Whalefest Monterey Two Day Symposium - April 11-12, 2026
Event Date:Apr 11 - Apr 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location:
The 16th Annual Whalefest Monterey will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 11–12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Custom House Plaza in Monterey State Historic Park. This free, family-friendly event for all ages celebrates the extraordinary marine life of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through science, education, history, art, and live entertainment.
The Whalefest Monterey 2-day Symposium, which will be held between 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. brings together top researchers, conservation leaders, and policy experts, held at the Monterey History & Art Stanton Center on Custom House Plaza adjacent to Old Fisherman’s Wharf. The 2026 Whalefest Monterey Symposium presentations listed below are geared to be informative and engaging for ages 12 and up.
Whalefest Symposium Schedule 2026
Note: Details at www.whalefest.org/symposium
Saturday, April 11
11:00 Giovanna Sainz, MBARI
“FathomVerse: Where Gaming Meets Community Science to Explore our Ocean”
11:45 Ashley Kidd, Sunflower Star Laboratory
“Shooting for the Stars: Sunflower Star Laboratory’s Community-based Approach to Sunflower Sea Star Conservation and Kelp Forest Recovery”
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 Stephanie Marcos, Marine Life Studies
“Whale Entanglement: Risks, Responses, and Prevention”
2:45 Geoff Shester, Ph.D., Oceana, and Representatives from the Government, Technology and Fishing Communities
"Panel Discussion: Collaborations to Develop Whale-Safe Pop-Up Gear to Catch Dungeness Crab: A Win-Win for Whales and Local Fishermen"
Sunday April 12
11:00 Adam Ratner, The Marine Mammal Center
“Behind the Bark: 50 Years of Saving Seals and Sea Lions”
11:45 Matt Savoca, Ph/D. Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
“From Watershed to Whales: Tracking Microplastics from Land to Sea in Monterey Bay
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch break
2:00 Jack Barkowski, Ph.D. Candidate, Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University
“Whales Beneath the Waves: Insights into Whale Behavior from Video Camera Tags”
2:45 John Ryan, Ph.D., MBARI
“Creating Safer Habitat for Whales in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary”
3:30 (approximate) John Ryan and Lucy Zhang, Daniel Zhang
“Sonata in Whale Major”
Note: Schedule is subject to change.
Also, nearly 60 videos from prior Symposium presentations and more can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@
In addition to the fascinating 2-day Symposium, Whalefest Monterey features several research vessel tours; Plein Air painter demonstrations; over 40 ocean-themed exhibitors with educational, interactive and hands-on demonstrations; live music and dance performances; arts and crafts activities including gyotaku fish printing, whale origami, scrimshaw; Wharf history walks; and the almost world-famous Abalone Races; all designed to inform and inspire the public to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Whalefest Monterey is supported by the City of Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf Association, Monterey State Historic Park – Custom House Plaza, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Marine Life Studies, Save the Whales, Bay Federal Credit Union, Pacific Grove Animal Hospital, Monterey Bay Boatworks, Del Mar Seafoods, Mahoney & Associates, Pebble Beach Company, Monterey County Bank, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Nicora Law, Mechanics Bank, San Pedro Fish Market, Wecker Group, Fashion Streaks and many additional community sponsors.
Media partners include Monterey County NOW, Foolish Times, KMBY Radio, 90.3 FM KAZU Radio, 1240 AM/106.7 FM KMBY Radio and the Shag Bag Radio Show.
As a free public event, Whalefest Monterey relies on sponsorships and donations. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For sponsorship information contact:
Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis
More Information
For updated schedules, exhibitor lists, symposium information, and videos from previous events, visit:
Additional information:
Email: whalefestmonterey@