Dear Colleagues, Toni Frohoff and I would like to announce the publication of a new paper in the open-access scientific journal PLoS One entitled Towards a New Paradigm of Non-Captive Research on Cetacean Cognition. In our paper we present the ethical and scientific arguments for phasing out cognitive research with captive dolphins and replacing it with a new paradigm of collaborative research with cetaceans in their natural habitat. Abstract Contemporary knowledge of impressive neurophysiology and behavior in cetaceans, combined with increasing opportunities for studying free-ranging cetaceans who initiate sociable interaction with humans, are converging to highlight serious ethical considerations and emerging opportunities for a new era of progressive and less-invasive cetacean research. Most research on cetacean cognition has taken place in controlled captive settings, e.g., research labs, marine parks. While these environments afford a certain amount of experimental rigor and logistical control they are fraught with limitations in external validity, impose tremendous stress on the part of the captive animals, and place burdens on populations from which they are often captured. Alternatively, over the past three decades, some researchers have sought to focus their attention on the presence of free-ranging cetacean individuals and groups who have initiated, or chosen to participate in, sociable interactions with humans in the wild. This new approach, defined as Interspecies Collaborative Research between cetacean and human, involves developing novel ways to address research questions under natural conditions and respecting the individual cetacean's autonomy. It also offers a range of potential direct benefits to the cetaceans studied, as well as allowing for unprecedented cognitive and psychological research on sociable mysticetes. Yet stringent precautions are warranted so as to not increase their vulnerability to human activities or pathogens. When conducted in its best and most responsible form, collaborative research with free-ranging cetaceans can deliver methodological innovation and invaluable new insights while not necessitating the ethical and scientific compromises that characterize research in captivity. Further, it is representative of a new epoch in science in which research is designed so that the participating cetaceans are the direct recipients of the benefits. You can download the entire article here: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0024121 The citation is as follows: Marino L, Frohoff T, 2011 Towards a New Paradigm of Non-Captive Research on Cetacean Cognition. PLoS ONE 6(9): e24121.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0024121 And please note that this article is part of a Special Collection entitled: Animals, Research and Alternatives: Measuring Progress 50 Years Later. Thank you very much. Lori Marino Lori Marino, PhD Senior Lecturer Psychology and Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, Room 488 36 Eagle Row Emory University Atlanta, Georgia 30322 (404) 727-7582 ________________________________ This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments).