Pacific Mammal Research (PacMam) was created in October 2014 by Dr. Cindy Elliser. PacMam is a 501c3 non-profit organization and is dedicated to understanding more about marine mammal populations in the Salish Sea and the Pacific Ocean and passing on that knowledge through scientific publications and education. The primary study area is Burrows Pass (between Burrows and Fidalgo Islands) and the su
rrounding waters of the Salish Sea. The initial research focus of PacMam is using photo-identification (photo-ID) techniques to identify and track individual harbor porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, over time. A feasibility study conducted with the Harbor Porpoise Project (under the Pacific Biodiversity Institute) determined that features such as pigmentation, scars, and dorsal fin markings could be used to positively identify individuals. Dr. Elliser is also working with other organizations to collect photographs from other areas to create a regional photo-ID database for the harbor porpoise. Little is know about the harbor porpoise population in the Salish Sea and this study will provide novel and valuable information, as photo-ID of this species is rarely attempted. Dr. Elliser plans to expand the photo-ID coverage to include harbor seals, which can be identified by the spots on their pelage, around the head and neck. Harbor seals are plentiful in the study area, have local haul outs, share the waters with harbor porpoises and are often seen in Burrows Pass together especially during feeding. Few studies have focused on photo-ID of pinnipeds, especially in this area, and this will provide novel and valuable information on this species as well. PacMam will correlate photo-ID and environmental data to learn more about the populations of harbor porpoises and harbor seals in the Salish Sea, providing critical information to the scientific community and public alike. Future work may incorporate other species and topics, stay tuned!
