Russian - Albanian exchange visit to Tirana University and sea turtle emergency center
In July 2014, I visited Vitrina University in Tirana, Albania and sea turtle emergency center currently being constructed in Patok, Albania. The visit was organized by Vilma Piroli and Professor Idriz Haxhiu. The main objectives of the visit were to inform the Vitrina University lecturers and students on the marine conservation approaches and directions used by the NGOs in Russia; and to visit newly established sea turtle emergency center and get familiar with turtle research and conservation activities in Albania.
My lecture at Vitrina University was attended by more than 20 people. The presentation included information on some features of Russian environment, directions of industrial development, major problems related to marine mammal conservation. I specifically addressed ice associated seal species research and conservation issues, providing examples from Ladoga ringed seal population status assessment project and Caspian international seal survey. Some information was provided on environmental NGO Baltic Fund for Nature based in St Petersburg and any collaborative initiatives were welcomed.
The following day Vilma Piroli and Professor Idriz Haxhiu invited me to visit the sea turtle rescue center and take part in routine examination and tagging procedure for sea turtles accidently caught in fishing gear.
In Albania there is a well developed system allowing the scientists to interact efficiently with local fishermen and involve them into conservation and research project. The system is based on broad awareness raising campaigns as well as financial stimulation which implies compensation of boat fuel costs provided by the research project to the fishermen in case of a safe delivery of life by-caught turtle to the scientists. The area of Patok lagoon is a foraging ground for sea turtle and in summer season dozens of animals get entangled in fishing gear, particularly "stavniks". All of those animals are brought on shore, examined by biologists, measured, tagged with a metal tag and released back in to the wild.
The data obtained are used for long-term population monitoring. Construction of the first in the country emergency center for sea turtles was started recently in Patok in order to provide the facilities for turtle examination, treatment, short-term rehabilitation and various awareness raising and eco-education events. The center is at the intermediate stage of construction and will be ready soon to admit the first patients and visitors.
