May 7, 2014
VANCOUVER, BC – Noted author and marine conservationist Erich Hoyt is the featured speaker when The Whale Trail’s Orca Tour 2014 comes to Vancouver on May 20, announced the Georgia Strait Alliance today.
Erich Hoyt, the author of the books, Orca: The Whale Called Killer and Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, will speak on “Adventures with Orcas in the North Pacific—From A1 Stubbs to Iceberg, the White Russian Bull.”
“We are living in an era and in a part of the world where whale research has exploded,” says Erich Hoyt. “And we’ve got some amazing orca stories to tell here—mostly positive, some heartbreaking, but all compelling.”
When: Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Space is limited. Seating is first come, first served
Where: Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level
Free admission. Mr. Hoyt will sell and sign his books immediately following his talk.
Orca Tour 2014 is presented in Vancouver by the Georgia Strait Alliance, the Vancouver Public Library and The Whale Trail, and sponsored by Prince of Whales Whale Watching. The tour’s goal is to promote awareness of the Southern Resident Killer Whales throughout their range along the Pacific Coast from Vancouver Island to Monterey, California, and to inspire stewardship of the marine environment. Vancouver is the last stop on the Orca Tour.
“Erich Hoyt’s research highlights the need to protect orca habitat around the world, including our endangered southern orcas right here in Georgia Strait”, said Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director, Georgia Strait Alliance. “With recent news that the government’s action plan for protecting these amazing creatures is mostly more inaction, our work is far from done to ensure orcas are part of our world for generations to come.”
"We are pleased to present a speaker of Erich Hoyt’s calibre at the Vancouver Public Library," says Daniela Esparo, VPL’s manager of programming and learning. "VPL offers a variety of free programs and events at all branches, and public interest in dynamic programs such as this is growing."
The Whale Trail is a series of sites around the Northwest where people can view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. From 16 inaugural sites, including several on the Olympic Peninsula, The Whale Trail has grown to include more than 50. This spring, The Whale Trail is expanding to California, with new sites in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
"Our vision of promoting awareness of the Southern Resident orcas throughout their range is quickly coming true," said Donna Sandstrom, executive director of The Whale Trail. "Erich has inspired so many of us; we are grateful to the sponsors and partners who have made the Orca Tour possible."
Erich is a Research Fellow with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) in the UK. He is co-founder of the Far East Russia Orca Project which has recorded the Russian Killer Whale pods and photo-ID’d some 1500 orcas off Kamchatka and in the Commander Islands—including three white orcas found so far in the study areas.
Georgia Strait Alliance
Formed in 1990, Georgia Strait Alliance is the only conservation group working to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait, its adjoining waters and communities, the place where 75% of British Columbians live, work and play.
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Media contact:
Madelaine Hatch
Granville Communications
604 720-5185
mhatch@granvillecommunications.com