American Cetacean Society - Los Angeles Chapter 
FREE Monthly Speaker Series 
Tuesday, November 27
at 7:30 p.m.

Saving the Southern Resident Killer Whales: What Will It Take?
John Fleming and Catherine Kilduff, Center for Biological Diversity 

Southern Resident killer whales made news earlier this year when a grieving Tahlequah (J35) carried her dead calf for 17 days, followed in short order by the starving death of four-year-old Scarlet (J50). The SRKWs have been listed as endangered since 2006 and the population has declined to 74 from a high of 100 in the mid-1990s. There is little doubt that dramatic actions are needed to halt the population’s slide into extinction. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the US Government demanding an expansion of habitat protections off Washington, Oregon and California that could help the recovery of the whales, which are starving for lack of salmon and also being hurt by boat traffic and water pollution. 

The Center for Biological Diversity was started in 1989 and has been called “possibly the most effective environmental organization in existence.” It works to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. It does so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.

Staff Scientist John Fleming works with the Center's Climate Law Institute. He graduated with a bachelor's in Geosciences and a certificate in Environmental Studies from Princeton University and received a PhD in Geological Sciences from the University of Southern California. During his time at USC, John conducted research exploring the links between aspects of climate change and biological oxygen demand in marine waters off of the Los Angeles coast.

Senior Attorney Catherine Kilduff works in the Center's Oceans Program to protect marine species and ecosystems. Catherine received her law degree from the University of Virginia, a master's of science from the College of William and Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and her bachelor's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Dartmouth College. Before becoming an attorney, Catherine worked as legislative staff for the U.S. House Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. Catherine will call in via Skype from Virginia.

The talk is free and open to the public, held at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive in San Pedro. 

Join us for a relaxed, no-host dinner at Puesta del Sol (1622 S. Gaffey, San Pedro). Dinner is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Receive a free raffle ticket by attending the dinner.