Upcoming Speakers and Events
August 13, 2025, 7 - 8 p.m.
Join us via Zoom
Speaker Series Program
with guest speaker Dr. Tim Markowitz
About the Speaker
Dr. Tim Markowitz received his B.A. from U.C. Santa Cruz in environmental studies, his M.S. from U.C. Davis in animal science and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in wildlife and fisheries sciences. As a student, Tim studied the development of sleep apnea in elephant seal pups, nocturnal behavior of African elephants, social development of sheep and the social organization of dusky dolphins. Subsequently, Tim worked as a research biologist collecting biopsy and photo-identification samples of killer whales and humpback whales in Alaska. He went on to serve as principal investigator or project manager for marine mammal research projects, including studies of abundance and habitat use of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales; effects of tourism on dusky dolphins, sperm whales and New Zealand fur seals; and the distribution, movements and ecology of bottlenose dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds.
Over the past eight years, Dr. Markowitz has overseen and advised on research projects examining humpback whales, gray whales, bottlenose dolphins, and harbor porpoises in San Francisco Bay and the surrounding waters, first as the research director for Golden Gate Cetacean Research and subsequently as research coordinator and advisor for the Cetacean Conservation Biology Program at the Marine Mammal Center. His research has expanded understanding of harbor porpoise reproductive behavior, northward range expansion of coastal bottlenose dolphins, and seasonal foraging behavior of humpback and gray whales in the San Francisco Bay Areas. Tim holds a lecturer position at the University of California, Berkeley, where he teaches in the departments of Integrative Biology and Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. He supports and advises graduate students studying marine mammals in the U.S. and New Zealand.
About the Event
San Francisco Bay Area Cetaceans: Returning residents, migrants, immigrants, and climate refugees
September 10, 2025, 7 - 8 p.m.
Join us onboard the Legacy (at 6:30) and via Zoom
Speaker Series Program
with guest speaker Domenic Biagini
About the Event
"San Diego's Chaning Cetacean Landscape: Observations from the Whale Watching Community"
About the Speaker
Domenic Biagini is a San Diego-based wildlife filmmaker, drone pilot, and naturalist with a passion for marine life. He is the founder and captain of Gone Whale Watching, a premier whale watching company in San Diego
Domenic's cinematography has been featured in major natural history productions, including NBC’s The Americas narrated by Tom Hanks, Apple TV+’s Big Beasts narrated by Tom Hiddleston, PBS's San Diego: America's Wildest City, and the BBC’s upcoming Blue Planet III. His work has also appeared in National Geographic’s Super/Natural and on Discovery Channel.
Through his daily experiences on the water, Domenic has developed a deep understanding of cetacean behavior and migration patterns along the San Diego coast. His insights, combined with his compelling footage, offer a unique perspective on the dynamic marine ecosystems of the region.
About the Event
Red Leviathan: The Secret History of Soviet Whaling
About the Speaker
"Ryan Tucker Jones is the Ann Swindells Professor of History at the University of Oregon. He is author of Red Leviathan: The Secret History of Soviet Whaling (2022) and Empire of Extinction: Russians and the North Pacific's Strange Beasts of the Sea (2014)."
October 8, 2025, 7 - 8 p.m.
Join us onboard the Legacy (at 6:30) and via Zoom
Speaker Series Program
with guest speaker Ryan Tucker Jones
November 12, 2025, 7 - 8 p.m.
Join us via Zoom
Speaker Series Program
with guest speaker Ted Cheeseman
About the Event
"New Science of Curious Migratory Patterns Among California's Humpback Whales"
About the Speaker
Ted is the co-founder and director of Happywhale, a research collaboration and citizen science web platform that is transforming data science for tracking individual whales. Ted recently completed a PhD studying North Pacific humpback whale populations, a broad collaborative study that leveraged AI technology to identify and track almost every living whale in the North Pacific. The study revealed a previously under-appreciated major mortality event where 1/3 or Hawaii’s humpback population was lost to the impacts of a three-year marine heatwave. Ted is particularly inspired to develop technology that fosters research collaboration, access to previously inaccessible learning, and building community around ocean ecosystems. When not studying whales, Ted is happiest anywhere wild, especially in surf or snow or on steep rocks.
Information About Attending In Person Aboard the Legacy
Before the presentation, join us for Happy Hour aboard the Legacy at 6:30 PM. You can enjoy snacks for $3, as well as a selection of beer, wine, and canned cocktails priced between $5 and $9.
Location wise, we'll be at the Legacy Whale Watch (sdwhale.com) 1717 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA 92109, behind the Seaforth Sportsfishing building. Be sure to arrive early because we have someone waiting at the dock gate to let you through.
Parking will be available at 1717 Quivira Rd. (Seaforth Sportsfishing parking lot) or out on 'Quivira Rd where designated. Pleasenote that the neighboring businesses on either side of the Legacy parking lot are towing aggressively, so don't park in Seaforth Boat Rentals, Seaforth Marina, Marina Village parking lots, or risk being towed. Parts of their parking lot are marked for permit parking, so be sure to look for those posts.