MilVoz has been monitoring and exposing the recurring deaths of birds in the transparent aerial nylon nets used in the aquaculture facilities of the Mondego estuary. The mortality is immense and affects a wide range of birds with the most diverse conservation statuses, from the smallest wading bird to the largest birds of prey. (You can access the image gallery here: https://shorturl.at/fkGI2).
In response to the multiple complaints, a working group was created in February 2019, which includes MilVoz, SPEA, representatives of the aquaculture producers, and the licensing/supervisory bodies ICNF and DGRM, with the aim of resolving this problem, for which easy-to-implement solutions are known, such as marker devices and coloured nets.
More than a year after the creation of this working group, not only has the situation on the ground remained unchanged, but ICNF and DGRM maintain the same inconsequential, inert and condescending attitude towards this problem, failing to respond to contacts and proposals from the working group and not acting to provide aquaculture producers with what was considered the primary measure to be adopted as a first step in resolving this problem: a simple document with recommendations on how to act when a bird is found accidentally caught in the said nylon nets.
Furthermore, confronted with the illegality of these nets and the inaction of ICNF in the face of a problem that persists and kills hundreds of birds in our estuaries, and after all constructive attempts to resolve this issue with ICNF and DGRM, MilVoz sees no alternative but mass reporting, for which it counts on the civil community. We therefore call on you to join us in demanding an immediate resolution to this ecocide by: 1. Reporting to SEPNA the large-scale mortality of birds in illegal nets; 2. Reporting to IGAMAOT the continued passivity and inaction of the competent authorities (ICNF and DGRM); 3. Appealing to ICNF to take immediate action. To this end, we provide below a template text for each action point, along with the addresses to which you should send your submission. Your action will make all the difference!
- Recipient: sepna@gnr.pt
SUBJECT: Large-scale mortality of wild birds in aquaculture facilities
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to report the large-scale mortality of wild birds in the aerial nylon nets used in aquaculture facilities in the Mondego estuary, a situation that has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the competent authorities (ICNF, SEPNA, DGRM) over recent years without any action on their part to resolve this serious problem.
This problem results annually in the deaths of hundreds of birds in our estuaries, affecting species with the most diverse conservation statuses, from the smallest wading bird to the largest birds of prey. When attempting to land on the tanks, these birds become entangled in transparent nylon threads, frequently resulting in cuts and exposed fractures, leading to a slow and agonising death. (See image gallery at: https://shorturl.at/fkGI2)
This issue is compounded by the already proven illegality of the nets in question, making it imperative that this situation be corrected immediately.
Yours sincerely,
(fill in your name)
- Recipient: igamaot@igamaot.gov.pt
SUBJECT: Large-scale mortality of wild birds in aquaculture facilities
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to report the large-scale mortality of wild birds in the aerial nylon nets used in aquaculture facilities in the Mondego estuary, a situation that has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the competent authorities (ICNF, SEPNA, DGRM) over recent years without any action on their part to resolve this serious problem.
This problem results annually in the deaths of hundreds of birds in our estuaries, affecting species with the most diverse conservation statuses, from the smallest wading bird to the largest birds of prey. When attempting to land on the tanks, these birds become entangled in transparent nylon threads, frequently resulting in cuts and exposed fractures, leading to a slow and agonising death. (See image gallery at: https://shorturl.at/fkGI2)
Given the inertia, indulgence and lack of action from the licensing and supervisory bodies ICNF and DGRM regarding this ongoing ecocide, I demand immediate action against the recurring and large-scale mortality of birdlife in the said fish farms.
Yours sincerely,
(fill in your name)
- Recipients: geral@icnf.pt ; secretariado.cd@icnf.pt ; gac@icnf.pt ; dcnb@icnf.pt ; DRCNF.Norte@icnf.pt ; DRCNF.Centro@icnf.pt ; DRCNF.LVT@icnf.pt ; DRCNF.Alentejo@icnf.pt ; DRCNF.Algarve@icnf.pt ; cempa@icnf.pt
SUBJECT: Large-scale mortality of wild birds in aquaculture facilities
Dear Sirs,
I am writing to report the large-scale mortality of wild birds in the aerial nylon nets used in aquaculture facilities in the Mondego estuary, a situation that has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the competent authorities (ICNF, SEPNA, DGRM) over recent years without any action on their part to resolve this serious problem.
This problem results annually in the deaths of hundreds of birds in our estuaries, affecting species with the most diverse conservation statuses, from the smallest wading bird to the largest birds of prey. When attempting to land on the tanks, these birds become entangled in transparent nylon threads, frequently resulting in cuts and exposed fractures, leading to a slow and agonising death. (See image gallery at: https://shorturl.at/fkGI2)
This issue is compounded by the already proven illegality of the nets in question, making it imperative that this situation be corrected immediately.
Yours sincerely,
(fill in your name)
