While Sarah Fortune lived on Quadra Island, a remote British Columbia outpost with little cell service and intermittent internet, she was one of the lucky ones whose call went through.
It was a phone conversation that would change the trajectory of his career and send him flying to the other side of Canada. She had been chosen as the recipient of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) Chair in Great Whale Conservation, a partnership between CWF and Dalhousie University.
“To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement,” says Dr. Fortune, who completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the impacts of climate change on bowhead whales in the eastern Canadian Arctic (at due to COVID, she worked remotely on the project in British Columbia). “My fascination with the marine environment and scientific research began on the east coast and it feels right to begin this next, most exciting chapter near where it all began over a decade ago. “
Dr. Fortune, who began her new position as Director only a few weeks ago, is excited to be an integral part of Dalhousie’s Department of Oceanography.
“The scale of cutting-edge research is truly impressive, and I look forward to bringing great whales into the already innovative mix of ocean research at Dal,” she says. “I see the future impact this research can have, and I’m optimistic that this new role can fill my part of the puzzle.
Ms. Fortune’s fascination with marine ecology began during her undergraduate studies at Queen’s University in Ontario. She then completed an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, the latter including a stay as a visiting student at the University of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts.
Where oceanography, ecology and physiology meet
CWF’s marine program has focused on the conservation of great whales in Atlantic Canada for over a decade. Throughout this time, Dalhousie has been an important partner in this work through the academic research conducted by our faculty and by providing workspace, support, and many qualified students to the CWF program.
“This newly announced chair position will allow for increased support for research on large whale movements and distribution, habitat associations, and human-induced mitigation options needed to inform conservation action,” said said Charles Macdonald, Dean of the Faculty of Science. “We know that Dr. Fortune’s research background, experience at sea and unique expertise in whale conservation make him an ideal fit for this role.
Currently, Fortune’s research has focused on studying predator-prey relationships.
“Specifically, I’m studying how some of the largest mammals in the world can make a living from feeding on some of the smaller creatures,” she says. “This work occurs at the intersection of three disciplines – oceanography, ecology and physiology. Each discipline asks a different question, helping to complete the pieces of the puzzle.”
Oceanography asks “what is the quality and quantity of prey available? », while ecology wants to know « how do whales interact with their environment? and ‘how much food do they consume?’ Physiology helps tie it all together by answering the question “do whales have enough to eat?” »
“With support from CWF and Dalhousie, we can pursue a variety of interdisciplinary research approaches that use observational data and modeling techniques collected with emerging technologies such as aerial drones, underwater biologgers and optical imaging of prey to better understand how environmental conditions change and how this affects large whales,” continues Dr. Fortune, who holds an MSc and Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia.
Bowhead whales interact.
Address knowledge gaps
Human impacts on the ocean are greater than ever, but the ramifications of human activity such as climate change on the health and functioning of marine ecosystems and ultimately large whale populations are just beginning. to be understood. Tackling such issues is logistically difficult, as it requires studying not only the whales, but also the state of the environment they depend on for hunting, resting, socializing and breeding. .
“Dr. Fortune’s research focusing on the feeding ecology of great whales and the oceanography that affects their diet and behavior will yield important insights into whales, particularly in Atlantic Canada. The lack of such information has rendered difficult to predict where and how whales use our coastal oceans and by improving our understanding of this we will be able to make better decisions about how we also use these same waters,” says Dr Macdonald.
CWF says the creation of the position is part of its conservation strategy to expand partnerships with leading researchers studying the issues necessary for evidence-based conservation.
“A leader in marine science and conservation, Dalhousie has always been a university I wanted to be part of,” says Dr. Fortune. “I intend to maintain a strong link between research and conservation at Dalhousie and with CWF while implementing an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach,” she says.
“I am thrilled to have Sarah join this effort at this critical time,” says Sean Brillant, CWF’s Senior Conservation Biologist, Marine Programs. “Many marine species and entire ocean ecosystems, as well as ocean industries, are entirely dependent on our united and urgent advances in research, education and action.
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