Following two years of articulated efforts with the Government of Peru, researchers from Exeter University's Penryn Campus in Cornwall developed a new law to protect Amazon River dolphins and manatees.
In a release, Exeter University affirms the legislative initiative establishes the conservation and monitoring of pink and grey river dolphins, as well as the Amazonian manatee.
"These species are only found in the Amazon," law drafting team member Dr. Joanna Alfaro was quoted as saying by the university.
Thus, the new law seeks to protect said species —which are key in Amazonian aquatic ecosystems— from climate change, pollution and boat traffic.
This way, the National Action Plan for the Conservation of River Dolphins and the Amazonian Manatee fills a previous legal gap in Peruvian legislation.
"To bring about this legislation, we worked in close collaboration with the Peruvian government, with support from WWF Peru, and held five workshops with local authorities," Dr. Alfaro explained.
Government – academia efforts
Researcher Elizabeth Campbell, who also contributed to the creation of the law, highlighted joint efforts between the Peruvian Government and British academic sphere in the release.
"It was a long process but it showed how government agencies can work with non-governmental academics, private companies and others," she expressed.
Similarly, Exeter Professor Brendan Godley, who supervised the underpinning research, described the initiative as "a great example where research was used as a baseline for the legal framework to protect biodiversity."
The project was funded by the Darwin Initiative, a UK government grants scheme that helps to protect biodiversity and the natural environment.