WhaleFest 2011 - Hove Centre, Brighton, UK, Sat 5th - Sun 6th November 

 

 

Mini Workshop Programme 

Sponsored by:

The mini workshop programme is sponsored by Gardline Environmental Ltd and will consist of a series of 50-minute ‘taster’ workshops or courses, run throughout the weekend. Courses will be FREE to WhaleFest attendees and available to them on a first-come, first-served basis. Workshops can seat a maximum of 70 people (sometimes less), so get there early to avoid disappointment.  At the end of each workshop you will receive a certificate in your chosen subject.  

We hope you will come to as many workshops as you can to expand your knowledge about the amazing marine world!

 

Saturday 5th November

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Not while that whale is about!  How to be a Marine Mammal Observer
10:30 – 11:20 Saturday 5th November
Gardline Environmental Ltd

Offshore developments are necessary to allow us to heat our homes, use lights, manufacture mobile phones, computers and all sort of other things that we rely on in every day life.  But how do we make sure that whales and dolphins are not harmed during these offshore activities.  Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) are onboard all construction and exploration vessels every day making sure that operations follow strict guidelines to ensure whales and dolphins are kept clear of activities that could damage or kill them.  But what does a MMO do and how can you become one?In an Introduction to being a Marine Mammal Observer, Gardline Environmental Ltd demonstrate what MMOs do, how they aid in the conservation of whales and dolphins and what it’s like to work offshore?  If you are interested in an exciting career looking for whales and dolphins all over the world with lots of travel and adventure, come and learn more!

 

 

 

Like a fish out of water  Why do whales and dolphins strand on UK beaches?
11:30 – 12:20 Saturday 5th November
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)

In a fascinating interactive workshop, British Divers Marine Life Rescue will lead participants on a trail of discovery to try and answer this and other questions. What can we do to help cetaceans when they strand? What options do we have? Are strandings on the increase? Come along, throw your thoughts into the pot, and see what comes out of the mix!

 

 

 

 

 

Folding Whales!  Whale and Dolphin Origami
12:30 – 13:20 Saturday 5th November
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)

In this workshop WDCS will bring out your artistic flair as you learn how to make origami whales whilst aiding in WDCS’s new anti-captivity campaign!  Fun for kids and a great party trick for adults!

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Capture Whales and Dolphins on Camera!  How to take the very best pictures above and below the surface.
13:30 – 14:50 Saturday 5th November
Chris Gomersall and Kirk Mottershead

Want to know how to take that perfect whale or dolphin shot? WhaleFest brings two professional wildlife photographers together to give you expert tips and techniques for getting the perfect photo.  From novice to expert, this wildlife photography workshop will teach you how to capture that perfect encounter both above and below the water.

Through their work, Kirk Mottershead and Chris Gomersall will demonstrate the tricks of photography from how to maximise results using basic compact cameras and autofocus, through to the use of SLRs, polarising filters, monopods, shutter speeds, backlighting etc.  They will also demonstrate how to touch up and promote your photos from home using programs such as photoshop and Flickr.

 

 

I Spy Whales  Introduction to Marine Mammal Identification
15:00 – 15:50 Saturday 5th November
ORCA

It’s so easy to see whales and dolphins around our coast, but do you know how and what you are looking for? ORCA lead a fun and interactive training session designed to inspire everyone to go out and spot these amazing animals around our coastline and at sea.

ORCA's spotting experts will teach you the skills to identify your porpoises from your Bottlenose Dolphins and your Common Dolphins from your Humpback Whales.  Finally, your newly acquired skills will be tested in an exciting and interactive competition where you could win a full ORCA training course.

 

 

 

 

Listen to Deep Voices: a guided journey into the world of whales and dolphins
16:00 – 16:50 Saturday 5th November
Dr Jason Cressey

After a busy day at WhaleFest, enter a workshop of serenity, calm and relaxation for a truly personal experience of the ocean.  Dr Jason Cressey will take you on a personal journey around the planet through the sounds and images of whales and dolphins. Sitting or lying down and in traditional indigenous style, you will be encouraged to listen to your own inner voice as you experience a relaxing, insightful and wonderfully indirect way of learning about whales and dolphins.

Pillows will be provided!  

 

 

 

 

Sunday 6th November

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Become a 5-star Ninja Whale Watcher and help us to help whales!
10:30 – 11:20 Sunday 6th November
Planet Whale

Join Planet Whale’s Ninja Whale Watcher Kyoshi (Eminent Instructor) Evan Landy on a workshop that will change the way you think about whale watching forever. Be part of a crack team of whale watchers placed onboard the world’s worst whale watching boats on a mission to make them sustainable.
 
Not only is this workshop great fun, it will also give you an understanding of the importance of choosing your whale and dolphin watching trips carefully in order to get the best experience and put the welfare of these amazing animals first. So become a 5-star Ninja Whale Watcher, pick up your certificate, and get discount vouchers for some of the most sustainable whale watching trips exhibiting at WhaleFest 2011.

Photo: Judith Scott

 

 

 

  

Whose who?  Using Photo-identification to study whales and dolphins
11:30 – 12:20 Sunday 6th November
MARINElife

Individual dolphins can be recognised through the marks on their fins which act much like a human fingerprint – this is known as photo-identification.  This is one of the most commonly used research techniques for many marine mammal studies throughout the world.  In this Introduction to Photo-Identification Workshop, the charity MARINElife will teach you this valuable skill, from its uses and application through to practical demonstrations as you attempt to identify the individual animals in the group and piece together their story so we can better protect them.

  

 

 

Careers Advice  “I want to work with Whales and Dolphins”
12:30 – 13:50 Sunday 6th November
Various Experts

WhaleFest offers you the best ever selection of whale and dolphin experts brought together under one roof!  Want a career working with wild Whales and Dolphins? This is the place to find out how!

The Careers Workshop offers participants the chance to hear from a range of experts working in the field of whales and dolphins followed by ‘Careers Speed-dating’, where you will get one on one time with the experts to ask any and all your questions and seek advice from those that know.  No question is too big or small for the workshop, ask anything from what subjects do you need to study? How do I get experience? Is it really worth it? What are employers looking for?  What is the pay like? Can I travel? How do I make my CV attractive? You sock it to em, and our team of world experts will show you the way!

  

 

 

 

 
Introduction to Underwater Acoustics  The Wonder of Sounds beneath the Waves
14:00 – 14:50 Sunday 6th November
Gardline Environmental Ltd

The ocean is alive with noise!! From the surface you would never know it, but underwater there is a symphony of sound. Noise is created underwater by boats, surf, wind, fish, marine mammals, crustaceans and more! When the first underwater hydrophone was dropped into the ocean, scientists were astounded by the noise levels. The study of sound in the ocean is called underwater acoustics.

In an introduction to Underwater Acoustics, Gardline Environmental Ltd take you on a trip beneath the waves without getting wet.  You will learn how sound works underwater, how marine mammals rely on sound and about all the acoustically amazing animals that are part of the underwater orchestra!!  Your ears won’t believe it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plenty More Fish in the Sea  Choosing sustainable fish to help save Whales and Dophins
15:00 – 15:50 Sunday 6th November
Gardline Environmental Ltd

One of the greatest threats to marine mammals comes from fishing, but it is one of the easiest for ordinary people to help with just by learning which fish are best to eat.  In a fun and interactive workshop, participants become fish as we discover how fishing methods differ and how they affect the marine environment, including causing the deaths of thousands of marine mammals every year. 

Become a ‘Fish Friend’ as Gardline Environmental Ltd’s workshop arms you with the best consumer knowledge on the best fish to eat and which to avoid, including a handy pocket guide so you can help whales and dolphins every day!

 

 

 

 

  

Listen to Deep Voices: a guided journey into the world of whales and dolphins
16:00 – 16:50 Sunday 6th November
Dr Jason Cressey

After a busy day at WhaleFest, enter a workshop of serenity, calm and relaxation for a truly personal experience of the ocean.  Dr Jason Cressey will take you on a personal journey around the planet through the sounds and images of whales and dolphins. Sitting or lying down and in traditional indigenous style, you will be encouraged to listen to your own inner voice as you experience a relaxing, insightful and wonderfully indirect way of learning about whales and dolphins.
Pillows will be provided!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to book your tickets for WhaleFest get involved with as many FREE mini workshops as you can!

For further info please contact:

Mini workshop enquiries

Nicola Clark
Gardline Environmental Ltd
nicola@planetwhale.com

 

WhaleFest enquiries

Dylan Walker
WhaleFest Co-founder
dylan@planetwhale.com
Tel: +44 (0)1273 355011
Mob: +44 (0)7900 471490
2a Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FL, UK
http://www.planetwhale.com/whalefest

 

Press enquiries

Stephanie St James
RSVPR World
Tel: +44 (0)1273 806950
Mob: 07976 973951
Email stephanie@rsvpr.net
Audley House, Hove Street, Hove, Brighton, BN3 2DE, UK