November 17, 2017, by admin

Join Dr. Kate Stafford for a kayaking expedition to record the whales in Sitka Sound!

Dr. Kate Stafford is the SSSC’s current Scientist in Residency Fellow, here from November 2^nd to December 1^st, 2017. Dr. Stafford is a Principal Oceanographer at the Applied Physics Lab and affiliate Associate Professor in the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Her research focuses on using passive acoustic monitoring to examine migratory movements, geographic variation and physical drivers of marine mammals, particularly large whales. Kate’s expertise as an acoustician allows her to investigate the changing acoustic environment of the Arctic and how changes, from sea ice declines to increasing industrial human use, may be influencing subarctic and Arctic marine mammals.

“Sounds in the Sound” is a free community event that involves kayaking (or joining by boat) into Sitka Sound with hydrophones to listen and record whales communicating. Join the SSSC and Dr. Kate Stafford on this unique experience, offered to the community of Sitka for free!

This event is weather dependent and everyone interested in participating must sign up in advance so we know how many to expect and how to contact you if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Event date: Tuesday November 21^st (if weather allows)
Alternative date: Wednesday Nov. 22^nd  (if weather allows)

Trip plan:

11:30 am Depart from beach next to Sitka Sound Science Center (834 Lincoln St). Paddle to Eastern Channel (30 – 40 min).

12:00 – 12:15 pm Float with hydrophones in the water recording ambient sound – and hopefully whales! (30 – 45 min).

1:00 pm Return to Sitka Sound Science Center (30 – 40 min)

1:30 – 2:00 pm (upon return) Q&A with Kate and warm-up: Sitka Sound Science Center. Hot cocoa and cookies provided!

What to bring:
-Kayak, paddle, life vest
-Waterproof clothes (jacket, pants, gloves)
-Warm clothes (layers, hat, gloves)

Alternative activity (if expedition is not possible due to weather): Wednesday Nov. 22^nd 11:30 am hot cocoa and cookies at the SSSC listening to whale recordings, including from SE Alaska, and Q&A with Dr. Stafford.

For people that do not kayak: There will be limited spots on Davey’s water taxi for $25. Water taxi would depart from Crescent Harbor at tentative departure time 12:00, but will be confirmed. This option is dependent on a minimum number of people signing up in advanced and has limited capacity. So sign up soon!

Individuals interested in participating in this event will need to sign up here or by contacting event organizer, Alex Ravelo at 907-747-8878, ext. 9 (leave a message with contact information if no answer and specify if interested in water taxi reservation).