Pacific Whale Watch Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 29, 2008

Friday Harbor, WA and Victoria, BC – The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest (WWOANW), is pleased to announce that Darcie Larson was named executive director on January 17, 2008.

The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest is an international organization of 31 member companies that operate from Seattle, Orcas Island, San Juan Island, Anacortes, Bellingham, Everett, La Conner, Port Townsend, Victoria, Vancouver, Duncan, Richmond and Sidney. Founded in 1994, the Association provides a cohesive structure to the whale watching industry that operates in the trans-boundary waters of Washington and British Columbia. One of the Association's major objectives is to assist in the conservation of all marine species in these waters, but particularly to contribute to the conservation of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. The executive director is responsible for guiding the Association’s conservation agenda, and will represent the Association at meetings and workshops addressing issues of concern to the industry throughout the region. “In addition to advocating for responsible whale watching and maintaining high standards for our members in that regard, my goal is for the Association to be at the forefront of conservation initiatives that will benefit the whales. Restoring abundant wild salmon is a top priority, as is cleaning up toxic contaminants found in the marine environment” said Larson.

Prior to accepting the executive director position with WWOANW, Darcie Larson was the associate director of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, working on a campaign to restore abundant wild salmon to the Columbia River Basin. A native of the Puget Sound region, Larson holds Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in biology from Western Washington University. She participated in the marine naturalist training program through The Whale Museum on San Juan Island, where she completed an internship and served as a volunteer with the Soundwatch Boater Education program. Larson has worked as a professional marine naturalist since 1999, educating the public on whale watch boats and through local school programs.

“We are extremely pleased to have Darcie Larson join us as our executive director, as she brings the experience and skills that will help the Association continue to be a leader in the sustainable eco-tourism sector world-wide” said Darrell Bryan, President and CEO of Clipper Navigation, Incorporated.

Media Contacts:

Dan Kukat, Chair & President (253) 686-4886
Email: President@nwwhalewatchers.org