ECO’s popular digital special issues kick-start 2022 with a focus on marine mammals
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) and ECO Magazine are pleased to announce the upcoming publication of a Marine Mammal special issue. Available in April, this is the first of three special issues to be announced in 2022 and commemorates the IWC’s 75th Anniversary. ECO and IWC are now inviting members of the global ocean community working on marine mammal topics to submit a contribution to this highly anticipated digital issue.
Marine mammals are found in marine ecosystems worldwide and play important ecological roles within the global ocean. However, the long-term pressures of climate change, environmental degradation and human activities are taking their toll on population numbers.
Andrej Bibic, IWC Chair welcomed the collaboration with ECO saying, “This is an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on marine mammals and there is a great deal to talk about. The policymakers and scientists of the IWC probably face a broader set of challenges today than at any other point in the history of the Commission and we are hoping to share this story with ECO’s readership in April.”
On 2 December 2021, the IWC celebrated its 75th anniversary. A series of events were held during this milestone year, including a relaunch of the IWC's scientific journal, a new online compendium of IWC-endorsed Protocols and Guidelines, and the development of a new database that catalogues IWC recommendations, past and present.
As part of these celebrations, ECO and IWC are partnering to produce an exclusive digital special issue that takes a deep dive into the modern-day threats to marine mammals and steps being taken to tackle them, the latest tracking and monitoring technologies, new research and population assessments, and the actions and approaches that might be needed in the future to help protect this diverse group of mammals.
Kira Coley, senior editor of ECO Magazine, said: “Given their charismatic and often mysterious nature, marine mammals capture the imagination and interest of audiences around the globe. There is no doubt that this will be an incredibly popular issue. We are excited to have the opportunity to help raise awareness about frontline efforts to better understand and protect these fascinating and important animals.”
How do I contribute?
For this digital issue, we are interested in written, video, and audio submissions about initiatives, new knowledge, partnerships, or innovative solutions that are relevant to the following:
- Modern Threats and Mitigations (example topics: bycatch and entanglement, habitat degradation, ship strikes, climate change and cumulative effects)
- Latest Research & Tools (example topics: emerging info on stock structures/abundance/taxonomy, satellite tracking, tagging technology, the whale pump and ecosystem services)
- Population Status (example topics: spotlight on individual species/populations that are recovering and species/populations that are not, managing the inevitable uncertainty in assessing status)
- Looking to the Future (example topics: defence of conservation optimism, the importance of collaboration, lessons learned from past projects, policy and protection measures, One Health).
Due to the increasing popularity of ECO Magazine's digital series, spaces are limited. Those wishing to submit content should fill out the submission form as soon as possible.
The editorial team will get in touch to discuss your submission and provide you with your allocated word count and a style guide. On acceptance, we ask that you submit your completed article by March 14, 2022.
For more information about submitting a story to the Marine Mammal Special Issue, contact ECO’s Senior Editor, Kira Coley, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Support Our Outreach Efforts
ECO’s mission is to inform, connect and inspire the global ocean community. Through the production of print and special digital issues, we aim to help the discovery of viable solutions for the ocean’s most prevalent issues by facilitating knowledge-sharing and increasing topic awareness to a fast-growing international audience of ocean stakeholders. In 2021, ECO Magazine was viewed over 85,000 times by professionals seeking innovative solutions that will help further our collective understanding of the ocean and its inhabitants.
These special issues are free to readers and only made possible through the generosity of organizations wishing to support these efforts through paid sponsorship. Sponsorship packages start from as little as $500.
About the International Whaling Commission
The IWC was established in 1946 and is the global body charged with the management of whaling and conservation of whales. The IWC currently has 88 member governments from all over the world. The Commission's role has evolved in response to the growing range of threats to cetaceans. In addition to the fundamental scientific and management responsibilities related to regulation of whaling, today's IWC works to understand and address a wide conservation concerns ranging from bycatch and entanglement to pollution, collisions between whales and ships, and sustainable whale watching.
About ECO Magazine
ECO (environment, coastal & offshore) is a trade magazine with a focus on ocean science, exploration, and innovation. Published 7-times a year, each issue is filled with intriguing stories written by those on the frontlines of scientific discovery and conservation. Through thought-provoking content, we take our readers on the search for viable solutions for the ocean’s most prevalent issues and go behind the scenes of international efforts to better understand and protect the underwater world.
