ALTEN Switzerland is very proud to support Robin Quiblier, Specialist, engineer specialist in the in pharmaceutical processes. Robin is currently in Belize participating in an Eco volunteering project with an international association which goal is the conservation and protection of the coral reef. We will follow his progress during the month of February.
CORAL REEFS
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and economically valuable ecosystems on earth. Coral ecosystems are a source of food for millions of people; protect coastlines from storms and erosion; provide habitat, spawning and nursery grounds for economically important fish species; provide jobs and income to local economies from fishing, recreation, and tourism; are a source of new medicines, and are hotspots of marine biodiversity.
Coral reefs are facing multiple stresses such as pollution, overfishing, and, overall, the ongoing climate change―consequently raising sea water temperatures and causing coral bleaching worldwide. As a result, over 50 percent of the world’s coral reefs have died in the last 30 years and up to 90 percent may die within the next century.
ROBIN’S WORK
This week, Robin has participated in a workshop on fishes and corals identification. The goal is to assist the scientific monitoring of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, through collecting data. He also cleaned up a beach: plastic pollution having become a major issue worldwide. Robin and his teammates collected around 15 kg of garbage. Robin, we are really proud of you!
Stay tuned to learn more about Robin’s project in the next weeks!
ROBIN’S TESTIMONIAL
“This project is particularly meaningful to me because I can put my scientific and diving knowledge at the service of a cause that can have a positive impact on the future. Ecological commitment has always been of particular importance to me: I did my studies in chemistry with a specialization in organic chemistry to be able to have a significant impact on this. Moreover, ocean pollution and the destruction of coral reefs are subjects on which people are still not very aware today. It‘s a world we don‘t see on a daily basis and we don‘t see the impact of our lifestyles. This project has a scientific focus and given my background it is something I am sensitive to. It allows us to better understand these phenomena and to have an action in the medium and long term.”
