Kim Raum-Suryan
Lose the Loop: A 25-year journey of pinniped entanglement research, prevention, response, and global collaboration
About the Speaker
Kim Raum-Suryan works as a marine mammal biologist in the Protected Resources Division, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Region. Kim co-founded and serves as the international Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG) coordinator. She also serves as the Steller sea lion recovery coordinator, works on sea lion/seal deterrence and disturbance issues, section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations, entangled sea lion data analysis and response, outreach and awareness about marine debris and marine mammal/human conflicts, and brought the NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program to Alaska. Kim received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State University and a Master of Science degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Prior to her graduate studies, Kim worked on a variety of research projects including studies on trout, herring, woodrats, songbirds, and spotted owls. She went on to work with seabirds, Laysan finches, harbor porpoise, harbor seals, California sea lions, Hawaiian monk seals, gray whales, and other cetaceans in Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Mexico. From 1998-2016, while working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and her own research company, Sea Gypsy Research, Kim focused on Steller sea lion research in Alaska and Oregon to examine population trends, vital rates, distribution and movement patterns, maternal care, entanglement in marine debris and fishery interactions, and outreach and education. In early 2016, Kim began working with NMFS. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her animals, hiking with her friends and family (including her dog Kismet), boating, mountain bike riding, kayaking, swimming, skiing, and writing, still yet to be published, children’s books.