Becoming a member/membership renewal

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in cetaceans or in pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, walrus) and members are encouraged to present their work at their Annual Conferences. The Society is financed through the annual membership subscription. Please register on the ECS website for free and then you may apply for ECS membership.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE NEWS: but you think you are a member of the ECS, first check whether you have paid your membership for this year. Often payments have not been made and the ECS does not send reminders. Remember: only payment makes you a member! Membership of one of our ECS-Talk or other ECS mailing lists does not make you a member!

If you did pay, please contact the Membership Secretary with your question. Mistakes happen. On the other hand, quite often registration is illegible or you have moved without telling us. In that case the Council is unable to contact you. Please make sure, that your request is accompanied with the relevant information. If you do not receive Email, look here.

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The European Cetacean Society (or ECS for short) was formed in January 1987 at a meeting of 80 scientists interested in cetaceans (whale and dolphin) from 10 European countries. A need was felt for a Society that brought together people from European countries studying cetaceans in the wild, allowing collaborative projects with international funding. Ten years later already hundreds of members from tens of countries fill the ranks!

The ECS is facilitated by a Council and the Annual Conferences have their own organisation. In many countries in Europe the ECS is also supported by a National Contact Person. See the country pages for contact details. The ECS is present on the internet since pre-web 1992, where the Constitution of the ECS is available as well.

In 2004, ECS membership numbered some 500 persons from 27 European countries and 9 countries outside Europe. Membership fluctuates between 350-750 persons. The Society is fully financed through the annual membership subscription. Students make up about 50% of the membership, proving the essence of the ECS: to bring students and scientists together to improve in and collaborate in marine mammal science.

The original ECS logo (below) was replaced by the O. orca logo (top of page) in 1994.