Submitted by The Whale Museum
The Whale Museum is holding two special programs in November: the Gear Down Workshop for Marine Naturalists on Saturday, Nov. 11, followed by the museum’s Research Symposium on Sunday, Nov. 12. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for both events.
On Saturday, the Gear Down Workshop will be held at the San Juan Island Fire Hall and focus on research and recovery efforts related to Southern resident killer whales and salmon. Presenters include Susan O’Neil (Long Live the Kings) on the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project and the impacts of the hood canal floating bridge on fish survival and water circulation; Jamie Michel (Coastal Watershed Institute) on dam removal, habitat connection and nearshore restoration in the Elwha Watershed; Dr. Mike Ford (NOAA) on paternity, male reproduction success and inbreeding in Southern resident killer whales; and Dr. John Ford (University of BC) on past exploitation and current status of marine mammals in British Columbia. The workshop will conclude with a book-signing for Dr. John Ford’s book, Marine Mammals of British Columbia. A no-host reception at Mike’s Café & Wine Bar will follow.
On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Second Annual Research Symposium will be held at the San Juan Island Grange hall with a focus on toxins. Presenters include: Dr. Rich Osborne (UW) on the dawn of toxic studies on Southern resident killer whales, Dr. Jessica Lundin (UW) on the threat of toxic contaminants to Southern resident killer whale recovery; Russel Barsh (KWIAHT) on soap, pesticides, copper: islander’s share of marine pollution; Dr. Michelle Wainstein (WPZ) on river otter toxicology; Dr. James West (WDFW) on accumulation and movement of toxic contaminants in the Salish Sea/Puget Sound’s food web; and Jennifer Olson and Dr. Shawn Larson on The Whale Museum’s current research on marine debris and new directions into toxics and microplastics monitoring.
Special thanks to The Earthbox Inn & Spa for their generous sponsorship of the weekend. The registration fee is $35 for non-members; $25 for The Whale Museum and Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists members per event. Lunch can be pre-ordered for an additional $10 per day. Registration can be done online at whalemuseum.org/pages/upcoming-events. For more information, call 378-4710 ext. 30.
