Thursday, 4:30–5:30 pm
28 January 2010
School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
102 Fishery Sciences (auditorium)
1122 NE Boat Street (map)
University of Washington
Reception follows each talk
Andrew Trites
Professor and Director, Marine Mammal Research Unit, University of British Columbia
Steller sea lions and groundfish fisheries in Alaska: Can the two co-exist
Abstract
Steller sea lions declined by over 80% since the late 1970s as commercial fisheries developed in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. A combination of field, captive and laboratory analyses undertaken over the past decade have assessed whether the declines of sea lions were related to fisheries, predation by killer whales or ocean climate change. Results suggest that the North Pacific ecosystem has experienced a major re-organization that was driven by natural rather than human induced changes. These changes appear to have benefited groundfish fisheries, but have been detrimental to Steller sea lions. Archaeological and anecdotal data further suggest such changes have occurred in the past, and that reversals of fortunes will occur again in the future. The key to recovery and the long-term co-existence between sea lions and fisheries likely depends upon the ability of small populations of fish and mammals to withstand predation, catastrophes, and the unintended consequences of human actions.
Bio
Dr. Andrew Trites is a Professor at the University of British Columbia where he is Director of the UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit (www.fisheries.ubc.ca) and Research Director of the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium (www.marinemammal.org). Dr. Trites has been studying marine mammals in the North Pacific for over 25 years. His research involves captive studies, field studies and simulation models that range from single species to ecosystems. His research program is designed to further the conservation and understanding of marine mammals, and resolve conflicts between people and marine mammals. The training of students, and the collaboration between researchers specializing in other disciplines (such as nutrition, ecology, physiology and oceanography) is central to the success of his research program.
Videos
Readings
- Trites, AW, CP Donnelly. 2009. The decline of Steller sea lions Eumetopias jubatus in Alaska: a review of the nutritional stress hypothesis. Mamm. Rev. 33(1):3-28.
- Trites, AW, VB Deecke, EJ Gregr, JKB Ford, PF Olesiuk. 2006. Killer whales, whaling, and sequential megafaunal collapse in the North Pacific: a comparative analysis of the dynamics of marine mammals in Alaska and British Columbia following commercial whaling. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 23(4):751-765.