Formal research on Nicaragua humpback whales has been ongoing since 2016 uncovering intriguing information and discoveries for this important breeding area. Join us as Joëlle De Weerdt presents the latest research advancements drawing from the results of her PhD thesis as well as giving us new, exciting perspectives in what the future holds for humpback whale research.
BIO
Dr. De Weerdt is the founder of the cetacean conservation program of her non-profit organization Association ELI-S. Dr. Joëlle De Weerdt launched the first effort to protect the endangered humpback whale population in Nicaragua and is an award-winning ocean conservationist. The project aims at collecting baseline information on humpback whales, various dolphin species and sea turtles. She participated in the development of the first whale watching law developed in Nicaragua in 2021. Through her project she raised awareness to more than 200 children and hundreds of fishermen in local communities; removed more than one ton of thrash from the beaches; liberated 7 olive ridley turtles, one brown booby and one mother humpback whale from fishing nets; rescued one green turtle from death and removed waste and ghost nets from the ocean. She investigates various aspects of population ecology, to understand the potential threats and offer solutions to the endangered Central America humpback whale population and other marine fauna.
