Submitted by the Whale Museum

On Aug. 13, Krista Trounce, project manager for the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and Dr. Jason Wood, manager of Sea Mammal Research Unit Consulting North America Offices in the U.S. and Canada, will present “Slowing down for the whales: ECHO Program research results from the 2017 voluntary vessel slowdown trial and plans for 2018.” The ECHO Program is an initiative to better understand and manage the impact of shipping activities on at-risk whales throughout the Salish Sea. This lecture will be held at The Whale Museum at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 13, as part of the museum’s summer lecture series.

Trounce will discuss how the results from last year’s vessel slowdown trial in Haro Strait are informing this year’s voluntary slowdown to reduce underwater noise for Southern resident killer whales. Wood will talk about how SMRU Consulting and Oceans Initiatives are working with the ECHO Program to help interpret how reduced vessel speeds and reduced noise may affect the killer whales.

Also learn about other upcoming projects including the Whale Report Alert System and an online “Whales in our Waters” tutorial program about safe navigation around marine mammals, soon to be available for all mariners.

The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series offers knowledge and wonder of the natural world. The lectures are given by local or visiting experts in their field. Each event is free and held at The Whale Museum. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, call 360-378-4710 ext. 30 or visit www.whalemuseum.org.