| Rochelle Constantine | |
| Other Names: | Rochelle Lee Constantine |
| Workplaces: | University of Auckland |
| Alma Mater: | University of Auckland |
| Thesis1 Title: | The behavioural ecology of the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) of northeastern New Zealand: a population exposed to tourism |
| Thesis1 Url: | http://hdl.handle.net/2292/355 |
| Thesis1 Year: | 2002 |
| Doctoral Advisor: | Scott Baker, Dianne Brunton, Nick Gales, Bernd Würsig |
Rochelle Lee Constantine is a New Zealand marine biologist, and is a full professor at the University of Auckland. Constantine specialises in marine mammal conservation.
Constantine completed a PhD titled The behavioural ecology of the bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) of northeastern New Zealand: a population exposed to tourism at the University of Auckland in 2002.[1] Constantine then joined the faculty, rising to full professor, and leader of the Marine Mammal Ecology Lab.[2]
Constantine's research focuses on marine mammal conservation. Her research into accidental deaths of Bryde's whales in the Hauraki Gulf led to lower speed limits in shipping lanes to protect the whales.[3] Constantine has also worked on Hector's and Māui dolphin threat management plans. In 2016 she co-led an expedition to the Kermadecs and her research has traced the migration patterns of humpback whales through Oceania, the Kermadec Islands and Antarctica.[4]
Constantine is a member of the Executive Committee of the South Pacific Whale Consortium and co-founded a charitable trust to research technologies for marine conservation. Since 2010 Constantine has been Chair of the International Whaling Commission – Southern Ocean Research Partnership humpback whale research since 2010.
Constantine's work on ship-strike of Bryde's whale won her one of three inaugural Holdaway Awards in 2013.[5] [6]
In the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours, Constantine was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to wildlife conservation and marine biology.