The TT in paTTerns represents both Trinidad & Tobago and Tursiops truncatus — a nod to the acoustic and visual patterns the team studies. 📸 Syam Nath Syam will also present humpback whale research at #SMM2026!

The project is also training the next generation of marine mammal scientists! Since June, NMBC has hosted 16 students from UWI St. Augustine and Loyola University New Orleans through its marine mammal science & bioacoustics internship programme.

Working across Bocas del Dragón and the Gulf of Paria, the team combines photo-ID, passive acoustic monitoring & behavioural observations to study signature whistles, individual identification, and vocal learning in dolphin calves. 🎧🐬 📸 Syam Nath

SMM FIELDWORK SERIES This summer, Nath Marine & Bioacoustics Consulting (NMBC) launched the Dolphin paTTerns Project, studying bottlenose and common dolphins in the waters of northwest Trinidad & Tobago. 🇹🇹 📸 Syam Nath

Meet the SMM2026 Keynote and Plenary Speakers! From conservation and field biology to evolution, ecology, and communication, this year’s speakers bring big ideas and global perspectives to San Juan. 🌊 One Ocean, One Future 📍 San Juan, Puerto Rico | 19–23 October #SMM2026

The project is deeply rooted in the local community, from fishermen guiding surveys to dolphin trips with local schoolchildren. Huge thanks to Leanne for sharing this fieldwork story with the SMM community! 💙🐬 All photos: Leanne Rosser

Working alongside local scallop fishermen, the team has now identified 1,000+ individual dolphins through photo-ID led by Leanne Rosser, helping reveal patterns of movement and site fidelity around Japan.

🐬 SMM FIELDWORK SERIES Every May and June, Pacific white-sided dolphins enter Mutsu Bay, Japan. Since 2016, researchers have used photo-ID, drones and acoustics to better understand their movements, ecology and behaviour.

A Frank Conversation About Harassment The SMM DEI Committee invites members of the marine mammal community to join the final session in our series of conversations about harassment within our field. 📅 August 26, 2026 🕔 5:00 PM Pacific Time

SMM FIELDWORK SERIES A bird’s-eye view of marine mammal fieldwork in action! This drone footage captures the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s 2026 Steller sea lion brand-resight survey at Sugarloaf Island, Alaska. 📸 Drone footage by Dr. Greg Larsen ©ADF&G ESA/MMPA Permit No. 27503-02

Interested in covering SMM2026? Apply for media accreditation: www.smmconference.org/media/ Know a journalist who should be in San Juan? Tag them or send them this post!

Accredited journalists will have the opportunity to attend conference sessions, discover new research, connect directly with scientists and identify stories spanning marine mammal biology, conservation, climate change, human impacts and more.

Calling journalists, science writers, reporters, producers and media professionals! 🎙️🐋 Media accreditation is open for #SMM2026, taking place 17–23 October 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

🎬 Good news: the #SMM2026 Video Night submission deadline has been extended to 31 August 2026! Don’t let your footage stay on your hard drive, share your story with the community! 👉 Submit your video through your SMM2026 conference profile. We can’t wait to see what you’ve created! 💙

Snooze, you lose: conference hotels are filling up fast! The Hyatt Place is already sold out. Book through the official SMM2026 hotel block to access special conference rates while rooms are still available. Reserve your room soon before the remaining rooms are gone. 📸 Photo: Joe McKenna #SMM2026

SMM FIELDWORK SERIES ✨ From Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, Dushi Dolphin An Nou is building a long-term dolphin monitoring program. Led by marine biologist Gwenaëlle Margez-Versteegh with support from the Caribbean Cetacean Society, the work is shore-based and non-invasive.

To investigate these questions, the team is creating 3D scans of each skull and collecting small samples of bone powder and canine teeth for further analysis. Each museum specimen provides another piece of the puzzle, helping researchers better understand one of Antarctica’s most iconic predators.

Emily and Sarah’s research aims to answer fundamental questions about leopard seal life history: How long do they live? When do they reach sexual maturity? How many offspring can they produce during their lifetime? And have these traits changed over time?

SMM FIELDWORK SERIES ✨ This field season, Drs. Emily Sperou and Sarah Kienle are traveling across Australia to uncover the life histories hidden within museum collections, one leopard seal skull at a time 🦭

ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO APPLY! ⏰ Applications for the 2026 SMM Conservation Fund Grant Program close on July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time To apply: log in to your SMM account, and click on "Sign in to the page for SMM nominations, voting, and scholarships/grants applications" 📸 Anupam Koley

Before SMM2026, join us in Puerto Rico, for 35 pre-conference workshops on October 17–18, 2026! Explore topics spanning stable isotopes, ecotoxicology, pathology, population modelling, AI and marine mammal communication, climate change, Indigenous leadership, and more! 📸 Photo: Robbie Shade

Official #SMM2026 merch is available for pre-order! ⏰ Order by August 5 (11:59 PM ET) for conference pick-up in San Juan. 🛍️ Browse the collection: www.smmconference.org/merch/

Send your fieldwork photos/videos by DM or email communications@marinemammalscience.org with: 📝 A little context about your work 📷 Photo/video credit 📄 Relevant permit information (if applicable) By submitting, you consent to SMM sharing your content on our social media channels.

🌊 Field season is here! 🐋 📸 Share your summer fieldwork photos/videos with us, and we’ll highlight community stories throughout the season. This photo from @jjkiszka.bsky.social captures Florida Bay bottlenose dolphins and their fascinating mud-ring feeding behavior. Thanks for sharing! 🐬

🎥 Got an amazing marine mammal story to tell? Submit your short film to #SMM2026 Video Night! We're looking for creative stories featuring fieldwork, conservation, memorable encounters, and more. Don't let your footage stay on your hard drive, share it with the marine mammal community!

📣 Applications are now open for the SMM Conservation Fund Grant! More information: marinemammalscience.org/awards-fundi... 📸: Steve Dawson

Last chance to apply! Applications for the Eric A. Ramos Small Grants in Aid of Research (SGIAR) close tomorrow, June 30, 2026. This grant honors the legacy of Dr. Eric A. Ramos, whose dedication to mentorship, inclusivity, and supporting early-career scientists continues to inspire our community.

🎥 CALL FOR VIDEOS: SMM 2026 VIDEO NIGHT Do you have a marine mammal story worth sharing? If you're attending SMM 2026, submit your short film and share your ocean story with the global marine mammal community. Recommended length: Up to 4 minutes
Submission deadline: 10 August 2026
 #SMM2026

📣 Volunteer applications for #SMM2026 are now officially closed! If you submitted a volunteer application, stay tuned: our team will be in touch with next steps soon. We’re grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you at SMM2026! 🐋

🚨 Last day to register at early bird rates! 🚨 Don’t miss your chance to save on registration for the 26th Biennial Conference in San Juan, taking place October 19–23, 2026, with workshops on October 17–18. Early bird pricing ends Wednesday, June 24 (end of day)!