Ecosystem Studies Program Staff

Program Leader - Vacant

Elizabeth Edwards, Ph.D.
Research Fishery Biologist
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-546-7099
Fax: 858-546-7003

I have been studying various aspects of the tuna-dolphin problem in the eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) since coming to the SWFSC as a National Research Council Post-Doctoral Associate in 1983, directly after receiving my Ph.D. in Ecosystems Analysis from the Institute of Ecology at the University of Georgia. During my tenure here I have had the opportunity to investigate tuna and dolphin energetics, dolphin heat flux, fishery mortality estimation, various research vessel and tuna-vessel observer data conundrums, fishery modeling, fishery statistics, dolphin biometry, dolphin capture rates, methods of capturing tuna without involving dolphins, and dolphin abundance estimation. My current interests have reconvened with my original interests, and I am now privileged to be looking once again at the tuna-dolphin problem from the perspective of Conservation Physiology, currently in relation to physiological factors influencing separation of mothers and calves due to fishing activities.

Paul C. Fiedler, Ph.D.
Oceanographer
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-546-7016
Fax: 858-546-7003

I study biological and physical oceanography of the open ocean regions in which we monitor dolphin and whale stocks. Data collected from our survey ships, other ships, and satellites are analyzed to study spatial and temporal patterns of variability of temperature, salinity, mixed layer and thermocline depths, primary production, and zooplankton and micronekton abundance. These patterns can be related to distributions of stocks and to interannual and longer term changes in estimated abundance.
Selected Publications

Candice Hall
Oceanographer
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-334-2843
Fax: 858-546-7003

I am part of a team that investigates the biological and physical oceanography parameters of regions in which PRD has an interest in marine mammal abundance and distribution. My portfolio includes work on the collection and analysis of in situ data used to determine spatial and temporal patterns of thermohaline variability, primary production, zooplankton and micronekton abundance. Due to our diverse survey regions we are an ideal platform for ancillary projects, such as: atmospheric vs. oceanic CO2 fluxes, particulate organic matter concentrations, and the deployment of ARGO profiling floats. Of particular interest to me is the global and local circulation pattern of our ocean and its effect on the ecosystem.

Thomas J. (T.J.) Moore
Data Manager
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-546-7088
Fax: 858-546-7003

My interests include GIS (geographic information systems), cartography/geovisualization, data management/analysis, metadata, decision support, information design, and the Web.

Robert (Bob) L. Pitman
Marine Ecologist
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-546-7092
Fax: 858-546-7003

I have been studying seabirds and cetaceans since 1976, and marine turtles and flyingfish since 1986. My interests include biogeography, foraging ecology, evolutionary biology, and general ecology. I spend between 6 and 8 months each year in the field, mostly at sea in pelagic ecosystems, on research vessels of all kinds. These have taken me to the tropical Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans, Antarctic waters, and the Bering Sea. I may just have the best job in the world.
Selected Publications

Jessica V. Redfern, Ph.D.
Quantitative Ecologist
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-546-7117
Fax: 858-546-7003

My research addresses questions about the factors influencing cetacean distributions in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Of particular importance is the relationship between cetacean distributions and prey variables, such as fish and squid. Additionally, oceanographic variables, such as temperature, salinity, thermocline depth, and chlorophyll concentration, affect cetacean distributions. I explore the influence of these factors on cetacean distributions using multivariate statistical models. I am also the leader of our oceanographic and acoustic backscatter teams, so I facilitate the collection, processing, and management of these data.
Selected Publications

Ignacio Vilchis
Marine Ecologist
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-534-4235
Fax: 858-546-7003

My research addresses questions that deal with ecosystem response to large-scale climate variability in the eastern Pacific (e.g. El Niño Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation). I am particularly interested in the community response of oceanic systems, and the mechanisms by which a perturbation may propagate through an ecosystem's trophic structure. I have a Master's degree in marine science from the Catholic University of Chile, and am currently working towards a Ph.D. at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. My dissertation research focuses on assessment of changes in trophic and community structure of fish and seabird communities within the eastern tropical Pacific in conjunction with the 1976/77 climate regime shift of the north Pacific.
Selected Publications

Liz Zele
Marine Ecologist
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Phone: 858-546-5625
Fax: 858-546-7003

I have been fortunate enough to have worked at Southwest Fisheries since 2003, and the fortune continues with my new involvement in the Ecosystem Studies Program. In my time here, I have been involved in visual observing and photography (SPLASH project), acoustics, and recently, acoustic backscatter and oceanography. I thoroughly enjoy being part of such an esteemed organization, and am specifically interested in the use of passive and active acoustics.