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Press release
GREMM, a proud partner of MONTREAL 2005 Tadoussac, May 13, 2004 – The Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) is proud to be associated with MONTREAL 2005 for the XI FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. GREMM is a non-profit organization based in Tadoussac that has been fulfilling the double mandate of scientific research on the whales of the St. Lawrence and education for the conservation of whales and their environment since 1985. We have been working with the St. Lawrence beluga whale for nearly 20 years and, to us, choosing it as a symbol of greeting for this world-class sporting event is very appropriate. We are particularly pleased with the fact that for once the St. Lawrence beluga whale will be making headlines for a propitious event rather than for more troubling news concerning the state of the population or threats to its existence. The very survival of the beluga whale depends upon how much we value it. Introducing beluga whales into the lives of young people and making these animals real is also a great way of making them precious. MONTREAL 2005 has adopted St. Lawrence beluga whale Dl 1242. In honour of this, a contest has been launched in schools throughout Quebec to the name this young, male beluga whale. Dl 1242 is approximately 15 years old and our team has been studying him since 1993. The St. Lawrence National Institute of Ecotoxicology (SLNIE) launched the "Let’s adopt a beluga!" fund raising campaign in 1988 to acquire necessary equipment for ongoing beluga whale research. A total of 114 beluga whales have since been adopted by both large and small companies, schools of all levels, groups of individuals, foundations, municipalities and a few private citizens. We invite all young people whose curiosity has been aroused by the school tour and the holding of the XI FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS to consult the Whales Online Internet site. (www.whales-online.net). This site is updated weekly by members of the GREMM team. On it you will find scores of information on whales and whale research, as well as weekly sightings in the St. Lawrence. So, dive in everyone! - 30 - Source:
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