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The emerging field of Conservation Physiology can be defined as “the study of physiological responses of organisms to human alteration of the environment that might cause or contribute to population declines” (Wikelski and Cooke 2006). Research in the Conservation Physiology Group is currently focused on applying this concept to investigations of the effects on dolphin population recovery, of fishery activities by the tuna purse-seine fleet in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. As mandated by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, the long term goal of the research program is to eliminate the mortality of dolphins that results from this fishing practice. This research focus succeeds a previous focus on developing methods of capturing tuna without involving dolphins. Details of the prior program can be found by selecting “Dolphin-Safe Research” from the menu at the left of this page. Details of current research pertaining to Conservation Physiology can be reached by selecting “Mother-Calf Separation” from the menu.