MMRU is an integrated unit within the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries that works with other departments and institutions, combining specialties in a coordinated effort to provide independent research and advice on matters related to marine mammals.
The research program consists of four components:
FIELD STUDIES
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Field Studies
Contrasting declining populations of seals, sea lions and whales with healthy populations to save them from extinction.
CAPTIVE STUDIES
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Captive studies on marine mammals
to enable the development and testing of new techniques and technologies for studying marine mammals in the wild; and to provide information that field studies cannot, such as physiological data, nutritional requirements and how they use energy derived from food;
DEVELOPING NEW TECHNIQUES
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Developing new measurement techniques
Developing new ways
to process biological samples, analyze data, and collect data remotely from marine mammals.
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
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INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Drawing on experts from different fields of study to analyze historic data sets, construct mathematical models, and undertake novel laboratory analyses
Some specific questions being explored are:
- what are the abundance and population trends of marine mammals?
- what criteria can be used to determine population health?
- how much prey is consumed?
- what is the resource base and how is it affected by marine mammals?
- where do marine mammals occur and what determines their distribution and habitat needs?