MEET THE COMMITTEES

Nataly Castelblanco Martinez (El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Mexico)
Fernando Elorriaga-Verplancken (Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CICIMAR, Mexico)
Gabriela Hernandez Mora (Servicio Nacional de Salud Animal (SENASA) Costa Rica)
Aimee Kate Darias-O’Hara (Student representative, Curtin University, Australia)
Songhai Li (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)
Ada Natoli (Zayed University, United Arab Emirates)
Doris Oliva (Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile)
Julie Oswald (University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom)
Ester Quintana Rizzo (Berklee and Emmanuelle Colleges, Simmons University,USA)
Rachel A. Racicot (Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Germany)
Colleen Reichmuth (University of California, Santa Cruz, USA)
Filipa Samarra (University of Iceland, Iceland)
Laela Sayigh (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA)
Rodrigo Hipólito Tardin Oliveira (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil)

COMMITTEE OF SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS TERMS OF REFERENCE

The following Terms of Reference were developed by the SSM Committee of Scientific Advisors. They were approved by the Committee on 16 January 2012 and submitted to the SSM Board of Governors on 27 November 2012 and approved on 4 December 2012.

The Role of the Committee of Scientific Advisors

1. To advise the Board of Governors on scientific matters.
2. To assure that the information used by the Board of Governors in any decisions taken is based on the best available scientific information.
3. To review scientific material for accuracy before it is posted on the Society website with the exception of material vetted by a standing committee of the Society.
4. To manage and administer the Society’s “Small Grant in Aid of Research” program.

Standard Operating Procedures

1. The chair of the committee is recommended by the President and approved by the elected officers of the Board of Governors.
2. The chair serves a two-year term and may be reappointed for any number of terms.
3. The committee will consist of at least ten (10) members at any time, at least two of whom are students and at least 25% are from outside North America.
4. All committee members must be members of the Society.
5. Committee members are recommended to the Board of Governors by the committee chair and approved by the Board of Governors.
6. The committee should have a biennial turnover of at least two members.
7. The chair has the authority to invite other Society members or individuals outside the Society to temporarily advise the committee on specific issues within their field of expertise.
8. Communications between committee members will primarily be by e-mail.
9. Records of all decisions, with supporting documentation, will be maintained in the Society’s archives.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Member

Members must be active participants in the discussion and resolution of any items that come before the committee. They must provide their best advice on any issues arising from an unbiased, scientific perspective.

Much of the annual work of the committee relates to the evaluation of research proposals submitted by young researchers from developing and emerging countries. Members are responsible for prompt and fair evaluation of the proposals assigned to them.

Members are required to disclose any conflict of interest and to recuse themselves from evaluating any proposal on which they have a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest includes, but is not limited to, proposals from individuals with whom the reviewer:

1. has a personal relationship beyond that of a scientific colleague
2. has conducted joint work, published papers, or shared grants
3. has a mentor-mentee relationship

One of the goals of the Small Grant in Aid of Research program is to provide feedback to young investigators on how to improve their research design and proposal writing ability. Thus committee members have a responsibility to provide such comments on the proposals they evaluate.

Padraig Duignan (The Marine Mammal Center, USA)
Heloise Frouin (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canada)
Erich Hoyt (Whale and Dolphin Conservation, UK)
Nachiket Kelkar (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, India)
Francine Kershaw (Natural Resources Defense Council, USA)
Helene Marsh (James Cook University, Australia)
Simone Panigada (Tethys Research Institute, Italy)
Will Rayment (University of Otago, New Zealand)
Randall Reeves (Okapi Wildlife Associates, Canada)
Maritza Sepulveda (Universidad Andres Bello, Chile)
Barbara Taylor (NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, USA)
Kirsten Young (University of Exeter, UK)

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Conservation Committee advises the Board of Governors on matters related to the conservation and management of marine mammals and provides the Board of Governors with information that may be requested from time to time.The Conservation Committee may award the Conservation Merit Prize at the Biennial Conference. The Conservation Merit Prize is public recognition given to a person, team, or organization contributing toward solving a pressing conservation problem for marine mammals, either ongoing or resulting in a conservation success. The Prize may include travel and/or accommodations to the awardee to attend the Biennial Conference.

The Role of the Conservation Committee

1. The Conservation Committee advises the Board of Governors on matters related to the conservation and management of marine mammals and provides the Board of Governors with information that may be requested when needed.
2. The Conservation Committee develops Presidential Letters as a mechanism to provide timely comment on the evidence base for issues related to the conservation and management of marine mammals where the majority of the Society’s membership likely would hold the same opinion.
3. The Conservation Committee decides whether to propose recipients of the Conservation Merit Prize to the Board. The Conservation Committee will select award recipient(s) with the approval of the Board of Governors. Any SMM member may propose recipients. The Prize is only given when the Conservation Committee finds a case of exceptional merit and may not be awarded at every biennial.
4. The Conservation Committee evaluates and/or develops proposals for Expert Conservation Panel Meetings to address critical conservation threats to marine mammals where progress in addressing these threats can be achieved through short, focused meetings with a small number of invited experts. Proposals with a full budget will be submitted to the Board for approval.
5. The Conservation Committee will form Working groups on focus topics relevant to bringing about successful conservation action for an important marine mammal habitat, a species or a species complex.
6. To carry out other duties as assigned by the President.

Standard Operating Procedures

1. The Committee will consist of up to twelve (12, including the chair) voting members at any time, always with an odd number of voting members. All Committee members must be members of the Society.
2. The Chair of the Committee is recommended by the President and approved by the elected officers of the Board of Governors, serves a two-year term with no limit on reappointment.
3. Committee members are recommended to the Board of Governors by the Committee chair and approved by the Board of Governors. Committee membership should be representative of the diversity of the Society membership and should comprise experts working on the various direct and indirect threats faced by marine mammals and /or are managers/policy developers/social scientists working on human dimensions of marine mammal conservation.
4. The Chair will review voting member participation every year, communicate with members who have not sufficiently participated and determine whether replacements are warranted.
5. The Chair may invite other Society members or individuals outside the Society to temporarily advise the Committee on specific issues within their field of expertise by forming Working Groups.
6. Working group members are not voting members and will be communicating with the Chair and the Conservation committee on specific tasks.
7. Communications between Committee members will primarily be by e-mail.
8. The Chair will retain copies of email or postal communications among Committee members regarding matters relating to committee business and pass to the Secretary for inclusion in the Society’s archives upon completion of the Chair’s term.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Conservation Committee Member

Members must be active participants in discussions, responses to member’s queries and requests, and in resolutions of all items that come before the Committee.

Women and Families

Amy Van Cise

LGBTQIA+

Keith Hernandez

Neurodiversity and Disability

Natalie Charbonneau
Brittany Dolan

Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups

Tara Cox
Clarissa Ribeiro Teixeira
Matthew Leslie
Shiva Javdan (Canadian Wildlife Federation, Canada)

International Representation

Ayaka Amaha Ozturk (Istanbul University, Turkey)
Yoko Mitani (Kyoto University, Japan)
Luis Huckstädt (University of Exeter, UK)

Supporting Indigenous+ Representation

Éadin N. O’Mahony (Atlantic Technological University, Ireland)

Diversity and Inclusion Committee Terms of Reference

Tabris Chung (City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR)
Abigail Haddock (Dolphin Research Center, USA)
Dr. Brian Kot (City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR)
Elisabeth Mansur (WCS – Bangladesh)
Heather Platt* (University of Tasmania, Australia)
Patricia (Patty) Sullivan, (Sanctuary Education Advisory Specialists (SEAS), LLC – USA)
Henry Tsui (City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR)

Paula Alonso Almorox* (Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)
Natalie Barefoot (CetLaw, USA)
Rebecca Boys (Massey University, New Zealand)
Philippa Brakes (University of Exeter, England)
Caroline Casey(University of California, Santa Cruz, USA)
Isabella Clegg(Animal Welfare Expertise, England)
Guillermo Sánchez Contreras (The Dolphin Company, Mexico)

ETHICS COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Role of the SMM Ethics Committee

1. To foster an awareness of ethical principles and practices in the marine mammal research, care and management community.
2. To facilitate excellence in marine mammal research and innovative practice for the well-being of the animals we work with.
3. To advise the membership through the SMM Board of Governors on ethical issues relating to marine mammal science.
4. To consider, at the request of the SMM Board of Governors, specific ethical issues raised by the members.
5. To prepare position statements on ethical issues on behalf of the Society.
6. To initiate and inform debate on ethical issues within the Society.
7. To advise the Editor-in-Chief on ethical aspects of publication in the Society’s journal.
8. To provide assistance to the Education Committee in developing educational materials related to ethics in marine mammal science.

Standard Operating Procedures

1. The committee will consist of at least five (5) members at any time. The Chairperson will be appointed by the elected officers of the Board of Governors, serve two-year terms and may be reappointed for any number of terms. Up to eight (8) additional standing committee members will be nominated by the Chairperson and approved by the elected officers.
2. The Committee should always have at least two (2) non-US members and at least one (1) veterinarian and a student member. The remaining members of the committee should represent a cross-section of the Society including scientists involved in manipulative experiments, different taxa, and a variety of fields of research and others with experience in law, sociology and other relevant fields.
3. The Chairperson shall have authority to invite other members of the Society or individuals outside the Society to temporarily advise the committee on specific issues within their field of expertise.
4. The committee will meet at least two times per year, in person or electronically, and report on its activities to Board of Governors through the Chairperson. The EAC will hold an open meeting at each biennial conference.
5. Communication between committee members will primarily be by e-mail.
6. Records of all meetings and decisions, with supporting documentation, will be maintained in the Society’s archives, as managed by the SMM Secretary

Duties and responsibilities of a member

This section sets out the duties and responsibilities generally expected of a person appointed as a member of the SMM EAC. This is intended to aid EAC members by providing them with a common set of principles for appropriate conduct and behaviour.

General

EAC members should have a commitment to protecting the interests of marine mammals while promoting and facilitating excellence in research and innovative practice.

There is an expectation that EAC members will make every effort to attend all EAC meetings and devote sufficient time to become familiar with the affairs of the EAC.

Members have a duty to act responsibly with regard to the effective and efficient administration of EAC business.

Conflicts of interest

EAC members should perform their functions in good faith, honestly and impartially and avoid situations that might compromise their integrity or otherwise lead to conflicts of interest. Proper observation of these principles will protect the EAC and its members and will ensure it retains public confidence.

EAC members attend meetings and undertake EAC activities as independent persons responsible to the SMM as a whole. Members are not appointed as representatives of professional organisations or particular community bodies. The EAC should not, therefore, assume that a particular group’s interests have been taken into account because an EAC member is associated with this group. Members should declare, and the committee regularly review, their actual and potential conflicts of interest.

When EAC members believe they have a conflict of interest on a subject that will prevent them from reaching an impartial decision or from undertaking an activity consistent with the EAC’s functions, they should declare that conflict of interest and withdraw themselves from the discussion and/or activity.

A member of the EAC who is involved with an issue brought before the EAC shall not take part in the EAC’s assessment of that issue. The member may be present to answer questions but should take no part in the discussion surrounding the consideration of the issue or any decision relating to the issue. This will allow each issue to be considered in a free and frank manner. The EAC must demonstrate transparency in avoiding or managing any real or perceived conflict of interest.

Committee meetings

Meetings of the EAC shall be held twice a year, or more often as determined by the workload. As issues arise a quorum will be convened to discuss each issue and come to a decision. The EAC should hold one meeting at each SMM Biennial Conference.

At any meeting, a quorum shall consist of the minimum number constituting a majority. The quorum must include a reasonable representation of members with veterinarian, research, and taxa specific knowledge and perspectives.

As part of the accountability to the Society they serve, it is desirable for the biennial coference EAC meetings to be open to the public.

Subject to the provisions set out in this document, the EAC may regulate its own procedures.

Decision-making process

Wherever possible, the EAC should determine matters by consensus decision. Where a consensus cannot be reached, a vote shall apply, with a two-thirds majority of those voting required for any decisions, and the Chairperson having a tie-breaking vote. If a decision can not be reached, the EAC will approach the SMM Board of Governors for resolution.

On occasion, individual members may wish to abstain from some or all of the decision making process because of strong personal moral or other reasons. Such abstentions shall not affect the decision process.

Ethics Committee Actions

For each issue it reviews and recommendation it produces, the EAC must state its grounds for any action.

Expert advice and consultation

Members may wish to consult on ethical issues with individuals or outside groups, and this should be encouraged and supported. Consultation should be carried out in a timely manner.

Where the Chairperson or quorum of EAC members believes there is insufficient expertise on the EAC to assess an issue, the committee should seek additional expert advice.

Advice may be sought from recognized experts with:

1. specialist knowledge in particular fields of marine mammal science
2. specialist knowledge for a particular taxa
3. an understanding of relevant cultural perspectives
4. an understanding of developing methodologies
5. expertise in ethical theory.

It should be noted that the above list gives examples, without restricting the range, of external expertise that may be sought.

Where external consultation has taken place or advice has been sought, this should be documented, and recorded where appropriate in the EAC’s decision on an issue.

Voting Members:
Dr Daniel Costa (University of California, Santa Cruz, USA)
Suzanne Yin (Hawaii Marine Mammal consortium, USA)
Janet Mann (Georgetown University, USA)
Enrique Alberto Crespo (CONICET CETPAT, Patagonia Argentina)
Ailsa Hall (University of St Andrews, Scotland UK)
Bernd Wursig (Texas A&M) , USA)
Paul Nachtigall (University of St Andrews, USA)
Terrie M. Williams (University of St Andrews, USA)

Non-voting Members:
Cindy Peter (University Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia)
Dipani Sutaria (Marine Mammal Network of India India)
Clinton Factheu (University of Yaoundé, Cameroon)
If required, in any last minute emergencies, the President will become a voting member.

ETHICS COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Role of the SMM Ethics Committee

1. To foster an awareness of ethical principles and practices in the marine mammal research, care and management community.
2. To facilitate excellence in marine mammal research and innovative practice for the well-being of the animals we work with.
3. To advise the membership through the SMM Board of Governors on ethical issues relating to marine mammal science.
4. To consider, at the request of the SMM Board of Governors, specific ethical issues raised by the members.
5. To prepare position statements on ethical issues on behalf of the Society.
6. To initiate and inform debate on ethical issues within the Society.
7. To advise the Editor-in-Chief on ethical aspects of publication in the Society’s journal.
8. To provide assistance to the Education Committee in developing educational materials related to ethics in marine mammal science.

Standard Operating Procedures

1. The committee will consist of at least five (5) members at any time. The Chairperson will be appointed by the elected officers of the Board of Governors, serve two-year terms and may be reappointed for any number of terms. Up to eight (8) additional standing committee members will be nominated by the Chairperson and approved by the elected officers.
2. The Committee should always have at least two (2) non-US members and at least one (1) veterinarian and a student member. The remaining members of the committee should represent a cross-section of the Society including scientists involved in manipulative experiments, different taxa, and a variety of fields of research and others with experience in law, sociology and other relevant fields.
3. The Chairperson shall have authority to invite other members of the Society or individuals outside the Society to temporarily advise the committee on specific issues within their field of expertise.
4. The committee will meet at least two times per year, in person or electronically, and report on its activities to Board of Governors through the Chairperson. The EAC will hold an open meeting at each biennial conference.
5. Communication between committee members will primarily be by e-mail.
6. Records of all meetings and decisions, with supporting documentation, will be maintained in the Society’s archives, as managed by the SMM Secretary

Duties and responsibilities of a member

This section sets out the duties and responsibilities generally expected of a person appointed as a member of the SMM EAC. This is intended to aid EAC members by providing them with a common set of principles for appropriate conduct and behaviour.

General

EAC members should have a commitment to protecting the interests of marine mammals while promoting and facilitating excellence in research and innovative practice.

There is an expectation that EAC members will make every effort to attend all EAC meetings and devote sufficient time to become familiar with the affairs of the EAC.

Members have a duty to act responsibly with regard to the effective and efficient administration of EAC business.

Conflicts of interest

EAC members should perform their functions in good faith, honestly and impartially and avoid situations that might compromise their integrity or otherwise lead to conflicts of interest. Proper observation of these principles will protect the EAC and its members and will ensure it retains public confidence.

EAC members attend meetings and undertake EAC activities as independent persons responsible to the SMM as a whole. Members are not appointed as representatives of professional organisations or particular community bodies. The EAC should not, therefore, assume that a particular group’s interests have been taken into account because an EAC member is associated with this group. Members should declare, and the committee regularly review, their actual and potential conflicts of interest.

When EAC members believe they have a conflict of interest on a subject that will prevent them from reaching an impartial decision or from undertaking an activity consistent with the EAC’s functions, they should declare that conflict of interest and withdraw themselves from the discussion and/or activity.

A member of the EAC who is involved with an issue brought before the EAC shall not take part in the EAC’s assessment of that issue. The member may be present to answer questions but should take no part in the discussion surrounding the consideration of the issue or any decision relating to the issue. This will allow each issue to be considered in a free and frank manner. The EAC must demonstrate transparency in avoiding or managing any real or perceived conflict of interest.

Committee meetings

Meetings of the EAC shall be held twice a year, or more often as determined by the workload. As issues arise a quorum will be convened to discuss each issue and come to a decision. The EAC should hold one meeting at each SMM Biennial Conference.

At any meeting, a quorum shall consist of the minimum number constituting a majority. The quorum must include a reasonable representation of members with veterinarian, research, and taxa specific knowledge and perspectives.

As part of the accountability to the Society they serve, it is desirable for the biennial coference EAC meetings to be open to the public.

Subject to the provisions set out in this document, the EAC may regulate its own procedures.

Decision-making process

Wherever possible, the EAC should determine matters by consensus decision. Where a consensus cannot be reached, a vote shall apply, with a two-thirds majority of those voting required for any decisions, and the Chairperson having a tie-breaking vote. If a decision can not be reached, the EAC will approach the SMM Board of Governors for resolution.

On occasion, individual members may wish to abstain from some or all of the decision making process because of strong personal moral or other reasons. Such abstentions shall not affect the decision process.

Ethics Committee Actions

For each issue it reviews and recommendation it produces, the EAC must state its grounds for any action.

Expert advice and consultation

Members may wish to consult on ethical issues with individuals or outside groups, and this should be encouraged and supported. Consultation should be carried out in a timely manner.

Where the Chairperson or quorum of EAC members believes there is insufficient expertise on the EAC to assess an issue, the committee should seek additional expert advice.

Advice may be sought from recognized experts with:

1. specialist knowledge in particular fields of marine mammal science
2. specialist knowledge for a particular taxa
3. an understanding of relevant cultural perspectives
4. an understanding of developing methodologies
5. expertise in ethical theory.

It should be noted that the above list gives examples, without restricting the range, of external expertise that may be sought.

Where external consultation has taken place or advice has been sought, this should be documented, and recorded where appropriate in the EAC’s decision on an issue.

Amalia Alberini (WWF Greece, Greece)
Katherina Audley (Whales of Guerrero, Mexico)
Gillian Braulik (University of Saint Andrews, UK)
Robert L. Brownell, Jr. (NOAA Fisheries, USA)
Enrique A. Crespo (Centro Nacional Patagónico, Argentina)
Asha de Vos (The Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project, Sri Lanka)
Ayça Eleman* (University of Iceland, Turkey)
Peter Evans (Bangor University, UK)
Joan Gonzalvo (Tethys Research Institute, Spain)
Nobuyuki Miyazaki (Ocean Research Institute, Japan)
Guido Parra (Flinders University, Australia)
Dipani Sutaria (Cetacean Ecologist, Ahmedabad, India)

Natalie Bowes (Independent Marine Mammal Biologist, Canada)
Delphine Chabanne* (Murdoch University, Australia)
James Powell* (Portland State University, USA)

Tom Akamatsu (Ocean Policy Research Institute, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan)
Rebecca M. Boys (Massey University, New Zealand)
Beth Brady (Save the Manatee Club, USA)
Susanna Caballero (Nova Southeastern University, USA)
Dan Costa (University of California Santa Cruz, USA)
Taylor Hersh (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Netherlands)
Hilary Moors-Murphy (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canada)
Carolina Loch Santos da Silva (University of Otago, New Zealand)

Masao Amano (Nagasaki University, Japan)
Frederick (Eric) I. Archer, II, (NOAA Fisheries, USA)
C. Scott Baker (Oregon State University, USA)
Daryl J. Boness (University of Maine, USA)
Robert L. Brownell, Jr. (NOAA Fisheries, USA)
Morgan Churchill, (University of Wisconsin,USA)
Daryl P. Domning (Howard University, USA)
Thomas A. Jefferson (NOAA Fisheries, USA)
Carl Kinze (Denmark)
Felix Marx (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand)
Michael McGowen (Smithsonian Institution, USA)
Larissa Rosa de Oliveira (Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Brazil)
Patricia Rosel (NOAA Fisheries, USA)
John Y. Wang (CetAsia Research Group, Canada)

TAXONOMY COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

Thomas Jefferson (Clymene Enterprises, USA)
Sarah Piwetz (Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, USA)

Clare Andvik (University of Oslo, Norway)
Clarissa Teixeira (Oregon State University, USA)
Vanessa Pirotta (Wild Sydney Harbour, Australia)
Shiva Jardan (Canadian Wildlife Federation, Canada)

Dee Allen (Marine Mammal Commission, USA)
Tara Cox (Savannah State University, USA)
Simon Goldsworthy (South Australia Research and Development Institute, Australia)
Jeremy Kiszka (Florida International University, USA)
Katie Moore (IFAW, USA)
Andy Read (Duke University, USA)