Dear MARMAM community We are pleased to announce that abstract submissions are now open for the 37th European Cetacean Society conference, which will be held in *Dundee, Scotland, from 22nd to 24th April 2026*, with workshops on 20th and 21st April 2026. The theme for ECS 2026 will be “*Basics to Benefits*”. Every discovery and breakthrough starts with curiosity. This year’s conference theme “Basics to Benefits” celebrates the full journey of marine mammal science - from the foundational research that uncovers knowledge to the applied studies that turn this understanding into action for conservation and management. By embracing contributions from a wide range of sources, and valuing the search for knowledge for its own sake as much as its application, we recognise that today’s discoveries and insights and tomorrow’s applications to conservation and management are both born from the same drive to understand and protect. This theme aims to reflect this spectrum of marine mammal research, exploring and showcasing its challenges and opportunities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. We invite researchers, students, and practitioners from across the marine mammal community to submit abstracts for oral and poster presentations. Contributions are welcome on all aspects of marine mammal science, including (but not limited to) ecology, behaviour, physiology, acoustics, conservation, and policy. *The abstract submissions are now open!* Key dates: - Abstract submission deadline: 9 December 2025 (note: no extension!) - Workshop proposals deadline: 11 December 2025 - Early registration deadline: 5 March 2026 Further details, including abstract guidelines and submission links, are available on the ECS website: https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/ Any questions for the local organising committee? Please contact them via: ecs2026scotland@europeancetaceansociety.eu. We look forward to receiving your contributions and to welcoming you to Dundee for what promises to be yet another engaging and inspiring conference. Tilen Genov Chair, European Cetacean Society www.europeancetaceansociety.eu [image: ECS_2026_banner.png]