ETP Cetacean Assessment Program Staff

Tim Gerrodette, Leader ETP Cetacean Assessment Program
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
8604 La Jolla Shores
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858-546-7131
FAX: (858)546-7003
e-mail: Tim.Gerrodette@noaa.gov

My main scientific interests are in the assessment, management and conservation of marine life. A central part of assessment is a well-designed monitoring program that is able to detect changes in abundance over time. There is often a great deal of uncertainty associated with such assessments, and an important task of wise management is to manage effectively and conservatively in the face of this uncertainty. The Precautionary Principle gives guidance about how to manage in the face of uncertainty.

Eric Archer
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
8604 La Jolla Shores Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858-546-7121
FAX: 858-546-7003
e-mail: Eric.Archer@noaa.gov

From my graduate work on morphometric and genetic variation in striped dolphins, I have developed an interest in the development and detection of population subdivision in small cetaceans. I am interested in developing new analytical tools for genetic data that will assist managers in the identification of marine mammal stocks. Currently, my research has been centered on a variety of studies designed to evaluate the affect of the ETP tuna purse-seine fishery on dolphin reproduction and early mortality. Some of the recent projects that I have been involved in are:

• Examinations of fishery data for evidence of mother-calf separation during purse-seine operations

• Examinations of fishery data for age- and/or sex-selectivity of the dolphin kill Modeling age/length curves for various dolphin stocks

• Modeling the weaning process of spotted dolphin calves with age

• A comparative study of the evasive behavior of various ETP dolphins

• Construction of a fishery effort index model using dolphin tracking and tagging data

On the off-hours, I enjoy teaching and practicing martial arts (Tang Soo Do), flying (watching it, thinking about it, reading about it, actually doing it, etc.), and being frustrated by my inherent lack of talent with a guitar.

Al Jackson
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
8604 La Jolla Shores
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858-546-5620
FAX: (858)546-7003
e-mail: al.jackson@noaa.gov

My primary responsibility is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of line-transect effort and sightings data used for marine mammal stock assessments. I also maintain the historical tuna-dolphin observer data in support of various fishery-related studies. I provide data editing services, maintain data verification software, produce data subsets and summary reports, and archive original data forms and field notes. I began working at the SWFSC in 1982 after making four trips as a tuna-dolphin observer. Before that I served two years in Belize as a Peace Corps Volunteer compiling lobster, conch and reef fish catch and effort data. My hobby is growing subtropical fruit, but most of my time at home is spent being a husband, father and cook (not necessarily in that order).