SAFESEA – Sustainable local fisheries and promotion of a safe sea for cetaceans

The purpose of the Project is to reduce the incidental capture of cetaceans and raise public awareness on sustainable development issues in the local fisheries, with the overall objective to contribute to the sustainable management of sea resources and conservation of threatened species in Portugal. Reference is made to the application, dated 12 June 2007 and to any subsequent correspondence with the Focal Point. The completed Project shall include the following activities and results: - evaluation of the status of small cetacean populations on the Portuguese coast; - evaluation of fisheries and cetacean interactions; - implementation and testing of mitigations measures proposed; - awareness raising campaigns (conferences, workshops, webpages, provision of training for fishermen and publication of a good practice manual); - management and promotion. The Project Promoter is the University of Minho. Subject to national law, the Project shall be implemented in partnership with the Portuguese Wildelife Society (the SPVS), the Fisheries Association Centro Litoral (the COPLitoral), the Fisheries Association of Viana de Castelo (VIANAPESCA), Association of the Study of Marine Mammals (CEMMA) and the Institute of Marine Research, University of Oslo. The Focal Point shall ensure that the Project Promoter provides at least 15 percent of the estimated eligible Project costs.