By Tessa Plint, postdoctoral researcher at McGill University

Last Spring, the European Cetacean Society (ECS) conference was hosted in Ponta Delgada, Azores (an autonomous region of Portugal). As a postdoctoral researcher studying whale and dolphin diet at McGill University, it was an amazing opportunity to attend the ECS conference, present my research, and make new connections in the world of marine mammal science. 

Ponta Delgada is located on São Miguel, one of nine small volcanic islands that make up the Azore archipelago. These beautiful islands are located near the Mid-Atlantic ridge, at the intersection of the Eurasian, African, and North American tectonic plates. Each island has its own microclimate, producing unique ecosystems and stunning landscapes. 

The Azores is renowned for being one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world, with over 20 species passing through its surrounding waters. Fresh off my overnight flight from Montreal, I caught a taxi into town and went directly to the harbour in São Miguel. Less than two hours after I had disembarked the plane, I was out in mid-Atlantic waters on a whale-watching tour. We were incredibly lucky – not only did we have sunny weather, but we saw pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and even a tiny baby sperm whale taking a nap while surrounded by its family. There were even reports of blue whales and killer whales sighted in the area (although unfortunately we did not see them on that trip).

 

The European Cetacean Society was established in 1987 and aims to advance the scientific study and conservation efforts of marine mammals. With over 700 attendees in 2025, the annual ECS conference brings together established and early-career researchers to disseminate new findings and build collaboration.  

The ECS conference fostered a strong sense of community. From the diverse array of pre-conference workshops to the Ice Breaker event on the first evening, and a banquet on the final night, ECS created plenty of opportunities to connect with new people or catch up with old friends. Its single-session conference format also meant that I never missed a talk trying to find the right room! 

Fuelled by local Pastel de Nata custard tarts and espresso, I attended a fantastic full-day workshop on pilot whale conservation and ecology. Later in the week, I presented my postdoctoral research on compound-specific amino acid isotope analysis of North Atlantic killer whales. My research aims to better understand the foraging ecology of these apex marine predators, specifically how prey choice can impact the amount of pollution that accumulates in their bodies. I had so many great conversations during the poster presentation that the 3-hour session flew by in the blink of an eye. 

After the last talk on the final afternoon, I had time to join a sight-seeing trip with friends around the small island of São Miguel. I enjoyed amazing ocean views, lush botanical gardens, and the stunning blue-green waters of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, twin lakes in a dormant volcanic crater. 

This wonderful conference experience was made possible thanks to the generous financial support of the QCBS. 

About the Author:

Tessa Plint is a postdoctoral researcher at the Ecological Tracers Laboratory at McGill University, Canada. Her research focuses on the foraging ecology of North Atlantic whale and dolphin species experiencing range-shifts with on-going climate change. 

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