Dear marmam members, My co-author and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Garcia-Cegarra A.M, Pacheco AS. 2017. Whale-watching trips in Peru lead to increases in tourist knowledge, pro-conservation intentions and tourist concern for the impacts of whale-watching on humpback whales. Aquatic conserv: Mar Freshw Ecosyst. 00:1 -10. The article can be read in the following link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2754/full and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315113414_Whale-watching_trips_in_P... Abstract: 1. Since the implementation of the commercial whaling ban in the 1980s, whale�\watching has become the most important economic activity involving whales worldwide. 2. Whale�\watching is promoted as a platform for education and conservation awareness of marine biodiversity. In Peru, where cetacean species are still in jeopardy, whale�\watching may play an important part in promoting the protection of these species. 3. This study aimed to determine the degree of whale�\watching tourists' knowledge regarding cetacean ecology and conservation status and to evaluate if whale�\watching tours could serve as platforms for educating the public and raising conservation awareness. 4. The results of 196 closed�\ended questionnaires and 20 open�\ended interviews conducted before and after whale�\watching tours, during the humpback whale season (winter�Cspring 2014) in northern Peru, revealed an overall lack of knowledge concerning the presence of species of cetaceans in Peruvian waters and threats to marine biodiversity. However, after the whale�\watching excursion, participants said they would be more willing to change their behaviour with respect to cetacean conservation and marine environment protection. 5. This study suggests that whale�\watching platforms, when implemented with adequate interpreters , can serve as a source of environmental education and can raise conservation awareness. This is an important conservation strategy to consider in countries, such as Peru, where by�\catch and direct hunting are decimating local cetacean populations. Best regards, A.M. Garc��a-Cegarra PhD candidate Doctorado Ciencias Aplicadas menci��n Sistemas Marinos Costeros Universidad de Antofagasta Chile EM: anamaria.garcia@uantof.cl