From Phillip.Clapham at noaa.gov Thu Dec 1 08:03:57 2005 From: Phillip.Clapham at noaa.gov (Phillip Clapham) Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 08:03:57 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on biopsy sampling effects Message-ID: <1b621b1b2dad.1b2dad1b621b@mercury.akctr.noaa.gov> I am posting this paper for Peter Best. Please send all requests for reprints to Peter (pbest at iziko.org.za) NOT to me! - Phil Clapham BIOPSYING SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES: THEIR REACTIONS AND EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTION PETER B. BEST,1,2 Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa DESRAY REEB, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa MARY BETH REW, Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California at Berkeley, 151 Hilgard Hall #3110, Berkeley, CA 94720-3110, USA PER J. PALSB?LL, Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California at Berkeley, 151 Hilgard Hall #3110, Berkeley, CA 94720-3110, USA CATHY SCHAEFF, Biology Department, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA ANABELA BRAND?O, Marine Resource Assessment and Management Group, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa ABSTRACT Collecting skin biopsies from large whales for genetic analysis is often subject to national permit, and in the case of cow-calf pairs, it may be prohibited. We present results of 906 biopsy attempts on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in South African waters between 1995 and 1997, including 147 cow-calf pairs. Our sampling success was higher for biopsy darts with a bore of 4 mm compared to 4.6 mm. Contact periods averaged 17.7 min for cow-calf pairs and 25.4 min for whales unaccompanied by calves. There were no significant differences in the short-term reactions of males and females to biopsying, but the reaction of single animals of either sex was greater than for larger groups. Cows accompanied by calves had the strongest reactions, which were significantly greater than even single females. We found evidence of sensitization to repeat biopsying (over periods of hours to 65 days) for cows but not calves (n = 20). We compared the subsequent reproductive history of 117 biopsied cows with that of 163 unbiopsied cows from the same years, and we compared the distribution of calving intervals for biopsied animals with 829 intervals recorded from 1985-1995. We did not detect any adverse effects on the proportion of successful reproductive cycles, and hence calf survival, or the proportion of longer-than-normal cycles; although, the power of all the statistical tests was low. We concluded that any prohibition on the biopsy sampling of cow-calf pairs should be carefully reconsidered in the light of the valuable enetic insights such sampling could achieve. -- Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D. Alaska Fisheries Science Center National Marine Mammal Laboratory 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 4 Seattle, WA 98115 tel (206) 526-4037 fax (206) 526-6615 email: phillip.clapham at noaa.gov From Tammy.Adams at noaa.gov Fri Dec 2 06:18:19 2005 From: Tammy.Adams at noaa.gov (Tammy Adams) Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2005 09:18:19 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Public Scoping for Right Whale Research EIS Message-ID: <439057AB.CC2B5123@noaa.gov> The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on issuance of permits for research on northern right whales in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The EIS will address the information needs for species conservation, including the types of research activities available for collecting samples and data, and the appropriate levels of research intensity, including temporal and geographic extent of activities, sample sizes, and frequency of sampling. The EIS will also address appropriate mitigation measures and potential cumulative impacts of research activities on right whales and the environment. As an initial step in the EIS process, NMFS is hosting a series of public scoping meetings. NMFS invites the public, including permit holders, researchers and scientists from all disciplines, elected officials, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and other interested parties, to attend the scoping meetings and to provide input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS. The first scoping meeting was held in New Bedford, MA, in association with the North Atlantic Right Whale Research Consortium meeting. Additional scoping meetings will be held in December 2005 and January 2006 at the following locations and dates: San Diego, CA (Note: this meeting will be held the weekend before, and at the same venue as the 16th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals) December 10, 2005 6:30-9:30 pm Manchester Grand Hyatt, Douglas Pavilion D One Market Place Silver Spring, MD January 19, 2006 1:00-4:00 pm NOAA Science Center (SSMC IV) 1301 East-West Highway In addition, comments may be submitted in writing through January 31, 2006 in one of the following ways: Email: rweis.comments at noaa.gov Fax: 301-427-2582 Mail to: Mr. Steve Leathery Office of Protected Resources Permits, Conservation, and Education Division (F/PR1) National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705 Silver Spring, MD 20910 For additional information about the EIS, please visit our website http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/rightwhale.htm or one of the established information repositories below: New Bedford Library 613 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA 02740 La Jolla/Riford Branch Library 7555 Draper Avenue San Diego, CA 92037 NOAA Central Library 1315 East-West Highway 2nd Floor, SSMC3 Silver Spring, MD 20910 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From karczmal at tamug.edu Thu Dec 1 20:25:54 2005 From: karczmal at tamug.edu (Leszek Karczmarski) Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2005 22:25:54 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer field course -- Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies Message-ID: Dear Colleague, Please post the announcement below on the MarMam list. Thank you, Leszek Karczmarski ===== Summer Field Course Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies (Further information including web-link will follow shortly) Lectures and Instructions by: Dr. Leszek Karczmarski (Texas A&M University, Galveston, USA) Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. Candidate (Texas A&M University, College Station, USA) Hosted by: Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education Course Summary The course will provide an overview of population ecology, behavior, and conservation biology of cetaceans and sirenians, and will focus on the primary field and laboratory research techniques used in studies of these marine mammals. Classes will include review of recent scientific literature, and open discussion on current issues in behavioral, population, and conservation ecology. Emphasis will be given on hands-on practical experience in data collection and analyses, especially in behavioral and ecological research, such as photo-ID mark-recapture techniques, population assessment, behavioral sampling, genetic research, etc. Students will participate in boat-based research surveys investigating population ecology and social dynamics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and conservation biology of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Drowned Cayes area, central Belize. The course will last 10 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during five or six of these days. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in delphinid and sirenian field research in a unique tropical habitat of central Belize. All classes will be in a form of either (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brain-storming on the specific topic, or (b) instructions with hands-on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques or analytical lab techniques. The course will be hosted by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) as a non-credit course . The lecture and lab hours are equivalent of a 4-credit academic course, and, when applicable, credits might be issued by the participating student's own university. In such a case a written assignment will be to follow by e-mail within six weeks of the completion of the course. Location The courses will take place at a unique field location, Spanish Lookout Caye (SLC), a small (184-acre) tropical mangrove island formation off the coast of Belize. SLC is approximately 10 miles east of Belize City and less than 2 miles west of the Belize Barrier Reef -- the second largest barrier reef in the world. This is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Belize City. Spanish Lookout encompasses two of several mangrove islets within the Drowned Cayes range. The Drowned Cayes represent pristine mangrove habitat, surrounded by seagrass beds and coral patch reefs, within the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon system. SLC is privately owned, with approximately 10% of the island developed exclusively for the conservation and research center. We will be hosted at the facilities of Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center (SBCRC), home to the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) . Both SBCRC and HPF are in partnership with (and supported by) Hugh Parkey's Belize Dive Connection, the largest commercial diving operator in Belize. Course Syllabus Day 1 a. Behavioral, population, and evolutionary ecology of marine mammals: The concept of studying natural populations and free-ranging animals b. Marine mammal field research: Basic standards and routines c. Individual identification: Principles and applications d. Individual identification applied in field studies of cetaceans and sirenians: the photo-ID approach, equipment, logistics e. Mark-recapture techniques: Advantages and limitations; the critical issue of equal-catchability Day 2 a. Measuring behavior: Behavioral categories and sampling techniques b. Measuring behavior: The issue of scale and resolution; avoiding potential biases c. Assessing daily behavioral budget and dial/tidal/lunar/seasonal patterns d. Application of behavioral research in assessing area preferences and habitat choice e. The research question dilemma: identifying the issue, formulating the research question, finding the means of bringing in the answer (open discussion) Day 3 Morning: a. Reconnaissance delphinid research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - photo-ID in practice - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables Afternoon: b. Digital versus traditional photography in photo-ID studies: advantages and limitations c. Assessing photographic quality and distinctiveness of digital images, matching IDs Day 4 Morning: a. Reconnaissance sirenian research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - standardized point counts for population abundance assessment - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables and seagrass parameters Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers c. Population assessment for free-ranging cetaceans: Applications and limitations - photo-ID surveys versus transect surveys; populations estimate versus population abundance - aerial survey - quantifying population parameters d. Open discussion Day 5 Morning: a. Bottlenose dolphin photo-ID research survey (half-day) Afternoon: b. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 1 c. Designing field data sheet (cetacean surveys) Day 6 Morning: a. Manatee research survey: distribution and habitat preferences (half-day) Afternoon: b. The priorities, scope, and limitations of sirenian field research: The case of Antillean manatees in Belize versus other species c. Designing field data sheet (sirenian surveys) Day 7 Morning: a. Application of genetics and genetic sampling techniques b. Cetacean social behavior and social structure: Modeling population structure, parameters, and social dynamic Afternoon: c. Tracking and remote sensing techniques d. "Invasive" versus "non-invasive" research: Ensuring that scientifically valuable is still ethically acceptable e. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 2 Day 8 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers; advanced level c. Current challenges in field studies of free-ranging cetaceans and sirenians: how far can we reach? d. Assignment of research papers to read e. Data entry (optional) Day 9 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 1 c. Reading assigned research papers, optional data entry Day 10 Morning: a. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 2. b. Student presentations and open discussion Afternoon: c. Closing comments Room and Board Students will be accommodated in dormitory style housing (12 students per bunkhouse with shared bathroom facilities). Full daily meals will be provided (basic meals, mostly Belizean style), and served in a comfortable dining facility. Tea, coffee, and water will be provided; other beverages can be purchased at the site. The appropriate choice of beverages and snacks can be arranged on request. Off Time Activities a) Kayaking (times to be scheduled) b) Snorkeling at the Spanish Lookout Caye (available anytime) c) SCUBA diving (for additional fee, times would need to be scheduled) d) A day trip to a historic Maya site at Xunantunich or Caracol can be scheduled for a day immediately following the last day of the course (additional fee applies) Timeframe Session 1: June 15 - 26, 2006 - students arrive on June 15, afternoon - June 16 - 25 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning June 26 Session 2: July 6 - 17, 2006 - students arrive on July 6, afternoon - July 7 - 16 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning July 17 Costs Total costs (all inclusive - except airfare to/from Belize) -- $1,950 payable to HPF (all or part of this fee may be tax-deductible; please see your tax accountant for advice) For Further Details Contact either L. Karczmarski or C. Self-Sullivan Dr. Leszek Karczmarski Associate Research Faculty Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal at tamug.edu Caryn Self Sullivan Ph.D. Candidate, Texas A&M University Director of Research, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Principal Investigator, Earthwatch Institute Email: caryn at sirenian.org ; Tel: (540) 287-8207 To Sign Up for the Course, Contact: Caryn Self-Sullivan Email: caryn at sirenian.org Travel Information Air Travel Direct flights to Belize City (airport code BZE) can be booked from Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami. Airlines services to Belize include Continental, American, US Airways, TACA, and Delta. Prices for a round trip generally range from $400 to $600 from these port cities. Visa Information You will travel under a tourist visa. As of September 2003, United States, British, Australian, Canadian, and most European Union citizens will not require a tourist visa for entry to Belize for a stay of up to 30 days (i.e., you receive a 30 visitor's visa automatically upon entry to Belize). Citizens of Japan will need a tourist visa. All visitors are required to have a passport and it must be valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay. You also must have documents for return/onward travel. Citizens of countries other than those listed above should check with their travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements. A useful website for visa requirements is: http://www.embassyworld.com . Currency The Local Currency: Belize Dollars, however $US are accepted and WELCOMED everywhere. There is NO NEED to change $US into $BZ (the general exchange rate is $1US = $2BZ). Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards are more difficult to use, but are becoming more acceptable each year. Debit cards rarely work, but VISA and Mastercard can be used to get cash advances from most banks. The Time Zone GMT/UTC -6:00. Electricity 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Flat two-pin plugs. Electricity at Spanish Bay is generated onsite via solar and wind power with diesel backup. DO NOT bring high voltage appliances such as blow dryers, they will not work! Water We practice water conservation at Spanish Bay because we must capture all our water from rain or transport it in by boat. We recommend one short shower per day. Drinking water is filtered and available at designated taps. Personal Funds Approximately $200- $500 US for personal spending, extra tours, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks might be useful. If you want to call home, you will need to purchase a local phone card. Phone cards from the USA DO NOT work in Belize. Average costs: $1.25 US per minute with a BTL Prepaid Phone Card; $4.00 per minute with your credit card. Tips It is customary to tip for services in Belize. Culture Belize is a melting pot of ethnic cultures including Creole (former African slaves mixed with other cultures), Garifuna (non-slave African mixed with Carib Indian), Maya (Ketchi and Mopan), Mestizo (Mexican, Maya, Spanish mix), Mennonite (predominately German), and other Caucasian (European mix). Shorts and t-shirts are fine for both men and women. Swimwear is appropriate for beaches, but not for Belize City, where shirts and shoes are recommended at all times. ===== ________________________________________________ Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D. Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal at tamug.edu and leszek at hawaii.edu http://www.tamug.edu/mmrp/Postdoctoral/Leszek/Leszek.htm ________________________________________________ From janiger at almaak.usc.edu Sat Dec 3 16:59:42 2005 From: janiger at almaak.usc.edu (David S. Janiger) Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 16:59:42 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New Articles Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20051203165942.00d11008@email.usc.edu> Hi, All Between the SMM Biennial Conference and jury duty the first week in January, it will probably be around the middle of January before the next message. I would like to take this moment to wish everyone a happy holiday and new year. Also, to thank you for all the wonderful messages and comments. Hope to meet many of you in San Diego. Here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. File sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Because of the conference dates, those who don't hear from me by Dec. 11, I will pick up again after Dec. 16. Please don't hit the reply button. Make all requests to: janiger at bcf.usc.edu Cheers! David Janiger - Curatorial Assistant (Mammals) Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3369 janiger at bcf.usc.edu djaniger at nhm.org BAIRD, R. W. PACIFIC SCIENCE 59(3):461-466. 2005. Sightings of dwarf (Kogia sima) and pygmy (K. breviceps) sperm whales from the main Hawaiian Islands. 3.922 MB BEAUPLET, GWENAEL; CHRISTOPHE BARBRAUD; MAGALY CHAMBELLANT and CHRISTOPHE GUINET. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY 74(6):1160-1172. 2005. Interannual variation in the post-weaning and juvenile survival of subantarctic fur seals: Influence of pup sex, growth rate and oceanographic conditions. 0.258 MB BENGTSON, JOHN L.; LISA M. HIRUKI-RARING; MICHAEL A. SIMPKINS and PETER L. BOVENG. POLAR BIOLOGY 28(11):833-845. 2005. Ringed and bearded seal densities in the eastern Chukchi Sea, 1999-2000. 0.687 MB BUREK, KATHY A.; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; GAY SHEFFIELD; KIMBERLEE B. BECKMEN; ENID KEYES; TERRY R. SPRAKER; ALVIN W. SMITH; DOUGLAS E. SKILLING; JAMES F. EVERMANN; JEFFERY L. STOTT; JERRY T. SALIKI and ANDREW W. TRITES. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 41(3):512-524. 2005. Infectious disease and the decline of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska, USA: Insights from serologic data. 0.121 MB BURNS, J. M.; D. P. COSTA; K. FROST and J. T. HARVEY. PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ZOOLOGY 78(6):1057-1968. 2005. Development of body oxygen stores in harbor seals: Effects of age, mass, and body composition. 0.135 MB CARLINI, A. R.; G. A. DANERI; M. E. I. MARQUEZ; H. BORNEMANN; H. PANARELLO; R. CASAUX; S. RAMDOHR and J. PLOTZ. POLAR BIOLOGY 28(10):769-775. 2005. Food consumption estimates of southern elephant seal females during their post-breeding aquatic phase at King George Island. 0.286 MB CONRAD, P. A.; M. A. MILLER; C. KREUDER; E. R. JAMES; J. MAZET; H. DABRITZ; D. A. JESSUP; F. GULLAND and M. E. GRIGG. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY 35(11-12):1155-1168. 2005. Transmission of Toxoplasma: Clues from the study of sea otters as sentinels of Toxoplasma gondii flow into the marine environment. 0.317 MB DE BRUYN, P. J. N.; M. N. BESTER; S. P. KIRKMAN; S. MECENERO; J. R. ROUX and N. T. W. KLAGES. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 40(2):261-270. 2005. Cephalopod diet of the Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus, along the Namibian coast: Variation due to location. 0.528 MB DEROCHER, ANDREW E.; MAGNUS ANDERSEN and OYSTEIN WIIG. JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY 86(5):895-901. 2005. Sexual dimorphism of polar bears. 0.106 MB ENDO, T.; Y. HOTTA; K. HARAGUCHI and M. SAKATA. CHEMOSPHERE 61(8):1069-1073. 2005. Distribution and toxicity of mercury in rats after oral administration of mercury-contaminated whale red meat marketed for human consumption. 0.099 MB FISHER, SUE J. and RANDALL R. REEVES. JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE LAW AND POLICY 8:315-340. 2005. The global trade in live cetaceans: Implications for conservation. 0.109 MB FITCH, W. TECUMSEH. BIOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY 20(2-3):193-230. 2005. The evolution of language: A comparative review. 0.293 MB GANNIER, ALEXANDRE. REVUE D'ECOLOGIE LA TERRE ET LA VIE 60(3):223-238. 2005. Summer distribution and relative abundance of delphinids in the Mediterranean Sea. 0.753 MB GILG, OLIVIER and ERIK W. BORN. POLAR BIOLOGY 28(10):796-801. 2005. Recent sightings of the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) in northeast Greenland and the Greenland Sea. 0.299 MB GROCH, KARINA R.; JOSE T. PALAZZO JR.; PAULO A. C. FLORES; FRED R. ADLER and MARTA E. FABIAN. LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC MAMMALS 4(1):41-47. 2005. Recent rapid increases in the right whale (Eubalaena australis) population off southern Brazil. 0.222 MB HERMAN, D. P.; D. G. BURROWS; P. R. WADE; J. W. DURBAN; C. O. MATKIN; R. G. LEDUC; L. G. BARRETT-LENNARD and M. M. KRAHN. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 302:275-291. 2005. Feeding ecology of eastern North Pacific killer whales Orcinus orca from fatty acid, stable isotope, and organochlorine analyses of blubber biopsies. 0.165 MB HINES, ELLEN; KANJANA ADULYANUKOSOL; DAVE DUFFUS and PHILIP DEARDEN. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 36(5):654-664. 2005. Community perspectives and conservation needs fog dugongs (Dugong dugon) along the Andaman coast of Thailand. 0.217 MB HOF, PATRICK R.; REBECCA CHANIS and LORI MARINO. ANATOMICAL RECORD PART A-DISCOVERIES IN MOLECULAR CELLULAR AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 287A(1):1142-1152. 2005. Cortical complexity in cetacean brains. 1.029 MB KASTAK, DAVID; BRANDON L. SOUTHALL; RONALD J. SCHUSTERMAN and COLLEEN REICHMUTH KASTAK. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 118(5):3154-3163. 2005. Underwater temporary threshold shift in pinnipeds: Effects of noise level and duration. 0.270 MB KUCZAJ, STAN A. and LAUREN E. HIGHFILL. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCES 28(5):705-706. 2005. Dolphin play: Evidence for cooperation and culture? 0.072 MB MARSH, GORAN; MARIA ATHANASIADOU; IOANNIS ATHANASSIADIS; AKE BERGMAN; TETSUYA ENDO and KOICHI HARAGUCHI. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 39(22):8684-8690. 2005. Identification, quantification, and synthesis of a novel dimethoxylated polybrominated biphenyl in marine mammals caught off the coast of Japan. 0.150 MB OUTRIDGE, P. M.; K. A. HOBSON and J. M. SAVELLE. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 350(1-3):106-118. 2005. Changes in mercury and cadmium concentrations and the feeding behaviour of beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) near Somerset Island, Canada, during the 20th century. 0.270 MB PODESTA, MICHELA; LUIGI CAGNOLARO and BRUNO COZZI. ATTI DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI SCIENZE NATURALI E DEL MUSEO CIVICO DI STORIA NATURALE DI MILANO 146(1):109-116. 2005. First record of a stranded Gervais' beaked whale, Mesoplodon europaeus (Gervais, 1855), in the Mediterranean waters. 0.718 MB RANKIN, SHANNON and JAY BARLOW. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 118(5):3346-3351. 2005. Source of the North Pacific "boing" sound attributed to minke whales. 0.576 MB ROTHERHAM, L. S.; M. VAN DER MERWE; M. N. BESTER and W. H. OOSTHUIZEN. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 53(5):295-300. 2005. Morphology and distribution of sweat glands in the Cape fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (Carnivora: Otariidae). 0.313 MB SIMONITE, TOM. NATURE (LONDON) 438(7067):402-403. 2005. Seals net data from cold seas. 0.254 MB SONNE, CHRISTIAN; RUNE DIETZ; PALL S. LEIFSSON; ERIK W. BORN; ROBERT J. LETCHER; MAJA KIRKEGAARD; DEREK C. G. MUIR; FRANK F. RIGET and LARS HYLDSTRUP. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 113(11):1569-1574. 2005. Do organohalogen contaminants contribute to histopathology in liver from east Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus)? 1.445 MB STODDARD, ROBYN A.; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; E. ROB ATWILL; JUDY LAWRENCE; SPENCER JANG and PATRICIA A. CONRAD. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 11(12):1967-1969. 2005. Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in northern elephant seals, California. 0.098 MB STRAND, JAKOB and JENS A. JACOBSEN. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 350(1-3):72-85. 2005. Accumulation and trophic transfer of organotins in a marine food web from the Danish coastal waters. 0.237 MB STRAND, JAKOB; MARTIN M. LARSEN and CHRISTINA LOCKYER. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 350(1-3):59-71. 2005. Accumulation of organotin compounds and mercury in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the Danish waters and West Greenland. 0.256 MB SVANE, IB. FISHERIES RESEARCH (AMSTERDAM) 76(3):317-327. 2005. Occurrence of dolphins and seabirds and their consumption of by-catch during prawn trawling in Spencer Gulf, South Australia. 0.328 MB SWEAT, J. M.; C. M. JOHNSON; Y. MARIKAR and E. P. GIBBS. VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY 108(3-4):269-283. 2005. Characterization of surface interleukin-2 receptor expression on gated populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris. 0.597 MB WEISE, MICHAEL J. and JAMES T. HARVEY. FISHERY BULLETIN 103(4):685-696. 2005. Impact of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) on salmon fisheries in Monterey Bay, California. 0.287 MB WELLS, RANDALL S.; VICTORIA TORNERO; ASUNCION BORRELL; ALEX AGUILAR; TERI K. ROWLES; HOWARD L. RHINEHART; SUZANNE HOFMANN; WALTER M. JARMAN; ALETA A. HOHN and JAY C. SWEENEY. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 349(1-3):106-119. 2005. Integrating potential life-history and reproductive success data to examine relationships with organochlorine compounds for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. 0.184 MB WILSON, JOANNA Y.; SUZY R. COOKE; MICHAEL J. MOORE; DANIEL MARTINEAU; IGOR MIKAELIAN; DONALD A. METNER; W. LYLE LOCKHART and JOHN J. STEGEMAN. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 113(11):1594-1599. 2005. Systemic effects of arctic pollutants in beluga whales indicated by CYP1A1 expression. 3.601 MB WOLF, JOCHEN B. W.; GORAN KAUERMANN and FRITZ TRILLMICH. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 59(2):293-302. 2005. Males in the shade: habitat use and sexual segregation in the Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki). 0.413 MB ZIMMER, WALTER M. X.; PETER T. MADSEN; VALERIA TELONI; MARK P. JOHNSON and PETER L. TYACK. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 118(5):3337-3345. 2005. Off-axis effects on the multipulse structure of sperm whale usual clicks with implications for sound production. 0.630 MB ZUCCA, P.; G. DI GUARDO; M. FRANCESE; D. SCARAVELLI; T. GENOV and A. MAZZATENTA. VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 29(Supp. 2):261-264. 2005. Causes of stranding in four Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) found beached along the North Adriatic sea coast. 0.127 MB From Kate.Swails at noaa.gov Fri Dec 2 08:39:18 2005 From: Kate.Swails at noaa.gov (Kate Swails) Date: Fri, 02 Dec 2005 11:39:18 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Permitting Workshop at the SMM Biennial Message-ID: <439078B6.A539E891@noaa.gov> Join the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources Permits, Conservation and Education Division for a Marine Mammal Permits and Authorizations workshop on Monday December 12th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The workshop will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in Elizabeth rooms F, G, H . There will be an overview of the permit process, a general question and answer session, and the opportunity to ask more specific questions in breakout groups. -- Kate Swails Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 3532, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Tel: 301-713-2289 (ext.201) Fax: 301-713-0376 Web site: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ From Kimberly.Davis at WWFUS.ORG Fri Dec 2 08:32:19 2005 From: Kimberly.Davis at WWFUS.ORG (Davis, Kimberly) Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 11:32:19 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] International Smart Gear Competition - Entries due March 15, 2006 Message-ID: Please post this to the MarMam listserve. Thanks, Kim > ______________________________________________ > > > A SMART idea to reduce bycatch could net you USD 25,000! > > WWF and our partners launched the second International Smart Gear > Competition this week. Intended to inspire and reward innovative > ideas to reduce bycatch, the competition invites entries from all over > the world. The Competition will award a USD 25,000 grand prize and > two USD 5,000 prizes. Entries for the 2006 Competition are due MARCH > 15, 2006. PLEASE help us spread the word by sharing this information > with anyone that you think might want to enter. > > Visit www.smartgear.org for official rules, entry form and additional > information. Please note that there are competition materials > available in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian > and Mandarin. However, all entries must be submitted in English. > > > If you have questions about the competition, please contact me or > Rodrigo Donadi at rodrigo.donadi at wwfus.org or 202-778-9757. > > Thanks, > > Kimberly S. Davis > Deputy Director > Marine Conservation Program > World Wildlife Fund > 1250 24th Street NW > Washington DC 20037 > 202-861-8367 > www.worldwildlife.org > kimberly.davis at wwfus.org > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---------------------------------------------------- > > World Wildlife Fund Launches 2006 Competition for Fishing Gear that > Reduce Accidental Marine Life Deaths > > $25,000 Grand Prize for "Smart Gear" that Lowers Bycatch Rate > > For further information: > Sarah Janicke, 202/778-9685 > or Kerry Zobor, 202/778-9509 > > > WASHINGTON-World Wildlife Fund today announced the launch of the > second WWF International Smart Gear Competition. The contest seeks > innovative fishing gear that reduces marine bycatch-the accidental > catch and related deaths of marine mammals, birds, sea turtles and > non-target fish species in fishing gear such as nets and longlines. > > "World Wildlife Fund's looking for real-world fishing solutions that > allow fishermen to fish 'smarter'-better targeting their intended > catch while safeguarding the dolphins, sea turtles and other marine > life often caught unintentionally," said Ginette Hemley, vice > president, species conservation, World Wildlife Fund. "This unique > collaboration among conservationists, fishermen and scientists is > designed to inspire new technologies for more sustainable fishing." > > The international competition will award a $25,000 grand prize and two > $5,000 runner-up prizes to the designs judged to be the most > practical, cost-effective methods for reducing bycatch of any species. > The competition is open to eligible entrants from any > background-including fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, > teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors. > Instructions for entry along with the competition rules are available > at www.smartgear.org and completed entries must be submitted by March > 15, 2006. > > Conventional fishing gear does often not allow users to selectively > target their catch. As a result, non-target fish species, marine > mammals, birds, sea turtles and non-target fish species are caught and > sometimes killed. More than 25 percent of what is caught in the > course of fishing - as much as 20 million metric tons, annually-is > thrown over the sides of fishing boats dead or dying. This bycatch is > the leading threat to many endangered marine mammals, sea turtles and > sea birds around the world. > > "The WWF International Smart Gear Competition aims to stop one of the > biggest threats to healthy marine ecosystems and related economic > losses to fishermen," said Hemley of World Wildlife Fund. "We hope > this competition harnesses the creativity and ingenuity of fishermen, > scientists and the public to reduce the waste caused by inefficient > gear." > > Last year, WWF awarded three new practical solutions to marine > bycatch: a system for keeping longlines away from sea turtles by a > former high-school biology teacher and commercial fisherman; changes > to the chemical properties of fishing ropes and nets by a North > American team; and modified trawls to reduce bycatch of undersized > shrimp and fish by a team of Indian scientists. > > The winner of the WWF International Smart Gear Competition will be > decided by a diverse set of judges, including fishermen, researchers, > engineers and fisheries managers from all over the world. > > ### > > Known in the United States as World Wildlife Fund and recognized > worldwide by its panda logo, WWF leads international efforts to > protect endangered species and their habitats and to conserve the > diversity of life on Earth. Now in its fifth decade, WWF, the global > conservation organization, works in more than 100 countries around the > world. For more information on World Wildlife Fund, visit > www.worldwildlife.org. > > For official competition rules and to learn how to enter, please visit > www.smartgear.org. The competition begins on November 29, 2005, and > ends on March 15, 2006. Employees, agents, current contractors, and > relatives of employees of World Wildlife Fund, Inc. or any WWF > National Organization are ineligible. Judges and relatives of Judges > are also ineligible. The competition is void where prohibited. Odds > depend on number of entries received. No purchase is necessary. > > Note to editors: High resolution photographs (2005 winners in the > field and head shots, bycatch, dolphins, whales, and sea turtles) and > video (bycatch, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, fishing boats) are > available to accompany press stories mentioning World Wildlife Fund or > WWF. If used, appropriate credit must also be given to the > photographer. > > For more information on the WWF International Smart Gear Competition, > go to www.smartgear.org. > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From aromero at astate.edu Sun Dec 4 08:52:20 2005 From: aromero at astate.edu (Aldemaro Romero) Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2005 10:52:20 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publications Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.0.20051204104733.01d108e0@exchange.astate.edu> There is a new book titled "Environmental Issues in Latin American and the Caribbean" published by Springer which contains two chapters that refer to marine mammal issues. The chapter titles and summaries are below. For more information on this book go to: http://www.springer.com/sgw/cda/frontpage/0,11855,4-40157-22-88521011-0,00.html Thanks, Aldemaro Romero, Ph.D. Chair and Professor Department of Biological Sciences Arkansas State University P.O. Box 599 State University, AR 72467, USA Phone: (870) 972-3082 Facsimile: (870) 972-2638 aromero at astate.edu http://www.clt.astate.edu/aromero/ Chapter 1 IN THE LAND OF THE MERMAID: HOW CULTURE, NOT ECOLOGY, INFLUENCED MARINE MAMMAL EXPLOITATION IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN Aldemaro Romero1 and Joel Creswell2 1 Environmental Studies Program, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St, Paul, MN 55105-1899. Current Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467; 2 Environmental Studies Program, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St, Paul, MN 55105-1899. Current Address: Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511 Abstract: Although some progress has been made toward a better understanding of marine mammal utilization in the Southeastern Caribbean, no comparative analysis has been carried out to see how such practices originated, developed, and finally impacted the marine mammal populations in that region. We conducted field and archival studies for Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We analyzed records of whaling, dolphin fisheries, and manatee exploitation for those countries, interviewed local fishers, and explored the remains of whaling stations in each area. Our results show that each of these countries developed a different pattern of whale and dolphin exploitation, but similar patterns of utilizing manatees. We conclude that these five neighboring countries, although sharing essentially the same marine mammal species, developed different exploitation practices in terms of species targeted, capture techniques, and time periods in which that exploitation took place, due to different cultural circumstances. Key words: whaling; dolphin fisheries; whales; dolphins; manatees Chapter 7 A DEEPER SOLUTION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMONS Building an effort control regime for the Eastern Tropical Pacific tuna fishery Brian Potter1 1Department of Political Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Abstract: The parable of the tragedy of the commons tells that resources held under open access conditions are prone to over-exploitation. For fisheries, regulations to limit aggregate catch improve resource use yet promote over-investment. Optimal regulation would limit the investments and labor dedicated to harvesting, a task quite difficult in a global forum. Motivated by three reasons, the member-states of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission have attempted such limits for the purse-seine yellowfin fishery, in addition to implementing other conservation measures. First, increases in fishing capacity by existing participants and newcomers have resulted in financial losses for the major fleets. Second, the resolution of the tuna-dolphin controversy encouraged additional harvesting capacity in an already-crowded fishery. Finally, bureaucratic changes in some countries have empowered fishery professionals who balance sustainable resource use with economic development. The strength of these influences, as well as efforts and concessions to create a regime, vary among the states involved. Key words: fishery management, natural resource policy, common property, open access, over-capitalization, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, Latin America. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rconnor at umassd.edu Sun Dec 4 13:26:36 2005 From: rconnor at umassd.edu (Richard Connor) Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2005 16:26:36 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] assistants needed for Shark Bay study Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.0.20051204162245.038af138@pop.umassd.edu> Please post the following on marmam: We are seeking four or five highly skilled research assistants for the 2006 field season to help on the Male Dolphin Alliance Project in Shark Bay, Western Australia. The study will run from July-November. We are examining the relationship between alliance size, stability, habitat, relatedness and reproductive success. Shark Bay is a marine biologist's paradise and the dolphin behavior you will witness is unsurpassed. Because training time will be limited and we (Connor and Krutzen) will not be on site for the entire study, we need people who are already skilled at handling small motor boats and dolphin photo-identification. Skill at sailing larger (36') catamarans would be a real plus. You will work in teams on two boats, one concentrating on behavior and the other on darting and behavior. Behavioral data will be collected during surveys and focal alliance follows, including 20- minute digital video samples. The type of person that works well on our project is hard-working, team oriented, plays well with others and maintains a positive attitude when things aren't going well. People who like to 'sleep in' or work on a schedule may not adapt well to our program. The latter is important because, perhaps more than many field sites, work in Shark Bay is highly weather dependent. This means we can alternate between long periods stuck on shore and consecutive long-days offshore which are very intense and tiring. The fickle nature of the wind means we can rarely predict what time of day we will be going offshore and are often 'on standby'. You should be comfortable with standing in a boat for 11 hours non-stop while looking for and recording data on dolphins. You should be comfortable with and experienced at looking though binoculars for long periods. You will be expected to work endless hours identifying dolphins and entering data into a computer database. You must be available from July-November 2006, but exact dates within that period are still uncertain. We will also send you a CD with over 100 male fins and expect to learn to distinguish them before the study. You have to get to Shark Bay on your own, but food and living space is provided onsite. If you are interested and have the required experience and skills, please provide a short CV with references and a letter explaining your interest in the project and career goals to both Richard at rconnor at umassd.edu and Michael at michael.kruetzen at aim.unizh.ch by 31 Jan 06. We will make decisions by the end of February. Please include names and email addresses for references; CVs that state 'references available on request' will not be considered. Please specify whether you actually took pictures on a photo-ID study (but that is not a requirement; we have had wonderful assistants with no prior boat or photo-ID experience). Please do not be put off if you applied but were not considered in recent years. Each year we have more good applicants than we can take on the project. Richard will be at the San Diego Conference and will be happy to speak with you. Visit http://monkeymiadolphins.org for more information on dolphin research in Shark Bay, the environs and how to get there. From beaupleg at tamug.edu Sat Dec 3 15:22:46 2005 From: beaupleg at tamug.edu (Gwenael Beauplet) Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005 17:22:46 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Dolphin Research Internship Message-ID: DOLPHIN PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION INTERNSHIP The Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) is currently accepting applications for Research Interns for the Spring/Summer 2006 semester (mid-February, 2006 - July 31, 2006). The MMRP is located on Galveston, southern Texas. Our research lab is coordinated under the auspices of the Institute of Marine Life Sciences (IMLS) at Texas A&M University in Galveston (TAMUG). Research studies can vary widely in nature and availability. For information on past or current research projects at MMRP, please visit our website, at http://www.tamug.tamu.edu/mmrp/ Internships at MMRP represent an opportunity to get "behind the scenes" to see how a marine mammal facility operates. It offers an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals to participate in MMRP's ongoing research projects and to obtain laboratory training in photo-identification methodology and analysis under the mentorship of experienced marine mammal researchers. In addition, educational opportunities are available, such as informal journal article reviews and the development of personal learning objectives. Successful applicants will be primarily responsible for assisting with lab-based photo-identification tasks. Other responsibilities may include but are not limited to data entry into the computer for analysis, library research, and involvement in special projects. This coming year, we will not be engaged in gathering data from vessels, although some limited shore-based work with bottlenose dolphin position information may be possible. Therefore, please be advised that this is primarily an intensive laboratory-analysis experience with marine mammals. Internships require a minimum of a 12-week commitment (16-20 weeks is preferable), 40 hours per week. Starting and ending dates are flexible. There is no compensation for this internship position and successful applicants will be responsible for their living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Successful candidate will also be responsible for providing their own housing. However, MMRP will provide assistance in locating housing and/or matching up interns desiring roommates. * Qualifications required: - Must have basic computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred - Successful candidates will be ready and willing to learn, self-motivated, and flexible. - Prior research experience is recommended, but not required. * The deadline for application is 16 January, 2006, and must contain the following: 1. Curriculum vitae, or "resum?", 2. Letter of intent, which clearly spells out what you would wish to accomplish with the internship, 3. Two letters of reference, from professors or research supervisors who are familiar with your scholarship, research skills and work habits, 4. A letter listing classes taken and grades obtained. An official transcript is not necessary, but a copy is appreciated. Please send the above materials to : Marine Mammal Research Program, Attn. Internship Coordinator, 4700 Ave. U, Bldg. # 303, Galveston, TX 77551. Interested applicants should correspond to: Dr. Gwenael Beauplet Marine Mammal Research Program Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Bldg #303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Email: ufuf at tamug.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sgero at dal.ca Mon Dec 5 06:36:30 2005 From: sgero at dal.ca (Shane) Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2005 10:36:30 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication - Behaviourally specific preferred associations in bottlenose dolphins Message-ID: We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in the Canadian Journal of Zoology: S. Gero, L. Bejder, H. Whitehead, J. Mann, and R.C. Connor. (2005) Behaviourally specific preferred associations in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops spp. The article is available online CONTENTS section at http://cjz.nrc.ca (this may only be available free to Canadian's). Alternatively, a pdf reprint is available from the corresponding author's website under publications: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/sge/pub.html ABSTRACT: We investigated association patterns of 52 photographically identified, free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp. Gervais,1855) across four behavioural states (rest, travel, social, foraging/feeding) to investigate how behavioural state influences patterns of association. Group composition and behavioural data were extracted from 2178 encounter surveys collected over 3 years. Analyses revealed three general types of association: (1) affiliates, which consistently demonstrate preferred associations across all behavioral states; (2) acquaintances, which never form preferred associations but still associate in at least one behavioural state; and (3) behavioural associates, which form preferred associations in at least one, but not all behavioural states. The majority of associations in Shark Bay, Australia, are acquaintance type (38.2%), with affiliates (5.7%, principally between adult males) and behavioural associates (28.9%, principally between juveniles) being relatively rarer. Permutation tests identified behaviourally specific preferred associations during all behavioural states. Although behaviourally specific preferred associations appear to exist with the Shark Bay social structure, it seems that the social organization and mating system constrain the social relationships for the majority of males and females in differing ways which prevent them from having behavioural associates, leaving juveniles free to associate based on short-term expediency and behavioural specific needs. *********************************** Shane Gero, M.Sc. Whitehead Lab Biology Dept. Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada B3H 4J1 ? Lab Tel: (902) 494-3723 Lab?Fax: (902) 494-3736 sgero at dal.ca http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/sge/ ? ? From johnson at cogsci.ucsd.edu Sun Dec 4 22:37:02 2005 From: johnson at cogsci.ucsd.edu (Chris Johnson) Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2005 22:37:02 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop on Comparative Cognition Message-ID: <6.0.2.0.1.20051204222816.01cc7d70@cogsci.ucsd.edu> Greetings all! We just wanted to let you know that there is still space available at the workshop on Comparative Cognition being held on Sunday, Dec 11, in conjunction with the 16th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Maine Mammals in San Diego. If you have not yet sent in your $30 registration fee for this workshop, please know that you can register at the door on Sunday morning. The workshop, which is being held in the Manchester Grandy Hyatt (the same venue as the conference) goes from 8:30 am til 6pm, and all are welcome! For further information about the workshop program, see our website at: http://home.earthlink.net/~wdpdenise/ Hope to see you there! Chris Johnson & Denise Herzing Christine M. Johnson, Ph.D. Dept. of Cognitive Science, UCSD La Jolla, CA 92093-0515 Phn: 858-534-9854 FAX: 858-534-1128 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From macavoy at american.edu Fri Dec 2 12:05:42 2005 From: macavoy at american.edu (Stephen MacAvoy) Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 15:05:42 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] American University ENVS MS program openings Message-ID: <040026B8-636F-11DA-8F97-000A95874CA2@american.edu> The Environmental Science Program at American University in Washington DC invites applications from students interested in graduate work at the interface of science and policy. Funded positions are available as early as January 2006. Because of increased funding for the coming year, we anticipate being able to support a larger class for 06/07. Located minutes from downtown DC, and the states of Maryland and Virginia, graduate students in our program have the unique opportunity to build on classroom instruction with internships and fellowships at all levels of government as well as with the many NGO?s headquartered in this region. The Environmental Studies Program offers competitive fellowships, teaching assistantships and student grants to qualified applicants and, as noted above, we anticipate and increase in awards for 06/07. For more information, go to: www.american.edu/cas/env_std/environ_about.html or contact Dr. Stephen MacAvoy at macavoy at american.edu or 202-885-3003 -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 1171 bytes Desc: not available URL: From caryn at sirenian.org Fri Dec 2 08:34:27 2005 From: caryn at sirenian.org (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 11:34:27 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Sirenian International at SMM Meetings In-Reply-To: <200511302000.jAUK0Sn1110944@casual.uvic.ca> Message-ID: <003501c5f75e$4697ff00$2f01a8c0@Hydrodamalis> Dear Colleagues, Sirenian International will host a Participating Membership Meeting during the SMM Conference on Thursday, December 17th, from 7 - 9:30 PM in Room 'Elizabeth A'. This time slot is currently on the SMM Program as "OPEN NIGHT". Ellen Hines, one of SI's Directors will lead the meeting. If you have anything you would like discussed, please send an email to caryn at sirenian.org before December 6th and I will get it on the agenda. This is an excellent opportunity for networking with sirenian specialists from around the world. An agenda for the Participating Membership Meeting will be posted to the Sirenian Listserv on December 7th. Registration is free and the meeting is open to all persons interested in sirenian research, education, and conservation. Please register online at so that we make sure you receive an agenda and we know how many folks to prepare for: http://www.sirenian.org/membership.html You may also use the comments section of this form to put items on the meeting agenda. Once you register, I will subscribe you to the Sirenian Listserv (if you are not already subscribed) so that you will receive the meeting agenda and any updates prior to the meeting. Just FYI, there is also an International Sirenian Workshop, hosted by the USFWS and the USGS Sirenia Project on Sunday morning, prior to the SMM Conference. More information on this workshop can be found at http://www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/Workshops.htm Cheers, Caryn ========================================== Caryn Self-Sullivan, President & Co-founder Sirenian International, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-2110 Phones: 540.373.8205 HM; 540.287.8207 CELL URL: http://www.sirenian.org; Email: caryn at sirenian.org ========================================== "The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration." Please remember us when budgeting for your charitable donations. Donate online at http://www.sirenian.org. From ekane at southampton.liu.edu Mon Dec 5 07:42:31 2005 From: ekane at southampton.liu.edu (ekane at southampton.liu.edu) Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2005 10:42:31 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitus Message-ID: <1133797351.f7a4a84212e82@mycampus.southampton.liu.edu> Hello, I am a Long Island University, Southampton College student currently participating in an internship at Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/NOAA) under the supervision of Tim Gerrodette and Paula Olson. My research project is on the commensal whale barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitus within the eastern tropical pacific. I have found 4 species that have been previously unrecorded to my knowledge. They are Humpback whales, Spinner dolphins, Bryde's whales, and long-beaked common dolphins (D. capensis). If anyone has seen this barnacle on any of these cetaceans, or any cetaceans for that matter, could you please let me know. I am also trying to compile a list of known hosts and occurrences, so this information can be helpful. For a picture of this barnacle, see http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/bis/crustacea.php?menuentry=soorten&selected=beschrijving&id=108 Below is an alphabetical list of references that I have obtained. If you know of any that I have missed or that you think might be helpful, please let me know. ____ (2002). Dwarf minke whales in the Great Barrier Reef. Pamphlet published by CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd. Anderson, D. (1994). Barnacles: Structure, function, development and evolution. Chapman & Hall: New York. Arnsberg, A. (2001). Arthropoda, Cirripedia: the barnacles. In An Identification Guide to the Larval Marine Invertebrates of the Pacific Northwest. A. Shanks (ed.) Oregon State University Press: Corvallis, OR. pp. 155-178. Balbuena, J. and J. Raga (1989). Ecology and host relationships of the whale-louse Isocyamus delphini (Amphipoda: Cyamidae) parasitizing long-finned pilot whales (Glopicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands (Northeast Atlantic). Can. J. Zool. 69: 141-145. Balbuena, J. and J. Raga (1993). Intestinal helminthes as indicators of segregation and social structure of pods of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off the Faeroe Islands. Can. J. Zool. 72: 443-448. Balbuena, J., F. Aznar, M. Fernandez and J. Raga (1995). Parasites as indicators of social structure and stock identity of marine mammals. In Whales, Seals, Fish and Man (ed. Blix, A., Walloe, L. and Ulltang, O.), Developments in Marine Biology 4: 133-140. Amsterdam, Elsevier. Barre, L. (2005). Preliminary draft of the Conservation Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca). For the National Marine Fisheries Service. 173 pp. Berland, B., J. Krakstad, B. Axelsen, F. Vaz-Velho and Gra?a Bauleth-D?Almeida (2003). Xenobalanus globicipitus (Crustacea: Cirripedia) on dusky dolphins (Lagenorynchus obscurus) off Namibia: Hitch-hiker?s guide to the seas. Abstracts for the 15th Biennial Conference on the Biology of marine Mammals, Greensboro, NC, USA. Black, N., A. Schulman-Janiger, R. Ternullo, and M. Guerrero-Ruiz (1997). Killer Whales of California and Western Mexico: a catalog of photo-identified individuals. NOAA/NMFS Tech. Mem. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-247: 174 pp. Branscomb, E. and D. Rittschof (1984). An investigation of low frequency sound waves as a means of inhibiting barnacle settlement. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 79: 149-154. Brownell, R. Jr. (1975). Progress report on the biology of the Franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei, in Uruguayan waters. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 32: 1073-1078. Bushuev, S. (1990). A study of the population structure of the southern minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lac?p?de) based on morphological and ecological variability. Rep. Int. Whal. Commn. 40:317-324. Cowan, D. (1996). Pathologist?s Report on GA 775. Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Galveston, TX. Cowan, D. (1996). Pathologist?s Report on GA 810. Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Galveston, TX. Dailey, M. and K. Otto (1982). Parasites as biological indicators of the distributions and diets of marine mammals common to the eastern Pacific. NMFS/SWFSC Admin. Rep. LJ-82-13C: 44 pp. Dalheim, M. (1997). A photographic catalog of killer whales, Orcinus orca, from the central Gulf of Alaska to the southeastern Bering Sea. NMFS/NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS 131:54 pp. Darwin, C. (1854). A Monograph of the Subclass Cirripedia. II. The Balanidae, Verrucidae, etc. Ray Soc. Publ., 440 pp. Di Beneditto, A. and M. Ramos (2001). Biology and conservation of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) in the north of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 3 (2): 185-192. Di Beneditto, A. and R. Ramos (2004). Biology of the marine tucuxi dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) in south-eastern Brazil. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 84: 1245-1250. Di Beneditto, A.P. & Ramos, R. (2000). Presence of the barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitus (Steenstrup, 1851) on small cetaceans of Southeastern Brazil. Biotemas, 13: 159-165. Dollfus, R. (1968). Xenobalanus globicipitus Steenstrup (Cirripedia, Thoracica): r?colt? sur Tursiops truncates (Montagu) ? proximit? de la C?te Nord du Maroc. Bull. Inst. P?ches maritimes Maroc 16: 55-59. Evans, W. E. (1994). Common Dolphin, White bellied porpoise Delphinus delphis Linnaeus 1758. In Handbook of Marine Mammals. S. H. Ridgway and R. Harrison (eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, California, 5: 216-217. Fertl, D. (___). Barnacles. From Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. W. Perrin, B. W?rsig, and J. Thewissen (eds.). Academic Press: San Diego. pp. 75-77. Fertl, D. and A. Landry (1999). Sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) on a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates) and a review of other cetacean-remora interactions. Mar. Mam. Sci. 15 (3): 859-863. Ford, J. and G. Ellis (1999). Transients: Mammal-hunting killer whales of Brittish Columbia, Washington and Southeastern Alaska. UBC Press: Vancouver. 96 pp. Ford, J., G. Ellis and K. Balcomb (1994). Killer Whales: The natural history and geneology of Orcinus orca in British Columbia and Washington state. UBC Press: Vancouver. 102 pp. Frankel, A. (___). Sound Production. From Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. W. Perrin, B. W?rsig, and J. Thewissen (eds.). Academic Press: San Diego. pp. 1126-1138. Henry, D. (1943). Notes on some barnacles from the Gulf of California. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 93:367-373. Hu, S. (2005). Monitoring the distribution and population dynamics of San Diego county coastal Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Humphreys, R, Jr., M. Crossler, and C. Rowland (1993). Use of a monogenean gill parasiteand feasibility of condition indices for identifying new recruits to a seamount population of armorhead Pseudopentaceros wheeleri (Pentacerotidae). Fishery Bulletin 91: 455-463. Jackson, A., T. Gerrodette, S. Chivers, M. Lynn, P. Olson, and S. Rankin (2004). Marine mammal data collected during a survey in the Eastern Tropical Pacific ocean aboard the NOAA ships McArthur II and David Starr Jordan, July 29-December 10, 2003. NOAA/NMFS Tech. Mem. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-366: 98 pp. Jefferson, T., D. Odell and K. Prunier (1995). Notes on the biology of the clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Mar. Mam. Sci. 11 (4): 564-573. Jones, J. (1991). Movements of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in the South Pacific: evidence from parasites. Mar. Biol. 111:1-9. Karuppiah, S., A. Subramanian, and P. Obbard (2004). The barnacle Xenobalanus globicipits (Cirripedida, Coronulidae) attached to the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncates (Mammalia, Cetacea) on the southeastern coast of India. Crustaceana 7: 879-882. Killingley, J. (1980). Migrations of California Gray whales tracked by oxygen-18 variations in their epizoic barnacles. Science 207: 759-760. Lester, R., K. Sewell, A. Barnes and K. Evans (1988). Stock discrimination of orange roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus, by parasite analysis. Mar. Biol. 99:137-143. Mackenzie, K. (1987). Parasites as indicators of host populations. Int. J. Parasitol. 17: 345-352. Mackenzie, K. (2002). Parasites as biological tags in population studies of marine organisms: an update. Parasitology 124: S153-S163. Mackintosh, N. and J. Wheeler (1929). Southern Blue and Fin whales. Disc. Rep. 1: 257-540. Miller, K. (1992). The Biology of Barnacles. UMI: Ann Arbor. Dissertation, Stanford University. Nǿttestad, L., B. Axelsen, K. Jens-Otto, B. Berland, F. Vaz-Velho, G. Bauleth-D?Almeida and H. Nǿttestad (2003). Why do dolphins jump? Abstracts for the 15th Biennial Conference on the Biology of marine Mammals, Greensboro, NC, USA. Olson, P. and T. Gerrodette (___). Photo-identification of Killer Whales in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Orams, M. and C, Schuetze (1998). Seasonal and age/size-related occurance of a barnacle (Xenobalanus globicipitus) on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates). Mar. Mam. Sci. 14 (1): 186-189. Palacios, D. (1999). Marine mammal research in the Galapagos Islands: the 1993-1994 Odyssey expedition. Final report submitted to Gal?pagos National Park Service and Charles Darwin Research Station 10 November 1999. 46 pp. Parsons, E., R. Overstreet and T. Jefferson (2001). Parasites from Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded in Hong Kong. Vet. Rec. 148 (25): 776-780. Paul, J. and A. Paul (1986). Encrusting barnacles as ageable tags on Gulf of Alaska Chionocetes bairdi (Decapoda). Report for the Alaska Sea Grant College Program. September 1986. 28 pp. Pinedo, M., R. Praderi and R. Brownell, Jr. (1989). Review of the biology and status of the Franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei. In Biology and Conservation of the River Dolphins, W. Perrin, R. Brownell, Jr., Z. Kaiya and L. Jiankang (eds.). Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) no. 3, p. 46-51. Rajaguru, A. and G. Shantha (1992). Association between the sessile barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitus (Coronulidae) and the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncates (Delphinidae) from the Bay of Bengal, India, with a summary of previous records from cetaceans. Fishery Bulletin, US. 90:197-202. Rapp?, G. (1988). A record of Xenobalanus globicipitus Steenstrup, 1852 (Crustacea: Cirripedia) in the North Sea? De Strandvlo 8(2): 100-101. Rapp?, G. and K. Van Waerebeek (1988). Xenobalanus globicipitus (Crustacea: Cirripedia) on cetaceans in the northeast atlantic and the Mediterranean: a review. From the proceedings of the second annual conference of the European Cetacean Society. pp. 75-77. Read, A., D. Swanner, D. Waples, K. Urian and L. Williams (2004). Interactions between bottlenose dolphins and the spanish mackerel gillnet fishery in North Carolina. Final report for the North Carolina Fishery Resource Grant Program project 03-FEG-13. Resendes, A., C. Juan-Sall?s, S. Almeria, N. Maj?, M. Domingo and J. Dubey (___). Hepatic sarcocystosis in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Spanish Mediterranean coast. J. Parisitol. 88 (1): 206-209. Rittmaster, K., N. Bowles, D. Barker, R. Mallon-Day, S. Barco, and D. Odell (1999). Xenobalanus barnacles on Tursiops dorsal fins in Beaufort, NC. Presented at the 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of marine Mammals, Maui, HI, USA. Ross, G. (1984). The smaller cetaceans of the south east coast of southern Africa. Annals of the Cape Provincial Museum (natural history) 15:173-400. Ruppert, E., R. Fox, and R. Barnes (2004). Invertebrate Zoology: a functional evolutionary approach. Brooks/Cole: Belmont, CA. Samaras, W. (1989). New host record for the barnacle Cryptolepas rhachianecti Dall, 1872 (Balanomorpha, Coronulidae). Mar. Mam. Sci. 5 (1): 84-87. Smithsonian Institution. National Museum of Natural History Invertebrate Zoology collection search ? 2004. http://goode.si.edu/webnew/pages/nmnh/iz/Query.php Sokolov, V. and T. Evgen?eva (1989). Reaction of epidermis in skin of grey whale (Eschrichtius gibbosus) to parasitic crustaceans. Doklady Biological Sciences 303 (1-6): 730-733. Speare, P. (1995). Parasites as biological tags for the sailfish Istiophorus platypterus from east coast Australian waters. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 11B:43- Spivey, H (1977). Those tenacious travelers of Florida?s Atlantic coast. The Florida Naturalist 50 (6): 6-10. Van Bree, P. (1971). The rabbit-eared barnacle, Conchoderma auritum, on the teeth of the dolphin Stenella frontalis. Sonderdrucke aus Z. f. Saugetierkunde Bd. 36 (5): 316-317. Van Waerebeek, K., J. Reyes, and J. Alfaro (1993). Helminth parasites as phoronts of dusky dolphins Lagenorhynchus obscurus (Gray, 1828) from Peru. Aquatic Mammals 19.3:159-169. Walker, W., F. Hochberg, and E. Hacker (1984). The potential use of the parasites Crassicauda (Nematoda) and Nasitrema (Platyhelminthes) as biological tags and their role in the natural mortality of common dolphins Delphinus delphis in the Eastern North Pacific. NMFS/SWFSC Admin. Rep. LJ-84-08C: 40 pp. Williams, H., K. Mackenzie and A. McCarthy (1992). Parasites as biological indicators of the population biology, migrations, diet, and phylogenetics of fish. Rev. Fish Biol. Fish 2:144-176. Zongguo, H., L. Wenhua, Z. Chengxing, L. Chuanyan, W. Jianjun, and T. Jefferson (2000). Finless porpoise in the southern coastal waters of Fujian, China. Acta Oceanologica Sinica 22 (5): 114-119. Thank you ahead of time for any help! Emily Kane ekane at southampton.liu.edu Southwest Fisheries Science Center 8604 La Jolla Shored Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037 (301) 535-6759 (cell phone) From LawsonJ at DFO-MPO.GC.CA Mon Dec 5 11:06:28 2005 From: LawsonJ at DFO-MPO.GC.CA (LawsonJ at DFO-MPO.GC.CA) Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2005 14:06:28 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Final announcement for workshop "Considerations of Mitigation Tec hniques to Reduce Small Cetacean Bycatch in Fisheries" at SMM Conference Message-ID: Hello all, We are in the last few days running up to the SMM conference and I wanted to post a final announcement regarding the workshop "Considerations of Mitigation Techniques to Reduce Small Cetacean Bycatch in Fisheries", to be held Saturday, December 10th, 2005 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, San Diego, California. There are spaces remaining for this event and those who have not yet contacted me to add their name to the participants' list are encouraged to do so. With some effort I have been able to keep registration costs down to $20US so as to assist student attendees, while still having two coffee breaks. Registration will take place on Saturday morning at 0800 at the venue (room Elizabeth F, second floor). A variety of international speakers will be presenting lead-off talks, with attendees encouraged to contribute to the ensuing discussions. The agenda is: Workshop Agenda 0900 - Scope of the small cetacean bycatch problem worldwide As this aspect of the topic has been covered in detail by several workshops and scientific committees recently, I think it better to cover topics where much effort is now concentrated 0930 - Why and how are small cetaceans caught in fishing gear? A review of the reasons why, and the ways how, small cetaceans are bycaught in gear. Are small cetaceans caught in nets due to a detection or target classification problem? Why are dolphins and larger whales caught in pelagic trawls? 1000 - 15 minute break 1015 - Bycatch Mitigation Approaches (1) Mechanical methods to reduce bycatch new net technologies to facilitate release or exclusion alternatives to gillnets for some fisheries (e.g., fish "pots" for groundfish) "coated nets" to enhance their detection by small cetaceans (2) Acoustical methods to reduce bycatch "traditional" pingers "responsive" pingers ADDs 1245 - 45 minute lunch break 1330 - Bycatch Mitigation Approaches (continued) (3) Operational methods to reduce bycatch modified net deployment patterns, depths etc. closed areas, seasons, or times 1500 - 15 minute break 1515 - Experiences in the challenges of management and public support of mitigation implementation voluntary implementation legal approaches 1600 - Modelling of Mitigation Effectiveness risk analysis (e.g., when is mitigation no longer necessary, or of sufficient benefit relative to cost? How do we test mitigation effectiveness?) can there be different objectives for mitigation (i.e., zero mortality vs. sustainable removals) 1700-1730 - Wrap up and final discussions Other details can be obtained by contacting me via e-mail or phone, or by going to the web link at the UN site from the SMM conference page. I look forward to seeing you all there! Regards, Dr. Jack Lawson Research Scientist / Chercheur scientifique Marine Mammal Section, Newfoundland & Labrador Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada / P?ches et Oc?ans Canada NAFC, P.O. Box 5667, 80 East White Hills Road St. John's, NL, Canada A1C 5X1 Telephone: (709) 772-2285 FAX: (709) 772-4105 lawsonj at dfo-mpo.gc.ca From sven.koschinski at meereszoologie.de Tue Dec 6 00:46:40 2005 From: sven.koschinski at meereszoologie.de (Sven Koschinski) Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2005 09:46:40 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] harbour porpoise click train patterns Message-ID: Dear all, as a part of a study using porpoise click detectors (T-PODs)in a windfarm area I want to compare patterns within click trains or click train series obtained at two T-POD locations (inside and outside the windfarm). For this purpose I am working out a literature study on meaningful click patterns and their possible purpose in a behavioural context. Much of the information needed seems to be hidden in papers dealing with biosonar performance. I would appreciate every piece of literature (peer reviewed, conference proceeding, working papers etc.) which helps to define categories for my study. I already found following papers: Au, W. W. L. 1993. Sonar of dolphins. Springer. New York. 277 pp. Au, W. W. L., R. A. Kastelein, T. Rippe, & N. M. Schooneman. 1999. Transmission beam pattern and echolocation signals of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 106: 3699-3705. Busnel, R. G., & A. Dziedzic. 1967. Resultats metrologiques experimentaux de l'echolocation chez le Phocoena phocoena et leur comparison avec ceux de certaines chauves-souris. In [ed.], R. G. Busnel. Animal Sonar Systems, Biology and Bionics. Laboratoire de Physiologie Acoustique. Jouy-en-Josas, France. p. 307-335 Carlstr?m, J. 2003. Bycatch, conservation and echolocation of harbour porpoises. PhD. Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. Cox, T. M., & A. J. Read. 2004. Echolocation behavior of harbor porpoises Phocoena phocoena around chemically enhanced gillnets. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 279: 275-282. Goodson, A. D., & S. Datta. 1995. Investigating the sonar signals of the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena. J. Acoust. Soc. India 23: 205-211. Goodson, A. D., R. A. Kastelein, & C. R. Sturtivant. 1995. Source levels and echolocation signal characteristics of juvenile harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in a pool. In [eds.], P. E. Nachtigal, J. Lien, W. W. L. Au, and A. J. Read. Harbour porpoises - laboratory studies to reduce bycatch. De Spil. Woerden. p. 41-53 Goodson, A. D., & C. R. Sturtivant. 1996. Sonar characteristics of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena):source levels and spectrum. ICES Journal of Marine Science 53: 465-472. Graner, F. 2003. Group structure and behaviour of the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena in Indre Sognefjord, Norway. PhD. Port Erin Marine Laboratories, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man, UK.219 pp. Kastelein, R. A., D. De Haan, & C. Staal. 1995. Behaviour of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in response to ropes. In [eds.], P. E. Nachtigall, J. Lien, W. W. L. Au, and A. Read. Harbour porpoises - laboratory studies to reduce bycatch. De Spil Publishers. Woerden, The Netherlands. p. 69-90 Kellogg, W. N. 1958. Echo ranging in the porpoise. Science 128: 982-988. Meding, A. 2005. Untersuchungen zur Habitatnutzung von Schweinswalen (Phocoena phocoena) in ausgew?hlten Gebieten der Ostsee mit Hilfe akustischer Methoden. Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universit?t Greifswald, Germany.75 pp. Pilleri, G., K. Zbinden, & C. Kraus. 1980. Characteristics of the sonar system of cetaceans with pterygoschisis. Investigations on Cetacea 11: 257-188. Verboom, W. C., & R. A. Kastelein. 1997. Structure of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) click train signals. In [eds.], A. J. Read, P. R. Wiepkema, and P. E. Nachtigall. The biology of the harbour porpoise. De Spil Publishers. Woerden. p. 343-362 Verboom, W. C., & R. A. Kastelein. 2003. Structure of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) acoustic signals with high repetition rates. In [eds.], J. A. Thomas, C. F. Moss, and M. Vater. Echolocation in bats and dolphins. University of Chicago press. Chicago, USA. p. 40-43 Verfu?, U. K., L. A. Miller, & H.-U. Schnitzler. 2005. Spatial Orientation in echolocating harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). J. EXP. BIOL. 208: 3385-3394. Cheers, Sven Dipl. Biol. Sven Koschinski K?hlandweg 12 D-24326 Nehmten Tel. ++49- (0) 4526 - 38 17 16 priv. ++49- (0) 4526 - 38 08 08 web-page: www.meereszoologie.de From Charles.Littnan at noaa.gov Tue Dec 6 12:45:13 2005 From: Charles.Littnan at noaa.gov (Charles Littnan) Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 10:45:13 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Ethics in Marine Mammal Science Workshop - Final Reminder Message-ID: <4395F859.5090102@noaa.gov> Aloha Everyone- This is a final reminder to register for the Ethics in Marine Mammal Science (EiMMS) Workshop if you are interested in going. If you have already registered with us, you do not need to do so again. The details are: What: EiMMS Workshop When: Sunday, Dec. 11 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt (Conference Venue) Cost: The workshop is FREE. The workshop provides a rare opportunity for discussion of a variety of topics related to ethics in our field. The primary objective of this workshop is for members to hear what steps the SMM has taken in developing ethical guidelines and discuss what role ethics has within our Society. An agenda with tentative titles is listed below. Please join this important discussion. If you are interested in attending please email Charles (charles.littnan at noaa.gov). Onsite registration is available at the door, but we are trying to get an accurate count for refreshments. Hope to see you in San Diego. Safe travels everyone. Cheers, Charles Littnan and Dave Johnston Agenda: Introduction to the 2nd Biennial Workshop on Ethics in Marine Mammal Science 8:30 /Ad hoc/ Ethics committee and guidelines: Update from the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) 8:50 Creating a code of ethics for a multi-cultural professional society: Update from Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) 9:15 Best practices and tagging/marking: Update from the Biologging Symposium ethics workshop (St. Andrews, Scotland June 2005) 9:45 Coffee 10:00 Introduction to the IACUC framework: Potential application for the SMM 10:20 Issues in Ethics: Some things to consider as we find our ethical identity 10:40 The Maquarie Island elephant seal branding program: A case study of research, ethics, and the media 11:00 Morning summary and recommendations 11:30 Lunch 12:00 Introduction to the afternoon and EIMMS Web Portal: A new resource for marine mammal ethics 1:00 Open Discussion 1:30 Coffee 3:30 Discussion of recommendations and workshop outputs 3:45 -- Charles Littnan, Ph.D. Ecologist Marine Mammal Foraging Program Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries 2570 Dole St. Honolulu HI 96822 Tel: (808) 983 5392 Fax: (808) 983 2902 From ashapiro at whoi.edu Tue Dec 6 16:33:17 2005 From: ashapiro at whoi.edu (Ari Shapiro) Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:33:17 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Garage Sale reminder Message-ID: <43962DCD.70203@whoi.edu> To: MARMAM Subject: Garage Sale reminder This is a friendly reminder to you and yours that at the upcoming conference in San Diego, we will be hosting the Third International Marine Mammal Extravaganza: The Orderly Garage (sale) Opportunity (TIMME: TO GO), a marine mammal-themed garage sale to benefit the student travel fund. At an opportune moment (now), please raid your colleagues' work space for those little trashy treasures (hint: the tops of computer monitors tend to be especially rewarding). Anything vaguely resembling a marine mammal is fair game. Don't give in to his or her pleas ('I kinda like this' is just not acceptable) - it's for a worthy cause after all. But hey, we're not picky - we'll also gladly take those dusty marine mammal books off your hands. Or that old SLR camera that became obsolete when your photoID project went digital. Bring them along to San Diego (or give them to someone who's going) and drop them off at the garage sale table: E10 & E11 in the exhibition area. Once in San Diego be sure to include the garage sale in your holiday shopping plans. Embellish your home and office with marine-mammal accoutrements. Shower friends and family with luscious gifts (we won't tell that you paid less than $5 for them!). Experience the thrill of the silent auction. Re-gift, rebel, recycle! Safe travels and happy trails! The TIMME: TO GO Team From johnbarra at sympatico.ca Tue Dec 6 09:03:44 2005 From: johnbarra at sympatico.ca (J&B) Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 12:03:44 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Management Course Reminder Message-ID: <4395C470.50509@sympatico.ca> MARINE MAMMAL MANAGEMENT COURSE REMINDER WELCOME- all those interested in marine mammals!! This is a reminder that Registration is now open for the most recent edition of the Oceanographic Center of Nova Southeastern University's Global Distance Education Course in Marine Mammal Management (MMM). This Course is offered to anyone, anywhere in the world through Distance Learning. Registration ends on January 6th, 2006. There are four versions: a) full three credit graduate level; b) a three credit undergraduate version; c) a general interest diploma, which will be awarded all successful candidates; d) as part of the graduate certificate (contact the coordinator douganj at nova.edu ). MMM runs from JANUARY 3 TO MARCH 17, 2006, and covers a range of pertinent topics as indicated by the Table of Contents: Dedication Information for Current Term Chapter 1. Introduction to Marine Mammals Chapter 2. Marine Mammal Management Chapter 3. Introduction to Cetaceans Chapter 4. Beluga Whale, and "toxic soups" Chapter 5. Dolphins, non-consumptive use Chapter 6. Bowheads, the subsidence balance Chapter 7. Orcas, of killers and Keikos Chapter 8. Pilots, stranding and utilization Chapter 9. Introduction to Pinnipeds Chapter10 Monk Seals Chapter11. California Sea Lion, Big Sur and survival Chapter12. Harp Seal, to hunt or not to hunt? Chapter13. Introduction to Sirenia Chapter14. Manatee, the harassed herbivore Chapter15. Introduction to Marine Fissipeds Chapter16. Polar Bear, the Inuit, success and hope Chapter17. Acoustic Stimuli of Marine Mammals Chapter18. Marine Mammal Conservation & Future Management Finis! There are two essay assignments for those taking the credit versions. First, is due on FEBRUARY 10th with a value of 30%, and the last on MARCH 17th for 60% of the final mark. The remaining 10% is held for Interaction evaluation - how well you participate in class e-mail discussion and respond to requests Candidates will receive comments on the 1st assignment for use in the final essay. Those taking the diploma program may submit the assignments; not for marks, but certainly for comment. As communication and interaction throughout the term will be mainly via E-mail, it is essential that all have some electronic means of communication and submitting essays. Essays should be sent using "MS Word" format. For general information on the course contact: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/marmam/marmam.html Alternately: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ for general information on the Oceanographic Center's programs. For registration: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/distedregform.html Barra L. Gots and Professor Keith Ronald Instructors for 2006 Marine Mammal Management Distance Education course Please reply to Barra Gots, johnbarra at sympatico.ca -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Thea.Johanos-Kam at noaa.gov Wed Dec 7 10:12:47 2005 From: Thea.Johanos-Kam at noaa.gov (Thea Johanos-Kam) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 08:12:47 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Hawaiian Monk Seal Field Research Positions for 2006 Message-ID: <4397261F.6040707@noaa.gov> The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center is soliciting cover letters and resumes for the upcoming 2006 field research season to study the endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This work is part of a long-term annual Hawaiian monk seal population monitoring and conservation program which includes: conducting trend counts; tagging seals; identifying individual seals by tags, scars, natural markings, and applied bleach marks; monitoring reproduction, survival, injuries,entanglements, migration, performing necropsies; collecting scat & spew samples for food habitat analysis; collecting tissue samples for DNA analysis; collecting & removing debris capable of entangling seals and other wildlife. Behavior data are also collected at some sites. For general information about the program, visit this website: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/psd/ There are two primary periods of employment available: mid-March through mid/late August, and early April to mid/late August, though some positions will last until September. IMPORTANT: Please specify in your cover letter the period you are available. The first 3-4 weeks of employment are spent in Honolulu training and packing, and the final weeks are also spent in Honolulu to clean up gear and summarize data. Food and lodging in Honolulu are not provided; a listing of potential housing options is available. Transportation from Honolulu to and from the field site, food, and lodging in the field are provided. Field work is accomplished by 2-5 member teams in remote camps. Researchers live either in wall tents or buildings at the various sites. All sites are accessible by ship (2-8 day travel; 830-2,300 km from Honolulu), and two are accessible by plane. Few supply opportunities exist and outside communication is limited. *NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31 BUT SOONER IS BETTER* Please submit a cover letter and resume with employment history, education history, the names and phone numbers of three work related references to: Thea Johanos, Wildlife Biologist Hawaiian Monk Seal Assessment Program Email: Thea.Johanos-Kam at noaa.gov Phone (808) 983-5713 Fax: (808) 983-2902 Email submissions are preferred, but you can also mail applications to Thea Johanos Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 2570 Dole St. Honolulu, HI 96822 Employment will be provided by a contractor yet to be determined. Applicants will be considered for two types of positions: field camp leader and field camp assistants. Monthly salary (+overtime) will be offered depending upon qualifications. FIELD CAMP LEADER One field camp leader serves as the senior person in a camp. Leads field personnel in camp preparation, collection, entry and editing of data. Responsible for quality and timeliness of the field team's work. Responsible for maintaining a safe working environment for field personnel. Responsible for ensuring all necessary equipment and supplies for remote research camp are prepared. Performs daily maintenance and operation of field camp. Collects census and life history data on Hawaiian monk seals. Conducts boating operations at multiple-island atolls. Responsible for return of field equipment and supplies at the end of camp. Collaborates with scientists within NMFS to conduct and analyze field studies on the Hawaiian monk seal in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Produces annual report at end of field season. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's or Associates degree with 2 years field experience (5 yrs experience may be substituted for the education requirements). Good communication, leadership and decision-making skills. Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to swim. Must be able to pass pre-deployment training requirements including field medical training before being deployed to remote island. Ability to work in remote locations for extended periods of time. Must be able to work long hours in the sun. Must be able to walk long distances (up to 7 miles) in the sand carrying 25-35 pounds of field gear. Must be able to manually restrain immature seals (up to 200 pounds). Must be able to obtain medical clearance for working on NOAA research vessels. Desirable qualities include prior field experience in a Hawaiian monk seal field camp. Previous experience in field or laboratory studies of marine mammals, previous experience handling marine mammals, working knowledge of computers, prefer applicants interested in pursuing career in marine mammalogy or related field. Ability to perform basic data analysis. Ability to operate small boat and conduct routine maintenance. FIELD CAMP ASSISTANT One or two assistants participate in each field camp. Under guidance of field camp leader and/or NMFS personnel, assists in camp preparation, collection, entry and editing of data. Maintains a safe working environment for field personnel. Participates in daily maintenance and operation of field camp. Collects census and life history data on Hawaiian monk seals. Conducts boating operations at multiple-island atolls. Assists with return, repair and clean-up of field equipment and supplies at the end of camp. Minimum Qualifications: High school graduate or equivalent with 3 years field experience. Good communication and team skills. Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to swim. Must be able to pass pre-deployment training requirements including field medical training before being deployed to remote island. Ability to work in remote locations for extended periods of time. Must be able to work long hours in the sun. Must be able to walk long distances (up to 7 miles) in the sand carrying 25-35 pounds of field gear. Must be able to manually restrain immature seals (up to 200 pounds). Must be able to obtain medical clearance for working on NOAA research vessels. Desirable qualities include prior field experience in a Hawaiian monk seal field camp. Previous experience in field or laboratory studies of marine mammals, previous experience handling marine mammals, working knowledge of computers, previous data entry experience, prefer applicants interested in pursuing career in marine mammalogy or related field. Ability to operate small boat and conduct routine maintenance. From bearzi at inwind.it Thu Dec 8 02:09:20 2005 From: bearzi at inwind.it (Giovanni Bearzi) Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 11:09:20 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Overfishing and decline of Mediterranean megafauna Message-ID: Dear colleagues the article below has just been published online. Bearzi G., Politi E., Agazzi S., Azzellino A. 2006. Prey depletion caused by overfishing and the decline of marine megafauna in eastern Ionian Sea coastal waters (central Mediterranean). Biological Conservation 127(4):373-382. ABSTRACT - Surveys primarily aimed at determining dolphin encounter rates were conducted from small inflatable craft in eastern Ionian Sea coastal waters between 1997-2004. During 633 surveys totalling 21276 km of effort, observations of cetaceans and other marine species spotted in a study area of 480 km2 were systematically recorded. Common dolphin encounter rates declined 25-fold across the study period, steadily decreasing from 2.18 encounters/100km in 1997 to 0.09 encounters/100km in 2004. Encounter rates of tuna also declined significantly. Swordfish encounter rates dropped from 1.03 encounters/100km in 1997 to 0-0.12 in 1998-2004. Encounter rates of bottlenose dolphins did not show significant trends. The decline of high-order marine predators feeding on epipelagic prey was consistent with the hypothesis of prey depletion, likely resulting from intensive exploitation of local fish stocks, particularly anchovies and sardines. The catholic feeding habits and opportunistic behaviour of bottlenose dolphins may allow them to withstand the effects of overfishing at their present low density. Those who are interested can find this article and a few related ones at: http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm >> click on Publications Best regards, Giovanni Bearzi _________________________________ Giovanni Bearzi, Ph.D. bearzi at inwind.it President, Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy http://www.tethys.org/ http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm _________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ehines at sfsu.edu Wed Dec 7 11:17:09 2005 From: ehines at sfsu.edu (Ellen Hines) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 11:17:09 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Belize Field Course in Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Antillean Manatees and Bottlenose Dolphins: GIS mapping and boat surveys Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.0.20051207111056.02d72c68@sfsu.edu> please post: >>Oceanic Society Research Course (Second Year) >>Field Course in Biology, Ecology and Conservation of Antillean Manatees >>and Bottlenose Dolphins: GIS mapping and boat surveys >>Field Site: Blackbird Oceanic Field Station, Turneffe Atoll, Belize >>Date: July 8-15, 2006 >>Instructors: Dr. Ellen Hines, San Francisco State University, Dr. >>Annalisa Berta, San Diego State University. Local Belizean researchers >>will also participate & contribute. >>Course credit available in biology >>Cost: $990 includes all survey expenses, transportation from Belize City >>out to Turneffe, accomm/odations (4 students per cabana with shared >>bath), and 3 Belizean meals a day. >>Air: Special package rates available, please call the Oceanic Society for >>details (415-441-1106). (800) 326-7491 >>Course Description: Both credit and noncredit students participate in a >>hands-on field study. The course will be a combination of instruction in >>general marine mammal ecology and specifics about bottlenose dolphins and >>Antillean manatees in Belize. We will also learn field assessment methods >>for dolphins and manatees and their habitat, including GPS use and basic >>GIS location mapping, and talk about conservation issues in an isolated >>tropical ecosystem. Daily field excursions from the Blackbird Oceanic >>Field Station will compliment lectures, labs and presentations. >> >>Location Description: Blackbird Caye is approximately 90 minutes by >>motor vessel east of Belize City. Operated by the Oceanic Society ( >>www.oceanic-society.org), the Blackbird Caye Field Station sits on a low >>sand and mangrove island archipelago within the barrier reef system of >>Belize. This is a remote tropical island with no medical facilities. A >>private airstrip is available for emergency evacuation. >> >>Class format: Class size is small (10 maximum). Please contact the >>Oceanic Society in San Francisco for details. 415 441 1106. Course >>website: http://www.oceanic-society.org/pages/alltrips/spectrip5.html Ellen Hines, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Human Environmental Studies San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA. 94132 USA ehines at sfsu.edu (415) 405-0921 Fax: (415) 338-6243 From Phillip.Clapham at noaa.gov Wed Dec 7 22:17:48 2005 From: Phillip.Clapham at noaa.gov (Phillip Clapham) Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 22:17:48 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Need photo of 1975 marine mammal conference Message-ID: <7f5a37ea8e.7ea8e7f5a3@mercury.akctr.noaa.gov> Does anyone have one or more scanned photos of the first biennial conference on the biology of marine mammals, in Santa Cruz in 1975? I'd really like to find a good one to use for the talk Jim Mead, Dee Allen and I are giving at the upcoming 16th biennial. Bonus points for pictures of Ken Norris at that time! Thanks. Phil Clapham phillip.clapham at noaa.gov -- Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D. Alaska Fisheries Science Center National Marine Mammal Laboratory 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 4 Seattle, WA 98115 tel (206) 526-4037 fax (206) 526-6615 email: phillip.clapham at noaa.gov From emily at dolphins.org Wed Dec 7 12:46:58 2005 From: emily at dolphins.org (emily) Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 16:46:58 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Dolphin Research Internship - Immediate Opening Message-ID: <20051207204658.M44241@dolphins.org> Dolphin Research Internship - Immediate Opening Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is currently accepting applications for an immediate opening as a Research Intern. DRC is a not-for-profit education and research facility, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. DRC is located on Grassy Key, in the heart of the Florida Keys. Internships at DRC are an exciting way to develop career skills as well as an opportunity to get "behind the scenes" to see how a marine mammal facility operates. Research interns participate in DRC's ongoing research projects, giving them broad exposure to a variety of research methodologies. Interns receive extensive on-the-job training in observing marine mammal behavior, collecting observational data, working with research equipment, and assisting with behavioral research sessions. In addition, educational opportunities are available such as informal journal article reviews and the development of personal learning objectives. Specific job duties include: ? Collecting observational data ? Preparing stimuli for behavioral research sessions ? Assisting in setting up and tearing down equipment for behavioral research sessions ? Operating video equipment ? Entering data into the computer for analysis ? General support of the facility through participation in the volunteer resource pool (facility maintenance, bird care, assisting with public programs, guest interactions, etc.) Research studies can vary widely in nature and availability. For information on past or current research projects at DRC, please visit our website, at www.dolphins.org. Publications: Jaakkola, K., Fellner, W., Erb, L., Rodriguez, A. M., & Guarino, E. (2005, in press). Understanding the concept of numerically ?less? by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology. Internships require a minimum of a 12-week commitment (16 weeks is preferable), 40 hours per week. The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for providing their own housing. DRC will provide assistance in locating housing and/or matching up interns and volunteers desiring roommates. Successful candidates will be ready and willing to learn, self- motivated, and flexible. Prior research experience is recommended but not required. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Further information and application materials can be found on our website at www.dolphins.org. Emily Guarino drc-res at dolphins.org Dolphin Research Center From curland at earthlink.net Thu Dec 8 12:15:01 2005 From: curland at earthlink.net (Jim Curland) Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 12:15:01 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Letter From Concerned Scientists_Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program Message-ID: <43989445.5020303@earthlink.net> Dear Marmam members, The SEIS for the Southern Sea Otter Translocation Program is available for public comment and the deadline closes on Jan 5, 2006. A coalition of groups that are working on drafting comments (Defenders of Wildlife, The Ocean Conservancy, Friends of the Sea Otter, Sea Otter Defense Initiative, a project of Earth Island Institute's International Marine Mammal Project, and The Humane Society of the United States) thought it would be good to circulate a letter to get sign-ons for this very critical policy issue for southern sea otter recovery. Please let me know (all of my contact information is below this letter): your name, title, affiliation if you would like to sign on to this letter. If you have an e-signature, please send it as a jpeg. If everyone that signs sends and e-signature, I will include them in the final letter. If not, I will just list names, titles, affiliations. Defenders will be an exhibitor at the SMM biennial (booth space E22). We will have a copy of the letter there, as well. In addition, you can come by the booth and provide your information for the letter there. If you have any interest in reviewing any of the SEIS before agreeing to sign on, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/ventura/es/SSOrecplan/seaotter_index.html Thanks, Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate Defenders of Wildlife LETTER FROM CONCERNED SCIENTISTS December 8, 2005 Diane Noda Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office 2493 Portola Road, Suite B Ventura, California 93003-7726 Dear Diane Noda: We applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) preferred alternative presented in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) on the translocation of southern sea otters. The DSEIS represents an important and scientifically responsible step toward successfully recovering the southern sea otter. In the final SEIS and proposed regulations to implement it, we strongly urge the FWS to implement the preferred alternative of terminating the Southern Sea Otter translocation program, ending the no-otter management zone south of Pt. Conception, and allowing the sea otters currently residing south of Pt. Conception, including sea otters residing around San Nicholas Island, to remain. This action will allow sea otters to move freely and naturally expand their range, which will help ensure this species' survival and recovery. Historically, the southern sea otter could be found all along the California coast and into Baja California, likely numbering 16,000 in the 1800s. Fur traders then killed almost all southern sea otters, with only a few dozen surviving in a remote cove off of Big Sur. They were declared threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1977, and today there are about 2,500 sea otters along our coast. Sea otters are the classic example of a keystone species. Sea otters allow for a natural check in the nearshore ecosystem by keeping populations of invertebrate grazers, such as sea urchins, from overtaking the system and denuding the kelp forests. The near-extinction of sea otters along the California coast altered the coastal ecosystem; bringing back sea otters throughout their range represents a critical step to restoring coastal ecosystems--creating healthy kelp forests and diverse populations of fish and invertebrate species. In 1987, the FWS began a translocation program to establish a new colony of southern sea otters on San Nicholas Island (SNI) in an attempt to protect the species from a catastrophic event (e.g. oil spill) and ultimately restore their dwindling numbers off the coast of California. Out of the original 140 sea otters translocated from 1987-1990 to SNI, just over 30 remain at the island today. The others either died or swam away and three years after the translocation program ended in 1990, there were fewer than 25 sea otters at SNI. While the population at SNI has shown some signs of recruitment, it is far from the predicted viable population that FWS estimated at between 150-500 sea otters. In addition, capturing and transporting sea otters tends to be unsuccessful because typically the sea otter is harmed or simply swims back to its initial location. For example, between 1987 and 1993, 24 sea otters were moved, 4 of those animals died. Also introducing a new sea otter into an already existing group of sea otters may disrupt the established social hierarchy of that group. Because moving sea otters places them at risk, the FWS and the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Team concluded that moving otters and impeding natural range expansion southward is likely to jeopardize the species' continued existence. The southern sea otter translocation program has failed to meet its objective of establishing a viable, independent colony of sea otters to serve as a safeguard for the population, as a whole, in the event of a natural or human-caused event. The recovery and management goals for southern sea otters cannot be met by continuing the program. Given that in the last ten years, the southern sea otter population has exhibited periods of growth and decline, and is still listed as threatened under the ESA, we are especially pleased to see the FWS recommendation to both protect and allow the sea otters currently in the translocation and management zones to remain. Implementation of the preferred alternative in the DSEIS will ensure a sustainable sea otter population and will allow sea otters to expand their range. We strongly urge you to finalize the SEIS and implement the preferred alternative. Sincerely, Provide Name, Title, Affiliation -- Jim Curland, Marine Program Associate Defenders of Wildlife P.O. Box 959 Moss Landing, CA. 95039 831-726-9010 (phone) 831-726-9020 (fax) curland at earthlink.net jcurland at defenders.org Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. We focus our programs on what scientists consider two of the most serious environmental threats to the planet: the accelerating rate of extinction of species and the associated loss of biological diversity, and habitat alteration and destruction. Long known for our leadership on endangered species issues, Defenders of Wildlife also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that will help keep species from becoming endangered. Our programs encourage protection of entire ecosystems and interconnected habitats while protecting predators that serve as indicator species for ecosystem health. http://www.defenders.org http://www.kidsplanet.org http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/seaotters.html (Defenders' Main Sea Otter Page) http://www.kidsplanet.org/espanol/espint.html (Defenders' Sea Otter Teaching Unit) http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/marine.html (Defenders' Marine Program Page) http://www.defenders.org/california/marine.html (Defenders' California Marine Program Page) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From MJTetley at aol.com Fri Dec 9 03:26:33 2005 From: MJTetley at aol.com (MJTetley at aol.com) Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 06:26:33 EST Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteers Sought for Cetacean Survey Message-ID: <25c.330bc27.30cac3e9@aol.com> Volunteers Sought for Cetacean Survey Organisation Cetacea (ORCA) have again been given the opportunity to join a platform of opportunity for cetacean observations in collaboration with the French Research Institute IFREMER. This institute participates in the "International Bottom Trawl Survey" or IBTS every year and have offered berths to ORCA on their February 2006 cruise; ORCA volunteers also joined this cruise in 2005. The survey area is the North Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak on the survey vessel "Thalassa" (http://www.ifremer.fr/fleet/navires/hauturiers/thalassa/index.htm). The survey will depart from Brest, France and will undertake oceanographic sampling and fishing trawls throughout the survey area. The first part of the survey begins 29th January and ends at Ijmuiden in the Netherlands on the 9th February. The second half starting the 10th February - 22nd February, departing from Ijmuiden, arriving in Boulogne, France. There are a maximum of three berths available for experienced cetacean observers during each of the two survey periods. Volunteers will be asked to undertake cetacean observations using a pre-defined protocol. Observers may take part in either one half of the survey or the entire survey. These are strictly voluntary positions and no travel costs can be reimbursed. However, berth and food onboard 'Thalassa' are provided free of charge. ORCA are interested in collecting effort-related cetacean sightings data during this survey to contribute to ORCA's existing cetacean database. We hope t hat the opportunity to join the IBTS in the North Sea will be a long-term arrangement and will provide an excellent opportunity to collect monitoring data on distribution and relative abundance of cetaceans during the winter. For further information about volunteering on this survey please send a letter of enquiry and details of previous experience or CV to mjtetley at orcaweb.org.uk Regards Michael J. Tetley Director of Conservation ORCA www.orcaweb.org.uk Organisation Cetacea (ORCA) promotes the conservation of the marine environment through research, partnership and education and provides a forum for the enjoyment of whales, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life. Registered Charity no 1098765 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ewan.fordyce at stonebow.otago.ac.nz Fri Dec 9 06:37:23 2005 From: ewan.fordyce at stonebow.otago.ac.nz (R. Ewan Fordyce) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 03:37:23 +1300 Subject: [MARMAM] origins and radiation of the Neoceti Message-ID: <1134139043.439996a3c73e0@www.stonebow.otago.ac.nz> Dear Marmamers with interests in phylogeny: We are organizing a proposal for a symposium on origins and radiation of the Neoceti, as part of a meeting of Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) in October 2006. This is a statement of intent; the symposium has yet to be confirmed by SVP. We are interested in the initial radiation of the Neoceti (namely, divergences between and within early Odontoceti and early Mysticeti). Many contributions would be fossil-osteological, but we are interested to include molecular studies, or anatomical studies (e.g. "evo-devo" issues and functional complexes) on living species, that contribute in any way to understanding pattern and process in the early divergences between and within Odontoceti and Mysticeti. Symposium would be part of: 66th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, October 18-21, 2006; at Marriott Ottawa/The Crowne Plaza Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. If interested, talk to Ewan Fordyce or Mark Uhen at the San Diego meeting. R. Ewan Fordyce Associate Professor, Department of Geology University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, NZ fax 64-3-479-7527, tel 64-3-479-7510 web: http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/ref.htm Editor, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Research Associate, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution From selkiak at yahoo.com Fri Dec 9 16:06:05 2005 From: selkiak at yahoo.com (mary sternfeld) Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 16:06:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] Request for information relating weather conditions to whales Message-ID: <20051210000605.21142.qmail@web34713.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Please reply directly to: francaaustral at fcien.edu.uy Paula Franco Fraguas writes: Since 2001 we have been working systematically on the ?Francaaustral project? in Uruguay. Our aim is to evaluate the presence of southern right whale in our Atlantic coast. We have been doing land and air surveys (including photo identification). Along this years we have found the presence of this whales in our coast is variable along the spring season including its peak period (August-October). We hypothesizes the whether conditions may be affecting their presence in our coast. Uruguay is situated on the subtropical region characterized by a hydrologic and meteorological complex system affected by the semi permanent anticyclone belt. Meteorological cycles occur by the movements and confluence of the cold air masses from the south and hot air masses from the north. This, together with our south exposed oceanic coast affects strongly the coastal conditions. My thesis objective is to evaluate the relation between the presence of southern right whale in our coast with the synoptic conditions of the region. By means of synoptic maps I will relate atmospheric pressure tendencies (which reflects the whether conditions) and wind intensity with the presence of this whales in our coast. I have found scarce references on this topic, this is why I will really appreciate your help locating relevant references. [see the bibliography below] Cheers, Paula Franco Fraguas PROYECTO FRANCAAUSTRAL http://francaaustral.fcien.edu.uy Maldonado 1463/401 CP:11200 Montevideo-Uruguay _Bibliograf?a_ /1/. Payne R.* *(1986). Long term behavioral studies of the southern right whales /(Eubalaena australis). /Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue 10): 161-167. /2/. Whitehead H., R. Payne & M. Payne. (1986). Populations estimate for the right whale off Pen?nsula Vald?s, Argentina, 1971 ? 76. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue 10): 169- 71. /3./ Payne R, V. Rowntree, J. S. Perkins, J. G. Cooke & K. Lankester. (1990). Populations size trends and reproductive parameters of right whales /(Eubalaena australis) /off Pen?nsula Vald?s. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm . (special issue 12): 271- 78. /4./ Costa, P.; Piedra, M.; Franco Fraguas, P., 2004. Presencia de la ballena franca austral (/Eubalaena australis/) en la costa atl?ntica uruguaya. 11*? *Reuni?n de Trabajo de Mam?feros Acu?ticos de Am?rica del Sur y 5? Congreso de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mam?feros Acu?ticos (SOLAMAC) Quito, Ecuador. /5./ Piedra, M.; Costa, P., Franco Fraguas, P.; E. Paez. 2005. Relevamiento de la ballena franca (/Eubalaena australis/) en la costa atl?ntica uruguaya : recomendaciones para su conservaci?n. Terceras jornadas de Conservaci?n y uso sustentable de la fauna marina. Montevideo, Uruguay Pag. 25. /6./ Guerrero, R.A., Lasta, C.A., Acha, E.M., Mignzan, H.W. y Frami?an, M.B. 1997. Atlas Hidrogr?fico del R?o de la Plata, 1997. Comisi?n administradora del R?o de la Plata. Instituto Nacional de Investigaci?n y Desarrollo Pesquero. /7/. Balay, M., 1961. El R?o de la Plata entre la atm?sfera y el mar. Servicio de Hidrograf?a Naval, H621, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 153 pp. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From caryn at sirenian.org Sat Dec 10 05:39:50 2005 From: caryn at sirenian.org (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 08:39:50 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Corrected DATE & AGENDA: SI Meeting at SMM in San Diego Message-ID: <003501c5fd8f$31eccb80$2f01a8c0@Hydrodamalis> The Sirenian International Participating Members Biennial Meeting will be held Thursday night, December 15th, 2005, 7-9:30 PM in Elizabeth "A" (NOT December 17th as previously posted). The Agenda is included below. No registration fee, but please register online at http://www.sirenian.org/membership.html. Walk-ins also welcome as space permits! An opportunity will be provided for networking among manatee & dugong scientists and for follow-up discussion from the USGS/USFWS International Sirenian Workshop on Sunday morning. Cheers, Caryn WHAT: Sirenian International, Inc., Biennial Participating Membership Meeting WHEN: Thursday 15 December 2005 19:00 - 21:30 WHERE: SMM Meetings - Room Elizabeth "A" The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration. AGENDA 19:00 Introductions and Thanks * Sirenian International is a totally inclusive organization of grassroots people who share a dedication to manatee & dugong conservation on a global scale. We are a research, education, and conservation organization, not an advocacy group. However, we encourage Participating Members to be advocates at their local level as they deem appropriate. * Introduction of our current Board of Directors (SIBOD) * Introduction of our current Scientific Advisory Council (SISAC) * Participating Membership (PM) - What is it? * Supporting Membership (SM) - What is it" * 2006-2008 SIBOD Slate of Nominees & Nominations from the Floor 19:30 Financial Report 2000-2005 19:45 New Business - Background and Open Discussion * A Brief History of Sirenian International * Calls for Proposals & Manatee & Dugong Projects Supported to Date * Where do we go from here? Recommendations for fundraising & recruitment of both Participating and Supporting Members 20:15 Break-out Groups * Leadership Roundtable - Current SIBOD and Nominees gather round and discuss the future of Sirenian International * Networking Roundtable -Sunday's Workshop Presenters, Attendees, and SAC gather round to make connections, share ideas, and mentor new sirenian scientists * Association to Save the Northernmost Dugong - Please join Yuuki Iwashina who is seeking scientific advice regarding conducting an EIA in Japan on the new proposed US Military Site. 21:15 Final Feedback and Discussion 21:30 Adjourn -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tilen.genov at gmail.com Mon Dec 12 05:29:51 2005 From: tilen.genov at gmail.com (Tilen Genov) Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:29:51 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] =?windows-1252?q?Adriatic_bottlenose_dolphin_with_a_lar?= =?windows-1252?q?ge_wound_=96_Summary_of_responses?= Message-ID: INTRODUCTION In November I sent out a message about a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with a large wound/lesion on the ventral side of its body. Photos of the wound can still be found at www.morigenos.org/dolphin_wound.htm I wish to thank all of you who provided me with your experience and comments. RESULTS We received responses from various areas and several people provided useful comments on the possible cause of the wound. However, although we do have some ideas about what might have caused the wound, we were unable to come to any definite conclusion. Therefore, the true cause is still unknown. As expected, nobody reported the possibility of the wound being caused by the animal's conspecifics. Furthermore, none of the list members, who responded, included the possibility of a shark bite. In fact, several people said they are absolutely sure that the wound was not inflicted by a shark. The following possible causes were suggested by the list members (the numbers in brackets represent the number of people who suggested that ? the same person could also suggest more than one possible cause). - Harpoon (2) - Violent interaction with fishermen (1) - Injury from (damaged) fishing gear (1) - Other objects (1) - Other human launched projectile (1) - Bacterial infection (septicemic or dermal disease) / zoonosis (2) - Sea lamprey (1) - Erupted abscess (1) (this person reported a similar case in their study area) - Infection or "pealing" of the skin, resulting from a trauma (2) Several people reported that the wound has typical appearance of the healing wound and that it seems to be healing well. One of the list members noted that similar lesions have been observed in captivity, resulting from animals constantly rubbing themselves on pool sides, docks or other objects. CONCLUSION Alhtough we were unable to come to any definite conclusion, we got a useful insight into the possible causes. It is difficult to either reject or confirm any of the suggestions with the limited information that we have. All of the suggestions seem possible, although we believe some of them are more likely than others. The photos of the dolphin's ventral side prior to the observed wound and after the first observation would help us follow the development and healing of the wound. Therefore, additional and more accurate conclusions could be drawn from that. However, the dolphin only performed such aerial behaviours on that particular day, making it impossible for us to keep track of the wound-forming or wound-healing process. Nevertheless, should we acquire additional photos of that body part of the same animal, the photos could provide us with possible insight into the healing process, as well as additional documentation, which could help us determine the cause. Sincerely Yours, Tilen Genov Morigenos ? marine mammal research and conservation society Jarska cesta 36/a 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia www.morigenos.org From info at m-e-e-r.de Mon Dec 12 06:51:52 2005 From: info at m-e-e-r.de (MEER e.V.) Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:51:52 -0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Cetacean stranding emergency numbers Message-ID: <439D8E88.4060709@m-e-e-r.de> Der Colleagues, I am putting together an overview of emergency numbers for cetacean strandings worldwide. For this goal I am collecting telephone numbers of stranding networks, authorities and other bodies involved in cetacean rescue after stranding events. I am particularly interested in national contact numbers, although I am aware that in some countries there may be regional numbers, too. As the numbers shall be published in a (field guide style) book , I would like to ask all those who are willing to provide their numbers to send an email to the following address: meer.ritter at web.de Thank you very much for your collaboration! Fabian Ritter -- _________________________ Fabian Ritter MEER e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin TEL/FAX: (0)30-85 07 87 55 e-mail: info at m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org _________________________ "The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and had no major answers they wished to know the question to." (after Douglas Adams) From info at m-e-e-r.de Tue Dec 13 07:18:13 2005 From: info at m-e-e-r.de (MEER e.V.) Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 14:18:13 -0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Internship Opportunity Websites Message-ID: <439EE635.2010201@m-e-e-r.de> Dear Marmamers, I am currently drafting a worldwide summary of opportunities for students, graduates and lay people to participate in cetacean research at. Fot this purpose, I am collecting web-addresses of cetacean research institutions and projects which offer the chance to take part in field and other work related to cetacean research. Internship opportunities for non-students, practical and theory courses in cetology and the like are of interest, too. Finally, I am also asking for websites of such organisations which promote research internships. If you are running such a website, I would be very grateful to receive the correct address including the subsites where the intership offer can be found. Please indicate, if the internship, course, etc. is available for students, graduates and/or others or not. Please also note if the internship lasts for days, weeks or months or as a field work for graduates. The results of this survey shall be published in a book. Although I think that in this way your institution will gain some publicity, please confirm that I will be allowed to publish the website address in a book. Thank you very much for your co-operation! Best, Fabian Ritter -- _________________________ Fabian Ritter MEER e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin TEL/FAX: (0)30-85 07 87 55 e-mail: info at m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org _________________________ "The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and had no major answers they wished to know the question to." (after Douglas Adams) From marmamed at uvic.ca Tue Dec 13 11:38:02 2005 From: marmamed at uvic.ca (MARMAM Editors) Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 11:38:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] Request for gray whale pectoral fin images Message-ID: <200512131938.jBDJc25H040366@unix6.uvic.ca> > Dear MarMam Colleagues, > > I am articulating an juvenile gray whale skeleton that will be on display at > the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound, > Tacoma, WA (USA). The specimen was originally prepared in 1977 by Murray > Johnson, former marine mammal commissioner and Slater Museum Director. I am > in search of resources that will illustrate the pectoral bone configuration > of a gray whale. Specifically, I am interested in drawings, photos or > electronic images. Thus far, I've researched a number of published > resources, contacted colleagues regarding the project, and inspected a few > of the articulated gray whale skeletons on display in the Pacific Northwest. > I have a good start, but I'm still interested in any additional images or > suggestions that MarMam colleges are willing to share. > > Thanks for your help. > Albert > > > Albert B. Shepard > Project Curator > San Juan Island > USA > > alberto at rockisland.com > albert at whalemuseum.org > 360.378.2250 > > > . > > > From jeremy.kiszka at wanadoo.fr Thu Dec 15 23:45:15 2005 From: jeremy.kiszka at wanadoo.fr (Jeremy KISZKA) Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 10:45:15 +0300 Subject: [MARMAM] Dugong capture using nets Message-ID: <004c01c60214$a9bdd670$1d206a0a@sef.daf.mayotte.agriculture.gouv.fr> Dear colleagues, A new tagging program on dugongs is planned in 2006 in the lagoon of Mayotte (Mozambique Channel). This program will assess fine scale habitat use, preferences and activity budget of dugongs in a tropical lagoon ecosystem. This would also provide information on the critical home range of this endangered species. This project will be conducted by the Marine Mammal Observatory, in collaboration with James Cook University (Queensland, Australia) and the University of la Rochelle (France). We are actually thinking about the catching technique, and we would rather use nets (of a very small mesh size) than the rodeo technique, considering local environmental characteristics. The use of nets for dugong capture has never been used, but this technique has been used for West Indian manatees.Then, I would highly appreciate any advises to apply a similar protocol for dugongs, with probable adaptations due to different behavioural response of these two species. Many thanks for your collaboration! Jeremy KISZKA (jeremy.kiszka at wanadoo.fr) ___________________________________________________ Jeremy KISZKA, research fellow Marine Mammal Observatory, Mayotte (western Indian Ocean) French Wildlife Service & Agricultural and Forestry Office BP 103 F-97600 Mamoudzou, Mayotte (FRANCE) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From flachleo at hotmail.com Fri Dec 16 10:51:01 2005 From: flachleo at hotmail.com (leonardo flach) Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 18:51:01 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Estuarine dolphins scars, wounds, lesions and so on Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kathy.warhurst at wdcs.org Thu Dec 15 17:05:06 2005 From: kathy.warhurst at wdcs.org (Kathy Warhurst) Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 01:05:06 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Request for information on Aquaculture/cetacean interactions Message-ID: Dear MARMAM collegues, I am in the process of preparing a report for WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society) on the worldwide impact of aquaculture operations on cetaceans. While I am aware of many areas and issues of concern and am familiar with the more widely known problems, I would be interested in receiving information on aquaculture operations in your area especially countries with smaller or developing marine based aquaculture industries, any known impacts, or documented cases (not necessarily published) on cetaceans. If you know of a particular issue that you have concerns over, I would like to hear from you. The report covers all forms of marine-based aquaculture, i.e. finfish, mollusc, crustacean and seaweed (macro-algae). Of particular interest to me are any known interactions between cetaceans and seaweed cultivation operations. No information supplied will be used without prior consent. The report will be finalised mid 2006. Thanks, Kathryn Warhurst, Aquaculture Researcher Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society WDCS Australasia Inc. PO Box 720 Port Adelaide Business Centre SA 5015 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 (08) 8440 3706 Fax:+61 (08) 8447 4211 Email: kathy.warhurst at wdcs.org Mobile: 0404 558 360 Website: www.wdcs.org.au WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment. WDCS is proud to have been adopted as a partner to the UN Convention on Migratory Species. A positive partnership for international cetacean conservation. For more information, please go to http://www.wdcs.org/wildoceans ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________ From tara.cox at duke.edu Wed Dec 14 12:02:05 2005 From: tara.cox at duke.edu (Tara M. Cox) Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:02:05 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] marine conservation program Message-ID: <43A07A3D.8080704@duke.edu> *Duke University Marine Lab (Summer) Integrated Marine Conservation Program *Dates: Summer Term II: 10 July - 11 August 2006 No course limit (undergraduates, graduate students, professionals) /Application deadline/ (if applying for Global Fellowship): 15 February 2006 /Application deadline/ (if applying for Tuition Scholarship): 1 April 2006 /Application deadline /(no funding support): 11 June 2006 Contact: ml_admissions at env.duke.edu; (252) 504-7502 The Duke University Marine Laboratory is offering an unparalleled educational opportunity from July 10 to August 11, 2006. Duke's Integrated Marine Conservation Program teaches the principles necessary for the conservation and preservation of the coastal and oceanic environment. The focus is on interdisciplinary problem solving--using natural and social science theory to resolve real world environmental problems. This program is a tremendous opportunity for students at any level to think about conservation biology and policy in an environment full of students and faculty grappling with the same issues. The core class (BIO 109/ENV 209 Conservation Biology and Policy) involves field trips, discussion groups, role play (in 2005 it was a fishery management scenario), lecture, and a final project for graduate students that focuses on the integration of science and policy. Undergraduate students will have a case-study based final exam. Students will leave the class with an appreciation of the policy process, as well as with a grounding in the fundamentals of marine conservation. There may be no other course, anywhere, that can offer as much in an intensive 5-week summer session. In addition to the classwork, the session hosts a Distinguished Conservation Scholar each week to give a lecture, to lead discussions, and to be available to meet with students on an individual basis. Speakers in the past have included such scientists as Jane Lubchenco, Jeremy Jackson, Ram Myers, Carl Safina, Jim Estes, and Kai Lee, Jack Musick, Karen Bjorndal and non-scientists such as Pulitzer-Prize winning environmental reporter John McQuaid. A final and critical dimension to the class comes from the presence of international students, who often have first-hand knowledge of conservation battles and have worked to influence environmental policy. Past international participants have included 69 students from 40 different countries. In any particular year, we expect 5-15 international fellows. Interaction with these individuals does much to foster awareness of the difficulty of implementing conservation at the ground level. Participants in the Integrated Marine Conservation Program usually enroll in the program's 'core' course (Conservation Biology and Policy) and one of five specialized elective courses offered (Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles; Marine Mammals; Marine Ecology; Marine Invertebrate Zoology; and Independent Research). Enrollment in any one course is also possible. Applications for the Integrated Marine Conservation Program will be accepted until the program is full. Approximately ten Global Fellowships in Marine Conservation will be awarded on a competitive basis to international students, especially those from developing countries, and will fully cover travel expenses, room and board, and tuition for both BIO 109/ENV 209 Conservation Biology and Policy plus one specialized elective course subject to availability. Electives include: Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles; Marine Mammals; Marine Ecology; Marine Invertebrate Zoology; and Independent Research. The Global Fellows in Marine Conservation application credentials are due February 15. See http://www.env.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/scholarship.html_ _Additionally, a grant from Panaphil Foundation allows the Duke Marine Laboratory to offer two tuition scholarships to U.S. citizens (applications due April 1) and four Global Fellowships in Marine Conservation to international students choosing Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles as their second course (applications due February 15). Duke University Marine Lab summer tuition scholarships are awarded to either U.S. or non-U.S. citizens on a competitive basis and cover full tuition for any one course in Term II. These summer tuition scholarship applications are due April 1st. For further information, visit http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/summer2.html or contact ml_admissions at env.duke.edu; (252) 504-7502. Ms. Helen Nearing, Coordinator of Academic Programs Duke Marine Lab; 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd; Beaufort NC 28516 phone (252) 504-7502; fax (252) 504-7648 www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab -- From sarahbarry at marineteam.com Thu Dec 15 06:10:37 2005 From: sarahbarry at marineteam.com (Sarah Louise Barry M.Sc) Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 14:10:37 -0000 (GMT) Subject: [MARMAM] Humpback Dolphin beak injury Message-ID: <56626.127.0.0.1.1134655837.squirrel@localhost> Dear All, A few weeks ago on one of our whale watch trips we noticed an adult Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin with a trauma to the beak. The beak appeared to have been broken/sliced off with the end hanging off. We encountered the animal (otherwise healthy adult, possibly female as with smaller individual) again yesterday. The lower jaw is now very pale in colouration, appears to be septic and is at a 20-30 degree angle to the right (looking at the animal from behind). Half of the upper jaw is missing but what is left is in a completely different tissue state to the lower jaw. The tissue still has the usual grey colouration but is incredibly swollen. Almost as if the animal has a second melon. The animal appears to be quite healthy otherwise, but the trauma is so massive there is no way the animal will be able to continue feeding in the correct manner. I was hoping someone may be able to shed some light on any encounters of beak traumas and how something like this may have occurred. I have a few quite clear photographs should anyone like to see them. The dorsal is pretty serrated too so the animal may have a tandency to get a little too close to boat props. Another point of interest is that last week we encountered a Cape Fur Seal with a trauma to its nose (Which I also have photos of). This is probably coincidence (and with 60,000 seals here just now, this is most likely) but thought it worth a mention. Many thanks, Sarah Barry. www.marineteam.com Dyer Island Cruises PO BOX 78 Gansbaai 7220 South Africa Tel: ++27 28 3840406 From deakos at hawaii.edu Sat Dec 17 23:58:32 2005 From: deakos at hawaii.edu (Mark Deakos) Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2005 21:58:32 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Internship Kauai Message-ID: <299f5c73743be3bd78c9e23956e88b15@hawaii.edu> The Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research (HAMER) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to understanding and protecting Hawaii's marine resources. Please visit www.hamerhawaii.com for a list of current research efforts, staffing, and publications. HAMER is seeking one or two interns to assist with data collection in conjunction with the Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance, and Status of Humpbacks (SPLASH) project. Funded by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, SPLASH is a multinational, collaborative effort involving over 300 researchers working together to answer important questions about Humpback Whales in the North Pacific. Working alongside a Ph.D. researcher from the University of Hawaii, interns will be involved with all field logistics. These include maintenance of research equipment, collection and processing of marine mammal sighting data, photo-identification data, and tissue biopsy samples. Research will be conducted daily from a small boat during the month of February, in waters off the coast of Kauai. Room and board will be provided. Additional research off the island of Maui is tentative. Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience handling small boats around marine mammals, and those with photo-identification and biopsy training. Please email inquiries with an attached CV to: deakos at hawaii.edu *********************************************************************** *********************************************************************** Mark H. Deakos President, Director HAMER The Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research, Inc. PMB #175 5095 Napilihau St. 109B Lahaina, HI 96761 808-280-6448 (cell) 808-669-8998 (fax) www.hamerhawaii.com *********************************************************************** From drthomsen at web.de Sun Dec 18 09:59:26 2005 From: drthomsen at web.de (Frank Thomsen) Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 18:59:26 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] paper on stereotyped whistles in wild killer whales Message-ID: <269954188@web.de> Dear colleagues, I would like to draw your attention on an article on stereotyped whistles in wild killer whales, in press in 'Animal Behaviour'. The pdf can be downloaded free from the journals webpage (under 'articles in press'). For further questions / inquiries, please contact me (drthomsen at web.de). Merry christmas and a happy new year to all of you! Frank Article title and abstract: Stability and group specificity of stereotyped whistles in resident killer whales, Orcinus orca, off British Columbia R?diger Riesch1), John K.B. Ford 2) and Frank Thomsen 1) 1 Biozentrum Grindel, Universit?t Hamburg, Germany 2 Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, Canada Resident killer whales off British Columbia form four acoustically distinct clans, each with a unique dialect of discrete pulsed calls. Three clans belong to the northern and one to the southern community. Resident killer whales also produce tonal whistles, which play an important role in close-range communication within the northern community. However, there has been no comparative analysis of repertoires of whistles across clans. We investigated the structural characteristics, stability and group specificity of whistles in resident killer whales off British Columbia. Acoustic recordings and behavioural observations were made between 1978 and 2003. Whistles were classified spectrographically and additional observers were used to confirm our classification. Whistles were compared across clans using discriminant function analysis. We found 11 types of stereotyped whistles in the northern and four in the southern community with some of the whistle types being stable over at least 13 years. In northern residents, 10 of the 11 whistle types were structurally identical in two of the three acoustic clans, whereas the whistle types of southern residents differed clearly from those of the northern residents. Our study shows that killer whales that have no overlap in their call repertoire use essentially the same set of stereotyped whistles. Shared stereotyped whistles might provide a community-level means of recognition that facilitates association and affiliation of members of different clans, which otherwise use distinct signals. We further suggest that vocal learning between groups plays an important role in the transmission of whistle types. Dr.?Frank?Thomsen biologisch-landschafts?kologische?Arbeitsgemeinschaft?(biola) & Lehrbeauftragter Biozentrum?Grindel Universit?t?Hamburg __________________________________________________________________ Nur bis 31.12.: 1&1 DSL mit WEB.DE Preisvorteil! Jetzt einsteigen und die Vorteile sichern! http://1und1dsl.web.de/?mc=021130 From limadanielle at terra.com.br Sun Dec 18 13:08:00 2005 From: limadanielle at terra.com.br (Danielle Lima) Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 17:08:00 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] new article Message-ID: Dear colleagues The article below has just been published: Lima, D. S.; Vergara-Parente, J. E.; Young, R. J.; Paszkiewicz, E. Training of Antillean Manatee Trichechus manatus manatus (Linnaeus, 1758) as a management technique for individual welfare. LAJAM 4(1): 61-68, January/June 2005 Those interested can send a e-mail to limadanielle at terra.com.br Best Regards Danielle Lima Projeto On?as d'?gua do Aman? Programa Mam?feros Aqu?ticos Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustent?vel Mamirau? Av. Brasil 197 - Bairro Juru? Tef?, Amazonas, Brasil +55 21 (97) 3343-4672 ABSTRACT: Behavioral training is a method used in institutions that keep captive animals to assist in husbandry and health assessment issues. It consists of training animals using positive reinforcement to perform behaviors that facilitate veterinary procedures without the use of physical restraint or drugs, thereby improving animal welfare. A female Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus), eight years old, weighing approximately 400kg and measuring 266cm, was the subject of this study. The training method used was operant conditioning with positive reinforcement, which encourages the animal to cooperate during veterinary inspections. The animal was trained that every time it performed a commanded behavior correctly, it would be rewarded with food and verbal praise. Furthermore, just prior to the moment of the reward a whistle was sounded; thus the animal associated this sound with the correct performance of the commanded behavior. To control the body position, the animal was trained by operant conditioning to touch a target. Our subject was trained in two stages, to perform necessary behaviors to collect biological samples (e.g. blood). Some of the possible factors influencing the training sessions were evaluated, such as the identity of the keeper, the impact of sounds and the number of days between training sessions. Only the identity of the keeper was found to influence training sessions. Our subject rapidly learned to express a number of commanded behavior patterns to assist its management in captivity. Therefore we consider this method to have been successful. We consider this method indispensable when managing large endangered species in captivity, as training reduces stress for the animal and reduces risk to its human caregivers. Finally, the application of this method will allow us to collect more biological data about this endangered species. From MaryD at BlackburnPress.com Fri Dec 16 10:14:21 2005 From: MaryD at BlackburnPress.com (Blackburn Press) Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:14:21 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] FINIALLY: The Mammals of North America, 2nd Edition by E. Raymond Hall is NOW AVAILABLE from The Blackburn Press Message-ID: <0IRL0012XRZY9UA1@vms040.mailsrvcs.net> MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THIS BOOK ! The classic book, The Mammals of North America, 2nd Edition, by E. Raymond Hall, 2 volume box set, ISBN 1-930665-35-0, is NOW AVAILABLE from The Blackburn Press. Enter your order now on our website http://www.blackburnpress.com/biologybooks.html or via fax at 973-228-7276. Reprinted here from the 1981 edition by John Wiley and Sons, The Mammals of North America is the only work to provide all-inclusive information for the entire continent and continues to be an indispensable reference source for zoologists, botanists, entomologists, epidemiologists, parasitologists - all whose interests touch on the native mammals. E. Raymond Hall was one of the outstanding mammalogists of the century. The Mammals of North America is considered to be among the most important faunal works ever published. Hall was President of the American Society of Mammalogists in 1940-41. He was Director of the Museum of Natural History at the University of Kansas in Lawrence from 1944 until his retirement in 1967. The Blackburn Press was founded with the mission of keeping in print and available for purchase book titles that larger publishers have lost interest in and have declared "out-of-print." We specialize in scientific, medical, and technical books and textbooks. The Blackburn Press is interested in hearing of other titles we might consider returning to print. Your suggestions are welcome. Thank you. Maryanne Kenny The Blackburn Press Publishers of classic scientific and technical books Post Office Box 287 Caldwell, NJ 07006 Tel: 973-228-7077 Fax: 973-228-7276 E-mail: MKenny at Blackburnpress.com Explore the latest additions to our list at www.Blackburnpress.com All of our books are available at www.Amazon.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From balko at Oswego.EDU Sat Dec 10 09:26:05 2005 From: balko at Oswego.EDU (balko at Oswego.EDU) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 12:26:05 -0500 (EST) Subject: [MARMAM] (no subject) Message-ID: <49200.172.149.102.126.1134235565.squirrel@172.149.102.126> Tropical Marine Ecology - 4 credit biology elective [lecture portion of course taught online, lab = one week at Marine Science Institute] Learn about tropical marine ecology while taking an online science elective through the SUNY Learning Network [http://SLN.suny.edu]. Travel to the Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences, Honduras, over Spring Break [March 19th - 25th] to complete the Lab Portion of this Course. Tropical Marine Ecology is a 4 credit sophomore-level class with a 3-credit lecture plus a one-week trip to Honduras for field study at the Roatan Institute of Marine Science. Contact Information: Liz Balko PhD [balko at oswego.edu]; OR OCC Biology Dept. [315-498-2411]. Registration Information & questions regarding online courses: http://SLN.suny.edu This unique course will introduce you to the natural history of coral reefs and the diverse life forms that they support through a combination of online exercises and hands-on experience. Students will gain the ability to identify, observe and study enchanting marine organisms going about their daily lives on the reefs embracing the island of Roatan, Honduras. The online portion of this course will introduce you to the biology and taxonomy of life surrounding Caribbean reef systems. The field trip segment will take you beyond studying the natural history of coral reefs by enlightening participants to the critical need to conserve these fragile ecosystems as well as the efforts of the dive community and scientists to protect the Sandy Bay Marine Reserve. A highlight of the trip to Honduras will be the dolphin specialty segment that introduces dolphin anatomy, physiology, cognition, communication and behavior. Instruction on dolphin behavior and biology will be implemented through lectures and hands-on interactions with 17 dolphins kept in natural flow through seawater enclosures in the lagoons around RIMS. Students also take an active role in studying dolphin behavior and communication by participating in dolphin swims, recording observations of dolphin behavior and participating in dolphin training sessions. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to compare the biology of coral reefs to that of a tropical rain forest. We will visit a cloud forest on the mainland that is home to jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, and white-faced capuchins. Take your love of the environment to the next level and join us in this opportunity to learn about the environment you enjoy. The trip will be lead by Dr Liz Balko [OCC & SUNY-Oswego] and her teaching assistant Jennifer Hunter [UC Davis]. While at the Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences (RIMS) we will coordinate lectures and field experiences with the RIMS education and dolphin staff. The school group will be housed in accommodations provided by Anthony's Key Resort. This renowned dive resort has been in operation for over 28 years and works in conjunction with RIMS to extend its luxuries to the students and professors. It consists of private cabins, SCUBA shop and service station, photo shop, gift shop, open dining area, and bar. Everything one might need is within easy access. We will have use of our own dive boat to make our daily trips to the reef system surrounding the island. The trip to Honduras is covered by the additional lab fee of $2,000 [includes airfare from US departure city (Miami or Houston), room board, all facility uses fees, dolphin specialty lectures & training, roundtrip airfare from Roatan to mainland Honduras to visit Pico Bonito + ground transportation and lunch @ park]. Requires valid passport, completed medical form, and Study Abroad application form. NOTE: Tuition and trip costs may be covered by student financial aid. From marmamed at uvic.ca Mon Dec 19 17:25:26 2005 From: marmamed at uvic.ca (MARMAM Editors) Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 17:25:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] Federal Register Notice on Hawaii Spinner Dolphin proposed rulemaking Message-ID: <200512200125.jBK1PQft100746@unix6.uvic.ca> [Federal Register: December 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 237)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 73426-73429] >From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12de05-25] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 216 [Docket No. 051110296-5296-01; I.D. 102405A] RIN 0648-AU02 Protecting Spinner Dolphins in the Main Hawaiian Islands From Human Activities that Cause ``Take,'' as Defined in the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Its Implementing Regulations, or To Otherwise Adversely Affect the Dolphins AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is considering whether to propose regulations to protect wild spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in the main Hawaiian Islands from ``take,'' as defined in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and its implementing regulations, or to otherwise adversely affect the dolphins. The scope of this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) encompasses the activities of any person or conveyance that may result in the unauthorized taking of spinner dolphins and/or that may diminish the value to the dolphins of habitat routinely used by them for resting and/or that may cause detrimental individual-level and population-level impacts. The proposed regulation would apply only to the main Hawaiian Islands and only to spinner dolphins. NMFS requests comments on whether--and if so, what type of-- conservation measures, regulations, and, if necessary, other measures would be appropriate to protect spinner dolphins in the main Hawaiian Islands from the effects of these activities. DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address (see ADDRESSES) no later than January 11, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: E-mail: 0648-AU02.NOA at noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the following document identifier: 0648-AU02-NOA. Federal e-rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov . Mail: Marine Mammal Branch Chief, Protected Resources Division, Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Yates or Jennifer Sepez, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 808-944-2105; or Trevor Spradlin, Office of Protected Resources, 301-713-2322. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Viewing wild marine mammals in Hawaii is a popular recreational activity for both tourists and residents alike. In the past, most recreational viewing focused on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during the winter months when the whales migrate from their feeding grounds off the coast of Alaska to Hawaii's warm and protected waters to breed and calve. However, in recent years, recreational activities have increasingly focused on viewing small cetaceans, with a particular emphasis on spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), which are routinely found close to shore in shallow coves and bays and other areas throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. NMFS is concerned that some of these activities cause unauthorized taking of dolphins, diminish the value to the dolphins of habitat routinely used by them for resting, and cause detrimental individual- level and population-level impacts. The biology and behavior of Hawaiian spinner dolphins has been well documented in the scientific literature. Hawaiian spinner dolphins are identified as a race of Pacific spinner dolphins found in and around the Hawaiian Islands, including both the main Islands of Hawaii and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Norris et al. 1994, page 17). Hawaiian spinner dolphins routinely utilize shallow coves and bays and other areas close to shore during the day to rest, care for their young and avoid predators before traveling to deeper water at night to hunt for food (W[uuml]rsig et al. 1994, Norris 1994). As the dolphins begin or end their resting period, they engage in aerial spinning and leaping behaviors that are noticeable from shore (W[uuml]rsig et al. 1994). However, when they are in a period of deep rest, their behavior consists of synchronous dives and extended periods swimming in quiet formation along the shallow bottom (see: Norris and Dohl 1980, Norris et al. 1985, Wells and Norris 1994, W[uuml]rsig et al. 1994). Scientific research studies have documented human disturbance of Hawaiian spinner dolphins during their resting periods along the west coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, most notably in and around Kealakekua Bay. Norris and Dohl (1980) noted that ``cruise boats'' would seek out and run through groups of spinner dolphins during an initial study of the dolphins in 1970, and in follow up research, Norris et al. (1985) found that spinner dolphins were particularly sensitive to disturbance during the early stage of their entry into the bay. Forest (2001) compared sightings records of spinner dolphins in Kealakekua Bay from 1979-1980 and 1993-1994, and found that the dolphins were utilizing the bay and engaging in aerial behaviors less frequently than before, and suggested increasing human disturbance as a cause. Courbis (2004) reported high levels of vessel and swimmer traffic in Kealakekua Bay and neighboring Honaunau Bay and Kauhako Bay, and found that spinner dolphins exhibited decreased aerial activity during their entry and exit into Kealakekua Bay when compared to previous studies, as well as increased aerial activity during mid-day when dolphins typically rest. Spinner dolphins in Kealakekua Bay also appeared to have shifted their preferred resting area in response to vessel and swimmer presence. In Kauhako Bay, dolphins were documented avoiding swimmers and leaving the bay in response to being followed, while in Honaunau Bay, dolphins were documented to spend more time at the mouth of the bay or in deep water at the center of the bay when swimmers were present. [Ouml]stman-Lind et al. (2004) found that human disturbance was highest in mid-morning when spinner dolphins begin their rest period, and that secondary resting areas with less vessel traffic were utilized more than had been previously observed, and suggested the dolphins have been displaced from their primary resting areas. In addition, Ross (2001) found that Hawaiian spinner dolphins around Midway Atoll in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands exhibited short-term behavioral changes in response to vessels at distances of 300 meters and 100 meters. NMFS is concerned that displacement from primary resting areas has the potential for adverse impacts on the dolphins for a number of reasons, including that these secondary resting areas may not provide for the same quality of rest and protection that primary areas do and that the activities that displaced the dolphins from primary areas are likely to follow them. NMFS scientists are concerned about the potential for individual-level and population-level effects because of anthropogenic activities. NMFS has received an increasing number of complaints from constituents alleging that spinner dolphins in the main Hawaiian Islands are routinely being disturbed by people attempting to closely approach and interact with the dolphins by vessel (motor powered or kayak) or in the water (``swim-with-wild-dolphin'' activities). Concerns have been expressed by officials from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, as well as representatives of the Native Hawaiian community, scientific researchers, wildlife conservation organizations, public display organizations, and some commercial tour operators. Additionally, there are growing public safety concerns associated with human-dolphin interactions. Although there are no known reports of Hawaiian spinner dolphins injuring humans, people have been seriously injured while trying to interact with various species of marine mammals in the wild, including species of dolphins (Webb 1978, Shane et al. 1993, NMFS 1994, Wilson 1994, Orams et al. 1996, Seideman 1997, Christie 1998, Santos 1997, Samuels and Bejder 1998, Samuels and Bejder 2004, Samuels et al. 2000). In addition, researchers have documented Hawaiian spinner dolphins behaving aggressively towards people in the water by charging and making threat displays (Norris et al. 1985, Johnson and Norris 1994). There is also a potential risk of shark attack, since sharks prey upon spinner dolphins and often are seen with them along the coast (Johnson and Norris 1994, Norris 1994). In June 2003, an adult male swimmer was attacked by a shark while trying to swim with spinner dolphins off the coast of Oahu. The man suffered injuries to his leg, which required medical attention (Hoover and Espanol 2003). NMFS encourages members of the public to view and enjoy spinner dolphins in the main Hawaiian Islands in ways that are consistent with the provisions of the MMPA, and supports responsible wildlife viewing as articulated in agency guidelines (see Web citations below). NMFS is concerned that some activities occurring in Hawaii are not in accordance with these guidelines, and cause unauthorized taking of spinner dolphins, diminish the value to the dolphins of habitat routinely used by them for resting, or cause detrimental individual- level and population-level impacts to these dolphins. Current MMPA Prohibitions and NMFS Guidelines and Regulations The Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., generally prohibits the ``take'' of marine mammals. Section 3(13) of the MMPA defines the term ``take'' as ``to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.'' Except with respect to military readiness activities and certain scientific research activities, the MMPA defines the term ``harassment'' as ``any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which--(i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild, [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment].'' In addition, NMFS regulations implementing the MMPA further describe the term ``take'' to include: ``the negligent or intentional operation of an aircraft or vessel, or the doing of any other negligent or intentional act which results in disturbing or molesting a marine mammal; and feeding or attempting to feed a marine mammal in the wild'' (50 CFR 216.3). The MMPA provides limited exceptions to the prohibition on ``take'' for activities such as scientific research, public display, and incidental take in commercial fisheries. Such activities require a permit or authorization, which may be issued only after a thorough agency review. Although Hawaiian spinner dolphins are not a listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), there are specific regulations for some ESA-listed marine mammals which address interactions with humans in the wild. These regulations prohibit approaches within 3 nautical miles (5.5 km) of particular Steller sea lion rookeries in the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska (50 CFR 223.202), approaches closer than 100 yards (91.4 m) to humpback whales in Hawaii, approaches closer than 100 yards (91.4 m) to humpback whales in Alaska, and approaches closer than 500 yards (460 m) to right whales in the North Atlantic (50 CFR 224.103). Documentation for these latter two regulations (66 FR 29502, May 31, 2001, and 62 FR 6729, February 13, 1997) cites rulemaking authority under both the ESA and the MMPA. For both ESA-listed species and for MMPA-protected species, wildlife viewing must be conducted in a manner that does not cause ``take.'' This is consistent with the philosophy of responsible wildlife viewing advocated by many federal agencies to unobtrusively observe the natural behavior of wild animals in their habitats without causing disturbance (see http://www.watchablewildlife.org/ and http://www.watchablewildlife .org/publications/marine--wild life--viewing-- ng-- Each of the six NMFS Regions has developed recommended viewing guidelines to educate the general public on how to responsibly view marine mammals in the wild and avoid causing a ``take.'' These guidelines are available on line at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ prot-- res/MMWatch/MMViewing.html. The guidelines developed by the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office for marine mammals in Hawaii are also available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/MMWatch/hawaii.htm . The Regional Office viewing guidelines for Hawaii recommend that people view wild dolphins from a safe distance of at least 50 yards (45 m) and refrain from trying to chase, closely approach, surround, swim with, or touch the animals. To support the guidelines in Hawaii, NMFS has partnered with the State of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary over the past several years to promote safe and responsible wildlife viewing practices through the development of outreach materials, training workshops and public service announcements. NMFS' education and outreach efforts have also been supported by a partnership with the Watchable Wildlife program, a consortium of Federal and State wildlife agencies and wildlife interest groups that encourages passive viewing of wildlife from a distance for the safety and well-being of both animals and people (Duda 1995, Oberbillig 2000). However, despite the regulations, guidelines and outreach efforts, interactions through swim-with-dolphins programs continue to occur and are increasing in Hawaii. Advertisements on the Internet and in local media in Hawaii promote activities that contradict the NMFS guidelines. NMFS has received letters from the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), members of the scientific research community, environmental groups, the public display community, and members of the general public expressing the view that swimming with and other types of interactions with wild marine mammals have the potential to harass and/or disturb the animals by causing injury or disruption of normal behavior patterns. NMFS has also received inquiries from members of the public and commercial tour operators requesting clarification on NMFS' policy on these matters. The MMC sponsored a literature review by Samuels et al. (2000) to compile information regarding human interactions with wild dolphins. Upon review of the report, the MMC stated: The information and analyses in the report provide compelling evidence that any efforts to interact intentionally with dolphins in the wild are likely to result in at least Level B harassment and, in some cases, could result in the death or injury of both people and marine mammals. The MMC subsequently recommended that NMFS ``promulgate regulations specifying that any activity intended to enable in-water interactions between humans and dolphins in the wild constitutes a taking and is prohibited'' (Letter from MMC to NMFS dated May 23, 2000). In 2002, NMFS published an ANPR requesting comments from the public on what types of regulations and other measures would be appropriate to prevent harassment of marine mammals in the wild caused by human activities directed at the animals (67 FR 4379, January 30, 2002). The 2002 ANPR was national in scope and covered all species of marine mammals under NMFS' jurisdiction (whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions), and requested comments on ways to address concerns about the public and commercial operators closely approaching, swimming with, touching or otherwise interacting with marine mammals in the wild. Several potential options were proposed for consideration and comment, including: (1) Codifying the current NMFS Regional marine mammal viewing guidelines into regulations; (2) codifying the guidelines into regulations with additional improvements; (3) establishing minimum approach rules similar to the ones under the ESA regulations for humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska and North Atlantic right whales; and (4) restricting activities of concern similar to the MMPA regulation prohibiting the public from feeding or attempting to feed wild marine mammals. The 2002 ANPR specifically mentioned the concerns about Hawaiian spinner dolphins and increasing human interactions. Over 500 comments were received on the 2002 ANPR regarding human interactions with wild marine mammals in United States waters and along the nation's coastlines. A portion of the comments specifically addressed Hawaii concerns and recommended a wide spectrum of measures from no action to restricting swim with activities through regulations or time-area closures. Request for Comments NMFS is requesting comments on whether --and if so, what type of-- conservation measures, regulations, and, if necessary, other measures would be appropriate to protect spinner dolphins in the main Hawaiian Islands from human activities that result in the unauthorized taking of spinner dolphins and/or that may diminish the value to the dolphins of habitat routinely used by them for resting and/or that may cause detrimental individual-level and population-level impacts. If a rule were proposed, the agency could further delineate the definition of ``take'' in the Code of Federal Regulations for situations involving Hawaiian spinner dolphins, focusing on the take of individual dolphins. The agency could also design regulations to address possible adverse effects at the population level, where repeated intrusions into resting areas cumulatively have the potential to disrupt the behavioral patterns within the population of dolphins and/or have the potential to injure the stock as a whole through displacement of animals from their preferred habitat. The agency could also act to protect essential habitats, including mating grounds and areas of similar significance to the dolphins. NMFS offers several possible options for consideration and comment: Codify the current NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office's marine mammal viewing guidelines--Codifying the guidelines as regulations would make them requirements rather than recommendations, and would provide for enforcement of these provisions and penalties for violations. Codify the current NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office's marine mammal viewing guidelines with improvements--The current guidelines could be revised to more clearly address specific activities of concern, such as those discussed below, and then codified as enforceable regulations. Establish minimum approach rule--Similar to the minimum approach rules for humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska, and right whales in the North Atlantic (50 CFR 224.103; 66 FR 29502, May 31, 2001), a limit could be established by regulation to accommodate a reasonable level of dolphin viewing opportunities while minimizing the potential detrimental impacts from humans. If establishing a minimum approach rule is appropriate, then NMFS would have to consider whether the current guideline of 50 yards is appropriate for this regulation. NMFS would consider exceptions for situations in which marine mammals approach vessels or humans as well as other situations in which approach is not reasonably avoidable. Restrict individual activities of concern--Similar to the prohibition on feeding wild marine mammals (50 CFR 216.3), a regulation further delineating the definition of ``take'' for the case of Hawaiian spinner dolphins could clarify which specific activities are prohibited. Such activities could include actions engaged in by individuals, e.g., swimming with, touching (either directly or with an object), or otherwise acting on or with a Hawaiian spinner dolphin in the wild. It could also include operating a vessel or providing other platforms from which such interactions are conducted or supported. Restrict vessel activities of concern--Activities of concern engaged in by vessels could also be prohibited through a regulation further delineating the definition of ``take'' for the case of Hawaiian spinner dolphins. These activities of concern could include actions engaged in by vessels, e.g., the use of vessels to herd dolphins, surround dolphins, or otherwise prevent a reasonable means of escape, to ``leapfrog'' dolphins by positioning in their predictable paths, separate calves from attending adults, approach at or above specified speeds, or to ``run through'' a group of dolphins in order to elicit bow-wake riding. Establish time-area closures in resting bays--Similar to the prohibitions used to protect fish stocks or habitat, a regulation restricting human access to specific areas could be established. These restrictions could be for full-time, or limited to certain times of the day when dolphins have the most potential to be present. They could: restrict all human entry to the area; restrict only specified types of activities; restrict human access to an entire area or a particular zone within an area; or a closure could be any combination of the above parameters. NMFS also recognizes that the most appropriate regulations may be some combination of the above measures, or that additional possibilities may exist. The geographic scope of these regulations, if proposed, would be the near shore habitats off the main Hawaiian Islands, including the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Kohoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, and their nearby land or land-like masses (e.g., Molokini, Kaohiakipu, etc.). These are the locations where activities of concern are concentrated. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) do not currently have a significant level of activities of concern, and NMFS feels the remoteness of these islands makes it unlikely that they will develop at significant levels in the future. In addition, a marine sanctuary is contemplated which would encompass the NWHI. NMFS requests comments on the geographic scope of this ANPR, including whether the agency should be considering a larger or smaller overall geographic scope to protect Hawaiian spinner dolphins. NMFS invites comment on the above options and other possible measures that will help the agency decide what type of regulations, if any, would be most appropriate to consider for protecting spinner dolphins in the main Hawaiian Islands from human activities that cause unauthorized taking of spinner dolphins, diminish the value to the dolphins of habitat routinely used by them for resting, or cause detrimental individual-level and population-level impacts to these dolphins. Classification This advance notice of proposed rulemaking was determined to be significant for purposes of E.O. 12866. Dated: December 6, 2005. William T. Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. References Christie, S. 1998. Learning to live with giants: Elephant seals get the right of way at Piedras Blancas. California Coast & Oceans, 14(1):11-14. Courbis, S.S. 2004. Behavior of Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in response to vessels/swimmers. Masters Thesis, San Francisco State University. 209 pp. Duda, Mark D. 1995. Watching Wildlife: Tips, Gear and Great Places for Enjoying America's Wild Creatures. Falcon Press Publishing Co., Helena and Billings, MT. 117 pp. Forest, A. 2001. The Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris: Effects of tourism. Masters Thesis, Texas A&M University. 91 pp. Johnson, C.M. and K.S. Norris. 1994 Social Behavior. In: K.S. Norris, B. W[uuml]rsig , R.S. Wells and M. W[uuml]rsig (Eds.), The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin. University of California Press, Berkeley. Pp. 14-30. Marine Mammal Protection Act. 16 U.S.C. et seq. and 50 CFR part 216. NMFS. 1994. Report to Congress on Results of Feeding Wild Dolphins: 1989-1994. NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources. 23 pp. Norris, K.S. 1994. Predators, Parasites, and Multispecies Aggregations. In K.S. Norris, B. W[uuml]rsig , R.S. Wells and M. W[uuml]rsig (Eds.), The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin. University of California Press, Berkeley. Pp. 14-30. Norris, K.S. and T.P. Dohl. 1980. Behavior of the Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris. Fishery Bulletin, 77(4):821- 849. Norris, K.S., B. W[uuml]rsig, R.S. Wells, M. W[uuml]rsig, S.M. Brownlee, C. Johnson and J. Solow. 1985. The behavior of the Hawaiian spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris. NMFS Southwest Fisheries Center Administrative Report No. LJ-85-06C. 213 pp. Norris, K.S., B. W[uuml]rsig, and R.S. Wells. 1994. The Spinner Dolphin. In K.S. Norris, B. W[uuml]rsig , R.S. Wells and M. W[uuml]rsig (Eds.), The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin. University of California Press, Berkeley. Pp. 14-30. Oberbillig, D.E. 2000. Providing Positive Wildlife Viewing Experiences: A Practical Handbook. Watchable Wildlife, Inc., Colorado Division of Wildlife Publication. 68 pp. Orams, M.B., G.J.E. Hill and A.J. Baglioni, Jr. 1996. ``Pushy'' behavior in a wild dolphin feeding program at Tangalooma, Australia. Marine Mammal Science, 12(1):107-117. [Ouml]stman-Lind, J., A. Driscoll-Lind and S.H. Rickards. 2004. Delphinid abundance, distribution and habitat use off the western coast of the Island of Hawaii. NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center Administrative Report LJ-04-02C. 28 pp. Ross, G. 2001. Response of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris, to boat presenece in Midway Atoll. Masters Thesis, San Francisco State University. 74 pp. Samuels, A., and L. Bejder. 1998. Habitual interactions between humans and wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near Panama City Beach, Florida. Report to the Marine Mammal Commission, Silver Spring, MD. 13 pp. Samuels, A., and L. Bejder. 2004. Chronic interaction between humans and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins near Panama City Beach, Florida, USA. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, 6(1):69- 77. Samuels, A., L. Bejder and S. Heinrich. 2000. A Review of the Literature Pertaining to Swimming with Wild Dolphins. Report to the Marine Mammal Commission. 57 pp. Santos, M.C.d.O. 1997. Lone sociable bottlenose dolphin in Brazil: Human fatality and management. Marine Mammal Science, 13(2):355-356. Seideman, D. 1997. Swimming with trouble. Audubon, 99:76-82. Shane, S.H., L. Tepley and L. Costello. 1993. Life threatening contact between a woman and a pilot whale captured on film. Marine Mammal Science, 9(3):331-336. Webb, N.G. 1978. Women and children abducted by a wild but sociable adult male bottlenose dolphin. Carnivore, 1(2):89-94. Wells, R.S. and K.S. Norris. 1994. The island habitat. In K.S. Norris, B. W[uuml]rsig, R.S. Wells and M. W[uuml]rsig (Eds.), The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin. University of California Press, Berkeley. Pp. 31-53. Wilson, B. 1994. Review of dolphin management at Monkey Mia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, Western Australia. 37 pp. W[uuml]rsig, B., R.S. Wells, K.S. Norris and M. W[uuml]rsig. 1994. A spinner dolphin's day. In K.S. Norris, B. W[uuml]rsig, R.S. Wells and M. W[uuml]rsig (Eds.), The Hawaiian Spinner Dolphin. University of California Press, Berkeley. Pp. 65-102. [FR Doc. 05-23928 Filed 12-9-05; 8:45 am] ------------------------------------------------------------------- -To submit a message to MARMAM, send it to: marmam at lists.uvic.ca -Please include your name and e-mail address in the body of the text of all submissions, and ensure your message has an appropriate subject heading (ie., not "Message for MARMAM") -Do not submit attached files or HTML/MIME messages. -To subscribe to MARMAM, go to lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam -To contact the MARMAM editors, write to: marmamed at uvic.ca -MARMAM Editorial Policy & FAQ: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/marmam.htm From palsboll at berkeley.edu Mon Dec 19 11:29:11 2005 From: palsboll at berkeley.edu (Per J Palsboll) Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 11:29:11 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY: Faculty Position in Mammalian Evolutionary or Ecological Biology Message-ID: <6.2.0.14.0.20051219112835.04d8faa0@calmail.berkeley.edu> UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY: Faculty Position in Mammalian Evolutionary or Ecological Biology The Department of Integrative Biology and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology seek a colleague at the Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator level in the area of Mammalian Evolutionary or Ecological Biology. We seek an individual who will develop an outstanding field- and collection based research program in evolution and/or ecology, using any taxa of extant mammals as a study system. The successful candidate will share an appointment in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and the Department of Integrative Biology. Previous museum experience is not required but the successful candidate must demonstrate an intellectual commitment to museum-based research, the potential to use and add to MVZ collections, a clear vision of the multiple roles of museum collections in the 21st century, and the capacity to integrate intellectual activities of the MVZ and the Department of Integrative Biology. We encourage applicants from all areas of mammal biology. Candidates should have a strong commitment to both undergraduate and graduate teaching. The position is available 1 July 2006. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of research and teaching objectives, including a vision for the future of natural history museums such as the MVZ. Applications, including at least three letters of recommendation, should be sent directly to the search committee at: Search Committee, Mammalian Evolutionary/Ecological Biology Search, Department of Integrative Biology, 3060 VLSB, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3140. The deadline for receipt of applications is 15 January 2005. Applicants should refer their reviewers to the UC Berkeley Statement of Confidentiality at http://apo.chance.berkeley.edu/evalltr.html. Further information about the department, the MVZ, and this faculty position can be found at http://ib.berkeley.edu/ and http://mvz.berkeley.edu. The University of California, Berkeley, is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NB: New email spam filters at Berkeley may result in emails bouncing back. If so, please advise me by fax (510-643-5098, Attn.: Per Palsboll) Per J. Palsboll Assistant Professor of Conservation Genetics Mail address: Ecosystem Science Division Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management University of California at Berkeley 137 Mulford Hall #3114 Berkeley, CA 94720-3114, USA Web-sites: Department http://cnr.berkeley.edu/espm/index.html Faculty page http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/espm/directory/fac/palsboll_p.html Phone nos: Office +1 510.643.8225 Main laboratory +1 510.643.0956 Student & Post doc office +1 510.643.5142 Fax +1 510.643.5438 From editor at monachus-guardian.org Mon Dec 19 23:25:44 2005 From: editor at monachus-guardian.org (William M. Johnson) Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 08:25:44 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] The Monachus Guardian 8 (2): December 2005 Message-ID: THE MONACHUS GUARDIAN, DECEMBER 2005 Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Monk Seal This is to let you know that we have now published the December 2005 issue of The Monachus Guardian, the biannual electronic journal focusing on the Mediterranean, Hawaiian and Caribbean monk seals. The site can be accessed at As indicated in our International News section, this is a much-truncated edition, reflecting current difficulties in obtaining the financial support necessary to continue publishing the journal to its familiar standard and format. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CURRENT ISSUE: International News: UN meetings in Athens and Slovenia hear of the monk seal?s imminent extinction - Ministers adopt monk seal declaration. Hawaiian News: Marine refuge in NWHI?s shallow waters is a big win; deep water next. Mediterranean News: Back from the Dead? Why a spate of new sightings may mean that reports of the monk seal?s extinction in the Adriatic were premature after all. Plus... Understanding fisheries: a new conservation initiative for the monk seal in Greece. Features: Recent Sightings of the Monk Seal in Croatian areas of the Adriatic, by Martina Duras Gomercic, Tomislav Gomercic, Duro Huber and Hrvoje Gomercic. Mediterranean Monk Seal off Ginak Island, The Gambia: a new sighting at the southern fringe of the known range, by Roy Armstrong and Owen T. Nevin. Letters to the Editor: The National Marine Rubbish Tip of Zakynthos. Recent Publications. The current and back issues of The Monachus Guardian are also available from the Monk Seal Library and may either be viewed on-line, or downloaded as single files in Acrobat format. Should you have any comments on the web site or its contents, please contact us at: editor at monachus-guardian.org. Our sincere thanks to all the friends and colleagues who have made this issue possible. William M. Johnson editor at monachus-guardian.org PS. Don't hesitate to let us know if you appear to be on this email information list in error. _______________________________________ William M Johnson editor at monachus-guardian.org http://www.monachus-guardian.org http://www.iridescent-publishing.com _______________________________________ From odobenus at rosmarus.com Tue Dec 20 12:27:53 2005 From: odobenus at rosmarus.com (Odobenus) Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 21:27:53 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] EAAM symposium: Last call for abstracts Message-ID: <002501c605a4$97654650$173ee8c3@rd827> Posted on behalf of Niels van Elk, President-Elect of the EAAM, concerning the 34th Annual Symposium of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals. This Symposium will take place 17-20 March 2006, in Riccione, Italy. Terveisin, Jaap -- Jaap van der Toorn mail: odobenus at rosmarus.com web: http://rosmarus.com --- Dear friends and colleagues, The end of the year is approaching, a time to share with your beloved ones and celebrate Christmas and the coming of another hopefully beautifull New Year. However before you retreat may I remind you and inspire you to hand in your abstracts for next year's conference of the EAAM. The joy of Holyday and relaxation is the most rewarding after hard and fruitfull work! The succes of next year's conference is dependent upon your input and willingness to prepare and share the results of your labour! This is the last call for abstracts! Deadline for abstract submission is: 23rd of December If you are willing to submit but have difficulty in making the deadline please do contact me before the 23rd of December to see if we can find a solution. I invite you to take a look at the website of the conference. As the building continuous a beautifull home for our conference is arising on: http://www.parcoltremare.it/commonfiles/eaam/eaam.php Here you will be able to find electronic submission forms, all details about the conference, excursions and social program. Wishing you a wonderfull Christmas and a Happy New Year! Niels van Elk President Elect EAAM E mail for abstract submission: eaam at dolfinarium.nl E mail personal: n.v.elk at dolfinarium.nl From mjasny at telus.net Thu Dec 22 08:20:41 2005 From: mjasny at telus.net (Michael Jasny) Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 08:20:41 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] deadline extension on Navy training range Message-ID: <1ffe5e47cb0d4f27a3c56f6565755a27@telus.net> Just want to let everyone know that the Navy has extended the public comment deadline on its proposed Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR). The comment period was set to expire next week, on 28 December. But, in response to requests from Congressmen, Senators, state officials, and the public, the deadline has been extended to 30 January. A copy of the Navy's Draft Environment Impact Statement, which is the basis for comment, is available at projects.earthtech.com/USWTR/EIS/DEIS.htm. The Navy's proposal would establish a range off North Carolina, Virginia, or Florida, in which more than 160 antisubmarine warfare exercises would be conducted each year. Happy holidays, everyone -- Michael Michael Jasny Natural Resources Defense Council 4479 W. 5th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6R1S4 604-736-9386 mjasny at telus.net From Hal.Whitehead at dal.ca Fri Dec 23 05:28:03 2005 From: Hal.Whitehead at dal.ca (Hal.Whitehead at dal.ca) Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 09:28:03 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] ABSTRACT: Heterogeneity and the mark-recapture assessment of the Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whales Message-ID: <43ABC323.8316.3D057B9@localhost> We would like to draw attention to our new paper, which develops and uses new methods (mixture models) for analyzing mark- recapture population data in which there is heterogeneity. The abstract is below and a pdf is available at: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/hw/Whitehead_Wimmer_2005.pdf Hal Whitehead and Tonya Wimmer Whitehead, H., and T. Wimmer. 2005. Heterogeneity and the mark-recapture assessment of the Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 63:2573-2585. A population of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) inhabits the waters along the edge of the Scotian Shelf. The most important habitat of this population is the Gully, a large submarine canyon, where animals were photographically identified between 1988 and 2003. Open mark?recapture models, including mixture models that allow for heterogeneity in identifiability and (or) mortality among individuals, were fitted to identification-history data. Models without heterogeneity in identifiability had poor fit to the data and underestimated population size. The population is estimated to contain about 163 animals (95% confidence interval 119?214), with no statistically significant temporal trend. About 12% of the population has a high probability of being identified within the Gully in any year. Many of them are mature males. The remainder is less likely to be identified in the Gully during any year, spend generally shorter periods in the Gully even in years when they are found, and are more likely to be female. This and other work indicate a poorly mixed population inhabiting the canyons and other deeper waters off the Scotian Shelf. Nonparametric bootstrap methods were used to validate the estimation procedure and to estimate the efficiency of future fieldwork scenarios. From tjohnson at coa.edu Thu Dec 22 07:30:12 2005 From: tjohnson at coa.edu (Tora Johnson) Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 10:30:12 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Course on Conflict, Resolution & Solutions Message-ID: Dear MARMAM members, This course/ seminar series may be of interest to subscribers in the New England region. Panel session topics will include right whale interactions with fisheries and shipping, Navy sonar impacts on cetaceans, and possibly whaling. Please pass on the announcement to students and colleagues who may be interested. Feel free to contact me directly with any questions. Tora Johnson tjohnson at coa.edu / tora at entanglements.net A landmark course, Saving Seas: Resolving Conflict and Finding Solutions in the Marine Realm, will be given at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster on Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m., January 17 & 31, February 14 & 28, March 14 & 28, April 11 & 25, and May 9 & 23, with one six-hour special Saturday workshop. Sponsored by the Museum and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, this cutting-edge course will be taught by Tora Johnson, Adjunct Faculty at the College of the Atlantic and the University of Maine. Her groundbreaking new book, Entanglements: The Intertwined Fates of Whales and Fishermen, focuses on the searing conflict over whale entanglement in fishing gear. The course will build on this work, taking the same in-depth, multi-perspective look at a broad range of contentious marine debates. Through panel discussions by world-class experts on both sides of the issue, in-depth readings and interactive dialogue, teachers, non-traditional educators, fishermen, scientists, community leaders, regulators and concerned citizens will have an unparalleled opportunity to explore the sources of conflict and potential solutions for such controversial issues as Navy sonar and its effect on marine mammals, the fate of the right whale, competing claims to Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine groundfish stocks, herring and mackerel mid-water trawl fisheries and their impacts on marine food webs, and managing coastal resources for many interests. This course is open for graduate credit with Framingham State College ($250; pending final approval by FSC dean) and for audit ($100). Members of the public are welcome to attend any session. Museum members - $8.00, non-members - $10.00. A limited number of partial scholarships will be offered to help cover the cost of auditing or class fees. For further information and registration, please contact the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 508-896-3867, Ext. 129. Single session tickets available at the door. From seke20 at hotmail.com Fri Dec 23 06:43:01 2005 From: seke20 at hotmail.com (Seke) Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 15:43:01 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteers needed for cetacean survey in the Gulf of Cadiz, Spain Message-ID: Dear all, apologies for cross-posting CIRC? (Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans) is a non-profit organization which objectives are not only to conduct research on cetaceans, but also to actively participate in increasing awareness and education of the public on the marine environment. For this reason, we have chosen to welcome research volunteers onboard CIRCE's vessel to assist the scientific crew in their studies on the cetaceans in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Gulf of Cadiz. We are looking for volunteers from the 9th of January to the 5th of February, to help us in a research project. The project aims is to investigate the cetacean population inhabiting the Gulf of Cadiz. This survey will be a visual and acoustic survey, and the target species are common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and killer whales. During this survey, all the crew will be onboard the research vessel Elsa, and will live onboard the vessel. The volunteers will participate in the field and laboratory activities of the project. Main tasks: -Conduct boat-based line transect surveys. -Collect data on cetacean sightings and weather conditions. - Data entry for cetacean sightings. -Assist with photo-ID work and analysis -Assist with the porpoise detector equipment. No specific qualities are required, just a willing hand and a keen interest so that everyone has an enjoyable and convivial experience. There is no compensation for this volunteer position and the successful applicants will be responsible for their food expenses during the time of the volunteering. Volunteers must arrange their own transportation to and from the research base in Pelayo (Algeciras).The volunteers can stay in CIRCE's Centre. Detailed information of CIRCE can be found in the following web page: www.circe-asso.org To apply: Please contact us by email at cv at circe-asso.org and seke20 at hotmail.com include a copy of your CV detailing your background and relevant experience together. Sincerely yours Sergi _____________________________________________ Sergi P?rez CIRCE Conservaci?n Informaci?n y Estudio de Cet?ceos C/Cabeza de Manzaneda 3 Pelayo Algeciras-11390 Espa?a. www.circe-asso.org _____________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From MJTetley at aol.com Thu Dec 22 10:31:11 2005 From: MJTetley at aol.com (MJTetley at aol.com) Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 13:31:11 EST Subject: [MARMAM] New Beaked Whale Information Website Launched Message-ID: <1ef.49553903.30dc4aef@aol.com> NEW BEAKED WHALE INFORMATION WEBSITE LAUNCHED The BEAKED WHALE RESOURCE is a new web-based initiative providing a forum for those with an interest in the elusive Ziphiid species. The aims of the BEAKED WHALE RESOURCE are to: ? Be a global information resource on beaked whales and related issues. ? Promote communication and collaboration between beaked whale interest groups. ? Provide a means for collating and sharing sightings records of beaked whales globally. The site is intended to appeal to all potential user groups, from academics to whale-watchers. The BEAKED WHALE RESOURCE is now online. Currently, the site contains information on each species, recent sightings, threats and an up-to-date reference list but there are many more features to come! The resource is rapidly developing; for example, the distribution map pages will expand as more individuals and organisations become involved with data exchange. By spring 2006, an interactive sighting database will go online and the comprehensive literature archive will be fully searchable. Please visit the Beaked Whale Resource homepage _www.beakedwhaleresource.com_ (http://www.beakedwhaleresource.com/) for more information. (mailto:mjtetley at aol.com) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jan.herrmann at cetacea.de Fri Dec 23 11:03:43 2005 From: jan.herrmann at cetacea.de (Jan Herrmann) Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 20:03:43 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Contents: Marine Mammal Science Vol 21(4) Message-ID: Dear all, Marine Mammal Science Vol 21(4) has the following table of contents. By clicking the following link you are guided to Allen Press, where you can find abstracts and contact information: http://www.cetacea.de/mms/21_4.html Users of the Papyrus Bibliography System (for Mac and DOS/Windows) can download the references with abstracts and contact information from http://www.cetacea.de/mms. The Papyrus Bibliography System is now FREE: http://www.researchsoftwaredesign.com Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann ------ Marine Mammal Science Vol. 21(4) ------ Nowacek, D.P. 2005. Acoustic ecology of foraging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), habitat-specific use of three sound types. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 587-602. Ford, J.K.B. et al. 2005. Killer whale attacks on minke whales: Prey capture and antipredator tactics. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 603-618. Chivers, S.J. et al. 2005. Genetic variation of Kogia spp. With preliminary evidence for two species of Kogia sima. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 619-634. Johnson, A. et al. 2005. Fishing gear involved in entanglements of right and humpback whales. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 635-645. Mauck, B. et al. 2005. How a harbor seal sees the night sky. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 646-656. Brown, R.F. et al. 2005. Trends in abundance and current status of harbor seals in Oregon: 1977-2003. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 657-670. Small, R.J. et al. 2005. Differential movements by harbor seal pups in contrasting Alaska environments. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 671-694. H?rk?nen, T. et al. 2005. Colonization history of the Baltic harbor seals: Integrating archaeological, behavioral, and genetic data. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 695-716. Gales, N. et al. 2005. Effective, field-based inhalation anesthesia for ice seals. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 717-727. Eberhardt, L.L., J.L. Sease, and D.P. DeMaster. 2005. Projecting the trend of Steller sea lion populations in western Alaska. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 728-738. Laist, D.W. and J.E. Reynolds III. 2005. Influence of power plants and other warm-water refuges on Florida manatees. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 739-764. NOTES (without additional information on the Allen Press Homepage) Perrin, W.F. et al. 2005. Length-weight relationships in the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 765-778. LETTERS (without additional information on the Allen Press Homepage) Weilgart, L. et al. 2005. LETTERS: Signal-to-noise: Funding Structure Versus Ethics as a Solution to Conflict-of-interest. Response to "Resonance and dissonance: Science, ethics, and the sonar debate", Marine Mammal Science 20:898-899. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 779-781. Fukui, Y., H. Ishikawa, and S. Ohsumi. 2005. LETTERS: Difficulties in Publishing Research Results from Scientific Whaling. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 781-783. IN MEMORIUM (without additional information on the Allen Press Homepage) Wartzok, D., P.L. Tyack, and G.C. Ray. 2005. IN MEMORIUM: William A. Watkins, 1926-2004. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 784-788. INDEX (without additional information on the Allen Press Homepage) Anon. 2005. INDEX: Volume 21-2005. Marine Mammal Science 21(4): 789-796. -- Jan Herrmann Vorlesungsreihe Wal und Mensch +----> http://www.cetacea.de From marmamed at uvic.ca Wed Dec 28 19:17:18 2005 From: marmamed at uvic.ca (MARMAM Editors) Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 19:17:18 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] Seal Rehabilitator Position, B.C., Canada (fwd) Message-ID: <200512290317.jBT3HICQ078488@unix6.uvic.ca> From: Phocid at aol.com MARINE MAMMAL REHABILITATOR / CLINIC MANAGER Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre (IWNCC) is a nonprofit society dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals and other indigenous species. We are seeking a candidate for the position of Wildlife Rehabilitator/Clinic Manager. IWNCC is located in the Pacific Northwest, on Salt Spring Island, one of the largest of the Canadian gulf Islands. We are a small but very busy centre, situated in an outdoor setting on a forested 4-acre property. We rescue about 600 mammals and birds per season, including up to 100 Harbour Seal pups. Seasonal work hours are long and the work is fast-paced and physically demanding, however with the cross-discipline of avian, land and marine mammals, it is varied and fulfilling. The position reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for overseeing the care for our marine mammal, avian and terrestrial mammal patients. This includes coordinating rescues; diagnosis and critical care; hands-on daily animal husbandry, the leadership, training and supervision of interns and volunteers; maintaining the day-to-day running of the clinic such as procuring and managing inventory of supplies, equipment and medications, keeping accurate detailed records and liaising with industry professionals. The successful candidate must have hands-on rehabilitation experience at a SENIOR LEVEL. She/he must be experienced in examinations, diagnosis and treatment plus have proven supervisory and communications skills and be physically fit. Salary and benefits are negotiable and commensurate with experience. Small onsite accommodation is available as part of the employment package. IWNCC will facilitate required work permits should the successful applicant be non-Canadian. This position starts April 2006 Please send your CV & references to The Director, Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre, 322 Langs Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1N3 Canada Or email iwncc at aol.com For more information regarding IWNCC go to www.sealrescue.org From kzagzebski at nmlc.org Fri Dec 30 16:25:56 2005 From: kzagzebski at nmlc.org (Kathy Zagzebski) Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:25:56 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] JOB OPPORTUNITY: Marine Animal Care Technician (part-time), Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA Message-ID: <20051230192610.SM00728@KZagzebski> ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN (part-time): The National Marine Life Center, a marine animal rehabilitation hospital on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, seeks a part-time animal care technician to work with stranded sea turtles and seals. If you are flexible, organized, conscientious, and a team player with initiative, read on! Responsibilities include: animal husbandry, animal handling and restraint, food preparation, feeding, administering vitamins and medications, cleaning, facilities maintenance, water quality testing, and maintaining the life support systems. Additional duties include: volunteer training and coordination, presenting educational programs to the public, participating in fundraising activities, and assisting with general office duties. Requirements: experience handling wild animals, sea turtle and/or seal rehabilitation experience strongly preferred; B.A./B.S. in biology, zoology, or related field, and/or veterinary technician degree/certification, and/or equivalent work experience; excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficiency with standard MS Office software. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Send cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references to Dr. Michele Sims, Associate Veterinarian, msims at nmlc.org , (fax) 508-759-5477, National Marine Life Center, P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, MA, 02532-0269. Application deadline: 15 January 2006. The National Marine Life Center is an equal opportunity employer. www.nmlc.org. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kathy Zagzebski President & Executive Director The National Marine Life Center P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269 phone: 508 743-9888 x15 fax: 508 759-5477 e-mail: kzagzebski at nmlc.org web: http://www.nmlc.org/ "Caring for stranded marine animals." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From janiger at almaak.usc.edu Sat Dec 31 15:54:18 2005 From: janiger at almaak.usc.edu (David S. Janiger) Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2005 15:54:18 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New Articles Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20051231155418.00dc3000@email.usc.edu> Hi, All First of all, it was great meeting and saying hello to many of you at the SMM Biennial Conference. I know I missed some of you who stopped by my wifes poster looking for me, but it was a bit overwhelming meeting so many people in one place. I thank you all for the many nice comments (any gifts) while I was there. I would also like to thank the authors who have sent along files of their new papers this month, it is very much appreciated. As you will see the digital library blew by the milestone of 10,000 files this month with all your help. Anyway, here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. File sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Please don't hit the reply button. Make all requests to: janiger at bcf.usc.edu Cheers and have a happy New Year! David Janiger - Curatorial Assistant (Mammals) Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3369 janiger at bcf.usc.edu djaniger at nhm.org ADAMS, LARA D. and PATRICIA E. ROSEL. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 148(3):671-681. 2005. Population differentiation of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) in the western North Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico. 0.388 MB ANDERSON, R. CHARLES. JOURNAL OF CETACEAN RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT 7(2):119-135. 2005. Observations of cetaceans in the Maldives, 1990-2002. 0.538 MB ANTONIOLI, CHRISTIAN and MICHAEL A. REVELEY. BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 331(7527):1231-1234. 2005. Randomised controlled trial of animal facilitated therapy with dolphins in the treatment of depression. 0.100 MB BASIL, B. and M. MATHEWS. BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 331(7529):1407. 2005. (Letter) Human and animal health: Strengthening the link - Methodological concerns about animal facilitated therapy with dolphins. (Comment and reply to above paper) 0.068 MB BEARZI, GIOVANNI; ELENA POLITI; STEFANO AGAZZI and ARIANNA AZZELLINO. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 127(4):373-382. 2006. Prey depletion caused by overfishing and the decline of marine megafauna in eastern Ionian Sea coastal waters (central Mediterranean). 0.389 MB BORNHOLD, BRIAN D.; CHADWICH V. JAY; ROBERT MCCONNAUGHEY; GLENDA RATHWELL; KARL RHYNAS and WILLIAM COLLINS. GEO-MARINE LETTERS 25(5):293-299. 2005. Walrus foraging marks on the seafloor in Bristol Bay, Alaska: A reconnaissance survey. 0.541 MB CAMPHUYSEN, KEES. LUTRA 47(1):135-144. 2005. The return of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Dutch coastal waters. 0.157 MB CHILVER, B. LOUISE; IAN S. WILKINSON; PADRAIG J. DUIGNAN and NEIL J. GEMMELL. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 304:235-247. 2005. Summer foraging areas for lactating New Zealand sea lions, Phocarctos hookeri. 1.869 MB CREMER, MARTA J. and PAULO C. SIMOES-LOPES. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE ZOOLOGIA 22(3):717-723. 2005. The occurrence of Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais ex d'Orbigny) (Cetacea, Pontoporiidae) in an estuarine area in southern Brazil. 1.396 MB CUNHA, H. A.; V. M. F. DA SILVA; J. LAILSON-BRITO; M. C. O. SANTOS; P. A. C. FLORES; A. R. MARTIN; A. F. AZEVEDO; A. B. L. FRAGOSO; R. C. ZANELATTO and A. M. SOLE-CAVA. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 148(2):449-457. 2005. Riverine and marine ecotypes of Sotalia dolphins are different species. 0.389 MB DEROCHER, ANDREW E. POPULATION ECOLOGY 47(3):267-275. 2005. Population ecology of polar bears at Svalbard, Norway. 0.385 MB DOS SANTOS LIMA, DANIELLE; JOCIERY EINHARDT VERGARA-PARENTE; ROBERT JOHN YOUNG and ERIKA PASZKIEWICZ. LATIN AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC MAMMALS 4(1):61-68. 2005. Training of Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758 as a management technique for individual welfare. 0.325 MB DUBEY, J. P.; P. A. FAIR; G. D. BOSSART; D. HILL; R. FAYER; C. SREEKUMAR; O. C. H. KWOK and P. THULLIEZ. JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 91(5):1074-1081. 2005. A comparison of several serologic tests to detect antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in naturally exposed bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 0.270 MB FJALLING, ARNE. ICES (INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS) JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 62(8):1630-1635. 2005. The estimation of hidden seal-inflicted losses in the Baltic Sea set-trap salmon fisheries. 0.108 MB GERO, S.; L. BEJDER; H. WHITEHEAD; J. MANN and R. C. CONNOR. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 83(12):1566-1573. 2005. Behaviourally specific preferred associations in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops spp. 0.175 MB HAMMILL, M. O.; V. LESAGE and P. CARTER. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 83(10):1365-1372. 2005. What do harp seals eat? Comparing diet composition from different compartments of the digestive tract with diets estimated from stable-isotope ratios. 0.094 MB HERNANDEZ-CASTRO, RIGOBERTO; LUARY MARTINEZ-CHAVARRIA; ADRIANA DIAZ-AVELAR; ALMA ROMERO-OSORIO; CARLOS GODINEZ-REYES; ALFREDO ZAVALA-GONZALEZ and ANTONIO VERDUGO-RODRIGUEZ. VETERINARY JOURNAL 170(3):359-363. 2005. Aerobic bacterial flora of the nasal cavity in Gulf of California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pups. 0.298 MB HOFMEYR, G. J. GREG; MARTHAN N. BESTER and STEVE P. KIRKMAN. POLAR BIOLOGY 29(1):77-79. 2005. Leucistic Antarctic fur seals at Bouvetoya. 0.243 MB HOOPER, J.; J. M. CLARK; C. CHARMAN and D. AGNEW. CCAMLR (CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF ANTARCTIC MARINE LIVING RESOURCES) SCIENCE 12:195-205. 2005. Seal mitigation measures on trawl vessels fishing for krill in CCAMLR subarea 48.3. 0.524 MB HUGHES-HANKS, J. M.; L. G. RICKARD; C. PANUSKA; J. R. SAUCIER; T. M. O'HARA; L. DEHN and R. M. ROLLAND. JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 91(5):1225-1228. 2005. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in five marine mammal species. 0.937 MB JIE YAN; KAIYA ZHOU and GUANG YANG. MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION 37(3):743-750. 2005. Molecular phylogenetics of 'river dolphins' and the baiji mitochondrial genome. 0.429 MB JIN YU; MARK S. KINDY; BLAKE C. ELLIS; JOHN E. BAATZ; MARGIE PEDEN-ADAMS; TARA J. ELLINGHAM; DAYNNA J. WOLFF; PATRICIA A. FAIR and SEBASTIANO GATTONI-CELLI. ANATOMICAL RECORD PART A-DISCOVERIES IN MOLECULAR CELLULAR AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 287A(2):1246-1255. 2005. Establishment of epidermal cell lines derived from the skin of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 0.667 MB KANNAN, KURUNTHACHALAM.; SE HUN YUN and THOMAS J. EVANS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 39(23):9057-9063. 2005. Chlorinated, brominated, and perfluorinated contaminants in livers of polar bears from Alaska. 0.275 MB KVITRUD, M. A.; S. D. RIEMER; R. F. BROWN; M. R. BELLINGER and M. A. BANKS. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 147(6):1459-1466. 2005. Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and salmon: Genetics presents hard numbers for elucidating predator-prey dynamics. 0.297 MB LAMBERT, OLIVIER. GEODIVERSITAS 27(3):443-497. 2005. Systematics and phylogeny of the fossil beaked whales Ziphirostrum du Bus, 1868 and Choneziphius Duvernoy, 1851 (Mammalia, Cetacea, Odontoceti), from the Neogene of Antwerp (North of Belgium). 2.773 MB LANG, S. L. C.; S. J. IVERSON and W. D. BOWEN. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 83(12):1525-1531. 2005. Individual variation in milk composition over lactation in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and the potential consequences of intermittent attendance. 0.103 MB LEMON, MICHELLE; TIM P. LYNCH; DOUGLAS H. CATO and ROBERT G. HARCOURT. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 127(4):363-372. 2006. Response of travelling bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) to experimental approaches by a powerboat in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. 0.234 MB MACKERETH, G. F.; K. M. WEBB; J. S. O'KEEFE; P. J. DUIGNAN and R. KITTELBERGER. NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL 53(6):428-432. 2005. Serological survey of pre-weaned New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) for brucellosis and leptospirosis. 0.092 MB MAGGI, RICARDO G.; CRAIG A. HARMS; ALETA A. HOHN; D. ANN PABST; WILLIAM A. MCLELLAN; WENDY J. WALTON; DAVID S. ROTSTEIN and EDWARD B. BREITSCHWERDT. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 11(12):1894-1898. 2005. Bartonella henselae in porpoise blood. 0.048 MB MECENERO, S.; S. P. KIRKMAN and J. P. ROUX. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 27(2):509-512. 2005. Seabirds in the diet of Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus at three mainland breeding colonies in Namibia. 0.169 MB MOORS, HILARY B. and JOHN M. TERHUNE. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 83(11):1438-1452. 2005. Calling depth and time and frequency attributes of harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) seal underwater vocalizations. 0.152 MB NACHTIGALL, PAUL E.; MICHELLE M. L. YUEN; T. ARAN MOONEY and KRISTEN A. TAYLOR. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 208(21):4181-4188. 2005. Hearing measurements from a stranded infant Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus. 0.407 MB NATIELLO, MICHELLE; PATRICIA LEWIS and DON SAMUELSON. VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY 8(6):375-385. 2005. Comparative anatomy of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) and selected species. 0.591 MB NATIELLO, MICHELLE and DON SAMUELSON. VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY 8(6):367-373. 2005. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the angioarchitecture of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). 0.307 MB OXLEY, ANDREW P. A.; JEFFREY A. ARGO and DAVID B. MCKAY. VETERINARY JOURNAL 170(3):377-380. 2005. Helicobacter spp. from captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus). 0.349 MB PAGE, BRAD; JANE MCKENZIE and SIMON D. GOLDSWORTHY. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 304:249-264. 2005. Inter-sexual differences in New Zealand fur seal diving behaviour. 0.557 MB PANIGADA, SIMONE; GIUSEPPE NOTARBARTOLO DI SCIARA; MARGHERITA ZANARDELLI PANIGADA; SABINA AIROLDI; J. FABRIZIO BORSANI and MADDALENA JAHODA. JOURNAL OF CETACEAN RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT 7(2):137-145. 2005. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) summering in the Ligurian Sea: Distribution, encounter rate, mean group size and relation to physiographic variables. 0.582 MB POMILLA, CRISTINA and HOWARD C. ROSENBAUM. BIOLOGY LETTERS 1(4):476-479. 2005. Against the current: An inter-oceanic whale migration event. 0.239 MB PULSTER, ERIN L.; KELLY L. SMALLING and KEITH A. MARUYA. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 24(12):3128-3136. 2005. Polychlorinated biphenyls and toxaphene in preferred prey fish of coastal southeastern US bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 0.204 MB RIJKS, JOLIANNE M.; MARCO W. G. VAN DE BILDT; TRINE JENSEN; JOOST D. W. PHILIPPA; ALBERT D. M. E. OSTERHAUS and THIJS KUIKEN. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 11(12):1945-1948. 2005. Phocine distemper outbreak, the Netherlands, 2002. 0.139 MB ROBERTSON, BRUCE C.; B. LOUISE CHILVERS; PADRAIG J. DUIGNAN; IAN S. WILKINSON and NEIL J. GEMMELL. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 127(2):227-236. 2006. Dispersal of breeding, adult male Phocarctos hookeri: Implications for disease transmission, population management and species recovery. 0.225 MB SAMAAI, T.; P. B. BEST and M. J. GIBBONS. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 27(2):449-458. 2005. The taxonomic status of common dolphins Delphinus spp. in South African waters. 2.594 MB SARGEANT, B. L.; J. MANN; P. BERGGREN and M. KRUTZEN. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 83(11):1400-1410. 2005. Specialization and development of beach hunting, a rare foraging behavior, by wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). 0.242 MB SAYLES, J. S. and D. I. GREEN. SCIENCE (WASHINGTON D. C.) 310(5754):1616-1617. 2005. (Letter) Bilateral action for right whales. 0.187 MB WHITEHEAD, HAL and RANDALL REEVES. BIOLOGY LETTERS 1(4):415-418. 2005. Killer whales and whaling: The scavenging hypothesis. 0.095 MB WHITEHEAD, HAL and TONYA WIMMER. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES 62(11):2573-2585. 2005. Heterogeneity and the mark-recapture assessment of the Scotian Shelf population of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). 0.141 MB XIA, JUNHONG; JINSONG ZHENG and DING WANG. ICES (INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS) JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 62(8):1711-1716. 2005. Ex situ conservation status of an endangered Yangtze finless porpoise population (Neophocaeana phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) as measured from microsatellites and mtDNA diversity. 0.105 MB