The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) and the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea (NCLOS) are thrilled to invite you to the third annual Marine Mammal Student Symposium, “Management of Marine Mammals in the Arctic: Between Legal and Scientific Perspectives”. The symposium will be held online on April 9th, 2021 and will consist of two sessions of two hours each, from 10:00-12:00 and from 14:00-16:00 (CET).  

While climate change is impacting ecosystems across the world, temperatures are rising twice as fast in the Arctic compared to any other region. Organisms in the Arctic are highly adapted to the environmental conditions they live in, and these are quickly changing – the rapid decrease of annual sea ice extent in the Arctic impacts ecosystems in many ways, both directly and indirectly. This provides a challenge not only for marine mammals within this ecosystem, but also for indigenous peoples and local communities depending on these resources. The need for a flourishing cooperation between natural and social scientists is essential to mitigate the impact caused by this situation.

This symposium will offer a platform to students with a background in natural sciences and students with a background in social sciences to share their ideas, knowledge and experience, and give them a chance to network with potential future colleagues!

Students who are interested in presenting their own research or work, are highly encouraged to do so. Although this remains optional, it is an opportunity to practice presenting to peers in a low pressure environment while getting feedback on research plans from a diverse and supportive audience. There is no expectation that students present finished work or results. Research at all stages of development may be presented. Students are for example invited to present ideas in development, research plans and/or methodological challenges – all of which it can be valuable to have feedback on! Information will also be shared about the opportunity to publish research in the upcoming volume of the peer reviewed NAMMCO Scientific Publications.

Nikolas Sellheim will be our keynote speaker and present about "Arctic States and the international management of marine mammals".

Contact Olha Polishchuk (opo006@post.uit.no) should you have any questions.