Professor Theunis Piersma of University of Groningen Honored as Knight in Mauritania

Professor Theunis Piersma of University of Groningen Honored as Knight in Mauritania

(IN BRIEF) Professor Theunis Piersma of the University of Groningen has been named a Knight in the National Order of Mauritania in recognition of his decades-long dedication to nature conservation in the Bay of Arguin. Piersma, whose work has strengthened the bond between Mauritania and the international ecological community, continues to advocate for sustainable practices in the region. This honor follows his previous recognition in 2017 as Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRONINGEN, 15-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Groningen is proud to announce that Professor Theunis Piersma, a distinguished expert in Migration Ecology from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, has been awarded the title of Knight in the National Order of Mauritania. This prestigious honor was granted in recognition of his tireless efforts in nature conservation within the Bay of Arguin, a crucial ecological region in the West African country.

Piersma, who hails from Hemelum, was taken by surprise upon learning of the award. “It was completely unexpected,” he says. “To me, this feels like the pinnacle of my career. It’s a remarkable acknowledgment of forty years spent dedicated to studying the ecosystem of Mauritania.”

The bond between Piersma and Mauritania began when, as a young student, he first visited the country to conduct a bird count in the Banc d’Arguin region. “At the time, we didn’t know for sure, but we suspected it—this place was like a sister to our Wadden Sea,” Piersma recalls. “Many of the birds that either breed in the Wadden Sea or migrate through it find their way to this area, and we soon realized how deeply interconnected these two regions are.”

Since then, Piersma has returned to Mauritania numerous times, organizing an annual research expedition through the NIOZ research institute for 24 years, and collaborating closely with local Mauritanian partners. “The connection has only grown stronger over time,” Piersma reflects.

Receiving an award for his contributions to the preservation of this vital West African nature reserve may have been unexpected, but Piersma believes it is a fitting recognition of the long-standing relationship between ecologists and the country. “We’ve built strong ties with the people of Mauritania, and somehow, that connection reached those in power—people we wouldn’t normally interact with directly.”

Piersma also praises the level of protection afforded to the Bay of Arguin, noting that the region is actually better preserved than the Wadden Sea. “Mauritania has designated a third of its coastline as a protected area, with strict regulations that limit economic activities. They truly prioritize conservation, and this approach extends to the way they manage their wildlife.”

He adds that the Mauritanian model offers valuable lessons in conservation. “They leave the birds alone—even near villages. At sea, patrol boats monitor and prevent harmful fishing practices, ensuring that the ecosystem remains intact.”

This latest recognition is not the first for Piersma, who was also honored in 2017 as Knight in the Order of the Dutch Lion in the Netherlands.

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SOURCE: University of Groningen