Nature and Biodiversity
How can we protect the Indian Ocean's humpback dolphins?
There are fewer than 1,000 humpback dolphins in the wild, and the future of the species doesn't look promising.
Born in Antwerp –Belgium- I have had an interest in marine mammal conservation for as long as I can remember. Pursuant upon this life-long passion, I conducted most of my research and conservation work in Argentina, focussing on bottlenose dolphins and southern right whales. Currently, my aim is to use my expertise to aid in a marine conservation effort on the humpback dolphin in South Africa.
My core research expertise and interest lies in animal behaviour, ecology and population biology. With the use of science, I aim to understand the causal factors affecting marine mammal conservation in order to aid in enhancing conservation management strategies.
Summary of my work:
2015 – ongoing: Post-doctoral fellow, University of Pretoria, Mammal Research Institute
2014 – ongoing: Principal Investigator, Sea Search
2013 – ongoing: Co-Founder and Scientific Director of Whalefish, a non-profit organization for the conservation of the marine environment
2013 – 2015: Committee member of the Marine Mammal Observer Association
2011 – 2014: University of Liège, PhD: Population ecology of inshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in North Patagonia, Argentina” Supervisors: Dr. K. Das and Dr. S. Bräger
July 2011: Scientific Advisor of the Belgian Delegation at the 63th International Whaling Commission, Jersey, United Kingdom.
2006 – 2011 : Director and main researcher Project Toninas “Population ecology and biogeography of inshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the South-West Atlantic”, Marybio Foundation
2009 – 2011 : Co-founder, Director and tutor of “Refugio de Delfines”, an interpretation centre for marine mammals based in Las Grutas, Patagonia, Argentina
2008 – 2011 : Co-Director and main researcher Project Right Whales “Evaluating the impact of tourism activities on the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) on North Patagonia, Argentina”, Marybio Foundation
2006 – 2011: Co-Founder and president of the Marybio Foundation, a non-profit organization for the investigation of marine mammals, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina
2001 – 2003: University of Brussels, MSc: “Photo-identification and activities of Southern Right Whales at the breeding ground Península Valdés, Argentina.” Supervisors: Prof. C. Joiris and Dr. L. Holsbeek
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