Dr Oihane Fernandez Betelu

Biography

In 2021 I completed my PhD at the Lighthouse Field Station (University of Aberdeen) investigating the occurrence and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins and the effect of anthropogenic disturbances on them.

Now, as a postdoctoral researcher, I am involved in different research projects, including fish tracking, predator-prey interactions and the effect of vessels and offshore energy developments on marine mammals. 

Prizes and Awards

National Award for Excellence in Academic Performance 2016 (Premio Nacional de Fin de Carrera de Educación Universitaria) - Issued by the Ministry of Education, Government of Spain.

University Award for Excellence in Academic Performance 2013 (Premio Extraordinario Fin de Carrera) - Issued by the University of Cadiz, Spain.

Research Overview

Current research aims to assess how natural and anthropogenic factors influence the occurrence and foraging behaviour of marine mammals. 

Topics of particular interest include predator-prey interactions and the effect of anthropogenic activities, such as offshore renewable developments, on marine mammal occurrence and behaviour. 

Current Research

PrePARED: consortium project on predator and prey responses to offshore structures, aimed at understanding cumulative environmental impacts and benefits of offshore windfarms. More information here.

Moray Firth Marine Mammal Monitoring Programme [MMMP]:  co-produced strategic research and monitoring programme to meet consent conditions for regional offshore wind developments.  

Ecology of marine mammals and their prey: investigating predator-prey interactions and drivers of marine mammal occurrence. 

Dolphin-SPOT and Minke-SPOT: projects to develop a automatic detectors of bottlenose dolphin and minke whale vocalizations based on deep-learning techniques.

Collaborations

PrePARED: consortium led by Marine Scotland Science, including University of Exeter, SMRU Consulting, BIOSS, CEH, Nature Scot, Natural England & University of Aarhus.

Moray Firth Marine Mammal Monitoring Programme [MMMP]: involves collaboration with the University of St Andrews Sea Mammal Research Unit and CEFAS.

Dolphin-SPOT and Minke-SPOT: collaborative project involving SAMS (Scotland), NOAA (USA) and Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW, Germany).