23.07.2018 – Be gentle not cruel

When we see Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) which are typically reserved, we’re not that surprised … they’re just like that. There are exceptions and we had them yesterday for a short time and today again where we got precious moments with these beautiful animals. We were allowed to watch these shy, incredibly beautiful animals up close in our bow wave. And to make it even better, we were given a mixed double of Striped dolphins and Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the morning. While the pretty common dolphins were surfing close to the surface right in front of the boat, some Striped dolphins swam right under them (take a close look at the photos and enjoy it :))

On my second tour of the day, the evening mood traveled with us. A cheerful and relaxed atmosphaere was on board. A nice lady, said at the exit from the harbor: “For me it is enough!” What she meant, was that she already enjoyed to be on our Ribeira Brava, at sea and with us. A great attitude, BECAUSE she was already satisfied without knowing if something big would happen or if there would still have sightings: Yes, THEN there is something else on top! A real winner attitude! Thank you, dear guest! 🙂 And there was something else :). Active, jumping Atlantic Spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Striped dolphins, who paid us a short visit to the bow wave. It was a happy, nice tour!

If we go out with our guests, we have these exciting, happy, peaceful encounters with marine mammals and usually we come back mostly inspired. Today, no tourist has to worry about Madeira, being witness to a cruel act of whaling.

Unfortunately this is not the case in Iceland! The whale watching industry in Iceland can draw of a wonderful treasure of marine mammals. Fin whales, humpback whales, sperm whales can be experienced up close.

Precisely for this reason it is so incredible that at the same time, after two years break, the last existing whaling company was allowed to kill 191 Fin whales in the same area. A marvel of nature, which is made into “delicacies” or to dog canned food.

Not that it would not be bad enough slaughtering Fin whales (Balaenopetera physalus) that are on the endangered species list, on 7 July the Icelandic whaling company may have slaughtered a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) – which is illegal even under Icelandic law. The operators first claimed that this was a Blue – Fin whale hybrid (which has no right to life under Icelandic law). These hybrids are extremely rare and, like other marine mammals, should be protected. The photos clearly show that this is not a fin whale. Now, a gene test is surpose to clarify whether Iceland has pulled a hybrid or a Blue whale brutally out of the sea and killed it.

The question arises, where is the decency, the respect for the creation (and that is not meant religiously). Where is the softness and understanding that we are but a piece of the puzzle of the great, wonderful whole? Such a government decision is a step back into the Stone Age!

When you travel to Iceland, you can make a pledge! Various rules are listed at a counter and at the press of a button you are obliged to be a responsible tourist and to protect Iceland to its untouched nature.(https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/icelandicpledge/)

Well, it would be nice if the Government of Iceland took its own point two of the list of behaviors, namely to leave places as they are found. How about if you would apply this to the marine mammals?

I liked the formulation of Sealegacy, which calls us global citizens. We too, have something to do with this Icelandic decision! So today I ask you to act by supporting the protest of Sealegacy. If you scroll down the page, you’ll find an email example … so it’s really easy to send a statement to the government.

 https://www.sealegacy.org/pages/iceland-whaling

 https://www.facebook.com/sealegacy

Be gentle, not cruel!

By Fatima Kutzschbach

 Sightings of the day

 Ribeira Brava

09.00 Striped dolphins, Common dolphins

17.00 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins

Stenella

09.00 Striped dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins

12.00 Bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Striped dolphins, Risso dolphins

15.30 Atlantic Spotted dolphins, Pilot whales