Between 14th  and 19th October, we had the opportunity of travelling to Valdivia, Chile, to attend the 10th South American Conference on Aquatic Mammals (10RT) / 4th Meeting of the Latin American Society for Aquatic Mammals (SOLAMAC). We presented three scientific posters:

"Sightings and strandings of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Santa Cruz coast, Patagonia Argentina (1986-2002)", Iñíguez, M.A; Belgrano, J.M.I.; Tossenberger, V.P.; Tomsin, A.L. and J.C. de Haro.

"Preliminary observations of Peale´s dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis) in the north coast of Puerto San Julián, Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina", Fathala, M. del V.; Calió, C. and M.A. Iñíguez;

"Preliminary Observations of Commerson´s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in Punta Quilla, Ría Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Prov., Argentina", Tomsin, A.L.; Hevia, M. and A. Garcilazo.

The Conference consisted on four days of presentations divided into oral and poster sessions. There were specialists from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, USA and UK. The attendants discussed about the biology, ecology and conservational problems of cetaceans, pinnipeds, manatees and sea otters.  Some of the subjects considered on cetacean studies included: population analysis, acoustics, use of habitat, behaviour, genetics and conservational issues as fishery interactions and whale-watching. During the last two days a workshop was carried out to discuss the problematic of the migratory species in the region and the alternative solutions that should be developed in the future. The specialists were organized into six discussion groups according to their geographic area. This led to update the conservational status information of the migratory species.  This workshop, supported by CMS, was a great opportunity of sharing difficulties, exchanging information and establishing priority actions.

The participation in this 10º RT / 4º SOLAMAC was a very useful experience for us. We must thank CSI and RT organizer because, without their financial support, it would not have been possible to achieve.

Jimena Belgrano, Cecilia Calió, María del Valle Fathala y Alejandrina Garcilazo.