Andrew Trites

Professor Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries Department of Zoology Director, Marine Mammal Research Unit

Contact Information

Email: a.trites@oceans.ubc.ca
Office phone: 604-822-8182
Location: Rm. 246, Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory (AERL) Building, 2202 Main Mall, UBC
Website: Marine Mammal Research Unit; North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium

Research Unit

Marine Mammal Research Unit

Research Interests

Dr Trites oversees the Marine Mammal Research Unit and a research program that involves captive and field studies of seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins.

His research is primarily focussed on pinnipeds (Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, and harbor seals) and involves captive studies, field studies and simulation models that range from single species to whole ecosystems. His research spans the fields of ecology, nutrition, physiology, and animal behaviour—and is designed to further the conservation of marine mammals. It is also designed to further the conservation and understanding of marine mammals, and resolve conflicts between people and marine mammals. The research program includes researchers, students, technicians, and support staff. 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.

• biology of marine mammals
• population dynamics
• bioenergetics
• fisheries
• data analysis

Publications

Refereed publications

Related stories:

We present “Ocean Idioms” to teach you about our oceans

In honour of World Ocean Day, we present OCEAN IDIOMS!

Questions about whales, seals, sea lions, or other marine mammals? Dr. Andrew Trites is your ‘go-to’ guy.

Dr. Andrew Trites has won UBC’s President’s Award for Public Education through Media.

Faculty members receive King Charles III Commemoration Medals

Dr. Rashid Sumaila and Dr. Andrew Trites received King Charles III Commemoration Medals.

The long road to recovery: consequences of harassment of Guadalupe fur seals pups

Breeding activity at the second breeding site in the San Benito archipelago inspired hope for the species' recovery, but researchers were shocked by the disturbing behaviour they observed from immature males, which may jeopardize this progress.

Drawing maps of Greater Caribbean manatee habitats in South America; a huge step forward in conservation and rehabilitation

The West Indian manatees that inhabit South America is classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN due to threats like habitat loss, boat collisions, and climate change. Their survival depends on active conservation efforts to protect their habitats and reduce human impacts.

Killer whales breathe just once between dives, study confirms

A new study has confirmed a long-held assumption: that orcas take just one breath between dives.

Entanglements of humpback whales in fish farms rare – and naivety could be to blame

Researchers at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries conducted the first study of humpback whale entanglements in B.C. aquaculture facilities.

Shark-bitten orcas in the Northeastern Pacific could be a new population of killer whale

UBC researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in the open ocean off California and Oregon could be a new population.

Illustrated catalogue with local artwork showcases the Transient Killer Whales of Central and Northern California and Oregon – the ‘wolves of the sea’

Science is not just for scientists. Citizen science has been instrumental in helping us understand more about the elusive, but majestic, transient killer whales.

Teenage orcas could be roughhousing with boats off the coast of Spain

Killer whales are in the news for sinking boats off the coast of Spain.