The Namibian Dolphin Project (NDP),
A non-profit, research and conservation organization run by several independent scientists and educators, has been working in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz since 2008. Their primary mission is to research Namibia’s cetaceans (dolphins and whales) to generate high quality data which can then be used for conservation purposes.
The Marine Environmental Office
In 2018, with the financial support from several organisations including TOSCO (N$20 000), the NDP local research team was able to fix up the old ‘Regatta’ office, situated at the Walvis Bay Yacht Club and convert it into an office space. This was an important first step to develop the building into the Marine Environmental Office as we know it today. It has allowed them to start working with schools and communities through the Community Outreach Program. To date, they have received visits from over 600 students.
A reliable 4×4
More recently, concerned with the increasing number of dolphin and whale stranding at the coast and the pressing need to react to these strandings, the Namibian Dolphin Project once again requested TOSCO’s help, this time to replace their vehicle which had provided them with many years of loyal service. A reliable 4×4 is essential to their mission by providing transport to strandings, meetings, to assist with the launching of boats and to run the organization itself. TOSCO answered the call and came up with a few ideas to help them to collect funds…
In 2019, TOSCO contributed an initial N$ 10 000 towards this cause, followed by a further N$ 18 200 raised through an online fundraising campaign which targeted tour companies and individuals concerned by the plight of Namibian marine mammals. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the following individuals for their support:
Oliver Adolph, Joanne Lee, Sophie Guarasci, Jack Barkowski, Greg Frankfurter, Carole Shapero, Monika Hempel, Andy Fourie, Marta Bormioli Gambardella, Melanie Czarnofske, PJ Munro, Daniel Zambrano, Pietro Vermicelli and Ruth Robinson.
Simultaneously, TOSCO created social media campaigns to raise awareness. Two companies answered the call; Sea Work and Off Road Centre. Together they contributed a total of N$ 9 500. Thank you very much for your support!
TOSCO then also organised Yoga Sessions for Conservation on the beach in Walvis Bay and at the Nikhita Winkler Dance studio in Windhoek. A total of N$ 4 320 was raised. Thank you to the wonderful yoga teachers who animated these sessions: Ruth, Toya and Eva.
And thank you Nikhita for opening your dance studio in Windhoek to all the yoga and NDP fans!
Thanks to the participation of many individuals concerned with the protection of Namibian marine mammals, TOSCO and NDP together successfully raised a total of N$116 250!
“The Namibian Dolphin Project has conducted research on the whales and dolphins of Namibia since 2008. Much of our work has been focused on the impact of tourism activities on these animals so a partnership with TOSCO was a natural progression for us. TOSCO’s support of our work has allowed us to maintain key equipment like our research boat, and 4×4 vehicle and they played a key role in the funding and development of our new Marine Education Centre in Walvis Bay. We greatly appreciate the support that TOSCO has provided us over the last few years and really look forward to seeing what develops from our on-going relationship!”
Simon Elwen PhD- Director – Namibian Dolphin Project
To find out more about the Namibian Dolphin Project and their efforts in marine conservation, click here.