PROFILE: The Global Ocean Modelling Research Unit finds novel ways to use modelling to solve oceans, fisheries and social problems
GOM took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, moving online, and connecting with researchers from 29 countries.
Blue herons identified as a significant juvenile salmon predator
Looking for predators that ate salmon, an Indigenous biologist suggested looking at heron. Discarded tags proved Pacific great blue herons could be scooping up as many as 3-6% of all juvenile salmon.
Orca Quest 2020: In Search of Killer Whales
In August 2020, Marine Mammal Research Unit (MMRU) researchers set sail to determine whether there are enough chinook salmon to support southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea.
Feast and famine for juvenile salmon as they navigate BC’s complex coastal waters
Zooplankton communities are profoundly shaped by BC’s complicated coastlines, creating a mosaic of foraging conditions for the juvenile salmon that depend on them for sustenance.
STUDENT PROFILE: Samantha Ramirez
I’m creating a model that will predict the hypoxic conditions of freshwater streams years from now. This will help governmental organizations know where to focus their conservation efforts in terms of which streams are going to be the most impacted by our changing environment, said Ramirez.
What’s Killing Killer Whales?
Despite there being no singular common cause of death, the study found a common theme: Human-caused deaths occurred in every age class — from juveniles to subadults and adults.
SPOTLIGHT: Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Lab carries on with research despite COVID-19 setbacks
“It just means we have to be creative to keep research going,” said David Rosen, assistant professor and principal investigator
In Memoriam: Arthur (Art) Tautz
The UBC alumnus was a leader in British Columbia’s provincial fisheries agencies, adjunct professor in the IOF and its predecessor units. He will be greatly missed.
New footage gives whale’s-eye view of northern and southern resident orcas
UBC and Hakai Institute researchers have just returned from a 30-day research trip in the northern and southern waters of Vancouver Island, where they gathered stunning new aerial and underwater footage of northern and southern resident killer whales that offers an unparalleled glimpse into the underwater lives of these whales. The research is part of […]
Mourning the passing of Ronald (Bud) Sparrow
Ronald Sparrow was the defendant in a Supreme Court of Canada precedent, which expressly recognized aboriginal fishing rights.