An illustrated talk on “Porpoise Conservation — Small Cetaceans Facing Global Challenges”
There are only seven species of porpoise in the world’s oceans. Despite the nearshore habitat preference of most species, this group of marine mammals is largely overlooked by science and conservation. While there is little known of these elusive marine mammals, current knowledge indicates that almost half now have a Threatened or Endangered conservation status. Dr. Anna Hall is a local researcher and conservationist based in Metchosin who is working to change the public profiles, population trajectories and knowledge about the world’s porpoise species. She will present an overview of her global research collaborations, as well as her local work on the harbour and Dall’s porpoise of southern Vancouver Island. Dr. Hall will also present details on her new Eastern Caribbean collaboration that includes the first ever orca census and a new children’s ocean education program. Her research spans more than 25 years and she has uncovered some of the mysteries of the lives of the world’s smallest cetaceans that she will share in this presentation.
Dr. Anna Hall is a marine mammal zoologist and adjunct professor at Royal Roads University. She has lived in Metchosin since the early 1990’s and has been working on the research and conservation of porpoises for the past 25 years. She leads the Porpoise Conservation Society and is involved with research projects around the world. Her expertise is internationally recognised from her involvement in the conservation and recovery of the world’s most endangered marine mammal — the Vaquita —a warm water porpoise that is found only in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. She is also heading a new program on ocean health in the Eastern Caribbean that includes tropical dolphins, coral reefs and sustainable development.