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.

The 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.

MLS Research Mission

The overall research mission of Marine Life Studies is to study the foraging strategies of transient and offshore killer whales as well as investigate the abundance, distribution, movement and frequency of occurrence of other whale and dolphin species in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

These activities take place under the General Authorization for Scientific Research, a permit issued by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. Research results and data will be disseminated in formal research reports and peer-reviewed publications. Good research is a collaborative process. Marine Life Studies (MLS) is committed to sharing data with other researchers. Whenever possible, we also stand ready to assist other researchers in conducting their research by making platforms available, providing information leads on cetacean activities, etc.

MLS Education Mission

Data collection is meaningless unless it is made available not only to the scientific community but also to the general public. This is particularly true in regard to information about whale and dolphin activity within a National Sanctuary. MLS researchers develop and present public presentations concerning the status of their research on the whales and dolphins in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

MLS Conservation Mission

Species cannot survive unless they have a safe place in which to live. A major threat to whales and dolphins throughout the world is the contamination of their habitats and other damaging effects of human's invasion into marine habitats. The Sanctuary and MLS are committed to actively reducing contamination and dedicated to fostering a respect for the environment.

Other MLS conservation activities of interest include marine mammal entanglement and stranding programs, public education concerning the health of the marine environment and actions necessary to enhance it's good health, and in assisting other dedicated environmental groups in meeting their conservation objectives.

Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus

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