Can our Orcas be saved? – forum Friday

Orca Forum in Port Angeles Friday, May 10, 2019

The Marine Resources Committee (MRC) of Clallam County invites you to attend a free public forum about Southern Resident Orca Whales at the Lower Elwha Heritage Center, Port Angeles on May 10 from 1 to 4pm. Four members from the Governor’s Orca Recovery Task Force will highlight the current status of our Southern Resident Orcas, and some of the Task Force recommendations.

Specifically, they will discuss how the decreasing availability of Chinook salmon is impacting our orcas, the need to reduce toxins in our waters, funding for continuing restoration efforts, and how we can reduce noise or acoustic disturbance affecting the whales. The Forum is supported by the Northwest Straits Foundation and is funded by a grant from the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau and a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program, which is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, SeaWorld, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Shell Oil Company. Panelists include:

• Dr. Rich Osborne, Whale Museum/Soundwatch/UW; Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership board, Science Seat on the Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force

• Dr. Todd Hass, Chair, Puget Sound Partnership, Vessels Task Force Lead; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force

• Dr. Scott Veirs, Chair, Puget Sound ecosystem monitoring program (PSEMP) Marine Mammal Work Group; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force

• Donna Sandstrom, Founder and Executive Director of The Whale Trail; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force and Vessel Impacts Working Group

Facilitation by Anne Murphy, President, Northwest Straits Foundation

Where: Elwha Heritage Center (401 E 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362)

When: 1-4 pm May 10, 2019

Cost: Free Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended by contacting Helle Andersen at handersen@co.clallam.wa.us.

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