Monster Data: Unveiling the Secret Lives of Marine Mammals

May 06, 2015

Have you ever wondered how scientists know where marine mammals go and what they actually do while underwater? Join the Vancouver Aquarium and the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies at UBC for an evening with biologists and statisticians as they reveal secrets contained in monster data now being collected by whales, seals and sea lions equipped with high-tech cameras and micro-computers. High-tech equipment ranging from cameras to cell-phone accelerometers are being used with marine mammals so scientists can better understand animal movements underwater and across oceans to ultimately provide information that will better protect them. This equipment collects a massive amount of information—animal speed, head strikes on prey, water depth, time of day and light levels to name a few—and is used to visualize and determine where whales and seals travel and what they do. One of the biggest challenges for scientists however, is crunching the monster sets of data now being collected by marine mammals. Hosted by UBC Professor and Vancouver Aquarium Research Associate Dr. Andrew Trites, this Monster Data Lecture features biologists, statisticians and computer scientists that have come to Vancouver from around the world for a Peter Wall International Research Roundtable to push the boundaries of current knowledge and technologies. They will talk about the novel technologies they are using, and the new discoveries they have made about the secret lives of marine mammals.This event is free, but space is limited. Please reserve your seat online.Doors open at 6:00 pm.Vancouver Aquarium, 4D Theatre, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC