ECS Conference 2025

From May 12 to 16, the 36th Conference of European Cetacean Research, organized by the European Cetacean Society (ECS), took place in the Azores (Portugal). Our chairperson Volker Smit represented M.E.E.R. at the conference and played a key role in organizing a conference workshop, which we co-hosted with our partners from Archipelagos (Italy): “Marine Mammal Conservation: Ethical Perspectives in a Climate of Urgency.” In line with the conference theme, “Navigating in Waters of Change,” the workshop addressed ethical questions concerning dolphins, whales, and their protection. Among the speakers were leading figures in the field, including neuroscientist Lori Marino, philosopher Thomas White, and whale researcher Philippa Brakes. Fabian Ritter, Vice Chair of M.E.E.R., also contributed a talk — adopting the perspective of dolphins and whales in his presentation.