The Cetacean Conservation and Genomics Laboratory (CCGL) is committed to a greater understanding of the molecular ecology and systematics of whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world. Our work on large whales is pursuing three inter-related themes:

  • reconstructing the past,
  • assessing the present, and
  • conserving the future.

To improve our understanding of the impact of hunting on the abundance of whales and the ecological role of whales before human exploitation, we are working to improve population dynamic models by including genetic information on long-term effective population sizes before exploitation and minimum population size during exploitation.

To assess the current status of great whale populations, the CCGL is involved in three large-scale, collaborative studies: the Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpbacks (SPLASH) project in the North Pacific; the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium's assessment of the population structure and migratory interchange of humpback whales in the South Pacific; and a worldwide study of genetic diversity and population structure of sperm whales through collaboration with the Ocean Alliance.

To conserve the future of whales and dolphins, we have continued surveys of ‘whale-meat' markets in Japan and the Republic of (South) Korea. The work is part of a long-term study of trade in protected whales and dolphins using a portable PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) laboratory to identify the species origins of the products.

The CCGL contributes to policy on the conservation of cetaceans through participation in the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the Cetacean Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Virtual Visit: Cetacean Conservation and Genomics Lab

News and Events

DNA from discarded whale bones suggests loss of genetic diversity due to commercial whaling
OSU Newsroom: 10/02/2023

Angie Sremba and colleagues identified bones of humpback, blue, and fin whales near abandoned whaling stations on South Georgia Island. They found that while genetic diversity among the whales remains high, there are indications of a loss of maternal DNA lineages in the blue and humpback populations. The findings were published recently in the Journal of Heredity.

Good news for world’s rarest marine dolphin?
University of Auckland: 09/29/2023

Postdoctoral Scholar Keith Hernandez is first author on a new paper that indicates the median age of critically endangered Māui dolphins has shifted one year younger than previously measured. This was determined with a minimally invasive "epigenetic clock" that uses small skin samples of living animals.

Marine Mammal Reproduction Rests On A Precarious Tipping Point Of Ocean Resources
Daily Guardian: 03/08/2023

“Conceptually it makes sense that an individual would have to gain enough energy to survive and reproduce, but we were able to demonstrate how entwined these are and suggest when survival may be prioritized over reproduction,” said co-first author Keith Hernandez, who worked on the study as a postdoctoral scholar at UCSC and is now at Oregon State University.

Visiting professor to study dolphin-teeth jewelry
Otago Daily Times: 02/25/2023

Professor Scott Baker is spending his sabbatical in New Zealand researching the historical practice of making jewelry from the teeth of dolphins.

Study reveals influence of krill availability on humpback whale pregnancies
UC Santa Cruz: 01/23/2023

Debbie Steel and Scott Baker are co-authors on a new paper that describes how reduced krill supplies lead to fewer pregnancies in humpback whales.

OSU researcher revisits dead orca saga through genetic analysis
KLCC: 01/02/2023

Charles Nye, a graduate fellow with OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute, said he was able to examine some organic material from the crabbing gear line. Nye has determined that the dead orca was not [endangered Southern Resident killer whale] K44. 

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