Dear Colleagues, I am happy to inform you that, the ECS Conservation Award will be given for the third time during the 27th ECS conference in Setubal, Portugal (8-10 April 2013). Unfortunately Mandy McMath has passed away this year, Mandy was the co-founder and a member of the award committee, to honour dear Mandy we have decided to name the award 'ECS Mandy McMath Conservation Award'. Looking forward to seeing you in Setubal in April. Aviad Scheinin, ECS Conservation award Chair. *ECS Mandy McMath Conservation Award* The award is for an outstanding contribution to the field of marine mammal conservation and/or welfare, with particular emphasis on contributions to environmental education and/or to conservation in practice (e.g. leading to improved legislation or management). The award will be judged on the basis of a proposal made using the format given below and related material as described. It will be decided upon by consensus, or a majority vote of the ECS Conservation Award Committee. The winner of the award will be announced during the ECS Conference. Self-nominations are discouraged. The Committee reserves the right not to present the award if no appropriate nominations are received. The ECS Award Committee comprises: Aviad Scheinin (Chair) Simon Berrow Thierry Jauniaux Hanna Nuuttila Ayaka Öztürk Mark Simmonds Andrew Wright Pro-forma: Name(s) of person(s)/institution/body nominated for award Address and contact details Description of the work/body of work proposed for the award (maximum length of proposal 250 words) NB The award can be given for a single conservation-education tool (such as a book or for an entire body of work - i.e. a series of linked contributions) in the sphere of education relating to marine mammal conservation and or welfare. Full references for the material identified above and any relevant web-links. Name of nominator(s) Address and contact details This form, and any supporting material if deemed necessary, should be sent to the Chair of the Award Committee by 28 February 2013. Dr. Aviad Scheinin ECS Conservation Award Chair Email: shani.aviad@gmail.com -- - -- __________________________________________________________________ Aviad Scheinin, Ph.D shani.aviad@gmail.com The Mediterranean Marine Biodiversity Program coordinator - Hamaarag (Israel's National Ecosystem Program) http://www.hamaarag.org.il/ Chairman, IMMRAC - Israel Marine Mammal Research & Assistance center http://immrac.org/ ECS (European Cetacean Society) council member Home address: Tirat Shalom, P.B. 1356, Nes-Ziona 74052, Israel Tel 972-8-9406584 Mobile 052-3571193 __________________________________________________________________