Seabird and marine mammal population assessment techniques

Knowledge of population size is essential for the management of animal populations. Significant biological, ecological and legislative imperatives exist requiring research into long term trends and current abundance and distribution of marine mammal and seabird populations. This module will introduce learners to the practical and theoretical aspects of visual survey techniques utilised to inform conservation policies and action plans and to support reporting and other legislative requirements

Distance sampling for marine mammal survey

Techniques for surveying seabirds at sea

Mark recapture techniques for population assessment

Species Identification

Survey design, analysis and reporting
Emergent technologies for population assessment
Initial competences