2009-11-27

Knighthood Awarded To Italian Cetacean Expert

WDCS is pleased to report that one of its closest allies and oldest friends, the Italian cetacean expert, Dr Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara http://www.disciara.net/ , has been given a knighthood in the Order of Saint-Charles by H.S.H. the Prince Albert II of Monaco. This was awarded for services rendered to the Principality of Monaco and in recognition of his role as the Chair of the Scientific Committee of ACCOBAMS (the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area).
 
Dr Notarbartolo di Sciara is recognized worldwide as an expert on cetacean biology and conservation. He received his doctorate from the University of California and has represented Italy in many multilateral environmental negotiations. Giuseppe lives with his family in Northern Italy. He has published many scientific papers and several books on cetacean and environmental themes. His latest book  ‘Beyond Cosmic Dice: Moral Life in a Random World’, which he has co-authored, takes a good hard look at the world today and why we are in the situation that we are currently in. He is the founder and honorary president of the Mediterranean conservation group Tethys, which WDCS works closely with.

Dr Notarbartolo di Sciara commented on his knighthood as follows: "I have worked for many decades for the conservation of the sea, because I believe in the need of it and I like doing it but never before haveI had a notion that my commitment would be appreciated, or even noticed, by the highest institutions. Prince Albert has now given me the encouragement to continue for another half century".

WDCS Chief Executive, Chris Butler-Stroud was quick to praise the award and its recipient. “There are a handful of people that should be honoured as heroes in cetacean conservation and Giuseppe is certainly amongst this distinguished few. This recognition is a worthy statement of the honour and respect, but also the affection, with which Giuseppe is regarded around the world. The world is a better place because of him.’

Mark Simmonds, WDCS International Director of Science, adds: ‘This award is entirely deserved. Giuseppe is one of the conservation world’s wise and compassionate men and his contributions in the Mediterranean and beyond are greatly appreciated by his peers and all those who care about whales and dolphins. WDCS salutes him and looks forward to that next promised 50 years.”

Source: Tethys News: http://istitutotethys.blogspot.com/2009/11/giuseppe-notarbartolo-di-sciara.html http://istitutotethys.blogspot.com/2009/11/giuseppe-notarbartolo-di-sciara.html
 
More about Guiseppe, his books and other publications here: http://www.disciara.net/