Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, L. Dalla Rosa, E. Hoyt, M. Iñíguez, M. M. Moreno, M. Morrice, M. Taylor, V. Tossenberger and I. N. Visser (2002). Orcinus orca a species complex, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
Scientific Articles
At the top of this page we feature some hot topics selected articles, authored and co-authored by Dr. Visser. If you wish to see the full list of publications (including Conference publications and Reports by Dr. Visser), please scroll to the bottom of the page.
The publications which are freely available to download (while bearing in mind our copyright policy at all times) have the full citation linked. Some Journals do not allow us to host the article on our site and you will have to follow the links to their website.
Hot Topics
Fiji Orca
First confirmed records of orca in Fiji – and one group without typical saddle patches
Saddle patches
A study of nearly 4,000 orcas worldwide found that there is variation in saddle patch shapes and sizes...
Munching on Molids
Orca and sunfishes are both amazing marine species. Check out these 3 projects focused on them.
Tail Fluke Pigmentation
It is intriguing that after 50 years of research on orca, the pigmentation of tail flukes...
Full List of Publications
Conference Proceedings
Cazenave J., Copello J.M. and Visser I.N. (2022). Surfing for survival. Poster presented at the 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals; 1-5 August; Palm Beach, Florida. Poster ID# 2022376.
Copello J.M., Asheley E., Cazenave J., Gaydos J.K., Montecino-Latorre, Uhart M. & Visser I.N. (2022). Orca (Orcinus orca) social networks change over time at Punta Norte, Península Valdés, Argentina. Poster presented at the 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals; 1-5 August; Palm Beach, Florida.
Copello, J. M., Cazenave, J and I. N. Visser (2019). Fifteen years of data reveals insights into some of the most internationally recognised orca (Orcinus orca) in the world (Poster ID #1098). 2nd World Marine Mammal Conference, Barcelona, Spain.
Lauriano, G., R. Eisert, S. Panigada, E. Ovsyanikova, N, I. N. Visser, P. H. Ensor, R. Currey, B. Sharp and M. Pinkerton (2015). Activity, seasonal site fidelity, and movements of Type-C killer whales between the Ross Sea (Antarctica) and New Zealand. Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Hobart, Tasmania , Australia
Lipman, S. and I. N. Visser (2016). Underlying causes of human behaviour change towards captive orca welfare. The First International Conference on Human Behaviour Change for Animal Welfare, Dorking, UK.
Loch, C., K. Stratford, J. Wakefield, R. Oliphant-Stewart, S. White, S. Wilson and I. N. Visser (2017). Dental wear and periodontal disease in wild orcas. Society of Marine Mammalogy. Halifax, Canada.
Marino L., Rose N.A., Visser I.N., Ferdowsian H.R. & Slootsky V. 2019. The harmful effects of captivity and chronic stress on the well-being of orcas. 2nd World Marine Mammal Conference, 9-12 December, Barcelona, Spain.
Mäkeläinen P.H., Visser I.N., Cooper T.E. & Cusson M. 2022. Global variation in shape and size of orca (Orcinus orca) saddle patches (poster ID# 2022490). Poster presented at the 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals; 1-5 August; Palm Beach, Florida.
Spiegl, M. V. and I. N. Visser (2017). Morgan’s Law: A legal prophylactic to compassionately protect rescued cetaceans. Compassionate Conservation Conference. Blue Mountains, Sydney, Australia.
Visser, I. N. (2001). Foraging behaviour and diet of (Orcinus orca) in New Zealand waters. Abstracts of the 14th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, The Society of Marine Mammalogists.
Visser, I. N. (2002). First photo-identification matches for Papua New Guinea killer whales. Fourth International Orca Symposium, September 23 – 28, 2002, Noirt, France.
Visser, I. N. (2002). Pigmentation as an indicative feature for populations of killer whales. Fourth International Orca Symposium, September 23 – 28, 2002, Niort, France. 23 – 28 September, 2002.
Visser, I. N. (2002). Preliminary cetacean survey in Kimbe Bay, New Britain, Papua New Guinea. SEAMAM II. Second international conference on the marine mammals of Southeast Asia, Dumaguete City, Philippines, July 22 – 23, United Nations Environment Program, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of wild animals.
Visser, I. N. (2007). Killer whales in New Zealand waters: Status and distribution with comments on foraging. 59th Annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. Anchorage, Alaska, International Whaling Commission. SC/59/SM19.
Visser I.N. 2007. Killer whales in Papua New Guinea waters. 59th Annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee; 7-18 May, 2007; Anchorage, Alaska.
Visser I.N., Berghan J. & Norton K. 2007. Killer whales of Antarctica: Details gathered via eco-tourism. 59th Annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee; 7-18 May; Anchorage, Alaska.
Visser, I. N. (2013). Long-term survival of stranded & rescued New Zealand orca (Orcinus orca). Society of Marine Mammalogy. Dunedin, New Zealand.
Visser, I. N. (2015). ‘Rescuing’ cetaceans; Compassionate conservation or just lining aquaria’s corporate coffers? Compassionate Conservation Conference. Vancouver, Canada.
Visser, I. N., J. Berghan and K. Norton (2007). Killer whales of Antarctica; details gathered via eco-tourism 59th Annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. Anchorage, Alaska, International Whaling Commission. SC/59/SM21.
Visser I.N., Copello J.M., Cazenave J. & Cooper T.E. 2022. Individual variation in orca (Orcinus orca) tail fluke pigmentation as a tool for photo-ID. Presented at the 24th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals; 1-5 August; Palm Beach, Florida.
Visser, I. N. and J. Halliday (2017). Strandings. New Zealand Marine Sciences. Christchurch, New Zealand.
Visser, I. N., J. Halliday, J. Foster, K. Foster and T. Cooper (2017). Welfare vs Politics. Lone orca calf denied humane intervention: A New Zealand case study. 3rd International Compassionate Conservation Conference. Blue Mountains, Sydney, Australia.
Visser, I. N. and K. Hupman (2018). High incidence of boat strikes on orca (Orcinus orca) in New Zealand waters. Society of Conservation Biology (Oceania). Wellington, New Zealand.
Visser, I. N. and K. Hupman (2019). Entanglements in the ‘Nationally Critical’ population of coastal New Zealand orca (Orcinus orca). World Marine Mammal Conference. Barcelona, Spain.
Reports / Thesis / Submissions etc.
Spiegl, M. and I. N. Visser (2015). CITES and the Marine Mammal Protection Act: Comity and Conflict at Loro Parque, Free Morgan Foundation: Pp129.
Visser I.N. 2021. Assessment of the situation of the cetaceans, held at MarineLand of Canada, Niagara Falls, Ontario. One Voice, Strasbourg Cedex, France. 65 pp.
Visser I.N. 2021. Moana. Captive-born 10-year-old male orca, with subdermal tissue damage. One Voice, France. 21 pp.
Visser I.N. 2020. Inouk. Captive 20-year-old male orca, with chronic and extensive tooth damage. Update. One Voice, France. 15 pp.
Visser I.N. 2019. (Redacted) Expert Report (Opening) for Marc Anderson, Kelly Nelson and Juliette Morizur, Plaintiffs, v. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Inc. Case No. 3:15-cv-02172-JSW-JCS, before the United States District Court for the Norther District of California. p. 328.
Visser, I. N. (2012). Report on the physical & behavioural status of Morgan, the wild-born Orca held in captivity, at Loro Parque, Tenerife, Spain, Free Morgan Foundation: 35.
Visser, I. N. (2003). Kimbe Bay Preliminary Cetacean Survey Report, Unpublished report submitted to Walindi Plantation Resort and Mahonia na Dari Conservation and Research Centre, P.O. Box 4, Kimbe, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Visser I.N. 2016. Expert Report. (Unsealed) for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc. v. Miami Seaquarium. Case 1:15-cv-22692-UU Document 120 Entered on Florida Southern Districts Docket 03/11/2016 (Page 34 of 107).
Visser, I. N. (2000). Orca (Orcinus orca) in New Zealand waters. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Auckland.
Visser I.N., Jett J. & Ventre J. 2019. Inouk. Captive 20-year-old male orca, with chronic and extensive tooth damage. One Voice, France. 28 pp.
Visser, I. N. and R. B. Lisker (2016). Ongoing concerns regarding the SeaWorld orca held at Loro Parque, Tenerife, Spain, Free Morgan Foundation: 67.