5th ANNUAL WHALEFEST MONTEREY to be held at Old Fisherman’s Wharf

Over the past year, thousands of whale watchers have enjoyed viewing a variety of hundreds of whales, orcas, dolphins and pelicans who continue to feast on a “krill and anchovy buffet” in the Monterey Bay, in Monterey, California. A very special festival, Whalefest Monterey, celebrates its 5th year highlighting community efforts and building more awareness about the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, helping to educate, inspire, empower and protect it. Don't miss a free fun interactive family event for all ages that celebrates the migration of the gray whales, the Monterey Bay, and Old Fisherman's Wharf, while benefiting many local and national marine organizations.


On Saturday, January 24th and Sunday, January 25th, 2015 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, the Monterey Old Fisherman's Wharf Association (www.montereywharf.com) will hold the 5th ANNUAL WHALEFEST MONTEREY at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA, the “Whale Watching Capital of the World™ .


Throughout the year, the Monterey Bay offers sightings of 15 species of whales, 10 species of dolphins and 2 species of porpoise, 6 species of pinnipeds and 1 species of Fissiped (sea otter). Visitors to the Monterey Bay can enjoy viewing six Baleen Whales that include Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Sei Whales, Humpback Whales, Gray Whales, Minke Whales and North Pacific Right Whales (rare). There are also eight toothed whales that include Sperm Whales, Baird’s Beaked Whales, Curvier’s Beaked Whales, Pygmy Sperm Whales, Dwarf Sperm Whales, Stejneger’s Beaked Whales, Blainville’s Beaked Whale sand Hubb’s Beaked Whales. The Monterey Bay also features 9 dolphin species including Orcas (Killer Whale), Northern right whale Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-beaked Common Dolphins, Long-beaked Common Dolphins, Striped Dolphins, Short Fin Pilot Whales and the False Killer Whale (rare). There are two porpoise species including Harbor Porpoises and Dall’s Porpoises. There is one Fissiped, the Southern Sea Otter. There are also four Otariid Pinnipeds including Guadalupe Fur Seals, Northern Fur Seals, California Sea Lions and Northern Sea Lions (Steller Sea Lions). There are also two Phocid Pinnipeds, including Harbor Seals and Northern Elephant Seals. (Source: Monterey Bay Marine Life Studies).


Among the highlights will be a symposium with lectures and documentaries related to ocean and marine life conservation presented at the Museum of Monterey, Stanton Center (MoM) Auditorium and the Wharf Theatre, musical and theatrical performances with a maritime theme, and many educational displays by participating organizations. Thousands of attendees are expected again this year that range from local families and school children who want to learn more about our maritime environment to visitors from near and far who want to explore the annual whale migration. The event will also feature a science credit program for students from university level to schoolchildren. Weather permitting, whale watching tours will be operating from the Wharf, and Wharf restaurants will be serving a variety of small bites.


The two days will feature a wide array of fun and informative activities including:


o A 60-foot model gray whale (attendees can climb inside)

o Live musical performances will be provided by Nick Fettis & His Orca-stra, and a number of local bands playing rock, reggae, and jazz.

o Whale watching trips on Monterey Bay will run all day from the wharf, weather permitting, including an American Cetacean Society Benefit Whale Watching Cruise at 8:00 am on Sunday, January 25th.

o Award-winning documentaries and lectures by world renowned scientists will focus on the Pacific Current System.

o Expert panelists including scientists and business leaders.

o “Sea creatures” from Save the Whales will be interacting with attendees and providing marine and event information.

o Beach and street cleanups by The Wahine Project and by Marine Life Studies (Take It to the Streets) and Save Our Shores.

o Shark and Humboldt Squid will be dissected.

o Mock Whale Disentanglement demonstrations.

o Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) demonstrations staffed by volunteers from the Japanese American Citizens League.

o Historic walking tours by maritime historian, Tim Thomas.

o U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will have several displays that may include Coastie the Safety Tug Boat, its rescue boat and a Coast Guard 29' Transportable Response Boat and Auxter, the Otter.

o Local marine photography fundraiser exhibit and drawing at Museum of Monterey Stanton Center – Stanton Center (MoM), 5 Custom House Plaza.

Other activities to be announced!


Participating Marine Conservation Organizations:

Local national and international marine conservation organizations will line the Causeway at Old Fisherman’s Wharf or give presentations at the Museum of Monterey. Past participants included:

American Cetacean Society

BLUE Ocean Film Festival and Conservation Summit

California Coastal Commission

California State Parks

Camp SEA Lab

City of Monterey Environmental Program

Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University

Marine Life Studies

Marine Mammal Center

Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

National Marine Sanctuary

Monterey Green Action

Monterey History and Art Association

Monterey Public Library

Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority

Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club

Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Pacific Grove Museum

Pacific Shark Research Center

PUACF

Save Our Shores

Save the Whales

Sea Save Foundation

Surfrider Foundation – Monterey Chapter

The Marine Mammal Center

The Otter Project

U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary

For more information, to volunteer or to become a sponsor, call Bob Massaro at (831) 649-6544 or email Bob at [email protected] and check out the website at www.montereywharf.org