8th Marine Mammal Student Symposium

On 29^th of April 2026, the 8th Marine Mammal Student Symposium, co-organised by North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission, Norwegian Centre for Law of the Sea, and Department of Arctic and Marine Biology is taking place. This year’s theme is: “Navigating human impacts on marine mammals: Challenges, mitigation and conservation opportunities”.

The Symposium will be held in a hybrid form, both online and at the Store Auditorium of the Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NFH). Information about online links will be distributed in due time.

Human activities are reshaping marine ecosystems, placing unprecedented, cumulative pressure on marine mammals and their habitats. Marine mammals face diverse threats related to sound and chemical pollution, marine traffic, by-catch, tourism and more. In response, innovative mitigation strategies, including new technologies and regulations, are being developed to reduce human impact. Simultaneously, certain human activities can present opportunities for research and conservation, such as ecotourism and the use of commercial vessels as research platforms.
This symposium offers a platform for students from diverse fields, including natural sciences, social sciences, and legal studies, to share ideas, knowledge, and experiences that highlight challenges and pathways toward sustainable coexistence between human activities and marine mammal conservation. Whether you have finished research, ongoing projects, or innovative ideas, this is your chance to present and discuss your work.
Students whose research does not directly relate to the symposium´s theme are also encouraged to participate. Highlighting how their work could benefit marine mammal conservation is equally valuable.

Marine Mammal Student Symposium