Sex, Survival & Variety: Marine Biologists reveal the private lives of whales, seals & squid

To celebrate 1998 International Year of the Ocean, three of Australia’s most adventurous biologists presented an insight into the amazing private world of sea creatures and explore current issues in marine conservation. With the aid of stunning photography and personal stories the presenters demonstrated the importance of the ocean to humans and to the great variety of life forms it supports.

Speakers
Dr Sally Troy
Sally has studied Fur Seals in Australia, Alaska and California. Her talk will give an insight into the life of these appealing mammals based on her close observation of the habits of pups, cows and bulls. While they have recovered from decimation and hunting earlier this century, they are facing other challenges today. Can we predict and protect their future?

Dr Mark Norman
Mark’s work with octopuses has included observing and describing several new species. His presentation describes some of the amazing octopuses, squids, cuttlefish and their relatives recently discovered in Australian waters. The cast will include pygmies, arm-droppers, sand swimmers, spindly giant octopuses, giant squids and pyjama squids! There is still a lot to learn about these alien and fascinating creatures and how their unique diversity can be conserved.

Micheline Jenner, MSc
Micheline has been doing research on whales for ten years including work on humpback whales in Hawaii, killer whales in the San Juan Islands, Washington State and humpback whales in Western Australia. Her close encounters with humpback whales during research in the Dampier Archipelago and more recently sailing through the rugged, remote Kimberley has given insight into how biodiversity is important to the survival of whales.