Whaling Symposium to Focus on Ties Between New England and Alaska

COURTESY OF WHALINGMUSEUM.ORG

NEW BEDFORD – New England and the Alaskan Arctic have longstanding connections among whales, the marine environment and human well-being and a three-day symposium will be held next week that focuses on that relationship.

The conference will be held in three significant New England whaling sites starting Monday on Nantucket, then heading to Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday before concluding in New Bedford at the Whaling Museum on Wednesday.

Attendees will explore, hear stories, learn lessons and draw insights from the interconnectedness of the two areas.

In Alaska and the Arctic in the 19^th century, Yankee and Inupiat whaling traditions merged, as whalers shared technology, traditions and local knowledge.

The conference celebrates the whaling heritage that shaped communities and traditions along the coasts of western and northern Alaska.

Roundtable topics and presentations will feature the current challenges in Arctic sustainability and conservation. Whale entanglements, ship strikes and noise will be discussed, along with solutions for whales, people and the environment.

For a schedule of the three-day conference visit whalingmuseum.org.