The Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) has received the support of 10 HSBC-Earthwatch research fellows’ funds which will assist BICREF in its local and regional conservation research and awareness projects.

The HSBC-Earthwatch fellows, Robert Mallia, Celine Schranz, Eugene Schembri, Marian Ellul, Nathaline Camilleri, Natalino Xuereb, Reuben Fenech, Doreen Balzan, Mark Bencini and Michael Cassar, will also apply the techniques they have learned in their Earthwatch field work experience abroad to local BICREF work. They will therefore be in a position of contributing both financial and practical assistance toward the care of the local natural environment.

One of the events these fellows will be contributing to is the, now forth-year running, annual BICREF seminars on biodiversity and conservation in spring and summer. These will cover topics from marine mammals and marine biodiversity to coastal and conservation area biodiversity on land, climate change and anthropogenic impacts on flora and fauna.

This will be followed by the participation of the HSBC fellows in various long-term running BICREF projects, including coastal and marine biodiversity surveys, research of endangered species, including cetaceans (dolphins and whales), turtles and elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), increasing local awareness through the distribution of educational tools and preparation of reports.