Don’t miss the 11th Annual Whalefest Monterey from January 26-29, 2021, live-streamed from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Here’s how to view it:
There will be several ways to access the programming via:
www.facebook.com/WhalefestMonterey
YouTube
Comcast Channel 24 on the Monterey Peninsula
On Access Monterey Peninsula
MBNMS Acting Superintendent Kevin Grant will make opening remarks and MBNMS research team member Chad King will be presenting their October 2020 deep-sea research expedition to the “Octopus Garden” and whale fall.
Other MBNMS partners will be presenting their work, and several NOAA documentaries will be shown.
Program Schedule (can also see below)
Whalefest 2021 program schedule
Please note: times are approximate and subject to change
Day 1 – January 26, 6:30 – 7:30 pm PST
Opening, Introductions
Kevin Grant, acting Superintendent for NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
“An overview of current efforts of staff and partners”
Karin Forney, Ph.D., NOAA Fisheries
“Cryptic Criters off the California Coast: Harbor Porpoises, Leatherbacks and Lesser-Known Dolphins”
The Marine Mammal Center “Rescuing Sick and Injured Marine Mammals”
7:30 – 8:30 PST
Ventana Wildlife Society “California Condors and the Marine Environment”
Music – Michael Martinez
Ari Friedlaender, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz
“Hidden in the Ice: Uncovering the Secret Lives of Antarctic Minke Whales”
Closing Remarks
Music – WWF Jazz Trio
Day 2 – January 27, 6:30 – 7:30 PST
Opening, Introductions
Stephanie Marcos & Victoria Wade, Marine Life Studies
“Recent Trends in the Ecology of Transient Killer Whales in Monterey Bay, California 2006-2018 and a
special encounter with a white killer whale”
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve “The Slough’s Macroinvertebrates”
Sea Otter Savvy “Sharing Space with Sea Otters”
Tim Thomas “History of Italian and Japanese Fishing in Monterey”
Music – Monterey International featuring Mike Marotta, Dave Dally and Oracio Aiello
Gyotaku and Origami Arts and Crafts Demonstrations
7:30 – 8:30 PST
Tim Thomas “History of Abalone in Monterey Bay”
Visit to Monterey Abalone Farm
Music – Johnah and the Whalewatchers Reggae, Michael Martinez & Nick Fettis
Monterey Bay Aquarium “White Sharks Project”
Allison Gong, Ph.D., Cabrillo College
“A Farmer, a Hitch-hiker, and a Worm Impersonator Walk into a Bar: A Trio of Intertidal Gastropods in
Monterey Bay”
Getting involved:
Save Our Shores
California Coastal Commission
American Cetacean Society
Closing Remarks
Music – Monterey International featuring Mike Marotta, Dave Dally and Oracio Aiello
Day 3 – January 28, 6:30 – 7:30 PST
Opening, Introductions
For our younger audience:
“Walter the Whale”
“Sea Otter Savvy Song”
Save the Whales “Tour of Dee the inflatable model whale”
Monterey Bay Aquarium “Rey the Penguin goes on an Adventure”
The Wahine Project – Activities
Seafloor Science ROV “Opening Doors for Young Explorers”
Chad King, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
“Review of October 2020 Expedition to Davidson Seamount and the Octopus’s Garden”
7:30 – 8:30 PST
NOAA documentaries: “Nautilus Mt. Davison Seamount”, “Whale Fall”
Music – Richard Carr, Louis Colaianni
Eric Wente, Wente Vineyards
“Agriculture, the Marine Environment and Sustainability”
California Killer Whale Project
Closing Remarks
Music – Dave Holodiloff & Michale Martinez
Day 4 – January 29, 6:30 – 7:30 PST
Opening, Introductions
Tim Thomas –The Rumsien, Native People of Monterey, and History of Whaling in Monterey
Art of Scrimshaw demonstration
Peggy Stap, Marine Life Studies
“Saving Whales from Life-threatening Entanglements – the Whale Entanglement Team (WET)® and
updates on recent entanglements and projects”
NOAA documentaries: “Ocean Guardians”, “Elephant Seals”, ”Harbor Seals”
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History “Sandy the Whale”
Music – Mads Tolling
7:30 – 8:30 PST
John Ryan, Ph.D. & Nick Fettis
“The Art and Science of Whalesong”
Closing Remarks
Music – Nick Fettis