Dear MARMAM Community, The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is reaching out to the marine mammal scientific community to find papers, PhD, Master’s theses, posters, conference material, or other reports regarding wild dolphin and whale swim-with programs worldwide. As an organization we have diligently worked with multiple governments, tourism operators, NGOs, and scientists interested in conducting responsible and sustainable whale and dolphin tourism. Through our efforts - including forming a whale-watching working group - we have collected data on global wild swim-with programs, but we also realize that not everyone get’s around to publishing their work, but their work it is still vital for conservation. Click here to see our current reference list. <http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/2016/02/05/dolphin-swim-reference/> Over the next few months we are conducting an intense investigation into wild whale and dolphin swim-with programs around the world. We are looking for the best available science to determine if a global best practice guide is achievable. Through the investigation we want to determine if responsible swim-with programs are realistic and if so how can an operator use standards to be responsibly minded. And we need your help. We would like to have information on wild dolphin and whale swim-with programs that meet the following criteria: - Sites that scientific evidence shows that harassment exists without standards - Sites that scientific evidence shows that harassment persists with standard practices in place - Sites that scientific evidence does not show harassment exists with/without standards - Sites where expanded industry demand, infrastructure, and programs exist - Information on sites where programs have been banned - Sites where science has provided recommendations regarding best practices and the results of implementing these practices We want to collaborate and give a voice to all of those who are researching this industry and work in it. Please note: We plan to send out a questionnaire regarding wild dolphin and whale swim-with programs in the near-future. If you want to participate in or contribute to this effort please contact alicia.amerson@worldcetaceanalliance.org. Also please ask your colleagues that conduct research in the industry to send in their information. Thank you for your participation, Alicia Amerson -- Alicia Amerson Whale Watch Researcher *World Cetacean Alliance * *T *+44 (0)1273 355011 <+44%201273%20355011> *E *alicia.amerson@worldcetaceanalliance.org* W *worldcetaceanalliance.org *W2 *whaleheritagesites.org *A *Studio 3, Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK The WCA is proud to be a finalist at the 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards <http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/2016/09/08/world-responsible-tourism-awards-finalist/> *The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is a Partnership of over 70 non-profit organisations, whale and dolphin watching tour operators and individuals in 35 countries worldwide working collaboratively to protect cetaceans and their habitats. World Cetacean Alliance, the Secretariat to the Partnership, is a UK registered Charity no. 1160484. *