Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

Meet Symposium Speaker Jess Veo! ?? Jess is a Ph.D. student at the University of New Hampshire studying gray and harbor seals in the Northwest Atlantic. At the Blue Ocean Symposium, she’ll share her research on gray seal acoustic behavior and what their vocalizations can tell us about their breeding sites and ecosystem role! Reminder: Registration closes tonight at 5 PM so we can get an accurate headcount for food! If you miss the deadline, no worries, we’ll still welcome walk-ins tomorrow! We can’t wait to see everyone there! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj!

Meet the Calvineers, a passionate group of 7th and 8th graders from Adams School in Castine, Maine, who have spent the last 20 years advocating for the survival of North Atlantic right whales. At the Blue Ocean Symposium, they’ll share the inspiring story of Calvin, a resilient right whale who survived her mother’s death from a ship strike, multiple entanglements, and still went on to give birth to four calves. The Calvineers will highlight the biggest threats facing right whales today and the solutions needed to ensure their survival. Join us on March 28 at the Star Theatre in Kittery, ME, and be inspired by the next generation of ocean advocates! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj!

Meet Symposium Speaker Dr. Nadine Stewart Lysiak! ?? Dr. Lysiak is a Research Scientist in the Wildlife and Ocean Health Program at Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium and a member of our Board of Directors! She studies whale baleen to uncover fascinating details about their health, movements, and response to environmental stressors. At the symposium, she’ll share the story of Snowplow, a humpback whale that washed up in Rye, NH, and what Snowplow's baleen revealed about her life. Join us on March 28 at the Star Theatre in Kittery, ME, to hear Dr. Lysiak’s insights and explore how baleen analysis is unlocking the secret lives of whales! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj.

Meet Symposium Speakers Chloe Fross & Jennifer Felt! ?? Chloe and Jennifer are part of the Ocean Conservation team at Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), working to protect New England’s marine wildlife and habitats in the face of biodiversity and climate crises. Their presentation will focus on CLF’s efforts to designate the Cashes Ledge Area as a National Marine Sanctuary, a critical step in preserving this vibrant ecosystem. Join us at the Blue Ocean Symposium on March 28 to learn more about their work and how marine habitat conservation plays a key role in ocean health! Don’t miss it! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj! ????

Meet Symposium Speaker Nathalie Pare! Nathalie was a full-season whale research intern with us during the 2024 whale watch season! She is graduating this May from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology. Join us at the Blue Ocean Symposium on March 28 as Nathalie presents her research comparing whale sightings and trends from the 2023 and 2024 seasons, using data collected aboard the Granite State Whale Watch with us at Blue Ocean Society. Don’t miss Nathalie's presentation! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj.

Meet Symposium Speaker Michael Doherty! ?? Mike is a Research Project Manager with the UNH Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems and New Hampshire Sea Grant. Mike has been working specifically within the aquaculture field since his graduate program at UNH had him studying the always charismatic lumpfish. Today, Mike’s projects are mostly related to open water systems multi trophic systems, such as the UNH AquaFort trout farm. Join us at the Blue Ocean Symposium on March 28 to hear Mike share exciting updates on aquaculture research and the latest innovations in sustainable seafood systems! Don’t miss it! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj!

Meet Symposium Speaker Katy Bland! Katy Bland is the Engagement and Research Manager at the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems, working in collaboration with New Hampshire Sea Grant and Maine Sea Grant Maine Sea Grant. NERACOOS produces, integrates, and communicates high-quality information that helps ensure maritime safety, economic resilience, and sustainable use of the coastal ocean. At the Blue Ocean Symposium on March 28, Katy will dive into how NERACOOS' ocean data tools can support outreach and education! You won't want to miss this talk! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj.

Meet Symposium Speaker Amy Warren! Amy is the operational lead of the North Atlantic Right Whale Identification Catalog as well as a field researcher and drone pilot with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium. In addition to maintaining the Catalog, the Kraus Marine Mammal Conservation Program has been conducting on-water research of North Atlantic right whales since the 1980s. New technology has led to new research techniques, including using drones (UAS) to collect imagery, measurements, and even blow (exhale) of whales. At the Blue Ocean Symposium on March 28, Amy will share how drones are revolutionizing whale research, allowing scientists to collect crucial health data without disturbing these incredible animals. Don’t miss this fascinating talk! Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj! ??????

Every day this week, we'll be featuring one of our speakers presenting at the Blue Ocean Symposium! Meet Symposium Speaker Alexa Coulombe McGovern! Alexa, Founder of Dirigo Sea Farm, is on a mission to replace harmful plastics with kelp-based bioplastics that are truly biodegradable and leave no microplastics behind. A Mainer, mother, and cancer survivor, Alexa's passion for sustainability is deeply personal. She's not only developing innovative alternatives to plastic but also operates a kelp farm to support Maine's coastal economy. Join us at the Blue Ocean Symposium on March 28 to hear Alexa share her journey and how kelp can play a role in solving the plastic crisis. Register now at https://lnkd.in/eCnwXgAj. ????

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