The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Brad Hanson as part of the 2015 Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

This lecture will primarily cover new information on Southern Resident killer whales winter distribution as discerned from satellite tagging and acoustic recorder data. In particular, Hanson will also cover highlights from the nearly 3 weeks the team followed satellite tagged orcas, J27 and L84, during the winter months.

Hanson is an ecologist at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and is currently studying foraging and habitat use of Southern Resident killer whales.

Previously, Hanson worked as a Wildlife Biologist at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle, Wash. Hanson received his doctorate from the University of Washington where he worked on the development of improved tag attachment systems for small cetaceans. He also holds an Masters in Fisheries and a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from the University of Washington.

The Sept. 17 lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call(360) 378-4710 ext. 30.

The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N.  Founded in 1976, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.

In addition to providing exhibits, the Museum also provides programs including the Marine Naturalist Training, Orca Adoption Program, Soundwatch Boater Education, San Juan Islands Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline.  The Whale Museum can be found on-line atwww.whalemuseum.org.