ON WHALE TRAIL OF ENDANGERED SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Noted author and marine conservationist Erich Hoyt is the featured speaker when The Whale Trail’s Orca Tour 2014 comes to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and to the Port Angeles Red Lion Inn on May 7 and May 8.
Hoyt is the author of the books, Orca: The Whale Called Killer and Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, and will speak on “Adventures with Orcas in the North Pacific—From A1 Stubbs to Iceberg, the White Russian Bull.”
“We are living in an era and in a part of the world where whale research has exploded,” says Erich Hoyt. “And we’ve got some amazing orca stories to tell here—mostly positive, some heartbreaking, but all compelling.”
Orca Tour 2014 is a month-long series of event in May that follows The Whale Trail, a series of 50 sites where people in British Columbia and Washington, Oregon and California can view orcas and other marine mammals from shore.
“Extending The Whale Trail down the Pacific coast is an important step that strengthens the Killer Whale sighting network,” said Brad Hanson, NOAA Fisheries wildlife biologist. “At The Whale Trail markers people spend more time looking and they see and report more whales. I think this is an excellent opportunity for citizen-scientists to provide valuable data on the distribution and seasonal occurrence of Killer Whales, particularly Southern Residents, as well as other species along the U.S. West Coast.”
“The tour is especially timely in light of National Marine Fisheries Service’s recent decision to consider designating the Pacific Coast from Cape Flattery to Point Reyes as part of the Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat,” said Donna Sandstrom, executive director of The Whale Trail. “From his early work in Johnstone Strait to his current research in Far East Russia, Erich inspires us all to better protect whales, dolphins, and the world’s oceans.We are thrilled to partner with Erich on this tour, and grateful for the host organizations and sponsors who have made it possible, from BC to California.”
Erich’s talk on May 7 will begin at 5 PM at Fort Worden, Building 204, immediately following the Marine Science Center’s annual meeting. Erich will sell and sign his books at 6:30 following his talk. Admission to the talk is free for Marine Science Center members; admission for adults is $7; youth under 18, $3. The program is sponsored by the Marine Science Center and The Whale Trail.
In Port Angeles on May 8, Erich’s talk will begin at 7 PM (doors will open at 6:30 PM) at the Port Angeles Red Lion Inn. Admission to the talk is $5 for adults; children under 12 are free. The program is presented by the Olympic Coast National Marine, the Feiro Marine Life Center and The Whale Trail and cosponsored by Sound Community Bank. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets www.brownpapertickets.com/event/633364
“Like” Orca Tour 2014 on Facebook; Orca Tour information and local event information can be found at http://www.orcatour.org