About Us

In 2006, Marine Life Studies (MLS) in Monterey, California was developed with Peggy Stap as the Principal Investigator.

Ms. Stap has worked with the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation (HWRF) since 1999 in the capacity of data recorder, photographer, and videographer. In 2004, she became a Co-Investigator for HWRF under a NOAA Fisheries Endangered Species research permit. She coordinated data reporting for HWRF's role in the SPLASH program. The SPLASH program is the most comprehensive study ever attempted of the endangered North Pacific humpback whale population. To download PDF of Final SPLASH Report click here.

In 2008, after volunteering her time for 10 years, Peggy has stepped down from working on the research with the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation in order to dedicate more time to her project Marine Life Studies in Monterey, California. However, Peggy is still volunteering her time in Maui in helping with Whale Quest Kapalua which benefits the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation, Whale Trust and Center for Whale Studies.

Dr. Dan R. Salden, Peggy Stap, Dr. Adam A. PackThe effort is a partnership of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program and NOAA Fisheries.

Peggy Stap has also worked with Cascadia Research Collective (Olympia, WA), and she received training on working with marine mammal identification projects at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (Seattle, WA).


Photo from Whale Quest 2007 taken by Connie Sutherland.
Left to right is Dr. Dan R. Salden, President and founder of HWRF,
Peggy Stap, and Dr. Adam A. Pack, Vice President of The Dolphin Institute.



Killer Whale, Orcinus orca, fluke


Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus


Gray Whale Calf,
Eschrichtius robustus
Calf on top of Mom (Mom just below surface) to escape attack by killer whale
Some photos taken under National Marine Fisheries Service Research Permits #1094 & #782.

content © www.marinelifestudies.org
“Sweet Pea” © Gina Thomas ~ all other photos © Peggy Stap
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