Category Archives: Society News

Postponement of SMM2021 Conference until August 2022

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Aloha Marine Mammal Community,

We are reaching out today to share our decision to postpone both the in-person and the virtual 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals until 2022. The new dates will be Monday, August 1 to Friday, August 5, 2022 with workshops being held on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2022. All conference venues will remain the same.

The SMM2021 Conference Team has been closely monitoring COVID infection and vaccination trends throughout the pandemic. The global surge of infections related to the Delta-variant and the slow and inequitable rollout of vaccines compromises our ability to maximize participant safety and inclusivity.

We know that this change will significantly impact many of you who have submitted abstracts, planned workshops, already registered, received a grant, sponsored the conference and more.  We have included information below regarding some of the more obvious questions we expect to receive, and we will continue to sort out more details and share them with you over the next few weeks. Rest assured, there is no need for you to act on anything at this time; we are going to be applying maximum flexibility on all aspects of the conference (e.g., refunds, grants, sponsorship, etc.).

Though the future seems exceptionally uncertain these days, we intend to provide a world-class conference in 2022. We will be using the intervening months to maximize in-person safety,  enhance our virtual program experience, more deeply promote the inclusivity of the conference, and expand sponsorship to reduce cost for members of our community that could be aided with financial support. We will ensure that we are communicating regularly with you on how the plan is progressing. Please keep checking back on our questions and answers page for all questions related to the postponed conference by following this link.

 

Key Questions You Might Have:


1. I already paid for conference registration. What should I do?
You don’t need to do anything!  We will be rolling all registrations forward to the future conference date. However, if there is a reason you would like a refund we will work with you. Please contact registration@marinemammalscience.org if you have any questions.  Please be patient while we work through requests.

2. What is your registration refund policy?
If you require a refund for your conference registration, or any other items you’ve already paid for (e.g. workshop, merchandise, etc.), please contact registration@marinemammalscience.org and we will work to provide you with a full refund until Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 12pm (noon) EDT. After this date, our standard cancellation of $100 USD handling fee for registration cancellations will apply.

3. I didn’t take advantage of early bird registration because I was uncertain about traveling, will you be extending early bird now?
Don’t worry! We will be reopening and extending the early bird registration window. Early bird registration will now be open until Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 12pm (noon) EDT. If you registered after the original early bird deadline and paid full price, please reach out to registration@marinemammalscience.org to request a partial refund until Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 12pm (noon) EDT.

4. Can I change my presentation format (i.e. in person to virtual and vice versa)? 
The conference program has already been set with excellent content and we are hoping to minimize any changes in 2022. However, we realize that the change of conference date may change your preference for how you would like to present your work (i.e. in person vs. virtually).  If you would like to switch to a virtual presentation, or visa versa, we can accommodate your request. If you would like to switch to an in-person presentation we will put you on a waiting list and add you as spots become available. We will be extending the date to make these requests to Wednesday, April 13, 2021 at 12pm (noon) EDT.

5. What if my abstract/research changes (between now and next year)? Will I be able to update my abstract?
We realize that the later conference date may allow you to analyze that last bit of data. We can work with you to help you update your abstract if necessary. We will follow up with an announcement early in the calendar year to open a short window for updates. Presenters will be given one opportunity to update their abstracts.

6. Can we submit new abstracts? 
We will not be reopening abstract submissions. The program has been finalized and reproducing the abstract acceptance and review process would prove exceedingly difficult.

7. I’ve already booked my hotel. What should I do?
You can cancel your reservation with no penalty and rebook at your convenience. To visit the accommodation reservation portal, click HERE.   We will be establishing the new room block soon and will announce opening for rebooking or changing your reservation.

8. I’ve already paid for a workshop. What should I do?
We will be working with workshop organizers to determine how this delay might impact their workshop. If a workshop organizer needs to cancel their planned workshop, you will be refunded the full cost. If you no longer will be able to attend the workshop in person at the new date, we will refund the full cost. Please wait for updates and guidance. We will be sending out more information before Wednesday, October 27, 2021.

9. I’ve already paid for conference merchandise. What should I do?
You don’t have to do anything if you are still planning on attending the conference in person.  Products will not be shipped to attendees prior to or following the conference. So, if you will now be presenting virtually or no longer want the merchandise, please contact registration@marinemammalscience.org and we can provide a full refund.

10. I’m not going to be a student by the time the conference happens. What does this mean for my registration costs? Ability to get a student travel grant?
If you were going to be a student during the originally scheduled dates of the conference then we will honor that status at the conference in 2022 – even if your status has changed. Your registration costs and travel grant status will not change.  It is expected that all grant recipients maintain their Society for Marine Mammalogy membership.

11. Will I get to keep my student/low income country travel grant?
Yes! If you still plan on attending the conference you will be able to keep your travel grant. We are hoping that travel uncertainty will clear up before the postponed conference happens. If you received support to attend the conference in person and the date change means you will not be able to do so, then please work with your grant coordinator (Student Members-at-Large or International Relations Committee) to let them know of your change of plans and whether or not you will need the virtual conference costs covered.  It is expected that all grant recipients maintain their Society for Marine Mammalogy membership.

12. I need an updated conference receipt and/or VISA letter to support my travel in 2022. Who do I contact?
If needed, we will gladly provide an updated conference receipt or VISA letter with new conference dates to support your travel to Palm Beach. Please contact registration@marinemammalscience.org for assistance with these requests.

 

We hope to see many of you in August 2022 online or in person.

Be safe, be well.

 

 Charles Littnan, SMM President

Amy Hirons and Jeremy Kiszka, SMM Conference Co-Chairs

Stephen Trumble and Sascha Usenko, SMM Conference Scientific Co-Chairs

Editors’ Select Series Presentation: Population genomic structure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Australian and New Zealand waters

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The SMM Seminar Editor’s Select Series highlights the latest and most exciting marine mammal science published in the Marine Mammal Science Journal. The SMM created this series to give scientists and citizens around the world a chance to engage with marine mammal scientists, learn and ask questions. All are welcome.

Guest, Isabella Reeves of Flinders University presents: “Population genomic structure of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Australian and New Zealand waters“

August 19, 2021 6-7:30 pm PDT (1-2:30 AM GMT August 20; 10:30 am-12 pm ASCT (August 20)
Online. Free to attend. 

About this talk:
In Australasia, seasonal killer whale aggregations have been recently discovered and they have known to also reside year-round in New Zealand waters. However, there is currently limited information available about the species in these regions and therefore effective conservation management strategies are lacking. Here, we present the first study on the number of killer whale populations and their connectivity in Australasia using DNA. We discovered a minimum of three populations of killer whales, one in tropical and a second in temperate Western Australia, and a third in New Zealand. They each have distinct female-driven societies and appear to have little movement between them with low number of breeders. These findings can assist conservation management of these animals in the region.

About the presenter:
Isabella is currently a PhD Candidate in the Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab and the Molecular Ecology Lab at Flinders University in South Australia. She has over five years of experience researching cetaceans, leading her to obtain a skillset predominantly in photo-identification methods and using genetics to understand population-level questions for conservation. Her research now focusses on using genetics to broadly understand cetacean evolution, with a focus on Australasian killer whales.

Missed a presentation or want to share this series with a friend? All previous Editors’ Select  presentations are recorded and archived on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUc78IynQlubS2DVS1VZoplf_t42-yZOO

Please vote for SMM’s newest Honorary Members by 2 September 2021

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Dear Members,

We are pleased to present two new nominees to become Honorary Members for you to vote on. An Honorary Member is a member recognized for distinguished service to the field of marine mammalogy, as recommended unanimously by the Board of Governors, and elected by two-thirds of the voting members. Honorary Members have all the privileges of full members but are exempt from dues.

Here is the link to the ballot: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/for-members/2021-members-ballot/

The ballot will close at 3:00 PM EST on 2 September 2021.

Best wishes,

Emer Rogan
Nominations and Elections Committee Chair

Webinar on Internship Equity

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You are invited
to a
Webinar on Internship Equity
co-hosted by the SMM and WDC
on Thursday, August 26th
4:00 PM-6:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 PM -10:00 PM UTC)

About the Event:
While we all rely on the ocean for half our oxygen, our climate, and our economy, not everyone has a voice in marine science and conservation, a field which has little racial diversity.

Recognizing and removing the barriers preventing access to this field is critical to the health of our planet. In this webinar, several organizations will present their experiences, outlining how they evaluated the barriers to accessing opportunities in this field and how they are working to remove them. Join our panelists to hear about the steps they have taken to increase access to the field.

This webinar is the first of four talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the marine mammal conservation field, and leads up to a DEI workshop just prior to the 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, to be held on August 1-5, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

This event is free to attend and all are welcome.

Speakers:
Tara Cox, Savannah State University
Regina Asmutis-Silvia, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)
Chris Parsons, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Cassandra Harris, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Samantha Gallardo, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)

Zoom Registration:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9f-Dzq-ESzyO3tr3Re3-AQ

Please help to inform and guide our discussion!
We would appreciate your participation in a DEI Webinar Participant Survey. This anonymous survey will take approximately five minutes to complete. Results will be shared at the webinar, but please note this is an informal survey and the results will not have any statistical significance and will be shared as discussion points only.

Please direct any questions about the webinar to Regina Asmutis-Silvia and Melissa Walker at jobs@whales.org

Thank you for being a part of the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there.

Eric Archer and Tara Cox
Co-Chairs, SMM Ad hoc Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Editors’ Select Panel on July 15, 2021: Reintroductions have saved the sea otter throughout North America: why should we care?

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We are pleased to announce the next edition of the the SMM Seminar Editor’s Select Series. This series highlights the latest and most exciting marine mammal science published in the Marine Mammal Science Journal. The SMM created this series to give scientists and citizens around the world a chance to engage with marine mammal scientists, learn and ask questions. All are welcome.

Guest, Shawn Larson of Seattle Aquarium presents: “Reintroductions have saved the sea otter throughout North America: why should we care?”

July 15, 2021 5 PM PDT (12 AM UTC)

About this talk:

Sea otters were once abundant throughout the nearshore of the North Pacific. The maritime fur trade left few remnant populations with low genetic diversity. Subsequent reintroductions of otters resulted in several new populations in North America. We sampled sea otters genetically from Bering Island to California to evaluate genetic diversity, population structure and geneflow. Genetic diversity was the highest in reintroduced populations, population structure was greatest between California and all other groups, and geneflow was evident between all populations except for those at the ends of the range. The reintroductions are arguably the greatest success in sea otter conservation.

Dr. Larson shared details about this work during this 1-hour presentation followed by a Q&A session. All are welcome to participate.

Open access to all Marine Mammal Science papers is available to current SMM members. Open access to this article will be made temporarily available to the public between July 8–July 31, 2021.

About the presenter:
Shawn Larson, PhD, She/Her pronouns, is Curator of Conservation Research at the Seattle Aquarium. Shawn has been working at the Seattle Aquarium since 1995. Her main duties are leading the rehabilitation program, the water quality/research lab and the conservation research program which includes 10 long term ecological monitoring projects on sea otters, Salish Sea whales, sharks, temperate water rocky reefs, Hawaiian coral reefs, and microplastics. She has been studying marine mammal physiology, genetics, population biology and ecology for 27 years and has published several scientific papers and chapters on marine mammals and was lead editor on a 2015 book published by Elsevier titled Sea Otter Conservation.

Missed a presentation or want to share this series with a friend? All previous Editors’ Select presentations are recorded and archived on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUc78IynQlubS2DVS1VZoplf_t42-yZOO

SMM Conservation Fund Now Accepting Proposals

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The Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) is now accepting proposals for projects under its new Conservation Fund. Proposals for up to US$25K can be submitted between now and 31 July 2021. Proposals should be focused on projects that can catalyze real conservation action for the world’s most endangered marine mammal species. Details on the application process can be found here. Proposals will be judged by the SMM Conservation Committee and Committee of Scientific Advisors and awards will be announced at the SMM member’s meeting at the Marine Mammal Conference in December.

Dr. Danielle Kreb On Winning the SMM Conservation Merit Prize

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Thank you for submitting your inspiring nominations for the 2021 SMM Conservation Merit Prize winner. The Conservation Committee is now reviewing all nominations. 

Meanwhile, here is a video from the 2019 SMM Conservation Merit Prize winner, Dr. Danielle Kreb, discussing how much receiving the prize has meant to her work and giving us a peek into her impactful conservation efforts in Indonesia. 

Reminder to Submit Small Grants In Aid of Research Applications by June 30

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The Society for Marine Mammalogy would like to inform eligible members (see below) that this year’s Small Grants in Aid of Research application window closes on 30 June 2021. The Committee of Scientific Advisors will review applications and make recommendations on funding with decisions announced in early September 2021. The awards are up to US $2,000. Up to 25% of the budget may be used as stipend. All three of the following eligibility requirements must be met:

  1. Be a member of the Society for Marine Mammalogy.
  2. Be a national of any country not on this Excluded Country List: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.

Preference is given to early career researchers such as students and researchers with less than 5 years post-doctoral experience.

  1. Be conducting research in a country not on the above Excluded Country List.

The Small Grant web page provides full information, links to past successful applications, a list of recipients from prior years and their completed project reports, and a link to the application itself. Please be mindful of the word limits in the various sections of the application.

Last year 17 of 55 applicants from 20 counties received funding ranging from $793 to $2,000 USD.

For technical questions regarding the online application, please email the Society webmaster at admin@marinemammalscience.org

For all other questions about the grants, please contact:

Laura J. May-Collado
Chair
Committee of Scientific Advisors
Society for Marine Mammalogy
science@marinemammalscience.org

 

Brazilian Marine Mammalogist, Pedro Fruet, Awarded Whitley Award

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This year, the Whitley Award was granted to six researchers and conservationists in the Southern Hemisphere, among them Pedro Fruet, a Brazilian marine mammalogist who has been studying the Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin since 2000. Pedro completed his graduate studies (MSc and PhD – the latter in cotutele with Flinders University, Australia) in the Biological Oceanography Graduate Program at the Federal University of Rio Grande-FURG, in southern Brazil. As a graduate student and pos-doctoral fellow at FURG, Pedro and colleagues increased considerably the understanding of the ecology and conservation needs of this subspecies of bottlenose dolphins, including taxonomy, population genetics, population structure, estimation of population-specific parameters, and viability analysis. This achievement is a result of the long-standing partnership between Kaosa (an NGO funded by Pedro and colleagues in 2007), the Oceanographic Museum “Prof. Eliezer C. Rios” and the Ecology and Conservation of Marine Megafauna Laboratory (Ecomega) at FURG, with the continued financial support of Yaqu Pacha, a German NGO focused on the conservation of Aquatic Mammals in South America. The project under the scope of the Whitley Award aims to reduce bycatch in fishing gear, raise awareness about this subspecies and strengthen the community’s connection to their marine environment.