Dear Marmamers, The deadline for applications for the Whale Conservation and Heritage Awards is fast approaching. The awards, organised by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), are open to all and require completion of a simple online abstract form <https://www.worldwhaleconference.com/Whale-Conservation-and-Heritage-Awards> by 31 May. The award winners will be announced at the 2019 World Whale Conference, 7-12 October, Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. *The awards* The Whale Conservation and Heritage Awards seek to recognise and encourage excellence across the fields of conservation, animal welfare, community engagement, and sustainable practices in relation to cetaceans and their habitats. These are the fundamental principles by which the WCA partnership operates. Award winners will evidence clear benefits for cetaceans and their habitats under the relevant category. *Am I Eligible?* The competition is open to entry from individuals or organisations, amateurs and professionals, from both inside and outside the WCA partnership, worldwide. We are particularly keen to see and spread the word about successful, small-scale efforts and projects with the potential to be replicated nationally or internationally. *To apply click here: * https://www.worldwhaleconference.com/Whale-Conservation-and-Heritage-Awards *What are the award categories?* *Inspiring Change Award* This award will go to an individual, organisation, or business that has provided information, tools, resources, services or products that encouraged a change in human behaviour to the benefit of cetacean conservation or welfare. *Responsible Whale and Dolphin Tourism Award* This award recognises tourism providers who are making a positive difference in the destination where they operate by adopting sustainable management practices or educational experiences and achieving positive impact for local cetacean and human communities. Our aim is to reward innovation and leadership in all forms of responsible whale and dolphin tourism, in the hope that the wider industry will step forward with similar ambitions. *Whales & Dolphins in the Heart of the Community Award* This award will go to an individual, organisation, or business, that improves the impact and effectiveness of a community in its attempts to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through sustainable practices, conservation initiatives, animal welfare interventions, or conservation-based research. The community must benefit collectively through community-wide efforts and initiatives that maintain or improve local marine ecosystems. *Innovation for Cetacean Conservation Award* This award will go to an individual, organisation, or business that conducts the most innovative research or conservation project designed to protect cetaceans and their habitats. *Awards ceremony* During the World Whale Conference, the Whale Conservation and Heritage Awards will showcase destinations, businesses, charities, events, and communities leading the way in marine conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development. Awards will be given to leading initiatives in front of representatives from tourist destinations, international institutions and the private sector, along with global experts in tourism, sustainability, the arts, marine conservation, scientific research and commercial whale watching. If you have any questions prior to applying please get in touch. Regards, *Dylan Walker *Chief Executive Officer *World Cetacean Alliance* Studio 3, Lower Promenade Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK. t: +44 (0) 1273 355011 c: +44 (0) 7900 471490 e: dylan@worldcetaceanalliance.org <sophie.lewis@worldcetaceanalliance.org> World Whale Conference 2019 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RQClwulOi8> The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) is a Partnership of over 100 organisations and individuals in 40 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. The content of this e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this communication in error, be aware that forwarding it, copying it, or in any way disclosing its content to any other person, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the author by replying to this e-mail immediately. Please consider the environment before printing this email or it's attachments.