Dear Colleagues, This is the first announcement for the second Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium, to be held in the Maldives in May-June 2019. Nearly a decade has rushed by since the first Indian Ocean Cetacean Symposium, held in Maldives in July 2009: http://www.mrc.gov.mv/en/publications/show/report-of-the-indian-ocean-cetace an-symposium-2009 This decade has seen an expansion of cetacean research in the Indian Ocean, but also continued pressure on Indian Ocean cetacean populations from several sources, notably fisheries bycatch. This symposium will provide an opportunity for active cetacean researchers from across the region to gather, to present findings, and to plan collaborative research activities. It will also bring together representatives of international organisations concerned with cetacean research and conservation. 2019 will be the 40th anniversary year of the declaration of the IWC's Indian Ocean Sanctuary. One of the objectives of the IOS is to promote benign research on cetaceans, and this Symposium will provide a timely opportunity to review such activities. The Symposium will be hosted by the Maldivian Marine Research Centre (www.mrc.gov.mv). Dates and venue are now being finalized. If you would like to register to receive further information please contact: Ms Mariyam Nazeefa, mnazeefa@mrc.gov.mv <mailto:mnazeefa@mrc.gov.mv%0d> We look forward to meeting some of you here in the beautiful Maldives in 2019, Charles Anderson and Shiham Adam Male' Republic of Maldives