Creating Waves – September 18, 2021.

Main Lecture Hall, Building B, USC, Fraser Coast | 6pm – 8pm

Join us for a night of personal tales from those who are fighting on the front line to save Australia’s Humpback Whale. We will start with the deep connection of the Butchulla people with this special place, the Custodians of the Land on which we meet today. Hear about being on patrol with Sea Shepard, in an adrenaline pumping facing off with illegal whalers in the Antarctic. Learn about the global state of whale conservation and hear first-hand stories of the political intrigue behind the International Whaling Commission meetings. Meet the team that have pioneered safe whale watching practices in Hervey Bay, and have been a long-term advocate for our local whales. Finally, meet the newest researchers and learn about the new pressures that our most treasured visitors have to face, from boat strike through to climate change. Together they are Creating Waves.   

Speakers & topics: 

Dr. Kathy Townsend, (World Whale Heritage Site Steering Committee/ University of the Sunshine Coast) – Introduction to The Whale Heritage Site Steering Committee and Hervey Bay’s Vision to be the World’s Pre-eminent Whale Heritage Site. 

Cassie Smith (Sea Shepard) – “Making Waves – Personal Front-Line Stories of Whale Conservation with Sea Shepard.”  

Dr. Wally Franklin (Oceania Project) – “Safer and happier: History of whale watching and whale research in Hervey Bay.”

Dr. Stephanie Stack (Pacific Whale Foundation) – “International intrigue: personal report from the latest meeting of the International Whaling Commission.” 

Amanda Paterson (University of the Sunshine Coast) – “Is it hot in here, or is it just me? Climate change challenges for Humpback whales.” 

Raphael Mayaud (Griffith University) – “Life in the shipping lane: Boat strike and Humpback Whales.” 

REGISTER FOR CREATING WAVES HERE

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