Scientific Technician: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
2014-Present
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| ROV on the back of the RV Molluscan. Photo taken by Taylor Frierson. |
Distribution and abundance of Puget Sound Groundfish
Under the direction of Dayv Lowry, and Robert Pacunski, my position at WDFW examines habitat usage of ESA-listed rockfish in the Puget Sound. In an attempt to establish critical habitat, WDFW's marine fish team has been ground-truthing Puget Sound rockfish habitat for the past two years, in a partnership with NOAA. I have had the opportunity to participate in this project by collecting the video utilizing a small ROV to survey habitat throughout the Puget Sound for the presence of rockfish and other pacific groundfish species. In addition, I perform video review for detection of rockfish and other commercially important groundfish species. Employing non-invasive video tactics allow for population estimates of groundfish species without negatively impacting sensitive species.
Recent Publications:
Pacunski, R. E., W. A. Palsson, and H. Gary Greene. 2013. Estimating fish abundance and community composition on rocky habitats in the San Juan Islands using a small remotely operated vehicle.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Program-Fish Management Division.
Recent Publications:
Pacunski, R. E., W. A. Palsson, and H. Gary Greene. 2013. Estimating fish abundance and community composition on rocky habitats in the San Juan Islands using a small remotely operated vehicle.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Program-Fish Management Division.
Research Technician: Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington:
2012-2013
Causes of Decline among Southern Resident Killer Whales
Dr. Samuel Wasser and his lab use revolutionary, non-invasive physiological measures to address conservation issues worldwide. In the San Juan Islands, the Wasser lab uses scat to address the three primary hypotheses for population decline in southern resident killer whales; 1) decline in Chinook Salmon, 2) disturbance from vessels and 3) exposure to high toxicants stored in whale fat. Scat can provide a multitude of physiological indicators, including hormones for stress and nutrient deficiency, reproductive status, toxin load and individual identification.
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| Collecting fecal. NMFS permit 10045 |
Here in the Salish Sea, I worked as part of a team that collects southern resident scat samples. The project utilizes conservation canines to locate the scat on the water using their sense of smell. If you would like to see the conservation canines in action, visit this New York Times article, detailing our research. My primary role on the boat was to take data, collect the scat samples and process the samples for lab analysis. Working on the water with the conservation canines is a rewarding experience, and contributing to the research concerning killer whale decline is incredible.
Recent Publications:
Ayres, Katherine L., Rebecca K. Booth, Jennifer A. Hempelmann, Kari L. Koski, Candice K. Emmons, Robin W. Baird, Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, M. Bradley Hanson, Michael J. Ford, Samuel K. Wasser. 2012. Distinguishing the Impacts of Inadequate Prey and Vessel Traffic on an Endangered Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Population. PLoS ONE 7(6): e36842.
Effects of shipping vessel noise on southern resident killer whale stress levels.
Ambient noise in the ocean has increased dramatically since the 1950's, much of which can be contributed to anthropogenic sources, including the presence of freight-carrying shipping vessels. The Salish Sea is an epicenter for many shipping activities, with estimates of 20 shipping vessels traveling through Haro Strait every 24 hours (Veirs, 2005). The Salish Sea is also designated critical habitat for the endangered southern resident killer whales (SRKW). SRKW utilize sound for a variety of purposes, including communication, foraging and social cohesion when traveling, which can be masked by low frequency sound produced by shipping vessels. This research attempts to determine if shipping level noise has a negative effect on SRKW stress levels.
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| SRKW traveling in front of Landbank on SJI with shipping vessel in background. |
To determine the role of shipping vessels on SRKW stress levels, AIS data of shipping vessels paths and speed are being used to construct a vessel noise model (AIS data courtesy of MarineTraffic). SRKW fecal is tested for levels of fecal stress hormone, glucocorticoids correlated with noise levels of passing vessels, to determine if shipping vessels impact SRKW stress levels. In light of these findings, restrictions on shipping vessel traffic in the Salish Sea may need revision when considering critical acoustical habitat for an endangered species.
Impacts of Oil Exploration in Alberta
Dr. Samuel Wasser and his team began researching the impacts of oil exploration on endangered caribou in Alberta in 2007. Graduate student, Jessica Lundin is investigating the presence of toxins from oil excavation in animals around the oil drilling sites. Starting in January 2013, I began processing the fecal samples from wolf, caribou and moose using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon analysis, to aid in the investigation of this process.
Cascadia Research Collective
2013
At Cascadia Research Collective, I had the opportunity to learn more about research concerning marine mammal populations in the Salish Sea and beyond. My primary responsibilities included identifying humpback whales using individual fluke patterns and identifying gray whales using dorsal patterns. In addition, I collaborated with whale watch operators to take photographs for gray whale identification. Working with a dynamic group of researchers on a variety of projects gave me insight in methodologies in marine mammal research and confirmed that non-invasive sampling methodologies is a area of research I am committed to pursing.
West Coast Groundfish Observer: Alaskan Observers INC.
2011
As a West Coast Groundish Observer, I worked as an independent field biologist on fishing vessels off of the coast of Washington and Oregon. My primary responsibilities included monitoring and recording catch data on trawlers and processors, including quantifying retained and discarded catch, as well as taking biological samples. Biological samples included lengths, weight and otolith of fin-fish, sightings of marine mammals and birds, and sea lion mortality samples. Living on a fishing boat gave me unique experiences working collaboratively in small groups, and the ability to witness first-hand the impacts of fisheries management.
Pictures of my adventures at sea can be found on my gallery page and my experiences as an observer here.
Lab Assistant: International Program for Salmon Ecological Genetics at the University of Washington.
I maintained a database of genetic steelhead samples and sampled 4,500 fish fin clips for genetic analysis. Using the samples, researchers determined a series of SNPS to establish population markers of rainbow trout and steelhead.
Hansen, M. H. H., S. Young, H. Jorgensen, C. E. Pascal, M. Henryon, and J. E. Seeb. 2011. Assembling a dual purpose TaqMan based panel of single nucleotide polymorphism markers in rainbow trout and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for association mapping and population genetics analysis. Molecular Ecology Resources 11(Suppl. 1), 67-70.
Intern: Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA): Effects of Derelict Gear on Marine Fauna
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| A double-crested cormorant attached to crab fishing gear. |
Under the direction of Tom Good, I utilized lab and field techniques to determine the effects of derelict gear on marine fauna. In the wet-lab, three seabird carcasses were attached to crab fishing gear and placed in tanks with various predators, including cancer crab, dungeness crab and sun stars, and monitored the rate of decay given different scavenging taxa. In the field, two seabird carcasses were sunk beneath the Seattle Aquarium and video monitored for the scavengers that interacted with the carcasses as well as the rate of decay.
In addition, I summarized Puget Sound commercial fishing locations to determine likely areas of high derelict gear incidences and a literature review of international entanglement incidents.
I worked closely with the Northwest Straits derelict fishing gear removal program, there are some fantastic pictures on their site of entanglement incidents.
There have also been a few published papers on the effects of derelict gear in Puget Sound including;
Intern: Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA): Effects of marine derived nutrients on salmon-bearing streams in Idaho.
Program information
Scheuerell, M. D., P. S. Levin, et al. (2005). "A new perspective on the importance of marine-derived nutrients to threatened stocks of Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.)." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62(5): 961-964.
Class: Salmon Management Intensive Course
As an undergraduate, I took a graduate-level course in sockeye salmon management in Dillingham Alaska. The course focused on the quantitative methods used in Alaska for estimation of abundance, run forecasting and harvest strategies. Each student was given a fishing district and attempted to estimate the total return as the run developed, using available field data. My region was the Naknek-Kvichak region and our estimates were right on target!
Class: Salmon Management Intensive Course
As an undergraduate, I took a graduate-level course in sockeye salmon management in Dillingham Alaska. The course focused on the quantitative methods used in Alaska for estimation of abundance, run forecasting and harvest strategies. Each student was given a fishing district and attempted to estimate the total return as the run developed, using available field data. My region was the Naknek-Kvichak region and our estimates were right on target!Volunteer: Geoduck Research: University of Washington
As an undergraduate, I occasionally volunteered on a geoduck monitoring project. The program researches the effect of geoduck aquaculture on intertidal areas. I collected core samples in control and experimental areas, as well as documenting fish presence.