The BC Marine Mammal Symposium came about after a discussion between two marine mammal scientists on an old school bus in Chicago 19 years ago. Drs Andrew Trites and Jim Darling wanted a way to bring researchers and other interested folk of the BC region together to talk about issues related to marine mammals. These ideas formed into an annual meeting and this has has expanded over the years into a symposium that is specifically not that sciencey in nature. This symposium is in many ways unique in that it enables people to come together to network, catch up on research occurring off the coast and also, to learn about other research that is occurring. The format is very informal, presentations are short and allow students, non-profit groups and industry folk to introduce their work and tell the story behind their research. But the meeting also provides a great opportunity to seek help from others that are interested, especially for sightings data and stranding responses.
The audience of these meetings is comprised of mostly students, non-profit research groups, DFO cetacean researchers, whale watch vessel owners, captains and naturalist and volunteers. The meeting is hosted by the Marine Mammal Research Unit of UBC and is supported by Broken Island Adventures Inc and the Pacific Whale Watch Association.
This year there were a variety of talks ranging from cetacean energetics and foraging behaviour, to the hybridization of cetaceans and acoustic monitoring for fin whales. From the "coolness" of Hawaiian monk seals to the fine scale data acquired from tags on the foraging behaviour of northern fur seals in the Bering Sea. The conflicts between marine mammals and fisheries were also covered. The meeting also allows for research groups at the DFO, BC Marine Mammal Sightings network and Cetus (a non-profit group that run both the Straitwatch boater education program and the Robson Bight Killer Whale Reserve warden program) to give updates on the summer season's work. These presentations allow the members of the audience to see firsthand how their own efforts are contributing to research, education and conversation of marine mammals both in BC and on occasion further afield.
This year there were a variety of talks ranging from cetacean energetics and foraging behaviour, to the hybridization of cetaceans and acoustic monitoring for fin whales. From the "coolness" of Hawaiian monk seals to the fine scale data acquired from tags on the foraging behaviour of northern fur seals in the Bering Sea. The conflicts between marine mammals and fisheries were also covered. The meeting also allows for research groups at the DFO, BC Marine Mammal Sightings network and Cetus (a non-profit group that run both the Straitwatch boater education program and the Robson Bight Killer Whale Reserve warden program) to give updates on the summer season's work. These presentations allow the members of the audience to see firsthand how their own efforts are contributing to research, education and conversation of marine mammals both in BC and on occasion further afield.
At this year's meeting the hot topic of the Enbridge Gateway Project was also presented with some opportunity for discussion. Biologist from Stantec, the environmental consulting company working on the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project, presented the work that they have carried out pertinent to marine mammals, and specifically what kind of mitigation measures Enbridge will put in place to try and reduce the impacts of shipping (particularly ship-strike risk) and the effects of an oil spill. This was a great forum with which to present this work as the project is particularly contentious and there are many concerns surrounding it.
Meetings such as this provide a great opportunity to meet, network, learn and discuss issues pertinent to the local marine mammal interest community. And last but not least, the friendly atmosphere provides a really good opportunity to practice your presentation skills!!
Meetings such as this provide a great opportunity to meet, network, learn and discuss issues pertinent to the local marine mammal interest community. And last but not least, the friendly atmosphere provides a really good opportunity to practice your presentation skills!!
Steller Sea Lions. www.marinemammal.org/MMRU2
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