Testimonials

It is a rare thing to find a team of people wed so completely to two moral commitments – to strive to be an advocate and a voice for the many species whose lives are the sea – and to always speak and act with honesty, integrity and grace. In a world where every day brings sad and terrible news, and the many organisations of the world scream ever louder for our attention, OceanCare’s power is their enlightened and intertwined commitments. We listen to that power. It speaks to our core.

Looking back at more than two decades of cooperation with OceanCare, these are the characteristics that keep inspiring me to this day: the ability to recognise threats to the oceans and to address them long before they become mainstream issues; targeted efficiency that’s unmatched; and a team living up to the vision of healthy oceans with an approach and passion so positive that it is contagious. Apart from all the success stories in marine conservation, the team also teaches us that a humanitarian attitude in cooperation opens doors and can already change many things for the better.

Mediterranean whales and dolphins are an important component of marine biodiversity. Striving for their conservation helps protecting other marine species as well, and the entire ecosystem they live in. Unfortunately, their survival is under threat by many human activities, and governments seem unable or unwilling to do much about it, beyond useless expressions of good will. So, the contribution of OceanCare is of fundamental importance, because it represents the will of civil society to promote concrete actions, to support the advancement of knowledge which is essential to conservation, and to spur institutions to keep to their commitments. OceanCare provides hope that, one day, whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean may realise that there is somebody among us who cares for them.

I think it is very commendable that you are endowed not only with profound expertise but also with ethical sensitivity and political commitment – this holistic combination is quite rare.

I value OceanCare because of their determination and success in speaking out for the protection of marine wildlife, especially whales, dolphins and seals. Your positions have a sound scientific basis and your activities are characterised by excellent national and especially international cooperation.

I have been amazed at OceanCare’s dedication and efforts for many years. Be it during the preliminary stages of the Swiss participation in the IWC (International Whaling Commission) and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), or in their public outreach. My personal initiatives on the protection of marine mammals provided respective support. OceanCare’s achievements are primarily earned through their tireless and skilful efforts – which deserve many thanks.

OceanCare’s work on a range of small cetacean issues is extremely impressive. Their approach is always constructive and visionary and their work has a clear and positive impact at the national, regional and international level.

As ‘terrestrial humans’, we often forget that our lives depend directly on marine creatures and the state of the oceans. OceanCare specialises in the protection of marine life and is an efficient advocate for dolphins, whales and seals. The protection of biodiversity, on land and in the ocean, is a long-term prerequisite for our own lives and thus fully deserves our support.

… I’m sending you a brief note to say how much I enjoyed meeting you at the sea turtle/marine mammal meeting at the American Museum of Natural History. I thoroughly enjoyed your remarks and wish you every success with your work …

We’ve been proud to work together for many years with OceanCare on international protection of dolphins and whales. OceanCare is a strong voice against the capture and captivity of dolphins and whales. OceanCare’s staff are dedicated and effective!

I know – and highly value – the work of OceanCare. Our oceans, and especially the marine mammals as inhabitants, need and deserve our protection. We must hold in trust these natural resources and the cohabitants of this earth for the benefit of our own future and that of our children.