CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Workshops will be held on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st, April 2026, in different locations in the city centre of Dundee, within walking distance of the main venues. They will take place before the main plenary sessions of the ECS Conference 2026, which will be the 22nd-24th April.
REGISTRATION FOR WORKSHOPS WILL OPEN SOON
Until then, browse this page to see the great number of interesting workshops that will be available
Workshops have an associated cost that is NOT included in the conference registration:
€20/person for a Half-Day workshop
€30/person for a Full-Day Workshop
Two STUDENT workshops will be given FREE OF CHARGE for students.
Once open, registration will be directly available on the registration page on a first-come first-served basis until reaching maximum capacity.
By registering to any workshop, you agree to be contacted by the workshop organisers about that workshop.
Please note: you need to be logged in with your ECS account to register to a workshop. Make sure that your ECS profile (My ECS > My profile) is filled.
Monday 20th April 2026
Half day - Morning
20AM1: Losing genes: deciphering the mechanisms behind gene loss in cetaceans
Organisers: Filipe Castro (CIIMAR/FCUP), Nádia Artilheiro (CIIMAR/FCUP), Raul Valente (CIIMAR/FCUP)
Organiser contact: Nádia Artilheiro
Gene loss is a key molecular evolutionary mechanism driving adaptation to novel ecological niches. This process does not necessarily entail complete gene deletion but can also arise from mutations that disrupt protein function or impair mRNA production. Cetaceans provide a compelling model for studying this process, due to the extensive suite of inactivation events associated with their transition from terrestrial to aquatic environments. Prior research has documented the loss or inactivation of multiple genes linked to hair follicle development, sebaceous glands, and lung function, aligning with cetaceans specific morphological and physiological traits.
This workshop will be divided into two components: a theoretical section providing an overview of gene loss as an evolutionary mechanism, and a practical section in which participants will learn how to investigate gene loss using genomic resources. The practical component will introduce the use of databases such as NCBI, Gene Loss Database and Ensembl as well as tools such asPseudoChecker and Geneious Prime, providing participants with the skills to detect, annotate, and interpret gene loss events in an evolutionary framework.
20AM2: Building Bridges: Sign Language and Inclusive Practices for Marine Mammal Science Education – An Interactive Workshop
Organisers: Patrizia Patti (EcoMarine Malta), Dr Audrey Cameron (University of Edinburgh), Emma Ripard Xuereb (The Deaf People Association Malta), Gianmarco Santirocco (The Deaf People Association Malta), Dr Camille Ollier (University of Edinburgh)
Organiser contact: Patrizia Patti
Marine science has long posed accessibility challenges for deaf communities and individuals with other disabilities, often due to communication barriers and a lack of accessible educational resources. This workshop explores how inclusive practices can be embedded into marine mammal research, outreach, and fieldwork. The MUFFIN project, developed across Malta, Spain, Italy, Croatia, and the UK, will be presented as a practical example and resource, offering co-created marine mammal signs and educational materials that support more equitable participation. However, the workshop’s scope extends beyond MUFFIN, focusing on broader strategies to create inclusive scientific environments.
20AM3: Enhancing Marine Mammal Conservation through the Integration of Animal Welfare Science
Organisers: Agathe Serres (Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Rebecca M. Boys (Cetacean Ecology Research Group, Massey University), Laetitia Nunny (OceanCare), Mark P. Simmonds (Bristol Veterinary School & OceanCare), Madison Miketa (Humane World for Animals), Karen Stockin (Cetacean Ecology Research Group & Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University)
Organiser contact: Agathe Serres
This interactive workshop is designed to advance the practical assessment of animal welfare in free-ranging marine mammals by bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and on-the-ground application. We will showcase several recently developed welfare assessment frameworks, followed by brief case studies to demonstrate their real-world use. The core of our session will address a central, practical question: how can we leverage existing data streams and methodologies—on behaviour, health, physiology, and the environment—to evaluate welfare? To ensure focused and relevant discussions, a pre-workshop questionnaire will catalogue the types of data participants routinely collect and the methods employed. Through collaborative brainstorming, we aim to develop strategies for integrating welfare assessments into existing monitoring and conservation programs. Our ultimate goals are to identify opportunities for standardizing methods, repurposing existing data, and fostering a collaborative community to improve the global understanding of how robust welfare assessment can complement and enhance marine mammal conservation efforts. This workshop is aimed at attendees that have experience in and regularly undertake cetacean fieldwork, data collection and analyses, as the workshop will focus on such data that can be used in welfare assessments.
Monday 20th April 2026
Half day - Afternoon
20PM1: End-to-End Species Distribution Modelling: From CMEMS and CMIP6 Data to Predictions
Organisers: Jazel Ouled-Cheikh
Organiser contact: Jazel Ouled-Cheikh
Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely used to investigate species–environment relationships and to assess potential changes in species distributions under current and future environmental conditions. However, many early career researchers face practical difficulties in moving from raw environmental data to fully operational SDMs, particularly when working with large marine datasets and climate model outputs. This workshop provides a hands-on, end-to-end introduction to species distribution modelling using marine environmental data, with a focus on cetaceans as a case study. Participants will be guided through the complete workflow, starting with the download and exploration of environmental variables from the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) and CMIP6 Earth System Models. We will cover data subsetting, preprocessing, and standardization, the construction of environmental stacks, and their integration with cetacean occurrence or tracking data. The workshop will then focus on fitting SDMs using commonly applied algorithms, evaluating model performance, and generating spatial predictions under historical and future climate scenarios. Throughout the session, emphasis will be placed on practical choices, common pitfalls, and reproducible workflows, illustrated with real examples from cetacean ecology and oceanographic applications. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a clear understanding of the full SDM pipeline (from environmental data acquisition to model prediction) and will be equipped with practical tools that can be directly applied to their own marine and cetacean research.
20PM2: Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCoD) and Multiple Stressors (PCoMS) – Advances and Applications
Organisers: Magda Chudzinska (SMRU Consulting, St Andrews), Catriona Harris (CREEM, St Andrews), Enrico Pirotta (CREEM, St Andrews), Katarina Klementisova (SMRU Consulting, St Andrews), Cara Gallagher (Aarhus University)
Organiser contact: Magda Chudzinska
Please note this workshop may change to be delivered Monday morning instead - we will update as soon as we have confirmation
Anthropogenic activities increasingly impact ecosystems. Methods for assessing the consequences of various types of stressors on populations have advanced considerably over the past decade. The PCoD framework describes the pathways linking exposure to one stressor to population-level consequences through behavioural and/or physiological changes, effects on health, and altered vital rates. The framework has been recently extended to consider multiple stressors and their combined effects (PCoMS). Several quantitative approaches have been developed to operationalise these conceptual frameworks, ranging from implementations using expert elicitation to spatially-explicit individual-based models, Bayesian hierarchical models fitted directly to data, and mechanistic bioenergetic approaches, each with distinct data requirements and assumptions. As these frameworks are increasingly applied across species, stressors, and management schemes, researchers and other stakeholders need guidance to choose the most appropriate implementation for their system, given the challenges and opportunities of each approach.
This workshop will provide an accessible introduction to the PCoD/PCoMS frameworks, covering their conceptual foundations, recent methodological advances in implementations, and practical applications. Presentations will also highlight key considerations for selecting among approaches in different scenarios. The workshop is designed for researchers and practitioners seeking understanding on how these frameworks and their implementations can inform assessment of effects and management decisions.
20PM3: ECS-ASCOBANS Workshop: Towards Meaningful Conservation Action for Risso’s Dolphins in the North Atlantic
Organisers: Jenny Renell (ASCOBANS), Mark Simmonds (OceanCare), Nicola Hodgins (Mara), Peter Evans (Sea Watch Foundation)
Organiser contact: Jenny Renell
Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) are widely distributed across the North Atlantic, yet their population status, ecological requirements, and vulnerability to human pressures remain poorly understood. Recent large-scale surveys, data compilations (including strandings data) and long-term photo-identification studies highlight regional hotspots around the British Isles, Ireland, France and the Azores, while genetic analyses reveal significant population differentiation between European Atlantic waters and the Mediterranean. Despite these advances, conservation challenges persist, including fisheries interactions, prey availability, chemical pollution, acoustic and anthropogenic disturbance, and coastal development.
This half-day workshop aims to synthesize current knowledge, identify priority actions, and components of an ASCOBANS conservation plan for the species. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and jurisdictions, the workshop aims to translate research findings into meaningful conservation actions, ensuring that Risso’s dolphins receive the targeted protection necessary to safeguard their future in the North Atlantic.
20PM4: Mobilizing citizen science for marine education and conservation
Organisers: Wiebke Homes (Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Bremen), Eleonora Barbaccia (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
Organiser contact: Wiebke Homes
Citizen science offers a powerful pathway to engage the public in marine mammal education, monitoring and conservation. This half-day workshop will explore how citizen science can be harnessed effectively to support outreach, data collection and conservation efforts across Europe. The workshop aims to share diverse experiences from existing citizen-science initiatives, discuss methodological and best practices, and might foster collaboration and future project development.
Participants will be invited to contribute examples of ongoing or past citizen science efforts, summarising their geographic scope, target species, participant demographics, data types and outreach strategies. Through structured discussion, attendees will jointly examine challenges such as data quality, participant engagement, ethical considerations and resource constraints. The goal is to co-identify a set of “best practices” for designing and running citizen science programmes focused on marine mammals.
Finally, the workshop will provide networking time to build connections, brainstorm new collaborative ideas - such as transnational efforts, standardised monitoring protocols or shared outreach materials - and explore pathways for future cooperation. By bridging science, education and public participation, this workshop seeks to inspire citizen science initiatives that are scientifically sound, ethically responsible, socially inclusive and effective for long-term marine mammal conservation.
Monday 20th April 2026
FULL DAY
20F1: A Cost–Benefit Framework for Whale & Dolphin Watching: Evidence, Impacts & Solutions
Organisers: R&E Ocean Community Conservation, Center for Marine Science and Technology (CMST)
Organiser contact: Ann Carole Vallejo
Whale- and dolphin-watching offers communities income, education, and connection with marine life, yet also carries ecological risks. This one-day workshop will apply a cost-benefit lens to examine when whale- and dolphin-watching supports conservation and when it may unintentionally contribute to disturbance or stress. Through comparative case studies from, for example, Scotland, Iceland, Norway, Colombia, and the Western North Atlantic/Caribbean, while remaining open to additional regions, participants will explore contrasting regulatory frameworks, scientific approaches, and cultural contexts.
More than a discussion space, this workshop is a working laboratory for exchange. Attendees will evaluate real examples, define the current state of the art, share experiences, debate challenges, and explore mitigation strategies through group sessions. Question-driven dialogue will guide the workshop: What are our uncertainties, and what practices remain controversial? What responsible models work best, and which indicators reflect animal welfare? What further research priorities emerge when regions are compared? How can bioacoustics, community-sourced science, and informed guidelines reduce impacts while sustaining social and economic benefits?
Collaborative activities will generate practical, transportable outputs such as monitoring ideas, draft guidelines, and cross-regional recommendations. Our goal is to strengthen sustainable whale- and dolphin watching globally by comparing realities, addressing doubts, and building connections among people working with cetaceans in different seas.
20F2: A comprehensive open-source workflow to facilitate Passive acoustic monitoring studies
Organisers: Elodie Morin (ENSTA IPP and Lab STICC UMR CNRS 6285), Gauthier Berhomieu (ENSTA IPP and Lab STICC UMR CNRS 6285), Mathieu Dupont (ENSTA IPP and Lab STICC UMR CNRS 6285), Maëlle Torterotot (ENSTA IPP and Lab STICC UMR CNRS 6285)
Organiser contact: Gauthier Berthomieu
Underwater acoustic datasets are increasingly being collected worldwide, but they vary greatly in terms of volume, format and quality. This complicates the standardisation of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) analysis workflows.
The OSmOSE team (ENSTA IPP and Lab STICC UMR CNRS 6285) has developed a comprehensive open-source workflow that addresses the standardisation of acoustic data processing with little to no regard for the original features of the dataset. This workflow helps processing raw data into a suitable format either for automated algorithm or direct ecological analysis.
The workshop will begin with the processing of raw audio data thanks to our OSEkit Python package. This will create a dataset structure including spectrograms and audio that are compatible with our APLOSE Annotation Platform.
During the second part of the workshop, participants will learn to use APLOSE to create collaborative annotation campaigns and annotate their datasets. If time permits, we will use our post-processing package to further process the annotations into interpretable figures.
20F3: Wind Does Not Only Blow in the North: Lessons for Cetacean Conservation in Offshore Wind Development. From Northern experience to Southern application
Organisers: Alicia Rodríguez-Juncá (Universidad de la Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain), Raquel de la Cruz-Modino (Universidad de la Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain), Natacha Aguilar de Soto (IEO-CSIC, Canary Islands, Spain), Mónica Montoya (Universidad de la Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain), Carla Rubio (Universidad de la Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain)
Organiser contact: Please email the workshop team for all workshop related communications. You can contact Alicia Rodríguez-Juncá for more personal queries.
The rapid expansion of offshore wind energy has been concentrated mainly in northern seas, where extensive research has addressed potential impacts on marine mammals. However, emerging regions such as Macaronesia present unique ecological, social, and regulatory contexts that differ significantly from those in northern Europe. This workshop aims to bridge experiences between regions by bringing together international experts on cetacean impacts and mitigation measures in offshore wind development to share lessons learned from the North. At the same time, stakeholders from other regions will share perspectives on local challenges, knowledge gaps, and conservation priorities. We warmly invite participants from other regions experiencing rapid offshore wind development to contribute insights on challenges arising in environmental and regulatory contexts that differ from more established offshore wind areas.
The workshop will feature a series of expert talks addressing various types of impacts (e.g. floating turbine acoustics and noise impacts, entanglement, changes in oceanographic features, chemical contamination, and impact evaluation methods), followed by impact-specific working groups, where participants will be asked to select and contribute to one group based on their interest or expertise. The expected final output will be a synthesis report outlining research and data priorities, practical monitoring recommendations, and transferable best practices tailored to distinct case scenarios. Ultimately, the goal is to foster meaningful collaboration—drawing on northern expertise while empowering southern regions to build capacity and co-develop sustainable, regionally relevant solutions for cetacean conservation within offshore wind development.
20F4: An introduction to PAMGuard
Organisers: Douglas Gillespie, SMRU, University of St Andrews, Jamie Macaulay, SMRU University of St Andrews
Organiser contact: Doug Gillespie
PAMGuard is a comprehensive software suite for the automated detection, classification, and localisation of cetacean vocalisations. It includes access to state-of-the-art automated analysis algorithms alongside powerful visualisation tools for validating data. PAMGuard is widely used by offshore industries, researchers, and NGO’s for real time mitigation, abundance surveys, and behavioural studies. This introduction to the software will be taught by the Sea Mammal Research Unit who are the primary developers of PAMGuard and is aimed at people who are new to PAMGuard and may have limited experience of passive acoustic monitoring. You will learn:
1. How to configure PAMGuard to process data either in real time, or from archived data
2. How to configure detectors for different types of vocalisation
3. How to interpret PAMGuard displays, including spectrograms and click displays
4. How to review and annotate processed data
Participants should come away with a good foundation on how PAMGuard works and its capabilities for processing large acoustic datasets. Ideally attendees should have some limited experience with acoustic monitoring and everyone will require their own laptop with PAMGuard already installed. PAMGuard supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 and macOS (Apple Silicon only).
20F5: Tackling marine mammal bycatch challenges through different mitigation approaches in collaboration with stakeholders
Organisers: Dunja Jusufovski (Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Iceland), Marije Siemensma (Marine Science & Communication - MS&C on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, The Netherlands), Graham Pierce (Spanish National Research Council), Cecile Dagentolle (MATIS, Iceland)
Organiser contact: Dunja Jusufovski
Bycatch remains to be a persistent source of human-caused mortality for many marine mammals, especially for small odontocetes and pinnipeds. This is a complex and sensitive issue, which requires careful consideration and integration of different and sometimes opposing perspectives where mutual trust, dialogue and co-creation are essential. Following an increased effort to reduce marine mammal bycatch in artisanal and commercial fisheries in the last decade, we aim to present a comprehensive overview of recent bycatch mitigation approaches addressing:
1) Current knowledge on bycatch;
2) Recent developments, trials and challenges in the uptake of different bycatch approaches in experimental and commercial fisheries settings;
3) Wider implications and long-term effects of bycatch mitigation measures on endangered marine mammals;
4) Best practices for co-creation of bycatch solutions with fishers, scientists, gear developers and other stakeholders;
5) Addressing challenges in bycatch trial designs and data analysis.
A full-day workshop will be held in a form of interactive sessions with presentations showcasing ongoing bycatch projects such as Life CIBBRiNA, Marine Beacon, REDUCE, MarineGuardian, ECO-CATCH and other associated research presenting different aspects of bycatch mitigation approaches with consideration to the species of interest and fishing gear. Additionally, the attendees will engage in exercises specifically tailored to experience the importance of perspective.
20F6: Advances in Dietary studies
Organisers: Lisa Klemens, Michael Dähne
Organiser contact: Lisa Klemens
Dietary ecology research in marine mammals provides important opportunities to improve our understanding of trophic relationships, habitat use, and ecosystem status in a rapidly changing world. Dietary shifts directly indicate changes in large-scale ecosystem changes. This workshop aims to explore updated approaches for advancing the study of feeding ecology across all marine mammal species, by summarizing recent developments. We will discuss how classical methods such as stomach content analysis and scat examination may be complemented by biochemical and molecular tools including stable isotope analysis, fatty acid composition, and DNA metabarcoding. In addition, other technologies such as tagging, photogrammetry using drones and passive acoustic monitoring may offer new possibilities for assessing foraging behaviour and prey encounter rates. A central aim of the workshop is to consider strategies for integrating multiple data types in order to better detect spatial and temporal dietary patterns and to investigate how climate-driven changes, fisheries interactions and habitat modification may influence prey resources and the effects on marine mammals. By bringing together researchers covering different disciplines and species, the workshop seeks to identify knowledge gaps, addresses methodological challenges and outline future directions for robust and comparable dietary studies in marine mammals.
Tuesday 21st April 2026
Half day - Morning
21AM1: Improve wellbeing - performance techniques for greater confidence in academic journey
Organisers: Michael Dähne, Andrew Wrigh, Maddalena Fumagalli, Yaly Mevorach
Organiser contact: Michael Dähne
Do you struggle with deadlines?
Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
Imposter syndrome sounds familiar?
If you answered, ‘Yes,’ to any of these questions, then this workshop is for you!
Improvisation and acting require participants to be present, focused, adaptable, and accepting of failures. In this workshop, we’ll teach you tools from both performance forms that will help you become more capable of focus when it is needed, more willing and able to handle unexpected challenges, and more comfortable with your own capabilities in your day-to-day life. We’ll lead participants through simple exercises that are designed to relax the body and mind, allowing greater focus on the tasks ahead, be they acting or scientific. We’ll walk you through tasks intended to overcome any feelings of discomfort with yourself or those around you. Finally, we’ll use a variety of improvisation ‘games’ based on the creed of, “Yes, and…” to build skills in quick-thinking and adaptability in a supportive setting where failure is embraced (and encouraged) instead of penalized.
Say, “Yes, and,” join us to take your first steps on a journey to becoming a more self-confident individual capable of being more forgiving of yourself. What do you have to lose?
21AM2: Cumulative population level impacts of marine industries on marine mammals: exploring key evidence gaps
Organisers: Clare Owen (Natural England), Janneke Ransijn (Wageningen Marine Research), Trudy Russell (Natural England), Martin Peverley (Natural England)
Organiser contact: Clare Owen
Marine mammals, and especially cetaceans are highly mobile, with populations that often span national boundaries and extend across entire ocean basins. Across these regions they are exposed to a variety of marine industries including offshore renewables, shipping and fisheries, that introduce a myriad of pressures including underwater noise, vessel collision risk, bycatch and pollutants. The combined influence of these pressures has potential to affect marine mammal populations, yet a widely adopted framework for assessing cumulative impacts is still lacking.
This workshop will examine the key evidence gaps that currently limit our ability to evaluate population-level consequences of marine industries on marine mammals. Participants will work together to identify evidence gaps that can be addressed accounting for cost, ethics and timescales, and where expert judgement will remain necessary due to constraints on obtaining empirical evidence. Through presentations, collaborative discussion and structured activities, attendees will review existing evidence gaps and contribute towards the development of an action plan aimed at advancing cumulative impact assessment for marine mammal populations.
21AM3: Area-based management of cetaceans: current research and future directions
Organisers: Sascha Hooker (SMRU, St Andrews), Gill Braulik (SMRU, St Andrews), Sonja Heinrich (SMRU, St Andrews), Enrico Pirotta (CREEM, St Andrews)
Organiser contact: Sascha Hooker
Effective conservation needs to account for the timing, location and nature of interactions between animals and their threats. However, both animals and threats are often mobile, threats differ in relative impact, and many threats act cumulatively. This workshop aims to examine some of the tools we have available to assist with area-based management for cetaceans in the ocean. These range from (1) methodologies to quantify distribution and abundance, (2) modelling the impacts of stressors on animals, (3) using expert-elicitation to identify areas and species warranting a higher status of alert. With the current 30x30 global goal – to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 – and the recent United Nations High Seas Treaty, it is an opportune time to examine what we are able to do in terms of designation of areas for area-based management, given the data constraints we face. We hope to focus particularly on next steps and future directions.
Tuesday 21st April 2026
Half day - Afternoon
21PM1: Student workshop - Stress, wellbeing and performance in academic journeys
Organisers: Yaly Mevorach, Andrew Wright, Michael Dähne, Maddalena Fumagalli
Organiser contact: Yaly Mevorach
Please note this workshop is open to student members only
Feeling overwhelmed by deadlines, academic pressure, and the constant drive to succeed? You’re not alone. This half-day workshop is designed for students who want to better understand and manage the stressors of academic life. We’ll explore the emotional toll of short-term contracts, competitive funding, student-supervisor dynamics, and performance expectations, which can all contribute to burnout, self-doubt, anxiety, and imposter feelings. The workshop also includes a presentation of the topic of mental health and a personal story from a fellow researcher to highlight the shared human experience behind the statistics. Through a mix of talks and interactive group exercises, we’ll learn to recognize our stress triggers, reflect on academic challenges, and practice evidence-informed strategies to manage pressure, improve focus and work life balance, and protect our wellbeing. Practical tips and resources will be provided, including guidance on when and how to seek support. Delivered in a supportive, non-judgmental environment, this workshop aims to normalize mental health conversations in academic settings and equip participants with tools to build a healthier, more sustainable, and fulfilling scientific career. Students are also encouraged to attend the open workshop Performance Techniques for Greater Confidence in Academic Journeys, which complements and builds on the themes covered here.
21PM2: Contaminants in Marine Mammals: Significance, Challenges, and Future Perspectives – A Path Toward a Collaborative Network
Organisers: Annalisa Sambolino (MARE-Madeira/ARDITI, University of Madeira, PT), Eva Iñiguez (MARE-Madeira/ARDITI, University of Madeira, CIIMAR, PT), Sarah Nelms (University of Exeter, UK), Emma Hunter (University of Exeter, UK), Kelly Robinson (University of St. Andrews, UK), Rosie Williams (Zoological Society of London, UK), Rebecca von Hellfeld (University of Aberdeen, UK)
Organiser contact: Annalisa Sambolino
Contaminants in the marine environment represent a pervasive and persistent problem arising from increasing human activities worldwide. Marine mammals are key sentinels of human and marine ecosystem health, integrating contaminant exposure across trophic levels and over long time scales. Despite decades of research and monitoring, substantial gaps remain in our understanding of the sources, pathways, and biological effects of legacy and emerging pollutants in these species.
This workshop will facilitate discussions on challenges, limitations, and recent advances in analytical methods, data interpretation, and ecological implications, with the aim to:
• Identify analytical, logistical, and ethical challenges;
• Discuss harmonization of methodologies and data comparability across studies;
• Examine the effects of contaminant exposure on marine mammal populations, including cumulative impact of anthropogenic stressors (e.g., climate change, prey depletion, noise), and implications for conservation and management;
• Establish a collaborative network of marine scientists and other key actors in marine mammal ecotoxicology;
• Outline future directions for interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Expected outcomes include:
• A summary document or statement outlining key research priorities;
• Strengthened connections among early-career and established researchers, as well as policy makers and conservation practitioners;
• Formation of a thematic network or collaborative working group, potentially leading to a future network funding application.
21PM3: ECS-ASCOBANS Workshop: Building Knowledge, Building Action: Atlantic White-sided and White-beaked Dolphins
Organisers: Jenny Renell (ASCOBANS), Peter Evans (Sea Watch Foundation & Bangor University), Carl Kinze (Zoology Museum of Copenhagen), Emily Griffiths (Aarhus University), Marianne Rasmussen (University of Iceland)
Organiser contact: Jenny Renell
Despite some recent advances in our knowledge, the white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Leucopleurus acutus) remain two of the least-studied dolphins across their range. For both species, there are few estimates of life-history parameters; no reliable overall abundance estimates for either species that encompass their range, limited information on population trends, and a poor understanding of the conservation threats and population-level impacts faced by either species. One fundamental issue has been distinguishing the two species during abundance surveys, and concerns remain over mortalities resulting from direct hunting and bycatch.
There is a potential risk of local extirpation of the southernmost populations of white-beaked dolphin, which could lead to the loss of a significant proportion of species-wide genetic diversity whilst the Atlantic white-sided dolphin appears to have a relatively narrow ecological niche, which makes them particularly vulnerable.
This workshop aims to present current knowledge and data gaps for both species, foster collaboration across national boundaries, and discuss the development and components of an ASCOBANS conservation plan, similar to existing plans for other small cetaceans.
Tuesday 21st April 2026
FULL DAY
21F1: Flying Forward: Innovations, Ethics, and Best Practices for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Marine Mammal Research
Organisers: Sarah Dolman (ECS Scientific Advisory Committee), Emily Hague (University of the Highlands and Islands: Shetland), Claire Stainfield (Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)), Rachel Shucksmith (University of the Highlands and Islands: Shetland)
Organiser contact: Sarah Dolman
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs; drones) are rapidly transforming marine mammal research, being used for a variety of applications including aerial surveys, species monitoring, abundance estimates, biological sampling, health monitoring, understanding population dynamics and social structure, as well as biometrical thermology. Whilst there are many benefits of using UAVs, there are also disturbance risks. The one-day workshop will focus on the scientific strengths and weaknesses with respect to meeting objectives for different species, age classes and study areas. Levels of disturbance to animals will be discussed and consideration of trade-offs when deciding study methods (including flight height and duration).
21F2: Advancing towards mitigation of collision risk for marine traffic
Organisers: Natacha Aguilar de Soto (CSIC, Ocean care), Alice Bouchard (International Whaling Commission), Damian Foxall (Marine Mammal Advisory Group), Kellie Covington (Sails of Change), Aylin Akkaya, Tim Awbery, Maisie Kirkland, Suzanne Kamsteeg, Sanja Dragovic, Patrick Lyne (DMAD-Marine Mammals Research Association Istanbul, Türkiye & MDR-Montenegro Dolphin Research, Tivat, Montenegro).
Organiser contact: Damian Foxall & Natacha Aguilar de Soto
Maritime traffic poses a major threat to cetaceans, all marine traffic sectors are concerned, with the problem exacerbated by the worldwide increase of shipping activity, especially where highspeed vessels and routes overlap with migratory corridors and critical habitats. A comprehensive approach is needed to address this issue.
Workshop Part 1(AM): RISK ASSESSMENTS:
Assessments supporting marine spatial and route planning have led to location-specific applicable conservation. Studies integrate collision data, online databases, delineated IMMA sites, and protection measures to identify critical habitats for baleen whales, deep-diving and logging species, and threatened toothed whales. Studies provide spatially and temporally explicit guidance
and recommended mitigation measures. This workshop will explore current methodologies, the recent IWC guidelines, and next steps in developing a Global Risk Assessment to provide a credible, accessible resource to foster safer navigation
Workshop Part 2 (PM): ADVANCES IN SHIP-STRIKE MITIGATION:
Globally, scientists and stakeholders are intensively working on mitigation measures covering different aspects of the guide for ship-strike prevention of the IMO, and other organizations. These include education to mariners, operational measures, gathering of information, technological development, etc. This session will empower the scientific community to support ship strike
prevention by 1. Reviewing industry perspectives from across the marine traffic sector. 2. Looking at current mitigation efforts including, speed reductions, marine traffic regulations, incentive programs and other solutions 3. Providing an update on current technologies that support marine traffic collision mitigation, detection, monitoring and decision-making.
FINAL DISCUSSION:
The concluding discussion will synthesise insights from the day and explicitly examine how these can be used to inform a current case: the issue of vessel strikes involving fast ferries in the Canary Islands. The aim would be to explore which mitigation measures, stakeholder approaches, and tools discussed earlier could realistically be applied to this context.
21F3: Marine mammal monitoring, noise management and policy
Organisers: Sarah Canning (JNCC), Rebecca Walker (DESNZ), Natalie Sinclair (NatureScot), Lydia Baulard-Cato (Defra), Niru Dorrian (IMarEST), Ross Culloch (Seiche), Hannah Elms (JNCC), Abi Goulding (JNCC), Emily Charry Tissier (IMarEST/Whale Seeker), Elizabeth Ferguson (IMarEST/OSA), Ashley Noseworthly (IMarEST/Edgewise Environmental), Ashleigh Kitchiner (IMarEST/MMOA), Lorenzo Scala (IMarEST/Seiche), Andrew Wright (IMarEST)
Organiser contact: Sarah Canning
Due to increasing and co-occurring anthropogenic noise-producing activities in the marine environment, underwater noise management and policy around the world is evolving rapidly. This is occurring alongside international commitments such as the EU limits for underwater noise developed under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the OSPAR regional action plan for underwater noise. Advances in noise reduction methods support such work and rapid advancements in ecological sensing and digital data processing are reshaping how marine mammals are monitored, assessed, and protected across industrialised marine sectors.
This workshop seeks to promote recent improvements and upcoming technology that can make monitoring and mitigation for marine mammals more effective and consider challenges faced when managing underwater noise in a modern world. By bringing together academics, regulators, industry and policy professionals from across Europe and beyond, it will facilitate presentations and discussion of practical and logistical constraints faced by those with real-world experience of noise management across offshore energy and protected-species management while trying to achieve common ground in acknowledgment of the need to transition to net zero but protect marine mammals and the marine environment.
21F4: A novel tool for large-scale inter-call interval analysis of mysticete calls : assessing temporal and spatial trends.
Organisers: Flore Samaran (ENSTA IPParis), Richard Dréo (IPGP)
Organiser contact: Flore Samaran
The study of inter-call intervals (ICI) in mysticete songs (blue and fin whales) can reveal key information about population structure and their temporal distribution over the world. Measuring ICI across thousands of calls is a time-consuming, labor-intensive task that is prone to errors. The aim of this workshop is to introduce new analysis techniques for evaluating IC in mysticete calls across large datasets with the ultimate goal of moving toward a standardized approach for conducting global analyses.
The first part of the workshop could be a hands-on session, during which participants can apply the methods to their own pre-prepared datasets or to demonstration datasets provided. This session will allow participants to gain practical experience with the analytical tools, explore the effects of different parameters, and receive guidance on best practices for processing large datasets.
The second part of the workshop could consist of a brainstorming session focused on the interpretation and significance of variations in ICI across sites and years. Participants will be encouraged to discuss potential ecological, behavioral, and environmental factors influencing these patterns, as well as to explore ways to standardize analyses and share insights for future large-scale studies.
21F5: Second workshop on environmental DNA for monitoring and ecological studies of marine mammals
Organisers: Dr Simon Goodman (School of Biology, University of Leeds), Dr Elena Valsecchi (Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca), Dr Bettina Thalinger (Department of Zoology, University of Innsbruck)
Organiser contact: Simon Goodman
Understanding impacts of human activities on marine mammals and their habitats to inform policy decisions depends on having timely data relating to species status and ecology. Environmental DNA provides capabilities that enhance and expand understanding of species distributions, habitat use and trophic interactions, and therefore marine mammal exposure and vulnerability to human activities. Building on our first workshop in 2024, this one-day workshop will provide a forum to share the latest eDNA research that advances understanding of marine mammal ecology and monitoring capabilities, and to discuss protocols and best practice for the design and implementation of studies. We will also consider how marine mammal eDNA monitoring across Europe can support policy needs. The workshop is suitable for both new users to find out how to get started with marine mammal eDNA applications and for established users looking to share the latest innovations. We also want to facilitate networking opportunities and initiate discussion of how a coordinated Europe-wide marine mammal eDNA monitoring network could be developed, and the potential for collaborative Horizon/Biodiversa+ proposals. This will facilitate new connections for researchers looking to expand the role of eDNA in marine mammal studies.
21F6: VII Edition - What is new in Marine Mammal Pathology
Organisers: Prof. Antonio Fernández (Institute Animal Health - University Las Palmas GC), Prof. Giovanni Di Guardo (IUSA-ULPGC-Teramo University), Dr. Yara Bernaldo de Quirós (IUSA-ULPGC)., Dr. Manuel Arbelo (IUSA_ULPGC), Dr. Eva Sierra (IUSA_ULPGC)
Organiser contact: Antonio Fernandez & Yara Bernaldo de Quirós Miranda
Please note: Pathologists working in this field are invited to submit a presentation title and a brief outline (fewer than 200 words) by 10 April 2026.
This workshop provides a dedicated forum for experts and trainees in marine mammal pathology to share and discuss new pathologies, disease outbreaks, diagnostic tools, and related developments in the context of marine mammal health and conservation. The workshop aims to promote the use of pathology as a key tool for marine mammal health assessment and conservation.
Advances in marine mammal pathology, including field and laboratory diagnostics, new methodologies, and emerging tools, will be presented and discussed. The workshop will consist of case report discussions and oral presentations.
We aim to create an interactive and dynamic environment for knowledge exchange. The expected outcomes of the workshop include in-situ knowledge sharing, continuing education in marine mammal pathology, and the strengthening of collaboration and networking among marine mammal pathologists.
Previous workshops were highly successful, with full attendance and excellent feedback. Early registration is recommended, as previous editions reached full capacity and had waiting lists. Online attendance is not planned. However, the possibility of “online” invited speakers from Australasia and the Americas to present topics of current interest will be considered, as in previous meetings.
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