MSc(Auck) PhD(Cant)

Steve Dawson is Associate Professor in Marine Sciences at the University of Otago. His research focusses on the ecology and conservation biology of dolphins and the acoustic behaviour (sonar and communication) in dolphins and sperm whales.

Recent and current research projects include: development of affordable line-transect surveys for

for inshore dolphins, ecology and conservation biology of Hector’s dolphin, fine-scale habitat use of sperm whales at Kaikoura, tracking sperm whales underwater using hydrophone arrays, and long-term studies of bottlenose dolphins in Fiordland.

A committed conservationist, Steve is active nationally and internationally in working to translate research results into sound management advice. A few examples are given below

2005: Invited participant, Sperm whale asessment research planning workshop. U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, Woods Hole, U.S.

2004: Sir Charles Fleming Award (Royal Society of NZ) for outstanding contribution to conservation science. (Awarded jointly with Associate Professor Elisabeth Slooten).

2002: Invited participant, Workshop on mortality of cetaceans in passive fishing nets and traps. Washington DC, U.S.

2001: Invited participant, Acoustic Harassment Devices workshop, hosted by Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Applicata al Mare (ICRAM) Rome, Italy. This was a small international workshop to develop ways to minimise competition between Italian fishermen and dolphins, which have learnt to feed from their nets.

1999: Invited to International Whaling Commission Scientific committee meetings, to contribute to the work of the small cetaceans subcommittee.

1997: Contracted by U.S. NMFS to participate in and train fieldworkers for an acoustic survey for sperm whales.

Invited to give keynote address on behavioural aspects of incidental capture in fishing gear at European Cetacean Society annual conference in Stralsund, Germany.

Nominated for Pew Fellowship for outstanding conservation scientists.

1996: Contracted by US Marine Mammal Commission to prepare a working paper reviewing experiments designed to reduce entanglement of dolphins and porpoises in gillnets.

Invited to attend and present a working paper at a 1996 workshop of acoustic censusing of whales held in Hobart.

1995: Invited by US National Marine Fisheries Service to advise and participate in an acoustic survey for beaked whales.

1993: One of three experts from outside the US invited by US National Marine Fisheries Service to a three-day workshop on modifying demersal gillnets to reduce bycatch of harbor porpoise.

1990: One of 50 experts invited to the International Whaling Commission symposium and workshop on "The Mortality of Cetaceans in Passive Fishing Nets and Traps", at La Jolla, California, October 1990.