Category Archives: Conference News

Workshop: U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act research permitting (28 October 2017)

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We would like to announce a half-day workshop on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 8 am -noon titled: ” U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act research permitting.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) oversee issuance of permits for take, import, and export of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES; FWS only). NMFS has jurisdiction over cetaceans and pinnipeds, except walrus.  FWS has jurisdiction over dugong, manatees, polar bears, sea otters, marine otter, and walrus. The Marine Mammal Commission (the Commission) provides independent oversight of the MMPA permitting programs.

Click here to read more.

The 2nd World Marine Mammal Science Conference will be held in Barcelona, Spain in 2019

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Based upon the results of the SMM ballot of its members, some of which are also members of the European Cetacean Society (ECS), and the subsequent review of those results by the European Cetacean Society’s Council, Barcelona will be the venue for the 2nd World Marine Mammal Science Conference in 2019. 

SMM and ECS were very fortunate to have had such strong proposals from which to choose, and we thank both the La Rochelle and Barcelona Organizing Committees for their tremendous efforts!

We greatly look forward to this new adventure for our Societies, and will keep you all posted on news as we move forward with the Barcelona meeting!

Workshop: Killer whales in western North Pacific and the Okhotsk Sea

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If you are attending the Biennial conference this year please consider participating in
this workshop:

Title: Killer whales in western North Pacific and the Okhotsk Sea

Summary
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are distributed in all oceans of the
world, and those in the Northwest US and western Canada have been well
studied since 1970’s. Whereas on the opposite side of the Pacific,
Russian Far East killer whales are studied since late 1990’s, and
intensive studies have just started in the eastern Hokkaido, Japan
since 2010. The studies in Japanese waters have revealed many killer
whales are observed in Nemuro Strait in early summer, and off Kushiro
in fall, and photo identification, acoustic and tracking studies are
currently underway. Although their social structure and prey
preferences are still unknown, this population seems to migrate along
Kuril islands and share the same calls with Russian waters. The goal
of this workshop is to begin discussion among people studying killer
whales in the North Pacific and the Okhotsk Sea focusing on
similarities and differences between locations.

Date/Time: Sunday, October 29, 2017; 08:00-12:00

If you have any question, please email to the following address:
*Notification: I am on board until 13th July, internet access is
limited. So my reply may get delayed.
until 13th July, <mitani040@oshoro.fish.hokudai.ac.jp>
from 13th July, yo_mitani@fsc.hokudai.ac.jp

Cost: $50 (Early Bird); $60 (After September 15, 2017)

Stable isotope analysis in studies of marine mammal ecology and eco-physiology workshop

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We are pleased to announce we will be running hosting a one day workshop entitled  “Application and validation of compound-specific stable isotope analysis in studies of marine mammal ecology and eco-physiology” at the upcoming 22nd Biennial Conference of the Marine Mammal Society on Saturday, October 28th from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of amino and fatty acids offers advantages over traditional analysis of bulk tissues. CSIA is a potentially powerful tool to study

marine mammal eco-physiology, movement, and foraging ecology. While this approach has been validated in numerous studies of invertebrates and fishes, application of CSIA to study marine mammal ecology and eco-physiology is relatively under-utilized. Building on two workshops held prior to the 2015 SMM biennial conference in San Francisco, we propose a 1-day workshop on this topic and invite submission of abstracts from researchers who have used CSIA to study any aspect of marine mammal ecology (e.g. foraging, migration, distribution), or who have conducted validation studies with more traditional bulk tissue isotope analysis to help clarify how this method can be applied in both wild and captive settings. The workshop will consist of informal talks and presentations of data, and group discussions of uncertainties and limitations that need to be addressed through further study. In particular, students are invited to submit proposals for talks and poster presentations; we will host a small poster session if there is enough interest.

Cost: $80 (Before July 13th)

$90 (After July 13th)

Registration for the workshop should be done through the conference website (https://www.xcdsystem.com/smm/member/index.cfm)

Eighth International Sirenian Symposium

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We are pleased to announce the following Symposium to be held in conjunction with the 22nd Biennial Conference of the Marine Mammal Society on  Saturday, October 28, 2017 from  8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  
 
The Eighth International Sirenian Symposium is an all-day meeting to foster communication between researchers, managers, and policy makers on all aspects of Sirenian Conservation. Individuals are invited to present novel research on Sirenian conservation and management, stranding response and medical assessment, monitoring applications, and general biology and research. The symposium will include presentations, a poster session, and a panel discussion.  Sirenian items will be available for purchase to raise funds for travel grants. 
The cost of this workshop has been supplemented by outside funding sources, therefore, participants will only be charged $25 USD.  Please register early, as this symposium has limited seating.  After July 13th the cost for each participant will increase to $35 USD.
Those interested in presenting research should submit an abstract (300 word limit, 12pt font) to Nicole Adimey ( adimey22@gmail.com ) by  August 18, 2017.  Preference will be given to speakers conducting research or addressing conservation issues outside the United States of America.  Travel grants may be available for individuals from outside the United States of America; contact Nicole Adimey directly via email for more information.

Coll Perske Memorial Fund for Marine Mammals Student Presentation Award(s): Call for Applications (Due July 12, 2017)

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On April 28, 2014, we lost an amazing friend and colleague, Coll Gordon Perske. To honor Coll’s life and unwavering dedication to marine mammals, the National Marine Mammal Foundation established the Coll Perske Memorial Fund for Marine Mammals.  The mission of the fund is to improve the lives of marine mammals, with a focus on California sea lions, through scientific research, education, and promotion of ocean stewardship.  The first project launched by the Coll Perske Memorial Fund is the Perske Pinniped Health Project.  The Perske Pinniped Health Project will focus on research that continues to enhance the health and welfare of all pinnipeds, with a special emphasis on the California sea lion.

Award Description

The Coll Perske Memorial Fund will be providing two $200 awards for the 22nd Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (October 22-27, 2017). Awards will be given to student members (undergraduate or graduate) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) that are selected for oral presentations regarding research with pinnipeds.

Award winners will be chosen based on the quality of their abstracts, and the alignment of their research with the interests of the Coll Perske Memorial Fund (see https://CGPfund.org). Special consideration will be given to research projects with California sea lions, which were of special importance to Coll.

To apply, please send the following material to cgpfund@gmail.com by July 12, 2017:

  1. A copy of the abstract submitted to the SMM conference
  2. Proof of student registration for the SMM conference
  3. Proof of acceptance for an oral presentation

Award winners will be notified by August 2017.

For more information please visit https://CGPfund.org

Members’ Vote on 2019 SMM Conference Venue and Bylaws Change

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Dear SMM member,

The Board is requesting your valued input on two important items.

The first item is exciting news about our 2019 conference. This meeting, which will be the 2nd World Marine Mammal Science Conference, will be co-hosted by the European Cetacean Society. We are fortunate to have two strong proposals for the four-day long conference. As a current SMM member, you are invited to participate in the selection process by casting your vote for one of the two conference venues and dates – in Barcelona, Spain – December 9-12, 2019 or in La Rochelle, France – September 29-October 2, 2019. Detailed information on each option is provided within the ballot.

The second item is a request for your consideration and vote on a proposed change to our Society’s Bylaws. The Bylaws may be modified by a majority of votes cast by electronic ballot.

For both votes, you will need to log in to the website with your member e-mail address and password, but your vote will be recorded anonymously.

You must vote on all available options and submit your ballot, as this ballot on our website will not permit you to visit the voting page more than once.

Here is the link to the ballot: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/for-members/2017-members-ballot/

The ballot will close at 3:00 PM EST on 19th May 2017.

We know that all of our members are busy and we are deeply respectful of your time and consideration of these important votes, which will help guide the future of our Society.

Best wishes,
Jay and Ann

SMM 2017 Biennial Conference Abstracts Deadline Approaching

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Greetings,

Are you interested in submitting an abstract or workshop proposal for the upcoming Society for Marine Mammalogy’s 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, to be held in Halifax, October 2017? Well, the submission deadline for abstracts and workshop proposals is approaching rapidly! Be sure to submit your proposal(s) online by 12PM ADT on March 29th, 2017.

Successful workshop applicants will be informed on May 19th, 2017, while successful abstract authors will be notified on June 5th, 2017.

For more information on submitting an abstract or workshop proposal, be sure to check out our conference resources:

If you have any questions, please contact our Abstract Review Team or Workshop Review Team. We look forward to reviewing your ideas for SMM2017!

Sincerely,
The SMM2017 Organizing Committee

2017: A Marine Mammal Odyssey, Eh!

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We are pleased to announce on December 5th, 2016 the opening of registration, abstract submission, and workshop proposals for the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.

The 22nd Biennial will be hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 22nd-27th 2017, with workshops to be held October 28th-29th. Halifax is one of Canada’s foremost marine sciences, technological and conservation hubs and offers an exciting venue for the first Biennial to come to Canada’s east coast.

Reflecting on the journey that marine mammals and the people who study them have taken together over the years and the voyage that remains ahead for us (with a little Canadian flair), the theme for our conference is: 2017: A Marine Mammal Odyssey, Eh!

We have brought together a dynamic international team to prepare the very best conference experience for you. The program we are developing includes not only thought-provoking science, but also fun events including a welcoming reception with traditional Nova Scotia music on the waterfront and a masquerade ball themed closing celebration. This year we will also offer an exciting new presentation format – video presentations! This new format allows you to combine your science and creative talents, providing a bridge between science and art. Instructions and examples can be found on the conference website and we encourage you to try it.

We are happy to accept abstract submissions and workshop proposals until noon on March 29th 2017 (ADT). Submissions will not be accepted beyond this date. Visit the conference website for the abstract submission and workshop proposal guidelines, registration instructions, information about the conference and important dates: http://www.smmconference.org/. Be sure to check back regularly and join our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1060310684008883/ to keep up-to-date on all the conference happenings!

We look forward to seeing everyone in 2017 in Canada’s Ocean Playground!

Sincerely,

Your conference and scientific program co-chairs,

 Tonya Wimmers & Hilary Moors-Murphy and Sofie Van Parijs & Damian Lidgard

conference@marinemammalscience.org

SMM 2017 Biennial Conference Abstracts and Registration Open

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We are pleased to announce on December 5th, 2016 the opening of registration, abstract submission, and workshop proposals for the 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.

The 22nd Biennial will be hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 22nd-27th 2017, with workshops to be held October 28th-29th. Halifax is one of Canada’s foremost marine sciences, technological and conservation hubs and offers an exciting venue for the first Biennial to come to Canada’s east coast.

Reflecting on the journey that marine mammals and the people who study them have taken together over the years and the voyage that remains ahead for us (with a little Canadian flair), the theme for our conference is: 2017: A Marine Mammal Odyssey, Eh!

We have brought together a dynamic international team to prepare the very best conference experience for you. The program we are developing includes not only thought-provoking science, but also fun events including a welcoming reception with traditional Nova Scotia music on the waterfront and a masquerade ball themed closing celebration. This year we will also offer an exciting new presentation format – video presentations! This new format allows you to combine your science and creative talents, providing a bridge between science and art. Instructions and examples can be found on the conference website and we encourage you to try it.

We are happy to accept abstract submissions and workshop proposals until noon on March 29th 2017 (ADT). Submissions will not be accepted beyond this date. Visit the conference website for the abstract submission and workshop proposal guidelines, registration instructions, information about the conference and important dates: http://www.smmconference.org/. Be sure to check back regularly and join our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1060310684008883/ to keep up-to-date on all the conference happenings!

We look forward to seeing everyone in 2017 in Canada’s Ocean Playground!

Sincerely,

Your conference and scientific program co-chairs

Tonya & Hilary and Sofie & Damian

conference@marinemammalscience.org