Theunis Piersma appointed Knight in the National Order of Mauritania

Professor of Global Flyway Ecology Theunis Piersma of the University of Groningen (GELIFES, Faculty of Science and Engineering) has been appointed a Knight in the National Order of Mauritania. He was awarded this distinction in recognition of his dedication to nature conservation in the Banc d'Arguin, a vital ecological region in the West African country.

"It was completely unexpected," says Piersma. The Hemelum native sees it as the crowning achievement of his career. "This is an incredible recognition of forty years of unwavering commitment to studying Mauritania's ecosystem."

Sister to our Wadden Sea

As a twenty-year-old student, he first set foot in the country for a bird count in the Banc d'Arguin region. "Actually, it’s like a sister to our Wadden Sea. We didn’t know that for sure back then, but we suspected it. Many birds that either breed in the Wadden Sea or migrate through it end up there. The two regions are deeply connected."

Piersma has returned to the area many times since. Through the NIOZ research institute, he organized an annual expedition for 24 years, working closely with Mauritanian partners. "That connection has only grown stronger over time."

That he has now received an award for his efforts in the West African nature reserve comes as a surprise. However, according to Piersma, it aligns well with the strong relationship that ecologists have built with Mauritania over the years.

A Friendly Bond

"We have had a solid, long-standing friendship with the people there. Somehow, that connection reached people we normally wouldn't interact with much—the governing level of Mauritania."

Piersma observes that in Africa, the area is better protected than our own Wadden region. "The area covers a third of the coastline there, and it’s a region where economic activities must be kept to a minimum. And they do just that."

According to him, we could learn a thing or two from how Mauritania treats its birds. "They simply leave them alone, even near villages. At sea, patrol boats monitor and prevent aggressive fishing practices."

Previous award

This is not the first honor for Piersma. In 2017, he was appointed Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion in the Netherlands.