5th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals

Caitlin Harris

University of the Highlands and Islands

I am incredibly grateful to have received the Challenger Bursary Award, which allowed me to attend the 5th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Perth, Western Australia. 

I arrived in Australia on Friday evening and jumped straight into conference activities on Saturday morning with a workshop titled “Wind and Whales: Using PAM for Monitoring and Mitigating Risk to Whales During Offshore Wind Energy Development”, hosted by Sofie Van Parijs and Genevieve Davis. This workshop was fascinating and offered an excellent opportunity to meet researchers using similar methods to my own, as well as reconnect with existing contacts. After an exciting first day, I explored the city that evening and visited a small island to see kangaroos up close—a surreal and unforgettable experience. However, by the next morning, I realised jet lag had finally caught up with me!

On Sunday, I attended a second workshop titled “Marine Mammals & Offshore wind; sharing experience across regions”, hosted by Paul Thompson and Douglas Nowacek. This session was equally stimulating, sparking insightful discussions and further networking opportunities. That evening, the conference officially began with a beautiful and moving opening ceremony on Whadjuk Country. The Traditional Owners welcomed us with a smoking ceremony and a didgeridoo performance, accompanied by stories and music that set the tone for the week ahead. Walking through the smoke, I felt energised and ready for the incredible talks and discussions to come. 

Over the five days of the conference, I was continually inspired by the keynote speakers and the breadth of research presented. Keynote topics ranged from Aboriginal connections to dolphins and whales, species losses and recoveries, and the transmission of complex songs, to cooperative fishing between humans and dolphins. In addition, the range of talks presented were diverse and thought-provoking, with many sparking new ideas for my own research. I also explored sessions outside my immediate field, broadening my understanding of marine science. 

On Tuesday evening, I presented my PhD research during the poster session on “Conservation & Management”. My poster summarised the first chapter of my PhD, which investigates harbour porpoise presence and foraging at two floating offshore wind farms in the UK in relation to environmental drivers and wind farm operations. The session was a fantastic opportunity to engage with a wide range of attendees, exchange ideas, and receive valuable feedback on my work.  All in all, making an extremely enjoyable and successful presentation evening.

The final evening of the conference was a fitting conclusion to an incredible week. The farewell BBQ and closing ceremony were held at Fraser’s Restaurant in King’s Park, a stunning location overlooking the city and the river. As the sun set, we enjoyed delicious food and drinks while reflecting on the week’s highlights and sharing our favourite moments. It was a spectacular and memorable way to end the event. 

Beyond the conference itself, I also took the opportunity to experience Australia’s unique wildlife, spotting colourful parrots, koalas, and even humpback whales. Overall, the conference was an invaluable experience. It broadened my knowledge, inspired new ideas for my research, and provided opportunities to discuss methodologies and analytical techniques with peers. I greatly expanded my network, shared my work with experts, reconnected with colleagues, and was inspired by a wide range of innovative and impactful talks. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of such an enriching event and would like to thank the Challenger Society for making it possible.