Helena Herr

Dr. Helena Herr is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Marine Mammal Ecologist at the University of Hamburg, working within the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, specifically at the Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries Sciences. Her office is located at Große Elbstraße 133 in Hamburg, where she conducts critical research on marine mammal populations and their conservation.

Her research interests focus on marine mammal ecology and conservation, with particular emphasis on population surveys to investigate abundance, distribution, and habitat use of whales. Dr. Herr specializes in large whales in the Antarctic, examining their population status and recovery from commercial whaling. Her work integrates field studies with advanced analytical methods to develop scientific foundations for marine conservation and management policies. She actively uses aerial surveys, satellite tagging, and ecological modeling in her research approach.

Analysis of Dr. Herr's recent publications reveals a strong focus on fin whale ecology in the Antarctic region, with particular attention to population dynamics, feeding behavior, and recovery from historical whaling impacts. Her research employs innovative methods including drone imagery, machine learning for photo identification, and multi-source data integration for habitat modeling. A significant portion of her work examines anthropogenic impacts on whale populations while documenting natural ecological patterns and recovery trends.

• Member of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission
• Chair of the Southern Hemisphere Baleen Whales subcommittee
• German representative in the Southern Ocean Research Partnership (IWC-SORP)
• Leader of the 'Southern Hemisphere fin whales' focus area
• Guest scientist at Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

Dr. Herr leads a DFG-funded project on fin whale population status along the Antarctic Peninsula (SPP 1158), collaborating with the Alfred Wegener Institute. Her research has been supported by multiple third-party funding sources including the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food, and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. She has participated in numerous Antarctic research expeditions aboard vessels including RV Polarstern and RV Maria S. Merian.

She is part of the Marine Ecosystem Dynamics and Management research team at the University of Hamburg, collaborating with international researchers across multiple institutions. Her work contributes to global efforts in cetacean conservation and Antarctic ecosystem management through participation in international frameworks including the International Whaling Commission and CCAMLR.