Marine Life Studies Symposium, "Saving Whales – One at a Time", to Benefit Whale Entanglement Team

MONTEREY, Calif. - Nov. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Marine Life Studies, a nonprofit organization which inspires the public to protect oceans, whales and dolphins, will host the benefit symposium, Saving Whales — One at a Time, as part of the Make a Whale Smile campaign. The event will feature world-renowned marine mammal illustrator, Captain Pieter Folkens of the Alaska Whale Foundation. It will be held on Saturday, November 15^th, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Museum of Monterey at the Stanton Center, 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, California.

Marine Life Studies brings science leaders into a public forum through its Ocean Literacy Series where people learn about marine mammal behavior and threats to marine ecosystems. Peggy Stap, Marine Life Studies Executive Director, shares the details of the event: “Saving Whales — One at a Time is a two-hour interactive presentation illustrating the pivotal role Marine Life Studies and WET have in the collaborative multi-agency response to rescue entangled whales. People will learn how we utilize new rescue methodologies, hear about roadblocks we face as the entanglement alert calls exceed our capacity to respond, and see dramatic video footage from recent successful rescues. This is a rare opportunity for people to meet the team and find out what happens when we receive the call about a whale in distress!"

Whale entanglement is a growing problem. According to the International Whaling Commission, it is estimated that 308,000 whales and dolphins die annually due to entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris. Entanglement can lead to drowning, laceration, infection and starvation. Stap adds, “True entanglement rates are believed to be much higher. It is estimated that for every report of an entangled whale, there are at least 10 more unseen.”

WET is a group of 30 plus volunteers (unpaid professionals) assembled and trained for the purpose of disentangling whales. The authority of this group is under the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program permit #932-1905 on which naturalist, Captain Pieter Folkens is a co-investigator. Stap and the marine conservationists are always on call to rescue a whale anywhere on the California coast.

Captain Folkens explains, “Disentangling large whales in distress is direct-action conservation of the highest order. Few organizations and people are so dedicated, so trained, or so recognized in this important endeavor. WET and Marine Life Studies plays a key role in the growing number of successful disentanglement events.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Captain Folkens and other Whale Entanglement Team members. The benefit will raise funds for additional telemetry equipment to track more whales simultaneously, other needed equipment for WET, and to support Marine Life Studies’ community and science programs.

Reservations can be made at www.marinelifestudies.org/oceanliteracyseries or by calling 831-901-3833. The $100 donation includes access to the museum, the presentation and a special opportunity to meet the scientists at the reception afterwards. Wine, refreshments and appetizers will be served.

A second symposium will also be offered for high school Marine Academy students on Saturday, December 13th 10:00am – 6:00pm. Schools may contact info@marinelifestudies.org for more information.

About Marine Life Studies Ocean Literacy Series Collaboration:

Marine Life Studies, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, developed the Ocean Literacy Series to connect the public with marine science research findings.  We achieve this through a collaborative partnership with scientific subject matter experts.  The Ocean: Our Life Support System installation is the result of contributions by Mission Blue-Sylvia Earle Alliance, National Geographic, Hopkins Marine Laboratories (Stanford University), Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (California State University), NOAA National Marine Sanctuary West Coast Region, The Story of Stuff Project, First Night Monterey, Whale Entanglement team, and the Museum of Monterey at the Stanton Center.

For more information go to: www.marinelifestudies.org