Kathi George

The stars really have to align during whale disentanglement missions because there are so many moving pieces, like weather conditions and the ability to locate the whale. I enjoy my work because the dedicated people I work with—from marine mammal responders to fishermen—are dedicated to saving these whales and preventing entanglements from happening in the first place.

As the Director of Cetacean Conservation Biology for The Marine Mammal Center, Kathi George oversees cetacean research, large whale entanglement response, and synthesis of data for management and conservation impact. Since joining the Center in 2019, she has expanded advocacy efforts to address two of the greatest threats to large whales worldwide: entanglement and vessel strikes. 

Kathi collaborates closely with many different stakeholders in her work, serving in the Conservation seat for the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council and previously as a member of the 2021 Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Advisory Council Joint Ship Strike Working Group. Additionally, she is a member of the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group and San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee, where she is leading a project to reduce the risk of vessel strike on large whales in and near San Francisco Bay.

As a Level 3 Co-Investigator with NOAA's Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program, Kathi is permitted to respond to entangled whales. She has participated in six whale disentanglements, numerous entangled whale responses, and over 50 sea lion disentanglements.

Previously, Kathi co-founded California Whale Rescue—a nonprofit dedicated to entangled whale response and prevention. The organization supported NOAA Fisheries’ efforts to standardize response practices, gear, training and communications.

Kathi spends as much time as she can underwater and on boats in addition to enjoying California's coasts and mountains with her husband and son.

Areas of Expertise

• Marine Mammal Response Operations
• Whale Entanglement Response and Prevention
• Cetacean Field Research & Conservation Impact
• California Dungeness Crab Fishery
• Solar Loggers

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