Marine mammal identification workshop

Sealing and whaling may have ended on our shores, but marine mammals are still under threat from fishing, pollution, noise, tidal energy, oil and gas exploration and mining.

Participants will gain up-to-date information about marine mammal biology, current research and conservation issues.

The programme includes hands-on work with photo-identification of individual whales, dolphins and sea lions, identifying whales and dolphins from their sounds, and reconstruction of skeletons. Participants will hear whale and dolphin sounds, see short films and beautiful photography.

The workshop includes a boat trip outside the harbour to view and photograph marine mammals and to see some of the equipment used by our researchers. Although whale and dolphin viewing cannot be guaranteed, this will be the best place to see marine mammals and other animals that make the ocean their home.

Venue: New Zealand Marine Studies Centre, 185 Hatchery Road, Portobello, Dunedin

For further information and to register: www.otago.ac.nz/marinescience/news/events/otago670047.html