The Whale Museum (TWM) is holding an exciting virtual Gear Up Workshop for Marine Naturalists this spring on Saturday, April 24. This workshop will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time and registrants will join sessions through the videoconferencing platform, Zoom. The “Gear Up” Workshop will focus on underwater noise and vessel traffic, issues which affect not only the endangered Southern Resident orcas but many other marine mammals as well. 

Invited presenters include:

• Dr. Marla Holt, NOAA, on the effects of noise/vessel disturbance on SRKWs and other marine mammals as well as latest DTAG research findings
• Sonja Henneman, Transport Canada, on initiatives to help the SRKWs
• Kevin Bartoy, Washington State Ferries, on initiatives to help the SRKWs
• Port of Vancouver staff on updates regarding the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program
• Port of Seattle staff on the Quiet Sound Initiative 
• Scott Rear, Canadian Coast Guard, on the Marine Mammal Desk
• Dr. Erin Ashe and Dr. Rob Williams, Oceans Initiative, on quiet(er) marine protected areas

Questions can be directed to Tracie Merrill at tracie@whalemuseum.org.