Gray Whale Presentation in Seaside

Florence Sullivan. Photo courtesy of NCLC.

Marine ecologist Florence Sullivan will speak on “Inside Gray Whales” at the Seaside Public Library (1131 Broadway St.) on Wednesday, January 18, 6-8 p.m.  The free public talk is part of the Listening to the Land lecture series sponsored by the North Coast Land Conservancy. 

Scientists like Sullivan, a graduate student in Oregon State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, are using a variety of new research techniques to expand what we know about marine mammals, such as what they eat, how they forage, and how they are affected by noise in the ocean, both natural and human-caused. Much of this work is directed toward improving conservation management of protected or threatened species.  She uses new research techniques, including underwater “Go-Pro” cameras, drones, and drifting hydrophones, to closely track whales and monitor their environment.  Sullivan and her colleagues work closely with Oregon's whale watching guides to develop vessel operation guidelines around whales.