Biography

Since the 1970s, I have worked in collaboration with a variety of students and colleagues in a long-term study of the identification, social organization, and life history of killer whales. Much of my research and that of my students has involved the function of underwater acoustic signals in social communication of killer whales, the identification and description of group-specific vocal dialects, and interpretations of these dialects to yield insights into the historical social evolution of the populations. More recently, my studies have focused on the foraging specializations of fish-eating ‘resident’ killer whales, which prey selectively on chinook salmon. Despite the high trophic level of this predator, resident killer whales may be dependent on chinook salmon and abundance of this prey species may have a direct effect on their survival.

Since 2001, when I joined the Pacific Biological Station as head of the Cetacean Research Program, my studies have broadened to include assessment of the conservation status of marine mammals and turtles off the Pacific coast that are listed under Canada’s Species-at-Risk Act. These species include the North Pacific right whale, blue whale, sei whale, fin whale, humpback whale, sea otter and leatherback turtle. With my graduate students Luciano Dalla Rosa and Andrea Rambeau, I have recently undertaken intensive annual surveys for humpback whales off the BC coast, aimed at determining population and patterns of seasonal occurrence, as well as identifying critical habitats. Field methodology is primarily photo-identification of individuals using natural markings on the animals’ tail flukes. Photo-identification data from 2004-05 are being analyzed as part of the multi-national SPLASH project, which is attempting to determine humpback whale abundance, population structure, and migratory destinations across the North Pacific. Details on the Cetacean Research Program can be seen at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/species-especes/cetacean-cetaces/index-eng.htm

Note to prospective graduate students: Unfortunately, I will be unable to take on any new graduate students in 2010 or 2011.