Comox Valley Naturalists Society

Sunday, October 17, 2004
Nadine Pinnell
BC Cetaceans Sightings Network

Do you know how to tell a porpoise from a dolphin? Or what humpback whales eat?

Nadine Pinnell, a researcher from the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, answered these questions at the meeting of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 17 in the Seniors Lounge of the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay and explored the wonderful world of B.C. cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Members found out how to identify common whale species, learned the threats they face, and discovered how to get involved in their conservation through the B.C. Cetaceans Sightings Network .

A joint project of the Vancouver Aquarium and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network collects sightings of whales dolphins and porpoises from citizens up and down the coast. Researchers, government agencies and NGOs use these sightings to learn more about B.C. cetaceans. As seven species of whales, dolphins and porpoises in B.C. are currently considered at risk of extinction, this information is needed for effective conservation.

Nadine Pinnell has worked on field ecology projects in southeast Alaska, British ColumbiaÍs southern Gulf Islands and the Yukon studying StellerÍs sea lions, river otters, mink, raccoons and the boreal forest ecosystem. She also worked for the Institute of Urban Ecology in Vancouver doing ecological research, project management and environmental education.

Click on a link below to view descriptions of previous guest speakers.