Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research
| Technical Representative | Administrative Representative |
|---|---|
| Gregory S. Schorr President Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research 2468 Camp McKenzie Trail NW Seabeck, WA 98380 206-931-4638 gschorr@marecotel.org www.marecotel.org |
Gregory S. Schorr President Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research 2468 Camp McKenzie Trail NW Seabeck, WA 98380 206-931-4638 gschorr@marecotel.org www.marecotel.org |
Mission
MarEcoTel’s mission is to support the conservation of marine species and populations by conducting scientific research into their biology, behavior, and physiology, with data outputs designed for use by managers and stakeholders. We also promote the development, improvement, and use of technologies that support our research. MarEcoTel’s overarching goal is to improve public knowledge and awareness of these species and the ways that human activities affect them.
Incorporated in January of 2016, the lead researchers bring decades of relevant experience to the organization. Currently, MarEcoTel is comprised of nine researchers and research associates, and our organization is in the process of growing. Brief descriptions of the key personnel are included here; projects and techniques, and additional information can be found at our website (www.marecotel.org).
About
In support of our research projects, MarEcoTel owns two customized Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), a truck, and all basic equipment necessary for conducting our research. We hold a NMFS issued research permit for work on cetaceans throughout much of the Pacific Ocean.
Our organization has current awards from three divisions within the US Navy (US Pacific Fleet via a contract through the CA-CESU program, the Living Marine Resources program, and the Office of Naval Research), as well as awards from NOAA (Northwest Fisheries Science Center and Alaska Fisheries Science Center, the International Whaling Commission, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources. We collaborate closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service offices in each region where we work and including ongoing collaborations with scientist from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Alaska Fisheries Science Center. All of these contracts support scientific research designed to be used by federal agencies in the management and assessment of cetaceans.
Staff
Greg Schorr has over 20 years of experience working with a wide range of marine mammals, from harbor porpoise to blue whales. He works primarily from small boats in close proximity to animals and has focused heavily on cetacean tag development and deployment. He has deployed a wide variety of tag types on both free-ranging and captive animals of 17 different species, including suction cup attached tags, remotely deployed satellite tags, and pin-on tags used for live capture or rehab/release projects. Since 2006, Greg has been a PI or co-PI on beaked whale and fin whale research within the Southern California Bight, and has been part of prey studies with killer whales since 2004. As a project manager and lead PI, he has managed numerous federally funded multi-year projects with collaborators from the federal government, academic institutions, and nonprofit research organizations.
Erin Falcone has more than 23 years of experience in cetacean field research and is a photo-ID specialist with high proficiency in most cetacean data collection methods, including telemetry. Since 1995, she has participated in or lead numerous photo-ID and behavioral studies of humpback, blue, gray, fin, and Cuvier’s beaked whales, and was the data manager for the multinational SPLASH North Pacific Humpback Whale population assessment. Since 2006, she has co-led marine mammal studies at the Southern California Offshore Range.
Brenda Rone has 18 years of experience conducting marine mammal research including team/project management off the US east coast and west coast, Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, and Middle East using small boats, large vessels, and fixed-winged aircraft. She is now entering her fourth year working with MarEcoTel and California has been her primary region of focus during this time. She has worked with 57 species of marine mammals including the endangered North Pacific and North Atlantic right whales and vaquita. Her research background includes line-transect, acoustic, photo-ID, biopsy, tagging, and permits with research focus on anthropogenic impacts, management, and conservation
Alex Zerbini has over 26 years conducting photo-ID and biopsy sampling on humpback whales, right whales, and small cetaceans from small boat and large vessel operations. He also has over 15 years of experience in the development and deployment of telemetry devices (dart and implantable satellite tags) using remote methods on baleen and sperm whales. In addition, Dr. Zerbini is proficient at boat driving, photography, photo post-processing, data collection, data processing, and advanced analytical and modeling techniques. Dr. Zerbini currently serves as the vice-chair on the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission.
Russ Andrews has 25 years of experience conducting scientific investigations of pinnipeds, cetaceans, seabirds, and sea turtles. His research has involved behavioral observations, capture, restraint & immobilization, use of local anesthetics and gas anesthesia, blood & tissue sampling, intramuscular and intravenous injections, arterial catheterization, surgical implantation of biotelemetry devices, and design and use of biotelemetry instruments.