European Cetacean Society 2015 - Malta 1

So, back to the island nation of Malta for the ECS annual conference and associated workshops.

Over the weekend, the workshops included one for students on careers and statistics and another (the third in a series) focused on marine mammal rescue.

Highlights for me, so far, have included Tilen Genov's paper showing bottlenose dolphins have distinctive 'faces' that can be used to recognise them; the overview on noise provided by Gianni Pavan; and Paul Jepson's alarming overview on the current and real threat posed by chemical pollution.

Giuseppe Notobartolo di Sciara provided an overview of the Migratory Species Convention drawing attention to the landmark resolution on 'culture' (as previously highlighted in this blog and my Huffington Post blog).

Here are some images:

# Opening  ceremony:

Maltese minister, Joe Mizzi, addresses the conference

ECS President Thierry Jauniaux adds his welcome

EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella
on the big screen also wishes the meeting
 well via video and emphasizes the commitment of the EU to 'sustainability'.

 # Presentations

Paul Jepson  alarming on pollution

Keynote speaker Barb Taylor on genetic conservation 

The milling throng

Seal scientists meet - Paddy Pomeroy (on the left) and Becky Robothan 

Tilen Genov on dolphin faces.