Marine Organizations: The American Cetacean Society
Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a new series on Marine Science Today intended to showcase the many organizations around the world working to understand our marine environment better and to help educate the public and policymakers so that we may better protect that environment.
Today’s piece introduces the American Cetacean Society (ACS), headquartered in San Pedro, California.
Since first forming the American Cetacean Society back in 1967 and filing for non-profit organization in 1968, ACS has become, among other things, a special medium for whale scientists — a nexus between them and laypeople who don’t know much about whales and dolphins but who want to learn.
ACS is the nation’s oldest non-profit organization working to protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises through education, conservation, and research. Their web site and active local chapters bring personal involvement opportunities, education, and current marine science and conservation issues to the public, especially young students, with the idea that education fosters care of these animals and the oceans in which they live.
ACS presents a biennial conference to bring together leaders in the field of cetacean study and conservation with participants who want to learn about cetaceans, their current status, and the challenges they face.
Blue whale - courtesy of ACS - Illustrator: Uko Gorter
There are six regional chapters of the ACS on the west coast of the U.S. that conduct a variety of programs. They have monthly meetings and speaker series events, which are open to the public and free of charge. If you are interested in further educating yourself about the cetaceans in our seas, ACS chapters offer different ways to do so. Other than keynote speeches given by marine scientist presenting their findings, ACS offers whale watching excursions, the opportunity to observe the behaviors of and count gray whales and dolphins and the opportunity to participate in environmental campaigns to ultimately protect whales. Read about what activity suits you best on at their chapter site.
ACS says its three main legs are Conservation – with their “no whaling,” “no salt” and “no harmful sonar” efforts; Education – presenting whale watch programs and trips and an extensive Cetacean Curriculum as well as whale and dolphin fact packs, and Research – through research grants, conferences and census projects.
As a reader of Marine Science Today, you are obviously interested in marine life. Participating in ACS may be one way of getting involved yourself. Surf ACR’s website and check out what opportunities they have.
Gray whale cow calf - courtesy of ACS - Illlustrator: Uko Gorter
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