BELLINGHAM - Western Washington University Assistant Professor Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez will present "Blessing or Curse: Our Local Seals and the San Juan Islands" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at the Bellingham City Council chambers, second floor, Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St.
photo by Adria Banks
The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is offered as the third event of the annual Science and the UniverCity community science lecture series. It is sponsored by the WWU College of Sciences and Technology, the City of Bellingham, and, along with the other CST outreach programs, ‘Wizards at Western" and the "Leaders in Their Fields," is also sponsored in part by a grant from the Cherry Point BP refinery.
Harbor seals are abundant marine mammals dispersed throughout Washington state. Despite their ubiquitous presence, little is known about them in Bellingham and the San Juan Islands. While blame has been placed on them as competitors of humans, concerns have also been raised about local human activities on seals.
Acevedo-Gutierrez will discuss ongoing research conducted by WWU students as well as scientists from academic and governmental institutions to understand the potential impact of seals on rockfish populations in the San Juans. He will also discuss how tourism and development in Bellingham and the San Juans has the potential to impact the local seal population.
Acevedo-Gutierrez received his doctorate from Texas A&M University in 2002 and did postgraduate research work at the University of California at Santa Cruz from 1998-2001. His research interests focus on the behavior and ecology of marine mammals and seabirds, and their role in the design and implementation of marine protected areas.
"We are pleased again this year to have the support of the City in our efforts to bring programs on important topics in science and technology to the Bellingham community. Furthermore, to have endorsement of our efforts, in the form of support for this series by the BP Corporation, is especially gratifying," said Arlan Norman, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology. "This is a program for the community, a program that we hope really contributes to the general understanding of many important and exciting topics in today's complex world of scientific and technological advances."
Acevedo-Gutierrez's presentation will also be taped and rebroadcast on Bellingham BTV 10.
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