North Pacific Gray Whale Talk

Fall on the central Oregon coast brings with it free educational presentations and events at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center. In addition to the hiking, tidepooling, and exploring always available, visitors can enjoy a variety of speakers and topics every Saturday from October 28-December 16 through the Cape Perpetua Speaker Series, as well as other special events. All events are free.

Dr. Jim Sumich, OSU Fisheries and Wildlife Faculty, has conducted research on gray whales from Baja California to British Columbia and has just published a new book, E. robustus: The Biology and Human History of Gray Whales. Gray whales are legally protected under several statutes as two separate populations; a large eastern population of about 20,000 whales and a critically endangered western population of less than 150. Jim will describe some exciting research that is helping to clarify the evolving status and related management issues of these populations.