17 May 2009 UPDATE: The 7th International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise - Reports and Activities

The 7th International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise was celebrated in several cities with great activities.

In Poland the Hel Marine Station of the Institute of Oceanography of Gdansk University organized a special information stand and an exhibition about the harbour porpoise. Children could participate in a drawing contest to win postcards and stickers as well as a special award from the new sponsor Lotos Group. In addition, a project, "Active Protection of the Baltic Harbour Porpoises against bycatch in Puck Bay", was presented to the public. With this project, a temporary acoustic barrier is set up each year across the bay from Hel to Gdynia, keeping the porpoises out of an area with high risk of bycatch.
In Stralsund an information stand at the German Oceanographic Museum informed visitors about the small whale of the Baltic Sea and ASCOBANS. A porpoise detector and a skull served as additional demonstration material. Children could test their knowledge about the harbour porpoise in a quiz.
On 13 May, an educational seminar for about 100 schoolchildren, their teachers and parents was the start of this year's celebration of the International Day of the Harbour Porpoise in the Lithuanian Sea Museum. Afterwards, the pupils drew pictures that were exhibited in the dolphinarium of the museum. ASCOBANS, the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment and the company "Premia KPC" supported the event. On 17 May almost 500 visitors saw the ASCOBANS exhibition and films from the Fjord & Bælt Centre. The ASCOBANS exhibition will be displayed in the museum until autumn 2009.
In Finland the day was acclaimed in the Särkänniemi Dolphinarium, where children could take part in a drawing competition and other activities. Also, Mr Kai Mattsson gave an interesting lecture on porpoises and the threats they face in the Baltic Sea. Summing up, the 7th International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise was a full success.

Last updated on 25 March 2014

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