Conservation of Marine Megafauna will focus on the biology, ecology, and conservation of the largest of all marine animals. As we sail the world’s oceans aboard the MV World Odyssey, we will spend time on deck to be on the look-out for these fantastic creatures. The course will provide a general overview of the earth’s oceans and their physical, geological, and biological characteristics. We will explore oceanic habitats and the evolution of charismatic marine organisms such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea turtles, seabirds, and large fishes such as tunas, sharks, and rays. The class will emphasize the adaptations of these animals to life in the vast, cold, dark, and deep ocean and highlight marine megafauna's role in the oceanic food web.

Anthropogenic challenges to marine megafauna will be an ongoing theme throughout the class, and we will explore how scientists utilize new technologies and innovations for their conservation. Additionally, we will consider local cultural connections to these large and important species as we visit different ports throughout the voyage.

Learning objectives for this course include: gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of open oceanic ecosystems and the large marine animals that depend on them, understanding the various physiological and behavioural adaptations that have evolved in marine megafauna species to allow a pelagic existence, acquiring the knowledge and insight necessary to evaluate opportunities and challenges facing marine megafauna and our oceans today, and awareness of the cultural connections, and in some cases, exploitation of these important marine organisms.