The Australian snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni) is one of Australia’s only endemic dolphin species, identified as a new species in 2005. This small dolphin is adorable, but it faces conservation threats due to its small population and coastal habitat preference. So this month, let’s celebrate the Australian snubfin dolphin and the 25th Biennial Conference on...

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So, you have finished your undergraduate or master’s in marine science and set your heart on pursuing a PhD working on a charismatic cetacean species. Whether it’s the killer whale, the beluga, or another species at risk, you would like to find a cool research project, study your dream species, and make a difference. The...

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Attending a marine mammal conference is an exciting opportunity to learn, share your research, and meet new people who share your passion. Whether it’s your first conference or you’ve been to many before, it can still feel a little overwhelming with so much happening all at once. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of...

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A new study has found both promising and worrying trends in contaminant (chemical pollution) levels in whales off the coast of Eastern Canada. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, shows that while environmental regulations are making progress, killer whales in the region continue to face significant challenges. Despite reductions in contaminant inputs,...

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In a newly published study in Seismica, researchers used instruments on land designed to monitor earthquakes (seismometers) to detect the presence of fin and blue whale calls in the Gulf of St Lawrence.   What if we could use a seismometer to detect fins whales year long? — Credit: A. Remili What is a seismometer?  Seismometers...

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Marine mammals are difficult for scientists to study; they spend most or all of their lives in and around water habitats. Because of their vastness (hundreds of thousands of square kilometers) and depth (thousands of meters), marine mammal habitats are difficult for humans to access and explore. Cetaceans – whales, dolphin, and porpoises – spend...

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“If a whale got close to me, could it swallow me whole?” You probably thought of this question once or twice if you ever swam in the ocean, or hopped on a whale-watching tour. To address whether whales can eat humans, we first need to understand the anatomy and behavior of different whale species. There...

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The ocean is a mysterious world. Humans know more about other planets in our solar system than about the ocean floor. In fact, the diversity of whales inhabiting the ocean’s depths is among some things we do not fully comprehend yet. But thanks to new methods, such as acoustic recording and genetic testing, new species...

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Whales, dolphins, and porpoises (also called cetaceans) exhibit remarkable social behaviors. Sometimes, some species can form large pods that may span for miles and consist of thousands of individuals. One intriguing aspect of cetaceans’ social dynamics is the ability to establish connections beyond their species. These relationships transcend traditional species boundaries, with two or more...

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This month we shine a light on a very specific population of bottlenose dolphins. We can encounter them right off the coast of Louisiana, in Barataria Bay. The Barataria Bay dolphins are not much different than other populations found off the Gulf of Mexico coastline. However, they face specific stresses that threaten the survival of their population. Let’s find out about these threats! These dolphins hang out in Barataria Bay Barataria Bay is a sheltered…

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