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Strong community support for entanglement response training
in southern Brazil

66 participants attended the latest entanglement response training workshop, held in the environmental protection area of Baleia Franca, and the surrounding State of Catarina, Brazil.

The entanglement training initiative is led by the IWC in partnership with the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown, USA. This workshop was held at the request of the Federal Environmental Protected Area da Baleia Franca (APABF) and non-governmental organisation, Projeto Baleia Franca. Both worked with a range of public and private sector stakeholders in order to fully fund and support the training.

Entanglements, of right and humpback whales in particular, have been increasing along this coast, which contributed to an unprecedented level of community participation. The classroom group of 66 participants was a broad and engaged mix representing 25 institutions and agencies.

A day in the classroom was followed by a second day of practical training on the water. Participants for the practical training came largely from the local and regional fire and rescue squad, who perform lifesaving rescues along the extensive Brazilian coast. They were assisted by a number of organisations involved in the APABF Stranding and Entanglement Response Protocol.

This training was also a further opportunity to advance the recent initiative to “train the trainer,” as IWC programme coordinator, David Mattila, was assisted by Leandro Aranha from IBAMA (the Brazilian Institute of the Environment). Leandro completed an apprenticeship in the summer of 2013, which was supported by CCS and a USA government contribution to the IWC. Leandro did an excellent job and received high praise from the trainees.

The APABF is administrated by ICMBio - Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. Both ICMBio and IBAMA are authorities linked to the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment.

For photographs of the Imbituba, Brazil training, and other entanglement workshops, click here