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What do differences in animal behaviour reveal about the decline of Steller sea lions in Alaska?
More than 50 years of studying Steller sea lion behaviour has yielded one of the most complete life history descriptions for any species of marine mammal.
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The Long View: A Historical Perspective on Steller Sea Lion Declines
image caption: An Aleut hunter in the Bering Sea with an anchored Russian ship in the background (watercolor by Louis…
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Predator Puzzle: New evidence for predation as key factor in Steller Sea Lion collapse
Markus Horning spent the summer of 1998 in the remote Aleutian Islands, conducting research aboard the research ship M/V Tiglax.…
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Diving for Dinner: The mechanics of foraging and commuting in Steller sea lions
As Steller sea lions decline in parts of the North Pacific Ocean, Consortium scientists are working to understand how sea…
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Seasonal Differences in Biochemical Adaptation to Fasting in Juvenile and Subadult Steller Sea Lions
The Fasts of Life Unappealing as it may be to most humans, fasting is a fact of life for Steller…
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Marine Mammal Research Newsletter | August 2017 (Issue 16)
Into the Field Harbour seals prey on salmon smolts Biologging tags reveal specialist-feeding behaviors by seals that have implications for…
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Steller Research Front and Center
Steller sea lion research at the Vancouver Aquarium is undergoing a major overhaul! The sea lions at the Aquarium moved…
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Metabolic Mysteries: Researchers explore connection between heart rate and energy expenditure
Scientists believe the precipitous decline of Western Alaska’s sea lion populations is driven by changes in the availability of their…
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Northern fur seals – a Tale of Two Critters
A recent experience with young northern fur seals resulted in unexpected insights into the physiology of fur seals, and stronger…
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Juan Jose Alava, PhD.
Juan Jose Alava, PhD. Research Associate Tel: 604-291-0019 E-mail: j.alava@oceans.ubc.ca Education: BSc. Biology, (Universidad de Guayaquil, Ecuador); Master of the…
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Long-term studies quantify the prey requirements of pinnipeds, and help predict the effects of nutritional stress.
Two new studies answer the question: “How much fish does a seal need?” One of the most common threats to marine mammal populations is reduced food supply, either due to the effects of climate change or human fishing pressure.
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You can’t beat a healthy heart
New research is shedding light on the hearts of healthy marine mammals, and how they compare to human hearts
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Drawing First Blood
Researchers publish first reference ranges for Steller sea lions Over the past 15 years, a small group of Steller sea…
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Dr. Andrew Trites wins the Timothy R. Parsons Medal
Dr. Andrew W. Trites (on left) – receives award from Andrew Stewart who represented DFO. Congratulations to our very own…
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From the Lab
How fat is that sea lion? Estimating the body condition of Steller sea lions may be as simple as pushing…
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August 2017 – This Just In
7 new publications… [webref_pretty title=”Accelerometers can measure total and activity-specific energy expenditure in free-ranging marine mammals only if linked to…
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Science Outreach – August 2017
Science Outreach 21st Annual meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of Marine Mammalogy Nearly 60 people from BC, Washington and…
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August 2017 – Off the Bench
Off the Bench Nattan Telmer shows some of the equipment he used to test the ability…
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A Window to the Wild
Open Water Research Station Contributes a Decade of Discoveries This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the Open Water Research…
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FROM THE LAB
Diving Hard at It Sitka, one of four Steller sea lions, has participated in many research…
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FROM THE LAB
The scoop on poop and stress levels in Steller sea lions There is a fundamental problem with the traditional methods…
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Evolution of a Hunter
Do feeding strategies drive resilience? Many thousands of years ago, the ancient ancestors of today’s seals and sea lions moved…
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Aaron Purdy
MSc Tel: 604.822.8181 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: a.purdy@oceans.ubc.ca Supervisors: Drs Anthony P. Farrell and David Rosen Education: BSc. Zoology and Anthropology, University of Calgary, Canada Research Interests: Ecological physiology,…
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Decisions at Depth: Does prey availability drive foraging behavior?
Sitka, one of 4 Steller sea lions trained to wear a harness carrying scientific instruments while…
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A Controversial Catch
Are Steller sea lion populations affected by commercial fishing? Scientists have proposed a number of possible explanations behind the mysterious…
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The Science of Stress: A Nutrigenomic Approach
Feeling stressed? It’s a common complaint, but stress isn’t a uniquely human condition. Marine mammals also experience stress, especially when…
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July 2014 – Science Outreach
Diving into beer and suds — marine mammal style! Beer and biology are well known associates on an individual level,…
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July 2014 – This Just In
Steller sea lion diving awarded Gold Medal For more than 125 years, one gold medal has been awarded each year…
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NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Marine Mammal Research Newsletter Once you have signed up, you will soon start…
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Running on Empty
Does nutritional status influence diving behavior in Steller sea lions? If you have ever searched for a gas station while…
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Hassen Allegue
MSc Student Tel: 604.822.8181 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: h.allegue@oceans.ubc.ca Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Trites Education: BSc. Biology, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM),…
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Calculating the limits of diving
Carling Gerlinsky on the diving platform with Hazy and two Steller sea lion trainers from the Vancouver Aquarium. The diving…
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Measuring Diet in the Lab: The Pros and Cons of QFASA
At the heart of unraveling the precipitous decline of Western Alaska’s Steller sea lions are two key questions: What do they…
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Jérôme Spitz
Post Doctoral Fellow Tel: 604.822.9111 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: j.spitz@oceans.ubc.ca Education: BSc Biology (University of La Rochelle, France); MSc Life, Earth…
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Standing Out from the Crowd
How does scientific marking and tagging affect marine mammals? For decades, field researchers have applied paints, dyes, brands and telemetry…
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Elizabeth Goundie
Alumni MSc 2015 E-mail: e.goundie@oceans.ubc.ca Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Trites and Dr. David Rosen Education: BSc – Marine Biology at…
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What’s in a Whistle?
Transient killer whale with Steller sea lions on the rocks. New study examines how transient killer whales communicate first published March…
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Genes in a Bottle
Using DNA analysis to solve a dietary dilemma The mysterious decline of Steller sea lions in Western Alaska presents a…
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Martin Haulena
Adjunct Professor Vancouver Aquarium 604-659-3469 Vancouver, British Columbia email: Martin.Haulena@vanaqua.org Education:1993 – Doctor of…
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Stephen Raverty
Adjunct Professor email: Stephen.Raverty@gov.bc.ca Education: 1984 BSc, Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,…
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Portrait of a Predator: Photo study leads to estimate of killer whale population
NE Pacific Transient killer whales in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Photograph taken during research conducted under permit 782-1719 issued by…
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Go Go Gadget on the Go
The sea lions and fur seals in the Consortium’s captive research program work with researchers to test hypotheses that explain…
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Carling Gerlinsky
Alumni MSc Graduate, 2013 Tel: 604.822.8181 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: c.gerlinsky@oceans.ubc.ca Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Trites and Dr. David Rosen Education: BSc (Hons,…
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Arliss Winship
Alumni MSc 2000 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Growth and bioenergetic models for Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska.…
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Rob Williams
Alumni MSc 1998 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Behavioural responses of killer whales to whale-watching: opportunistic observations and experimental approaches.…
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Boyd Porter
Alumni MSc 1997 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Winter ecology of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska. The goal…
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Linda Milette
Alumni MSc 1999 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Behaviour of lactating stellar sea lions (eumetopias jubatus) during breeding season :…
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Jan McPhee
Alumni MSc 2001 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Heart rate as a monitor for metabolic rate in captive juvenile Steller…
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Michelle Marcotte
Alumni MSc 2006 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Steller Watch: timing of weaning and seasonal patterns in numbers and activities…
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Saeko Kumagai
Alumni MSc 2004 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Seasonal differences in physiology of captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in…
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Laura Kucey
Alumni MSc 2005 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Seasonal abundance and distribution of marine mammals in the southern Strait of…
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Alison Keple
Alumni MSc 2002 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Seasonal abundance and distribution of marine mammals in the southern Strait of…
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Aaron Keech
Alumni MSc 2009 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Fecal triiodothyronine assay validation using captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and…
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Andrea Hunter
Alumni MSc 2005 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis A multiple regression model for predicting the energy requirements of marine mammals.…
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Edward Gregr
Alumni MSc 2000 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis An analysis of historic (1908-1967) whaling records from British Columbia, Canada. This…
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Carolyn Donnelly
Alumni MSc 2001 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Possible effects of pollock and herring on the growth and reproductive success…
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Raychelle Daniel
Alumni MSc 2003 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis The timing of moulting in wild and captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias…
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Olivier Cheneval
Alumni MSc 2005 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Biomechanics of turning manoeuvres in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) Otariids such…
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Andrea Coombs
Alumni MSc 2004 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Marine mammals and human health in the eastern Bering Sea: Using an…
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Cynthia Azana
Alumni MSc 2002 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Seasonal variation in nutrient composition of Alaskan walleye pollock (Theragara chalcogramma) and…
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Ella Bowles
Alumni MSc 2009 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Determining the relative amounts of prey in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus)…
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Stephen Ban
Alumni MSc 2005 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Modelling and characterization of Steller sea lion haulouts and rookeries using oceanographic…
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Pamela Allen
Alumni MSc 2009 Supervisor Dr Andrew Trites Thesis Seasonal oscillations in the mass and food intake of Steller sea lions…
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Rebecca Barrick
Research Assistant Tel: 604-659-3470 Fax: 604-659-3515 Email: Rebecca.barrick@vanaqua.org Biography: As Dr. David Rosen’s research assistant, Rebecca is responsible for organizing,…
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Beth Volpov
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia Fax: 604.822.8180 Office:…
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David Rosen
Assistant Professor Tel: 604.822.8184 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: rosen@zoology.ubc.ca Education: BSc Marine Biology (University of Guelph); MSc and PhD Biopsychology (Memorial…
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Tiphaine Jeanniard du Dot
Alumni PhD 2015 Tel: 604.822.9150 Fax: 604.822.8189 E-mail: dudot@zoology.ubc.ca Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Trites,…
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Brian Battaile
Alumni Tel: 604.822.9890 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: b.battaile@oceans.ubc.ca Education: BSc Biology (University of Oregon); MSc Biology (San Diego State University);…
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Mandy Wong
MSc Student Tel: 604.822.8181 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: m.wong@oceans.ubc.ca Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Trites Education: BSc in Animal Biology (University of British…
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Tabitha Hui
Alumni MSc 2011 Tel: 604.822.8181 Fax: 604.822.8180 E-mail: t.hui@oceans.ubc.ca Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Trites Education: Graduate Diploma in Spatial Information Science…
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Go Go Gadget Accelerometer
It fits in the palm of your hand, looks straight out of a James Bond film, and promises to help…
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Personnel
Faculty and Researchers Faculty Dr Marie Auger-Méthé Dr David Rosen Dr Andrew W. Trites Dr Juan Jose Alava Adjunct…
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Endocrine Explorations
To land-dwellers, a sea lion’s life looks fairly uneventful: swim, eat, sleep and reproduce. In fact, a sea lion leads…
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Laboratory Studies – One More Piece of the Puzzle
Scientific questions — like whether nutritional stress has led to the decline of Steller sea lion populations — are too…
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Decisions, Decisions
As the far lesser-known adage goes, “It ain’t easy being marine.” This especially applies to the wild Steller sea lion,…
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Scat Science
Researchers with their loot of scat It might not be the most glamorous aspect of a biologist’s work, but the…
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Ecopath, Virtual Ecosystems, and the Status of the Gulf of Alaska
Ecopath was conceived by Dr. Polovina (NOAA) and advanced by Drs. Pauly, Christensen and Walters (UBC Fisheries Centre) — and…
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Putting a Price Tag on Habitat Conservation
Protecting natural habitats rarely occurs without sparking controversies—usually among those whose livelihoods depend on resources within the protected areas. Conservation…
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Summertime Blues
Does time of year affect recovery from nutritional stress? Winter in the North Pacific Ocean is considered the most difficult…
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Critical Habitat Revisited
Researchers Develop Predictive Model to Improve Legislation Federal laws that designate so-called Critical Habitat for Steller sea lions have played…
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Hormone Changes Shed Light on Nutritional Stress
Like most mammals, Steller sea lions require varying amounts of food throughout the year, according to such appetite-influencing factors as…
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Treading Lightly in Breeding Areas
Scientists Seek to Reduce Disturbance on Rookeries To better understand the diet of wild Steller sea lions populations, Consortium scientists…
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Fast Foraging
Scientists Measure Underwater Acceleration in Three Dimensions As part of the ongoing effort to conserve dwindling Steller sea lion populations…
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Orca Quest 2020
In Search of Killer Whales In August 2020, nine people set sail aboard the MV Gikumi to determine whether there…
MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH UNIT - UBC