Hi all, This is a reminder that registration and abstract submission for the 21st Annual Meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM) are due ***April 1st 2017***. You can register and submit your abstract at https://goo.gl/forms/deYxcNWYjEQEHiYD2https://goo.gl/forms/deYxcNWYjEQEHiYD2 Note that limited housing with student hosts will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please indicate on your registration if you would like to be considered for accommodations. We also would like to announce that the plenary speaker on Saturday morning will be Dr. John K.B. Ford. Having studied marine mammals since the 1970s, Dr. Ford has made his name synonymous with killer whale research in British Columbia. He has studied a wide range of topics in these animals from communication, to foraging behaviour, to the evolution of social groups. He has also undertaken research on gray whales, minke whales, fin whales, Dall’s porpoise, harbour porpoise and other marine mammals in Pacific Northwest waters. Dr. Ford is the outgoing head of the Cetacean Research Program at the Pacific Biological Station, and is a leader in conservation, research, and outreach in the field of marine mammalogy. He is sure to bring wonderful insights to the NWSSMM annual meeting. In addition, during the day a Philosopher’s Café will be held to encourage discussion on hot topics in marine mammalogy. These discussion groups will be led by different experienced marine mammal scientists such as: · Dr. Peter Ross (Vancouver Aquarium) · Dr. Stephen Raverty (B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture) · Ms. Rowenna Gryba (Stantec) · Dr. Lorrie Rea (University of Alaska Fairbanks) · and Dr.Brian Fadely (NOAA) For more information check out our facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/941465349316782/) Sincerely, NWSSMM Meeting Organizers