Dr Rebecca McIntosh

Research Scientist with Phillip Island Nature Parks (PINP) since 2013, Rebecca has worked with marine predators for over 20 years with a focus on seals. Her areas of interest include marine protected species conservation with over 30 peer-reviewed publications.

Rebecca’s research experience includes remote offshore islands & currently, she is researching fur seals as sentinel species of ocean change. Projects include ecosystem-scale research to monitor changes in population size & foraging ecology, & the mitigation of threatening processes. Specific research includes investigations into: foraging behaviour & diet using satellite-linked tracking devices; health, ecotoxicity & stress; disease influence on abortion & pup survival; & marine plastic. Human behaviour change programs have been implemented to reduce plastic inputs to the ocean.

Rebecca is a licensed drone pilot, investigating remote systems & citizen science to study fur seal populations without disturbance. The seal research team “Seals as Ecosystem Sentinels” won the 2020 Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards under the – Distinction in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation category. Rebecca has an honorary appointment at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney. See Google Scholar, Research Gate and PINP website for further details.

Current projects

  • Health and disease in Australian fur seals

  • Ecotoxicology and pollutants

  • Diet of Australian and Long-nosed fur seals

  • Diving and foraging behaviour

  • Climate change and breeding habitat loss

  • Marine plastic ingestion and entanglement

  • Stress and behavioural responses of seals to boats at Seal Rocks

  • Citizen Science and drones to monitor fur seal populations

Cristy Houghton