Join ACS San Francisco Bay Chapter for a captivating presentation by California Whale Rescue’s Kathi George, Ryan Berger, and Heather Willis. They will be joined by commercial fishermen who are members of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group.
As ocean temperatures have risen in recent years, reports of whale entanglements along the Pacific coastline have climbed, possibly due to shifts in foraging patterns resulting in increased overlap with crab and other fisheries. The need for solutions to prevent entanglements has never been greater. Conservationists and fishermen are working together to identify ways to prevent entanglements to maintain healthy fisheries alongside healthy whale populations. This presentation will offer a special opportunity to learn about efforts the Dungeness crab fishery is undertaking to prevent lost gear and reduce whale entanglement. You’ll also hear from whale entanglement responders about some of the cases where an entanglement response has been required.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA WHALE RESCUE
California Whale Rescue was founded to organize, unify, and advance the entangled whale response network in California, with a focus on best practices, prevention, and safety. This organization coordinates and organizes entanglement response efforts under National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service (NOAA Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Permit #18786) and International Whaling Commission (IWC) protocols. Learn more about California Whale Rescue by visiting their website.
ABOUT KATHI GEORGE
Kathi George is the Director of California Whale Rescue, and a Co-Investigator on NOAA's Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program's permit (she is permitted to respond to entangled whales). She has participated in six whale disentanglements, numerous entangled whale responses, and over fifty sea lion disentanglements. Kathi is also a member of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group. She is an avid diver, snorkeler, and advocate for marine wildlife. She has a degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and spends as much time as she can underwater and on boats.
