Marine Mammal Research Unit

THE UNIT'S GOALS

The Consortium's research program consists of four components:

1. Field studies contrasting healthy sea lion populations in Southeast Alaska, British Columbia and Oregon with declining populations in the Gulf of Alaska; and hands-on investigation of declining northern fur seal populations on the Pribilof Islands;

2. Captive studies on Steller sea lions and northern fur seals to enable the development and testing of new techniques and technologies for studying marine mammals in the wild; and to provide information that field studies cannot, including physiological data, nutritional requirements and how they use energy derived from food;

3. Developing new measurement techniques for processing biological samples;

4. Interdisciplinary studies that analyze historical data sets, construct mathematical models and involve laboratory analysis.

photos by A.W. Trites

Latest Publication:

Changes in glucocorticoids, IGF-I and thyroid hormones as indicators of nutritional stress and subsequent refeeding in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).
Jeanniard du Dot T., Rosen D.A., Richmond, J.P., Kitaysky A.S., Zinn, S.A. and Trites A.W. 2009. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 152:524-534.

Upcoming publication:

Development and application of DNA techniques for validating and improving pinniped diet estimates.
Tollit, D. J., A. D. Schulze, A. W. Trites, P. F. Olesiuk, S. J. Crockford, T. S. Gelatt, R. R. Ream. (in press).
Ecological Applications

Phase 1 of the Skeleton
project is complete! For details click here>>

Why UBC? UBC is centered between Alaska and Washington/Oregon in the oceanographic transition zone, and is an ideal place to study and coordinate research on marine mammals. It is also close to other research groups, representative fisheries, and populations of different species of marine mammals. It boasts excellent research facilities and support services:

expertise and collaboration with other researchers in the Fisheries Centre, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Zoology / Ecology, Agricultural Sciences, and the Faculty of Engineering
the Vancouver Aquarium cooperates in providing facilities for captive studies
MMRU researchers have good working relationships with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.