While industries want to invade, BC Whales strives to research and protect the Douglas Channel.
Vancouver BC, November 8, 2021 — BC Whales is proud to announce a new annual fundraising event, ‘Whales and the World’ Gala dinner, and the opening of two new research guest houses, which were built in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the Gitga’at Nation.
These announcements come as BC Whales researchers, conservators, and activists are looking for more support in dissuading tanker proposals in the area.
The research houses aid in the research and conservation of whales in the Douglas Channel, and the new annual fundraising gala aims to raise awareness and funds while highlighting the ongoing need for support for these initiatives. This event will be held annually to support the research houses in perpetuity.
Kicking off BC Whales fundraising season, the Whales and the World Gala dinner will have performances, lectures, raffles, a live auction, and opportunities for cash donations. One item up for auction this year is a weeklong stay at a guest research house. Winners will learn about whales, be treated to five-star meals prepared by Chef Lynn Crawford, and more.
Local researchers are excited by the new research guest house located on Farrant Island as well as one further north on the mainland capable of housing up to 10 people. The addition of these stations to the existing low habitat impact research stations along the strait make up four of a total five proposed in a network along the coast of British Columbia, which aims to monitor whales in the area.
Janie Wray, a lead researcher with BC whales, stated, “What is so wonderful about land-based whale research is that you’re having very limited impact on them, and they can make the decision to come to you or not.”
Speaking to the issue of conservation, Hermann Meuter, a whale researcher stationed at Cetacea Lab, said, “It doesn’t matter to whales whether or not it’s an LNG tanker or a crude-oil tanker. The noise is going to be the same. The threats to the whales will be the same. That’s sort of what is hanging as a dark cloud over this whole area here.”
About BC Whales
BC Whales is a non-profit organization located in Gitga’at territory along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Devoted to the research, protection, and conservation of whales, BC Whales focuses on low habitat impact monitoring with land and boat-based whale surveys and acoustic monitoring using an underwater hydrophone network. Using knowledge and passion, BC Whales hopes to protect and understand the amazing giants that are a crucial part of these coastal waters.
For additional resources or more information contact:
Kirsten Glass
Head Press Contact, BC Whales Media Relations
phone: 250-888-9048
email: mediakglass@bcwhales.ca.