Isidore Szczepaniak Cetacean Research Grant

Portrait of Izzy Szczepaniak, by Nance Becker

Izzy Szczepaniak, photo © Nance Becker

The San Francisco Bay Chapter of the American Cetacean Society has established an annual cetacean research grant to continue the legacy of Isidore Szczepaniak, M.S., marine biologist, research scientist, educator, and dedicated volunteer and Board Member of the American Cetacean Society, San Francisco Bay Chapter.

Isidore “Izzy” Szczepaniak (1950 - 2021) was an accomplished and highly respected marine biologist whose cetacean research career spanned over 40 years. He was renowned for his expertise in whales, dolphins, and porpoises in San Francisco Bay and the Gulf of the Farallones. Izzy shared his vast and specialized knowledge through dozens of research publications and through his many roles with organizations including the American Cetacean Society, The Marine Mammal Center, California Academy of Science, San Francisco State University, Oceanic Society, Golden Gate Cetacean Research, the International Ocean Film Festival, and others.

In 1990, Izzy graduated with a Master’s of Science in marine biology from San Francisco State University where his master’s thesis was on “Abundance, Distribution, and Natural History of Harbor Porpoise in the Gulf of the Farallones.” He studied the harbor porpoise population off the local coast for over 40 years and was a co-founder of Golden Gate Cetacean Research where he and his colleagues documented the exciting return of harbor porpoises to the San Francisco Bay after decades of absence.  

Izzy Szczepaniak photographing harbor porpoise while leaning over the side of the Golden Gate Bridge, photo by Bill Keener

Izzy Szczepaniak photographing harbor porpoises from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, photo © Bill Keener

Izzy also studied humpback whales in California and Costa Rica, bottlenose dolphins in Belize. In October 2021, he was part of a special team of scientists who were assembled in the upper Gulf of California to study the critically endangered Vaquita porpoise. He was honored to be able to contribute to this important survey of the most endangered marine mammal on the planet.

While contributing to cetacean research, Izzy found numerous ways to share his knowledge with the public as an educator. For several years, to the delight of hundreds of Bay Area participants, he taught the much-loved naturalist certification course for the ACS San Francisco Bay Chapter.  He represented ACS at many area festivals and events and assisted with hosting our Monthly Speaker Series events.  In 2020, as the pandemic reduced people’s opportunities to get out on boats and beaches to observe cetaceans in the wild, Izzy joined forces with fellow Board member, Susan Hopp, to write our “Conversation with Izzy” blog series to provide our community with updates regarding interesting cetacean-related events, sightings, and strandings in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. 

Izzy Szczepaniak with Stranded Fin Whale at Fort Funston, photo by Susan Hopp

Izzy Szczepaniak with stranded fin whale at Fort Funston, photo © Susan Hopp

As an educator, Izzy taught marine biology classes at San Francisco State University and the California Academy of Sciences.  He also worked as a naturalist for the Oceanic Society since 1982 guiding both Bay Area and international trips. Izzy always jumped at the opportunity to give a talk to build awareness of the plight of marine mammals and to inspire people to make choices that will help protect and conserve them. 

Through many years of research and education work, Izzy raised our collective understanding of marine mammals in the North Pacific region.  We are grateful for his tireless efforts on behalf of marine mammals, especially cetaceans.

Izzy Szczepaniak shares his knowledge as a naturalist on an Oceanic Society tour of the Farallon Islands on November 21, 2021, photo by Susan Hopp

Izzy Szczepaniak shares his knowledge as a naturalist on an Oceanic Society tour of the Farallon Islands, November 21, 2021, photo © Susan Hopp

With the Isidore Szczepaniak Cetacean Research Grant, we honor Izzy’s legacy by supporting the next generation of marine scientists as they conduct research that contributes to our understanding of cetaceans, their habitats, and threats to their survival, so conservation solutions can be identified and implemented.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY TO SUPPORT CETACEAN RESEARCH

AND THE LEGACY OF IZZY SZCZEPANIAK