mers marine education research society educator showing whale images to child

Education at our Port McNeill office

Education

For the whales, and so much more

Education is imperative for conservation

There must be greater understanding of the importance of BC’s marine environment; how marine mammals are indicators of environmental health and human values; that threats to their wellbeing must be reduced; and…that there is much that can be done to achieve positive change. Our education is wholly shaped by these messages.

Our work includes the development of educational resources; media engagement; and presentations/courses to First Nations, boating safety groups, marine naturalists, fisheries officers, and other government officials.

You have a role in expanding the reach of this essential education. Share our educational messaging, know the laws, model best boating and environmental practices, and support our work.

Boater Safety

See a Blow? Go Slow!

Be whale safe when boating. Laws exist to reduce threats to marine mammals. Whale safe boating also protects people. There have been significant human injuries and material damage as a result of collisions with whales and whale entanglement. Boaters can help. Know the laws, model best practices, use the Whale Warning Flag, and know what to do when marine mammals are in distress.

Laws & Boater Safety
see a blow go slow

Reduce ocean noise

Marine mammals are highly reliant on sound to communicate, rest, mate, establish territory, navigate, socialize, hunt, and avoid predation and other dangers. Human-made noise from activities such as shipping and resource extraction can significantly impact these life processes and exacerbate the effects of other threats such as reduced prey availability and chemical pollution.

mers marine education research society whale tail above water near cruise ship

Cruise ship near Guardian (BCZ0408) ©Grace Gladstone

Empowering minds, protecting marine life

Black Pearl (BCX1460) tail-lobbing ©MERS, MML-42

Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution is a problem even in the furthest reaches of the ocean. Problems related to plastics include entanglement, toxins building up in the food web, the spread of disease and invasive species, and contributions to climate change. Thankfully, there are many choices we can make to reduce plastic pollution. Please see our solutions based “An Ocean Of Good” campaign.

mers marine education research society humpback whale entangled in net

Cutter (BCX1438) was freed from net ©MERS, MML-42

Biodiversity

We want to increase others’ understanding of the importance of BC’s marine waters. So many species feed here, some migrating vast distances to do so, like baleen whales and endangered Leatherback Turtles. These cold, current-fed waters have more plankton than warmer waters which supports great biodiversity and leads to more oxygen production and carbon dioxide buffering.

mers marine education research society leatherback turtle in bc

Leatherback Turtle in BC ©Jeremy Koreski

Keep up to date

news & media

November 1, 2024

How Wild – photo and video contest

The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) and the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective (CCPC) invite photographers and videographers to share imagery…