English

The Cetacean Research Center is a new research organization established in December 2016 at the Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University. Altogether there are approximately 90 types of whales and dolphins (cetaceans) throughout the world and of those, approximately 40 species visit or inhabit the waters surrounding Japan. Even the finless porpoise, measuring not quite 2 meters long, lives in Ise Bay just off the shore of the Mie University campus year round. There is a long history in Japan of capturing cetaceans for food in the fishing industry, breeding and exhibiting the animals in aquariums, or seeking them in the wild for tourist excursions. Internationally there are varying opinions regarding cetaceans as the largest wild marine mammals. Both animals bred in captivity and the wild from all regions are considered to be subjects of study at the Cetacean Research Center. Various methods including physiology, ecology, ethology, bioacoustics, molecular biology and biochemistry are utilized for research from basics to application for promoting breeding and propagation of individuals in aquariums and captivity, as well as studying and researching the use and conservation of wild cetaceans as resources. Going forward, the center also plans to make efforts in developing educational programs within and outside of the school for exchange between researchers and students in order to promote this research.