Along with the rest of the world, FMB has had to adjust and adapt to cope with the sudden turmoil of the Covid-19 pandemic. Luckily, so far there have been no cases of coronavirus detected on the island of Maio. However, the authorities are taking a proactive approach and have declared a state of emergency which at the time of writing is just being lifted. Read about how FMB has reacted to the coronavirus pandemic on the island of Maio in FFI’s article “Beyond conservation – Crisis response in the age of Covid-19”. Link to the FFI article here.
As part of FMB’s response to the coronavirus crisis, we have been adding our support to the council ‘Municipio do Maio’, the National Police, the Red Cross, fishing associations, and other organisations on the island, to check up on isolated communities, to distribute food baskets, and provide an important point of contact for the people of Maio.
Once a week FMB conducts round-island trips with the National Police (pictures below) to check up on the health and needs of local communities, and communicates a list of needs to the relevant authorities and organisations to ensure that these people are receiving the help they need. We also have provided emergency contact numbers for emergency situations, both health and safety related, but also particularly for environmental issues that may arise – such as injured wildlife, or cetacean strandings.
This emergency contact has been utilised on a number of occasions, including a call out to the stranding of a pilot whale and a melon-headed whale on the beaches of Morro. Unfortunately both animals were already deceased, and the pilot whale showed signs of shark bites. Both animals were measured and their burial arranged.
Importantly, FMB has also been involved in the effort to help those on the island who are the most vulnerable to cope with the lack of income and restrictions that the emergency state imposes. To this end, we have assisted the Red Cross in distributing food baskets to communities, as well as checking up on all communities and creating lists of needs to be communicated to the relevant authorities.
The Association of Co-Management of Fisheries (ACPVS) have also carried out an initiative to distribute food baskets and toiletries to families in need, supported by the National Police and FMB.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a reminder to us all of the importance of protecting our environment, and the delicate balance between humans and nature. Although this is a difficult and tumultuous time, we know that together we are stronger, and FMB is committed to being there for the people and nature of Maio.
If you want to help support FMB in our community work, and with our wider mission of protecting the island of Maio’s beautiful biodiversity, please consider donating through the link below. Thank you!