While our coastal waters are crowded with jellyfish there are increasing numbers of barracudas, turtles and new marine organisms appearing beyond the coast that are not typical of our sea, there are many other marine animals that are decreasing in numbers such as octopi, groupers, blue fin tuna and shark species. What is happening to our sea?

To understanding our wonderful sea and its natural resources and vulnerabilities, The Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) is organising summer seminars that will be held on 8 and 15 July.

Various topics will be covered, from jellyfish to turtles and dolphins; from coastal biodiversity and the value of marine conservation areas to various marine animal behaviours; from eco tourism to the impacts of various fishing gear. Many of your questions about our sea will be discussed, making these events relevant for all those who have our sea at heart.

Participants will learn up to date facts, together with methods used to continue assisting ongoing BICREF marine conservation research, for instance how marine turtles can lay their eggs around the Maltese coast and how we need to act to protect these turtle eggs as our contribution to future generations of turtles.

These seminars are also an opportunity to understand why and how BICREF’s voluntary work is essential toward promoting marine conservation around the Maltese Islands.

People interested in joining these activities can contact BICREF on [email protected] or write to: BICREF, PO Box 30, Hamrun.

Visit the BICREF website to learn more about the Biological Conservation Research Foundation: http://sites.keyworld.net/bicref/