The Arctic is rapidly transforming as a result of climate change and other environmental and human-driven forces with implications for marine mammal populations of significance to Indigenous peoples. Increasingly, research collaborations are emerging between Arctic communities, organizations, and researchers which facilitate collective learning and produce new knowledge crucial to wildlife co-management and marine spatial planning. New approaches and technologies are advancing our knowledge of the marine environment and are offering greater insight into marine mammal biology and ecology than was previously attainable. Further, the design and application of these projects and programs sheds light on how we can enhance equitable collaborations across geographic, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries. In this session we highlight presentations that explore novel methods, approaches, and findings related to the study of Arctic marine mammals. We welcome presentations from any discipline and are particularly interested in highlighting community-involved projects. We hope to bring together diverse perspectives and individuals including Indigenous community members, Elders, managers, and researchers of all career stages to reflect on lessons learned and paths forward.

Alexandra Mayette, Luke Storrie, Emma Sutherland