Mikilvægi hvala í vistkerfi sjávar- Málþing og Sýningaropnun
Veröld - hús Vigdísar, Brynjólfsgata 1, 107 Reykjavík Directions
Wed Sep 23 2026 14:00
Invitation to the Symposium
The Importance of Whales in Marine Ecosystems
Dear recipient,
Loftskeytastöðin, the University of Iceland Sustainability Institute, and Hvalavinir – Whale Friends – Ocean Protection invite you to a symposium on the importance of whales in marine ecosystems, on Wednesday, 23 September, from 14:00–16:00 in Auðarsalur, Veröld – House of Vigdís, followed by an exhibition opening at Loftskeytastöðin from 16:00–18:00.
The symposium aims to highlight the role of whales in marine ecosystems and their links to biodiversity, nutrient cycling, primary production, carbon sequestration, and ocean health. It will also address whale and ocean conservation, animal welfare, and the ethical questions raised by whaling.
Symposium programme:
Across the World’s Oceans: Tracking Whale Movements
Sara M. Maxwell PhD, Professor of Ecology at the University of Iceland will discuss how satellite tagging has advanced our understanding of whale movements across the world’s oceans and how their journeys connect habitats, countries, and cultures.
The Effects of Baleen Whale Waste on Primary Production
Guðjón Már Sigurðsson PhD, marine biologist at the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute will discuss a recent study assessing the effects of whale waste on primary production in the waters around Iceland.
What Makes Whaling Different?
Henry Alexander Henryson PhD, philosopher. A common view among supporters of whaling is that it is no different from hunting other mammals and should therefore be permitted like other forms of hunting. This presentation will examine that view and explore what makes whaling distinct from an ethical perspective.
The Ocean in the Anthropocene – Whales, Phytoplankton, and the Intersection of Art and Science
Inga Lísa Middleton, visual artist will discuss the scientific
knowledge behind her work, the interactions between whales and phytoplankton, and how art can make the complex and often invisible relationships within marine ecosystems visible and tangible.
The symposium will be moderated by Katrín Oddsdóttir.
The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and questions from the audience.
Exhibition Opening at Loftskeytastöðin Following the Symposium
Following the symposium, Inga Lísa Middleton’s exhibition, The Ocean in the Anthropocene, will open at Loftskeytastöðin.
Through hand-printed cyanotypes, she juxtaposes some of the ocean’s largest and smallest organisms – whales and phytoplankton – highlighting their interactions, including their roles in oxygen production, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. The works also draw attention to the impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.
We look forward to seeing you!
