Conservation Genetics Laboratory 

Our conservation genetics research addresses threats to cetaceans, fish, and coastal carnivores. 

The Conservation Genetics Lab is an integral part of Raincoast’s efforts to protect the land, waters and wildlife of coastal BC. The DNA and RNA analysis we perform provides our scientists with reliable insights into the population structure, health, diets, and resilience and genetic isolation of coastal species. The lab works closely with our Cetacean Conservation Research Program and also helps answer important questions for our other conservation initiatives. 

Two hands wearing blue gloves holding and organizing beakers.
Research scientist Adam Warner holding two small beakers while wearing a lab coat in a lab.

Cutting edge genetics and genomics analysis

The Raincoast Conservation Genetics Lab is equipped with a complete set of instrumentation to conduct molecular biology and genetics, including cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology. Our Research Scientist, Dr. Adam Warner, has extensive experience in genetics, genomics and DNA sequencing, has set up our lab space and has begun to carry out this research under the guidance of our Cetacean Research Program directors Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard and Dr. Valeria Vergara. The lab works alongside Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which is hosting our lab space at the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre.

Understanding killer whale diet

A lack of sufficient Chinook salmon in the diets of Southern and Northern Resident killer whales has been linked to declines in population health. Our lab has the ability to extract and analyze salmon DNA from Resident killer whales feces, to identify the salmon stocks of most importance to the whales. Since we can identify the individual whales that produced fecal material genetically, we can link other health metrics such as stress hormone levels (also found in the fecal material) to individual killer whales. 

Overhead photo of a pod of killer whales swimming in the ocean.
Photo by Raincoast Conservation Foundation, taken under SARA Research License XMMS-2-2022.
Two killer whales surfacing on the ocean.
Photo by John Kelsey.

Killer whale population health and dynamics

Killer whales live in small populations that from their size alone would appear to be vulnerable to negative effects of inbreeding.  We recently sequenced the entire genomes of 142 members of the Northern Resident population to directly  assess inbreeding, genetic diversity, and immune system strength. We are comparing this information in this dataset to one for Southern Residents compiled by NOAA in the United States. This will help us gain insight into the comparative health of these important fish-eating populations of killer whales. We are also finalizing a study of inbreeding in marine mammal-eating Bigg’s killer whales, which will inform our understanding of similarities and differences between North Pacific killer whale populations.

Environmental DNA to aid research focused on wild salmon and coastal wolves

Our research on wild salmon and coastal wolf populations has the potential to be expanded through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring and analysis. Through eDNA, we can track and assess salmon populations and determine abundance and diversity. Using wolf scat samples we can identify specific individuals, their sex, and the prey consumed. By learning more about these important populations, we hope to drive policy change to protect biodiversity.

Research scientist Adam Warner holding two small beakers while wearing a lab coat in a lab.
Photo by Alex Harris / Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

Recent articles

A group of youth gather at the bow of a sailboat and admire the dorsal fin of a whale in the distance.

Building a culture of marine-mammal safe boating on the coast

This free course can help keep you and wildlife safe while on the water.
A man smiles at the camera, standing in front of a calm body of water, wearing a deep blue jacket.

How science can lead to tangible options that improve everyday outcomes

An interview with the newest selection committee member for the Raincoast Ocean Science Awards, Jason Hwang, Chief Program Officer and Vice President of Salmon at Pacific Salmon Foundation.
A beaver swims in a calm body of water, surrounded by green wetland with a forest in the background.

Beaver-based restoration

In a time when catastrophic conflagrations are becoming a new normal, an unlikely character is being welcomed back onto the landscape after generations of trapping and removal.
Two scientists stand at the edge of a body of water, one standing up, wearing a red raincoat and writing notes, the other crouching and deploying a tool into the water on a long cord.

A watershed based approach to assessing water quality in Cheakamus/Green River watersheds

Read our reports from working with Whistler Lakes Conservation Foundation in the Alpha, Nita, Alta, Lost, and Green lakes.
A black bear standing in belly deep flowing water sinks teeth into a large salmon, splashing.

New research highlights important routes to spawning salmon for coastal bears

Hey Siri – what’s the best route to a seafood joint?
A killer whale dorsal fin breaks the surface of the ocean while a large cargo ship travels in the background, left of the orca. Silhouettes of mountains are visible in the distance.

A shift in focus for NoiseTracker

Raincoast has hosted the NoiseTracker initiative since 2023. This year, we have shifted our focus from building a coast-wide noise monitoring platform to a more localized underwater noise research and analysis program. Through NoiseTracker, we aim to provide governments and decision-makers with science-based recommendations that support healthy marine ecosystems.
An excerpt from the printed newspaper titled "Viewpoints".

Needed: A freshwater protection strategy for Bowen Island

In early June, Dr. Peter Ross of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation presented Bowen Island Municipal Council with the results of a comprehensive analysis of pollutants in the Grafton Lake water supply.  The findings revealed traces of human waste, highlighting the need for improved watershed management and better public education on responsible residential and recreational best…
Research vessel Achiever sits on calm water against a blue sky

Decoding killer whale communication from above and below

A Q&A with Raincoast Conservation Foundation’s Cetacean Senior Scientists