[SEMCO] "Oceans Alive" Lecture Series

[Sheri DeRosa]

Greetings!

Join Woods Hole Sea Grant for its annual series of lectures titled 
"Oceans Alive: Plain Talk on Current Topics in Marine Science Presented 
for the General Public." 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:

Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 p.m.
Right Whale Auto Detection Buoy Network in Cape Cod Bay
Ship strikes are a major cause of mortality for the endangered right 
whale. Join John Kemp, 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.

Tuesday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.
Achilles' Jaw? The Biomechanics of Fatal Jaw Fractures in Right Whales
Injuries to right whales from vessel collisions include extensive 
bruising, broken bones, deep cuts, dismemberment, and more. Join Regina 
Campbell-Malone, 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?

Tuesday, April 29, 4:00 p.m.
Young Scientists Present: Winning Science Fair Projects
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.
Please note the special time for this presentation.

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.

For more information, call Sheri DeRosa, Woods Hole Sea Grant, (508) 
289-2398, or e-mail sderosa at whoi.edu.

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