Alaska Marine Mammal and Seabird Research Plan Scenario: In the scenario for your Course Project, you have been hired as a research associate for a small non-profit company called Fins and Feathers Research Unit (FFRU). Your team is focused on studying the ecology and promoting the conservation of large marine vertebrates. Your director has just received an interesting opportunity! A global energy company, Blue Power Renewables (BPR), based in the US is hoping to build coupled tidal and wind turbines in Anchorage, Alaska, a region of the world known for incredible tidal force. Each project will have both an underwater and above water component. As the technology is still new, BPR needs to formulate impact statement for each site and are offering financial support for research projects. They are most concerned about marine mammals and seabirds that may migrate or reside at the proposed construction sites. An open bid was posted for organizations to submit proposals in competition for this funding. The successful organizations would receive up to five years of financial support (2 years of initial data collection/consulting and 3 years of subsequent monitoring after construction). Your director has asked you to represent FFRU and prepare bid for one of the proposed construction sites. After sending in a preliminary proposal, FFRU heard they have been selected as a finalist and chosen to prepare formal oral presentation for the board of the BPR. Assignment: An outline of your species-specific research plans to survey abundance and behavior within the region post-installation of energy turbines.
Alaskan Marine Mammal Species
1. Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
2. Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
3. Ribbon Seal (Phoca fasciata)
4. Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
5. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)
Alaskan Seabird Species
1. Horned Puffin (Fratercula Corniculata)
2. Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)
3. Common Murres (Uria aalge)
4. Red-Faced Cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile)
5. Aleutian Tern (Onychoprion aleuticus)
What are species-specific modern research techniques for EACH of the species above?
