SMM2026 PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Satellite telemetry plays a critical role in revealing cetacean movement patterns and supporting effective conservation and management. Consolidated (Type C) satellite tags achieve extended deployment durations through full-body implantation, which enhances attachment stability. Nevertheless, the relatively large size of these tags and their invasive placement in deep tissue layers present potential health and welfare concerns and restrict their application to the largest whale species. In response to these concerns, Type C tag technology has been further developed and improved over the last two decades to increase their retention on a variety of species while minimizing their potential negative impact. However, despite these recent studies that demonstrate the reliability and minimized effects of the current tag designs, concerns still exist as many of these results are still in the process of being published and accessible to the scientific, development, and regulatory community. Here, a 2-day workshop is proposed to inform the scientific community on the advantages and remaining limitations associated with the improved consolidated tag designs to foster stronger coordination and collaboration among tag developers for future development of this technology.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

To bring together Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, marine scientists, policymakers, and community representatives to co-design the structure, mandate, roles, responsibilities, and future pathway for an Indigenous Network within the Marine Mammal Society.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Over the past several decades, stable isotope analysis has transformed the way we study marine mammals, allowing researchers to reconstruct diet, habitat use, movement, and physiological processes from tiny amounts of a variety of biological tissues of species that are otherwise difficult to observe directly. Yet, despite their power, stable isotopes are still often applied as single-purpose tools—most commonly for diet or trophic position—rather than as a flexible and integrative framework capable of addressing a wider range of ecological questions.

This workshop is designed as a guided, stepwise journey through isotope-based marine mammal research, moving from foundational concepts to  analytical tools, and ultimately toward integrative, multi-method ecological inference. We will begin with the core principles of bulk stable isotope analysis, focusing on what these data can reliably tell us about foraging ecology, habitat use, and movement, as well as how to recognize and navigate their limitations. Building on this foundation, we will then explore how advanced approaches—particularly compound-specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids and fatty acids—can sharpen inference by separating baseline environmental variation from trophic and physiological processes.

The final component of the workshop expands beyond isotope methods alone, demonstrating how stable isotope data can be combined with complementary tools such as hormone assays, telemetry, stomach content analysis, fatty acid profiling, and key environmental variables (e.g., sea ice, temperature). Together, these approaches allow researchers to link foraging ecology, habitat use, movement, physiological state, and environmental forcing into a more cohesive ecological narrative for marine mammal studies.

Throughout the workshop, participants will engage with practical analytical frameworks, with emphasis on assumptions and reproducibility. Real-world case studies from tropical, temperate, and Arctic systems will be used to illustrate how isotope-based approaches can generate more robust ecological insight.

The Cachalote Consortium was created in 2005 to bring together researchers from multiple disciplines to promote understanding of global patterns of sperm whale biology, ecology, culture and conservation. These Consortium gatherings provide a forum for presenting research progress, exchanging ideas and standardizing methodologies, identifying knowledge gaps, inspiring new collaborations, and fostering next generation scientists dedicated to studying sperm whales. In parallel with the goals of SMM 2026, we seek contributions that will stimulate dialogue at the intersection of science and conservation of sperm whales and their societies, including discussion of research techniques (traditional and novel) that promote understanding at multiple scales: social, regional and global. The workshop will provide a special opportunity to explore our current understanding of sperm whales, a socially and culturally complex nomadic species, and the evolving dimensions of human interactions affecting them. We invite scientists, conservationists, students and policy makers alike. The program will involve a series of short presentations, with ample opportunity for discussion.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Climate change is now implicated in virtually every aspect of marine mammal research—from shifting prey distributions to disease ecology to habitat loss—with consequences for the health of marine mammal communities that are often less visible and more extensive than direct anthropogenic impacts. Yet our scientific understanding remains fragmented across regions, taxa, and disciplines. While individual conference presentations will document impacts in isolation, we lack forums to systematically compare findings, identify common mechanisms, and build coherent narratives that inform policy.

This workshop addresses that gap by convening researchers working across all ocean basins to synthesize what we’ve learned—and confront what we don’t yet understand. Through structured regional sessions covering Arctic, temperate, tropical, and Antarctic systems, participants will examine cross-cutting patterns: Are range shifts following similar thermal thresholds across species? How do marine heatwave impacts compare between krill-dependent and fish-dependent predators? Where are tipping points emerging?

The workshop’s value lies not in documenting more impacts, but in the comparative analysis that scattered conference talks cannot achieve. By the session’s end, participants will collaboratively identify critical knowledge gaps, prioritize monitoring needs, and articulate research-to-policy pathways.

Building on the successful 2019 Barcelona workshop (13 speakers, 76 participants from 22 nations), we aim to produce a synthesis document that captures the current state of knowledge across regions and points toward coordinated international research priorities.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

The primary objective of this workshop is to enhance the global response to marine mammal strandings by improving connectivity and coordination in diagnostic capabilities. Many critical diagnostics for infectious, parasitic, toxic, and anthropogenic threats require specialized expertise, equipment, and experienced interpretation, which are not consistently available across stranding networks. Therefore, it is imperative to improve access to these diagnostics through shared best practices, coordinated logistics, and collaborative frameworks. The workshop aims to: (1) gather and synthesize current best practices for diagnosing key pathogens and disease processes relevant to marine mammal strandings  (2) develop practical frameworks to enable timely access to appropriate diagnostics, either by shipping samples to specialized laboratories or providing diagnostic kits and protocols to local laboratories; and (3) provide options for how diagnostic efforts can be scaled for mass strandings events. The workshop will focus on:

 1. Diagnostics: Identifying and sharing best practices for tools, assays, and workflows used to investigate both emerging and established threats, including infectious diseases, biotoxins, and fisheries interactions.

2. Collaboration and Network Building: Strengthening functional communication channels and collaborative mechanisms among responders and diagnostic laboratories that are feasible to implement and sustain.

3. Capacity Building: Developing targeted training resources that offer clear, field-ready (“beach-accessible”) guidance for data collection and sampling live and dead stranded animals.

 4. Standardization: Refining and harmonizing response protocols to ensure consistency in sampling, metadata collection, and sample handling.

5. New Technologies and Methods: Evaluating how emerging diagnostic tools, portable technologies, and novel analytical approaches could be integrated into stranding response, particularly in resource-limited settings.

6. Data Analysis and Sharing: Supporting interoperable platforms for data collection, reporting, and analysis across GSN and IWC member networks. A key cross-cutting objective is prioritizing the needs of developing and under-resourced stranding networks by producing practical, scalable resources that can be readily adopted.

Dr. Wei-Cheng Yang, National Taiwan University, has pioneered the application of portable PCR technology for the detection of marine mammal pathogens of concern, including Toxoplasma, morbillivirus, and Brucella. As an invited speaker, Dr. Yang will lead a dedicated workshop module that features a unique, hands-on training component in disease screening for stranding responders. Workshop participants will gain experience conducting portable PCR assays and in applying other field-relevant diagnostic techniques that can be utilized during future marine mammal stranding events. 

Veterinary forensic science is a constantly evolving area of expertise that combines scientific, medical, and legal principles to investigate animal cruelty, neglect, and illegal wildlife interactions. Currently, this is an emerging field in marine mammalogy. Forensic analysis of cases can be limited due to the cost of equipment, skills of personnel, size of animals involved, and accessibility of field sites.

This workshop will explore available resources, existing and novel techniques in the field of veterinary medicine, and the limitations of forensic science in marine mammalogy. We will utilize a combination of lectures, case examples, and hands-on opportunities to reinforce concepts and skills explored. We will explore post-mortem examinations, firearm and projectile injuries in marine mammals, blunt and sharp force trauma, forensic photography, and evidence collection and organization. We will also present introductions to traditional and new aspects of veterinary forensic science such as entomology, modelling trauma, and taphonomy.

This full-day workshop will bring together marine mammal biologists and AI/ML researchers who are working at the intersection of animal communication, bioacoustics, and artificial intelligence.  The workshop will emphasize field-driven, biologically grounded collaborations, with a specific focus on marine mammal systems and conservation-relevant questions.

The workshop will explore how AI and field biology can be integrated from the outset to design methods that reflect real-world field conditions, ecological context, and long-term knowledge of identified individuals and their social histories. Participants will examine how emerging AI methods can be used responsibly to make sense of large, synchronized multimodal datasets –including underwater acoustics, drone-based behavioural observations, and visual identification data– while critically assessing when such approaches meaningfully advance, or fail to advance, biological understanding  in marine environments.

Key themes include detecting temporal and social structure in communication, linking vocal behaviour to behavioural and social context, and identifying higher-order patterns such as call sequences and syntax at scales previously inaccessible to traditional analyses. Equal emphasis will be placed on interpretation: understanding what patterns do (and do not) mean biologically, how context shapes communication, and how data-driven approaches must be integrated with domain expertise to avoid misinterpretation.

Through invited talks, short, contributed presentations, and moderated discussions,  participants will engage with scientific, conceptual, and ethical questions, particularly around interpretation, context, disturbance, and data stewardship. The goal is not only to share tools and results, but to develop shared understanding, common language, and best practices for collaborative research that advances both AI methods and biological insight while remaining aligned with conservation priorities and animal welfare. By centering biologically meaningful questions, the workshop aims to foster productive dialogue  between field biologists and AI researchers and support future interdisciplinary collaborations.

This workshop aims to bring together early career and established researchers to explore opportunities and challenges with the latest technological and statistical innovations in cetacean population modelling and abundance estimation, and discuss the future direction of this field.

Estimating abundance and completing population assessments are fundamental components of conservation research and managing cetacean populations. Emerging data sources provide new opportunities, address limitations in previous methods and provide more data for many cryptic species. Furthermore, new methods and statistical modelling approaches are being developed that provide novel insights from more ‘traditional’ data sources. These approaches tackle some of the historical challenges stemming from data collection in marine environments and cetacean behavior. In addition, climate change is leading to increasing environmental variability and extreme events, creating issues for population assessments which have traditionally treated demographic parameters as static over time. As we look forward to the future direction of the field, this workshop will consider how we can account for these increasing phenomena.

The workshop will be split into three sections which will each consist of a series of short talks from subject experts followed by small-group discussions. The sections will be (1) technical innovations providing new data sources (e.g. high-throughput genetic sequencing, environmental DNA, etc.), (2) new statistical approaches (e.g. density estimation from passive acoustic monitoring, spatial-capture-recapture models, data integration etc.), and (3) future directions and accounting for climate variability. A full agenda with speakers and finalised topics will be sent to all participants before the workshop. 

This workshop will be a unique opportunity for researchers interested in emerging techniques in cetacean population modelling to share their expertise, learn from fellow researchers and look forward to the evolution of this field of research as we address critical conservation challenges and seek to effectively manage threats to cetacean populations.

Large whale entanglement remains a widespread conservation and management challenge, particularly within and adjacent to MPAs. This workshop will convene protected‑area managers, entanglement responders, fishers, researchers, and partner organizations to share place‑based experiences, practical tools, and lessons learned related to entanglement prevention and response. While grounded in examples from NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System, the workshop is designed to support peer learning across a broad range of geographic and management contexts.

The workshop will begin with a dedicated session on entanglements in protected areas and will feature short case studies from diverse regions, including the Pacific Islands, U.S. West Coast, Eastern U.S., Alaska, and Mexico. These presentations will address response logistics, interagency coordination, challenges encountered, and key lessons learned.

The workshop will provide an overview of objectives and a discussion of the importance of strong regional entanglement response networks. Speakers will highlight network structures, responder training levels, and coordination models, drawing from examples such as the NOAA Entanglement Response Team and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Community involvement will be emphasized through case studies from Monterey Bay, Hawaiʻi, and Mexico, illustrating how fishers, whale‑watching operators, and local partners contribute to effective detection, reporting, and response.

The workshop will also explore entanglement tools and emerging technologies, including current response equipment, telemetry and tracking of entangled whales, and the use of drones for multiple applications.

Prevention strategies will be addressed through a session that includes innovative gear lending libraries, highlighting programs that support testing and adoption of gear designed to reduce entanglement risk. Presenters will discuss implementation, fisher engagement, and early lessons learned from programs in the United States and Canada.

The workshop will conclude with an open discussion on management measures and lessons learned, providing participants an opportunity to share experiences and identify transferable strategies and recommendations for protected areas worldwide.

Please join us for the Eleventh International Sirenian Symposium—a full day dedicated to fostering international collaboration, networking, and mentorship among those engaged in sirenian research and conservation.

The Symposium aims to support collaboration and strengthen sirenian research networks across the 80+ range states, with a particular focus on the 70+ developing countries within this range. Objectives include sharing new scientific findings, addressing current and emerging threats, and promoting mentorship for students pursuing marine mammal science and conservation.

Presentations may cover a wide range of topics, including human–sirenian interactions, physiology, monitoring applications, modeling, genetics, captive care and rehabilitation, management, general biology, stranding response, and education and outreach. The program will feature full-length presentations, speed talks, a poster session, an update from the Sirenian Specialist Group, and dedicated time for networking.

Those interested in presenting research (poster or oral) should submit an abstract by August 15, 2026 to Nicole Adimey at adimey22@gmail.com. Abstract formatting guidelines are available on the conference website: https://www.smmconference.org/abstract-submission.

Preference will be given to researchers from developing countries and abstracts that address the conference theme, “One Ocean, One Future.” Presenters are encouraged to share novel work and clearly demonstrate how their research contributes to sirenian conservation and supports regional initiatives or current management challenges.

How can researchers communicate their work in ways that are scientifically accurate, emotionally engaging, and accessible beyond academic audiences? This full-day, hands-on workshop helps marine scientists, conservation practitioners, and communicators transform research findings, field experiences, and project materials into concise, compelling micro-stories that can be adapted into both long-form and short-form video content.

Designed for participants with little or no formal media training, the workshop focuses on practical storytelling tools that help bridge the gap between scientific rigor and public engagement. Through guided exercises, participants will learn how to identify strong story angles within their research, define the audience they want to reach, and shape narratives that translate complex science into clear, memorable communication without oversimplifying the underlying work.

Participants will work with their own research, field documentation, photos, video clips, or existing outreach materials to develop at least one story concept during the session. Topics include story framing, script and voiceover writing, selecting appropriate formats for different platforms, and using accessible production methods with smartphones and simple editing tools.

The workshop will also explore digital distribution considerations, including how story format changes depending on whether the goal is education, advocacy, fundraising, public awareness, or institutional outreach.

By the end of the day, participants will leave with:

• a practical storytelling framework for research communication,
• at least one draft micro-story concept based on their own work,
• a basic understanding of how to adapt that story into long-form and short-form video formats, and
• tools and templates they can continue using after the conference.

Very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery is increasingly being trialled and used as a solution for filling data gaps in live and stranded cetacean monitoring, through research initiatives, commercial ventures, and government-invested satellite-based monitoring programmes. As this new field of marine mammal research expands, the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee recognised the need to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing by endorsing the creation of an Intersessional Correspondence Group (ICG) ‘Using Satellites to Study Whales’. The ICG exists to ensure continued refinement of satellite imagery as a tool to study cetaceans, with a view to encourage the coordination of international efforts and increase accessibility in the field. VHR optical satellite imagery has proven to be an effective tool to detect and identify live and stranded cetaceans in remote regions, moving beyond simple detection towards satellite-derived abundance estimates, species detection, reviews of future applications, open-access datasets, annotation protocols, and automation pipelines. However, to date, there are no operational programs that rely on VHR satellite remote sensing to assess cetaceans at regular intervals or at scale, in both space and time. Following the ICG’s successful workshop to establish best practices for the field at the 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Perth, in 2024, in this workshop we aim to:

1. share best practice guidelines and
2. present the latest findings and advancements in the field, and
3. through group discussions, continue to refine future directions and international collaborations in the field, to realise a robust and globally scalable monitoring tool.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Freshwater dolphins represent one of the most threatened and least understood groups of aquatic mammals globally. While only a few freshwater dolphin lineages exist worldwide, their taxonomic boundaries, evolutionary histories, and conservation needs remain subjects of ongoing scientific debate. South America hosts a unique and diverse assemblage of freshwater dolphins within the genus Inia, yet substantial uncertainty persists regarding species delimitation, population structure, and the identification of hybrid zones. Despite advances in genetics, morphology, ecology, population size and bioacoustics, the scientific community still faces major challenges in consolidating a consistent and widely accepted taxonomy for this group.

This full-day workshop aims to bring together veterinarians, biologists, researchers, and frontline conservation professionals working with river dolphins worldwide to share knowledge and to provide a comprehensive and updated synthesis of the current state of on the taxonomy of South American freshwater dolphins. It will highlight key gaps, particularly those related to the differentiation of species within Inia, unresolved questions about gene flow, and the limited understanding of hybridization areas—factors that directly influence conservation policy, management strategies, and the interpretation of biodiversity patterns across river basins.

Participants can expect a dynamic and interactive program combining short abstract presentations, invited talks, case studies, and discussions on analytical advances such as molecular modeling, machine-learning approaches for species delimitation, and new field technologies improving detection, sampling, and data integration. The workshop will also explore how other regions of the world, especially Asia, have addressed similar taxonomic challenges in freshwater dolphins, providing an opportunity to learn from successful methodologies and collaborative frameworks used colleagues working with the Ganges, Indus, and Yangtze River dolphins.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Highly mobile marine mammals depend on ecological connectivity across vast ocean regions that span national boundaries and the high seas. For whales, these migratory pathways—known as blue corridors—link critical feeding, breeding, and resting habitats, yet remain inadequately incorporated into marine mammal research, marine spatial planning, and ocean governance. As anthropogenic pressures intensify along migration routes, there is an urgent need to translate connectivity science into coordinated, implementable conservation strategies.

This half-day workshop shares lessons from WWF’s implementation of co-designed conservation strategies developed with partners through global and regional reports and participatory workshops. Building on advances in global migration mapping from whale satellite tracking data and the development of BlueCorridors.org—an open-access platform supporting science-based decision-making—the workshop bridges data, policy, and practice through regional case studies. It highlights interdisciplinary engagement among marine mammal scientists, conservation practitioners, policymakers, Indigenous and local knowledge holders, NGOs, and industry representatives.

In the workshop, we will explore how migratory connectivity strategies can be implemented across scales, from global assessments to regional implementation. The workshop will examine practical applications of blue corridors science in shipping management, fisheries bycatch mitigation, marine protected area network design, and transboundary policy frameworks. Case studies from several regions will be used to ground discussions in real-world contexts with shared lessons learned.

Through facilitated dialogue, participants will identify shared challenges, data needs, governance gaps, and opportunities for collaboration. The workshop aims to generate actionable recommendations, strengthen cross-sector networks, and inform future applications of the blue corridors conservation approach. Outcomes will support coordinated strategies aligned with global biodiversity targets, the UN BBNJ Treaty, and broader ocean sustainability goals, while advancing the role of marine mammal science in connectivity-based ocean management.

After years of anticipation, in September 2025, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) fully implemented the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Rule. The Rule requires nations’ fisheries to have marine mammal bycatch standards comparable in effectiveness to those of the United States or lose access to the lucrative U.S. seafood market. NMFS identified 46 nations with fisheries that lack regulatory programs comparable to U.S. requirements and, as of January 2026, has implemented import bans. The expectation is that these bans will motivate nations to improve marine mammal bycatch standards in order for those fisheries to regain access to U.S. markets.

This workshop will seek to demystify the U.S. MMPA Import Rule and foster practical conversations about the SMM community’s role as this Rule encourages nations to both adopt and implement stronger marine mammal protection standards, to the benefit of marine mammals on a global scale. Providing participants with an understanding of how science plays a role in determining whether a nation has a comparable regulatory program, the workshop will focus on the key requirements for comparability of regulatory programs: marine mammal population assessments and estimates, monitoring how much bycatch is occurring in a given fishery, and whether that level of bycatch is in excess of what scientists consider sustainable (e.g., potential biological removal or “PBR” in the US). The workshop will also discuss and gather the on-the-ground experience from different nations.

Participants will walk away with an understanding of the U.S. MMPA Import Rule framework, the process, the role of science, and the lessons learned since its implementation. In many instances, the Rule’s implementation underscores the need for research of particular marine mammal populations—rationale that can be applied to bolster research proposals or funding requests.

This half day workshop is designed to introduce new and returning researchers to NOAA’s new and improved Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) application and reporting website. This system is the primary method for requesting permits for marine mammal research or commercial/educational photography in the U.S. Through this new and improved system, we are also introducing a streamlined, applicant-forward approach to environmental reviews and incidental take permitting. The workshop will begin with a presentation of changes from the old system before proceeding into targeted demonstrations of new APPS to help researchers go over functionality to best help them apply for and manage their permits. After demonstrations there will be dedicated time for feedback and suggested improvements to the new system as well as Q&A to address specific permit application and reporting questions.

Social science surveys are increasingly used to understand public perceptions, values, and behaviors relevant to marine mammal conservation. Many key challenges—human–wildlife conflict, regulatory compliance, support for management actions, and the effectiveness of outreach or policy interventions—are driven as much by human decisions as by biological factors. Robust survey design can generate credible evidence on stakeholder knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making, directly informing conservation planning and management.

Yet survey-based research presents substantial methodological and interpretive challenges, and conservation studies frequently repeat well-known errors. Common pitfalls include unrepresentative or opportunistic sampling, low or unknown response rates, social desirability bias, poorly framed questions, and over-interpretation beyond the sampled population. These risks can be exacerbated in marine mammal contexts, where stakeholder groups may be small, mobile, distrustful of authorities, or unfamiliar with scientific and regulatory terminology. If not carefully addressed, such limitations can produce misleading inferences and inappropriate management recommendations.

This interactive workshop will introduce practical guidance for designing, implementing, and reporting social surveys in marine mammal conservation. Topics include: (1) clearly defining research and decision-making objectives; (2) aligning survey questions and sampling strategies with information needs; (3) pre-testing and revision of instruments; and (4) transparent documentation of limitations and uncertainty. Sessions will cover question wording and ordering, response scales, and survey length to reduce respondent burden and bias. Particular attention will be given to stated-preference and willingness‑to‑pay questions, which are attractive to managers but prone to hypothetical and strategic bias, including overstated valuations as responses are not tied to real purchasing decisions. Participants will leave with concrete guidelines and example templates to help ensure that social survey data meaningfully complement biological research, inform management decisions, and strengthen marine mammal conservation outcomes.

Biospecimen collection integrity is as important as analysis in terms of quality control. As a best practice, it is prudent to collect, process, and archive biospecimens free from inadvertent contamination during these processes. According to the International Society of Biological and Environmental Repository’s (ISBER) 5^th edition of Best Practices, “Specimen availability and potential analytical objectives for their utility should be considered prior to initial specimen collection and methods should be used to ensure that all specimens collected are fit for purpose.” When collecting biospecimens for real-time analysis, or archiving, it is imperative to follow best practices and standardized protocols to maintain the highest integrity biospecimens for analysis. This workshop will examine the activities of sample collection, processing, storage, and shipping operations while providing standard methods and collection information developed by the National Insititue of Standards and Technology (NIST) to assist in maintaining high-quality samples for downstream applications. NIST, in collaboration with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources (NMFS/OPR), began the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB) for the long-term archival of selected marine mammal biospecimens almost 40 years ago.  The NMMTB has provided a resource of samples collected in a systematic and well-documented manner for comparing results over time to identify whether environmental trends exist, provide for future retrospective analyses for new analytes of interest, and allow for future analyses of samples collected today using improved analytical techniques of tomorrow. 

Protocols developed by NIST for collecting and archiving biospecimens are designed to:

• provide sufficient material for multiple analyses
• minimize the possibility of sample change and/or loss during storage
• minimize inadvertent contamination during sample handling and ensure sample integrity
• provide for long-term sample stability through cryogenic techniques
• track and maintain a record of sample history

Marine debris and discarded fishing gear represent an escalating, lethal threat to global pinniped populations. Addressing this crisis requires more than isolated efforts—it demands a synchronized, global response. Aligned with the conference theme “One Ocean, One Future,” the Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG) invites responders, researchers, and managers to our fifth international workshop.

This session bridges the gap between field expertise and scientific innovation. Whether you are a seasoned expert or a newcomer to the field, this workshop provides a collaborative platform to refine techniques, enhance communication, and advance prevention strategies.

What to Expect

• Global Perspectives and Expert Insights: A deep dive into pinniped entanglement response by international presenters and veterinary experts. We’ll cover field-tested methods from across the globe, including risk assessment, human and animal safety, veterinary-guided chemical/physical restraint, and behavioral diagnostics.
• Scenario-Based Problem Solving: Interactive case studies to master response ethics and step-by-step field protocols.
• Hands-on Skills: Practical training with cutting tools and net handling; medical assessment protocols
• Post-Release Innovation: Gain proficiency in sampling, tagging, and tracking technologies (satellite, radio, and acoustic) to monitor long-term health and survival.

Why Join Us?

Join our international community to share field-tested techniques, discuss complex response challenges, and strengthen the global PEG network. By synchronizing our efforts, we can turn international collaboration into measurable success for pinniped conservation.

Vessel strikes are increasingly recognised as a major threat to marine megafauna worldwide. Growing commercial shipping, expanding coastal and recreational traffic, rising consumer demand, and climate-driven shifts in ocean use are intensifying interactions between vessels and vulnerable species. Scientists play a central role in quantifying risk, developing mitigation tools, evaluating effectiveness, and informing regulatory and operational decisions.

Based on previous workshops at the European Cetacean Society, at the IWC Scientific Committee meetings and a recent meeting at the International Maritime Organization with leading vessel-strike scientists, this workshop will provide a platform for the global scientific community to share insights, compare methodologies, and discuss emerging challenges in vessel-strike research. Sessions will highlight how scientific evidence can guide practical mitigation, weigh emerging technologies, support policy and operational decisions, and facilitate dialogue with industry, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders;

Session 1: Global Overview of Vessel-Strike Risk, Assessment Frameworks, and Mitigation Tools

Session 2: Commercial Shipping and SOLAS Vessels: Scientific Evidence Supporting Operational and Regulatory Action

Session 3: Domestic, Recreational, Fishing, and Non-SOLAS Vessels: Research Priorities and Practical Solutions

Each session will include:

• Invited overview talks to establish key concepts and current knowledge
• Contributed case-study presentations highlighting applied research and mitigation efforts
• Moderated panel discussions focused on methodological challenges, data gaps, and translation of science into management and operational practice
• Structured breakout discussions to encourage participant engagement and cross-sector exchange of ideas

This mixed format is designed to balance knowledge sharing with active discussion and collaboration, while allowing flexibility depending on participant numbers and time constraints.

Artificial intelligence is transforming science at an accelerating pace. Building on a successful 2024 workshop, this full-day session examines the rapidly evolving landscape of AI applications across the field, with emphasis on practical implementation, emerging capabilities, and effective and responsible use.

The workshop addresses four interconnected themes:

Computer vision applications have matured dramatically, enabling automated individual identification, abundance estimation, body condition assessment, and attribute classification from imagery. We will explore recent advances in detection and re-identification algorithms, integration with citizen science platforms, and scaling these tools across species and populations.

AI in bioacoustics continues to revolutionize passive acoustic monitoring, with deep learning models now capable of real-time species detection, call classification, and behavioral state inference. Participants will learn about current architectures, training data requirements, and deployment strategies for both archived and streaming data.

Generative and Agentic AI present both opportunities and challenges for our field. We will examine applications in data augmentation, synthetic training data generation, literature synthesis, and research communication—while critically evaluating limitations and appropriate use cases.

Effective and ethical AI application ties these themes together. As AI tools become more accessible, ensuring appropriate use, transparent methodology, and reproducible results becomes paramount. We will discuss best practices for validation, bias detection, data sovereignty, and the responsible deployment of AI in behavioral research and conservation applications.

The workshop combines invited presentations highlighting methodological advances with facilitated discussions so participants can gain practical knowledge for evaluating, implementing, and troubleshooting AI tools in their own research. We aim to build collaborative networks and identify opportunities for shared resources, training datasets, and methodological standardization across the marine mammal research community.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

The 4th Marine Mammal eDNA workshop will bring together early-career and established researchers interested in applying emerging techniques in environmental DNA (eDNA) to marine mammal species. Environmental DNA approaches to characterize organismal DNA from marine and freshwater have shown promise for accelerating marine conservation, especially for cryptic, rare, and logistically challenging species. Following the success of the first three eDNA workshops held at SMM, significant research effort has resulted in novel insight and growth of the field over the last two years. In this workshop, we will focus specifically on developments in the analysis and interpretation of eDNA detection data from marine mammals, and the application of these results to management and conservation plans. Researchers will share both field and analytical approaches, lessons learned from recent eDNA work, and explore priority areas for further development in the next two years. Participants will engage in small-group discussions on relevant topics such as using eDNA detections in spatiotemporal distribution modeling; developing methods to move toward quantitative metabarcoding and data analysis (i.e., eDNA for abundance estimation); developing methods for the use of eDNA for stock identification or population genetic analyses; and other relevant topics based on a pre-survey of participant interests. Throughout the workshop, we aim to broadly discuss both the challenges and opportunities faced by marine mammal eDNA researchers aiming to use eDNA data in statistical or modeling frameworks.

Rapid advances in research tools and analytical approaches are reshaping the study of marine mammals, creating new opportunities for collaboration between scientists working in free-ranging systems and those conducting research in zoological and managed-care settings. Across fields such as physiology, cognition, bioacoustics, and conservation, progress increasingly depends on integrating insights gained from both environments.

Research in zoological facilities enables controlled testing, methodological development, and complex experimental designs, using trained animals participating voluntarily and with known life histories. These settings have played a key role in advancing technologies including biologging tags, unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs), behavioral assays, hormone analyses, and veterinary medicine. These have contributed to our understanding of energetics, body condition, communication, diving physiology, welfare, and health. Field-based research, in turn, provides essential ecological context and serves as the primary arena for conservation implementation, where methods developed and findings from managed care can aid our understanding of natural and anthropogenic pressures and conservation solutions. 

This workshop will convene experienced researchers who actively bridge managed-care and wild marine mammal science. The program will feature a series of themed panels, each beginning with 15-minute presentations on current work, followed by moderated discussions on emerging directions. Panelists include Terrie Williams, Peter Tyack, Heather Hill, Alex Shorter, Kelly Jaakkola, Kathleen Dudzinski, Audra Ames, Andreas Fahlman, Tracy Romano, and Kyle Ross, among others. 

Proposed panel topics include conservation technologies and innovation, bioacoustics, cognition, research training, and the practical considerations of partnering with institutions for marine mammal research. The workshop will include a panel of marine mammal facilities, including Dolphin Quest, Georgia Aquarium, Marineland Florida, and Dolphin Research Center. This workshop is organized by Jason Bruck, Paige Stevens-Sanchez, Austin Allen, and Jeanne Shearer. 

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

All river dolphin species are currently classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered, with populations across South America and Asia experiencing rapid declines driven by increasing human activities, pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation. Despite their recognized role as sentinels of ecosystem and human health, the clinical status of most river dolphin populations remains poorly known. There are critical health data gaps, including in baseline health parameters and pathogen exposure, that limit early disease detection, assessment of anthropogenic impacts, and the development of effective conservation and emergency response strategies. Structured, long-term health assessments and disease surveillance programs are scientifically validated tools for evaluating population health in other cetacean species, informing conservation actions, and supporting One Health approaches. This full-day workshop aims to bring together veterinarians, biologists, researchers, One Health experts, and frontline conservation and environmental professionals working with river dolphins and within riverine ecosystems worldwide to share knowledge, align methodologies, and strengthen international collaboration that can inform more effective conservation strategies. The workshop will include expert presentations on the importance of live-animal health assessments for cetacean conservation and emergency preparedness, followed by updates on current river dolphin health assessment efforts, disease surveillance findings, diagnostic approaches, and animal handling techniques being implemented in South America and Asia. Facilitated discussions will focus on aligning protocols, data collection, and analysis, identifying and addressing research and capacity gaps, setting priority actions and clear goals, and enhancing cross-regional collaboration. Participants can expect to gain an updated overview of live river dolphin health initiatives worldwide, practical insights into established cetacean health assessment methodologies, and a collaborative platform to advance conservation medicine and One Health strategies for the long-term protection of these endangered species.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Marine mammals are exposed to cumulative anthropogenic pressures — chemical, plastic and noise pollution, direct disturbances, pathogens, ecosystem changes and habitat loss. Grasping on how impacts of different pressures in marine mammals is very challenging because of ethical and logistical constraints. To better understand their sensitivity and responses, we have developed and applied cutting‑edge non- or minimally invasive approaches that enable investigation of cause–effect relationships and mechanistic pathways.

This interactive workshop will share and exchange knowledge and experience on methodologies and applications obtained primarily through two large research projects Marma-detox, and SLICE. The techniques include primary cell cultures, precision‑cut adipose‑tissue slice cultures, controlled exposure studies, multi‑omics and molecular endpoints, genome mining, and receptor toxicology. We will consider comparability between in vitro and in silico approaches, and the use of correlative studies to link laboratory results with field observations. The workshop will also cover applications of these approaches in risk assessment and policy-relevant frameworks.

The workshop is planned as a one-day, hands-on, discussion-driven session divided into three modules:

• In vitro and ex vivo approaches:

1 – Methodology

2 – Exposure studies, multi-omics and molecular endpoints

• Genome mining and receptor toxicology
• Marine mammals as One Ocean Health indicators

Interactive elements will include short demonstrations of practical methodologies, data examples, case studies, and a panel discussion.

Speakers will include SLICE and Marma-detox participants.

Suggested reading: Vazquez, J.M., Khudyakov, J.I., Madelaire, C.B., Godard-Codding, C.A., Routti, H., Lam, E.K., Piotrowski, E.R., Merrill, G.B., Wisse, J.H., Allen, K.N., Conner, J., Blévin, P., Spyropoulos, D.D., Goksøyr, A., Vázquez-Medina, J.P., 2024. Ex vivo and in vitro methods as a platform for studying anthropogenic effects on marine mammals: four challenges and how to meet them. Frontiers in Marine Science 11. 10.3389/fmars.2024.1466968

While Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is a standard tool for occupancy studies, high-precision 3D localization remains a technical frontier for many researchers. This hands-on workshop provides a comprehensive “end-to-end” masterclass in using the SonarPoint system—a Navy-validated, long-baseline (LBL) array designed for high-precision tracking with minimal logistics.

The session begins in the classroom, where participants will master the fundamental physics of 3D localization. We will cover system configuration, the critical role of GPS-calibrated clocks, and the use of integrated acoustic pingers to maintain sub-meter timing precision across multi-month deployments.

Participants will then move to a nearby marina for the field-validation phase. In small teams, attendees will gain hands-on experience deploying a 5-node seafloor array from the docks. To simulate real-world cetacean tracking, we will conduct a controlled “tow test” of a sound source through the marina. This live data collection allows participants to face the real-world variables of acoustic propagation and array geometry.

Upon returning to the classroom, we will process the raw data in real-time. Attendees will learn to convert single-channel files into a tightly synchronized multi-channel .wav file, identify the simulated vocalizations, and generate precise 3D tracks. We will conclude with a deep dive into data from the Navy LMR program, discussing how to scale these techniques for deep-water (1800m) and long-baseline (8000m) environments.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have the practical skills and technical confidence to move beyond simple presence/absence detection and implement high-resolution spatial tracking in their own research.

Significant advancements in marine mammal ecotoxicology have yielded critical insights into the effects of anthropogenic contaminants on individuals, populations, and ecosystems. Landmark studies have documented bioaccumulation through food webs and linked contaminant exposure to reproductive, endocrine, and immune effects. These findings have informed regulatory frameworks, conservation strategies, and risk assessment approaches worldwide.

However, the field now faces new challenges and opportunities. Emerging contaminants, coupled with climate-driven changes in contaminant pathways, demand updated approaches. Advances in -omics technologies, bioinformatics, and long-term monitoring provide tools to explore sub-lethal effects, cumulative stressor exposures, and ecosystem-level consequences in greater depth. This full-day workshop will gather researchers to critically assess where the field currently stands and define a shared vision for the future.

After an introduction and review of the history and major advancements of the field, the workshop will be structured around three topics:

1) Emerging and current contaminants

Discussions of UV-related compounds, micro- and nanoplastic translocation, plastic-associated toxins, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), PFAS, flame retardants, etc.

2) Effects and welfare

Focusing on sub-lethal biological responses, including omics-based endpoints, endocrine disruption, immune effects, and other welfare-relevant indicators.

3) Limitations and future directions

Addressing the challenges of risk assessment at the individual and population level in complex exposure scenarios, including cumulative and mixture effects, in vitro cell line effects, thresholds, metabolomics correlations, and climate-driven changes in contaminant pathways.

Through invited keynotes, expert panels, and facilitated breakout groups aligned with each theme, participants will identify knowledge gaps, methodological limitations, and priority research needs. We will also explore how to better translate contaminant measurements into meaningful biological and conservation outcomes.

This workshop will produce a roadmap for advancing marine mammal ecotoxicology and to lay the foundation for a collaborative review or perspective paper synthesizing the state of the field, current limitations, and future directions.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

This workshop provides a dedicated forum for experts and trainees in marine mammal pathology to share and discuss new pathologies, outbreaks, diagnostic tools, etc., in the context of marine mammal pathology and conservation within the conference. The workshop aims to use pathology as a tool for marine mammal health, welfare, and conservation. Advances in marine mammal pathology, including field, laboratory diagnosis, new methodologies, and tools, will be presented and discussed. The workshop will consist of case report discussions and presentations. Scientists working in this field (either in the field or in the lab) are invited to submit a presentation title by 20th September 2026 (send to leaders of the Workshop by email). We are looking for an interactive and dynamic atmosphere for exchanging knowledge. The expected outcome of the workshop is the in situ exchange of knowledge, continuing education in marine mammal pathology and health, and strengthening collaboration and networking among marine mammal pathologists and scientists using pathological results”. The expected outcome is the integration of pathology into a holistic understanding of marine ecosystems, reinforcing its value in advancing marine mammal science for a shared ocean future. 

This workshop is a private meeting of the team members of the New Frontiers in Research Fund – International project, “WhaleAdapt: Adaptation of vulnerable subsistence-based North Atlantic communities from the tropics to the Arctic to marine mammal redistribution under climate change”. The WhaleAdapt project is an international collaboration of researchers and local organizations from Canada, the US, Denmark (Greenland, Faroe Islands), and St. Vincent and the Grenadines that uses cutting-edge approaches combined with local ecological knowledge (LEK) to address the overarching question – how can vulnerable communities reliant on whale consumption adapt successfully to shifting marine resources due to climate change? Project team members are meeting at SMM in 2026, which is the third year of the project, to provide project updates, discuss findings, plan outreach activities, and strategize upcoming activities.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Marine habitats present specific and one-of-a-kind issues when it comes to observing, mapping, and monitoring biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Harmonizing these data can be a challenging effort, but necessary when looking across borders to focus on ecosystem health and species management. The core mission of the DTO-BioFlow Project (https://dto-bioflow.eu) is to unlock “sleeping” biodiversity data and enable the sustained flow of these and new data into a Digital Twin Ocean, creating a digital replica of marine biological processes transforming new and existing data flows into evidence-based knowledge. Here, we will explain how the European scientific community came together across multiple disciplines, governments, and institutions to achieve collective, internationally harmonized databases which are actively being used in operationally relevant user cases. We will highlight harbor porpoise passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) detection data collected from C/F-PODs (https://www.chelonia.co.uk). Data exported from C/F-POD proprietary software has multiple export options, including different classifications, and presently user self-documentation is the only way to capture this metadata. Furthermore, once data is processed for a specific project, it often then remains stored and unused after that project has closed. Therefore, within DTO-BioFlow, we have created a workflow application, Valkyrie, to guide otherwise unused or dormant data into the DTO data lake to have a second life. Valkyrie extracts information directly from pod files to ensure PAM data is harmonized across projects, institutions, and countries, can thereby be stored uniformly within the publicly accessible European Tracking Network (ETN, https://www.europeantrackingnetwork.org/en) database, and ultimately ported to DTO-BioFlow. The workshop will include a practical component, where data holders are guided on how to use Valkyrie to validate their C/-F-POD data, and then upload it to ETN. Efforts are underway within Europe to harmonize pod data, but this workshop would expand those efforts globally, specifically targeting underrepresented marine areas in conservation efforts.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.

Life as a marine mammal scientist can be hard. Most of us struggle to some extent with the uncertainty related to short-term funding or employment. Many of us wrestle with nerves and anxiety over presentations and peer review processes. Some of us struggle with imposter syndrome and other assaults on our self-confidence. We spend a lot of time in our own heads.

Improvisation and acting specifically require participants to get out of their own heads so that they can perform at an appropriate level. As a result, numerous techniques and tools have been developed to help performers leave their own troubles behind and focus on their craft. Moreover, improvisation encourages acceptance, helps you embrace opportunities, and builds skills in active listening, collaboration and cooperation. These are all critical skills for a successful conservation career.

In this workshop we will discuss and experiment with several of these techniques, exploring how marine mammal scientists might use them to address their own nerves and anxiety, as well as improve their mental health in general. Theoretical elements will be brief, allowing the workshop to focus on practical exploration of these techniques.

Participation is an inherent part of this workshop, but it will be a safe space and there will be no pressure. Failures will be actively encouraged, and the attempt is the most crucial element. Participants will leave the workshop with new insight into the value of the performing arts in supporting science and conservation careers, as well as a few practical tools that they can use as they head into the rest of the conference!

The commercial and recreational boating industries are critical to reducing ship strike risks for large marine mammals.  Boating stakeholders are increasingly internet connected, even in offshore waters, and new AI driven sensor systems are being deployed on ocean going vessels for automated detection and reporting of whales.  Programs such as the Whale Report Alert System and Whale Alert aggregate sightings and detections from multiple sources and provide near real time sighting and detection reporting and sharing capability to on-the-water users.  Currently, most data sharing is managed via one-to-one agreements and licenses between sources, aggregators, and downstream consumers.

Via this workshop and other meetings, we are working to develop an open access data sharing license / terms of use that incorporates the best available science on mitigating ship strike risk, respects the institutional needs of data providers, and facilitates wider participation in data sharing efforts for both providers and boating industry users.  This license is intended to be open access and available to any organization to use in formalizing data sharing agreements with a goal to reduce the administrative burden across providers, aggregators, and consumers.

In this workshop we would like to get attendee input on:

• Concerns around real time data sharing – what are the potential pitfalls and mitigations
• Institutional challenges to data sharing including available resources, usage or licensing concerns, etc
• Institutional needs as providers – attribution, use/retention, etc

High-interest marine mammal stranding events don’t just test response capacity — they test communication, leadership, and organizational resilience in real time. Media attention escalates, stakeholders multiply, inboxes explode, and decisions must be made quickly, often with incomplete information and limited resources.

In an era shaped by rapid societal change, heightened public scrutiny, and lingering lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, response organizations face unprecedented pressure to operate efficiently while remaining compassionate, transparent, and effective. Compassion fatigue, communication overload, and unclear decision pathways can derail even the most experienced teams — and these stressors don’t stay confined to the field.

Whether you and your team are coordinating a large-scale unusual mortality event, managing a high-profile necropsy response, leading a multi-agency research effort, or preparing for the next crisis before it happens, proactive response planning and communications is no longer optional — it’s essential.

This interactive workshop is designed specifically for the marine mammal response and research community. Participants will explore practical tools, proven frameworks, and real-world strategies to maintain situational awareness, streamline communication, and support staff and partners during high-stress, high-visibility events.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to proactively:

• Establish clear situational awareness and decision-management processes
• Define and communicate institutional priorities, roles, and responsibilities utilizing a proven Communications Handbook developed by stranding response practitioners
• Implement scalable organizational structures that adapt to crisis conditions
• Strengthen collaboration with internal teams, partners, agencies, and stakeholders
• Identify training needs that build long-term capacity and create a lasting organizational legacy
• Build and sustain a strong, resilient, and informed organization
   

If you’ve ever thought “there has to be a better way to do this next time” — this workshop is for you.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for public health. While, this phenomenon can occur naturally and has even been detected in marine bacteria from deep-sea ecosystems, the contribution of antibiotics, their metabolites, and antibiotic resistant bacteria that spill over from human settlements and farms cannot be discarded as a source of antibiotic resistance in coastal environments. In the past decade, it has become evident that sediments, water, and biological samples collected from specimens in coastal areas harbour antibiotic resistant genes, with various having a potential anthropic origin. The relevance of antibiotic resistant genes in the marine environment is two-fold; on one hand, antibiotic-resistant bacteria may outcompete other bacteria, leading to shifts in the bacterial community with potential alteration to ecosystem functions (including host microbiomes); on the other hand, long-lived top predators, such as marine mammals, particularly those with migratory behaviours, coastal habits and human interactions, could be reservoirs of antibiotic resistance of clinical significance. This workshop aims to foster collaboration between marine mammal scientists to fill gaps in current understanding, generate more data and create more interpretable models for antibiotic resistance monitoring in marine environments.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the most common antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) present in different marine environments and their sources.
2. Evaluate antibiotic resistance in terms of their highest relevance for public health.
3. Analyse the current methodological approaches for detecting and characterizing antibiotic resistance.
4. Discuss key technical limitations of current approaches for environmental monitoring of antibiotic resistance.
5. Formulate a interdisciplinary research question that combines antibiotic resistance concepts with ecological field studies.
6. Develop an outline for a joint collaborative proposal for a review paper. 

The workshop will consist of presentations, discussion and group activities.

The Cetacean Caller-ID project was funded to evaluate practical methods to determine which vocalizations in a biologging tag recording were produced by the tagged animal, and which originate from nearby conspecifics. This caller-attribution challenge is a persistent limitation in tag-based studies of cetacean communication and behavior, and it directly affects whether we can quantify individual and group-level calling rates and monitor changes in call rates and source parameters over time.

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of existing approaches and hands-on experience using project-developed tools to separate tagged-animal calls. Practical sessions will focus on analysis of DTAG data using MATLAB. Participants are expected to bring laptops with MATLAB and the Signal Processing Toolbox installed to get the most out of the workshop. Practicals will span both baleen and toothed whales to illustrate different approaches. For low-frequency baleen whales, exercises will emphasize analysis of acoustic recordings and high–sample-rate accelerometry. For toothed whales, exercises will focus on stereo acoustic tag data. A final demonstration will demonstrate a toolbox for analysing data from multiple simultaneously deployed tags where cross-tag comparisons can strengthen caller identification. At the end of the workshop, we will look towards the future and discuss technological and analytical developments that would improve caller identification reliability.

Join fellow whale watch naturalists and educators for a dynamic, connection-driven workshop designed to bring our community together. This session is all about sharing what works—best practices for education and research, creative teaching tools, and storytelling techniques that help turn every trip into a meaningful experience for your passengers.

You’ll hear from an inspiring keynote speaker, take part in fast-paced lightning talks, and join open discussions on how to navigate some of the most complex topics we face—like entanglement, climate change, vessel strikes, and offshore wind—while still inspiring hope and positive action.

We’ll also explore the idea of building a broader, more connected community of naturalists—drawing on the success of regional collaborations like the North Atlantic Whale Watch Naturalist Association—and consider what an international network could look like. Your ideas and experiences will help shape what’s possible moving forward.

Come ready to collaborate, swap ideas, and leave with practical tools you can use right away—plus new connections with others who share your passion for whales, education, and ocean stewardship.

For details about virtual attendance, please contact the workshop leads listed above.