From al_baylis at yahoo.com.au Fri Jul 1 14:37:41 2011 From: al_baylis at yahoo.com.au (Alastair Baylis) Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 14:37:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [MARMAM] New article on NZ fur seals Message-ID: <1309556261.24059.YahooMailNeo@web130213.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear colleagues, The following article was recently published on-line in Marine Mammal Science: ? ? Individual foraging site fidelity in lactating New Zealand fur seals: Continental shelf vs. oceanic habitats Baylis, A.M.M, Page, B., McKenzie, J. and Goldsworthy, S. ? ? A copy is available via the journal website, or upon request. ? Kindest regards Al Baylis al_baylis at yahoo.com.au www.falklandsconservation.com Abstract Wide-ranging marine central place foragers often exhibit foraging site fidelity to oceanographic features over differing spatial scales (i.e., localized coastal upwellings and oceanic fronts). Few studies have tested how the degree of site fidelity to foraging areas varies in relation to the type of ocean features used. In order to determine how foraging site fidelity varied between continental shelf and oceanic foraging habitats, 31 lactating New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) were satellite tracked over consecutive foraging trips (14?108 d). Thirty-seven foraging trips were recorded from 11 females that foraged on the continental shelf, in a region associated with a coastal upwelling, while 65 foraging trips were recorded from 20 females that foraged in oceanic waters. There were no significant differences in the mean bearings (to maximum distance) of consecutive foraging trips, suggesting individual fidelity to foraging areas. However, overlap in area and time spent in area varied considerably between continental shelf and oceanic foragers. Females that foraged on the continental shelf had significantly greater overlap in consecutive foraging trips when compared to females that foraged in oceanic waters (overlap in 5 ? 5 km grid cells visited on consecutive trips 55.9% ? 20.4% and 13.4% ? 7.6%, respectively). Females that foraged on the continental shelf also spent significantly more time within the same grid cell than females that foraged in oceanic waters (maximum time spent in 5 ? 5 km grid cells: 14% ? 5% and 4% ? 2%, respectively). This comparatively high foraging site fidelity may reflect the concentration of productivity associated with a coastal upwelling system, the Bonney Upwelling. Lower foraging site fidelity recorded by seals that foraged in oceanic waters implies a lower density/larger scale habitat, where prey are more dispersed or less predictable at fine scales, when compared to the continental shelf region. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From anna.meissner at gmail.com Sat Jul 2 16:09:45 2011 From: anna.meissner at gmail.com (Anna Meissner) Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 11:09:45 +1200 Subject: [MARMAM] Field assistant opportunity: dolphin research in New Zealand, September 2011-April 2012 Message-ID: KiaOra! Positions are open for volunteers to assist with bottlenose and common dolphin field surveys in the East Coast Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. PROJECT BACKGROUND: Growing interest in observing and swimming with free-ranging cetaceans has contributed to a rapid growth of dolphin-based tourism operations. The present study aims to assess the effects of interacting activities on common and bottlenose dolphin behaviour within the East Coast Bay of Plenty waters. DATES: September 2011-April 2012 LOCATION: Tauranga, East Coast Bay of Plenty, New Zealand FIELD WORK: A dedicated scientific team will be studying the behaviour and distribution of bottlenose and common dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. You can join our crew to learn environmental and behavioural data collection for cetaceans, help with photographic data collection and get basic marine navigation skills. Assistants are also expected to participate in data entry and database/catalogue maintenance duties. Surveys are conducted from a 5.5m research boat and from tourism boats. Surveys are carried out in the coastal waters of the East Coast Bay of Plenty, starting from Tauranga. Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills (GIS, data analysis, photo-ID). PREREQUISITES: ? Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means office based work during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits. ? Be prepared to work long days with early start in a small vessel. ? Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude. QUALIFICATIONS: ? The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent grads and graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or related field ? Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Access) + ArcGIS is required ? Previous experience in survey techniques, and especially in marine mammal research is preferred but not required ? Participants must be able to swim and should be comfortable working on boats ? Boat operation experience is preferred but not required ? Participants must be able to live and work well within a team of 3-6 people for extended periods of time. Due to the training required, applicants should be available for a minimum of 2 months, however all applicants will be considered. This is a volunteer position, so there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. However, help will be provided to find accommodation. Assistants will be responsible for travel to Tauranga and their own living expenses. Pick up from Auckland may be possible but will be dependent on arrival time. Applicants should email a letter of interest outlining relevant experience and motivation for participation, as well as a CV and the contacts for referees to Anna Meissner a.m.meissner at massey.ac.nz Thank you! Cheers, Anna ----------------------------------------- Anna M. Meissner PhD student Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore City, 0745 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: +64 9 414 0800 ext 41520 Cell: +64 22 603 6646 Fax: +64 9 443 9790 Email: a.m.meissner at massey.ac.nz Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz ----------------------------------------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ines_c_carvalho at netcabo.pt Fri Jul 1 14:25:04 2011 From: ines_c_carvalho at netcabo.pt (=?iso-8859-1?Q?In=EAs_Carvalho?=) Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 22:25:04 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Recent publication: humpback whale in Sao Tome and Principe Message-ID: <000501cc3835$588e1370$09aa3a50$@pt> Dear colleagues, The following paper has recently been published in African Journal of Marine Science: Carvalho I, Brito C, dos Santos ME, Rosenbaum HC. (2011). Waters of S?o Tom?: a calving ground for West African humpback whales? African Journal of Marine Science, 33(1): 91-97.doi: 10.2989/1814232X.2011.572353 Abstract: In the Southern Hemisphere, humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae feed in Antarctic waters during the austral summer and migrate to their breeding grounds in subtropical and tropical waters during the winter. Historical whaling records suggest that the Archipelago of S?o Tom? and Pr?ncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea, serves as a possible breeding ground. In order to investigate the temporal occurrence and group composition of humpback whales around S?o Tom? Island, annual surveys were conducted during the breeding season between 2002 and 2006. A total of 186 boat-based surveys took place during this period. Data collected during each sighting included geographical positions, group size, group composition and behavioural classifications. Of the 66 groups encountered, mother-calf pairs made up a large proportion (65.15%), followed by solitary individuals (15.15%). Mother-calf pairs were seen in the region into November and resights of identified animals indicate periods of occupancy that extended over three weeks. Few behaviours typically associated with mating activity were observed. Given the high percentage of mother-calf pairs, sometimes with very young calves, and the low frequency of mating activity, the waters of S?o Tom? may primarily serve as a calving and nursing or resting area for humpback whales. The article can be obtained from the journal website: http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajms or by contacting: icarvalho at amnh.org Best regards, In?s In?s Carvalho, PhD student Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024-5192 USA http://research.amnh.org/users/gamato/ Associa??o para as Ci?ncias do Mar Edif?cio ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From massimiliano.rosso at cimafoundation.org Mon Jul 4 01:24:40 2011 From: massimiliano.rosso at cimafoundation.org (massimiliano rosso) Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2011 10:24:40 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] new publication on Cuvier's beaked whale natural marking Message-ID: <4E1178C8.2050703@cimafoundation.org> Please post to MARMAM Dear MARMAM colleagues, The following paper has been published in African Journal of Marine Science: Rosso, M., Ballardini, M., Moulins, A., Wurtz, M., Natural markings of Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris in the Mediterranean Sea. African Journal of Marine Science, 33(1), 45-57. DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2011.572336 ABSTRACT: Errors in analysis using natural marks have been recognised since the early development of mark-recapture techniques. In this nine-year study, the mark types present on Cuvier?s beaked whales Ziphius cavirostris in the Mediterranean Sea were categorised in order to assess the reliability of natural marks for long-term photo-identification studies. Mark prevalence, abundance and gain/loss rates among age/sex classes were investigated. Results showed that Cuvier?s beaked whales were extensively marked (96% of population; mean = 48 marks per individual, range 0?169), with up to 10 different mark types. However, only five mark types should be considered reliable: notch, large scar, back indentation, medium scrape and large stripe. Marks caused by intraspecific interaction were the most abundant and prevalent mark types. In high-quality photographs, 71% of the population was reliably marked, but reliable marks were unevenly distributed within the population and their prevalence appeared to be strongly correlated to age and sex of individuals. The gain rate of scrapes that could be used reliably for identification was six times higher in mature males than females of the same age. This was the case for mature as well as immature males, suggesting that aggressive interaction among males may start early in their life, before reaching maturity. This difference between sexes may cause an over-representation of males in a typical photo-identification database, especially among immature individuals. PDF copy can be downloaded from the journal website: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/1814232X.2011.572336 or you can request a copy by emailing: massimiliano.rosso at cimafoundation.org Best Regards, Massimiliano ----------------------------------------------- Massimiliano Rosso, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow CIMA Research Foundation Savona Campus via Magliotto 2 - 17100 Savona Italy +39 019 230 271 From nick.robinson at gardline.com Mon Jul 4 01:15:00 2011 From: nick.robinson at gardline.com (Nick Robinson) Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 09:15:00 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal and Wildlife Data Coordinator Message-ID: <0C12D9846D7A29448E6CA5B25618BCF194F93050E4@MBOX.gardline.co.uk> The Marine Wildlife Department continues its incredible expansion and increased expertise in this specialist area of our business. It offers a range of services including consultation of methodology and procedures, implementation of monitoring and mitigation measures for a range of industries and countries and comprehensive project reporting service. We are seeking to add to the team numbers and expertise in the following role; MARINE WILDLIFE REPORT AND DATA COORDINATOR Reporting to the Marine Wildlife Business Manager, you will responsible for the collation of data (Marine mammal, seabird other marine Wildlife) relating to fieldwork carried out for particular marine wildlife projects. You will work closely with project managers, wildlife observers and marine scientists to ensure the production and delivery to tight time deadlines of a quality, accurate report to agreed client specifications. Reports are produced in Microsoft Word and PDF formats and also as a hard copy. The ideal candidate must be confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. It would also be beneficial if you have experience of using and understanding Adobe Acrobat, Surfer, ArcGIS and Matlab. Ideally you will be of degree calibre or equivalent, and demonstrate a sound knowledge of the marine environment with both a scientific and commercial awareness. You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to gain and process complex information, present that information clearly and concisely and think logically, critically and decisively. This is an office based position in Great Yarmouth however you may be required to undertake occasional travel around the world. To apply for this role, please send your CV and cover letter to Robert Rae, Group Recruitment and Training Coordinator at recruitment at gardline.com or via the careers section of our website www.gardlinemarinesciences.com Closing date: 11th July 2011 ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY - This e-mail and any attached files contain information that is confidential and/or may be subject of legal privilege, intended only for use by the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and preserve this confidentiality by deleting the message. No binding contract will result from this e-mail until and unless an officer, on behalf of the sender, signs a written document. Sender accepts no responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. Unless otherwise specifically stated any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the sender Company. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System, on behalf of the Gardline Group of Companies. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rwbaird at cascadiaresearch.org Mon Jul 4 08:18:16 2011 From: rwbaird at cascadiaresearch.org (Robin Baird) Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 08:18:16 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] workshop on science and conservation of Hawaiian odontocetes prior to SMM Tampa meeting Message-ID: <97EEB27129689C4AB0328F320AB9FC99B632214E57@SERVERBLUE.cascadia.local> There will be a one-day workshop on Science and Conservation of Hawaiian Odontocetes to be held on Saturday November 26, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together scientists, managers and other interested parties involved with odontocete research, conservation and management efforts in Hawaiian waters to discuss current findings, planned research, and management strategies. Although focused geographically on Hawai'i, this workshop will be relevant to researchers and managers working in other island ecosystems and to those studying tropical odontocetes throughout the world. Pre-registration can be done through the SMM website at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=26 If you are interested in presenting at this workshop, abstracts will be due September 7, 2011. Please submit a 300 word abstract following the SMM abstract guidelines to the workshop organizers (e-mail addresses below), with preference noted for talk or poster. Please note whether the abstract will also be presented at the SMM and in which format (talk or poster). If you have a poster presentations accepted for the SMM it can also be presented at this workshop, although depending on the number of abstracts submitted talks to be presented at the SMM should not be presented at the workshop. There will be a registration fee to cover costs for AV, a continental breakfast, and two coffee breaks. The exact fee has not yet been determined but will not exceed $50/person. This workshop is co-organized by Robin Baird of Cascadia Research Collective and Erin Oleson of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. For more information contact Robin Baird at rwbaird at cascadiaresearch.org or Erin Oleson at Erin.Oleson at noaa.gov ============================================================================= Robin W. Baird, Ph.D. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA www.cascadiaresearch.org Follow Cascadia on facebook -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jen at blueoceansociety.org Tue Jul 5 18:15:47 2011 From: jen at blueoceansociety.org (Jen Kennedy, Blue Ocean Society) Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 21:15:47 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Call for Speakers: Education Worshop at Biennial Conference Message-ID: <004401cc3b7a$3e69c5f0$bb3d51d0$@blueoceansociety.org> CALL FOR SPEAKERS: EDUCATION WORKSHOP AT BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN TAMPA, NOVEMBER 26, 2011 What are the major threats facing marine mammals? How do educators and naturalists present those threats to the public? And then, how do we evaluate those programs to see if they are making an impact? In organizing the all-day workshop Marine Mammal Education and Conservation: Facts, Tools and Assessing Impacts that is being held before the Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial Conference on Saturday, November 26, we're looking for speakers addressing specific threats to marine mammals (i.e., factual information), information on educational programs (both shore-based and boat-based) that teach about those threats, and information on evaluation of those programs. We are looking for proposals for 15-30 minute talks and/or demonstrations that address the above issues. Speakers receive free attendance at the workshop. The goals of the workshop are to provide an opportunity for novice and expert educators and naturalists to learn about conservation issues facing marine mammals, and ask questions of experts in the field; to identify themes, messages, and best practices that could be used aboard various marine mammal-viewing platforms and education settings; to create a unified message related to conservation issues; and to discuss best practices for assessing the impacts of marine mammal education programs. Please e-mail an abstract of your proposed talk to jen at blueoceansociety.org by August 1, 2011. Selected speakers will be notified by August 15, 2011. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you! Jen Kennedy, Executive Director, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, jen at blueoceansociety.org, www.blueoceansociety.org Stefanie Hawks-Johnson, Executive Director, Marine Mammal Connection Society, sahawks at uw.edu, marinemammalconnection.org Cynde McInnis, Education Coordinator, Cape Ann Whale Watch, cyndebierman at gmail.com, www.seethewhales.com Jen Kennedy Executive Director Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation 143 Pleasant Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 431-0260 www.blueoceansociety.org Become a fan on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/BlueOceanSociety Follow Us On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BlueOceanSoc They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself. - Andy Warhol -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jonathan.Shannon at noaa.gov Tue Jul 5 09:58:48 2011 From: Jonathan.Shannon at noaa.gov (Jonathan Shannon) Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:58:48 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Comments on Proposed 2012 List of Fisheries due by July 28, 2011 Message-ID: <4E1342C8.3020606@noaa.gov> NOAA Fisheries requests comments by July 28, 2011, on its proposed changes to the List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2012. The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires NOAA Fisheries to publish an annual list of commercial fisheries and classify each fishery based on whether it has frequent (Category I), occasional (Category II), or remote likelihood (Category III) of incidental mortality and serious injury (or bycatch) of marine mammals. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan regulations. NOAA Fisheries is proposing changes in the classification of certain fisheries, additions and deletions of fisheries on the LOF, changes to the list of species or stocks killed or injured in certain fisheries, and other administrative changes. The proposed LOF for 2012 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals based on information in the most recent Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports (SAR), NOAA Fisheries Observer Program incidental take statements, stranding network data, fishermen self reports, and anecdotal reports from marine mammal researchers and fishermen. For more information about the List of Fisheries program and to see the Proposed 2012 List, visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/lof/ Direct link to comment form: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=NOAA-NMFS-2011-0146-0001 Best Regards, Jonathan Shannon -- Jonathan Shannon NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr Outreach Specialist * (301) 427-8431 * New phone number jonathan.shannon at noaa.gov From karimsoto at yahoo.com Mon Jul 4 12:27:56 2011 From: karimsoto at yahoo.com (karim soto) Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 12:27:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on the mating system of South American sea lions Message-ID: <1309807676.28975.YahooMailClassic@web161607.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> Dear colleagues, The following article was recently published in Marine Mammal Science: South American sea lions in Peru have a lek-like mating system? Karim H. Soto and Andrew W. Trites?Volume 27,?Issue 2Pages 255?454Keywords:South American sea lion;Otaria byronia;mating system;mating success;lek;sex ratiosabstractFive years of behavioral observations revealed significant effects of high air temperatures and breeding site topography on the mating system of South American sea lions in Peru. Unlike most polygynous mammals that defend females or fixed territories, male sea lions in Peru maintained positions along the shoreline where females passed each day to thermoregulate, and where most copulations occurred. Sex ratios (1 male per 17 females) and male mating success were extremely skewed (14% of males achieved 50% of the copulations, and 25% of them did not copulate at all). The mass daily movements of females toward the water and cool substrate of the shoreline, along with a highly skewed sex ratio, accentuated the difficulty for males to monopolize and restrict female movements. Females moved freely and chose their mates, unlike in temperate regions of their range where male South American sea lions control groups of females or access to tide pools. Our observations indicate that the South American sea lion in Peru has a lek-like breeding system. This is a rare alternative to the common male strategies of defending females and resources, and is likely an evolutionary product of their highly skewed sex ratio, protracted breeding season, and the extreme subtropical climate where they breed.A copy is available via the journal?website or upon request.?Best regards, Karim? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cdsresearch at worldonline.co.za Mon Jul 4 09:51:34 2011 From: cdsresearch at worldonline.co.za (Vic Cockcroft - CDS) Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 18:51:34 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] translation into Portuguese Message-ID: <6B9833A2748147E38C3D8A13F83CCCA6@cdscharlie> Hello Marmammers Firstly, I'd encourage you all to look at our new web site www.dugongs.org it details our efforts to conserve what we think is the last viable dugong population in the Western Indian Ocean. We'd welcome your comments. One of the focuses of this work is to provide alternate livelihoods for local fishers, to attempt to wean them from using gill-nets - the major cause of dugong mortality. As this is a major tourist area, one of our approaches is to develop community based tourism, both eco and cultural. But, many of the tourists visiting Mozambique are Portuguese, and we need questionnaires translated into Portuguese. Are there any Portuguese (Brazilian) speaking marine mammalogists out there willing to help and translate for us??? Your suggestions would be welcome also. We'd really appreciate your help. Please contact me if you are. Vic Cockcroft info at dugongs.org Centre for Dolphin Studies Dugongs Western Indian Ocean Dr. V.G. Cockcroft P.O. Box 1856, Plettenberg Bay South Africa. 6600. Phone 27 (0)44 532 7954 Fax 27 (0) 865158319 Mobile/Cell: 27 (0)83 655 6902 www.dolphinstudies.org www.dugongs.org SKYPE: C.D.S.1 This message (and any associated files) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom addressed. It may contain information that is confidential or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, please don't disseminate, copy or distribute this message, or associated files. If you have received this message in error, please notify us and delete it from your computer. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From capeshirreff.anarctica at gmail.com Wed Jul 6 09:42:31 2011 From: capeshirreff.anarctica at gmail.com (Mike Goebel) Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 09:42:31 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] job announcement - Antarctic pinniped field work Oct-Mar Message-ID: *Position Description for a Pinniped Research Field Assistant* United States Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program The position is for a 4-5 month contract for fieldwork at a small field camp in the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula. Approximate dates for the contract are 28 October 2011 to 15 March 2012, fluctuating according to the schedule of the research ships? providing transportation to the island. The primary responsibility of this position is to assist the leader for Pinniped research; however, the person hired must be able to work independently and will have sole responsibility for various tasks associated with the U.S.-AMLR Pinniped research program. Duties include (but are not limited to): - *Assisting with the capture and handling* of female (30-45kg) Antarctic fur seals and their pups for tagging, tooth extraction, radio telemetry, satellite-linked telemetry, foraging energetics and ecology, pup growth, daily censuses, and diet analysis (scats and enemas). - *Extensive data entry and management* in Access or Excel. The applicant should be prepared to take full responsibility for all data management while maintaining other scientific and camp duties. The data must be entered in a format authorized by the task leader with no unauthorized modifications. All data must be entered by the end of the field season. Programming in R highly desirable but not mandatory. - *Some data analysis and data summaries* (in the field). - *Occasionally assisting on other projects* with other species (e.g. penguin banding, diets) - *General camp maintenance* (including generators, solar array, and wind generator), construction projects, painting, cooking, cleaning. The position requires a person of: v *Excellent physical condition*. The terrain is rugged and remote, and the ground is often wet. Typical weather conditions include frequent fog, rain, sleet, snow, and nearly continual dampness. In addition it is often windy (with wind storms exceeding 75mph) and temperatures fluctuate around freezing. Field work continues through all but the very worst of conditions, often involving carrying large pieces of equipment some distance to various work sites and lifting and handling of aggressive 45 kg+ fur seals for restraint procedures. Personnel with any back, leg/knee/foot problems or any occasional ligament or tendon pain should seriously reconsider their interest in this position. Safety is always paramount as access to health care is very limited and medi-vacs are extremely difficult. Candidate must pass both physical and dental exams and be approved for remote field duty by a qualified physcian. v *20/20 vision and keen observational skills*. A large part of the fieldwork is population dynamics and demography. This involves daily reading hundreds of flipper tags and bird bands in all weather, usually through binoculars. Excellent vision and observation skills are essential. v *Experience around large animals *is highly desirable. The applicant must be willing to capture and restrain female fur seals and their pups, leopard, elephant and Weddell seals and work in close proximity to the much larger Antarctic fur seal bulls and other animals using the area for breeding, feeding or resting. v *Other highly desirable skills*: Emergency Medical Training (EMT) is extremely beneficial; Cross-country skiing is often used during the first month of studies. Familiarity with radio telemetry, knowledge of solar electrical systems, 12v and/or 110v electrical systems (including wiring and batteries), construction, general mechanics, SSB radio operation, small generator repair/maintenance, carpentry, medical (first aid/CPR), knowledge of Spanish (some Chilean colleagues at nearby Chilean camp speak only Spanish), freezer operation/repair, clothing and field equipment repair, are all skills the applicant would find beneficial to him/herself and the camp. We are not guaranteed support personnel and all tasks associated with the care of the camp, scientific equipment and the personnel; are the responsibilities of the scientists working out of the camp. v *Computer skills*: Data entry is primarily in MS Access and Excel and familiarity with their use is required. Knowledge of MS Word, MS Outlook (e-mail), ATS ? DCC logger download software, general computer skills (installation of drivers, general repair and troubleshooting), and any similar skills/knowledge are highly desirable. v *Spanish *:* *A command of Spanish is very helpful, though not essential. We frequently conduct business with maritime agents in Chile. Chile also operates a field camp at Cape Shirreff and there are usually 3-4 Chilean scientists that work in the area. Our Chilean colleagues are frequently bilingual though there are usually some members of their field team that do not speak English. Spanish speaking, however, is not consider essential and non-Spanish speaking applicants should not be discouraged from applying. v *Applicant personality and domestic skills considerations*: The applicant?s personality must enable him/her to comfortably live in a remote field camp with 3-6 other individuals of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. The main building contains no separate rooms for sleeping, cooking, working on the computers or privacy. Sleeping hours are generally from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am, and times outside of this range are considered work hours where noise from the kitchen/dining/computer area easily filters back to the sleeping bunks. Mixed crews of ?night owls? and ?early risers? often lead to conflicts so tolerance and consideration of others are always encouraged. Contact with friends, family, loved ones is at a minimum; occurring mostly through e-mail transmitted by satellite. As the satellite time is costly, messages must be kept small and no attachments (pictures or similar) can to be transmitted except in emergencies and only with approval from the expedition leader. Telephone calls using Iridium phones are possible, but are limited. The applicant is expected to cook and clean up his/her share of the meals for everyone, using the finite supplies stored at the camp. Cooking and cleaning rotates daily between all camp inhabitants. The camp?s food is stored in a chest freezer, a small amount of fresh produce in a pantry, and much of the food is canned or dried. To ensure harmony in the camp, all camp members should have a sense of maturity and responsibility to clean up after themselves and perform their duties and responsibilities (both camp and scientific) without having to be reminded by team mates. v Preference will be given to candidates expressing an interest in returning for consecutive seasons. Pay in the second (or subsequent) seasons will be adjusted to compensate for previous experience gained. For additional information or questions, please contact: E-mail: CapeShirreff.Antarctica at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From A.M.Meissner at massey.ac.nz Thu Jul 7 14:00:55 2011 From: A.M.Meissner at massey.ac.nz (Meissner, Anna) Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:00:55 +1200 Subject: [MARMAM] Field assistant opportunity: dolphin research in New Zealand, September 2011-April 2012 Message-ID: <222EC917D7D39047B95749A8411C2BE87085756E58@TUR-EXCHMBX.massey.ac.nz> KiaOra! Positions are open for volunteers to assist with bottlenose and common dolphin field surveys in the East Coast Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. PROJECT BACKGROUND: Growing interest in observing and swimming with free-ranging cetaceans has contributed to a rapid growth of dolphin-based tourism operations. The present study aims to assess the effects of interacting activities on common and bottlenose dolphin behaviour within the East Coast Bay of Plenty waters. DATES: September 2011-April 2012 LOCATION: Tauranga, East Coast Bay of Plenty, New Zealand FIELD WORK: A dedicated scientific team will be studying the behaviour and distribution of bottlenose and common dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. You can join our crew to learn environmental and behavioural data collection for cetaceans, help with photographic data collection and get basic marine navigation skills. Assistants are also expected to participate in data entry and database/catalogue maintenance duties. Surveys are conducted from a 5.5m research boat and from tourism boats. Surveys are carried out in the coastal waters of the East Coast Bay of Plenty, starting from Tauranga. Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills (GIS, data analysis, photo-ID). PREREQUISITES: ? Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means office based work during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits. ? Be prepared to work long days with early start in a small vessel. ? Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude. QUALIFICATIONS: ? The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent grads and graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or related field ? Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Access) + ArcGIS is required ? Previous experience in survey techniques, and especially in marine mammal research is preferred but not required ? Participants must be able to swim and should be comfortable working on boats ? Boat operation experience is preferred but not required ? Participants must be able to live and work well within a team of 3-6 people for extended periods of time. Due to the training required, applicants should be available for a minimum of 2 months, however all applicants will be considered. This is a volunteer position, so there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. However, help will be provided to find accommodation. Assistants will be responsible for travel to Tauranga and their own living expenses. Pick up from Auckland may be possible but will be dependent on arrival time. Applicants should email a letter of interest outlining relevant experience and motivation for participation, as well as a CV and the contacts for referees to Anna Meissner a.m.meissner at massey.ac.nz Thank you! Cheers, Anna ------------------------------------------------- Anna M. Meissner PhD student Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore City, 0745 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: +64 9 414 0800 ext 41520 Cell: +64 22 603 6646 Fax: +64 9 443 9790 Email: a.m.meissner at massey.ac.nz Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz ------------------------------------------------- From ericr at mcs.st-and.ac.uk Fri Jul 8 07:47:45 2011 From: ericr at mcs.st-and.ac.uk (Eric Rexstad) Date: Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:47:45 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Introductory distance sampling workshop, 3-6 December 2011 Tampa Florida (following Marine Mammal Conference) Message-ID: <4E171891.4080908@mcs.st-and.ac.uk> Beginning immediately following the Conference on Biology of Marine Mammals (3 December), The University of St. Andrews is happy to announce that we will be delivering an Introduction to Distance Sampling workshop in Tampa Florida. We have not presented a workshop in North America since 2009, and we haven't delivered a workshop in eastern North America since 2005. If you happen to be attending the Marine Mammal Conference, you can attend this workshop immediately thereafter. The workshop will last four days (3-6 Dec.) and will cover introductory topics in distance sampling. Instructors will include Prof. Steve Buckland and Dr. Len Thomas, as well as several other lecturers and demonstrators from the University of St. Andrews. We are in the process of finalising the arrangements with the hotel where we will conduct the workshop, so we are not yet accepting registration for the workshop. However, we expect this workshop to fill quickly (limit of 35 participants), so our early registration deadline is 31 August. We expect official registration to open before the end of July; but get in contact with us at the web address below ahead of that with questions and expressions of interest. Please visit the workshop website to learn more details as well as send an expression of interest: http://www.ruwpa.st-and.ac.uk/distance.workshops/floridaoverview.html -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 From Melissa.Andersen at noaa.gov Fri Jul 8 10:57:50 2011 From: Melissa.Andersen at noaa.gov (Melissa Andersen) Date: Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:57:50 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop on Viewing and Interacting with Wild Marine Mammals prior to SMM 19th Biennial Conference Message-ID: <4E17451E.1070000@noaa.gov> There will be a one-day workshop on Viewing and Interacting with Wild Marine Mammals to be held on Sunday, November 27, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together stakeholders to discuss activities for viewing and interacting with wild marine mammals that may impact individuals and populations, and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various management solutions for minimizing potential impacts, including enforcement challenges for management. The workshop will consist of two sessions of presentations from around the globe and conclude with a plenary discussion. The first session of presentations will focus on research on impacts of activities for viewing and interacting with wild marine mammals, and the second session of presentations will focus on management of these activities. Pre-registration can be done through the SMM website at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=11 There is a registration fee of $25, which will be used to cover costs for audio-visual equipment, bagels and coffee in the morning, and an afternoon coffee break. This workshop is organized by staff from the United States NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. For more information contact Melissa Andersen at Melissa.Andersen at noaa.gov From capeshirreff.antarctica at gmail.com Sat Jul 9 09:46:13 2011 From: capeshirreff.antarctica at gmail.com (Dr. Mike Goebel) Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 09:46:13 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] US-AMLR Pinniped field position at Cape Shirreff, Antarctica is now filled. Message-ID: Many thanks for all the replies in response to the US-AMLR Pinniped field position at Cape Shirreff, Antarctica. This position has now been filled. Applications and emails are no longer being accepted. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kylie.owen at uqconnect.edu.au Tue Jul 12 00:49:02 2011 From: kylie.owen at uqconnect.edu.au (Kylie Owen) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:49:02 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Announcement: Establishment of the Australian Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammology Message-ID: <005501cc4068$2ce5dce0$86b196a0$@uqconnect.edu.au> Announcement: Establishment of the Australian Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammology We are pleased to announce the establishment of the 1st Australian student chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. A link to our website can be found on the SMM website. The objective of the chapter is to organise annual conferences where students from all over Australia can come to meet and network. It will give students an opportunity to present and discuss their research in a relaxed environment. Students can also join our facebook group where they can share ideas, start discussions and keep in touch. This year the chapter will be run by students from the Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at the University of Queensland (Kylie Owen and Ailbhe Kavanagh) and Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (Kate Sprogis and Krista Nicholson) with the support of Professional Sponsor Dr. Rebecca Dunlop (University of Queensland). We are currently in the process of organising the 1st annual meeting of the SMM Australian student chapter to be held in Queensland in mid-2012. Please check our website for details coming soon. We would be keen to get expressions of interest from anyone who may wish to attend the conference. If you have any questions please contact: - Ailbhe Kavanagh (a.kavanagh1 at uq.edu.au) - Kylie Owen (kylie.owen at uqconnect.edu.au) - Kate Sprogis (k.sprogis at murdoch.edu.au) - Krista Nicholson (K.Nicholson at murdoch.edu.au) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kmoore at ifaw.org Mon Jul 11 08:38:53 2011 From: kmoore at ifaw.org (Moore, Katie) Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:38:53 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] SMM Biennial Workshop Message-ID: <7AB298A393D1434A864AF86B777C1F2F06080260@hq00sm01.ifaw.net> We would like to announce a workshop on Mass Stranding Response and research to be held at the Biennial this fall in Tampa, FL. Title: Cetacean Mass Stranding Response- protocols, data collection, and outcomes Many locations throughout the world experience mass strandings of cetaceans with varying frequency. Response goals, protocols, and outcomes are often dependant upon the species involved, existing stranding response infrastructure, and resources available. The goal of this workshop is to bring together mass stranding responders and researchers in order to share information that is otherwise available only anecdotally. A portion of the morning will be dedicated to selected speakers presenting on their agency's and/or group's response protocols, outcomes, and mass stranding-related research. In the afternoon, we will switch to a discussion format to allow greater networking and information sharing between attendees. Specific topic areas will include health assessment/ disposition decision-making, specialized equipment, post-release monitoring, and maximizing the science of stranding response. We will invite selected speakers, but any attendees wishing to present may contact the organizers with a proposed topic. The output of this workshop will be threefold: 1) establish relationships between mass stranding responders around the world to facilitate ongoing data sharing and support, 2) compile existing response protocols and related results (for those willing to share) into a reference document/field manual and 3) potentially develop working groups to address some of the more pressing or complex problems faced by mass stranding responders. If you are interested in attending please register online at: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=art icle&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=19 If you are interested in presenting your data, protocols, or innovative equipment designs, please email me at: kmoore at ifaw.org Kind regards, Katie Katie Moore | Manager | Marine Mammal Rescue and Research ___________________________________________________________ IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters 290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 tel. 1.508.744.2276 email. kmoore at ifaw.org mobile. 774.836.6167 stranding hotline. 1.508.743.9548 Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org ? The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary,?and/or legally privileged.?Please notify the sender if you received this email in error. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kit at npolar.no Sun Jul 10 18:12:00 2011 From: kit at npolar.no (Kit Kovacs) Date: July 11, 2011 1:12 GMT Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop on Red Listed Pinnipeds, November 2011, Florida (USA) Message-ID: <1dfbfa$cublg4@pd7mo1no-svcs.prod.shaw.ca> There will be a one-day workshop on Red Listed Pinnipeds situations and solutions to be held on Sunday November 27th, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together scientists working with pinnipeds that have landed on the Red List. It is hoped that joint discussion of common problems will help us to develop an Action Plan leading to some solutions! A few case studies will be presented to facilitate discussion and experts will provide advice on rehabilitation and release of endangered species. Pre-registration can be done through the SMM website at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=29 If you are interested in presenting at this workshop please let the workshop organizer (KK) know. Registration will be limited to 40 people in order to facilitate meaningful discussion and development of an Action Plan. There will be no registration fee. This workshop is being organized by the IUCN Pinniped Specialist Group. For more information contact Kit M. Kovacs at kit at npolar.no From lara_6_a_secas at hotmail.com Mon Jul 11 08:40:33 2011 From: lara_6_a_secas at hotmail.com (Lara Delgado) Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:40:33 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Assistant positions for a cetacean study in the Mediterranean (Barcelona) Message-ID: Dear all, Positions are open for assisting with a cetacean survey in the Mediterranean Sea (Barcelona-Mallorca), Spain. Dates from 22nd of July to 30th of July 2011. DESCRIPTION: The EDMAKTUB association for the study and disclosure of aquatic environments, specially focused in the study of cetaceans; offer positions for volunteers for one of the trips of the summer campaign of the project ?Cetacean population study of the Mediterranean Sea area: Barcelona-Balearic Islands, BCNCET 2010-2011?. The aim of the project is to study the cetacean species present in the Mediterranean Sea (Balearic Sea). The association catamaran will set sail to Mallorca, from the Barcelona port the 22nd of July and be back to Barcelona the 30th of July, both days included. Visual and acoustical surveys will be conducted from early morning to evening during the 9 days in the boat, studying the distribution, behaviour, and sound production of the sighted species. The assistants would be able to learn: species identification, environmental and behavioural data collection, sound collection, and basic marine navigating skills. Accommodation and food is offered in the catamaran during the 9 days, but assistants are required to pay 400? for food and accommodation expenses. No previous experience is required, as the scientist present in the campaign will provide species identification information and teach assistants. If you are interested or want more information, please contact us to: edmaktub at edmaktub.com Thanks! EDMAKTUB association for the study and disclosure of the aquatic environment. www.edmaktub.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From S.L.Dwyer at massey.ac.nz Sun Jul 10 15:42:10 2011 From: S.L.Dwyer at massey.ac.nz (Dwyer, Sarah) Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:42:10 +1200 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteers sought for common dolphin research project in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand Message-ID: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST WITH BOAT-BASED FIELDWORK IN THE HAURAKI GULF, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND Volunteers are needed to assist with fieldwork for a PhD study investigating the distribution and density of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. This PhD project is part of the ongoing research of the New Zealand Common Dolphin Project (NZCDP) and the Coastal-Marine Research Group (C-MRG) at Massey University Albany, Auckland. (http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz) The field season runs year round and the next vacancy is from 1st September 2011 onwards. The primary role of the volunteer is to assist on a 5.5m research vessel, which operates in the Hauraki Gulf, North Island. Surveys are undertaken when weather and sea conditions are favourable and as such, a minimum or maximum number of research days per week cannot be guaranteed. On adverse weather days volunteers assist with data entry and other tasks. Prior experience working on small research vessels is preferred but not essential. Those with no experience should demonstrate their willingness to learn. Volunteers must be comfortable spending long days at sea on a small open boat. Unfortunately this is not a paid position. Food and accommodation are not provided and volunteers are responsible for their own travel to Auckland. Assistance will be provided to find suitable accommodation in the area. A minimum commitment of one month is required and priority will be given to those who can commit for longer periods. For more detailed information about the project please do not hesitate to contact me. To apply please send a CV and cover letter to Sarah Dwyer: s.l.dwyer at massey.ac.nz Thanks, Sarah ----------------------------------------------- Sarah Dwyer PhD Student Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore City 0745 Auckland New Zealand Tel: +64 (0) 9 414 0800 EXT 41196 Mob: +64 (0) 21 035 4749 Fax: +64 (9) 443 9790 Email: S.L.Dwyer at massey.ac.nz http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From caryns at sirenian.org Tue Jul 12 06:08:12 2011 From: caryns at sirenian.org (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:08:12 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Urgent: From USFWS re Proposed Manatee Protection Message-ID: <2b5f82a2$52370ab0$77581041$@com> Begin forwarded message: From: Chuck_Underwood at fws.gov Date: July 11, 2011 10:43:03 AM EDT To: Chuck_Underwood at fws.gov Subject: Public Comment submission re: Proposed Kings Bay manatee Refuge This e-mail serves as a courtesy reminder that, as noted in the Federal Register notice published June 22, 2011, public comments submitted via e-mail or fax will not be accepted.. You may submit comments on and/or information related to the Service's proposed designation of all of Kings Bay in Citrus County, FL as a year-round manatee refuge and the draft environmental assessment (EA) by one of the following methods: Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Enter Keyword or ID box, enter FWS-R4-ES-2010-0079, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the Search panel at the top of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the box next to Proposed Rules to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on "Submit Comments" U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2010-0079; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all information received on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide to us. If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire submission - including any personal identifying information - will be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this personal identifying information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov. Please note that comments submitted to this Web site are not immediately viewable. When you submit a comment, the system receives it immediately. However, the comment will not be publicly viewable until we post it, which might not occur until several days after submission. Copies of the Federal Register notice outlining our proposal and the draft EA are also available on our web site at http://www.fws.gov/northflorida Please make your comments as specific as possible and explain the basis for them. In addition, please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you reference or provide. In particular, the Service seeks comments concerning the following: The reasons why this area should or should not be designated as a manatee refuge, including information that supports the need for any changes; * Current or planned activities in the subject area and their possible effects on manatees; * Any foreseeable economic or other impacts resulting from the proposed designation; * Any substantive information on real or potential effects of the proposed manatee refuge on manatees; and, * Any actions that could be considered in lieu of, or in conjunction with, the proposed designation that would provide equivalent protection to the manatee against the threat of take. Please note that submissions merely stating support for or opposition to the proposed rule without providing supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in making a final decision, as the ESA and the Service's implementing regulations direct decisions be made "solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available." ******* Chuck Underwood Public Information Officer North Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200 Jacksonville, FL 32256-7517 http:/www.fws.gov/northflorida -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From joruxton at gmail.com Tue Jul 12 06:35:30 2011 From: joruxton at gmail.com (Jo Ruxton) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:35:30 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Stranded whales - plastic ingestion Message-ID: <75640CA7-8132-4B0A-9A89-F974BFCEE253@gmail.com> Dear List Members I am producing a documentary film about plastic waste in the oceans, how it is affecting marine wildlife, entering the food chain and ultimately effecting human health. It is a challenge telling a story about plastic pollution and making it interesting for a wide audience so one of the ways we are doing this is to tell the story through some of the oceans' most charismatic wildlife. We have already filmed Blue whales off the southern coast of Sri Lanka and are heading to the Med next week to do more filming of cetaceans, working with the scientists there. One of the sequences we wish to film, and one that would drive the point home more than any narrative, would be filming a stranded whale that has ingested plastic. We keep hearing about them and indeed there was one in Normandy this week, but we need to be able to mobilise a cameraman in time. We do have access to crews around the world and it is highly likely we could have someone there in time to film the process and witness the very obvious cause of death. Would it be possible, through this network, to be contacted when a standing first happens? The film, Plastic Oceans - working title - will be shown in cinemas in early 2013 and after that on global TV networks . We are making it for the Plastic Oceans Foundation, which is a UK registered charity, all of the royalties etc will go to the Foundation and be used to fund further research, education and public awareness. If you are interested, please see our website www.plasticoceans.org I can be contacted by email joruxton at gmail.com or by phone on +44 7818 000863. Thanks very much for any help you can offer us. Jo Jo Ruxton Director Future Planet Foilms Producer Plastic Oceans (Working Titiel) +44 7818 000863 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From uko at ukogorter.com Tue Jul 12 16:00:48 2011 From: uko at ukogorter.com (Uko Gorter) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:00:48 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] ACS Whalewatcher Journal (Vol. 40, No. 1) KILLER WHALE: THE TOP, TOP PREDATOR Message-ID: Whalewatcher Journal Killer Whale Issue Dear Marmam subscribers, The American Cetacean Society is proud to announce the full-color special killer whale issue of our ACS Whalewatcher journal (2011, Volume 40, No. 1). This issue is completely dedicated to killer whales. It is a thorough summary of the history of modern killer whale research, descriptions of the most significant findings unearthed along the way, and recent updates on what is currently known about killer whales. Richly illustrated with some never-before published photos, this issue also introduces two new common names for killer whale ecotypes for the first time. All of us at ACS are extremely grateful for Robert Pitman, who graciously accepted our invitation to serve as our guest editor. We also like to thank all authors, photographers, and illustrators who have contributed to this magnificent publication. Whalewatcher, journal of the American Cetacean Society, Volume 40, No. 1. Killer Whale: The Top, Top Predator In this issue: - An Introduction to the World?s Premier Predator - by R. L. Pitman - How Do We Study Killer Whales? ? by J. Durban and V. Deecke - Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest Coast: From Pest to Paragon ? J. K. B. Ford - Killer Whales in Alaskan Waters ? by C. Matkin and J. Durban - North Atlantic Killer Whales ? by A. Foote - Crozet Killer Whales: A Remote but Changing Environment ? by C. Guinet and P. Tixier - Centerfold Plate of known Killer Whales Ecotypes and Forms ? illustrated by U. Gorter - Antarctic Killer Whales: Top of the Food Chain at the Bottom of the World ? by R. L. Pitman - Killer Whales of California ? by A. Schulman-Janiger, N. Black, and R. Ternullo - Killer Whale Evolution: Ecotypes, Species, Oh My! ? L. Barrett-Lennard - Predators, Prey, and Play: Killer Whales and Other Marine Mammals ? by R. W. Baird - Killer Whale Conservation: The Perils of Life at the Top of the Food Chain ? by L. Barrett-Lennard and K. Heise And more? To order you copy: Contact Kaye Reznick, American Cetacean Society, business manager. Email: acsoffice at acsonline.org Call: (310) 548-6279 Price: $ 11.00 within the U.S. $18 International (includes shipping & handling) Have your credit card number ready if you're calling. Or better yet, become an ACS member today! Note: We still have copies of our beaked whale, Phocoenid, and Cetaceans & Climate Change issues, available at $ 6.00 within the U.S. $11 International (incl. shipping & handling). Regards, Uko Gorter and Kaye Reznick (co-editors) American Cetacean Society P.O. Box 1391 San Pedro, CA 90733-1391 (310) 548-6279 www.acsonline.org Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D., Executive Director -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Cheryl.Bonnes at noaa.gov Tue Jul 12 11:59:20 2011 From: Cheryl.Bonnes at noaa.gov (Cheryl Bonnes) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:59:20 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop registration is now open-- 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Tampa, Florida) Message-ID: <4E1C9988.9070609@noaa.gov> *Workshop registration is now open-- 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Tampa, Florida) * *A total of 29 workshops will be convened on Saturday, 27 November 2011 and Sunday, 27 November 2011. Check the list on the conference website: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/workshops Space is limited, save your space by submitting a workshop registration form(s). Workshop registration fees (if applicable) are not included in conference registration and will be collected directly by each workshop organizer. For questions, please e-mail workshops at marinemammalscience.org. *Posted by Cheryl Bonnes (cheryl.bonnes at noaa.gov ) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Phoebe.Woodworth at noaa.gov Tue Jul 12 17:31:50 2011 From: Phoebe.Woodworth at noaa.gov (Phoebe Woodworth) Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:31:50 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Melon-headed whale paper published Message-ID: A paper was published online today in the journal Marine Mammal Science documenting the use of offshore eddies by melon-headed whales. Satellite telemetry data retrieved from 10 melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands were examined in relation to ocean currents and mesoscale features obtained from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model Hawai?i regional model. Statistical analysis showed that the majority of these whales that moved away from coastal Hawaiian waters moved into the convergence areas associated with both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, presumably for foraging purposes. A non-eddy-associated habitat southwest of the Hawaiian island of Ni?ihau was also identified. This study provides a first look at melon-headed whales? offshore habitat use and provides insight into possible pelagic foraging habitats for other cetaceans as well. This project was a collaborative study between researchers from Cascadia Research Collective, NOAA Fisheries Service, the Wild Whale Research Foundation, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and is part of a long-term study of the toothed whales and dolphins around the main Hawaiian Islands. A copy of the paper can be downloaded at www.cascadiaresearch.org or from the journal?s web site at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1748-7692/earlyview The authors of the paper are Phoebe Woodworth, Brad Hanson and Jeff Polovina from NOAA Fisheries Service, Greg Schorr, Robin Baird and Daniel Webster from Cascadia Research Collective, Dan McSweeney from the Wild Whale Research Foundation and Russ Andrews from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska SeaLife Center. The citation is: Woodworth, P.A., G.S. Schorr, R.W. Baird, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, M.B. Hanson, R.D. Andrews and J.J. Polovina. 2011. Eddies as offshore foraging grounds for melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). Marine Mammal Science doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00509.x. For more information on melon-headed whales in Hawaii see www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii/melonheadedwhale.htm For information on the study contact Phoebe Woodworth at phoebe.woodworth at noaa.gov or Robin Baird at rwbaird at cascadiaresearch.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jessarah19 at yahoo.com Wed Jul 13 06:03:29 2011 From: jessarah19 at yahoo.com (Jessica Weiss) Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:03:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [MARMAM] Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-id Fall Internship Position Message-ID: <1310562209.31275.YahooMailClassic@web120713.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Internship Position for Fall 2011 The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research (OBXCDR) is currently accepting applications for the 2011 fall/winter season. One volunteer internship position is available. The research season is October 9 ? January 14. Successful applicants must be able to commit for the majority of the season. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks, NC. Our goal is to gain an understanding of the population size, movement patterns, and behavioral ecology of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the sounds and coastal waters near the Outer Banks. The OBXCDR currently conducts a photo-identification monitoring study of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. Data is collected via dedicated small boat surveys as well as opportunistically from a local dolphin watch. This study is a continuation of the long-term study initiated in 1997. Information from the current long-term study will provide a basis for initiation of studies involving habitat utilization, social associations, and anthropogenic effects on the dolphins. Interns will gain experience in field data collection and photo-identification of dolphins in the field and lab. For more information about the OBXCDR, please visit: obxdolphins.org The internship position will consist of field research and photo analysis of bottlenose dolphin fin photos. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individual bottlenose dolphins based on dorsal fin characteristics, and the use of MS Access databases for archiving field data. Responsibilities include: ? Photo-identification of dolphins in the lab, including photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry, assist in maintenance of long-term photo-id catalog using the MS Access database FinBase (75% of the time) ? Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys of bottlenose dolphins, including operating small outboard vessel during surveys, collecting environmental, location, and behavioral data for dolphin groups, conducting focal follows to study habitat utilization and social associations (25% of the time) There is no compensation for this internship position and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the internship. Although housing is not provided, we will assist you in finding housing accommodations in the Outer Banks. This internship requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week. The successful applicant would ideally have the following qualifications: ? Minimum of 18 years of age and currently or recently enrolled in a college-level program in marine biology, biology, zoology, or related field ? Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation ? Ability to swim ? Basic computer proficiency in MS Office Access ? Enthusiasm, attention to detail, responsible, and works well on a team ? Field research/small boat operation/boat trailering experience preferred but not required ? First AID/CPR certification preferred but not required Application Process: Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email to:obxcdr at hotmail.com Use ?Dolphin photo-id internship? in the subject line of the email. All applications will be reviewed; those received by August 1st will be given priority. Jessica Weiss Taylor Principal Investigator/Scientific Advisor Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research 7517 Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959 From koakley at usgs.gov Wed Jul 13 11:27:24 2011 From: koakley at usgs.gov (Karen L Oakley) Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:27:24 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Vacany Announcement--Research Wildlife Biologist (Polar Bears) Message-ID: The U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, is seeking applicants for a Research Wildlife Biologist position to lead a broad program of integrated research on the polar bear within the context of a rapidly changing arctic marine ecosystem. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in wildife ecology or a related field; experience as a Principal Investigator or Co-PI for wildlife ecology field studies; ability to analyze data in a modeling framework using statistical programming languages such as Matlab, SAS and/or R; and expertise in the biology and ecology of marine mammals, bears and/or polar bears. The position requires U.S. citizenship. This is a permanent position (subject to a one-year probation period for new federal employees) to be filled at the GS-13 ($83,472 - $108,512/year plus a 10.56% Cost of Living Allowance,) or GS-14 ($98,638-$128,227 year plus a 10.56% Cost of Living Allowance) level, with promotion potential to the GS-15 level. The position will be formally advertised on USAJOBS July 25-August 29, 2011. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Karen Oakley, USGS Alaska Science Center, Branch Chief, Marine & Freshwater Ecology, 907-786-7076, koakley at usgs.gov for information about the position and the application process. Thanks! KO ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Karen Oakley U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Marine & Freshwater Ecology, Branch Chief 4210 University Dr. Anchorage, AK 99508 907-786-7076 907-786-7150 fax koakley at usgs.gov +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Mark.Mueller at MyFWC.com Thu Jul 14 12:44:20 2011 From: Mark.Mueller at MyFWC.com (Mueller, Mark) Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:44:20 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] SMM Biennial Workshop on AIS Message-ID: You are invited to participate in a workshop on Saturday November 26, 2011 1:00-5:00pm in Room #10, preceding the Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial Conference in Tampa. "The maritime Automatic Identification System: harnessing its potential for marine mammal research" will feature an overview of AIS technologies, trends in implementation, options for AIS data collection, examples of software packages and data processing and QA/QC methods, and real-world case studies of AIS being used in marine mammal research and management. If you are interested in presenting a talk or leading an informal discussion, please contact me directly (mark.mueller at myfwc.com) to discuss. To see the full agenda and to register visit: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=21 There is no registration fee for this workshop. Let me know if you have any questions. Mark Mueller Research Associate Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 100 Eighth Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 mark.mueller at myfwc.com (727) 896-8626, ext. 1904 Fax: (727) 893-9176 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From robertrankin at pacificwhale.org Wed Jul 13 23:50:58 2011 From: robertrankin at pacificwhale.org (Robert Rankin) Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:50:58 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Research Internship in Hawaii Message-ID: We are seeking performance-driven individuals for 4-6 month internships, during Fall 2011 & Winter 2012. Interns will work 35 hrs per week on a fixed schedule. The internship position is self-funded and will be based on Maui, Hawaii. Responsibilities include supporting a variety of research projects focusing on marine mammals. Primary responsibility will be office work and data entry to support data analysis efforts and publications. Each intern will be assigned to a specific project (with ancillary duties supporting field projects) according to skill set and availability. There will be some field work required as well. Some of the projects include: - Matching individual whales and to a large photo-ID catalogue of Hawaii and Australia whales, - Organizing and summarizing long-term marine mammals datasets, - Assisting in data analysis of ecological and oceanographic data, - Staffing a shore-based observation station to study whale behaviour, - Occasionally, interns will also assist the staff in other field projects as the need arises. Qualifications: a BS degree with experience in marine-related topics.Possess a mixture of experience in both field work and data-handling. Willingness to learn, be punctual, spend long hours in front of the computer. Willingness to spend long hours outdoors in the sun and wind. Superior organizational skills, self-direction and an eye for details. Excellent knowledge of MS Office software and data entry skills. Willingness to live on Maui at own expense for a period of time (housing is not provided, but interns may have the option of living in shared-dormitory quarters for an affordable price). A car while on the island is highly recommended as public transportation is unreliable. Applicants with little biology or marine expertise, but who possess outstanding skills in programming, statistical analysis, Geographic Information Systems, and databases will also be welcomed. Closing Date: 15 Aug 2011 Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and the names of three references to Dr. Daniela Maldini, at researchdirector at pacificwhale.org Mahalo! -- Robert Rankin Research Analyst Pacific Whale Foundation 300 Maalaea Road, Suite 211 Wailuku , HI 96793 Tel: (800) 942-5311 Local: (808) 249-8977 robertrankin at pacificwhale.org "Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it." - Brian Kernighan From rosen at zoology.ubc.ca Thu Jul 14 07:30:50 2011 From: rosen at zoology.ubc.ca (rosen at zoology.ubc.ca) Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:30:50 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] MSc opportunity - pinniped nutrition and bioenergetics Message-ID: <5481301fb4dc43ac9a2dbb747a565c3b.squirrel@webmail.zoology.ubc.ca> We are seeking an outstanding, motivated MSc student to investigate aspects of nutrition and bioenergetics in pinnipeds. The student will enter the MSc program at the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia (in association with the Dept of Zoology). Their project will investigate the nutritional value of different prey items in captive Steller sea lions and northern fur seals (see http://www.marinemammal.org/research/nutstres.php) at the Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Lab. The successful applicant will commence in Janaury 2012 and be supervised by Dr. David Rosen (primary) and Dr. Andrew Trites. Student support is available for the first year of studies, and we are looking for students who are likely able to secure independent support for their second year. Please contact Dave Rosen (rosen at zoology.ubc.ca) with a curriculum vitae, cover letter and an (unofficial) copy of your undergraduate transcript. From sahawks at uw.edu Thu Jul 14 13:44:18 2011 From: sahawks at uw.edu (sahawks) Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:44:18 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] Comprehensive list of Marine Mammal Environmental Education programs Message-ID: > Dear colleagues, > > For the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals > in Florida this year, there will be workshop offered which will > focus on marine mammal environmental education programs and the > effectiveness of the conservation information that is given to > audiences, participants and students. The all day workshop, Marine > Mammal Education and Conservation: Facts, Tools and Assessing > Impacts, will be a dynamic and informative program. > > One goal of the workshop is to provide a comprehensive list of all > the organizations worldwide that offer some level of marine mammal > environmental education. Below you will find a very preliminary > list of these organizations . If your organization offers marine > mammal programs, has a conservation message and is not listed > below, please let us know if you would like to be included. Also, > if you prefer not to be listed and are, please let us know that > too. The final list will be organized by country and include > websites and contact information. > > Please respond to Cyndee McInnis at cyndebierman at gmail.com > > > Kind regards, > > Jen Kennedy > Executive Director > Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation > 143 Pleasant Street > Portsmouth, NH 03801 > (603) 431-0260 > www.blueoceansociety.org > > > > Stefanie Hawks-Johnson > Executive Director > Marine Mammal Connection Society > marinemammalconnection.org > > > Cynde McInnis > Education Coordinator > Cape Ann Whale Watch > www.SeeTheWhales.com > > > > ? East Coast > > ? Blue Ocean Society- NH > > ? Carolina Costal Discovery Marine Education Program- NC > > ? MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium- FL > > ? Dolphin Plus- FL > > ? Western Suffolk Marine Education Program- NY > > ? The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and > Preservation-NY > > ? Atlantis Marine World- NY > > ? Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation at Aquarium of > Nicaragua- NY > > ? Marine Education Center and Aquarium- Georgia > > ? Oceanic Society- MA > > ? Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies- MA > > ? Ocean Alliance- MA > > ? Cape Anna Whale Watch- MA > > ? Marine Sea Grant- ME > > ? Marine Environmental Research Institute- ME > > ? NOAA > > ? Dolphin World > > ? > > ? West Coast > > ? Alaska Sea Life Center- AK > > ? Hatfield Marine Science Center- Oregon > > ? Pacific Marine Mammal Center- CA > > ? Aquarium of the Pacific- CA > > ? Killer Whlae Tales > > ? Save Our Shores- CA > > ? California Coastal Commission Public Education Program- CA > > ? Marine Education in Urban Settings- NOAA- CA > > ? Marine Mammal Connection Society > > ? The Marine Mammal Center- CA > > ? Orca Network > > ? The Whale Museum- WA > > ? Middle > > ? Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network- TX > > ? Hawaii > > ? Maui Ocean Center > > ? Ocean Mammal Institute > > ? Pacific Whale Foundation > > ? The Dolphin Institute > > ? Canada > > ? Pacific Wildlife Foundation > > ? Dolphins Plus > > ? Pacific Marine Mammal Center > > ? New England Aquarium > > ? Mystic Aquarium > > ? Brookfield Zoo > > ? Discovery Cove > > ? Disney?s Animal Programs at The Seas > > ? The Dolphin Connection > > ? Dolphin Quest Hawaii > > ? Dolphin Quest Oahu > > ? Dolphin Research Center > > ? Georgia Aquarium > > ? Shedd Aquarium > > ? African Conservation Experience: Dolphin and Whale Research > Centre > > ? Africa?s Ocean Safari?s > > ? IFAW > > ? Cetacean Alliance > > ? Academic Treks > > ? WESSA > > ? Maraqua > > ? DolphinCareAfrica > > ? Whales Alive > > ? WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society) > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Sara.Heimlich at noaa.gov Thu Jul 14 13:23:07 2011 From: Sara.Heimlich at noaa.gov (sara.heimlich) Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:23:07 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] DCLDE workshop updates Message-ID: <4E1F502B.4040201@noaa.gov> A PDF of abstracts and a description of the one-day tutorials are now online for the 5th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics. Unfortunately, early registration rates are no longer available. Current rates are as listed below. Registration will remain open, and late-comers can register on site during the workshop. *1-day tutorial (21 Aug.)*: $375 *DCLDE workshop (22-25 Aug.)*: $525 *DCLDE workshop single day (22-25 Aug)*: $265 *1-day tutorial and DCLDE (21-25 Aug.)*: $850 *Included in full registration fee*: * Breakfast, lunch and dinner for tutorial attendees, 21 Aug. * Breakfast, lunch and dinner, 22-24 Aug. * Breakfast and lunch 25 Aug. * Beverages during all breaks, 21-25 Aug. * Printed program * Online abstract book * Certificate of attendance; materials for instructional tutorial * Free wireless internet in the main lobby and main meeting rooms * Free parking * *Lodging and transportation are not included in registration fee!* For complete information, go to http://bioacoustics.us/dcl.html _*Don't forget to check on any VISA requirements you might have, if you are planning to attend!*_ -- Sara Heimlich CIMRS/OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Newport, OR. 97365 (541) 867-0328 office (541) 961-1737 cell -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: sara_heimlich.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 161 bytes Desc: not available URL: From sjcrock at shaw.ca Thu Jul 14 07:32:59 2011 From: sjcrock at shaw.ca (Susan Crockford) Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:32:59 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] =?windows-1252?q?SMM_Biennial_Workshop=3A_How_Modern_Mar?= =?windows-1252?q?ine_Mammals_Evolved=97Revelations_from_the_Confluence_of?= =?windows-1252?q?_Genetics_and_Climate_Change?= Message-ID: An afternoon workshop on How Modern Marine Mammals Evolved?Revelations from the Confluence of Genetics and Climate Change on Saturday November 26th, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. Cost US$26.00 per person (to cover cost of coffee, snacks & equipment rental), payable in advance via US/Canadian cheque or Visa/Mastercard. Aim to register by Oct. 15th (deadline for advanced registration and accepted presenters) but if space is available, we can accommodate late-comers until Nov. 15th or so. For details on agenda and payment & to express interest/receive workshop updates, contact Susan Crockford (sjcrock at shaw.ca). Registration is at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=24 A full description of the workshop is below, contact organizers (above) for detailed agenda available shortly. How Modern Marine Mammals Evolved?Revelations from the Confluence of Genetics and Climate Change Date and Time: Saturday November 26, 2011 1-5 PM How, when, and where did the modern assemblages of marine mammals come to be? Bringing together representatives from diverse disciplines and focusing on profound correlations between the studies, we begin to achieve a greater understanding of the timing and drivers of the radiation and speciation of marine mammals. For example: taking the coarse genetic timing of the emergence of the three right whale species (that is, the relative distance and order of emergence of the different forms), then using the known fossil evidence to establish presence in the different ocean basins, one overlays the Pleistocene climate oscillations and geophysical conditions to identify when and where the archaic forms of right whales moved into different ocean basins and began evolving into distinct forms. This approach is both timely and relevant: extreme climate changes in the Pleistocene and Holocene presented immense challenges to marine mammals around the world, yet defined the modern species assemblage. These challenges not only fundamentally changed the distribution of many marine mammal species, but also initiated the emergence of new species and geographical variations. Understanding how the cumulative effects of climatic and ecological changes during the Pleistocene climate fluctuations impacted marine mammal genera will help us better understand modern challenges and place those challenges in an adaptive, evolutionary context. This session will appeal to all researchers studying species diversity, radiation, and distribution from differing viewpoints including genetics, morphology, behavior, and paleontology, as well as those whose interests focus on habitat change, climate change, and/or evolution in general. We have put together a diverse panel representing recent and new studies regarding origins, speciation, diversity, radiation, and paleozoogeography of the right whale, bowhead whale, killer whale (orca), oceanic dolphins in general, Antarctic seals, Arctic ringed seal, northern fur seal, Steller's sea cow, sea otter, and polar bear. The presenters will cover topics in the fields of geology/geomorphology, paleontology, phylogenetics, mitogenomics, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, zoogeography, and archaeozoology. A panel discussion will follow and consider ways to explore other concepts and approaches, including (but not restricted to): 1) What can the correlations between molecular clocks and the magnitude and rate of climate change tell us about species emergence? 2) How do we fit morphological and behavioral diversity (including ecotypes) into genetic-based models of speciation and adaptation over time? 3) What other genera provide tempting opportunities to explore this notion in greater detail (Arctocephalus, Lagenhorhynchus, and Stenella, for example)? The panel will also discuss output the group might like to consider, such as a themed journal issue. Susan J. Crockford, Ph.D. (Zoology/Evolutionary Biology/Archaeozoology) Adjunct Professor (Anthropology/Graduate Studies) email: scrock at uvic.ca University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada AND Pacific Identifications Inc. (www.pacificid.com) 6011 Oldfield Rd., RR 3 Victoria BC V9E 2J4 phone (250) 721-7296 fax (250) 721-6215 email: sjcrock at shaw.ca **see my book website www.rhythmsoflife.ca ** -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mjbarkaszi at ecoesinc.com Thu Jul 14 12:53:42 2011 From: mjbarkaszi at ecoesinc.com (Mary Jo Barkaszi) Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:53:42 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Protected Species Observer Positions Open Immediately Message-ID: Protected Species Observers needed within the week. Location: Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA. Dredging project. Alternating day and night 12-hour shifts. Eight days on/Four days off. Day rate of 175.00-185.00 per day depending on experience and ability to write professional reports. Expected project time length: 70 days. Must be US citizen. Must have TWIC card. Lodging provided. Meals not provided when not on dredge. Daily transportation to and from hotel & work site required. Please send pdf or MS WORD resume with a list of observation experience, email addresses for 3 references and TWIC card number to: employment at ecoesinc.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jobs at OceanAssoc.com Fri Jul 15 16:55:47 2011 From: Jobs at OceanAssoc.com (Jobs.Ocean.Associates) Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:55:47 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] acoustician job posting Message-ID: <4E20D383.4070603@OceanAssoc.com> Ocean Associates, Inc. is seeking candidates for a Marine Mammal Acoustician to work with the Cetacean Research Program at NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. This position is a full-time one year contract with the possibility of renewal based on job performance and availability of funding. Limited funds for travel to conferences, workshops, or field work are available. This position may include field work, including travel away from home for up to 2 months per year. The successful candidate will assist staff of the Cetacean Research Program with analysis of existing long-term autonomous datasets and with development and analysis of data from the new acoustic glider program. Opportunities for involvement with other passive acoustics projects, including towed array and fisheries monitoring, may also be possible. Job duties: 1. Analyze existing and incoming long-term acoustic datasets collected from the central and western pacific for baleen whale and odontocete occurrence and seasonality. Previous experience with classification, detection, or localization software is required. 2. Assist in maintenance and deployment of autonomous recorders, including instrument preparation, breakdown, and quality control of incoming datasets. 3. Assist in development of the acoustic glider program, including development of acoustic sampling protocols and analysis of collected acoustic and oceanographic data for assessment of cetacean occurrence, habitat, and abundance 4. Maintenance of acoustic datasets, including documentation of acoustic data quality, analysis effort, and archiving of data and analysis products. Minimum qualifications: * Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution * Two years experience with bioacoustic instrumentation, data processing, and analysis * The position requires access to Federal office buildings or ships and communication networks. Applicants must have US citizenship or right to work documents that do not expire during the contract period, combined with two years of US residency before the start of employment. * Able to pass government background security check, required for working within a government facility. Preferred qualifications: * Master's or PhD in oceanography, marine science, biology, or similar field * Five or more years experience in analysis of large volume, long-term datasets, evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed journals. Excellent employee benefits are provided including paid medical insurance, and holiday, vacation and sick leave. A complete application package includes recent CV detailing qualifications and experience with marine mammal acoustic datasets, and names and contact information for at least two professional references. Review of candidates will begin on August 1, 2011 and preference will be given to applicants that submit a full application prior to that date. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please email your resume to Jobs *at* OceanAssoc.com Use "5030 Acoustician" as the subject line. Include your name in any filenames. For your benefit, format documents as PDFs. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mjbarkaszi at ecoesinc.com Sat Jul 16 04:10:50 2011 From: mjbarkaszi at ecoesinc.com (Mary Jo Barkaszi) Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 07:10:50 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Protected Species Observer Positions Open Message-ID: Protected Species Observers needed within the week. ***NOTE: This is a re-post with a corrected email address*** Location: Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA. Dredging project. Alternating day and night 12-hour shifts. Eight days on/Four days off. Day rate of 175.00-185.00 per day depending on experience and ability to write professional reports. Expected project time length: 70 days. Must be US citizen. Must have TWIC card. Lodging provided. Meals not provided when not on dredge. Daily transportation to and from hotel & work site required. Please send pdf or MS WORD resume with a list of observation experience, email addresses for 3 references and TWIC card number to: office at ecoes.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From michael.j.weise at navy.mil Mon Jul 18 13:20:39 2011 From: michael.j.weise at navy.mil (Weise, Michael CIV ONR 322) Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:20:39 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Job Posting Message-ID: Below is an announcement for two position at ONR within the Ocean, Atmosphere and Space Research Division. This position is for an Interdisciplinary (Mathematician/Physicist). One position will be Ocean Acoustics (OA), and the other will be shared with the Marine Mammal & Biology Program (MMB) - see website for program details: http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Programs/Atmosphere-Research-322/Marine-Mammals-Biology.aspx Therefore, please disseminate this announcement to qualified individuals that also have bioacoustics background and could support the MMB program. http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=100391664&JobTitle=Interdisciplinary+(Mathematician%2fPhysicist)&q=Mathematician&where=Washington%2c+DC&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&x=106&y=5&AVSDM=2011-06-27+00%3a03%3a00 REMINDER: CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (Release authorized and approved by Margaret J. Mitchell, Director, Civilian Personnel Programs) Applications for the following position will be accepted thru 07/27/11 under the Merit Promotion (MP) hiring authority and Delegated Examining (DE). Position: Mathematician/Physicist, NP-1520/1310-IV (2 Positions) Salary: $103,536 - $155,550 per annum Location: Office of Naval Research, Ocean, Atmosphere and Space (OAS) Department, OAS, Sensing and Systems Division, Ocean Acoustics (Code 32), Arlington, VA Area of Consideration for MP: Current Permanent Federal Civilian Employees serving under Career or Career Conditional Appointment in Competitive Service, Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Reinstatement and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles Area of Consideration for DE: US Citizens and Non-Citizens Announcement # for MP: NE1-XXXX-04-4915304H059636 Announcement # for DE: NE1-XXXX-04-JB493312-DM DUTIES: The incumbent plans, evaluates, initiates, organizes, encourages, directs and coordinates basic and applied research, exploratory development, and advanced development projects which are essential to the Department of the Navy (DON) and Department of Defense in the broad areas of ocean acoustics. Specific technical and programmatic fields or applications include, but are not limited to mathematical modeling of acoustic propagation in a variety of ocean environments, design, planning, and execution of ocean acoustic field experiments, space-time array processing of variety of ocean acoustic data, and source localization/environmental parameter estimation using advanced acoustic data inversion techniques. The incumbent establishes goals, conceives, organizes, directs, and defends integrated science and technology programs designed to provide new and powerful capabilities for or to improve the performance of Navy and Marine Corps. The incumbent is expected to recognize promisi ng new scientific and technological concepts and findings in their infancy and to evaluate their feasibility for and applicability to DON missions. The incumbent explores and establishes the probable value of new technologies and identifies the most fruitful approaches for understanding costly and high-risk developmental efforts. As part of the planning process, the incumbent will be expected to participate in group endeavors involving many interested parties and perspectives in order to help establish future DON S&T needs and opportunities. QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the qualification requirements for the 1520 or 1310 occupational series in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Operating Manual. Selective Placement Factor: Knowledge and experience in the fundamental theories, concepts and current state-of-the-art research and/or technology development in fields related to ocean acoustics (e.g., mathematical modeling of acoustic propagation in a variety of ocean environments, design, planning, and execution of ocean acoustic field experiments, space-time array processing of ocean acoustic data, and source localization/environmental parameter estimation using advanced acoustic data inversion techniques). Failure to possess this factor will result in an ineligible rating. HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates should apply to this vacancy announcement at http://usajobs.gov. For additional assistance, you may contact Ms. Effie Neal, servicing HR Specialist by e-mail at effie.neal at navy.mil or by phone @ 703-696-0749. The Department of the Navy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. Michael J. Weise Marine Mammals & Biological Oceanography Program Office of Naval Research - Code 32 875 N. Randolph St. Arlington, VA 22203-1995 703.696.4533 office michael.j.weise at navy.mil http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Programs/Atmosphere-Research-322/Marine-Mammals-Biology.aspx -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: smime.p7s Type: application/x-pkcs7-signature Size: 5680 bytes Desc: not available URL: From B.J.Godley at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 19 09:17:51 2011 From: B.J.Godley at exeter.ac.uk (Godley, Brendan) Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:17:51 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Darwin Initiatve: Films/Funding Opportunity Message-ID: <298090EB4920AF4EA276FB25E2CF14EA846E6746@EXCHMBS05.isad.isadroot.ex.ac.uk> Dear MARMAM We have recently completed the a short film (in two languages) to publicize the Darwin Sustainable Artisinal Fisheries Initiative in Peru; a highly collaborative project lead by NGO Prodelphinus. English: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1/0/OhtVmUJ6hkY Spanish: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1/11/jyQinupAqVw Participatory work will quantify levels of bycatch of marine vertebrates (mammals, turtles and birds) and seek mitigation strategies within the extensive small scale fisheries in the country. The films details what I think is a near ideal "Darwin Initiative" project as well as outlining the salient features of the funding initiative. For those working in countries "Rich in biodiversity and poor in resources", the UK Government's Darwin Initiative constitutes a sizeable source of funding for medium sized projects that should be investigated (?80 million on 728 projects since 1992). For more information see http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/ All the best B Dr. Brendan J. Godley Associate Professor in Conservation Biology Centre for Ecology & Conservation University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus TR10 9EZ, UK Tel: +44 1326 371 861 http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/cec/ http://uk.linkedin.com/in/brendangodley http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ Editor-in-Chief, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From caryns at sirenian.org Wed Jul 20 13:24:07 2011 From: caryns at sirenian.org (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:24:07 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Sirenian Symposium Registration & Abstracts References: Message-ID: Please do not reply to this message! Please follow the directions below to register and submit an abstract. Your contacts for this Symposium are Bob Bonde and Nicole Adimey. Their contact information is listed at the bottom of the email. Thanks, Caryn Begin forwarded message: From: Robert K Bonde Date: July 20, 2011 12:36:58 PM EDT To: Nicole Adimey , rbonde at usgs.gov Subject: ISS 2011 Register & Submit Abstract soon! Fifth International Sirenian Symposium 2011 In conjunction with the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Tampa, Florida, 27 November 2011 Second Announcement & Call For Abstracts You are invited to participate in the Fifth International Sirenian Symposium being held on Sunday, November 27, 2011 from 08:30AM-5:00PM in Room 23 at the Tampa Convention Center. The aim of this symposium is to foster communication between sirenian researchers, managers, and policy makers from around the globe. Over the last couple of years we have made marked progress regarding sirenian conservation, management and research. At this symposium we hope you will be able to share your expertise and experiences. Scientists and managers are invited to submit an abstract to speak at the symposium; priority will be given to those presentations focusing on international efforts outside the U.S. to promote collaboration and information exchange with foreign programs. Abstracts will be considered for work involving the latest advances in Sirenian Conservation and Management; Stranding Response and Captive Care; Monitoring Applications; and Biology and Research. Those abstracts not selected for a talk will be invited to present a poster. In support of the Biennial Conference theme, it is suggested that presentations attempt to address some aspect of cumulative effects from human activities on local sirenian populations, and identify possible conservation approaches to address those effects. All presenters will be given up to 15 minutes, which includes time for questions. Abstract submissions should be in Word format, no longer than 300 words (excluding title and authors), and contain the primary author?s full contact information and affiliation. Abstracts should follow the guidelines established for the Biennial Conference and must be submitted electronically to Nicole Adimey (nicole_adimey at fws.gov) by August 31, 2011. If you have not already done so, please register early at: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=2 There will be a small registration fee of $10.00/US for this symposium collected at the door. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: In order to obtain consistency in the submission of abstracts for the International Sirenian Symposium we request that you use the following format as an example. If you would like to submit an abstract for consideration, please format your abstract following the instructions below and the attached example. -Abstract body limit is 300 words, using Times New Roman text, 11 font, and 1.5 line spacing -Presenting author's name is in bold -Affiliation numbers are in superscript followed by a comma -Please include the corresponding (submitting) author's email address after the affiliations ________________________________________ Nicole Adimey U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200 Jacksonville, Florida 32256-7517 904.731.3079 (direct) 904.731.3336 (main) 904.731.3045 (fax) nicole_adimey at fws.gov http:/www.fws.gov/northflorida <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Robert K. Bonde, PhD Research Biologist - Sirenia Project Southeast Ecological Science Center U.S. Geological Survey 2201 NW 40th Terrace Gainesville, Florida 32605-3574 Phone: (352)264-3555 FAX: (352)374-8080 Phone: Genetics Lab (352)264-3549 Email: rbonde at usgs.gov http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/manatees.html <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cfury10 at gmail.com Wed Jul 20 17:20:18 2011 From: cfury10 at gmail.com (Christine Fury) Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:20:18 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] New dolphin publications Australia Message-ID: <4e2770c9.2889650a.7db5.4abb@mx.google.com> Hi MMers, The following papers are now available from their perspective journals or you can email me for a pdf copy. Fury CA, Harrison PL (2011) Seasonal variation and tidal influences on estuarine use by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 93:389-395 In order to show that dolphins use estuary habitats differently depending on the season and tidal state, possibly in response to prey distribution, temperature, risk of stranding and accessibility, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) were observed year-round during a 3-year study in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuary (RR) in northern New South Wales, Australia. Peak dolphin sightings occurred during the spring season and one or 2h prior to high tide. The spatial distribution of the dolphins in each estuary was analysed using the distance in kilometres that the dolphins travelled upstream with seasons and tidal phase as determinants. A General Linear Model showed that in the CR the dolphin spatial distribution in the estuary was not determined by season (F=0.434, df=3, P=0.729) but was by tidal phase (F=9.943, df=3, P<0.001) and the interaction between season and tidal phase (F=3.398, df=9, P<0.002). However, in the RR the spatial distribution of the dolphin use of the estuary was not determined by either season (F=1.647, df=3, P=0.194) or tidal phase (F=0.302, df=3, P=0.824). In the CR, the spatial distribution of the dolphins was largest on high and flood tides. This pattern of spatial distribution may occur because the CR is a relatively shallow estuary and this increased spatial distribution may reflect a lower stranding risk and an increase in accessibility of shallow areas during periods of higher tide. These areas could also provide access to their preferred prey items of sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sand whiting (Sillago ciliata). Fury CA, Harrison PL (2011) Impact of flood events on dolphin occupancy patterns. Marine Mammal Science 27:E185?E205 The aim of this study was to assess potential impacts of water quality changes associated with floods on the occupancy of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in two subtropical estuaries in Australia.Boat-based surveys were conducted in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuaries (RR) over 3 yr. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that when the dolphins were absent from the estuaries, three water quality components were extracted in the CR and two components in the RR. The PCA1 component included high loadings for salinity, turbidity, and pH for the CR (46%); and salinity, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) for the RR (51%). Randomization tests showed that dolphins abandoned both estuaries at times of lower salinity, and during periods of higher turbidity and of lower levels of pH and dissolved oxygen in the RR that were associated with floods. The time until dolphins returned to the estuary postflood depended on the length and severity of the flood, but generally dolphins were observed in waters with salinity levels above 29ppt. Their delayed return postflood could be for their physiological health, or because their prey returned to the estuaries under these higher salinity conditions, or more likely a combination of both factors. Regards Christine Christine Fury, PhD Marine Ecologist PO Box 390 Kingston, Hobart, Tasmania 7050 Mobile 0408-264-330 Webpage: http://independent.academia.edu/ChristineFury cfury10 at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From wally at oceania.org.au Wed Jul 20 22:51:28 2011 From: wally at oceania.org.au (Wally Franklin) Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:51:28 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?windows-1252?q?Franklin_et_al_2011=3A__Seasonal_change?= =?windows-1252?q?s_in_pod_characteristics_of_eastern_Australian_humpback_?= =?windows-1252?q?whales_=28Megaptera_novaeangliae=29=2C_Hervey_Bay_1992?= =?windows-1252?q?=962005?= Message-ID: <446E320A-E443-4735-93DC-63DCC7415BB8@oceania.org.au> Hi Marmammers, We are pleased to announce the publication of a paper on Humpback whales in Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia in the current issue of Marine Mammal Science. Its available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00430.x/full A pdf copy is available by email from: trish.wally at oceania.org.au Franklin, T., Franklin, W., Brooks, L., Harrison, P., Baverstock, P. and Clapham, P. (2011), Seasonal changes in pod characteristics of eastern Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Hervey Bay 1992?2005. Marine Mammal Science, 27: E134?E152. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00430.x ABSTRACT We investigated the characteristics and composition of 4,506 humpback whale pods observed in Hervey Bay between 1992 and 2005.We use these data to analyze and model the variability of pod size and composition, and to assess the importance of Hervey Bay for particular classes of humpback whales. Pods ranged in size from one to nine individuals. Pairs were the most frequent pod type (1,344, 29.8%), followed by mother-calf alone (1,249, 27.7%), trios (759, 16.8%), singletons (717, 15.9%), and 4+ whales (437, 9.7%). Of the 4,506 pods, calves were present in 40%, and 10.8% of all pods had one or more escorts present. Of the 1,804 pods observed with calves present, 1,251 (69.4%) were mothers alone with their calves. The size and composition of pods in the study area varied significantly as the season progressed. Pods with calves present were rarely recorded early in the season but dominated later in the season. A significant increase over years in larger groups may be related to social and behavioral changes as the population expands. The data indicate that Hervey Bay is important to immature males and females early in the season, to mature males and females in mid-season, and to mother-calf pairs (either alone or with escorts) in mid-to-late season. Key words: humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, Hervey Bay,Australia, social behavior, pod size, pod composition. Regards, Trish and Wally Franklin .................................................................................................................. Trish & Wally Franklin The Oceania Project PO Box 646 Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia ABN 73 052 470 630 ACN 052 470 630 Phone: + 61 2 6685 8128 Mobile: 0418 797 326 Skype: oceania.org.au Email: trish.wally at oceania.org.au Web: The Oceania Project iWhales.org The Oceania Project | YouTube The Oceania Project | Facebook Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rwadsworth at alaska.edu Wed Jul 20 12:33:19 2011 From: rwadsworth at alaska.edu (Rachael Wadsworth) Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:33:19 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Survey: Rate Ecosystem Health Research Priorities for Aleutian Islands Message-ID: Dear MarMam community, This email is being sent to people that may have an interest in the marine ecosystem of the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska. We apologize if you have already received this email through another email distribution list. This is an opportunity to rate ocean research priorities for Ecosystem Health in the Aleutian Island Region. Research priorities were suggested by stakeholders in an initial scoping process for an Aleutian Island Regional Marine Research Plan. Now, as the project is finalized, researchers are requesting participation from a broad range of interest groups to help assign importance scores to research categories and specific research/information projects. Your survey participation provides valuable feedback that could be used as a foundation for future ecosystem-based management plans. Please respond by *July 29, 2011*. Follow the link below, or copy/past the URL into your browser (please allow for approximately 30 minutes to complete this survey): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Ecosystem_Health Please contact the researchers below if you have questions regarding this project. Sincerely, Rachael Wadsworth (Fisheries Graduate Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks Fisheries Division, rwadsworth at alaska.edu) Dr. Keith Criddle (Ted Stevens Distinguished Professor of Marine Policy, University of Alaska Fairbanks Fisheries Division, kcriddle at sfos.uaf.edu) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marinebrit at gmail.com Thu Jul 21 07:46:21 2011 From: marinebrit at gmail.com (Andrew Wright) Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:46:21 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Green Scrubby Research Message-ID: Hi all, I recall a presentation at a conference on (I think) DNA sampling through the use of a rough dish cleaning sponge (commonly known as a 'green scrubby') mounted on the end of a pole for collecting loose skin from the body of cetaceans. Does anyone know who was conducting this work and/or if it has been published yet? Apologies for cross-posting. Many thanks, Andrew -- Andrew Wright marinebrit at gmail.com NERI Aarhus University, Denmark -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From naguilarsoto at gmail.com Sat Jul 23 22:30:46 2011 From: naguilarsoto at gmail.com (Natacha Aguilar) Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:30:46 +1200 Subject: [MARMAM] Beaked whales virtual photoID catalog and papers In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear all, To improve re-sightings of beaked whales and support public involvement in research we have created the open tool www.cetabase.info The database is open to anybody who want to use it for their own research or to collaborate with others. All users can see all photos, but each user can only modify the data corresponding to his/her account. You need to accept the legal terms of use (i.e. to respect the property of the information of others) before accessing the database. If you want to use the photos for something else than enjoyment, you need to ask for permit to the user who loaded them in the database. You don't need to register to see the photos in the database, but if you want access to the analysis tools of the database you need to create an account and log in with it. Your data is completely safe and associated only to this database, which is maintained by University of La Laguna Other species in addition to beaked whales can be included. At the moment there are photos and sightings of Blainville's and Cuvier's beaked whales in the Canary Islands and these require a special format to include photos with markings from all over the body. If you want to enter dolphins, or sperm whales, the photo-page is set for the photoID needs of those species. The designer of the database is happy to donate his time for small changes if required, but if you want large re-formats to fit the database to your data you'd need to arrange it more seriously. The original language of the database is spanish, but it is translated to english and instructions of use are available in the page in both languages (although they still need some polishing, this is a work in progress) Hope you may find this tool useful. Please do not hesitate in contacting if you may require further information Best regards Natacha PD. There is a new paper on Blainville's beaked whale social communication sounds, Aguilar Soto, N., Johnson., M., Tyack., P., Arranz, P., Revelli, E., Marrero, J., Fais, A., Madsen, P. No shallow talk: deep social communication of Blainville?s beaked whales. Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00495.x Abstract Communicating animals must balance fitness benefits against the costs of signaling, such as increased predation risk. Cetaceans communicate mainly with sound and near-surface vocalizations can place signalers at risk from shallow-diving top-predators with acute hearing such as killer whales. Beaked whales are deep-divers living in small cohesive groups with little social defense from predation and little if anything is known about their acoustic communication. Here eight Blainville?s beaked whales were studied with suction-cup attached DTAGs to provide the first report on social communication as a function of diving behavior for any of the 21 ziphiid species. Tagged whales produced two novel signals with apparent communicative functions: i) fast series of ultrasonic FM clicks (rasps) were recorded from six individuals, and ii) harmonically rich short whistles with a mean fundamental frequency of 12kHz were recorded from one whale at up to 900m depth, the deepest whistles recorded from a marine mammal. Blainville?s were silent 80% of the time, whenever shallower than 170m depth and during the prolonged (19min) silent ascents from vocal dives. This behavior limits the ability of shallow-diving predators to track Blainville?s acoustically, providing a striking example of the evolutionary influence of the risk of predation on animal communication. You might be interested in a good compilation of DTAG papers on beaked whales. This can be found in the following web page (also bilingual and with some scientific divulgation articles in spanish) http://webpages.ull.es/users/cetaceos ********************** Natacha Aguilar Head Cetacean Research Line Dept. Animal Biology La Laguna University Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From B.J.Godley at exeter.ac.uk Tue Jul 26 07:28:39 2011 From: B.J.Godley at exeter.ac.uk (Godley, Brendan) Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:28:39 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Cetacean sightings and strandings in Cornwall Message-ID: <298090EB4920AF4EA276FB25E2CF14EA846E6D3F@EXCHMBS05.isad.isadroot.ex.ac.uk> Dear All We have recently had a paper accepted for JMBA on our local cetaceans. Unfortunately, the publisher, not the journal, fouled up after the proofs stage and put the wrong figures in. Although they will publish an erratum, the paper will never exist in its correct form, despite the miracle of online publishing. To help remedy this, we have prepared our own version which can be obtained from the lead author Stephen Pikesley (cc; S.K.Pikesley at exeter.ac.uk) Details follow. Best Brendan Stephen K. Pikesley, Mathew J. Witt, Tom Hardy, Jan Loveridge, Jeff Loveridge, Ruth Williams, Brendan J. Godley (2011) Cetacean sightings and strandings: evidence for spatial and temporal trends? Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK. Published online: 09 June 2011. DOI:10.1017/S0025315411000464 ABSTRACT Cetacean species and their habitats are under threat and effective marine management mitigation strategies require knowledge and understanding of cetacean ecology. This requires data that are challenging and expensive to obtain; incidental sightings/strandings data are potential underused resources. In this study, incidental cetacean sightings (n = 6631) and strandings (n = 1856) in coastal waters of Cornwall, southwest Britain (1991 to 2008) were analysed for evidence of spatial and temporal patterns or trends. Eighteen species were recorded sighted and/or stranded; key species were identified as bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). There were significant decreases in bottlenose dolphin sightings and pod size but an increase in harbour porpoise and minke whale sightings. Cetacean strandings showed a recent decrease over time although there was a significant positive trend in harbour porpoise strandings that correlated with sightings. Incidence of sightings and strandings were both greater on the south coast than the north coast. When Marine Tour Operator (MTO) data were analysed, distinct species-specific inshore and offshore habitat use was evident. With rigorous interrogation and editing, significant patterns and trends were gained from incidentally collected data, highlighting the importance of public engagement with such recording schemes and the potential of these underused resources. See a film detailing our work with Peruvian NGO Prodelphinus here: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1/0/OhtVmUJ6hkY See a film of our Kenya Fieldcourse here: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1 Dr. Brendan J. Godley Associate Professor in Conservation Biology Centre for Ecology & Conservation University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus TR10 9EZ, UK Tel: +44 1326 371 861 http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/cec/ http://uk.linkedin.com/in/brendangodley http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ Editor-in-Chief, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From christina at nammco.no Mon Jul 25 05:11:41 2011 From: christina at nammco.no (Christina Lockyer) Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:11:41 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop on Age Determination in Marine Mammals Message-ID: <7A7C563FC4B81B4AB314ACFE3959215A01375DD34EB5@itp-aspexch1.nett.local> Workshop on Age Determination in Marine Mammals with Emphasis on Monodontids, 26-27 November 2011 In conjunction with the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Tampa, Florida, 27 November - 2 December 2011. This is a call for presentations and abstracts to the 2-day international workshop being held on Saturday and Sunday, November 26-27, 2011 from 09:00 hr - 17:00 hr in Room 19 at the Tampa Convention Centre. Interested scientists are invited to submit an abstract to speak at the workshop. Priority will be given to those presentations focusing on new and innovative methods of age determination, inter-comparisons of different methods and validation of methods that have been successful in any species of marine mammal, or long-lived terrestrial mammal. The workshop is aimed at promoting discussion which will facilitate recommendations on the best methods for age determination appropriate for beluga and narwhal. It is envisaged that a special publication will be produced as a state of the art compendium on age determination in marine mammals with emphasis on monodontids. Relevant papers on other species can be included. This will be published in the NAMMCO Scientific Publications series. All presenters will be given up to 20 minutes, which includes time for questions. (Shorter presentations are also welcomed.) Abstract submissions should be in Word format, no longer than 300 words (excluding title and authors), and contain the primary author's full contact information and affiliation. Abstracts should follow the guidelines established for the Biennial Conference and must be submitted electronically to Aleta Hohn (monodontid.age.workshop at gmail.com) by September 30, 2011. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE REGISTER AT: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=3 There will be a registration fee for this symposium, which will be posted shortly. Contact Aleta Hohn (monodontid.age.workshop at gmail.com) for details. Dr Christina Lockyer, General Secretary North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission - NAMMCO P.O. Box 6453 Sykehusveien 21-23 N-9294 Troms? Norway Tel: +47 77687372 Fax: +47 77687374 Skype: nammco1 E-mail: christina.lockyer at nammco.no Website: www.nammco.no -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Brandon.Bassett at MyFWC.com Wed Jul 27 11:30:54 2011 From: Brandon.Bassett at MyFWC.com (Bassett, Brandon) Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:30:54 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop on Manatee Salvage and Necropsy Techniques Message-ID: <8B5AE15CFB74F04484510AEB4AFF09BF031CE93089@FWC-TLEX10.fwc.state.fl.us> Workshop on Manatee Salvage and Necropsy Techniques, 26 November 2011 Prior to the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 27 November - 2 December 2011. This workshop will focus on providing a comprehensive overview of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) established carcass salvage and necropsy program to participants interested in manatee stranding response and necropsy techniques. The workshop will provide new and well established stranding networks and institutions with the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform high quality manatee necropsies and determine cause of death based on gross anatomy. In addition, by providing FWC data collection and necropsy forms and instructing participants in FWC necropsy techniques, a goal is to promote standardized methods for data collection to aid in future data sharing and collaboration. The workshop will include three main presentations, as well as an overview of FWC manatee operations and data collection. The presentations will provide an open forum and questions from participants will be encouraged. * Field operations: Information on carcass recovery methods including specialized equipment to consider, as well as tools and techniques specific to necropsies performed in the field. * Manatee necropsy and anatomy: Established necropsy techniques to preserve the integrity of the carcass and evidence will be described. The presentation will also cover gross manatee anatomy. * FWC's cause of death categories: An explanation, examples, and key findings of each category will be presented. A manatee necropsy will be conducted after the workshop at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) in St. Petersburg (1300-1700 hrs). Although this additional activity is not considered part of the conference, workshop participants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Transportation plans for the afternoon session will be provided at a later date when we have a better idea of interest and number of participants for this activity. If you would like to register, please visit: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=10 Brandon Bassett Manatee Mortality Database Curator Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Phone - 727-893-2904 Fax - 727-893-2907 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Brandon.Southall at sea-inc.net Fri Jul 29 00:25:02 2011 From: Brandon.Southall at sea-inc.net (Brandon Southall) Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:25:02 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] Start of SOCAL-11 BRS project Message-ID: <4E32604E.3050301@sea-inc.net> MARMAM, We are about to kick off the most recent phase of our biological and behavioral response studies of marine mammals in southern California. SOCAL-11 is second field season of a multi-year (2010-2014) interdisciplinary study, more generally referred to as ?SOCAL-BRS? (Behavioral Response Study), of basic behavior and responses to controlled sound exposures in a variety of marine mammal species. The overall objective is to provide a better scientific basis for estimating risk and minimizing effects of active sonar for the U.S. Navy and regulatory agencies. SOCAL-BRS is part of a larger international collaboration to measure the impacts of noise marine mammals using opportunistic and experimental approaches (including controlled exposure experiments, or ?CEEs?). For more information on the project, please go to www.socal-brs.org. You can also find a simple public summary for SOCAL-11 at: http://www.sea-inc.net/resources/SOCAL11_summary.pdf. Finally, we will be posting blog updates from the field on our progress at: http://sea.typepad.com/ Thanks, Brandon Southall on behalf of the SOCAL-BRS team Brandon L. Southall, Ph.D. President, Senior Scientist, SEA, Inc. Research Associate, University of California, Santa Cruz 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 8, Aptos, CA 95003, USA 831.332.8744 (mobile); 831.661.5177 (office); 831.661.5178 (fax) Brandon.Southall at sea-inc.net; www.sea-inc.net From janiger at cox.net Fri Jul 29 08:29:47 2011 From: janiger at cox.net (David S. Janiger) Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:29:47 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] New Articles Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.20110729082947.0141fb30@pop.west.cox.net> Hi, All Here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. File sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Make all requests to: janiger at cox.net 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 cox.net djaniger at nhm.org Janiger Journals AGATHOS, E. ANDREAS; MING SHEN; MICHALIS KATSIBOULAS; PETROS KOUTSOUKOS and GEORGIA GLOUSTIANOU. ASAIO JOURNAL 57(4):328-332. 2011. In vivo calcification of glutaraldehyde-fixed cardiac valve and pericardium of Phoca groenlandica. 0.372 MB AGUSA, TETSURO; KUMIKO NOMURA; TAKASHI KUNITO; YASUMI ANAN; HISATO IWATA and SHINSUKE TANABE. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 63(5-12):489-499. 2011. Accumulation of trace elements in harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from Pangnirtung in the Baffin Island, Canada. 0.532 MB BARNETT, JAMES E. F.; NICHOLAS J. DAVISON; SUSAN M. THRONTON; PAUL RILEY; TAMARA COOPER and MARK E. WESSELS. JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 42(2):338-341. 2011. Systemic mucormycosis in a hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). 0.461 MB BRAND, LEONARD; MARIO URBINA; ARTHUR CHADWICK; THOMAS J. DEVRIES and RAUL ESPERANTE. JOURNAL OF SOUTH AMERICAN EARTH SCIENCES 31(4):414-425. 2011. A high resolution stratigraphic framework for the remarkable fossil cetacean assemblage of the Miocene/Pliocene Pisco Formation, Peru. 2.735 MB CABEZON, O.; A. J. HALL; C. VINCENT; M. PABON; I. GARCIA-BOCANEGRA; J. P. DUBEY and S. ALMERIA. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY 179(1-2):253-256. 2011. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in north-eastern Atlantic harbor seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). 0.149 MB CAMPHUYSEN, KEES (C.J.). LUTRA 54(1):39-47. 2011. Recent trends and spatial patterns in nearshore sightings of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Netherlands (Southern Bight, North Sea), 1990-2010. 0.874 MB CARVALHO, I.; C. BRITO; M. E. DOS SANTOS and H. C. ROSENBAUM. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 33(1):91-97. 2011. The waters of Sao Tome: A calving ground for West African humpback whales? 0.711 MB COLLINS, KYM T.; PAUL D. MCGREEVY; KATHRYN E. WHEATLEY and ROBERT G. HARCOURT. BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES 87(3):286-290. 2011. The influence of behavioural context on Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) airborne mother-pup vocalisation. 0.359 MB CONSTANTINO, PAUL J.; J.-W. LEE; DYLAN MORRIS; PETER W. LUCAS; ADAM HARTSTONE-ROSE; WAH-KEAT LEE; NATHANIEL J. DOMINY; ANDREW CUNNINGHAM; MARK WAGNER and BRIAN R. LAWN. JOURNAL OF HUMAN EVOLUTION 61(1):89-96. 2011. Adaptation to hard-object feeding in sea otters and hominins. 0.524 MB CRONIN, M. A. MARINE POLICY 35(6):748-755. 2011. The conservation of seals in Irish waters: How research informs policy. 0.398 MB CUBERO-PARDO, PRISCILLA; CARL DONOVAN and JORGE URBAN-RAMIREZ. AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 21(5):433-447. 2011. A proposal to define vulnerability of cetacean areas to human development: Variables and analysis procedures applied to the Gulf of California. 1.430 MB DENUNCIO, PABLO; RICARDO BASTIDA; MARIELA DASSIS; GISELA GIARDINO; MARCELA GERPE and DIEGO RODRIGUEZ. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 62(8):1836-1841. 2011. Plastic ingestion in Franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844), from Argentina. 0.434 MB DONIOL-VALCROZE, THOMAS; VERONIQUE LESAGE; JANIE GIARD and ROBERT MICHAUD. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY 22(4):880-888. 2011. Optimal foraging theory predicts diving and feeding strategies of the largest marine predator. 0.524 MB ERLACHER-REID, CLAIRE; CARMEN M. H. COLITZ; KEN ABRAMS; AINSLEY SMITH and ALLISON D. TUTTLE. JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 42(2):300-303. 2011. Bilateral ocular abnormalities in a wild stranded harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) suggestive of anterior segment dysgenesis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. 0.300 MB FISH, FRANK E.; PAUL W. WEBER; MARK M. MURRAY and LAURENS E. HOWLE. INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY 51(1):203-213. 2011. The tubercles on humpback whales' flippers: Application of bio-inspired technology. 0.405 MB FURY, CHRISTINE A. and PETER L. HARRISON. ESTUARINE, COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE 93(4):389-395. 2011. Seasonal variation and tidal influences on estuarine use by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). 0.584 MB GALATIUS, ANDERS; RUNE DIETZ; FRANK F. RIGET; CHRISTIAN SONNE; CARL CHRISTIAN KINZE; CHRISTINA LOCKYER and ROSSANA BOSSI. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 62(7):1476-1483. 2011. Temporal and life history related trends of perfluorochemicals in harbor porpoises from the Danish North Sea. 0.628 MB GILLESPIE, A.; E. BURGESS; J. LANYON and H. OWEN. AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL 89(7):276-278. 2011. Small intestinal volvulus in a free-ranging female dugong (Dugong dugon). 0.477 MB GOLDMAN, CINTHIA G.; MARIO J. MATTEO; JULIO D. LOUREIRO; MARISA ALMUZARA; CLAUDIA BARBERIS; CARLOS VAY; MARIANA CATALANO; SERGIO RODRIGUEZ HEREDIA; PAULA MANTERO; JOSE R. BOCCIO; MARCELA B. ZUBILLAGA; GRACIELA A. CREMASCHI; JAY V. SOLNICK; GUILLERMO I. PEREZ-PEREZ and MARTIN J. BLASER. VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY 152(1-2):138-145. 2011. Novel gastric helicobacters and oral campylobacters are present in captive and wild cetaceans. 0.502 MB GOMEZ-CAMPOS, E.; A. BORRELL and A. AGUILAR. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 405(1-2):18-24. 2011. Assessment of nutritional condition indices across reproductive states in the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). 0.724 MB GREENE, WHITNEY E.; KELLY MELILLO-SWEETING and KATHLEEN M. DUDZINSKI. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY 24(3):292-306. 2011. Comparing object play in captive and wild dolphins. 0.116 MB GREIG, DENISE J.; GINA M. YLITALO; ELIZABETH A. WHEELER; DARYLE BOYD; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; GLADYS K. YANAGIDA; JAMES T. HARVEY and AILSA J. HALL. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 409(18):3537-3547. 2011. Geography and stage of development affect persistent organic pollutants in stranded and wild-caught harbor seal pups from central California. 1.552 MB HILL, HEATHER M. M.; MARIELLE S. KAHN; LUCAS J. BRILLIOTT; BRIANA M. ROBERTS and CHRISTIE GUTIERREZ. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY 24(3):235-243. 2011. Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) bubble bursts: Surprise, protection, or play? 0.262 MB HIRAKAWA, SHUSAKU; DAISUKE IMAEDA; KEI NAKAYAMA; MASAYUKI UDAKA; EUN-YOUNG KIM; TATSUYA KUNISUE; MASAKO OGAWA; TOMONARI MATSUDA; SABURO MATSUI; EVGENY A. PETROV; VALERIY B. BATOEV; SHINSUKE TANABE and HISATO IWATA. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM) 105(1-2):88-99. 2011. Integrative assessment of potential effects of dioxins and related compounds in wild Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica): Application of microarray and biochemical analyses. 0.476 MB HOFFMAN, JOSEPH I. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES 11(4):703-710. 2011. Gene discovery in the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) skin transcriptome. 0.393 MB HUANG, HSIANG-WEN. MARINE POLICY 35(5):712-720. 2011. Bycatch of high sea longline fisheries and measures taken by Taiwan: Actions and challenges. 0.929 MB INIGUEZ, ALENA M.; VITOR L. CARVALHO; MONICA R. ALVES MOTTA; DIANA C. SOUSA NUNES PINHEIRO and ANA C. PAULO VICENTE. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY 178(3-4):293-299. 2011. Genetic analysis of Anisakis typica (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from cetaceans of the northeast coast of Brazil: New data on its definitive hosts. 0.478 MB ISOBE, TOMOHIKO; TOMOKO OSHIHOI; HIROKI HAMADA; KEI NAKAYAMA; TADASU K. YAMADA; YUKO TAJIMA; MASAO AMANO and SHINSUKE TANABE. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 63(5-12):564-571. 2011. Contamination status of POPs and BFRs and relationship with parasitic infection in finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Seto Inland Sea and Omura Bay, Japan. 0.493 MB ITOH, YASUTO; KEIJI TAKEMURA; TOSHIO NAKAMURA; SHIN HASEGAWA and HIDEKI TAKADA. GEOARCHAEOLOGY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL 26(4):461-478. 2011. Paleoenvironmental analysis of the Mawaki archaeological site, central Japan, in relation to the stratigraphic position of dolphin bones. 0.712 MB JOHANNESSEN, OLA M. and MARTIN W. MILES. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 11(1):S239-S248. 2011. Critical vulnerabilities of marine and sea ice-based ecosystems in the high Arctic. 0.683 MB KAKUSCHKE, ANTJE; ELIZABETH VALENTINE-THON; SIMONE GRIESEL; SONJA FONFARA; URSULA SIEBERT and ANDREAS PRANGE. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 62(8):1891-1894. 2011. Are metal-induced hypersensitivities in harbor seals associated with liver function? 0.219 MB LAILSON-BRITO, JOSE; PAULO RENATO DORNELES; CLAUDIO EDUARDO AZEVEDO-SILVA; ALEXANDRE DE FREITAS AZEVEDO; LARA GAMA VIDAL; JULIANA MARIGO; CAROLINA BERTOZZI; REGINA CELIA ZANELATTO; TATIANA LEMOS BISI; OLAF MALM and JOAO PAULO MACHADO TORRES. CHEMOSPHERE 84(7):882-887. 2011. Organochlorine concentrations in franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Brazilian waters. 0.409 MB LEONARDI, M. S.; M. F. GRANDI; N. A. GARCIA; G. SVENDSEN; M. A. ROMERO; R. GONZALEZ and E. A. CRESPO. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 33(1):177-179. 2011. A stranding of Balaenoptera borealis (Lesson 1828) from Patagonia, Argentina, with notes on parasite infestation and diet. 0.331 MB LOIZAGA DE CASTRO, ROCIO; M. SOLEDAD LEONARDI; M. FLORENCIA GRANDI; NESTOR A. GARCIA and ENRIQUE A. CRESPO. MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY: ZEITSCHRIFT FUER SAUGETIERKUNDE 76(4):521-524. 2011. Far from home: Record of a vagrant striped dolphin in Patagonia with notes on diet, parasites and age determination. 0.192 MB LOWTHER, ANDREW D. and SIMON D. GOLDSWORTHY. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 59(1):54-62. 2011. Maternal strategies of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) at Dangerous Reef, South Australia. 0.451 MB MCGOWEN, MICHAEL R. MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION 60(3):345-357. 2011. Toward the resolution of an explosive radiation - A multilocus phylogeny of oceanic dolphins (Delphinidae). 0.661 MB MCKINNEY, MELISSA A.; RUNE DIETZ; CHRISTIAN SONNE; SYLVAIN DE GUISE; KARL SKIRNISSON; KARL KARLSSON; EGILL STEINGRIMSSON and ROBERT J. LETCHER. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 30(7):1506-1514. 2011. Comparative hepatic microsomal biotransformation of selected PBDES, including decabromodiphenyl ether, and decabromodiphenyl ethane flame retardants in Arctic marine-feeding mammals. 0.433 MB MELLISH, JO-ANN E.; ALLYSON G. HINDLE and MARKUS HORNING. ZOOLOGY (JENA) 114(3):177-183. 2011. Health and condition in the adult Weddell seal of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. 0.476 MB MINTON, GIANNA; TIM COLLINS; KEN FINDLAY and ROBERT BALDWIN. JOURNAL OF CETACEAN RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT 11(3):301-313. 2010. Cetacean distribution in the coastal waters of the Sultanate of Oman. 0.410 MB MOHAMMAD, BASHAR and RONALD MCHUGH. IEEE JOURNAL OF OCEANIC ENGINEERING 36(3):431-440. 2011. Automatic detection and characterization of dispersive North Atlantic right whale upcalls recorded in a shallow-water environment using a region-based active contour model. 1.080 MB MOORE, MICHAEL JOHN; TERRENCE HAMMAR; JULIE ARRUDA; SCOTT CRAMER; SOPHIE DENNISON; ERIC MONTIE and ANDREAS FAHLMAN. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 214(14):2390-2397. 2011. Hyperbaric computed tomographic measurement of lung compression in seals and dolphins. 0.421 MB NORMAN, STEPHANIE A.; MICHAEL M. GARNER; SUSAN BERTA; SANDRA DUBPERNELL and MATTHEW KLOPE. JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 42(2):335-337. 2011. Vaginal calculi in a juvenile harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). 0.266 MB OKKONEN, STEPHEN R.; CARIN J. ASHJIAN; ROBERT G. CAMPBELL; JANET T. CLARKE; SUE E. MOORE and KEVIN D. TAYLOR. REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT 115(8):2168-2174. 2011. Satellite observations of circulation features associated with a bowhead whale feeding 'hotspot' near Barrow, Alaska. 1.807 MB OWEN, MEGAN A. and ANN E. BOWLES. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGY 24(3):244-254. 2011. In-air auditory psychophysics and the management of a threatened carnivore, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). 0.062 MB PACINI, AUDE F.; PAUL E. NACHTIGALL; CHRISTOPHER T. QUINTOS; T. DAVID SCHOFIELD; DERA A. LOOK; GREGG A. LEVINE and JASON P. TURNER. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 214(14):2409-2415. 2011. Audiogram of a stranded Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) measured using auditory evoked potentials. 0.978 MB PEARSON, HEIDI C. EVOLUTIONARY ANTHROPOLOGY 20(3):85-95. 2011. Sociability of female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Understanding evolutionary pathways toward social convergence. 0.444 MB PEREZ, SERGI; ANGEL GARCIA-LOPEZ; RENAUD DE STEPHANIS; JOAN GIMENEZ; SUSANA GARCIA-TISCAR; PHILIPPE VERBORGH; JUAN MIGUEL MANCERA and GONZALO MARTINEZ-RODRIGUEZ. MARINE BIOLOGY (BERLIN) 158(7):1677-1680. 2011. Use of blubber levels of progesterone to determine pregnancy in free-ranging live cetaceans. 0.230 MB POMEROY, P. ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE 124(3-4):184-193. 2011. Reproductive cycles of marine mammals. 0.169 MB PRAHL, SUSANNE; PAUL D. JEPSON; MARCOS SANCHEZ-HANKE; ROB DEAVILLE and URSULA SIEBERT. MYCOSES 54(4):E260-E264. 2011. Aspergillosis in the middle ear of a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): A case report. 0.382 MB RIESCH, RUEDIGER and VOLKER B. DEECKE. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 65(7):1377-1387. 2011. Whistle communication in mammal-eating killer whales (Orcinus orca): Further evidence for acoustic divergence between ecotypes. 0.314 MB ROBECK, T. R.; S. A. GEARHART; K. J. STEINMAN; E. KATSUMATA; J. D. LOUREIRO and J. K. O'BRIEN. THERIOGENOLOGY 76(2):267-279. 2011. In vitro sperm characterization and development of a sperm cryopreservation method using directional solidification in the killer whale (Orcinus orca). 1.066 MB ROQUET, FABIEN; JEAN-BENOIT CHARRASSIN; STEPHANE MARCHAND; LARS BOEHME; MIKE FEDAK; GILLES REVERDIN and CHRISTOPHE GUINET. JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY 28(6):787-801. 2011. Delayed-mode calibration of hydrographic data obtained from animal-borne satellite relay data loggers. 1.562 MB ROSSO, M.; M. BALLARDINI; A. MOULINS and M. WURTZ. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 33(1):45-57. 2011. Natural markings of Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris in the Mediterranean Sea. 0.381 MB SAVINOV, VLADIMIR; DEREK C. G. MUIR; VLADISLAV SVETOCHEV; OLGA SVETOCHEVA; STANISLAV BELIKOV; ANDREY BOLTUNOV; LUDMILA ALEKSEEVA; LARS-OTTO REIERSEN and TATIANA SAVINOVA. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 409(14):2734-2745. 2011. Persistent organic pollutants in ringed seals from the Russian Arctic. 1.021 MB SEGAWA, TAKAO; TAKUYA ITOU; MIWA SUZUKI; TADAAKI MORITOMO; TERUYUKI NAKANISHI and TAKEO SAKAI. RESULTS IN IMMUNOLOGY 1(1):1-5. 2011. Hematopoietic cell populations in dolphin bone marrow: Analysis of colony formation and differentiation. 0.724 MB SEGUEL, M.; E. PAREDES; H. PAVES; R. MOLINA; F. HENRIQUEZ; F. DE GROOTE and R. SCHLATTER. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY 145(2-3):308-317. 2011. Pathological findings in South American fur seal pups (Arctocephalus australis gracilis) found Dead at Guafo Island, Chile. 2.008 MB SHANI, YANIV; MARIE CHRISTINE CEPICKA and NADAV SHASHAR. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC PSYCHOLOGY 32(3):418-424. 2011. Keeping up with the Joneses: Dolphins' search knowledge for knowledge's sake. 0.206 MB SIROVIC, ANA and JOHN A. HILDEBRAND. DEEP SEA RESEARCH PART II: TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY 58(13-16):1719-1728. 2011. Using passive acoustics to model blue whale habitat off the Western Antarctic Peninsula. 1.224 MB SMOUT, SOPHIE; RUTH KING and PATRICK POMEROY. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL STATISTICS 18(2):331-347. 2011. Estimating demographic parameters for capture-recapture data in the presence of multiple mark types. 0.230 MB STANTON, MARGARET A.; QUINCY A. GIBSON and JANET MANN. ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 82(2):405-412. 2011. When mum's away: A study of mother and calf ego networks during separations in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). 0.607 MB SUNDEEP, S. and V. CLEEVE. JOURNAL OF INFECTION 63(1):86-88. 2011. Isolation of Bisgaardia hudsonensis from a seal bite. Case report and review of the literature on seal finger. 0.142 MB TIFT, MICHAEL S.; DORIAN S. HOUSER and DANIEL E. CROCKER. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY PART B: BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 159(4):214-219. 2011. High-density lipoprotein remains elevated despite reductions in total cholesterol in fasting adult male elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). 0.318 MB VENN-WATSON, STEPHANIE; CYNTHIA R. SMITH; FORREST GOMEZ and ERIC D. JENSEN. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B BIOCHEMICAL, SYSTEMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY 181(5):667-680. 2011. Physiology of aging among healthy, older bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Comparisons with aging humans. 0.442 MB VERRIER, DELPHINE; CHRISTOPHE GUINET; MATTHIEU AUTHIER; YANN TREMBLAY; SCOTT SHAFFER; DANIEL P. COSTA; RENE GROSCOLAS and JOHN P. Y. ARNOULD. FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY 25(4):818-828. 2011. The ontogeny of diving abilities in subantarctic fur seal pups: Developmental trade-off in response to extreme fasting? 0.348 MB VISCARRA, JOSE A.; CORY D. CHAMPAGNE; DANIEL E. CROCKER and RUDY M. ORTIZ. JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY 209(3):317-325. 2011. 5 ' AMP-activated protein kinase activity is increased in adipose tissue of northern elephant seal pups during prolonged fasting-induced insulin resistance. 0.193 MB WANG, JOHN Y. and SHIH CHU YANG. MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE 27(3):652-658. 2011. Notes Evidence for year-round occurrence of the eastern Taiwan Strait Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the waters of western Taiwan. 0.180 MB WEIR, C. R. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 33(1):1-15. 2011. Distribution and seasonality of cetaceans in tropical waters between Angola and the Gulf of Guinea. 0.864 MB WELLEHAN, JR., JAMES F. X.; REBECCA RIVERA; LINDA L. ARCHER; CELESTE BENHAM; JENNIFER K. MULLER; KATHLEEN M. COLEGROVE; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; JUDY A. ST. LEGER; STEPHANIE K. VENN-WATSON and HENDRIK H. NOLLENS. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 11(5):987-996. 2011. Characterization of California sea lion polyomavirus 1: Expansion of the known host range of the Polyomaviridae to Carnivora. 0.985 MB WIRSING, AARON J.; MICHAEL R. HEITHAUS and LAWRENCE M. DILL. OIKOS 120(7):1005-1012. 2011. Predator-induced modifications to diving behavior vary with foraging mode. 0.393 MB From kylie.owen3 at optusnet.com.au Tue Jul 26 06:12:43 2011 From: kylie.owen3 at optusnet.com.au (kylie.owen3 at optusnet.com.au) Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:12:43 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] VOLUNTEER REQUIRED FOR A FINE SCALE FEEDING BEHAVIOUR PROJECT ON HUMPBACK WHALES IN AUSTRALIA Message-ID: <201107261312.p6QDChHC021941@mail08.syd.optusnet.com.au> An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: not available URL: From orcaspirit_ at hotmail.com Mon Jul 25 00:50:50 2011 From: orcaspirit_ at hotmail.com (Katie H) Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:50:50 +1200 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteers Needed in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand Message-ID: Volunteers Needed in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand Wanted: Two enthusiastic and reliable volunteers are required to assist me in the field as I begin my PhD study on marine mammal habitat use in Admiralty Bay, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. In addition to dusky dolphins, the proposed study will also look at the use of habitat within Admiralty Bay by other cetacean species, particularly bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and common dolphins (Delphinus spp.), with scope to include other cetacean species, New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) and seabirds. This would benefit anyone who wants experience in working with boats, theodolites, photo-ID work and marine mammal and bird observation. Ideally however, the volunteers will have had some experience in some of these areas already. Duties will include assistance in the field for data collection, entry and logistical support. This years? field season is from 1 September - 30 November 2011, and while volunteers don?t have to be available the whole time, they need to be able to commit to a minimum of a continuous 4-6 week block. For more information on the French Pass area go to http://www.frenchpass.com/. Provided: Food and board in French Pass, Marlborough Sounds will be provided in exchange for your assistance. Please note that this is volunteer work and you will not be paid, but you will gain valuable work experience in the above areas. What you need to provide: Your own transport at least as far as Nelson, Picton or Blenheim, New Zealand. Your own clothes and field gear e.g. warm clothing, sturdy shoes. Reliable assistance and a positive attitude while enduring long hours in the field. A good team spirit and communication skills are a must and good English language skills are helpful. What?s involved: This project involves data collection both by boat and theodolite work. Boat trips will only be day-trips (not overnight) and involve working along transect lines recording the locations of any dolphin groups observed. Environmental data and sightings of other cetaceans, pinnipeds and seabirds may also be recorded. When the run of the transect lines is complete, we will then attempt to re-locate any dolphin groups and take photographs for identification of individuals and limited behaviour work. Theodolite data will be recorded from a hilltop near the shoreline, and will require spending the day scanning the bay for dolphin groups and recording their position with a laptop computer connected to the theodolite. Applications Please apply to Katie Halliday via email at hallidkati at myvuw.ac.nz In your application please include a current CV and details of your availability during the above time period. Thank you for your interest. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rob.lott at wdcs.org Thu Jul 28 08:45:33 2011 From: rob.lott at wdcs.org (Rob Lott) Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:45:33 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New book: Whales and Dolphins: Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions. Message-ID: Dear List Members, This new publication may be of interest to MARMAMers. Whales and Dolphins Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions Edited By Philippa Brakes and Mark Peter Simmonds This is a must have for every keen marine mammal enthusiast and scholar. Via a series of concise chapters, in three carefully themed sections, this innovative and very readable book brings together experts in cetacean research and allied topics, to provide authoritative descriptions of our current knowledge of the complex behaviour and social organization of whales and dolphins. This information is considered in the context of how different human cultures from around the world view cetaceans and their protection, including current attitudes to whaling. In its concluding section, the authors and editors consider how the new information on issues such as cetacean intelligence, culture and the ability to suffer, warrants a significant shift in global perceptions of this group of animals and how these changes might be facilitated to improve conservation and welfare approaches. Contributors include Hal Whitehead, Lori Marino, Stuart Harrop, Richard Cowan (previously the UK Commissioner to the IWC), Miguel Iniguez, Erich Hoyt and many other significant figures in the sphere of marine mammal conservation and management. Contents 1. Why Whales, Why Now? PART I Whales in Human Cultures 2. Impressions: Whales and Human Relationships in Myth, Tradition, and Law 3. Whales of the Pacific 4. Whales in Latin America 5. Whales and the USA 6. Whales in the Balance: To Touch or To Kill? A View of Caribbean Attitudes toward Whales 7. The British and the Whales 8. Whales in Norway 9. Of Whales, Whaling and Whale Watching in Japan: a Conversation 10. A Contemporary View of the International Whaling Commission PART II The Nature of Whales and Dolphins 11. The Nature of Whales and Dolphins 12. Brain Structure and Intelligence in Cetaceans 13. Communication 14. Lessons from Dolphins 15. Highly Interactive Behaviour of Inquisitive Dwarf Minke Whales. 16. The Cultures of Whales and Dolphins Part III New Insights; New Challenges 17. Whales and Dolphins on a Rapidly Changing Planet 18. From Conservation to Protection: Charting a New Conservation Ethic for Cetaceans 19. What is it Like to be a Dolphin? 20. Thinking Whales and Dolphins 21. Acknowledgements 22. Authors' Biographies Here is what Jane Goodall, who provided a preface for the book, says about it: 'Whales and Dolphin: Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions is a very important book. It makes a compelling case for scientists, conservationists and animal welfare groups to combine to develop a new approach to the conservation of cetaceans.' Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute (Arlington, VA, USA), UN Messenger of Peace (www.janegoodall.org) Ordering information. Available from Amazon and, in the UK, the WDCS online store. http://www.amazon.com/Whales-Dolphins-Cognition-Conservation-Perceptions/dp/1849712255/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1311861746&sr=8-1 http://www.wdcsshop.org/books/whales-and-dolphins/521/ Best regards, Rob Lott Policy Manager WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Website: http://www.wdcs.org WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment. Please consider the environment before printing this email. WDCS Brookfield House 38 St Paul Street Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 1LJ T: 01249 449 547 F: 01249 449 501 rob.lott at wdcs.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mauvis.gore.mci at gmail.com Wed Jul 27 10:11:01 2011 From: mauvis.gore.mci at gmail.com (Mauvis Gore) Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:11:01 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Green Scrubby Research In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4E3046A5.4040601@gmail.com> Hi Andrew, We are trying it out for basking sharks which involves collecting some of the mucous on the surface of the shark as it swims by. Les Noble at Aberdeen Uni was working on the DNA extraction but not published as yet as far as I know. best wishes Mauvis On 21/07/2011 15:46, Andrew Wright wrote: > Hi all, > > I recall a presentation at a conference on (I think) DNA sampling > through the use of a rough dish cleaning sponge (commonly known as a > 'green scrubby') mounted on the end of a pole for collecting loose > skin from the body of cetaceans. Does anyone know who was conducting > this work and/or if it has been published yet? > > Apologies for cross-posting. > > Many thanks, > > Andrew > > -- > Andrew Wright > marinebrit at gmail.com > > NERI > Aarhus University, > Denmark > > > _______________________________________________ > MARMAM mailing list > MARMAM at lists.uvic.ca > https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam -- Dr. Mauvis Gore Marine Conservation International 5 Lang Rigg, Flat 6 South Queensferry EH30 9WN U.K. Tel: +44 131 319 1042 email: mauvis.gore.mci at gmail.com mauvisgore at netscape.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Sara.Heimlich at noaa.gov Mon Jul 25 16:55:43 2011 From: Sara.Heimlich at noaa.gov (sara.heimlich) Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:55:43 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] DCLDE workshop update! Message-ID: <4E2E027F.4060007@noaa.gov> The 5th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics at Timberline Lodge near Portland, Oregon, August 22-25, is quickly approaching! Don't hesitate much longer to register and arrange your accommodations: the tourist season is nearing its peak and accommodations both at Timberline Lodge and elsewhere on Mount Hood and nearby environs are soon going to be difficult to find. The block of rooms at Timberline Lodge that were set aside for this conference have now been released to the public and are likely to disappear, fast. Online registration will remain open through the first few days of the workshop. On-site registration will be also be available. Don't forget there are two great tutorials offered Iimmediately preceding the workshop, on Aug. 21: Introduction to Detection, Classification, and Localization (DCL) and Introduction to Density Estimation (DE). The last day (Aug. 25) will be a session on acoustic line- and point-transect density estimation (Distance Sampling), organized by Jay Barlow. For full details, visit http://www.bioacoustics.us/dcl.html -- Sara Heimlich CIMRS/OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Newport, OR. 97365 (541) 867-0328 office (541) 961-1737 cell -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: sara_heimlich.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 161 bytes Desc: not available URL: From lmaycollado at gmail.com Fri Jul 29 16:53:51 2011 From: lmaycollado at gmail.com (Laura J. May-Collado) Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:53:51 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] new paper on cetacean conservation Message-ID: We would like to share with the marmam community our latest paper on marine mammal conservation based on a phylogenetic analysis. The paper can be freely downloaded at: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0022562 For those that might be interested here is the abstract of the paper. Phylogenetic Analysis of Conservation Priorities for Aquatic Mammals and Their Terrestrial Relatives, with a Comparison of Methods Laura J. May-Collado1 ,2 * , Ingi Agnarsson1 *1* Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, *2*Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America Abstract Background Habitat loss and overexploitation are among the primary factors threatening populations of many mammal species. Recently, aquatic mammals have been highlighted as particularly vulnerable. Here we test (1) if aquatic mammals emerge as more phylogenetically urgent conservation priorities than their terrestrial relatives, and (2) if high priority species are receiving sufficient conservation effort. We also compare results among some phylogenetic conservation methods. Methodology/Principal Findings A phylogenetic analysis of conservation priorities for all 620 species of Cetartiodactyla and Carnivora, including most aquatic mammals. Conservation priority ranking of aquatic versus terrestrial species is approximately proportional to their diversity. However, nearly all obligated freshwater cetartiodactylans are among the top conservation priority species. Further, ~74% and 40% of fully aquatic cetartiodactylans and carnivores, respectively, are either threatened or data deficient, more so than their terrestrial relatives. Strikingly, only 3% of all ?high priority? species are thought to be stable. An overwhelming 97% of these species thus either show decreasing population trends (87%) or are insufficiently known (10%). Furthermore, a disproportional number of highly evolutionarily distinct species are experiencing population decline, thus, such species should be closely monitored even if not currently threatened. Comparison among methods reveals that exact species ranking differs considerably among methods, nevertheless, most top priority species consistently rank high under any method. While we here favor one approach, we also suggest that a consensus approach may be useful when methods disagree. Conclusions/Significance These results reinforce prior findings, suggesting there is an urgent need to gather basic conservation data for aquatic mammals, and special conservation focus is needed on those confined to freshwater. That evolutionarily distinct?and thus ?biodiverse??species are faring relatively poorly is alarming and requires further study. Our results offer a detailed guide to phylogeny-based conservation prioritization for these two orders. *Citation: *May-Collado LJ, Agnarsson I (2011) Phylogenetic Analysis of Conservation Priorities for Aquatic Mammals and Their Terrestrial Relatives, with a Comparison of Methods. PLoS ONE 6(7): e22562. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022562 -- Laura J. May-Collado, Ph.D. Associate Researcher & Adjunct Professor Universidad de Puerto Rico Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Departmento de Biologia University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras POBox 70377 Puerto Rico, 00936-8377 Office CN326 Phone:1-787-7640000 Ext2584 Email: lmaycollado at gmail.com Personal Home Page: LAURAMAY-COLLADO.COM Affiliate Assistant Professor Department of Environmental Science & Policy; George Mason University -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From simo.pani at inwind.it Sun Jul 31 03:07:36 2011 From: simo.pani at inwind.it (Simone Panigada) Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:07:36 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] PLos ONE paper Message-ID: Hi everybody, the following paper has been published on PLos ONE and can be downloaded from the following web page: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0022878 All the best, Simone Panigada Monitoring Winter and Summer Abundance of Cetaceans in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea) Through Aerial Surveys Simone Panigada, Giancarlo Lauriano, Louise Burt, Nino Pierantonio, Greg Donovan Abstract Systematic long-term monitoring of abundance is essential to inform conservation measures and evaluate their effectiveness. To instigate such work in the Pelagos Sanctuary in the Mediterranean, two aerial surveys were conducted in winter and summer 2009. A total of 467 (131 in winter, 336 in summer) sightings of 7 species was made. Sample sizes were sufficient to estimate abundance of fin whales in summer (148; 95% CI = 87?254) and striped dolphins in winter (19,462; 95% CI = 12 939?29 273) and in summer (38 488; 95% CI = 27 447?53 968). Numbers of animals within the Sanctuary are significantly higher in summer, when human activities and thus potential population level impacts are highest. Comparisons with data from past shipboard surveys suggest an appreciable decrease in fin whales within the Sanctuary area and an appreciable increase in striped dolphins. Aerial surveys proved to be more efficient than ship surveys, allowing more robust estimates, with smaller CIs and CVs. These results provide essential baseline data for this marine protected area and continued regular surveys will allow the effectiveness of the MPA in terms of cetacean conservation to be evaluated and inform future management measures. The collected data may also be crucial in assessing whether ship strikes, one of the main causes of death for fin whales in the Mediterranean, are affecting the Mediterranean population. ___________________________ Simone Panigada, Ph.D. Vice-President panigada at inwind.it Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy tel. +39 0272001947 / 0272013943 fax +39 0286995011 tethys at tethys.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marthajane_c at yahoo.com Sun Jul 24 05:11:23 2011 From: marthajane_c at yahoo.com (Marthajane Caldwell) Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 05:11:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [MARMAM] computer assisted dorsal fin matching software programs In-Reply-To: <1311195618.33235.YahooMailRC@web39320.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <1311195618.33235.YahooMailRC@web39320.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1311509483.51763.YahooMailNeo@web39313.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Greetings List Members, ? I am interested in computer assisted dorsal fin matching software programs.? Any information regarding the efficacy as well as pros and cons of such programs would be greatly appreciated. ? Please?contact me directly at marthajane_c at yahoo.com rather than replying to MARMAM. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request, Mj Caldwell ?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marthajane Caldwell, Ph.D., Marine Mammal Behavioral Ecology Studies, Inc. 8429 Cresthill Avenue Savannah, GA 31406 marthajane_c at yahoo.com 912-655-1765 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: