**[Southern Resident Killer Whale Behavior Workshop]{.smallcaps}**

[April 20, 2004]{.smallcaps}

[NOAA NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center]{.smallcaps}

[2725 Montlake Blvd., East]{.smallcaps}

[Seattle, Washington]{.smallcaps}

**[[Proposed Agenda]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

**[[Workshop Objectives]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

Bring together SRKW biologists involved in behavioral data collection to
discuss and develop some standards for the collection of behavioral data
on this population. It was a common finding of the recent NMFS SRKW
workshops that additional rigor and standardization of behavioral coding
methodology was desirable to support the ongoing and upcoming research
projects relating to the recovery and stabilization of the population.
We aim to:

1\) Improve understanding of the methodology required for ethological
research, and methods and techniques that have been accepted in other
sub-disciplines,

2\) Clarify terminology used to describe killer whale behavior,

3\) Improve research design, data collection, and data storage
methodology beyond improvements in coding definitions,

4\) Coordinate data collection and exchange.

**[[Tuesday, April 20]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

8:45 -- 9:00 **COFFEE AVAILABLE**

9:00-9:15 [Welcome, Introductions, and Overview of Approach]{.underline}

Dr. James Ha, UW; Dr. Linda Jones, NWFSC; Dr. Dawn Noren, NWFSC

9:15-10:00 [Presentation: Considerations in Coding Behavioral
Data]{.underline},

Dr. Philip N. Lehner, Faculty Emeritus, Colorado State University and
author of the Handbook of Ethological Methods.

10:00-10:30 [Presentation: A Review of Behavioral Coding of Cetacean
Behavior, With an]{.underline} [Emphasis on the Behavior of Killer
Whales]{.underline}

Jennifer Marsh, UW Animal Behavior Program graduate student.

10:30-10:45 **BREAK**

10:45-12:00 [5-minute informal mini-presentations: Coding/data
collection systems of]{.underline} [current kw researchers]{.underline}

Researchers will explain the goals and context of the research described
on questionnaires they submitted prior to the workshop.

12:00-- 1:00 **LUNCH (on own)**

1:00-2:00 [Discussion of Research Needs]{.underline}

-   Refine behavioral questions to provide clear answers.

-   Ensure that methods used to collect behavioral data are well suited
    to the specific question(s) being addressed by the study.

-   Ensure that coding definitions are consistent within individual
    studies, particularly between multiple years and seasons of data
    collection.

2:00-4:00 [Developing a comprehensive behavioral coding schema
(overview) and structure for]{.underline} [SRKWs]{.underline}

-   Is standardizing terminology or methods of sampling feasible for all
    SRKW behavioral studies?

-   If behavior codes are not identical between SRKW behavioral studies,
    how can researchers compare results between studies?

-   Develop a behavioral coding key that encompasses all SRKW behavioral
    studies to have on record. How do we accomplish this? What do we
    include? How do we make this document available to all researchers,
    naturalists, etc.?

**\* BREAK SCHEDULED MID-DISCUSSION (2:45-3:00)**

4:00-5:00 [Discussion of other behavior methodology issues (time
permitting)]{.underline}

-   Use of controls

-   Software for collecting behavioral data (e.g. PDAs)

-   Data formats

-   Data sharing and exchange

5:00 **WRAP-UP AND ADJOURN**

Dr. James Ha, UW and Dr. Linda Jones, NWFSC