Glasgow University nominated them for a dental award on their thesis:
by Kristina
2009-10-23 14:43
During parliament in October 2009 the Gibraltar Government announced its plans to improve local diving regulations - without giving a time frame. The same week Dr Eric Shaw, founder of the Helping Hand Trust, was asked to speak on the subject on local television programme 'Nightwatch'.
by Kristina