Moriches Bay Humpback Whale Public Meeting Agenda

Date: Tuesday February 7, 2017

Time: 4-6 pm

Place: Brookhaven Town Hall

Goal: Provide an overview of the incident, lessons learned, and plans for future responses in New York for community members.  Panelists will also receive comments and questions from the community.

Welcome
Congressman Zeldin’s Staff

Opening Remarks
John Bullard, Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region

Presentations

Event timeline
Mendy Garron, Regional Stranding Response Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region

History and challenges of large whale response
Sarah Wilkin, National Stranding and Emergency Response Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries
Dr. Craig Harms, Independent Large Whale Veterinary Expert, NC State University

Humpback whale biology and overview of current research initiatives
Dr. Jooke Robbins, Independent Humpback Whale Expert, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies

Lessons learned / overview of planning initiatives and new collaborations
Mendy Garron, Regional Stranding Response Coordinator

Comments, Questions and Answer Session with Panel Members

Wrap-up and Closing Remarks – John Bullard, Regional Administrator

Adjourn

Expert Panel Members

NOAA Staff
Mendy Garron, Regional Stranding Response Coordinator
Sarah Wilkin, National Stranding and Emergency Response Coordinator

Marine Mammal Technical Experts
Kim Durham, Technical Expert / Necropsy Team Leader
Robert DiGiovanni, Specialty Trained Animal Response Team / Atlantic Marine Conservation Society
Dr. Craig Harms, Independent Large Whale Veterinary Expert, NC State University
Dr. Jooke Robbins, Independent Humpback Whale Expert, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies

Support Agencies
Captain Drew Tucci – United States Coast Guard
Jim Gilmore, Chief, NY Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Marine Resources
Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation
NOAA Office of Law Enforcement

Other Agency Representatives in Attendance (not on panel, but in the audience)

NOAA Headquarters Office
Trevor Spradlin, Acting Chief Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources
John Ewald, Kate Brogan, NOAA Fisheries Public Affairs

NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Kimberly Damon-Randall, Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Kevin Chu, Assistant Regional Administrator for Stakeholder Engagement
Colleen Coogan, Stakeholder and Engagement Division
Victor Vecchio, Stakeholder and Engagement Division

For details, directions, and webinar information if you cannot attend click here.