Executive Director
The Lobster Conservancy
P.O. Box 235
Friendship, ME 04547
(207) 832-8224
email: sellis@lobsters.org
| Present | Small Boat Experience | (1,000 hours as first mate on 42-ft Cape Islander) |
| 1992 | Ph.D. | Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Biology |
| 1991 | Videography and B&W Photography |
Video Tape Operations, Bay Area Video Coalition, San Francisco, CA Video Systems Overview, University of California Extension, Santa Cruz, CA B&W Photography, Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey, CA |
| 1990 | Colour Photography | Cape Cod Community College, Barnstable, MA |
| 1988-2001 | First Aid and CPR Training | St. John's Ambulance |
| 1984 | M.A. | Boston University Marine Program Marine Biology |
| 1983 | Bachelors of Science | Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Marine Biology |
| 1979 | Physical and Chemical Oceanography |
Huntsman Marine Lab, St. Andrews, New Brunswick |
| 1978 | Coastal Marine Ecology | Bermuda Biological Station, Ferry Reach, Bermuda |
| 1977 | SCUBA Certification | NASDS |
| Executive Director | The Lobster Conservancy, Friendship, ME, present Director of a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the American lobster and the traditional trap fishery through scientific research and public education. |
| Assistant Professor | Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1998 Taught Marine Mammalogy |
| Naturalist | Peggy's Cove Whale Watch, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Summers, 1995-1998 |
| Research Assistant | Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, Spring, 1996 |
| Teaching Assistant | Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, 1993-1994 |
| Project Manager and Research Associate |
Associated Scientists at Woods Hole, MA, 1990-1994 |
| Editorial Assistant | Oceanus Magazine, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA |
| As a Master's student, researched chemical communication of vertebrates and invertebrates, with emphasis on possible sex pheromones of the American lobster. |
| Collected and analyzed life-history data on harbour seal mothers and pups on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Analyzed a 10-year data set to examine the relative influences of maternal age, size, and experience on offspring traits such as mass at birth and weaning. Assisted in capturing grey seals and applying satellite tags and time-depth recorders for studies on habitat use and foraging behaviour. Published results in PhD thesis and journals articles. |
| Served as Project Manager and Scientist for non-profit research group for 4 years. Performed aerial surveys for whales and other large vertebrates off Cape Cod and Florida from an airship (blimp), in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service, New England Aquarium and Florida Department of Natural Resources. Recorded and analyzed data on diving behaviour of whales to improve aerial survey methods. Resulting data were used to help protect right whales in critical habitat. |
| Identified patterns and trends within complex and diverse data sets using computer and analytical skills. Managed large databases on IBM and Macintosh computers, and analyzed data using statistical packages (SPSS and SYSTAT). Summarized data for clear visual presentations in reports and talks using graphics programs (Power Point, SigmaPlot, PageMaker, and DeltaGraph). |
| Co-authored reports on sightability of right whales, as well as a technical paper characterizing ship traffic on the southeastern calving grounds of right whales. Effectively communicated results to diverse audiences including representatives from the Coast Guard, Navy, harbour pilots, and managers at multi-agency workshops. Presented results to scientific audiences at biennial marine mammal conferences, and to non-scientific audiences in public forums. |
| As Editorial Assistant at Oceanus magazine, wrote and edited articles on marine science and policy, including fisheries, oceanography, and climate change. Made complex scientific issues understandable to a non-specialized audience. Assisted in all aspects of preparing the quarterly magazine for publication, including coordination of volunteer interns. After leaving Oceanus, wrote occasional freelance articles on contemporary environmental issues for newspapers, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Friends of the Sea Otter. |
| Volunteered as co-editor of MARMAM, an electronic discussion group on marine mammal research and conservation. Previewed postings to the list and select appropriate messages to send out to members. Queried authors for additional information as necessary. |
| Used professional skills in acquiring, editing, and narrating video to create short documentaries for scientific purposes and media use. Topics include cetacean behaviour and a 3-day necropsy of a right whale that was struck by a ship off Florida. Select footage has been used by CNN, CBC, and many local television stations. |
| 1995-1997 | Dalhousie University Graduate Scholarship |
| 1993-1995 | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarship |
| 1984-1987 | Boston University Graduate Tuition Scholarship |
| 1984-1986 | NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship |
| 1984 | Dalhousie University University Medal in Biology |
| 1983 & 1994 | NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Award |
| 1982 & 1981 | Dalhousie University Arts and Sciences Scholarship |
| 1998 | Lobster Recruitment Workshop, Penobscot Bay Collaborative Workshop, The Island Institute, Camden, Maine. |
| 1998 | World Marine Mammal Science Conference, Monaco. |
| 1996 | Leatherback Sea Turtle Workshop, Dalhousie University and The New England Aquarium. |
| 1989-1995 | Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Conference Presenter in 1991 and 1993). |
| 1994 | Independent Scientific Peer Review of North Atlantic Right Whale Research, National Marine Fisheries Service, Woods Hole, MA. |
| 1992 | Southeast Right Whale Meeting, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Brunswick, GA. |
| 1991 | American Cetacean Society, Monterey, CA. |
| 1985 | International Workshop on Lobster Recruitment, St. Andrew's, New Brunswick. |