Pathogens - Sentinel Species - Research

Research Area #2 | Sentinel Species > Pathogens

Marine mammals and fish are directly exposed to waterborne pathogens in the ocean environment. In addition, marine mammals are exposed to a variety of microbial pathogens that originate in fecal wastes, either from infected humans or animals, when they consume contaminated food items or come into direct contact with contaminated water.

 

Our research goals (2004-2009) are to:

  • Monitor the distribution of bacteria in marine mammals and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns to better understand the extent to which terrestrial pathogens in runoff and sewage are altering ocean conditions.
  • Characterize factors, including exposure to aquatic pathogens, that can alter susceptibility to disease in fish to assess potential risks to other species, including marine mammals and humans.

 

Researchers

Principal Investigators:

Marine Mammals
Dr. John Stein, Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Dr. Robert DeLong, Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Fish
Dr. Tracy Collier, Northwest Fisheries Science Center

Key External Collaborators:

Marine Mammals
Dr. Frances Gulland, The Marine Mammal Center
Dr. Linda Lowenstine, University of California, Davis

Fish
Dr. Frank Loge, University of California, Davis
Dr. Phil Rossignol, Oregon State University

Northwest Fisheries Science Center Researchers:

Marine Mammals
Dr. Peggy Krahn
Gina Ylitalo
Dr. Mary Arkoosh

 

Links

Marine Mammals
The Marine Mammal Center
NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center
UC Davis Pathology, Mircobiology & Immunology

Fish
Northwest Fisheries Science Center's Immunology & Disease Team
UC Davis Civil and Environmental Engineering