Marine Megafauna Symposium at AMSA 2024

Name: Marine Megafauna Symposium at AMSA 2024
Start: 2024-09-16T17:00:00+10:00
End: 2024-09-17T02:00:00+10:00
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart

Schedule

Mon Sep 16 2024 at 05:00 pm to Tue Sep 17 2024 at 02:00 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart | Hobart, TS

Tackling uncertainty in marine megafauna conservation:
Marine megafauna, encompassing whales, turtles, dolphins, pinnipeds, dugongs, and sharks, hold both cultural and commercial significance for Australian communities. In Australian waters, protective measures are in place to safeguard the majority of iconic marine life, recognising their vital role in the ecosystem and their importance to the local way of life. As coastal waters undergo transformation due to urbanisation and marine environments face rapid alterations from climate change, shipping activities, fishing practices, resource exploration, and pollution, these charismatic species become indicators of change. Studies of marine megafauna have yielded valuable insights into ocean dynamics, revealing shifts in breeding grounds and the exploitation of new food sources. However, these investigations have also brought to light escalating threats, such as entanglements, ship strikes, and pollution, which continue to intensify as human activities increase. Securing a future for marine megafauna requires the collaborative efforts of scientists, conservationists and policy makers. This symposium serves as a platform to disseminate knowledge and share research findings specifically focused on the ecology and conservation of marine megafauna, with a dedicated emphasis on the Southern Ocean. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the goal is to further advance our collective understanding and ensure the enduring protection of marine megafauna in the face of evolving environmental challenges.