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Your year-end support will be matched up to $100,000! Yes, your impact will go twice as far protecting marine mammals like whales and our shared ocean.

Did you know the marine mammals we care for provide critical insights into our ocean's health? And right now, the ocean is in trouble.

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Humpback whale
Julia O'Hern

Julia O'Hern, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Cetacean Conservation Biology

Our work responding to entangled whales is absolutely critical, and it's going to take research, innovation and partnerships with the fishing community, eco-tourism, industry and agencies to solve the more complex problems that lead to entanglements in the first place.

Dr. Julia O’Hern joined The Marine Mammal Center in 2016 to pursue her passion for ocean science and conservation. In her role as Associate Director of Cetacean Conservation Biology, she is dedicated to scientific investigation that informs conservation, entangled whale response, and supporting an inclusive environment for marine mammal science.

Previously, Julia served as the Operations Manager for the Center’s Monterey Bay office leading a team of more than 100 volunteers, interns and three staff. In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, Julia supported the Center’s special rescue operations for entangled California sea lions as well as the West Coast Large Whale Disentanglement Network.

Prior to joining the Center's team, Julia worked as a seagoing oceanographer studying the habitat of cetaceans near the Galapagos Islands. Julia’s research utilized remote-sensing satellite data and non-invasive shipboard surveys to better understand the dynamic habitat of deepwater cetaceans. While finishing graduate school, she sailed on a wide variety of oceanographic research projects around the world and worked as a deckhand and diver before earning her 100-Ton Master Captain’s License.

Julia received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and her Master of Science and doctoral degrees from Texas A&M University. She is a NOAA-permitted Level 3 entanglement responder, a co-chair with the Monterey County Marine Protected Area Collaborative and a captain with local whale watching companies.

Residing in Monterey, California, Julia spends her free time sailing, scuba diving and hiking with her dog.


Areas of Expertise

  • Cetacean Behavior and Ecology
  • Oceanography
  • Wildlife Health and Welfare
  • Conservation
  • Marine Operation and Safety


Talk to Our Experts

Our experts are available to comment on a variety of marine mammal and ocean health issues. Please contact our PR team at media@tmmc.org to schedule an interview. 

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Recent Publications 

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gray whale with mouth open above water
Research Paper

Fish Feeding and Rapid Foraging Behavior Switching by Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in California

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