Mission Statement: The Instituto Jubarte's main concern is preserving the beaches on the Brazilian North Atlantic and researching and protecting the endangered Jubarte whales, which migrate to the warm waters of the Abrolhos Archipelago, off the coast of Bahia, during the winter months, to breed.
Instituto Baleia Jubarte
Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos
Praia do Kitongo, s/n
Caravelas, BA 45900-000
Brazil
Phone: +55-73-297-1320
E-mail: jubarte@nuxnet.com.br
Web site: www.cria-ativa.com.br/jubarte
Formed: 1996
Membership Cost: Donations gladly accepted
Chapters: 1
Executive Director: Marcia Engel
From the Beach: 100% of revenue from private contributions and eco-tourism
To the Beach: 100% of total expenses used for programs and issues. Twelve researchers (oceanographers, biologists, environmental studies pros) are paid.
Roots | Past Victories | Present Battles
Roots
In April 1996, the Jubarte Institute was created with the goal of developing research activities that would help improve the quality of life in the coastal areas of the Brazilian North Atlantic. It started with a couple of researchers concerned with the fate of the Jubarte whales, which back in 1996 were in the brink of extinction.
Since its creation, the institute has grown by leaps and bounds. They've become an important center of oceanographic research in Brazil and have done wonders to preserve the Jubarte whales. "We now are able to recognize each whale individually. We have 700 whales already cataloged," says Jubarte biologist Ana Freitas.
The institute's main area of activity is local. And in Brazil -- like many other countries -- local activism can be more successful than political pressure in the federal capital when it comes to preserving the environment. Though the Institute does work tightly with the IBAMA (Brazilian Secretary of Environment), most of its visible work has been done on a local level.
The institute works with coastal communities from the north coast of Rio to the south coast of Bahia, trying to educate the local folk on how to go on with their economic activities -- fishing, farming, etc. -- without damaging the ocean. To do so, the institute has been organizing workshops and courses at schools and local community centers.
Since its implementation, the educational program run by the institute seems to have achieved positive results with regards to teaching the Brazilian coastal men and women how to recycle, how to use chemicals in moderation, how to fish in a fish-friendly way (contradiction, I know) and how to help save stranded whales on their annual visit to the waters of Bahia.
Past Victories
(1996-) Helped prevent the Jubarte whales from disappearing from the face of the earth
When the institute was founded, there were fewer than 20,000 of the Jubarte whales left in the world. Today, the total population is estimated to range between 25 and 30,000. "The number of whales has been going up year after year," Freitas says.
(1997-) Has succeeded in making the local fishermen and farmers fish and farm in more environmentally friendly ways through its community outreach programs
(1996-) Helped the region become the heart of eco-tourism in Brazil
Thousands flock to the area every winter to check out the cool Jubarte whales and swim among the amazing coral life of the Abrolhos Archipelago. "The institute has become a symbol of economic prosperity in the region," Freitas says.
Present Battles
(1999-) Developing a deeper level of awareness and commitment among the local fishermen
The institute is still struggling to prevent the locals from fishing during breeding seasons.
(1999-) Finding a way to overcome environmental cultural obstacles in Brazil
"The battle to preserve the environment is ongoing and nonstop. That's our present battle," Freitas says. --Vince Medeiros
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