Dear colleagues:


  First, let us say that we hope all of you and your families are safe and healthy, and that you are taking the appropriate precautions so that you and your neighbors stay that way. The XI International Conference "Marine mammals of the Holarctic" is still scheduled for November 2 – 6, 2020, and based on the projections of global and local public health experts, we anticipate that it will be safe to travel and congregate at a conference by that time.

   Therefore, we hereby inform you that registration and submission of materials for the XI International Conference "Marine mammals of the Holarctic" will commence on April 15, 2020.

   The objectives of the Conference are to discuss the results and prospects of marine mammal research, and their protection and use in the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally, special attention will be paid to the following topics:
• Population biology;
• Estimates of abundance and monitoring status;
• Ecology (e.g., nutrition, distribution, habitat, and migration);
• Behavior and acoustics;
• Physiology, toxicology, and pollution;
• Veterinary medicine for marine mammals;
• Contemporary research methods;
• Conservation, use, management, and legislation;
• Rehabilitation and captivity;
• Reduction of impact on marine mammals caused by economic activities.
   Registration of participants, and submission of abstracts and extended materials to the Collection of Scientific Papers will be accomplished through the web site http://marmam.ru/conference/. Included on the web site will be information regarding updates on the preparation of the conference and recommendations on the format for submitting abstracts and materials for publication.
General information on the procedure for registration is in Appendix 1 and recommendations on publication submission is in Appendix 2.
   We encourage participants to submit proposals on the meetings, thematic round tables, and workshops on the study, conservation and management of marine mammal populations. The dates that these events may be scheduled for are October 31, November 1, 2, and 7. To reserve a room at the meetings, please specify the following information in your application:
• topic
• moderator’s name and contact information
• expected number of participants
• date as well as time of the beginning and end of the event.
   Applications deadline is May 30, 2020. Please send proposals to the Organizing Committee by e-mail: HOLARCTIC2020@GMAIL.COM
   The Organizing Committee continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and is taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the virus and will follow all recommendations and requirements of the Government and Moscow City administration and will inform you as soon as we obtain new information. When it comes to decision-making, our commitment is this: protect the health and safety of members of our society, the marine mammal researchers, managers, and other stakeholders. We wish everyone to be healthy!


                                    The Organizing Committee of the
                                    XI International Conference "Marine mammals of the Holarctic"