Frances C. Robertson
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    • Bowhead whale behaviour & seismic surveys
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Research Interests

I have always had a clear idea of what I wanted to do when I grew up.   I became determined quite young that I was going to be a marine biologist and study whales. This determination has been a useful trait, from finding interesting and unique field experiences to completing graduate school!

My research focuses on animal behaviour and how animals respond to human activities. I have studied the impacts of coastal and offshore industries on marine mammal populations in the Arctic, USA, Canada and Scotland.

Specific projects have included:
  • Marine mammal behavioral responses to tidal turbine sound
  • Historical indigenous whaling of Washington Coastal Tribes
  • Bowhead whale behavioural reactions to seismic survey operations
  • Minke whale foraging ecology
  • Polar bear reactions to icebreaker activity
  • Harbor porpoise interactions with fish farms
  • Impacts of vessel presence on Southern Resident killer whales
  • Impacts of vessel presence on Northern Resident killer whale usage of an ecological reserve
Curriculum Vitae
minke whale
Ellie 2008 (NOAA permit # 4481856)
bowhead whale
Links of interest

  • SMRU Consulting
  • Marine Mammal Research Unit, UBC
  • Society for Marine Mammalogy
  • European Cetacean Society
  • Bowhead whale satellite tracking project
  • North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management
  • Northeast Pacific Minke Whale Project
  • Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia
  • Biological Sciences, Aberdeen University
  • Sea Mammal Research Unit
  • Scottish Natural Heritage
  • RBMBER Warden Program
  • BC Parks - Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
  • Chelonia Ltd, Cetacean monitoring systems
Written content © 2018 Frances C. Robertson| San Juan Island WA
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