More to find out / Projects and Campaigns
View all reports and documents published by the CRAM Foundation.
Areas of Action:
- Clinic and rescue
- Conservation Actions
- Education, training and scientific spreading
Clinic and rescue |
Turtle excluder device (TED) - Project with Obra Social Caja Madrid
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In recent years the increase in sea turtle bycatch from trawling has been remarkable throughout the Spanish Mediterranean coast. For this reason the CRAM Foundation is studying the possibility of implementing these devices that have been proven useful in other parts of the world.
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Circle hook and cutting pole |
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According to the experience of studies on the J hooks and circular hooks (G), two of the key factors that determine the severity of the lesions in the animals captured by longline fishing are weight lifting and fishing line. The CRAM Foundation examines the hook circular lesions that occur in the esophagus and the possibility of producing and distributing cutting line poles between the fishermen.
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Sea Turtle Reproduction Studies |
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This project consists on several steps aimed to establishing a captive breeding program of loggerhead turtle, conducted at the Center for Rehabilitation of Marine Animals of the CRAM Foundation. Using animals that are not suitable for reintroduction to the wildlife, we study simple and non-invasive methods to assess the reproductive cycle of these specimens, and for the extraction and storage of semen from males of Caretta caretta.
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“Ajudem-la” (Help them)
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CRAM has, since 1995, an annual campaign called "Ajudem-la" with the aim of reducing the turtle’s mortality in bycatch with awareness actions, rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of sea turtles that have been affected by different fishing gears, especially the longline fishing.
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G project
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In 2007, CRAM carried out the first clinical study of turtle’s injury and mortality produced by the circular hook in short and medium term compared with was found in J hooks in previous studies.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 6,2 Mb] |
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Rescue against epidemics
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In the summer of 2007 a new outbreak of the epidemic Morbilivirus was declared, thje same virus that in the 90s had destroyed part of the Mediterranean population of stripped dolphins (Stenella coeruloealba). Based on the experience of 90, CRAM designed an emergency plan to help all the stranded animals along the Catalan coast.
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Hook project
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The ultimate goal of "Hook project" is to design a new hook model made of an special material that allows to dissolve it if it is anchored in a turtle’s esophagus so that the animal can expelled it via the digestive tract.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 820 kb] |
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J project
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In 2002 and 2003 CRAM carried out a research on the effects of the J hook or on turtles caught accidentally. The procedure used was the observation, over 24 months of 11 juvenile loggerhead turtles with J hook anchored in his esophagus.
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Pathology anatomy studies
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Unfortunately, many of the animals that strand on our beaches arrive extremely weak and sick, or dead. In cases where these animals have a good state of preservation, post-mortem examinations are performed to try to find the cause of death.
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Conservation Actions |
Estudio de la mortalidad de aves por interacción con cultivos marinos y estudio de medidas mitigadoras
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Today, there has not been quantified the seabirds mortality associated with this activity and which are the species most affected by this process.
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Defend sharks
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The lack of regulation for shark fishing is why it is threatened. CRAM is part of the "Shark Alliance", the entity who defends the sharks requiring a legislation. With this aim, we carries out awareness and participate events like the "Shark Week."
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Sharks and Rays: contribution to its conservation and his fisheries management with Obra Social Caja Madrid
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40% of Mediterranean shark species are endangered and many of his catches were not recorded. To contribute to the conservation CRAM carries out, through the collaboration of Obra Social Caja Madrid, the quantification of errors in labeling in Catalan fish markets and raises awareness among the fishermen.
More information - Document - in spanish [Tamaño 4,2 Mb] |
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Article on shark fishing in Spain
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The Spanish fishing fleet leads the catch of sharks in Europe and makes an enormous pressure on the Atlantic populations of elasmobranchs. To raise awareness about the current status of these species, the CRAM Foundation carries out reports and provides information on legislative changes that will be updated periodically.
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“la Caixa” a favor del mar– The Vell Marí route 2009
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The scientific program "la Caixa" a favor del mar developed with the partnership of Obra Social "la Caixa" and the CRAM Foundation, will focus this year on providing data to the European project Carboocean to know which is the relationship between atmosphere and ocean regarding CO2.
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Exploration of the state of the sea-whips and coral stocks in the Marine Reserve Islas Columbretes
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In the Marine Reserve of Islas Columbretes the CRAM Foundation has been carrying out a comprehensive monitoring of the status of the populations of corals and sea-whips. For years, the General Direction for Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture has been developing the control of the phenomena related to changes in habitats and species of the Mediterranean. It also monitors other effects related to climate change that could affect the rest of the communities of these funds. The study seeks also to achieve long-term time series robust enough to better understand these phenomena and anticipate it. The CRAM Foundation through the program of Obra Social “La Caixa”: "la Caixa” in favour of the sea: The Vell Marí Route" documented this monitoring in order to make aware of it.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 2,6 Mb] Note: This report contains 2 campaigns in 2008. |
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Study of the Calonectris diomedea populations on the north coast of Menorca
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The program from Obra Social “la Caixa”: "la Caixa in favour of the sea: the Vell Marí route fhas dedicated a specific campaign to report data on the nesting of this species on the north coast of Menorca; where there is one of the three largest colonies in the Mediterranean near the island of Cabrera and Chafarinas. There, a study was undertaken of the nesting population in the northwest of the island to update data from the last census that was conducted 17 years ago.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 2,6 Mb] Note: This report contains 2 campaigns in 2008. |
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Exploration in the distribution depth limit of the invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa
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In order to know the limits of the distribution of this invasive species, not only surface but also in depth, the Vell Marí, through the program of Obra Social “la Caixa”: "la Caixa in favour of the sea: The Vell Marí route", visited Ibiza and Formentera waters.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 2,6 Mb] Note: This report contains 2 campaigns in 2008. |
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Study of the population of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Balearic Islands
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The main aim has been to obtain information from individuals, how they use their habitat and the collection of DNA samples from the shed skin that floats. CRAM has also investigated the population structure and its relationship with other communities of sperm whales in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through the use of acoustic recordings. The project has included a sighting and photo ID campaign on the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), which has been supplemented with data from other species such as sharks, turtles and other cetaceans.
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Study of Beluga whales in Alaska
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The team led by the CRAM collaborator and researcher from L’Ocenografic of Valencia, Manolo Castellote, has discovered that the population of belugas living in Disenchantment Bay (Alaska) governs their behavior patterns depending on the state of the tides. The study was conducted in May 2008 and was made possible through the device EAR (Ecologic Acoustic Recorder) provided by CRAM, which also allowed the analysis of ambient noise of the bay and the determination that the many cruise ships that travel in the area to visit The Hubbard Glacier don’t affect the lives of these cetaceans.
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Seabirds of the Atlantic islands: Salvajes, Madeira and Desiertas
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The Vell Mari has made transects around the islands to determine which species and the way they use the waters around the breeding colonies of the macaronesian region.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 650 kb] |
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Bioacoustics study on cetaceans
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The CRAM Foundation has used a pioneer system in Europe to conduct a study on the habits of cetacean populations and the impact of noise pollution in their communities through systems EAR ( Ecological Acoustic Recorder).
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 250 kb] |
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Application of new techniques in the assessment of noise pollution on cetacean populations
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Study of new assessment techniques to obtain values on the distribution and abundance of different species of cetaceans to ensure the proper management of the conservation of cetacean populations in the Canary Islands.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 450 kb] |
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Dispersal of invasive species through plastic and floating objects
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The aim of the campaigns developed in collaboration with CSIC has been collecting plastics in open waters to obtain data on the use of rafting by microalgae as a dispersal mechanism.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 540 kb] |
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Study of seabirds and cetaceans distribution in the area of El Cachucho
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El Cachucho’s bank, also called Le Danois, is a seamount located 65 km north of Ribadesella (Asturias). It presents geomorphological and hydrodynamic characteristics that classified it as a place of high productivity; thanks to the rise of deep waters rich in nutrients. These features has turned "El Cachucho" into an important breeding area for commercial and non-commercial species, and a place with populations of fragile animals with high ecological value such as spongesa and gorgonian and deep corals.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 1,5 Mb] |
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Status of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Catalan coast (2006-2007)
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With 41 fixed monitoring stations served by volunteers and distributed throughout the Catalan coast, the CRAM Foundation tracked the posidonia meadows by order of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 520 kb] |
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Pilot project of setting up systems for the study of maërl funds
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The main objective of the Vell Marí campaign in Galicia has been conducting a pilot test sampling for the maërl banks to propose the creation of an annually monitoring network on their conservation status.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 460 kb] |
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Categorization of the breeding habitat of the monk seal (Monachus monachus) in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic (Madeira)
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The objectives of this study include: the preliminary assessment of the morphology of the coastline using nautical charts and maps. And the water coast inspection to verify and document the possible presence of caves suitable as potential breeding grounds and refuge for seals.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 1 Mb] |
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Robot exploration (ROV) and acoustic transects in the chimneys area in the Gulf of Cadiz
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The main objective of the campaign has been exploring externarl areas of the continental shelf in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Gibraltar Strait.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 3.3 Mb] |
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Study of the fishery impact of the French driftnets (thonaille) on endangered species
(France, Gulf of Lion - Ligurian Sea)
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In the Mediterranean, the turtle catch rate by the bonito fleet is considerable in relation to the fleet of tuna and swordfish because of the much smaller size of the hooks. This fact calls into question the effectiveness of the hook when the circular sizes are much smaller than those used for bonito and damsel fish. Also, the injuries involving its shape when deep anchorage are unknown.
More information - Document - in spanish [Size 510 kb] |
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Education, training and scientific spreading
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"la Caixa" a Favor del Mar - The Vell Marí route 2009
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Aiming to raise awareness about the effects of climate change on our water, the CRAM Foundation and Obra Social "la Caixa" organized by the fourth consecutive year, the campaign: "la Caixa" in favour on the sea: the Vell Marí Route. In 2009 Vell Marí became the first sailing ship that travels all the Spanish coast (including both Atlantic and Mediterranean waters) conducting educational and scientific work.
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| "Torna a casa" (Come back home) |
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Each year, CRAM celebrates "Torna a Casa", a popular release of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in Premià de Mar’s beach that brings together more than a thousand people. This ceremony is the closing of the annual "Ajudem-la" focusing on the clinic and rehabilitation of this species.
The celebration aims to raise social awareness about the state of our marine environment. His reputation is essential to show the continued work that makes CRAM towards the rehabilitation and conservation of endangered marine species.
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Continued education on strandings assistance
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This courses are primarily meant to residents in coastal areas of Catalonia, because at any time, they may be expected to assist in the stranding of a marine animal. We intend to give them the technical training needed for any situation that involves a marine animal, and the way to act to take responsibility for emergency actions; always with the telephone support of CRAM staff.
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Green submerged protected areas
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The Green Submerged Areas project, carried out by "la Caixa" in favor of the sea during 2006, is an initiative that’s part of the Study Network for the quality of Posidonia meadows in Catalonia, which develops the CRAM Foundation on behalf of DAR ( Department of Agriculture Rural Development) since 2002.
The project objective was to inform citizens of the municipalities of each coastal municipality its submerged biological heritage.
The awareness campaign has been based on promoting the value of the underwater posidonia meadows, so they can be considered a green zone and included in future plans of land management.
More information - Document
- in spanish [Size 110 kb]
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Symposium on Sea Turtle and Posidonia in CosmoCaixa
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As closure of the annual campaigns, during November 2006 have been made different meetings to stimulate discussion and create a framework for the presentation, analysis and discussion of new strategies for the conservation of species and ecosystems.
More information - Document
- in spanish [Size 180 kb]
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