Whales divided: how adults and calves use Hervey Bay differently
If you go whalewatching in Hervey Bay after mid-September, you may notice that there is a calf in nearly every pod you see. Mothers with calves are typically the last to arrive in the bay, and they may be the group that benefits most from the shallow, protected waters near Fraser Island. Our research on…
Read More »The Making of a Marine Naturalist: Meet Erin Hord
Our Marine Naturalists at Pacific Whale Foundation are so much more than boat crew. Each member of our marine education team has a unique background and brings a variety of knowledge and experiences. We love highlighting the uniqueness that each of our Naturalists brings to the boat, and diving deeper into their passion for the ocean. We’ll be highlighting a new crew member each month. As our whalewatching season continues in full swing here in Hervey Bay, we’re thrilled to introduce Erin Hord.
Hi Erin! Whereabouts are you from?
I was born in Miami, Florida, but I have lived the majority of my life thus far in Madison, Ohio.
What is your first memory of the ocean?
I think my first vivid memory of the ocean was when I was 8 years old and the ocean was flooding the street outside my family’s apartment building because of a tropical storm. That obviously didn’t deter me from ending up in a Marine Biology career though!
What drew you to work for Pacific Whale Foundation?
What experiences and education prepared you for your journey to becoming a Marine Naturalist?
I went to a small liberal arts college where the opportunities to get involved in my future career were endless. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Marine Science, and I was able to study at the Duke University Marine Lab and have immersive marine science courses in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix. I think the experience that helped most with my journey to becoming a Marine Naturalist was my summer internship with the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, based in New Hampshire. I was an education and research intern aboard whale watch vessels, which really helped ignite my passion for marine mammal conservation.
Nala the Famous Humpback Whale
One very special humpback whale and her calf made the news this whalewatch season, and it isn’t the first time. Not only is Nala a celebrity in the Hervey Bay whalewatching community and a frequent visitor to the area, she is also a long-time mother and a real-life example of how our research at Pacific…
Read More »More Than Just a Whalewatch
Anyone who has seen a humpback whale and witnessed one of these animals in the wild is likely to enthusiastically share their experience. Many embark on their first whalewatch with high hopes and come back with a new appreciation for these fascinating creatures. Whalewatching is a very fun recreational activity, but it also has the…
Read More »Freeing the Whales
Entanglement in fishing gear is responsible for the death of an estimated 300,000 whales and dolphins each year. Last year, a total of 13 individual humpbacks were confirmed entangled in Hawai’i waters. It was the highest annual number of confirmed large whale entanglements in Hawai’i since reporting began in 2002. While 13 confirmed entanglements is a far cry from…
Read More »Pacific Whale Foundation Hosts Annual “Be Whale Aware” Lecture
Each winter, an estimated 10,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawai’i to mate and give birth. In Hawai’i, humpback whales are engaged in important social and behavioral activities. Approaching whales too close or fast may disrupt these behaviors and cause unnecessary stress to the animals.
Pacific Whale Foundation Hosts Annual "Be Whale Aware" Lecture
Each winter, an estimated 10,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawai’i to mate and give birth. In Hawai’i, humpback whales are engaged in important social and behavioral activities. Approaching whales too close or fast may disrupt these behaviors and cause unnecessary stress to the animals.
In order to promote responsible whalewatching, Pacific Whale Foundation developed the “Be Whale Aware” guidelines. These guidelines build on current federal and state regulations, as well as scientific research.
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