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Event
Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales: 10 Years of Research and Recovery Efforts
In the early 2000s, citizens and researchers in Puget Sound grew increasingly concerned about the health of the southern resident killer whales. In 2003, NOAA began a research and conservation program to better understand and protect these animals. In 2005, the population was listed as endangered. Down to just 78 individuals today, what does their future hold?
This talk will highlight results from research that has investigated risk factors and data gaps associated with the Southern Resident Killer Whale population as well as how the results are critical to informing management actions. Studies conducted by NOAA, collaborators, and partners over the past 10 years as well as areas of current and future research will be discussed.
Join us to hear the very latest about the southern resident orcas from a scientist whose research is critical to their recovery.
This is the second in a new series of Orca Talks hosted by The Whale Trail in West Seattle. The event also features updates from Robin Lindsay (Seal Sitters), and Diver Laura James (tox-ick.org).
Buy tickets early to reserve your seat!
About the Speaker
Dawn Noren is a physiological ecologist with the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. She studies killer whale energetics and the potential impacts of vessel presence on Southern Resident killer whale behavior and energetics. In order to assess this, she collects behavioral data from Southern Resident killer whales in the San Juan Islands using a focal follow approach.
In addition, she conducts energetics studies on trained bottlenose dolphins to determine the metabolic costs associated with the performance of specific behaviors and changes in sound production that have been attributed to vessel disturbance. Her work helps managers understand the energetic impacts to killer whales caused by frequent exposure to vessels.
Dawn's research also includes investigating Southern Resident Killer Whale habitat use patterns in their designated summer core critical habitat, muscle biochemistry to assess diving capabilities of local harbor porpoise and several killer whale ecotypes, and contaminant transfer from female dolphins to their calves.
Dawn joined the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in May of 2003. Previously, Dawn was a National Research Council (NRC) Postdoctoral Research Associate at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory at the NOAA NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Dawn received a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her dissertation focused on elephant seal body condition, thermoregulation, and fasting physiology. She also earned an M.S. in Marine Sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a B.S. in Biological Sciences with and emphasis in Marine Sciences from the University of Maryland.
About The Whale Trail
The Whale Trail (www.thewhaletrail.org) is a series of sites around the region where the public may view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment. Our overarching goal is to ensure the southern resident orcas don't go extinct.
Through our current sites and signs, including two on every Washington State ferry, we reach more than 22 million people each year. The Whale Trail is currently adding new sites along the west coast, from BC to California, throughout the southern resident orcas' range.
The Whale Trail is led by a core team of partners including NOAA Fisheries, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Seattle Aquarium, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and the Whale Museum. Donna Sandstrom is the Founder and Executive Director. The Whale Trail is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, registered in Washington State. Join us!
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LocationC&P Coffee (View)
5612 California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98136
Seattle, WA 98136
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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