The story behind
EAAM.
EAAM has grown for over fifty years, from an informal interest group into a formal, accredited association. This is the record of how it got here: one symposium, one standard, one decade at a time.
- 1972
Founded as an interest group
EAAM begins life as an informal interest group for European professionals working with aquatic mammals. The first Annual Symposium is held, starting an unbroken tradition that continues today.
- 2010
A formal accreditation process
EAAM institutes a formal accreditation process, requiring independent inspection of every member park by qualified professionals, with re-inspection mandated every five years.
- 2012
Becomes a non-profit Association
In August, EAAM formalises into a registered non-profit Association, with its head office established in Brussels, Belgium.
- 2019
Standards & Guidelines published
The current edition of the EAAM Standards & Guidelines for the management of aquatic mammals under human care is published in March, codifying decades of professional practice.
- 2020
The Symposium pauses
For the first time in its history, the Annual Symposium is cancelled, as the COVID-19 pandemic halts in-person gatherings across Europe.
- 2021
Back online
The 49th Annual Symposium returns in an online format, keeping the association connected through the pandemic.
- 2022
The 50th Annual Symposium
EAAM marks its 50th Annual Symposium, still held online, a milestone half-century of continuous scientific exchange since 1972.
- 2023
Back in person, in Valencia
The 51st Symposium returns to an in-person format, hosted by the Oceanogràfic in Valencia.
- 2024
Loro Parque, Tenerife
The 52nd Annual Symposium is hosted by Loro Parque in Tenerife.
- 2025
ZooParc de Beauval
The 53rd Annual Symposium is hosted by ZooParc de Beauval, continuing the rotation across Europe’s leading institutions.
- 2026
Le PAL, France
The 54th Annual Symposium was hosted at Le PAL, France, 24–27 March.
- 2027
Cesenatico, Italy
The 55th Annual Symposium, 2–5 March, hosted by the Maritime Museum of Cesenatico and organised by Oltremare 2.0: the next chapter in a story that began in 1972.
History of Presidents.
From its first President in 1972 to today, EAAM has been steered by thirty-one people across five decades. Select a decade below to see who served, and when.
- 2024–presentM. Böye
- 2022–2024G. Sanchez Contreras
- 2020–2022R. Lenzi
