Whalefest Kodiak

Whale Fest Kodiak is an annual community event timed to coincide with the spring northbound migration of the gray whales as they pass Kodiak Island, Alaska. The 2 week-long event in April highlights marine mammals and includes lectures, art shows, movies, school activities, and more for all ages.

Since Whalefest's beginning in 1996, the AFSC's Kodiak Laboratory staff have participated in all aspects of the event, including coordinating the event in its early years, giving presentations, providing speakers, and leading whale-watching tours. Staff from the AFSC's National Marine Mammal Laboratory in Seattle have travelled to Kodiak to present information on marine mammal research in Alaska. In addition to information on marine mammals, Kodiak Laboratory staff have given presentations on the effects of ocean acidification and climate change on marine life.