How the Covid-19 pandemic impacted migration through the Mediterranean
While the European Union boasts of low numbers attempting the treacherous journey in 2020, migrants and rescue organisations paint a different picture
People rescued at sea sit on the deck of the Ocean Viking rescue ship, operated by French NGO, SOS Mediterranee, in the Mediterranean Sea on 4 July 2020 (AFP) By Published date: 4 February 2021 12:56 UTC | Last update: 1 month ago
On 1 January, Frontex, the European Union’s border force, tweeted a video celebrating their work in 2020 - a photo montage of masked border guards in bullet proof vests, with a caption boasting “the lowest number of illegal border crossings since 2013”.
A ANIMAL lover has set up a group on Facebook to encourage people to share their sightings of marine mammals off the Cumbrian coast. Sarah Neill said the aim of the page was to aid efforts to protect creatures such as whales and dolphins. Seals are a popular feature of South Walney Nature Reserve, Barrow. The reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria. It s just an easy way for people to post their sightings and to generate interest as well, said Miss Neill, Cumbria coordinator for Sea Watch. She said there was perhaps more wildlife off the coast of Cumbria than people realised.
A MARINE biologist is hoping to embark on a trip of a lifetime studying Orcas and humpback whales in the Arctic Ocean. Sarah Neill, who lives in Grange, has been fascinated by marine biology since she was six years old, leading her to launch a career in the study of marine wildlife. Miss Neill, who works as a marine biologist and lecturer at Kendal College, said it feels like a rollercoaster when she spots whales or dolphins in the sea. I fell in love with the sea at a very young age and everything that lived in it, she said.
A MARINE biologist is hoping to embark on a trip of a lifetime studying Orcas and humpback whales in the Arctic Ocean. Sarah Neill, who lives in Grange, has been fascinated by marine biology since she was six years old, leading her to launch a career in the study of marine wildlife. Miss Neill, who works as a marine biologist and lecturer at Kendal College, said it feels like a rollercoaster when she spots whales or dolphins in the sea. I fell in love with the sea at a very young age and everything that lived in it, she said.
The Sea Watch Foundation is looking for volunteers to help record sightings of marine creatures in Cumbria. As part of their research and monitoring programme, the foundation has launched a new Facebook group called Cumbria Whale and Dolphin Watch for people to report their sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the Cumbria coastline. Sarah Neill, from the group said: We also welcome regular observers to carry out systematic sea watches and submit their effort forms, and whilst we do appreciate records of sea watching and cetacean sightings during these difficult times please keep safe and observe Government Covid 19 lockdown restrictions.