It was an excellent week at the 37th European Cetacean Society conference in Dundee, Scotland, bringing together global experts in whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals to share the latest science, conservation, and policy. Nearly 800 delegates from 46 countries attended – the largest ECS conference yet, starting with pre-conference workshops across the city, followed by the main sessions at LIVEHOUSE. This year’s conference theme, “Basics to Benefits”, celebrated the full journey of marine mammal science – from the foundational research that uncovers knowledge, to the applied studies that turn this understanding into action for conservation and management.
Liz Sandeman (Marine Connection) and Dan Jarvis (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) presented a joint poster on solitary sociable dolphins in southwest England. Alongside the programme, there was strong networking, including an Icebreaker at the V&A Dundee. It remains one of the most significant annual gatherings in the global marine science calendar, with next year’s conference due to be held in Slovenia.
