Staff from Dolphin Quest Bermuda have made a presentation at an international conference on marine education in Connecticut.

Sundée Faulkner, sales and outreach manager, and Kameron Burgess, marine mammal specialist, both attended the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums educator’s conference this month at the Mystic Aquarium.

The event, which featured guests from the Bahamas, Mexico and the United States, was held to provide a forum to learn about the latest scientific findings and discuss educational techniques.

Ms Faulkner and Mr Burgess discussed strategies to inspire a passion for wildlife and promote environmental stewardship based on methods used at Dolphin Quest Bermuda.

Ms Faulkner said it was an honour to represent the island at the forum and talk about how to teach and motivate the public.

She added: “It is more important than ever that accredited zoos, aquariums and marine parks, like Dolphin Quest, exist.

“They provide the highest level of care for their animals and contribute to vital marine mammal education, conservation and science.

“We have the unique opportunity to inspire school groups and visitors from all over the world to care about and help us protect our oceans and marine life.”

A spokesman for Dolphin Quest said: “Dolphin Quest has implemented a formal programme called Conservation Conversations at its locations in Bermuda and Hawaii.

“This initiative integrates daily talking points pertaining to an overall monthly conservation theme.

“One topic covered is the importance of reducing marine debris by refusing single-use plastics.

“By purposefully pairing dolphin behaviours with education and conservation messages, Dolphin Quest guests receive a mindful and holistic experience while also being called to conservation action.”

The spokesman added that Dolphin Quest in Bermuda and Hawaii had given more than $4.2 million to support marine conservation, education and research efforts that benefit animals in the wild.