Marine Conservation Ecology Lab

Dr. Jeremy Kiszka

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Our lab investigates the ecology, behavior and conservation issues of charismatic marine megafauna. We focus our research on investigating how ocean ecosystems affect the ecology and behavior of marine mammals and other marine vertebrates and how these large and long-lived species can influence community and ecosystem dynamics. In addition, we assess how long-term and acute anthropogenic impacts affect populations, and we develop solutions to mitigate these impacts in a cost-effective way. The Marine Conservation Ecology lab welcomes students interested in developing new ideas, and empowers creative minds to make waves in ocean conservation.

We study marine megafauna worldwide from subpolar to tropical waters

The Marine Conservation Ecology Laboratory was created in 2019 by Dr. Jeremy Kiszka, Assistant Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences of FIU. The lab is also part of the Institute of Environment.

“Addressing conservation issues of marine mammals and other endangered marine species has never been as challenging as today; however, I believe we can make a difference.”

Dr. Jeremy KiszkaPrincipal Investigator
Madagascar
Gulf of Mexico
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Pakistan
Biscayne Bay
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Mayotte
Seychelles

Marine megafauna faces major conservation challenges globally due to bycatch, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change

Marine mammals and other megafauna are highly charismatic species. They feed at a variety of trophic levels, occur from coastal to open-ocean ecosystems, and are found across virtually all latitudes. Due to their high historical – and sometimes present-day – abundances, capability for large-scale movements and highly variable metabolic rates, they have the potential to affect the structure and function of ecosystems through a variety of mechanisms over both ecological and evolutionary time.

Behavioral ecology of whales and dolphins

Global

Ecology, behavior and conservation of whale sharks in Madagascar

Nosy Be Island

Ecology and conservation of reef manta rays in Mayotte

Mozambique Channel

Ecology of blue whales and other cetaceans in the Seychelles

Seychelles

Trophic interactions and behavior of Rice’s whales and other cetaceans

Gulf of Mexico

Addressing and mitigating marine megafauna bycatch

Global

Conflicts between marine mammals and fisheries in the northwest Atlantic

Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, France

Impact of environmental changes on coastal dolphins

Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida

Developing new behavioral tags for small cetaceans

Florida and Western Indian Ocean

Ecology and conservation of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in northwestern Madagascar

Nosy Be Island

Ecological roles and importance of marine mammals in aquatic ecosystems

Global

Artisanal and aboriginal whaling in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean Sea