(Photo by Joan Lopez)

One week from tonight, you have the chance to learn about the ECHO (Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation) Program with The Whale Trail, which explains that this is “a Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led initiative aimed at better understanding and managing the impact of shipping activities on at-risk whales throughout the Salish Sea.” The presentation is at 7 pm next Thursday, June 22nd, at the Dakota Place Building (California/Dakota). From the announcement:

Krista Trounce, the ECHO Program Project Manager, will present how the ECHO Program is working with national and international collaborators to develop mitigation measures that will lead to a quantifiable reduction in potential threats to whales as a result of shipping activities.

Learn about the projects the ECHO Program has completed and is currently working on: Strait of Georgia Underwater Listening Station to measure vessel noise levels, regional monitoring of ambient noise in the Salish Sea, a Mariner’s Guide to Whales in the Pacific Northwest, large whale strike risk assessment, a trial slowdown of commercial vessels, and others. Hear how the ECHO Program and our collaborators are educating mariners, industry partners and the public about the impacts of underwater noise on marine mammals.

Krista will speak to the ECHO Program long term goals, and how the Salish Sea will benefit from their research and initiatives. Buy tickets now at bpt.me/2974083 to reserve your seat. And hurry! This will likely sell out.

This talk is the third of four Celebrate Springer events, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the successful rescue, rehabilitation and release of Springer (A73) the orphaned orca, and the transboundary partnerships that made it possible.