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Greetings!<br>
<br>
Join Woods Hole Sea Grant for its annual series of lectures titled “<b>Oceans
Alive: Plain Talk on Current Topics in Marine Science Presented for the
General Public</b>.” The talks are free of charge and are designed to
inform and involve the general public in relevant and timely marine
science issues. This year’s series will feature the following
presentations:<br>
<br>
<u>Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.</u><br>
<b>Right Whale Auto Detection Buoy Network in Cape Cod Bay </b><br>
Ship strikes are a major cause of mortality for the endangered right
whale. Join <b>John Kemp</b>, senior engineering assistant with WHOI’s
Mooring Operations Group, as he explains the development of a passive
acoustic mooring-based detection system to monitor marine mammal
activity. The system relays the detection of sounds of right whales and
other species to the NOAA Right Whale Sighting Advisory System web
site, where they are posted along with aerial survey sightings. Ship
captains carrying liquefied natural gas for the Northeast Gateway
Energy Bridge are required to slow their speed when notified that a
right whale is present in the area.<br>
<br>
<u>Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.</u><br>
<b>Achilles’ Jaw? The Biomechanics of Fatal Jaw Fractures in Right
Whales</b><br>
Injuries to right whales from vessel collisions include extensive
bruising, broken bones, deep cuts, dismemberment, and more. Join <b>Regina
Campbell-Malone</b>, postdoctoral investigator in WHOI’s Biology Dept.
and at Brown University, as she explores the impact these vessel strike
events have on right whales from a biomechanical perspective. She’ll
explain how right whale bone is used to determine how much force is
needed to produce one of the common injuries associated with blunt
collisions — jawbone fracture. Does the fact that the jawbone is broken
in one-third of all blunt collision cases mean that it is the “weakest
link” or the Achilles’ jaw of this species? Is there any way to reduce
the chances of this bone being fractured in a vessel-whale collision?
Could reducing vessel speed be the key?<br>
<br>
<u>Tuesday, April 29, 4:00 p.m.</u><br>
<b>Young Scientists Present: Winning Science Fair Projects</b><br>
In a science town, the scientists come in many shapes and sizes, and in
a wide range of ages. Join us for special presentations by students
from Falmouth Academy and Falmouth High School as they discuss their
winning science fair projects.<br>
<i>Please note the special time for this presentation.</i><br>
<br>
Presentations are held in Redfield Auditorium, Water Street, Woods Hole
(free parking for evening lectures is available in lot opposite
auditorium; look for on-street meter parking for afternoon
presentation). Admission is free.<br>
<br>
For more information, call Sheri DeRosa, Woods Hole Sea Grant, (508)
289-2398, or e-mail <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:sderosa@whoi.edu">sderosa@whoi.edu</a>.<br>
<br>
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