Presentation Abstract
Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are one of the most common cetaceans in the Salish Sea. However little is known about this species’ regional and fine-scale habitat use patterns. Photo-identification (photo-ID) is a key tool that has long been used with other cetacean species in the Salish Sea (e.g. Orcinus orca) to understand ecological parameters including site fidelity, habitat use, ranging patterns, and group dynamics. This technique had not previously been applied to Salish Sea harbor porpoise research until 2014 when Pacific Mammal Research (PacMam) initiated a long-term photo-ID study of harbor porpoises off Fidalgo Island, WA. This demonstrated the viability of photo-ID for harbor porpoises within a geographically limited scale. However, to fully understand the larger-scale ranging patterns of the harbor porpoise in the larger Salish Sea region, collaborations between researchers are required. PacMam has partnered with the Porpoise Conservation Society (PCS) to integrate photo-ID into an existing PCS habitat use research program in British Columbia, Canada. The objectives of the collaborative research program are to: 1) expand PacMam’s photo-ID protocol to a second study site in the Salish Sea; 2) test the protocol for applicability between sites; 3) develop a regional protocol for use throughout the global distribution of harbor porpoise; and 4) integrate sightings and photographic data into a regional platform for use throughout the Salish Sea. The results will provide greater insight into the daily lives of individuals and their regional movements thereby providing ecological insight for this complex and difficult to study species at varying spatiotemporal scales. This is vital for harbor porpoise conservation, particularly in the Salish Sea where anthropogenic effects are concentrated. Our partnership will provide valuable information on Salish Sea harbor porpoises, a regional protocol for use by others around the world, and a database open to contributions from around the Salish Sea.
Session Title
Posters: Transboundary Management & Policy
Keywords
Phocoena phocoena, Transboundary
Conference Track
SSE18: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE18-122
Start Date
5-4-2018 11:30 AM
End Date
5-4-2018 1:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Harbor porpoise--Habitat--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Animals--Photographic identification--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Developing a regional protocol for photo-ID of harbor porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, in the Salish Sea through transboundary collaboration
Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are one of the most common cetaceans in the Salish Sea. However little is known about this species’ regional and fine-scale habitat use patterns. Photo-identification (photo-ID) is a key tool that has long been used with other cetacean species in the Salish Sea (e.g. Orcinus orca) to understand ecological parameters including site fidelity, habitat use, ranging patterns, and group dynamics. This technique had not previously been applied to Salish Sea harbor porpoise research until 2014 when Pacific Mammal Research (PacMam) initiated a long-term photo-ID study of harbor porpoises off Fidalgo Island, WA. This demonstrated the viability of photo-ID for harbor porpoises within a geographically limited scale. However, to fully understand the larger-scale ranging patterns of the harbor porpoise in the larger Salish Sea region, collaborations between researchers are required. PacMam has partnered with the Porpoise Conservation Society (PCS) to integrate photo-ID into an existing PCS habitat use research program in British Columbia, Canada. The objectives of the collaborative research program are to: 1) expand PacMam’s photo-ID protocol to a second study site in the Salish Sea; 2) test the protocol for applicability between sites; 3) develop a regional protocol for use throughout the global distribution of harbor porpoise; and 4) integrate sightings and photographic data into a regional platform for use throughout the Salish Sea. The results will provide greater insight into the daily lives of individuals and their regional movements thereby providing ecological insight for this complex and difficult to study species at varying spatiotemporal scales. This is vital for harbor porpoise conservation, particularly in the Salish Sea where anthropogenic effects are concentrated. Our partnership will provide valuable information on Salish Sea harbor porpoises, a regional protocol for use by others around the world, and a database open to contributions from around the Salish Sea.
