pippa low

Assisting with data collection and consolidation on a 6 week voyage to the Ross Sea in order to study the distributions of whales in the region and their role in the Ross Sea region ecosystem. Responsibilities included; -Bridge observation and recording of all marine mammal species seen during watch -Photographing all encounters – assistance with species ID and individual ID photographs when applicaple -Assisting with biopsies from the bow of the ship -Processing biopsy samples, post fieldwork -Skippering the small research vessel (7m RIB) for humpback whale photo ID and biopsy -Data management and consolidation; both sighting data and photo ID cataloguing and matching

Assisting with the data collection and consolidation for two research projects focusing on the megafauna of the Hauraki Gulf, and the feeding habitats of Brydes’ whales, I was, often solely, responsible for; -Data collection onboard Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari -Photographing all mega fauna encountered on trips -Outreach with trip passengers -Data consolidation & photo identification matching & grading

* Returning as a Team leader on this World renowned study, my roles included; * assisting staff with the initial set up and training of volunteers for the fieldwork season * leading land based observation teams for real time tracking of whale pods- using both theodolites and binoculars * high rotation crew for research vessel- assisting with biopsying and tagging of whales from small research vessels, as well as photo-Identification using digital SLRs * operating tracking software (VADAR) to record whale behaviour and locations * assisting with focal follow teams * involving recognition of whale behaviour and identification * assisting in acoustic analysis of song and tracking, using hydrophone arrays, and with the use of Ishamel software. * Data entry and consolidation for all platforms.

* Pro Dive- dive training specialists * Assisting instructors with PADI dive courses * Prepping dive gear and dive sites for customers & students * Administrative work; taking course bookings, assisting with dive travel/holiday bookings and updating the companies website * Running, and guiding the whale watching vessel run by Pro Dive from Sydney Harbour

* North 58° Sea Adventures- Wildlife Tour Boat Business * Managing the set-up of this business; licensing, surveys, insurance, public liability, marketing and administration * Skippering and maintaining the trip boats (8.5m Humber RHIB, 7.85m Rib eye) * Responsible and sustainable interactions with wildlife, from the vessel, including birds, dolphins, whales, seals and basking sharks * Guiding the trips- interacting with passengers regarding local wildlife, geography, and history * Photographing wildlife including photo ID pictures for dolphins and seals * Running concurrent research projects on both the local seal and dolphin population * Training staff members up to guide on board

* North 58° Marine- Commercial Marine Consultancy & Training * Managing the set-up of this business; licensing, surveys, insurance, public liability, marketing and administration * Marine Consultant- advising commercial clients on all marine environmental issues including; Impact Assessments, surveys and mitigation * Marine Mammal Observer * Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operator * Skipper- skippering various small commercial vessels for commercial charter/ crew transfers and surveys * Powerboat Instructor- Instructing boat handling in the commercial environment * VHF Assessor- Instructing and assessing students for their VHF (SRC) licence

Activities and Societies: Scuba Diving Womens Rugby Sailing Conservation Society Study Abroad (Sydney, Australia)