Ocean Conversation for Surfers: Riding the Waves of Climate Change

Everyone and everything on the planet is connected and we are all related. It may not seem like it when you are sliding down the face of a wave but the ocean is much, much more than a source of swells. In this talk I will discuss why surfers and citizens should care about a healthy ocean using key lessons from marine conservation. These lessons include promoting clean water, natural habitats, and intact ecosystems. Under these conditions, marine ecosystems naturally resist change and recover quickly from human and natural disturbances. Because surfers spent much of their lives in the sea, they understand its patterns and rhythm and represent an important and potentially influential group of individuals. Together surfing and marine biology can create significant synergy and help develop a focus on unique issues facing marine life, ocean health, marine conservation, and coastal issues.

Professor Tissot is a surfer and a marine ecologist with three decades of experience conducting research on temperate and tropical marine ecosystems. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from Oregon State University and has held positions at the University of Hawaii and Washington State University. He currently serves as the Director of the Marine Laboratory at Humboldt State University and lives in Trinidad, CA. He has published over 70 papers in scientific journals and has been awarded over $8 million in research grants in his career and serves on multiple scientific advisory boards. Brian’s work has been featured in Scientific American, Smithsonian magazine, the Washington Post and several films. His research focused on scientific research that improves the understanding, management and conservation of marine ecosystems. In addition to his scientific research Tissot (aka “Dr. Abalone”) also produces surfing videos on YouTube and blogs about surfing, marine biology and environmental issues on his site BrianTissot.com.

Doors open at 6pm
Museum exhibits and store open until 8:30pm
Free with paid museum admission
CHM Members get in free

First Tuesday Talks are sponsored by Al Peirce Company with additional support from The Mill Casino.

All events subject to change.