American Cetacean Society - San Francisco Bay Chapter

"Don’t Miss Out! - Join Our Webinar Tomorrow!" ????? Do you want to learn what's happening in Baja when the spring comes? We have Marc Webber as our March Speaker on "Baja in Spring – An Extravaganza of Marine Life" Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gWmKD7ni Join us as Marc shares his knowledge and photos from what truly is an extravaganza and celebration of marine life. We will be at sea on the boat – virtually – as we visit the birthing sites of gray whales and witness the season's burst of life with blue whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seabirds, and pinniped species that include elephant seals, Guadalupe fur seals, California sea lions, and more. We are also thrilled, as part of this celebration of ocean life, to pair a fundraising art auction of two works by board member and artist Firuze Gokce. Check the details here: https://lnkd.in/gQRJSTQb Anne-Marie B., Susan Hopp, Wade Cobb, Firuze Gokce

Update: BIDDING IS LIVE NOW!?????? For more info, CLICK HERE: https://lnkd.in/gdpF7SFF Join the American Cetacean Society and artist Firuze Gokce for a special Silent Auction dedicated to protecting whales, dolphins, and marine ecosystems. This event will raise crucial funds for ACS Research Grant Programs, supporting groundbreaking cetacean conservation and marine science studies. Firuze Gokce’s ocean-inspired artwork reflects the rhythms and sounds of whales, translating their spectrograms into visual expressions. Your participation supports marine conservation and education efforts that help protect whales and their habitats for future generations. FEATURED ARTWORK "ORCA PLAYING IN THE KELP FOREST" Killer whales, or orcas, are drawn to kelp forests for several reasons: Playfulness: They enjoy playing in the kelp, swimming through it, and interacting with it. Sensory Stimulation: The texture and movement of kelp provide interesting tactile experiences. Hunting: Kelp forests are rich in prey, offering cover for ambushes. Social Interaction: Kelp environments facilitate bonding and learning within orca pods. Safety: Kelp can provide protection from rough waters or potential threats. BID NOW: https://lnkd.in/gdpF7SFF

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER! ????? Do you want to learn what's happening in Baja when the spring comes? We have Marc Webber as our March Speaker on "Baja in Spring – An Extravaganza of Marine Life" Tuesday, March 25, 20257:00 PM 8:30 PM REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gWmKD7ni Join us as Marc shares his knowledge and photos from what truly is an extravaganza and celebration of marine life. We will be at sea on the boat – virtually – as we visit the birthing sites of gray whales and witness the season's burst of life with blue whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seabirds, and pinniped species that include elephant seals, Guadalupe fur seals, California sea lions, and more. We are also thrilled, as part of this celebration of ocean life, to pair a fundraising art auction of two works by board member and artist Firuze Gokce. Start Bidding now: https://lnkd.in/gQRJSTQb

If you need any inspiration, read on about Fran and Aria, who live outside the Golden Gate...

DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER! ????? Do you want to discover the magic of Marine Life in Baja? We have Marc Webber as our March Speaker on "Baja in Spring – An Extravaganza of Marine Life" Tuesday, March 25, 2025 7:00 PM 8:30 PM REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gWmKD7ni Join us as Marc shares his knowledge and photos from what truly is an extravaganza and celebration of marine life. We will be at sea on the boat – virtually – as we visit the birthing sites of gray whales and witness the season's burst of life with blue whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seabirds, and pinniped species that include elephant seals, Guadalupe fur seals, California sea lions, and more. We are also thrilled, as part of this celebration of ocean life, to pair a fundraising art auction of two works by board member and artist Firuze Gokce. DETAILS WILL COME SOON!

Fran’s Legacy Join the American Cetacean Society and artist Firuze Gokce for a special Silent Auction dedicated to protecting whales, dolphins, and marine ecosystems. This event will raise crucial funds for ACS Research Grant Programs, supporting groundbreaking cetacean conservation and marine science studies. Bid now:?https://lnkd.in/gdpF7SFF Fran, a beloved humpback whale, was first identified as a calf in 2005 by Cascadia Research Collective. Over the years, she became a cherished presence along California’s coastline, particularly in Monterey Bay, with 278 recorded sightings by researchers and whale watchers. In 2015, Fran received her name through a program by the Oceanic Society and Whales of Guerrero Research Project, honoring Fran Bergholz, the late wife of a passionate whale watcher. This deepened her connection with the whale-watching community and conservationists. Fran was part of a remarkable lineage. Her mother, River (also known as Big Fin), had been observed for nearly three decades before disappearing in 2015. Carrying on her mother’s legacy, Fran became a mother herself—first sighted with a calf in 2014 in Mexico, and again in 2022, nurturing a young whale in Monterey Bay. But on August 29, 2022, tragedy struck. Fran’s lifeless body washed ashore at Half Moon Bay, California. A necropsy by The Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences revealed that she had been killed by a ship strike—a devastating and preventable loss. Her death raised urgent concerns about the survival of her 2022 calf, Aria, who was only 7-9 months old. Humpback calves typically depend on their mothers for up to a year, making survival alone a difficult challenge. Then, in a moment of resilience and hope, Aria was spotted in Monterey Bay on April 16, 2023. She had survived her first winter alone—a testament to the strength of humpback whales, but also a reminder of the ongoing threats they face. ?You Can Help! Through art, we honor Fran’s legacy and raise awareness of the urgent need for whale conservation and education ?This artwork, dedicated to Fran, is generously donated by ACS-SF Bay Board Member, Firuze Gokce. All proceeds from our auction benefit marine conservation and education. ?Join the fight to protect whales! Bid now:? https://lnkd.in/gdpF7SFF Susan Hopp Anne-Marie B. Wade Cobb Gail Koza ?

UPDATE! The February Webinar VIDEO is Available NOW!?????? Check out the video of Dr. Jo?lle De Weerdt, "Nicaragua Humpback Whales - What Do We Know About Them?" Click the Link: https://lnkd.in/g9mt8zAY Learn from the formal research on Nicaragua humpback whales since 2016.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! ????? We have Marc Webber as our March Speaker on "Baja in Spring – An Extravaganza of Marine Life" Tuesday, March 25, 20257:00 PM 8:30 PM REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gWmKD7ni Join us as Marc shares his knowledge and photos from what truly is an extravaganza and celebration of marine life. We will be at sea on the boat – virtually – as we visit the birthing sites of gray whales and witness the season's burst of life with blue whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seabirds, and pinniped species that include elephant seals, Guadalupe fur seals, California sea lions, and more. We are also thrilled, as part of this celebration of ocean life, to pair a fundraising art auction of two works by board member and artist Firuze Gokce. DETAILS WILL COME SOON!

Yesterday, hundreds of employees at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, were laid off. This is devastating news for our country, our ocean, and marine mammals. This government agency safeguards all communities by protecting our most valuable resource – our ocean. NOAA weather forecasts and emergency storm alerts save countless lives each year. The leadership and expertise of NOAA staff protects marine mammals, monitors climate change, provides tide charts, manages fisheries, and more. NOAA is a critical partner in The Marine Mammal Center’s work to advance ocean health and our team is closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation to better understand how marine mammals and our ocean will be impacted. ? It is not yet clear exactly which departments or roles within NOAA will be most impacted, how these indiscriminate layoffs may affect marine mammals, and what, if any, additional cuts are anticipated to come. What is clear is that the loss of dedicated personnel, whose invaluable work is both cost efficient and lifesaving, is deeply troubling. The ocean and the marine mammals we serve cannot afford a weakened NOAA. Our work matters and so does theirs.? Make sure you never miss an update, follow us on social and sign up for emails at https://bit.ly/37uYwXb. ?? Izzy Szczepaniak

Listening to a symphony of whale songs reveals new information about the ecology of ocean giants ???? ?? The ocean soundscape contains rich information about marine life and environments. MBARI researchers and an interdisciplinary team of collaborators studying whale songs in the aftermath of a marine heat wave have learned the amount of whale song reflects feeding conditions. The acoustic behavior of different whale species also provides important clues about how resilient different whales may be when faced with changing ocean conditions. Blue whales specialize on krill and are especially vulnerable, while humpback whales are more resilient because of their flexible diet. These findings can help decision-makers better protect these magnificent mammals. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gWJH-eJH ?Image: William Oestreich ? 2023 MBARI