Whales, dolphins and porpoises (‘cetaceans’) are widespread throughout the oceans. However, there is still much to be learnt about their distribution, occurrence, and ecology.

Cetaceans spend the majority of their lives beneath the surface and are wide-ranging animals. Studying them therefore requires a large collaborative effort and a combination of research techniques. For example, surveys from land, vessels and air; visual and acoustic monitoring; professional and citizen scientists.

I am currently involved in various cetacean research projects based in Europe, Australasia, and East Africa.

Collaborators:

Chris Burton – Western Whale Research

Dr Ben Drakeford – University of Portsmouth

Professor Christine Erbe – Curtin University

Jersey Government

Organisation Cetacea (ORCA)

Dr Jonathan Potts – University of Portsmouth

Angela Recalde – Curtin University

Nick Riddoch – NRG Marine Consultants

Dr Chandra Salgado Kent – Edith Cowan University

Dr Holly Smith – Department of Biodiversity and Conservation (Western Australia)

Dr Deb Thiele – Department of Biodiversity and Conservation (Western Australia)

Dr Kelly Waples – Department of Biodiversity and Conservation (Western Australia)