Posts by melissa.walker
Blogging from Biennial: Day 3
Half way through the conference and there are no signs of slowing down! Monica and Colleen both had busy days learning about everything from narwhal hearts to beluga ear structure! Any questions for Monica and Colleen about the Biennial Conference? Send us an email at [email protected] If you missed Day 2 updates, check them out…
Read MoreBlogging from Biennial: Day 2
Colleen and Monica are still going strong at the Biennial Conference and it sounds like Day 2 was all about networking. For so many in the marine mammal field, everyone is spread out geographically, so this conference brings everyone together in one place. If you missed Day 1 updates, check them out here. Day 2:…
Read MoreBlogging from Biennial: Day 1
Yesterday was the first day of the Biennial Conference and sounds like it was full of information! Collen and Monica’s brains are already bursting with new facts so let’s hear what they have to report back: Day 1: After the welcoming reception on Sunday evening and the first full day of conferencing on Monday, my…
Read MoreBlogging from Biennial
The marine mammal community is meeting for the Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, organized by the Society for Marine Mammalogy. This meeting brings together scientists and conservationists from all over the world to talk about ongoing research, current policies, and educational outreach, and is considered the “big leagues” for anyone who does…
Read MoreWDC and Partner Groups demand US and Canada act to save North Atlantic right whales
Critically Endangered Whales Suffered Mass Die-off on East Coast in 2017 WDC and its conservation and animal-protection partners sought action today by the United States and Canada to prevent painful, deadly entanglements in fishing gear that threaten the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. In letters to Canadian officials and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries…
Read MoreWDC applauds Canadian effort
The Canadian government announced today that it will require ships to slow down in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in an effort to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The temporary measure mandates that vessels over 20 meters (65 feet) traveling between Quebec’s north shore and northern Prince Edward Island slow to 10kts or…
Read MoreNew guidelines for Sailors -Safe Boating for Ocean Sailing Racers… and Whales
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is delighted to announce that race crews of two open ocean sailing events will receive tips on safe sailing around whales. Coordinators for the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race and the Vineyard Cup, both launching in Massachusetts, have worked with WDC and its program partners to customize information specific to their race courses…
Read MoreEndangered Species Day – 2017
Today we’re recognizing the 12th annual Endangered Species Day, a day to celebrate saving imperiled species founded by our colleagues at the Endangered Species Coalition. We’d like to highlight one of the most important species we work with in the US, the only endangered orca population in US waters – the Southern Resident orcas of…
Read MoreAt Least 1 in 10 Humpback Whales Have Been Injured by Boat Collisions
New study published confirms collision between vessels and whales are underestimated Each spring, summer, and fall hundreds of protected humpback whales come to the waters off of southern New England to feed. However, these whales share their feeding habitat with both recreational and commercial boaters, and as a result, are at a high risk of being struck…
Read MoreSailor Forced to Abandon Round-the-World Race Confirms it was a Whale Strike
Earlier this month a video was released confirming French sailor Kito de Pavant’s 60-ft (18.28 m) racing yacht struck a whale on December 6th, 2016 while he was competing in the Vendee Globe yacht race. This was the eighth edition of the Vendee Globe, a solo, nonstop around-the-world race, and paired 29 of the world’s…
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