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Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

We're funding a project in Hong Kong that's working with fishing communities to help save...

Mindful conservation – why we need a new respect for nature

'We should look at whales and dolphins as the indigenous people of the seas -...
A dolphin called Arnie with a shell

Dolphins catch fish using giant shell tools

In Shark Bay, Australia, two groups of dolphins have figured out how to use tools...
Common dolphins at surface

Did you know that dolphins have unique personalities?

We all have personalities, and between the work Christmas party and your family get-together, perhaps...
Leaping harbour porpoise

The power of harbour porpoise poo

We know we need to save the whale to save the world. Now we are...
Holly. Image: Miray Campbell

Meet Holly, she’s an incredible orca leader

Let me tell you the story of an awe-inspiring orca with a fascinating family story...
Humpback whale. Image: Christopher Swann

A story about whales and humans

As well as working for WDC, I write books for young people. Stories; about the...
Risso's dolphin at surface

My lucky number – 13 years studying amazing Risso’s dolphins

Everything we learn about the Risso's dolphins off the coast of Scotland amazes us and...

20th Biennial Conference of the Biology of Marine Mammals Part 2

WDC present our work on non-lethal vessel strikes on humpback whales in the southern Gulf of Maine  ~ Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand, 9-13 December

The “biennial,” held every two years, is a gathering of marine mammal scientists from around the world. The theme for this year “Marine Mammal Conservation: Science Making a Difference”, has shown through in the lectures, panel discussions, poster presentations, workshops and short talks over coffee breaks. 

The numbers: this years biennial includes 357 talks and 400 posters in just five days with over 1000 people in attendance from 30 countries!  It is amazing to see so many people come from all over the world with different backgrounds all coming together to present their research and talk about marine mammals. 

I have been lucky enough to attend the conference as a student in collaboration with Whale and Dolphin Conservation to present our work on non-lethal vessel strikes on humpback whales in the southern Gulf of Maine.  Being able to share my research and talk with other marine mammal scientists dealing with the same issues of vessel strikes in other parts of the world has been extremely rewarding.  This conference is so important to the progression of the marine mammal field as it allows so many people with different types of background such as researchers, students, veterinarians, lawyers, and government employees all to come together to collaborate, share our research and discuss how we should be dealing with some of the challenges in the marine mammal field. 

~Alex Hill, WDC Biologist