Staff Environmental Scientist C
Mike completed a Bachelors of Science, in Marine Biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, in 1990. Mike joined CDFG in 1991 for the Marine Region’s Sea Otter Research Project. Mike began working for OSPR in 1997, when OSPR opened the MWVCRC and took over the CDFG’s sea otter research activities. Mike’s priority role with OSPR is to act as a wildlife capture coordinator, as part of wildlife search and rescue during the event of an oil spill or other emergency. When not involved with spill response, Mike’s responsibilities focus on field studies of sea otter research and conservation efforts. These include the development and implementation of GIS based aerial, boat and ground surveys primarily for sea otters but also for other species sensitive to oil and other pollutants. Mike coordinates the recovery of dead sea otters and other sentinel species in Central California and conducts and/or assists with postmortem examination of these animals. Mike also assists with the development of a marine ecosystem health program for coastal California in cooperation with other State, Federal agencies and universities. Mike is one of two CDFG SCUBA and Rebreather certified divers that have the extensive and specialized training required to capture sea otters.