Marine Mammal Research Consortium: About

Mission Statement
The mission of the Consortium is to undertake a long-term program of research on marine mammals and their interactions with fisheries, other species and oceanographic conditions in the North Pacific Ocean and Eastern Bering Sea.

About the Consortium
In the summer of 1992, John Roos, Vice President of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association, on behalf of a group of representatives of the fishing industry, requested Pacific Northwest universities to submit proposals for research concerned with the impacts of fisheries on Steller sea lions. From that request, the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium was formed with four participating institutions: the University of Alaska, the University of British Columbia, the University of Washington, and Oregon State University.

The University researchers have been supported by a wide range of sources including federal and state governments, sectors of the fishing industry, private foundations and coastal Alaskan communities.

Committees
The research program is overseen by a Scientific Advisory Committee with representatives of universities, industry, and government agencies. A Research Committee, composed of the research leaders at the various universities, is responsible for preparing a proposal for research each year and for reporting on progress to the Scientific Advisory Committee.

Funding and Assistance
Funding for the research program of the Consortium has been obtained from the North Pacific Marine Science Foundation. The Consortium has been greatly aided in its work by the guidance and assistance provided by the United States National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre.

Staff
The Marine Mammal Research Unit of the Fisheries Centre at the University of British Columbia administers the Consortium. The Consortium staff includes a Research Director, Dr. A.W. Trites, and an Administrative Manager, P. Rosenbaum.

Researchers
Dr. B. Battaile, Dr. M. Berman, Dr. J. Burns, Dr. W. Dunford, Mr. E. Gregr , Dr. V. Gallucci, Ruth Joy, Dr. J. Kennish, Dr. M. Horning, Dr. John Kennis, Dr. A. Kitaysky, Mr. C. Matkin, Dr. A. Punt, Dr. D. Rosen, Dr D. Sampson, Dr. L. Rea, Dr. A. Springer, Dr. D. Tollit, Dr. A.W. Trites, Dr. S. Wasser

The Annual Reports review the accomplishments of Consortium Researchers and briefly sketch research proposed for the upcoming fiscal period. (See 2007 Annual Report.)

Future contributions of the Consortium will lead to a better understanding of the population biology of Steller sea lions, and in due course, to other marine mammals of the North Pacific. The interactions of fisheries and marine mammals are the subject of intensive research in many parts of the world, and will be a major focus of research in the North Pacific for many years to come. The Consortium brings university resources to help resolve the issues that arise.

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