If whales were inclined to recognize human heroes, chances are David Wiley of East Wareham, a research coordinator with the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary located off the coast of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, would top the list of notable friends for the huge and enigmatic aquatic mammals that frequent Stellwagen Bank.

Why?

Wiley's research showed that by adjusting shipping lanes a mere 12-degrees northward in Stellwagen Bank, ship strikes to endangered right whales will be reduced as much as 58 percent and risks to all large whale species will be reduced by 80 percent or more. The commercial shipping industry embraced the plan, which took effect on July 1, 2007, and the US Department of Commerce awarded Wiley its highest honor, the Gold Medal award.

Wiley will share his story at the Wareham Free Library on February 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.  He will discuss his ongoing research tracking whale activity in an effort improve the safety and well-being both of these magnificent sea creatures and their human neighbors.  The talk is open to the public and sponsored by the Wareham Land Trust.  For more information, call 508-295-0211 or visit www.warehamland.org.