Insights from the 2025 ECS Conference

In May 2025, the Dolphin Watch Alliance participated in the European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference in the Azores, which is one of the leading annual events in Europe for marine mammal research and conservation. The conference brought together scientists, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and policy experts dedicated to protecting dolphins, whales and other cetaceans.

In May 2025, the Dolphin Watch Alliance participated in the European Cetacean Society (ECS) Conference in the Azores, which is one of the leading annual events in Europe for marine mammal research and conservation. The conference brought together scientists, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and policy experts dedicated to protecting dolphins, whales and other cetaceans.

As part of the scientific programme, our team presented two new research posters focusing on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Red Sea. These posters highlighted key findings that could inform more effective marine protection strategies.

• Habitat Selection of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins in the Northern Red Sea, presented by Kirsty Medcalf, examined how dolphin groups select and use specific marine habitats, providing crucial data for Red Sea conservation efforts.
• Enhancing Photo-Identification, presented by Thalia de Haas, introduced a combined boat-based and underwater photo-ID method to more accurately identify individual dolphins and track their presence over time.

Participating in the ECS Conference enabled the Dolphin Watch Alliance to engage with international experts, exchange knowledge and establish collaborations in the fields of marine conservation and dolphin research.

We thank everyone who visited our stand, discussed our research and supported our mission to protect dolphins and their habitats.