Marine Mammal Protection Agency Announces Congress Activities

The local non-profit organization Ecology and Conservation of Whales (ECOBAC) encourages Puerto Vallarta citizens to attend the activities of the 4th International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, taking place from November 13 – 19 at the Sheraton Buganvilias Hotel Orquidea and Amapola Conference Rooms.

The event is organized in collaboration with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and features the following activities open to the public:

• Giants’ Route Photo Exhibition

Photographic exhibition showcasing Mexico’s extraordinary marine biodiversity and featuring “Kuikani,” a life-size, inflatable whale.

November 13 – 19.

Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon.

• A Night With Giants

Videos featuring the Blue Whale, Gray Whale and their rescue, plus chats with experts.

Tuesday, November 14  /  7:00 pm.

Sheraton Buganvilias Hotel Orquidea and Amapola Conference Rooms.

Schedule:

7:00 pm – “Among Giants”

Blue Whale and Ecotourism at Loreto National Park video presented by Diane Gendron, Researcher from the Interdisciplinary Center of Marine Sciences & Ernesto Israel Popoca, Assistant Manager of Bahía de Loreto National Park.

7:35 pm – “Ocean´s Custodians”

Gray Whale Refuge video presented by Jorge Urbán, Researcher from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur & Everardo Mariano Meléndez, Manager of Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve.

8:05 pm – “Rescuing Giants”

Mexican Whale Disentanglement Network (RABEN) video presented by biologist Jorge Morales Vázquez, RABEN Bahía de Banderas team & Karel Diego Beets Vigil, ECOBAC founding member and RABEN instructor.

• Documentary: “Sonic Sea”

A 60-minute documentary about the impact of industrial and military ocean noise on whales and other marine life. It is produced by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Imaginary Forces in association with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Diamond Docs.

Wednesday, November 16  /  7:00 pm.

Sheraton Buganvilias Hotel Orquidea and Amapola Conference Rooms.

For more information about ECOBAC and the International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas, please visit ECOBAC’s official Facebook Page and www.icmmpa.org.