ACS Monterey Bay Program for May 2009

Swimming with Humpback Whales on the Silver Bank: a photograph journey!

Humpback Whales - photo © Jodi Frediani

Thursday, May 28, 2009 7 p.m. Refreshments, 7:30 p.m. Program Lecture Hall, Monterey Boatworks, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove (Across from American Tin Cannery Outlet Stores) Speaker: Jodi Frediani, Photographer and Swimmer

The Silver Bank, lying 70 miles north of the coast of the Dominican Republic, is one of the few places on earth where one can freely swim with humpback whales in their environment, on their terms. Photographer Jodi Frediani has spent eight weeks over the past eight years following her passion, snorkeling with and photographing the North Atlantic humpbacks, which congregate on the Silver Bank each year. From January through April, they give birth and raise their calves before making the long voyage up the east coast of North America where they feed off Massachusetts' "Stellwagen Bank", and as far north as the waters of Iceland and Greenland for the summer. These whales are also believed to breed along the Bank, though no one has yet been privileged to see them either give birth or mate.

Established as the Silver Bank Humpback Whale Sanctuary in 1986, the Sanctuary was enlarged in 1996 and renamed the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic. Swimming with the whales is highly regulated with only three vessel permits issued each year.

Individuals fortunate enough to share the whale-swim experience snorkel in close proximity to mothers and calves, may swim with "singers" and sometimes float alongside a pair of "valentines" or "dancers." Curious calves often approach swimmers for an up-close view and it is hard to discern who is watching whom.

Jodi has captured the full experience in color photographs and will share the excitement, the energy and wonder of these close in-water encounters, while offering a bit of natural history and tales of special whales. You can see some of Jodi's photography at www.jodifrediani.com.

Please join us for what promises to be an entertaining an informative evening about humpbacks from the "other" coast.

Related web pages:

• Jodi Frediani's website
  
  
• Sister Sanctuaries to Protect Endangered Humpback Whales at Both Ends of Migration (article from NOAA News)
  

• Back to list of previous meetings.