The Fascinating Lives of Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales of the Bay Area

Something that has been missing from San Francisco Bay since World War II appears to be making a comeback: Harbor porpoises are showing up in growing numbers, and researchers are trying to understand why they're returning. After the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, the bay's water quality began to improve. But it took time for the food web to come back. San Francisco State University whale researcher Jonathan Stern says maybe the porpoises had to rediscover the bay. This talk will touch on the historical use of San Francisco Bay by harbor porpoises, the causes of their leaving, and speculate on the reasons of their return. The ecological implications of the return of this predator to the Bay will also be discussed. In addition, we will discuss the dolphins and whales found off the San Francisco Coast Line.

Speaker: Jonathan Stern, San Francisco State University