24th firmm meeting on February 25th, 2023, in Aarau

by firmm Team

Sam during the opening speech

Text: Pia Ackermann, Photos: Thomas Brückmann, Videos: José Manuel Escobar Casado

The 24th meeting (in 2021 it was cancelled due to the Corona pandemic) was dedicated to 25 years of firmm.

"Finally in Tarifa again!" The enthusiasm is written all over Sam Notz's face. The elder son of firmm founder Katharina Heyer travelled with his family to Spain to celebrate her 80th birthday in July 2022. The 25th firmm meeting in Aarau is traditionally a gathering of old and new firmm friends and those who may become supporters after the experiences of the evening.

Sam explains what this evening will hold in his introduction: "Good news" from the world of marine mammals will be brought by firmm foundation board member Prof. Dr. Patricia Holm, among others, as a result of her work on the committee of the International Whaling Commission. A review of the 25th season in Tarifa, which once again lasted a happy seven months after the Corona restrictions, will be presented by Katharina Heyer.

Prof. Dr. Patricia Holm: Good News

Patricia mit guten Nachrichten
Prof. Dr. Patricia Holm with good news

"Is the glass half full or half empty?" Anyone who is as close to the global events surrounding conservation efforts as Patricia Holm is, needs a thick skin.

She is all the more pleased to report for once on positive developments:

the UN agreement to combat waste and plastic in the world's oceans; isolated but important measures in shipping; the Icelanders' renunciation of Fin Whale hunting; and finally, the ground-breaking release of two Belugas into the wild after years of captivity in a Shanghai dolphinarium.

Click here for her lecture

Review by Katharina Heyer: 25 years firmm

Katharina bei ihrem Rückblick

For her retrospective on the season of 2022 and on 25 years firmm in Tarifa, Katharina dug out many older photos: Of the first whale watching boat, a zodiac with 18 seats, with which she started her adventure in 1998. Or of the "Uno", which many guests in the audience remember with nostalgia because you had to wear life jackets and occasionally got a gush of water. On the other hand, the guests were especially close to the Bottlenose Dolphins swimming alongside the boat.

There are also many photos of Baby Toni, as the first baby Pilot Whale of the season is called.

After the break, Sam announces a highlight: firmm marine biologist Jörn Selling is once again in Switzerland to present his research on the influence of the Tangier Med ports on Pilot Whales. Jörn's designated successor, José Manuel Escobar Casado, has set himself a real challenge for his first appearance in front of the firmm family: He will take the audience on a journey and comment it in German. "No legs no limits": After last year's trailer, Lars and Rüdi present a short version of the cinema film about their crazy "GP Challenge", which has been released in the meantime.

Jörn Selling: four harbours in the diversity hotspot

Jörn in a good mood after his lecture

Four harbours in the middle of the diversity hotspot - do they influence the Pilot Whale population in the Strait of Gibraltar? Jörn has been investigating this question since the first port was built in 2007. With his characteristic charm, he presents the results of his research.

Yes, it is true that the Pilot Whale groups are especially found further west, i.e., further out towards the Atlantic, when they have offspring with them.

But the sightings also have to do with the trips that the firmm boats are forced to make further west since the harbour was built. For more scientifically sound statements, data from journeys in an easterly direction would be necessary. One thing is certain: The group size of both Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins is shrinking - on average it has halved, for Pilot Whales from 14 to 6-7 animals since 1999 and for Bottlenose Dolphins from 24.5 to 11-12. One reason for this could be injuries and diseases, as is evident from the photo collection by firmm. There are three papers on this subject to which Patricia Holm, Ursula Siebert, Helena Herr, Eva-Maria Hanninger, Jörn Selling and Katharina Heyer contributed.

Click here for his lecture

José Manuel shows videos

José at his debut in Switzerland

After Jörn's thought-provoking research results, comes a more cheerful topic: José Manuel first introduces himself and then takes the audience on a journey to the lively Striped Dolphins, the elegant Common Dolphins, the jumping Bottlenose Dolphins, to playful Pilot Whales and his favourite whale, the majestic Sperm Whale.
As a sailor, José has his eyes everywhere during a boat tour, sharing his knowledge with the passengers while he quickly shoots a video sequence and is already on the lookout for the next whales or dolphins. The audience is not only impressed by the Orcas, which seem to be magically attracted by running engines, but also by his German.

Bravo, José, your commitment is appreciated!

Here some of José's films:

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Youtube video placeholder
Youtube video placeholder
Youtube video placeholder

Presentation of the board of trustees, staff and volunteers

The tireless work done by the numerous cogs in the firmm – machine is also appreciated. Katharina can rely on long-time members of the Foundation Board. Heike and Mario have been doing an incredible job behind the scenes for years, as have Thomas, Sonja, Jürg, Reto and Sebastian - each in his or her own field and beyond. After a heartfelt thank you and special applause for Heike, Katharina introduces her long-standing and loyal team in Tarifa and acknowledges their valuable work. Katharina also expresses her heartfelt thanks to all donors who regularly support firmm with donations either in kind or in cash. The tried and tested firmm meeting team incl. technology receives a special round of applause.

No legs – no limits: the film

The cheque is handed over.

«Know you can»:
Rüdiger Böhm and Lars Kyprian proved with their sailing adventure from Gibraltar to Palermo that most limits only exist in the mind. The short film whets the appetite for the whole movie, which, with luck, will be broadcasted in the Swiss television on 27.8.2023. At their exclusive screenings with main sponsor AXA, they raised money for two foundations close to their hearts. One of them is firmm,

and so a surprised Katharina receives a symbolic cheque over the amount of CHF 6,000.

The evening comes to an end

"Just by setting off, you achieve more than all those sitting at home on the sofa" - with Rüdi's closing words in the short film, this report on the 24th firmm meeting concludes.

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