NEWS: SAMESEA at the European Cetacean Society Conference 2025

Partners from the SAMESEA project participated in the 36th Annual European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference, held in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.

Founded in 1987, the European Cetacean Society promotes scientific research and the conservation of marine mammals, while encouraging collaboration and public awareness throughout Europe. Each year, the ECS conference brings together researchers, conservationists, and students from around the world. The 2025 edition took place in the Azores, a region celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity.

The event began with two days of specialised workshops, followed by the main conference programme. This year’s conference was officially opened by Dr. Tilen Genov, President of the European Cetacean Society and a researcher at Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society (PP6). The event gathered over 700 participants from 51 countries, who presented the latest research on cetacean biology, ecology, behaviour, and conservation.

As part of SAMESEA’s contribution to the event, LP1 CoNISMa presented a poster related to Work Package 1 (WP1): Joint development of the transnational strategy for the monitoring of sentinel species. The poster highlighted findings from the monitoring of cetacean strandings with evidence of fishery interactions in Italy. These results stem from local round table discussions (Activity 1.2) and efforts to identify high-risk areas for sentinel species in the EUSAIR Region (Activity 1.1).

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb (PP3), presented a poster related to WP1: Joint Development of the Transnational Strategy for Monitoring Sentinel Species. The poster highlights the challenges associated with monitoring stranded dolphins along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, as identified during the local round table held as part of Activity 1.2.

The conference was attended by SAMESEA partners from:

  • CoNISMa (LP1)
  • Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation (PP2)
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb (PP3)
  • Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society (PP6)
  • Montenegro Dolphin Research (PP7)

This international gathering offered an important opportunity for in-person exchange, scientific networking, and dissemination of the SAMESEA project. Participation in the conference not only increased the project’s visibility but also helped to share insights into current monitoring practices and raise awareness of the threats facing marine sentinel species in the Adriatic-Ionian region. It also opened new avenues for collaboration with global experts in the field of marine mammal science.