Environmental Consulting

At the BDRI, we provide consulting services with expertise in environmental research methodology and development. We have been providing scientific consulting services related to marine mammal conservation since our creation in 2005. Particularly, we provide services for the creation and supervision of research projects, collection and interpretation of relevant scientific data, advice, capacity building, and recommendations to project proponents, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and interested stakeholders.

 

Our research staff have developed experience since the 1990s in a wide range of subject areas including in marine mammal distribution, marine mammal behaviour, marine conservation, bioacoustics (marine mammal communication, passive acoustic monitoring), interaction with human activities, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ecological modelling, design of field surveys (land-based, boat-based)... This historical perspective gives us the insight to see past the latest fads in marine mammal research and design the best solutions to our collaborators' needs.

 

We make available the knowledge and expertise of our director, Dr. Bruno Díaz López, and his team of researchers, usually on a contractual basis, for projects relating to their skills, experience, and interest. Dr. Díaz López is globally recognized by his peers as an expert on marine mammals and their interaction with human activities (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture, coastal development and tourism). He and his team have published many scientific articles and books in the field of marine mammal conservation biology.

 

Our scientific services include (but are not limited to):

• Field research on marine mammal ecology and behaviour

• Marine mammal research project management

• Environmental Impact Assessments relating to marine mammals

• Conservation planning

• Public lectures and training in marine mammal research techniques

• Development of mitigation measures for marine mammals

• Workshop development and coordination


Dolphins research Whales research Marine birds research Marine mammal research

 

BDRI members seek to contribute to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and marine birds, expand the public's knowledge and concern for our marine environment, and add to the scientific knowledge through the publication of scientific articles from our own field data.

 

BDRI laboratory and classroomsMarine mammal internshipBDRI laboratory and classrooms

 

The incredible diversity of cetaceans present in our study area (Galicia, NW Spain) allows the BDRI team to have several ongoing research projects focused on the study of the ecology and behaviour of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), killer whales (Orcinus orca), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), beaked whales (3 different species), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). Moreover, Galician waters are also home to hundreds of species of marine birds, sharks and to the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), which are also included in our studies. A variety of conservation issues affect the species in these waters, many of which are related to human activity, such as the interaction with fisheries (a significant cause of mortality), overfishing, aquaculture activities, oil spills, pollution, the effects of shipping noise, military activity, and tourism.

 

We also conducts studies in Italy and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The most recent of these is a new study in the Arabian Sea on the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, the finless porpoise, the dugong and the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin with the support of the Government Environment Agency (EAD) of Abu Dhabi. BDRI scientists collaborate with various research institutions to increase knowledge of the marine environment, emphasizing the importance of conserving marine biodiversity.

 

Discover the species studied by the BDRI...

Learn more about BDRI study area (Galicia, NW Spain)...

Read BDRI scientific publications...

 

 

One of the aims of the BDRI is to train future marine mammal scientists by offering a wide range of programs and opportunities for students at all stages of their career. In addition to the marine research activities, we have rigorous educational programs providing work experience opportunities: internship positions, volunteering, training courses, and university project placements for bachelor and master students throughout the year.

 

Our educational programs aim to prepare students for a professional career in marine mammals and marine birds research, and conservation of the marine environment. So, if you want to be a part of this unique experience and are a person who is interested in going abroad and obtaining hands-on experience in scientific research, boat-based field work, intensive training while having fun and meeting people from all over the world, then these are the programs for you.

 

Internships in marine mammal science Volunteering with dolphins and whales Marine mammal research courses

 

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