More than 1,300 people from 80 nations will be in attendance to shine a light on the theme 'Culture and Conservation: Fishing for Change'.  

This theme encapsulates two key areas – the relationship between marine mammal and human cultures, and the impact of discarded fishing gear/waste on marine life.  

Dr Krista Nicholson, postdoctoral research fellow at Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute, and member of the local organising committee, said the conference was the perfect opportunity to combine diverse perspectives and research. 

We are thrilled to bring this meeting to Perth, where we’ll workshop how best to blend western science with Traditional ecological knowledge, and quantify the winners and losers in the face of human activity in our rivers and seas,” Dr Nicholson said.  

Dr Nicholson is a population ecologist and works with the dolphin population in the Peel Region, including extensively researching fishing line entanglements and strandings.  

The conference will feature a weekend of workshops followed by a week of talks, videos and a new event in the form of a Film Festival.  

Postdoctoral research fellow at the Harry Butler Institute’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems Dr Delphine Chabanne said knowledge sharing was at the core of making a positive impact on marine mammals. 

Dr Chabanne is also on the local organising committee, and her work primarily focuses on understanding the ecology and genetics of coastal and estuarine dolphin species. She has contributed to a number of projects with coastal dolphin species across WA. 

The exchange of ideas and experiences at this conference will not only enhance our understanding of marine mammals but also inspire innovative solutions to the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world,” Dr Chabanne said. 

The 25th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals will take place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 11-15.

Feature image by Talia Cohen on Unsplash.