From atkinson at sfos.uaf.edu Tue Nov 1 16:49:00 2011 From: atkinson at sfos.uaf.edu (Shannon Atkinson) Date: Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:49:00 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] MMC workshop reopened for particpants Message-ID: <4EB0856C.10806@sfos.uaf.edu> Due to cancellations in the registrations, we would like to re-open the registration for a workshop on Marine Mammal Stress and research to be held on Saturday, November 26^th prior to at the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Tampa, FL. Please go to this website to sign up for this workshop: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=590&Itemid=336 Title: Effects of Stress on Marine Mammals Both technological advancements in stress measures and needed stress-related research are of keen interest to the marine mammal community as stress-related factors must be considered in surveys, experimental designs, data interpretations, regulatory decisions, and conservation efforts. The workshop will have two sessions where participants are invited to present their work.This is not mandatory, but is an opportunity for participants to obtain input and/or feedback on their research.In one session, we will have a limited number of 15 -- 20 minute presentations.In the other session, we will have up to 18 presentations that follow a rapid delivery format of 5 minutes each.If you are interested in making a presentation, I would like to request abstracts of no more than 250 words from you.The organizing committee will evaluate the abstracts and make selections to complete our agenda. Please let me know if you would like to be considered for one of the 15-20 minute presentations or for one of the 5 minute presentations. This workshop is organized by: Drs. Shannon Atkinson, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dan Crocker, Sonoma State University, Frances Gulland, The Marine Mammal Center, Dorian Houser, Biomimetica, and Michael Weise, Office of Naval Research. For more information contact Shannon Atkinson at atkinson at sfos.uaf.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Melissa.Andersen at noaa.gov Wed Nov 2 05:48:26 2011 From: Melissa.Andersen at noaa.gov (Melissa Andersen) Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:48:26 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Space remaining in Biennial Conference workshop - Viewing and Interacting with Wild Marine Mammals Message-ID: <4EB13C1A.8050805@noaa.gov> Due to cancellations in registrations, there is space remaining in the workshop, "Viewing and Interacting with Wild Marine Mammals", to be held on Sunday, November 27, prior to the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Tampa, FL. Registration can be completed through the SMM website at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=11 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. 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 akkayaaylin at yahoo.com Wed Nov 2 01:44:23 2011 From: akkayaaylin at yahoo.com (aylin akkaya) Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 01:44:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [MARMAM] Research assistants are needed on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Striat Message-ID: <1320223463.60448.YahooMailClassic@web161606.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> Dear Marmam readers, This is a second call for a behavioural project in the Istanbul Strait. I am seeking enthusiastic research assistants to help a PhD thesis on a behavioural study of dolphins in the?Istanbul?Strait. This is a project under the Istanbul University-Turkey. The project aims to determine the critical habitats and investigate the?interactions between cetaceans and marine traffic. In the Istanbul Strait, there are three different species of dolphins which are common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise. The strait is one of the narrowest straits in the world and has a vital importance on the international marine transportation (around 50.000 transit ships uses this passage annually). During the project, theodolite will be used for the purpose of determining the travel speed and diving interval as well as the distance between the dolphins and vessels. Moreover we will collect various behavioural data. Computer based photo-id studies will also be carried out. The research assistants will have the opportunity to take part in data collection during the land and boat based fieldwork in the Istanbul Strait.?Research assistants should be prepared to long working days in the field under the hot and cold weathers. And of course there will be days that we see no dolphins around so patient personality is needed. ?The field work will take 2-3 days in a week and office work will take a day. So you will have heaps of time for seeing around in Turkey as well. ? Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from?Istanbul-Turkey. I know most of the students are short of money but applicants should contribute 400$ to the project. Commitment is required for a period of 2 months. ? Successful applicants will: - be able to live and work with others in a team - be available for at least 2 months -and most important should have a strong desire to work with marine mammals under the difficult conditions. ? This project provides an excellent opportunity for students and individuals interested in getting more experience in the field of marine mammal research. ? Applicants should send a short email introducing themselves to?akkayaaylin at yahoo.com.? The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project. Please also attach a brief CV.? ? There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Start and end dates are flexible. ? All the best, Aylin AKKAYA ? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From vlounsbury at aqua.org Tue Nov 1 06:04:49 2011 From: vlounsbury at aqua.org (Lounsbury, Valerie) Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2011 09:04:49 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammals Ashore 2005 - Limited supply still available Message-ID: <720018890864C84DB455A9DF65D6A9415C334EBF6A@exchmb01.Aqua.local> Marine Mammals Ashore: A Field Guide for Strandings, 2005 edition -- Limited supply available for $25 each + shipping and handling (details below) Marine Mammals Ashore: A Field Guide for Strandings, 2nd edition (J.R. Geraci and V.J. Lounsbury) was published in 2005 by the National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The price, including shipping and handling, is as follows: U.S. or Canada - $33 (2-5 days); other countries - $43 (6-14 days). Bulk orders ($250 per box of 12 plus shipping and handling) are also available. You can find more information and a link to the order form at http://www.aqua.org/research_marinemammalsashore.html or contact Valerie Lounsbury at vlounsbury at aqua.org. Best regards, Valerie Lounsbury Science Resource Manager National Aquarium 501 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202-3194 410-576-1080 (fax) vlounsbury at aqua.org ________________________________ Important Notice: This electronic mail transmission may contain confidential or privileged information. As such, if you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by reply transmission and delete the message without copying or disclosing it. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From manateemayhem at gmail.com Wed Nov 2 22:56:35 2011 From: manateemayhem at gmail.com (Manatee Mayhem) Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 19:56:35 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Manatee Mayhem Student Fundraiser Updates Message-ID: Greetings Potential Conference Goers- We are a few short weeks away from the conference and plans for the Manatee Mayhem Student Travel Fundraiser are in full swing. We have had to change the venue but the new location should prove to be even better than the original. We want to highlight a couple of new developments you may be interested in: 1. Our website is live and full of useful information regarding the fundraiser. Please visit it early and often. http://manateemayhem.weebly.com/index.html 2. We have designed some great shirts to raise money and commemorate the party and your generosity. 3. Due to popular demand we are going to sell tickets, raffle tickets and t-shirts in advance of the party. Visit the website and follow the link to buy tickets. Tickets and shirts can be picked up early in the conference. Details to follow on the webpage. 4. Lastly, there has been a challenge put forth to all of you to give more money for student travel. If we can get 30 people to donate $100 we will get an additional $300 from a donor. If we get 50 people, we get $500 more. All you senior scientists out there...dig deep. All $100 donors get entry to the party, 5 raffle tickets and a free drink! Details on the webpage. T-shirts and tickets are limited so buy early! f you have any questions email us at manateemayhem AT gmail.com or contact us through our blog. See you soon and thanks on behalf of all of the SMM's student members. Charles and Ari. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nrose at hsi.org Thu Nov 3 05:30:09 2011 From: nrose at hsi.org (Naomi Rose) Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 08:30:09 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Response to the International Journal of Comparative Pscyhology's special issue on captive marine mammal research Message-ID: Dear colleagues: As readers of MARMAM may recall, a two-volume special issue of the International Journal of Comparative Psychology (IJCP special issue) was produced last year, focused on the value of captive marine mammal research. The editor of the special issue, Stan Kuczaj, stated in his introduction that "[t]he idea for this special issue resulted from the publication of the Humane Society of America's [sic] recent edition of The Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity" (CAMMIC) in 2009. CAMMIC was a white paper from The Humane Society of the United States and the World Society for the Protection of Animals in support of their policy position that marine mammals, particularly cetaceans, are inherently unsuited to public display. It was not peer-reviewed nor meant to be objective and did not even focus on captive research specifically. Yet as editor of the IJCP, Dr. Kuczaj responded to it by compiling a two-volume special issue on the value of captive marine mammal research. After reading several of the special issue's contributions, we found it overall to be a valuable exercise and, had it not contained (in Dr. Kuczaj's introduction and several of the papers) specific and pointed references to CAMMIC, would have accepted it as a timely means of summarizing the current state of play of captive marine mammal research. However, aside from Dr. Kuczaj's reference to the genesis of the special issue, in his introduction he also noted that "Although the authors of [CAMMIC] acknowledged the possibility that some research with captive animals might have been important in the past, they also suggested that research with captive marine mammals is no longer necessary" (p. 225). My co-authors and I felt strongly that this latter characterization of our position, as well as comments on CAMMIC in some of the other papers, were inaccurate and therefore we submitted a reply to the IJCP. Dr. Kuczaj, who is also the general editor of the IJCP, after sending our reply out for review, rejected it. In his email to us, he stated that "the two-volume special issue of IJCP was not an attack on the HSUS white paper. In fact, [CAMMIC] is only mentioned a handful of times throughout the two issues. So a 'rebuttal' of the special issues makes no sense." We note again Dr. Kuczaj's introduction to the special issue, in which he states "The idea for this special issue resulted from the publication of" CAMMIC and goes on to offer a paraphrase of CAMMIC's position on captive research. Also, despite one of the three reviewers agreeing that allowing a reply from us was "justified" (albeit with major revisions), Dr. Kuczaj nevertheless said in his email that "none of the reviews favor[ed] publication" of our reply. His refusal to allow a reply to what we perceived as a mischaracterization of our position - to avoid what he called a "he said-she said cycle of rebuttal and re-rebuttal" - is troubling to us, as these kinds of exchanges in the published literature, however lively they become, are an accepted and common element of the scientific process. We were open to edits of our reply, of course, and the same reviewer who acknowledged that a reply from us was justified offered a number of suggested revisions that we found useful. However, two of the reviews recommended outright rejection (one review was highly unprofessional and personal in tone, in our view), and Dr. Kuczaj chose to follow the latter recommendations. He suggested that instead we draft an entirely separate paper, a clarification of our position on captive research, and submit it anew for consideration to the IJCP, with a separate review. We acknowledge that a clarification of our position on captive research may be warranted (indeed, we even suggest it might have been appropriate for Dr. Kuczaj to have solicited such a clarification from us for the special issue itself - we note that we knew nothing about the compilation of the special issue until it was published) and we will keep this in mind in future editions of CAMMIC. However, our purpose in replying to the special issue was to address characterizations of CAMMIC that we felt were inaccurate, which Dr. Kuczaj's suggestion for a new submission expressly precluded. As we are unable to correct the record in the IJCP, we beg the indulgence of the MARMAM community and do so here, in the interest of open, collegial debate on a topic relevant to this community. (If you would like a copy of the original submission to the IJCP, which has additional text and references that were cut for space here, please let me know.) We believe the special issue's editor and some of its contributors fundamentally misread our position on captive research. We never suggested that "research with captive marine mammals is no longer necessary." Rather we stated that "There may be some research questions that the study of captive animals can answer most directly (such as questions regarding cognition or the impacts of human-caused noise on hearing)" (p. 14 in CAMMIC) and "Research on captive animals can only be justified in circumstances where it is necessary to resolve critical questions to benefit the animals themselves or animals in the wild" (p. 15). Clearly we recognized that some captive research could be justified by critical welfare or conservation needs - these statements we made are far from claiming that "research with captive marine mammals is no longer necessary." We did claim that "research programs that are not part of the entertainment industry could address those [critical] questions" and "Dolphinaria are not essential to continued research on marine mammals" (p. 15 in CAMMIC). We made a distinction between commercial entertainment facilities (which we referred to as dolphinaria) and dedicated research facilities. The editor and some of the contributors to the special issue failed to make a similar distinction when drawing comparisons between their work and our claims. The most notable example of this was in the paper by Hill & Lackups, in which the authors assessed the cetacean literature to see, inter alia, how many publications focused on free-ranging cetaceans and how many on captive animals. Making specific reference to CAMMIC, they claimed to have refuted our findings that only about 5% of marine mammal studies use captive animals. They found that roughly 30% of the more than 1,600 published articles they examined presented results from captive cetacean research. However, while our sample included all cetaceans and also pinnipeds, sirenians, polar bears, and sea otters, they restricted their sample to literature focused only on cetacean species routinely held in captivity. This of course would lead to a greater percentage of captive studies being represented in their sample. In CAMMIC, we were trying to determine the extent to which marine mammal work from captive settings was being presented in scientific media and forums. Hill & Lackups sought to determine the extent to which research on cetacean species that could be studied in captivity was in fact being done in a captive setting. These are separate goals using different sample sets; therefore, since the results from Hill & Lackups can't be directly compared to ours, they can't be used to refute them. Indeed, Hill & Lackups actually noted that there was a relative paucity of publications using captive cetaceans, calculating that "captive research with Tursiops represented 18.1% of all articles and captive research with Orcinus, only 1.2% of all articles" (p. 431). This seems generally in line with our calculations looking at marine mammal publications overall (keeping in mind that we did not restrict our evaluation to cetacean species routinely held in captivity), yet Hill & Lackups stated that "Although research with captive populations is not published, or perhaps not conducted, as frequently as research with wild populations, it is nowhere [near] as sparse as suggested by [CAMMIC]" (p. 432-433). They also suggested that there is a "large need to conduct research with captive populations" (p. 431, emphasis added), despite the fact that the entire premise of the special issue was to support the argument that research on captive marine mammal populations is already significant and is essential to our understanding of these species. Marine mammals have been held in captivity for many decades. For at least the past 30 years their public display has largely been justified with the claim that these exhibits contribute significantly to research and conservation. It is therefore telling that a literature review conducted expressly to support this claim determined that in fact there is room for a great deal more research to be conducted on captive animals. It is hardly a rebuttal of the arguments in CAMMIC to state that "Research in captivity involves overcoming many competing demands (e.g., availability of animals, training time, and monetary support) and working within the goals of the facility (e.g., education, animal interaction, and entertainment)...[which] pose major obstacles for researchers interested in captive populations and make experimental paradigms very challenging" (p. 434 in Hill & Lackups, emphasis added). This conclusion is virtually identical to ours; CAMMIC stated that "The requirements of providing the public with a satisfying recreational experience are often incompatible with those of operating a research or breeding facility" (p. 4). Here the special issue goes beyond being a rebuttal in search of an argument - these authors are actually making our arguments for us, while claiming to refute them. A critical discussion in CAMMIC addressed the ethical considerations raised by continuing to maintain species for public display that science has shown to be highly intelligent, socially complex, and wide-ranging. Ironically much of this science has come from studying these species in captivity, yet many of the researchers looking at these questions too often choose, as Perelberg et al. stated in their special issue paper, "not [to] address the ethical aspects of holding a wild intelligent animal such as the bottlenose dolphin in captivity" (p. 636). There is a growing debate as to whether the research and education benefits of displaying captive cetaceans outweigh the ethical concerns (see, for example, the April 2011 article in Science by David Grimm) or indeed human safety concerns[1]. So the special issue ignored a central argument of CAMMIC and focused instead on a (non-existent) claim that "research with captive marine mammals is no longer necessary." Nevertheless, in several of the special issue papers, arguments were presented that in fact did not differ all that greatly from ours regarding the deficiencies in captive research. The special issue as a whole not only failed to address the distinction CAMMIC made between dolphinaria and research facilities, but we believe its editor mischaracterized our position on captive research overall. We urge researchers utilizing captive marine mammals to react less defensively and more thoughtfully in future when confronted with opinions that may differ, especially when only in degree rather than kind, from their own. Naomi A. Rose, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, HSI-Wildlife nrose at hsi.org t +1 301.258.3048 f +1 301.258.3082 Humane Society International 700 Professional Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20879 USA hsi.org Join Our Email List Facebook Twitter ________________________________ ________________________________ [1] Trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum, SeaWorld of Florida's oldest and largest male killer whale, on February 24, 2010; this incident led to the U.S. House of Representatives holding an oversight hearing on April 27, 2010 to address the issues of the educational value of public display, worker and public safety, and captive cetacean welfare (see http://naturalresources.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=1813 62 and http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/293204-1). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.gif Type: image/gif Size: 3814 bytes Desc: image001.gif URL: From janiger at cox.net Thu Nov 3 23:00:21 2011 From: janiger at cox.net (David S. Janiger) Date: Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:00:21 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] New Articles Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.20111103230021.016d4640@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 AOKI, KAGARI; YUUKI Y. WATANABE; DANIEL E. CROCKER; PATRICK W. ROBINSON; MARTIN BIUW; DANIEL P. COSTA; NOBUYUKI MIYAZAKI; MIKE A. FEDAK and PATRICK J. O. MILLER. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 214(17):2973-2987. 2011. Northern elephant seals adjust gliding and stroking patterns with changes in buoyancy: Validation of at-sea metrics of body density. 1.221 MB AUGER-METHE, MARIE; MARIANNE MARCOUX and HAL WHITEHEAD. ARCTIC 64(3):342-352. 2011. Computer-assisted photo-identification of narwhals. 1.145 MB BEARZI, MADDALENA and CHARLES A. SAYLAN. BULLETIN OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 110(2):35-51. 2011. Cetacean ecology for Santa Monica Bay and nearby areas, California, in the context of the newly established MPAs. 0.889 MB BENTALEB, I.; C. MARTIN; M. VRAC; B. MATE; P. MAYZAUD; D. SIRET; R. DE STEPHANIS and C. GUINET. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 438:285-302. 2011. Foraging ecology of Mediterranean fin whales in a changing environment elucidated by satellite tracking and baleen plate stable isotopes. 0.969 MB BRITO, CRISTINA and ANDREIA SOUSA. PLOS ONE 6(9) e23951. 9pp. 2011. The environmental history of cetaceans in Portugal: Ten centuries of whale and dolphin records. 0.580 MB CASSOFF, RACHEL M.; KATHLEEN M. MOORE; WILLIAM A. MCLELLAN; SUSAN G. BARCO; DAVID S. ROTSTEIN and MICHAEL J. MOORE. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 96(3):175-185. 2011. Lethal entanglement in baleen whales. 1.446 MB CHARLTON-ROBB, KATE; LISA-ANN GERSHWIN; ROSS THOMPSON; JEREMY AUSTIN; KYLIE OWEN and STEPHEN MCKECHNIE. PLOS ONE 6(9) e24047. 17pp. 2011. A new dolphin species, the Burrunan dophin Tursiops australis sp nov., endemic to southern Australian coastal waters 0.615 MB CHEN, ING; LIEN-SIANG CHOU; YEN-JEAN CHEN and ALASTAIR WATSON. TAIWANIA 56(3):177-185. 2011. The maturation of skulls in postnatal Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) from Taiwanese waters. 0.457 MB CHEN, ING; ALASTAIR WATSON and LIEN-SIANG CHOU. MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE 27(2):E43-E64. 2011. E-Articles Insights from life history traits of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in Taiwanese waters: Shorter body length characterizes northwest Pacific population. 0.257 MB CHEN, ING; ALASTAIR WATSON and LIEN-SIANG CHOU. MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE 27(2):E126-E133. 2011. E-Notes Calculating total body length from rostrum-anus length in amputated bycaught dolphins. 0.285 MB DONG, LIJUN; DING WANG; KEXIONG WANG; SONGHAI LI; SHOUYUE DONG; XIUJIANG ZHAO; TOMONARI AKAMATSU and SATOKO KIMURA. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 130(4):2285-2292. 2011. Passive acoustic survey of Yangtze finless porpoises using a cargo ship as a moving platform. 0.330 MB DUBEY, J. P.; G. V. VELMURUGAN; C. RAJENDRAN; M. J. YABSLEY; N. J. THOMAS; K. B. BECKMEN; D. SINNETT; D. RUID; J. HART; P. A. FAIR; W. E. MCFEE; V. SHEARN-BOCHSLER; O. C. H. KWOK; L. R. FERREIRA; S. CHOUDHARY; E. B. FARIA; H. ZHOU; T. A. FELIX and C. SU. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY 41(11):1139-1147. 2011. Genetic characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii in wildlife from North America revealed widespread and high prevalence of the fourth clonal type. 0.517 MB FERREIRA, ELIZABETH O.; LISA L. LOSETO and STEVEN H. FERGUSON. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 89(9):774-784. 2011. Assessment of claw growth-layer groups from ringed seals (Pusa hispida) as biomonitors of inter- and intra-annual Hg, delta(15)N, and delta(13)C variation. 0.716 MB GALATIUS, A. and P. E. GOL'DIN. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 89(9):869-879. 2011. Geographic variation of skeletal ontogeny and skull shape in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). 0.367 MB GILLES, ANITA; SVEN ADLER; KRISTIN KASCHNER; MEIKE SCHEIDAT and URSULA SIEBERT. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 14(2):157-169. 2011. Modelling harbour porpoise seasonal density as a function of the German Bight environment: Implications for management. 1.705 MB HARRIS, KATE A.; LINDA M. NICHOL and PETER S. ROSS. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 30(10):2184-2193. 2011. Hydrocarbon concentrations and patterns in free-ranging sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from British Columbia, Canada. 0.462 MB HEDBERG, GAIL E.; ANDREW E. DEROCHER; MAGNUS ANDERSEN; QUINTON R. ROGERS; EDWARD J. DEPETERS; BO LOENNERDAL; LISA MAZZARO; RUSSELL W. CHESNEY and BRUCE HOLLIS. ZOO BIOLOGY 30(5):550-565. 2011. Milk composition in free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus) as a model for captive rearing milk formula. 0.172 MB HORROCKS, JULIE; DAVID C. HAMILTON and HAL WHITEHEAD. BIOMETRICS 67(3):681-690. 2010. A likelihood approach to estimating animal density from binary acoustic transects. 0.267 MB KIKUCHI, MUMI; MIWA SUZUKI; KEIICHI UEDA; HIROKAZU MIYAHARA and SENZO UCHIDA. FISHERIES SCIENCE (TOKYO) 77(5):795-798. 2011. The differences in behavioral responses to a net obstacle between day and night in captive manatees; does entanglement happen at night? 0.190 MB KISZKA, JEREMY; BENOIT SIMON-BOUHET; LUDIVINE MARTINEZ; CLAIRE PUSINERI; PIERRE RICHARD and VINCENT RIDOUX. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 433:273-288. 2011. Ecological niche segregation within a community of sympatric dolphins around a tropical island. 1.154 MB LOCKE, JONATHAN and PAUL R. WHITE. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 130(4):1974-1984. 2011. The performance of methods based on the fractional Fourier transform for detecting marine mammal vocalizations. 0.346 MB MACCHI, ELISABETTA; LORENZO PEZZOLI and PATRIZIA PONZIO. JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 42(3):480-484. 2011. Influence of season on the hematological and serum biochemical values of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) housed in a controlled environment in northern Italy. 0.588 MB MARCOUX, MARIANNE; MARIE AUGER-METHE; ELLY G. CHMELNITSKY; STEVEN H. FERGUSON and MURRAY M. HUMPHRIES. ARCTIC 64(3):307-316. 2011. Local passive acoustic monitoring of narwhal presence in the Canadian Arctic: A pilot project. 1.061 MB MARINO, LORI and TONI FROHOFF. PLOS ONE 6(9) e24121. 9pp. 2011. Towards a new paradigm of non-captive research on cetacean cognition. 0.265 MB MENDEZ, M.; A. SUBRAMANIAM; T. COLLINS; G. MINTON; R. BALDWIN; P. BERGGREN; A. SARNBLAD; O. A. AMIR; V. M. PEDDEMORS; L. KARCZMARSKI; A. GUISSAMULO AND H. C. ROSENBAUM. HEREDITY 107(4):349-361. 2011. Molecular ecology meets remote sensing: Environmental drivers to population structure of humpback dolphins in the western Indian Ocean. 0.886 MB MILLER, CAROLYN A.; DESRAY REEB; PETER B. BEST; AMY R. KNOWLTON; MOIRA W. BROWN and MICHAEL J. MOORE. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 438:267-283. 2011. Blubber thickness in right whales Eubalaena glacialis and Eubalaena australis related with reproduction, life history status and prey abundance. 0.472 MB MOORE, JEFFREY E. and JAY BARLOW. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY 48(5):1195-1205. 2011. Bayesian state-space model of fin whale abundance trends from a 1991-2008 time series of line-transect surveys in the California Current. 0.764 MB MORAN, MEGHAN M.; SIRPA NUMMELA and J. G. M. THEWISSEN. ANATOMICAL RECORD: ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 294(10):1743-1756. 2011. Development of the skull of the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata). 1.014 MB NOMIYAMA, KEI; AKIFUMI EGUCHI; HAZUKI MIZUKAWA; MARI OCHIAI; SATOKO MURATA; MASAYUKI SOMEYA; TOMOHIKO ISOBE; TADASU K. YAMADA and SHINSUKE TANABE. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 159(12):3364-3373. 2011. Anthropogenic and naturally occurring polybrominated phenolic compounds in the blood of cetaceans stranded along Japanese coastal waters. 1.105 MB OZTURK, AYAKA AMAHA; ARDA M. TONAY and AYHAN DEDE. JOURNAL OF THE BLACK SEA/MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT 17(3):269-274. 2011. Strandings of the beaked whales, Risso's dolphins, and a minke whale on the Turkish coast of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. 0.264 MB PIERCE, S. E.; J. A. CLACK and J. R. HUTCHINSON. JOURNAL OF ANATOMY 219(4):502-514. 2011. Comparative axial morphology in pinnipeds and its correlation with aquatic locomotory behaviour. 0.737 MB PIROTTA, ENRICO; JASON MATTHIOPOULOS; MONIQUE MACKENZIE; LINDESAY SCOTT-HAYWARD and LUKE RENDELL. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 436:257-272. 2011. Modelling sperm whale habitat preference: A novel approach combining transect and follow data. 3.236 MB PONGANIS, PAUL J.; JESSICA U. MEIR and CASSONDRA L. WILLIAMS. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 214(20):3325-3339. 2011. In pursuit of Irving and Scholander: A review of oxygen store management in seals and penguins. 0.859 MB REINER, JESSICA L.; STEVEN G. O'CONNELL; AMANDA J. MOORS; JOHN R. KUCKLICK; PAUL R. BECKER and JENNIFER M. KELLER. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 45(19):8129-8136. 2011. Spatial and temporal trends of perfluorinated compounds in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Alaska. 0.881 MB RICK, TORBEN C.; ROBERT L. DELONG; JON M. ERLANDSON; TODD J. BRAJE; TERRY L. JONES; JEANNE E. ARNOLD; MATTHEW R. DES LAURIERS; WILLIAM R. HILDEBRANDT; DOUGLAS J. KENNETT; RENE L. VELLANOWETH and THOMAS A. WAKE. HOLOCENE 21(7):1159-1166. 2011. Where were the northern elephant seals? Holocene archaeology and biogeography of Mirounga angustirostris. 1.015 MB ROCH, MARIE A.; T. SCOTT BRANDES; BHAVESH PATEL; YVONNE BARKLEY; SIMONE BAUMANN-PICKERING and MELISSA S. SOLDEVILLA. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 130(4):2212-2223. 2011. Automated extraction of odontocete whistle contours. 0.753 MB RYABOV, VYACHESLAV. NATURAL SCIENCE 2(6):646-653. 2010. Role of the mental foramens in dolphin hearing. 1.798 MB SCHICK, R. S.; P. N. HALPIN; A. J. READ; D. L. URBAN; B. D. BEST; C. P. GOOD; J. J. ROBERTS; E. A. LABRECQUE; C. DUNN; L. P. GARRISON; K. D. HYRENBACH; W. A. MCLELLAN; D. A. PABST; D. L. PALKA and P. STEVICK. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 434:165-181. 2011. Community structure in pelagic marine mammals at large spatial scales. 2.258 MB SHARIR, YULI; DAN KEREM; PAVEL GOL'DIN and EHUD SPANIER. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 438:241-251. 2011. Small size in the common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus in the eastern Mediterranean: A possible case of Levantine nanism. 0.303 MB STANILAND, I. J.; A. MORTON; S. L. ROBINSON; D. MALONE and J. FORCADA. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 434:183-196. 2011. Foraging behaviour in two Antarctic fur seal colonies with differing population recoveries. 0.969 MB STONE, B. M.; D. J. BLYDE; J. T. SALIKI; U. BLAS-MACHADO; J. BINGHAM; A. HYATT; J. WANG; J. PAYNE and S. CRAMERI. AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL 89(11):452-457. 2011. Fatal cetacean morbillivirus infection in an Australian offshore bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 1.272 MB TERVO, OUTI M.; MADS FAGE CHRISTOFFERSEN; SUSAN E. PARKS; REINHARDT MOBJERG KRISTENSEN and PETER TEGLBERG MADSEN. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 130(4):2257-2262. 2011. Evidence for simultaneous sound production in the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). 0.271 MB THEWISSEN, J. G. M.; JENNIFER D. SENSOR; MARK T. CLEMENTZ and SUNIL BAJPAI. PALEOBIOLOGY 37(4):655-669. 2011. Evolution of dental wear and diet during the origin of whales. 0.739 MB THIEMANN, GREGORY W.; SARA J. IVERSON; IAN STIRLING and MARTYN E. OBBARD. OIKOS 120(10):1469-1478. 2011. Individual patterns of prey selection and dietary specialization in an Arctic marine carnivore. 0.430 MB TYSON, RENY B.; STEPHANIE M. NOWACEK and DOUGLAS P. NOWACEK. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 438:253-265. 2011. Community structure and abundance of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in coastal waters of the northeast Gulf of Mexico. 1.024 MB UHEN, MARK D.; NICHOLAS D. PYENSON; THOMAS J. DEVRIES; MARIO URBINA and PAUL R. RENNE. JOURNAL OF PALEONTOLOGY 85(5):955-969. 2011. New Middle Eocene whales from the Pisco Basin of Peru. 10.157 MB VAUGHN, ROBIN L.; ELISA MUZI; JESSICA L. RICHARDSON and BERND WURSIG. ETHOLOGY 117(10):859-871. 2011. Dolphin bait-balling behaviors in relation to prey ball escape behaviors. 0.329 MB VAZQUEZ-MEDINA, JOSE PABLO; JOSE GUADALUPE SONANEZ-ORGANIS; JENNIFER M. BURNS; TANIA ZENTENO-SAVIN and RUDY M. ORTIZ. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 214(17):2903-2910. 2011. Antioxidant capacity develops with maturation in the deep-diving hooded seal. 0.410 MB VIDDI, FRANCISCO A.; ROB G. HARCOURT; RODRIGO HUCKE-GAETE and IAIN C. FIELD. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 436:245-256. 2011. Fine-scale movement patterns of the sympatric Chilean and Peale's dolphins in the northern Patagonian fjords, Chile. 0.734 MB WAHLBERG, MAGNUS; FRANTS H. JENSEN; NATACHA AGUILAR SOTO; KRISTIAN BEEDHOLM; LARS BEJDER; CLAUDIA OLIVEIRA; MARIANNE RASMUSSEN; MALENE SIMON; ANNE VILLASGAARD and PETER T. MADSEN. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 130(4):2263-2274. 2011. Source parameters of echolocation clicks from wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus and Tursiops truncatus). 0.410 MB WALKER, KRISTEN A.; MARKUS HORNING; JO-ANN E. MELLISH and DANIEL M. WEARY. VETERINARY JOURNAL 190(2):160-164. 2011. The effects of two analgesic regimes on behavior after abdominal surgery in Steller sea lions. 0.182 MB WALKER, K. A.; J. E. MELLISH and D. M. WEARY. VETERINARY RECORD 169(14), 5pp. 2011. Effects of hot-iron branding on heart rate, breathing rate and behaviour of anaesthetised Steller sea lions. 0.655 MB WIIG, O.; M. P. HEIDE-JORGENSEN; C. LINDQVIST; K. L. LAIDRE; L. D. POSTMA; L. DUECK; P. J. PALSBOLL and L. BACHMANN. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 14(3):235-242. 2011. Recaptures of genotyped bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus in eastern Canada and West Greenland. 0.389 MB WITTEVEEN, BRIANA H.; JAN M. STRALEY; ELLEN CHENOWETH; C. SCOTT BAKER; JAY BARLOW; CRAIG MATKIN; CHRISTINE M. GABRIELE; JANET NEILSON; DEBBIE STEEL; OLGA VON ZIEGESAR; ALEXANDER G. ANDREWS and AMY HIRONS. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 14(3):217-225. 2011. Using movements, genetics and trophic ecology to differentiate inshore from offshore aggregations of humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska. 1.223 MB From T.Jauniaux at ulg.ac.be Thu Nov 3 08:39:51 2011 From: T.Jauniaux at ulg.ac.be (Thierry Jauniaux) Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 16:39:51 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS website and abstracts Message-ID: Dear MARMAM member sorry for the delay but the abstracts submission page for the 2012 conference is working now To submit your abstract, you have to log in on https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/login.php with your login name, email and your password; After you can upload your abstract at the end of the ECS website profile page; Or after login, you can go directly to https://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/abstract_submission.php For the next ECS conference, in addition of usual "talk" and "poster" option for your presentation, there is a new option for short talk. More informations and the option for short talk will be available the next week on the website Best regards T. Jauniaux Thierry Jauniaux, DMV, PhD Chair of the European Cetacean Society Premier Assistant Universit? de Li?ge Pathologie V?t?rinaire Assistant Professor, University of Liege Veterinary Pathology T.Jauniaux at ulg.ac.be Cell phone: 0032477252302 1st FMV Scientific Meeting - 9 d?cembre 2011 http://www.fmv.ulg.ac.be/cms/c_734909/1st-fmv-scientific-meeting-9-decembre-2011 MARIN Marine Animals Research & Intervention Network -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4659 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mbearzi at earthlink.net Fri Nov 4 10:04:31 2011 From: mbearzi at earthlink.net (Maddalena Bearzi) Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:04:31 -0700 Subject: [MARMAM] new article on cetacean ecology for Santa Monica Bay and nearby areas, California, in the context of the newly established MPAs In-Reply-To: Message-ID: The following article has just been published: Bearzi, M. and C. Saylan. 2011. Cetacean ecology for Santa Monica Bay and nearby areas, California, in the context of the newly established MPAs. Bull. Southern California Acad. Sci. 110(2): 35-51. Abstract. - Cetacean occurrence, distribution and behavior were investigated in Santa Monica Bay and nearby areas, California (1997?2007). A total of 425 boat- based surveys documented three species inhabiting the study area year-round - the common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, the long-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus capensis, and the short-beaked common dolphin, D. delphis, and ten species occurring occasionally. Coastal bottlenose dolphins were mostly found traveling, diving and feeding in waters within 0.5km of shore in 81.4% of the sightings (n 5 221), but were also observed occasionally in offshore waters. All other species were seen . 0.5 km of shore, often feeding near escarpments and submarine canyons. Endangered species, such as blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), were also recorded in the study area. This paper provides new information as well as an update on data of the composition for the local cetacean community, and offers information that should be considered in the decision-making process associated with the newly established MPAs, and their use. The presence of a diverse cetacean fauna moving in and out the boundaries of these MPAs, also suggests the need for long-term and regular cetacean monitoring in the area. The paper is available at http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3160/10-12.1 or can be requested sending an email to mbearzi at earthlink.net Sincerely, Maddalena Bearzi Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D. Ocean Conservation Society, President P.O. Box 12860 Marina del Rey, CA 90295 - USA ph. 310.8225205, cell. 310.5910331 mbearzi at earthlink.net http://www.oceanconservation.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 9D163D68-1ACC-463B-9B78-32A09C21CF24.png Type: image/png Size: 5673 bytes Desc: not available URL: From Todd.Speakman at noaa.gov Fri Nov 4 06:00:44 2011 From: Todd.Speakman at noaa.gov (Todd Speakman) Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:44 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Dolphin Research Internship, Charleston, SC Message-ID: <4EB3E1FC.5000009@noaa.gov> NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory's Marine Animal Health Program is recruiting to fill two dolphin photo-identification internship positions for the winter/spring of 2012. The positions are at the NOAA National Ocean Service Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina and will involve a commitment of 20 hours per week extending over a 15 week period from January 17, 2012 to April 27, 2012. There is some flexibility in these start and end dates. The CCMAH will be conducting boat-based photo-identification (id) and remote biopsy surveys of Western North Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in estuaries and near-shore waters of South Carolina to investigate relationships between stress/reproductive hormones and environmental factors.Interns will assist with laboratory activities such as data entry and photo-analysis and will participate in boat-based fieldwork. The internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in photo-id methodology and analysis under the mentorship of experienced dolphin researchers. There is no compensation for this position, and interns will be responsible for their own living expenses and transportation to and from the laboratory. There may be travel involved for some components of the fieldwork, which will be paid for by the laboratory. Ideal applicants will be advanced undergraduates or recent graduates of a scientifically-oriented university program in marine science, biology or a related field.Preference will be given to applicants with well-developed computer skills and boat-based field experience. The internship application consists of a letter of interest, transcripts of university coursework and two letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors who are familiar with applicant's scholarship, research skills and work habits. Interested applicants should first correspond with Todd Speakman by email (Todd.Speakman at noaa.gov ) before preparing and submitting application materials. We anticipate filling this internship position by the middle of December, 2011. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From piropiro12 at yahoo.it Mon Nov 7 01:09:06 2011 From: piropiro12 at yahoo.it (Chiara Piroddi) Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 09:09:06 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [MARMAM] new paper on interaction between bottlenose dolphins and fish farms in the eastern Mediterranean Sea Message-ID: <1320656946.80664.YahooMailNeo@web27901.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Dear All, The following article has just been published in MEPS: Piroddi, C., Bearzi, G., Christensen, V. 2011. Marine open cage aquaculture in the eastern Mediterranean Sea: a new trophic resourcefor bottlenose dolphins. ABSTRACT: Over the last 2 decades marine open cage aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea has grown rapidly, leading to increased productivity in the water column near fish farms. Here we investigated the effect of such increase in productivity on the common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. We developed an ecosystem model for the inner Ionian Sea Archipelago, western Greece, to: (1) evaluate the trophic interactions between bottlenose dolphins and their surrounding ecosystem, including cage-associated organisms; (2) investigate simultaneously 3 hypotheses that could explain bottlenose dolphin dynamics: (a) increasing fishing effort and changes in ocean productivity, (b) competition with other species, and (c) increase in number of fish farms; and (3) explore spatial trends in bottlenose dolphins distribution using the increased number of fish farms as an explanatory variable. Comparisons of model predictions with historical time-series data indicate that only the increase in number of cages and thereby in productivity near fish farms contributed to the trends observed in dolphin numbers. Spatial analysis also confirmed an increase in occurrence of these dolphins in the proximity of the farms. These outcomes suggest that high productivity in waters surrounding fish cages?within a coastal area that is markedly oligotrophic?may attract bottlenose dolphins. The present study shows that open cage aquaculture has benefited bottlenose dolphins by easing their way of catching prey. Further studies should be conducted in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea to investigate whether the higher occurrence of bottlenose dolphins around fish cages is a common pattern and if it is driven by the trophic status of the ecosystem or by the type of fishes that surround the cages. KEY WORDS: Bottlenose dolphin ? Fish farms ? Ionian Sea ? Ecosystem modelling approach PDF copy can be downloaded from the journal website: http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps2011/440/m440p255.pdf or you can request a copy by emailing me at: c.piroddi at fisheries.ubc.ca Best Regards, Chiara -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From F.Visser at uva.nl Wed Nov 9 03:03:03 2011 From: F.Visser at uva.nl (Visser, Fleur) Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 11:03:03 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on baleen whale migration in the North Atlantic Message-ID: <27D15D9AB97B2D4E888DAE7B5B77781C0AB8F6@katz.uva.nl> Dear All, The following article has just been published in MEPS: Visser F, Hartman KL, Pierce GJ, Valavanis VD, Huisman J (2011) Timing of migratory baleen whales at the Azores in relation to the North Atlantic spring bloom. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 440:267-279 ABSTRACT: Each year, a phytoplankton spring bloom starts just north of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, and then expands northwards across the entire North Atlantic. Here, we investigate whether the timing of the spring migration of baleen whales is related to the timing of the phytoplankton spring bloom, using 4 yr of dedicated whale observations at the Azores in combination with satellite data on ocean chlorophyll concentration. Peak abundances of blue whale Balaenoptera musculus, fin whale B. physalus, humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae and sei whale B. borealis were recorded in April?May. The timing of their presence tracked the onset of the spring bloom with mean time lags of 13, 15, 15 and 16 wk, respectively, and was more strongly related to the onset of the spring bloom than to the actual time of year. Baleen whales were actively feeding on northern krill Meganyctiphanes norvegica in the area, and some photo-identified individuals stayed in Azorean waters for at least 17 d. Baleen whales were not observed in this area in autumn, during their southward migration, consistent with low chlorophyll concentrations during summer and autumn. Our results support the hypothesis that baleen whales track the secondary production generated by the North Atlantic spring bloom, utilizing mid-latitude areas such as the Azores as foraging areas en route towards their summer feeding grounds. KEY WORDS: Baleen whales ? Balaenopteridae ? Phytoplankton spring bloom ? Whale migration ? Feeding area ? Satellite remote sensing ? North Atlantic Ocean ? Azores PDF copy can be downloaded from the journal website: http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps2011/440/m440p267.pdf Best regards, Fleur Visser f.visser at uva.nl -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From plotkin at tamu.edu Tue Nov 8 12:30:34 2011 From: plotkin at tamu.edu (Dr. Pamela Plotkin) Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:30:34 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Funding Opportunities: NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Population Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics In-Reply-To: <009301cc9e52$69e25810$3da70830$@tamu.edu> References: <009301cc9e52$69e25810$3da70830$@tamu.edu> Message-ID: <00d701cc9e55$4501b3d0$cf051b70$@tamu.edu> The two funding opportunities briefly described below are available for U.S. citizens who are admitted to a Ph.D. degree program at an institution of higher education in the U.S. or its territories. Fantastic opportunities for students interested in marine mammals! Please share broadly. POPULATION DYNAMICS FELLOWSHIP The Graduate Fellowship Program awards at least two new PhD fellowships each year to students who are interested in careers related to the population dynamics of living marine resources and the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing their status. Fellows will work on thesis problems of public interest and relevance to NMFS under the guidance of NMFS mentors at participating NMFS Science Centers or Laboratories. The NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Population Dynamics meets NOAA's Mission goal of "Protect, Restore and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources Through Ecosystem-Based Management". URL: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=c0zYTyQWhhh6pCq1KGGhdLz26d RCWvnKSM8jplkhx1xCMBYKGcNh!-1784104149?oppId=129713 &mode=VIEW (FFO is NOAA-OAR-SG-2012-2003206) RESOURCE ECONOMICS FELLOWSHIP The Graduate Fellowship Program generally awards two new PhD fellowships each year to students who are interested in careers related to the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing the economics of the conservation and management of living marine resources. Fellows will work on thesis problems of public interest and relevance to NMFS under the guidance of NMFS mentors at participating NMFS Science Centers or Laboratories. The NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Marine Resource Economics meets NOAA's Mission goal of "Protect, Restore and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources Through Ecosystem-Based Management". URL: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=QZ7CTypSS6TDcZP53RfdXryrGS ZpgHzyspDHPRp7KC3vjF7FGb2D!-1784104149?oppId=129694 &mode=VIEW (FFO is NOAA-OAR-SG-2012-2003214) DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted to your state Sea Grant office by January 20, 2012. If you need assistance locating your state Sea Grant office, see: http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/other/programsdirectors.html Good luck! Pamela Plotkin, Ph.D. Director, Texas Sea Grant College Program Texas A&M University 2700 Earl Rudder Freeway South, Suite 1800 College Station, TX 77845 Phone: 979-845-3854 Fax: 979-845-7525 http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu Description: header -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 24868 bytes Desc: not available URL: From yvonne at scanningoceansectors.org Tue Nov 8 05:22:41 2011 From: yvonne at scanningoceansectors.org (Yvonne Miles - Scanning Ocean Sectors) Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 23:22:41 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Observers/ Marine Fauna Observers course in Perth 28th 30th Nov 2011 last course Message-ID: <000f01cc9e19$814f2340$83ed69c0$@scanningoceansectors.org> We are holding an MMO course in Fremantle at the IFAP Fremantle Offshore and Maritime Training Centre Koolinda House - Ground Floor, 1 Port Beach Rd, NORTH FREMANTLE. The dates for the MMO Course 28th to the 30th November 2011 Please register at the Scanning Ocean Sectors website http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/training-courses/mmo-register/ Immediately if you wish to attend the course, places are very limited If you also require your BOSIET/TBOSIET training certificate or seaworthy medical please let us know immediately so we can arrange this at the IFAP training centre Yvonne Miles Managing Director Scanning Ocean Sectors E: yvonne at scanningoceansectors.org W: www.scanningoceansectors.org W: www.marinemammaljobs.com Description: scanning-ocean-sectors-logo-email-signature -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4452 bytes Desc: not available URL: From simon.berrow at shannondolphins.ie Thu Nov 10 06:27:20 2011 From: simon.berrow at shannondolphins.ie (Simon Berrow) Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:27:20 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS2012 Galway - Abstract Deadline Extended Message-ID: <201111101427.pAAERkZi005985@hobby.comp.uvic.ca> Dear Marmamers Due to the delay in setting up abstract submission facility on the European Cetacean Society website we have extended the deadline for abstracts and registering to 18 November 2011. Please remember to log on to the ECS site (www.europeancetaceansociety.eu ) to upload abstracts and note there is the option for a long talk (15 mins), short talk (5 mins) or poster. This deadline extension also applies to and registering supported persons and students. Email ecs2012 at gmit.ie to register interest. Go to www.iwdg.ie/ecs for details on the conference. Dr Simon Berrow Co-ordinator, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Project Manager, Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation, Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co Clare Mobiles: 086 8545450 or 087 8545450 Fax: 00353 65 9052326 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cselfsullivan at sirenian.org Wed Nov 9 09:49:30 2011 From: cselfsullivan at sirenian.org (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 12:49:30 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Latest Issue of Sirenews is available Online! Message-ID: The October 2011 issue of Sirenews has just been posted online: http://sirenian.org/sirenews/56OCT2011.pdf Archives of previous issues can be found online at http://sirenian.org/sirenews.html and http://public.sea2shore.org/newsletters In This Issue: News from the Secretariat to the UNEP/CMS Dugong MOU -Dugong Conservation Gathers Momentum in South East Asia -Thailand Becomes 20th Signatory to the Dugong MOU -Progressing Dugong Conservation in the South West Indian Ocean New Book Announcement: Ecology and Conservation of the Sirenia: Dugongs & Manatees, by Helene Marsh, Thomas J. O'Shea, John E. Reynolds Fifth International Sirenian Symposium Local News -Australia: Dugong Crisis in Queensland -Ecuador: The Status of Amazonian Manatees in Eastern Ecuador -Florida: Florida manatee Cold-related Unusual Mortality Event, January 2010 -Puerto Rico: Progress with Aramana and Guacara in Puerto Rico Abstracts & Recent Publications List Caryn Self-Sullivan, PhD President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Email: cselfsullivan at sirenian.org Phone: +1.540.287.8207 Website: http://sirenian.org Blog: http://mermaidsandmermen.blogspot.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kelly at dcpmail.org Thu Nov 10 20:14:59 2011 From: kelly at dcpmail.org (Kel Melillo Sweeting) Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:14:59 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Field Course in Ethological Studies - Marine & Terrestrial Message-ID: <223FF358496D40BB87E295341FEE6A56@KELPC> GET OUT OF THE CLASSROOM....AND GET INTO THE FIELD! Looking for an exciting, hands-on summer course? The Dolphin Communication Project (DCP), in conjunction with Georgetown College, is pleased to offer a FIELD COURSE IN ETHOLOGICAL STUDIES - MARINE & TERRESTRIAL. The field portions of this course will take place in Bimini, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. Full Course Dates: 20 May - 11 June, 2012 Field Dates: 20 - 31 May 2012 Course description and objectives: Students will be introduced to the study of animal behavior using a combination of lectures, readings, discussion, and research with both a wild dolphin group and a captive dolphin population. Lectures will focus on understanding animal behavior from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Readings and discussion will focus on current research and methodology. Fieldwork will provide students an introduction to the skills necessary to conduct animal behavior research and to demonstrate these skills by participating in independent research with senior scientists at the field location. Class Format: Non-field portions of this course will be completed remotely, via the free Internet communication program, Skype. Exact dates and times are to be determined. The field portion will take place at two sites and attendance at all lectures, activities, and training sessions is mandatory. The format of the classroom meetings will be discussion-oriented. Questions and class participation are strongly encouraged. Training sessions (at Dolphin Encounters) and research hours are also mandatory, for the safety of the student and the animals. Cost: $2,450 per person (USD) Included: Air transportation between Fort Lauderdale, FL and field sites 10 nights' accommodation (double or higher occupancy) 3 meals a day (one group meal out in Nassau not included; optional meal out in Bimini not included) 4 half-day boat trips in search of dolphins (weather dependent) Gratuity for boat, dock and hotel staff in Bimini Transportation to and entry into Dolphin Encounters Airport/Hotel transportation in Bimini and Nassau Course instruction by Drs. Kathleen Dudzinski (DCP) and Rebecca Singer (Georgetown College) Certificate of completion (upon request) Not included: Airfare to/from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA You must be at least 18 years old and fluent in English to participate. US citizens are required to have a valid passport for entry into The Bahamas (a birth certificate is not sufficient). Students of other citizenship should confirm entry requirements. Students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program are given first-priority. Registration for non-matriculated students will open, space available, 1 January 2012. No previous experience with marine mammals or marine biology is required, however, all participants should be comfortable on a boat, snorkeling and working as a team. Course may be used for general enrichment or course credit; the student is solely responsible for arranging credit with their home institution or Georgetown College. Fees associated with course credit are not included in the course fee. This is your chance for a real life research experience with wild and captive dolphins in the clear, warm waters of the Bahamas! Come join us! For more information on this course, visit http://tinyurl.com/DCPAnimalBehavior. If you have questions on this course, please contact DCP at info at dcpmail.org. For more information on DCP, including a list of publications, please visit www.dolphincommunicationproject.org. A non-refundable deposit of 20% ($490) is due at the time of registration, with full payment due by 28 February 2011. Deposits and payments are currently being accepted at http://tinyurl.com/DCPAnimalBehavior. If you prefer to pay by US check (small discount applies!), please contact us at info at dcpmail.org. The minimum enrollment is eight students, with a maximum of 14; so, sign-up today! _________________________________________________________________________ The Dolphin Communication Project (DCP) is focused on the dual goals of scientific research and education: we take results from research projects and disseminate them into educational programs for students of all ages. DCP has a team of researchers (graduated professionals, graduate students, undergraduate interns and volunteers) who work together to examine how dolphins communicate in order to shed more light on the meaning of the interactions between individuals and groups. We have 3 active field sites that include wild and captive dolphins of 3 species. DCP collaborates with vessel operators from Bimini and Dolphin Encounters to study dolphins ranging in age from a few months to more than 30 years old. Below, please find a selected list of DCP's peer-reviewed publications. For a full list of our publications, please visit www.dolphincommunicationproject.org. Dudzinski, K.M., Clark, C.W., W?rsig, B. 1995. A mobile video/acoustic system for simultaneously recording dolphin behavior and vocalizations underwater. Aquatic Mammals 21(3): 187-193. Dudzinski, K.M. 1998. Contact behavior and signal exchange among Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Aquatic Mammals 24(3): 129-142. Paulos, R.D., Dudzinski, K.M., Kuczaj, S.A. 2008. The role of touch in select social interactions of Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). Ethology 26: 153-164. Dudzinski, KM, Gregg, JD, Ribic, CA, Kuczaj, SA. 2009. Flipper's flipper - a comparison of how, where and why spotted and bottlenose dolphins use their pectoral fins to touch peers. Behavioural Processes 80: 182-190. Melillo, K.E., Dudzinski, K.M., Cornick, L.A. 2009. Interactions between Atlantic spotted (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) dolphins off Bimini, The Bahamas, 2003-2007. Aquatic Mammals, 35:281-291 Dudzinski, KM. 2010. Overlap between information gained from complimentary and comparative studies of captive and wild dolphin communication. International Journal of Comparative Psychology 23(4): 566-586. Dudzinski, K.M., Gregg, J.D., Paulos, R.D., Kuczaj, S.A. 2010. A comparison of pectoral fin contact behaviour for three distinct dolphin populations. Behavioural Processes, 84:559-567. Greene, W., Melillo-Sweeting, K., Dudzinski, K. 2011. Comparing object play in captive and wild dolphins. International Journal of Comparative Psychology 24(3):292-306. Dudzinski, KM, Gregg, JD, Melillo-Sweeting, K, Levengood, A, Seay, B., Kuczaj II, SA. 2011. Tactile contact exchanges between dolphins: self-rubbing versus inter-individual contact in three species from three geographies. International Journal of Comparative Psychology - Special Symposium Issue (In Press) _______________________________ Kelly Melillo Sweeting Bimini Research Manager Dolphin Communication Project www.dolphincommunicationproject.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From patrick at mmo-association.org Fri Nov 11 04:06:16 2011 From: patrick at mmo-association.org (patrick at mmo-association.org) Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:06:16 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] What MMO guidelines are in use worldwide Message-ID: <7e3cb9ef1a9a260095481b9e26c096f9.squirrel@www.mmo-association.org> Dear MMO or PAM operator The Marine Mammal Observer Association is currently conducting a review of guidelines in use worldwide and we need to establish what guidelines are being used in each jurisdiction. Increasingly these seem to be modified versions of the JNCC (UK) or other guidelines. I would be grateful if you can tell me from your experience what guidelines were adopted for surveys in recent years (2007 on) and whether PAM was used. I do not wish to have any client or survey specific information which may be confidential. I just need to know 1. The country 2. The guidelines used and if modified what those modifications were briefly 3. Whether PAM was used or not. I appreciate your response on this to my email patrick at mmo-association.org Best Regards Patrick Lyne The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) Communications House 26 York Street London W1U 6PZ UK email: patrick at mmo-association.org website: www.mmo-association.org The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) http://www.mmo-association.org is a membership based association with the aim of bringing together and representing individuals who work commercially and professionally as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators who implement mitigation measures to protect marine life during industry operations. From samuel at hkdcs.org Thu Nov 10 05:14:28 2011 From: samuel at hkdcs.org (Samuel Hung) Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:14:28 +0800 (HKT) Subject: [MARMAM] Opportunities for graduate research on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises in East Asia Message-ID: <1475.116.49.192.11.1320930868.squirrel@mail2.hkdcs.org> Opportunities for graduate research on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises in East Asia (human impacts and conservation biology) In a collaborative program, researchers from Trent University (Canada), the Hong Kong Cetacean Research Project/Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, Texas A&M University (USA) and FormosaCetus Research and Conservation Group (Canada/Taiwan) are seeking students interested in undertaking graduate (both M.Sc. and Ph.D. level) research on the impacts of human activities on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in Chinese waters. Researchers in this group have been conducting intensive line-transect and photo-identification research on these (and other) species in the region for almost two decades and have amassed a considerable long-term database. Various types of projects (including acoustics, boat surveys and land-based surveys (using theodolite tracking)) and levels of funding are available depending on the type and scope of the projects. Successful candidates will be those with great initiative, high motivation, positive attitude and good capability in designing studies. They will also have to be capable of working well autonomously as well as in a team and be comfortable conducting research in the region. Candidates with field research experience abroad (especially with acoustics, boats and theodolites) are preferred. A strong analytical ability is an asset especially at the Ph.D. level. Students interested in the above opportunities should contact both Drs. Samuel Hung (samuel at hkdcs.org) and John Wang (pcrassidens at rogers.com) and please provide your CV with contact information for three references. We will be attending the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Tampa, Florida) and conducting interviews with serious candidates during the conference week. If you will not be attending the conference, other arrangements for interviews can be made. From Sean.Murphy at hdrinc.com Fri Nov 11 08:08:34 2011 From: Sean.Murphy at hdrinc.com (Murphy, Sean (Charlotte)) Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:08:34 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] HDR - Project Manager - Marine Species Monitoring Program, #111551 Message-ID: HDR is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm of over 7,800 professionals in over 185 locations worldwide that helps clients manage complex projects and make sound decisions. HDR is ranked #13 among Engineering News-Record's "Top 500 Design Firms", and we are also ranked as the #1 healthcare design firm by Modern Healthcare's 2011 "Annual Construction & Design Survey of Healthcare Architects". As an integrated firm, HDR provides a total spectrum of services for our clients. Our staff professional represent hundreds of disciplines and partner on blended teams throughout North America and abroad to provide solutions beyond the scope of traditional A/E/C firms. To learn more about us, please visit our website, www.hdrinc.com. IN ORDER TO APPLY, please visit the 'Careers' section of our website, www.hdrinc.com, and reference job #111551. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE SENDER OF THIS EMAIL. HDR EOC is currently in need of a Project Manager - Marine Species Monitoring Program for our Norfolk, VA location. The ideal candidate will have project management consulting expertise along with an extensive knowledge of Marine Science emphasizing the effects of underwater sound to marine mammals as well as experience monitoring marine mammal abundance, distribution, and/or behavioral responses to stimuli. This individual must possess excellent communication skills, a demonstrated history of reliability, strong work ethic, solid time management skills, and a demonstrated history of team-oriented performance. This position will assist in a wide range of project management and team support roles with our current clients and expand our client-base in the Norfolk, VA area with an anticipated concentration of work assignments concentrated on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico areas but also including the Pacific Ocean region from California to Guam and northward to the Gulf of Alaska. Travel up to 25% may be required. Masters Degree in Marine Biology or a related field strongly preferred. Excellent verbal and written communication skills a must. Demonstrated history of reliability, strong work ethic, solid time management skills are all required. Successful candidates must have a minimum of 3+ years of experience managing scientific research projects focused on marine mammal behavior in a consulting or university-related research capacity; ideally this would include a background of direct interface with customers, and regulatory experience in a combination of Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance. Candidates must also be highly proficient in writing procedures, guides and/or studies. Qualified candidates must have the ability to obtain a security clearance at the secret level. Due to client contract requirements, only candidates with US citizenship will be considered for this position, as permitted pursuant to section 274B(a)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. IN ORDER TO APPLY, please visit the 'Careers' section of our website, www.hdrinc.com, and reference job #111551. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THE SENDER OF THIS EMAIL. Sean Murphy HDR, Inc. Regional Recruiter 440 S. Church Street, Suite 1000 | Charlotte, NC 28202 704-338-6845 | c: 704-369-6330 Sean.Murphy at hdrinc.com | hdrinc.com (or hdrarchitecture.com) Follow Us - Architizer | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cselfsullivan at sirenian.org Sun Nov 13 07:51:53 2011 From: cselfsullivan at sirenian.org (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:51:53 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Reminder: Sirenian Bibliography Survey Message-ID: <4F2D9728-9B0C-485F-B4C2-6FF291D7A6FE@sirenian.org> A "Gentle Giant" Reminder from Caryn Self-Sullivan & Daryl P. Domning: If you have an interest in the Orders Sirenia and/or Desmostylia, please complete this survey by Friday, November 18th, 2011. Thanks! You have been invited to participate in this survey regarding the Searchable Online Bibliography of the Sirenia and Desmostylia, which came online in April 2010. You can view this resource at http://sirenian.org/biblio Your feedback is important and will be used to make decisions regarding the future of this online bibliography at the 5th International Sirenian Workshop in Tampa just prior to the SMM Biennial Meetings. Please click the link below to begin the survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2LJ3LWH9FGK Caryn Self-Sullivan, PhD, KPA CTP President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Consultant: Animal Behavior & Wildlife Conservation Email: cselfsullivan at sirenian.org Phone: +1.540.287.8207 Website: http://sirenian.org Blog: http://mermaidsandmermen.blogspot.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at mmo-association.org Mon Nov 14 05:40:48 2011 From: info at mmo-association.org (info at mmo-association.org) Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:40:48 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Observer Association Message-ID: The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) http://www.mmo-association.org is a membership based association with the aim of bringing together and representing individuals who work commercially and professionally as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators who implement mitigation measures to protect marine life during industry operations. The MMOA also provides information to other individuals that have an interest in MMO issues. The MMOA wishes to invite professional MMOs and PAM operators to sign up as full members of the Association. The MMOA also wishes to invite other interested individuals who may have an interest in MMO issues or MMOs who at present, do not qualify for full membership to sign up as Associate Members. Details of Full and Associate Memberships are outlined below. To sign up to the Association please go to www.mmo-association.org and then click on the "Sign Up" button at the top of the Home Page. FULL MEMBERSHIP (?70 per year) Individuals with a demonstrated level of experience, skills and qualifications to enable them to work in a mitigation role as MMOs or PAM Operators are invited to exchange knowledge and contribute their considered thoughts and concerns as Full Members. Full Members are expected to be able to: ? Provide evidence of having worked as a professional MMO and/or PAM Operator implementing mitigation measures during industry operations on at least two occasions in the last five years. ? Provide evidence of any completed MMO and/or PAM training. ? Provide evidence of recent personal development in marine mammal identification and behaviour whether this was during other employment (i.e. during fisheries work) or outside of any professional commitments (e.g. voluntary surveys / guiding, holidays whale-watching, organising boat trips to see marine mammals etc.). Alternatively, persons without other experience but who have worked for 20 weeks or more in a mitigation role as an MMO and /or PAM operator will qualify as having relevant experience. ? Adhere to the MMOA's Code of Professional Conduct. ? Pay a subscription fee, on acceptance. The main benefits to Full Members will be: ? The opportunity to share your knowledge and experience. ? Opportunity to influence the future development of the profession. ? The benefit of a professional code of conduct. ? Access to the MMO Forum resources and Information Directory. ? Recognition as a serious-minded MMO and listed in the online Membership Directory. ? Full voting rights on the direction of MMOA. Acceptance as a Full Member will allow access to a personal profile page. Here members can create their MMO Association Curriculum Vitae using the online template. This can be saved as a pdf file or printed by each member. On the personal profile page members will also have access to the MMO Forum and the Information Directory. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP (?30 per year) Other interested parties (such as students, prospective MMOs or PAM Operators, newly qualified MMOs or PAM Operators, company employees with an interest in MMO issues, etc.) are invited to join as Associate Members. The main benefits to the Associate Members will be: ? Input to the Association's aims and objectives. ? Access to the Information Directory. ? Invitation to comment on MMO issues. Acceptance as an Associate Member will allow access to a personal profile page. Here members will have access to the Information Directory and also be able to make comments regarding MMO issues. Associate Members will not be eligible to stand for the MMOA Committee, nor are voting rights conferred. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP We would also welcome corporate sponsorship to help us achieve the aims and objectives of the MMOA. Corporate sponsors will have their company logo displayed on our website. If you are interested in sponsorship please email the MMOA at info at mmo-association.org We welcome your applications. Please email info at mmo-association.org if you have any problems during the sign up process. Regards The MMOA Executive Committee The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) Communications House 26 York Street London W1U 6PZ Email: info at mmo-association.org Website: www.mmo-association.org From rosen at zoology.ubc.ca Sun Nov 13 10:00:42 2011 From: rosen at zoology.ubc.ca (David Rosen) Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:00:42 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on Orca / salmon conservation issues Message-ID: <52B7B355-0032-45DB-9D16-A34D588611ED@zoology.ubc.ca> We are please to announce a new publication examining the potential conflict that may be emerging in the northeastern Pacific for southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) and their primary prey, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Williams, R., M. Krko?ek, E. Ashe, T.A. Branch, S. Clark, P.S. Hammond, E. Hoyt, D.P. Noren, D. Rosen and A. Winship. 2011. Competing Conservation Objectives for Predators and Prey: Estimating Killer Whale Prey Requirements for Chinook Salmon. PloS one 6: e26738. The publication is available on-line at: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0026738 ABSTRACT: Ecosystem-based management (EBM) of marine resources attempts to conserve interacting species. In contrast to single-species fisheries management, EBM aims to identify and resolve conflicting objectives for different species. Such a conflict may be emerging in the northeastern Pacific for southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) and their primary prey, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Both species have at-risk conservation status and transboundary (Canada?US) ranges. We modeled individual killer whale prey requirements from feeding and growth records of captive killer whales and morphometric data from historic live-capture fishery and whaling records worldwide. The models, combined with caloric value of salmon, and demographic and diet data for wild killer whales, allow us to predict salmon quantities needed to maintain and recover this killer whale population, which numbered 87 individuals in 2009. Our analyses provide new information on cost of lactation and new parameter estimates for other killer whale populations globally. Prey requirements of southern resident killer whales are difficult to reconcile with fisheries and conservation objectives for Chinook salmon, because the number of fish required is large relative to annual returns and fishery catches. For instance, a U.S. recovery goal (2.3% annual population growth of killer whales over 28 years) implies a 75% increase in energetic requirements. Reducing salmon fisheries may serve as a temporary mitigation measure to allow time for management actions to improve salmon productivity to take effect. As ecosystem-based fishery management becomes more prevalent, trade-offs between conservation objectives for predators and prey will become increasingly necessary. Our approach offers scenarios to compare relative influence of various sources of uncertainty on the resulting consumption estimates to prioritise future research efforts, and a general approach for assessing the extent of conflict between conservation objectives for threatened or protected wildlife where the interaction between affected species can be quantified. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rossiter at csiwhalesalive.org Sun Nov 13 08:06:06 2011 From: rossiter at csiwhalesalive.org (William Rossiter) Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:06:06 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Request for dat regarding cetacean trauma responses Message-ID: <4EBFEAEE.2050608@csiwhalesalive.org> What is the potential for severely traumatized cetaceans to survive at sea? The question has been asked specifically about animals and groups released after strandings and entanglements, but here is directed to animals subjected to capture in shallow water, and released after other individuals in the group have been killed under permit. The question is relevant to meeting permit requirements where certain species are not to be killed: If they are captured with permitted species, subjected to the trauma and released will they survive or die? On 13 November 20 Risso's dolphins, /Grampus griseus/, and two rough toothed dolphins, /Steno bredanensis/, were driven out to sea after a nine-hour period where a still-unknown number of Risso's dolphins of the mixed group were killed and processed in a bay at Taiji, Japan. This is a request for data from any source relating to the potential survival of the released cetaceans, specifically trauma-induced responses known to affect the potential for the group or the individuals to survive. Thank you, William W. Rossiter President Cetacean Society International P.O. Box 953, Georgetown, CT 06829 USA t/c: 203.770.8615, f: 860.561.0187 rossiter at csiwhalesalive.org www.csiwhalesalive.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From simon.ingram at plymouth.ac.uk Mon Nov 14 03:01:40 2011 From: simon.ingram at plymouth.ac.uk (Simon Ingram) Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:01:40 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] cetacean ecotourism PhD opportunity Message-ID: <7D14B0574D3F30499CC2B4B4EADC342A98F162AAD0@ILS131.uopnet.plymouth.ac.uk> PhD Studentship opportunity Plymouth University, UK /Galway Mayo Institute of Technology(GMIT), Ireland Modelling the sustainability and ecosystem services of wildlife ecotourism in remote rural communities PhD Code:MARES_11_13: http://www.mares-eu.org/index.asp?p=1376&a=1090&mod=phd&id=82 A collaborative studentship between Plymouth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology will examine the coupling of ecological processes and the socio-economics of cetacean based eco-tourism. Sustainability of this sector is dependent on the ecosystem services provided by target animals and socio-economic benefits to coastal communities. Coastal and marine ecosystems provide ecological functions that directly or indirectly provide ecosystem services of benefit to human society. However an integrated approach needs to consider the impacts of a growing marine tourism sector on wildlife together with impacts from other coastal activities which may affect the ecosystem on which these organisms are dependent. Threats may include the disturbance from increased vessel traffic directly on the animals but also on the management of other activities likely to affect the ecosystem on which top predators rely such as fishing and coastal developments such as shipping and marine renewable energy projects. This mobility studentship is open to applicants with a masters or equivalent degree from outside or within the EU (providing their most recent degree is not from an institution in Ireland or the UK) and will be based at Plymouth with at least six months working with partners in GMIT and in Scotland (Ecologic). For details on the Mares Erasmus Mundus PhD studentship application guidelines and eligibility go to http://www.mares-eu.org/index.asp For further details regarding this project contact Dr Simon Ingram (simon.ingram at plymouth.ac.uk) or Dr Steve Fletcher (steve.fletcher at plymouth.ac.uk) at Plymouth University or Dr Simon Berrow at GMIT (simon.berrow at gmit.ie) _____________________________________________________________________ Dr Simon Ingram Lecturer in Marine Conservation School of Marine Science and Engineering University of Plymouth Plymouth PL4 8AA UK Phone +44 (0)1752 584591 email: simon.ingram at plymouth.ac.uk Website http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/dynamic.asp?page=staffdetails&id=singram1# -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cselfsullivan at gmail.com Tue Nov 15 08:19:55 2011 From: cselfsullivan at gmail.com (Caryn Self-Sullivan) Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:19:55 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Reminder: Biblio Lunch Meeting at SMM Workshop on the Sirenia Message-ID: Reminder: Sirenian International be hosting a lunch meeting to discuss the future of the searchable online Sirenia & Desmostylia Bibliography during the Sirenian Workshop on Sunday November 27th prior to the SMM Meetings (details of symposium and registration information, below). We will meet in the same room as the workshop and a light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP regarding the lunch meeting to cselfsullivan at sirenian.org by Tuesday November 22nd, 2011. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Fifth International Sirenian Symposium 2011 Date: Sun Nov 27 Duration: All-day Room: #23 Cost: $10 Organizer: Nicole Adimey & Robert Bonde Organizer email: nicoleadimey AT gmail DOT com Register Online: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=2 Description: 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 must be submitted electronically to Nicole Adimey (nicole_adimey at fws.gov) by August 31, 2011. There will be a small registration fee of $10.00/US for this symposium collected at the door. Organizers: Nicole Adimey & Robert Bonde -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruleeney at yahoo.co.uk Wed Nov 16 08:12:43 2011 From: ruleeney at yahoo.co.uk (ruth leeney) Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:12:43 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on cetaceans & basking sharks in UK waters Message-ID: <1321459963.15926.YahooMailNeo@web29511.mail.ird.yahoo.com> Dear MARMAMers, The following paper has recently been published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK: Ruth H. Leeney, Matthew J. Witt, Annette C. Broderick, John Buchanan, Daniel S. Jarvis, Peter B. Richardson & Brendan J. Godley (2011) Marine megavertebrates of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly: relative abundance anddistribution ABSTRACT We document patterns of distribution and relative abundance of marine megavertebrate fauna around Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from a combination of aerial and boat-based surveying. Between January 2006 and November 2007, 20 aerial surveys were undertaken, comprising over 40 hours of on-effort flying time. In April to October of these years, 27 effort-corrected ferry surveys were also conducted from a passenger ferry travelling between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Opportunistic sightings were also logged by the crew members of the ferry and another vessel travelling regularly along the same route on 155 days. Ten megavertebrate species were sighted: basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus,sunfish Mola mola, common dolphins Delphinus delphis, harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, grey seals Halichoerus grypus,Risso?s dolphins Grampus griseus, bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata, long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melasand killer whale Orcinus orca. During aerial surveys, 206 sighting events of seven species were made, compared with 145 sighting events of eight species during ferry surveys and 293 sighting events of 10 species from opportunistic ship-board data collection efforts. Seasonal and spatial patterns in species occurrence were evident. Basking sharks were the most commonly-sighted species in the region and were relatively abundant throughout the estimated 5 km-wide strip of coastal waters covered by the aerial surveys, during spring and summer. Ferry surveys and opportunistic vessel-based sightings data confirmed that the distribution of surface-feeding aggregations of this species was largely around the coasts. Despite the limited scope of this study, it has provided valuable baseline data, and possible insights into the marine biodiversity of the region. For pdfs of the main paper and Supplementary figures, please contact Ruth Leeney at ruleeney at yahoo.co.uk ? - - - Ruth H. Leeney Recherche et Conservation des C?tac?s de S?n?gal http://publicationslist.org/ruth.leeney -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Marla.Holt at noaa.gov Wed Nov 16 14:22:00 2011 From: Marla.Holt at noaa.gov (Marla Holt) Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:22:00 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] new publication on killer whale calls and noise Message-ID: <4EC43788.3060805@noaa.gov> We are pleased to announce that the following article has just been published. Holt, M.M., Noren, D., and Emmons, C. 2011. The effects of noise levels and call types on the source levels of killer whale calls. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.130: 3100-3106. The publication is available online at: http://link.aip.org/link/?JAS/130/3100 Abstract: Accurate parameter estimates relevant to the vocal behavior of marine mammals are needed to assess potential effects of anthropogenic sound exposure including how masking noise reduces the active space of sounds used for communication. Information about how these animals modify their vocal behavior in response to noise exposure is also needed for such assessment. Prior studies have reported variations in the source levels of killer whale sounds, and a more recent study reported that killer whales compensate for vessel masking noise by increasing their call amplitude. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the source levels of a variety of call types in southern resident killer whales while also considering background noise level as a likely factor related to call source level variability. The source levels of 763 discrete calls along with corresponding background noise were measured over three summer field seasons in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands, WA. Both noise level and call type were significant factors on call source levels (1?40 kHz band, range of 135.0?175.7 dB_rms re 1 ?Pa at 1 m). These factors should be considered in models that predict how anthropogenic masking noise reduces vocal communication space in marine mammals. ? 2011 /Acoustical Society of America/ -- __________________________________ Marla M. Holt, Ph.D. Research Wildlife Biologist Marine Mammal Ecology Team NOAA/NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Blvd East Seattle, WA 98112 www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/research/divisions/cbd/marine_mammal/marinemammal.cfm From Jonathan.Shannon at noaa.gov Wed Nov 16 07:57:51 2011 From: Jonathan.Shannon at noaa.gov (Jonathan Shannon) Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:57:51 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] NOAA Fisheries Booth at Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Message-ID: <4EC3DD7F.2030905@noaa.gov> The NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources will be hosting a booth at the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference, in booth spaces 131 & 132. In addition to outreach materials, the booth will serve as a location for informal talks and meetings with NOAA staff, as well as provide information on upcoming NOAA sessions and posters. Scientific research permit analysts with the Office of Protected Resources' Permits and Conservation Division will be at the booth during specific times to discuss MMPA and ESA permits and our online application system (APPS). We encourage all interested persons (potential applicants, permit holders, managers, etc.) to stop by the booth if you have questions about research permits for species managed by NOAA Fisheries. Permit Holders can also contact their permit analysts to arrange individual meetings during the week. Permit Analysts will be at the booth during the following times: Monday, Nov. 28th: 2:30-4:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30th: 2:30-3:30 p.m. *Note: APPS specialists will be on hand this day. Thursday, Nov. 31st: 5:30-7:00 p.m. In celebration of the upcoming 40^th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 2012, we invite you to stop by our booth to record a short interview with our Outreach Specialist, Jonathan Shannon. The short interview will consist of up to 3 questions: 1. What do you view as one of the major successes of the Marine Mammal Protection Act? 2. What is an opportunity or challenge you see in the future of implementing the MMPA? 3. What is one thing you are doing in science, conservation, or education to benefit marine mammals? Other booth discussions and informal meetings times will be posted at the booth throughout the week. We look forward to seeing you at the NOAA Booth. 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 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From manateemayhem at gmail.com Thu Nov 17 11:51:08 2011 From: manateemayhem at gmail.com (Manatee Mayhem) Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:51:08 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Two Weeks Til Manatee Mayhem Message-ID: Aloha SMM Conference Goers (sorry to those that can not make it, you will be missed)- The conference is just around the corner and we are two weeks from the Manatee Mayhem Student Travel Fundraiser. This is an opportunity to celebrate with 300 of your colleagues and support student travel for the 2013 conference. Tickets and t-shirts are selling faster than we expected and supplies are becoming limited. We advise buying everything you need online now or be left out of the fun! http://manateemayhem.weebly.com/purchase-tickets-t-shirts-and-raffle-tickets.html Also, there is an opportunity to give more through the Dee Allen Challenge. For $100 you generously help students but you also get 5 raffle tickets, a free drink, and entrance to the party. You also get to brag that you are an elite donor. If we get thirty $100 donors we get an extra $300 dollars from Dee. Lastly, we have pulled together an impressive array of raffle prizes. Each ticket is $5, but the prizes are worth it! A sampling can be seen on the Manatee Mayhem Website. Plus, if you buy two tickets then you get one free! You must be at the party to win the prizes, except the grand prize Apple iPad 2. That will be announced at the end of the conference and everyone is qualified for that prize. So even if you aren't going to the party, you should buy some raffle tickets and help the cause. For those of you that pre-purchased tickets and t-shirts, they will be available near the conference registration tables or later in the conference. We are about to sell out...order now. Cheers, Charles and Ari -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From MInnes at mmc.gov Wed Nov 16 09:31:54 2011 From: MInnes at mmc.gov (Mina Innes) Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:31:54 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Notification: Marine Mammal Commission Annual Meeting to be held January 2012 Message-ID: The Marine Mammal Commission is planning its annual meeting, to be held January 24-27, 2012 at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. A draft agenda will be posted on the Commission's website, www.mmc.gov, in the near future. For inquiries and further information, please contact mmc at mmc.gov. Wilhelmina Innes Research Program Officer Marine Mammal Commission 4340 East-West Hwy., Rm. 700 Bethesda, MD 20814 301.504.0087 301.504.0099 fax -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mithriel.mackay at gmail.com Tue Nov 15 13:36:55 2011 From: mithriel.mackay at gmail.com (Mithriel MacKay) Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:36:55 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Humpback Whale Field Acoustic and Behavioral Data Collection Program in Puerto Rico Message-ID: Humpback Whale Field Acoustic and Behavioral Data Collection Program in Puerto Rico Featuring guest lectures by Dr. Bernd W?rsig, Texas A&M University February 5-11, 2012 and February 12-18, 2012 The Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center is pleased to announce two, week long sessions focusing on field methods for acoustic and behavioral data collection of humpback whales (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) off Puerto Rico. The program structure will consist of data collection from land (theodolite and digital photography), boats (passive acoustic monitoring, photography, behavioral observations), and data analysis (fluke and fin matching, spectrogram analysis) during the day. Late afternoons and evening will be structured as a roundtable discussion aimed at integrating, interpretation and useful application of data. MCERC?s Education Director, Mithriel MacKay, will be joined by Dr. Bernd W?rsig who will be leading several field excursions and lectures, and Dr. Jose Rivera who will join us in a roundtable discussion to add insight into active acoustic monitoring. The cost of the program covers room and meals, transportation to the field sites, all overhead associated with the program, and instruction. The fee for this program is $2800.00USD/person. Airfare to Ponce, Puerto Rico is not included. For more information on the program or MCERC, an application packet, or questions, please email mithriel.mackay at gmail.com. -- *}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale>* Mithriel M. MacKay Ph.D. Candidate Marine Mammal Research Program Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University, Galveston (830) 688-9878 Director of Research and Education Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center HC02 6231 Guayanilla, PR and PO Box 63435 Pipe Creek, Texas 78063 www.compusafe.biz/Humpbacks_off_Puerto_Rico -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sep20 at psu.edu Tue Nov 15 19:00:52 2011 From: sep20 at psu.edu (SUSAN E PARKS) Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:00:52 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Announcing SeaBASS 2012 (BioAcoustics Summer School) Message-ID: <1321412452l.1982678l.0l@psu.edu> SeaBASS (BioAcoustics Summer School) provides the opportunity for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in marine bioacoustics to develop a strong foundation in both marine animal biology and acoustics from distinguished lecturers in the field. The goals of SeaBASS are to discuss important topics in marine bioacoustics, foster technical communication across disciplines, and promote mentoring and collaboration. SeaBASS gives students an opportunity to learn from experts who will discuss a suite of topics not often offered at any one university. WHEN: June 17-22, 2012 WHERE: Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, State College, PA COSTS: The basic costs of student attendance (room and board, based on double occupancy for students) will be funded from sponsor support. There is no registration fee. Full-time participation of all participants is required. Travel costs are the responsibility of the student, but travel assistance can be requested during the application process. APPLICATION: On-line application is available at http://www.arl.psu.edu/education_seabass.php. Applications deadline is February 1, 2012. Direct questions to Dr. Jennifer Miksis-Olds & Dr. Susan Parks via email at: seabass at arl.psu.edu. COURSE TOPICS: Introduction to Underwater Sound, Sound Propagation, Marine Mammal Biology & Behavior, Sound Production, Fisheries Acoustics/Fish Behavior, Hearing and Masking, Marine Animal Acoustic Communication, Echolocation, Hot Topic: Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Hot Topic: Effects of Noise SPONSORS:Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State (ARL), Office of Naval Research (ONR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at m-e-e-r.de Fri Nov 18 04:28:27 2011 From: info at m-e-e-r.de (Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V.) Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:28:27 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] M.E.E.R. field course, springtime 2012 (MARMAM) Message-ID: <4EC64F6B.4000904@m-e-e-r.de> Dear Fellow-Marmamers! The non-profit association M.E.E.R. would like to announce it's next field course in behavioural biology in the Canary Islands: "Field research of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera" from *18 April - 02 May 2012* The project M.E.E.R. La Gomera is conducting a study on the interactions between cetaceans and whale watching boats since many years. The participants of these 2-weeks practical courses will get an insight into the behavioural research conducted from whale watching boats operating off the island of La Gomera. In this area, 23 cetaceans species could be identified during the last years, representing one of the highest known species diversities in the world. A list of publications that resulted from this project is given below. The course includes a full training program: theory and practice of behavioural research will be learned and profound background information on whale watching will be given. Research experience that will be gained includes sighting data recording, behavioural sampling, photo identification, data handling and more. The course is fully accepted for the study of Biology at the Humboldt-Universitaet Berlin (Germany) and the University of Vienna (Austria). Moreover, the research is embedded in conservation efforts aiming at the preservation and promotion of whale watching as a sustainable use of cetaceans and the establishment of a marine sanctuary in the waters off La Gomera. M.E.E.R. La Gomera was honoured in 2001 with the international environmental award "Tourismus und Umwelt" by the German Association of Travel Agencies and Travel Operators (DRV). As was said during the bestowal, the project "realises new ways of co-operation of research and tourism in an exemplary and innovative way". For further information (including downloads of a detailed brochure and a booking form) please visit *http://m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=208&L=2* The price is 899.- ? including 7 whale watching research excursions, accommodation, full training program, scientific supervision, donation to M.E.E.R. e.V., written working material, certificate of attendance and one year MEER e.V. membership. (The journey to and from La Gomera is not included in the price.) *Early bookings are accepted until 31 January 2012 at a price of 849.- ?* For further information, booking, etc., please send an e-mail to info at m-e-e-r.de _____________________________________ The non-profit association M.E.E.R. is registred and based in Berlin. The objectives of the association are conservation, research and education in order to protect cetaceans in their natural habitats. Our work aims at increasing the public awareness for the oceans and to present ways how humans can deal with nature in a responsible way. Our co-operation partners are the "Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine" (Munich/Germany), and "Oceano Gomera" (whale watching operator/La Gomera). _____________________________________________ Publications in conjunction with the work of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera: Ritter, F. & Ladner, U.A. 1996. Whale Watch Research on La Gomera: A new Interdisciplinary Approach. European Research on Cetaceans 9. Proc. 9th Ann. Conf. ECS, Lisbon 1996, 48ff. Ritter, F. 1996. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Cetaceans off La Gomera (Canary Islands) and Their Interaction with Whale Watching-Boats and Swimmers. Diploma Thesis to the University of Bremen, Faculty of Biology. 114pp. Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1998. First Report of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) Frequenting the Canary Island Waters. European Research on Cetaceans 12. Proc. 12th Ann. Conf. ECS, Monaco, 20-24th January 1998, 95-98. Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1999. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Dense Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) and their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS, 25.2, 55-61. Ritter, F. 2001. Twenty-one Cetacean Species off La Gomera (Canary Islands): Possible Reasons for an extraordinary Species Diversity. Poster presented at the 11th Annual Conference of the ECS, 5-7 May 2001, Rome, Italy. Ritter, F. 2002. Behavioural Observations of Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) with a special Reference to their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS 28.1, 46-59. Smit, V., Ritter, F. & Neumann, K. 2003. Feasibility study: Land-based observations of cetaceans off La Gomera. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran Canaria, Spain. Ritter, F. 2003. Boat-Related behaviours as a tool for the development of species-specific whale watching guidelines. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran Canaria, Spain. Ritter, F. 2003. Interactions of Cetaceans with Whale Watching Boats - Implications for the Management of Whale Watching Tourism. M.E.E.R. e.V., Berlin, Germany, 91 pp. Mayr, I. & Ritter, F.: PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS OFF LA GOMERA (CANARY ISLANDS) WITH NEW INSIGHTS INTO SOCIAL ORGANISATION. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the ECS, La Rochelle, France, April 2005. Ritter, F. & Neumann, K. (2006): The Year of the Whale - Extraorbinary occurrence of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) off La Gomera (Canary Islands). Poster presented at the 20th Annual Conference of the ECS in Gdynia, April 2006. Ritter, F. (2007): BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS TO A DEAD NEWBORN CALF. Marine Mammal Science, 23(2): 429-433 Carrillo, M. & Ritter, F. (2008). Increasing Numbers of Ship Strikes in the Canary Islands: Proposals for Immediate Action to Reduce Risk of Vessel-Whale Collisions. IWC Document SC/60/BC6. Smit, V.; Ritter, F., Ernert, A. & Str?h, N. (2010): Habitat partitioning by cetaceans in a multi-species ecosystem around the oceanic island of La Gomera (Canary Islands). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the ECS, Stralsund, Germany, March 2010 -- Fabian Ritter -President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T/F: (0)30-644 97 230 e-Mail: info at m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org --- The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and there were no major answers they wished to know the questions to... (After Douglas Adams) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ryaboff at ukr.net Fri Nov 18 03:34:01 2011 From: ryaboff at ukr.net (Vyacheslav Ryabov) Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:34:01 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <19779797.20111118133401@ukr.net> Dear collegues, the paper: Vyacheslav Ryabov. 2011. Some Aspects of Analisis of Dolphins' Acoustical Signals. Open Jornal of Acoustics. 1: 41-54. doi:10.4236/oja.2011.12006, it is openly accessible at http://www.scirp.org/journal/oja Abstract Dolphins produce various types of sounds in a wide range of frequencies. Characteristics of some sounds till now have not been correctly registered, that influenced on interpretation of their functions. Studying of the characteristics and functions of dolphins? acoustical signals is the purpose of the present work. In this work the acoustical signals of two dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were registered by two-channel system in the frequencies band up to 200 kHz at quasi-stationary position of the dolphins. The dolphins along with whistles are producing the packs of coherent and non-coherent broadband pulses. The waveform and spectrum of coherent pulses was invariable within a pack, but considerably varies from a pack to a pack. The waveform of each non-coherent pulse vary from a pulse to a pulse in each pack, therefore their spectrum also vary from a pulse to a pulse and have many extremums in the band of 6 - 200 kHz. It is very likely that the non-coherent pulses play a part of phonemes of a dolphin spoken language and the probing signals of dolphin?s noncoherent sonar. The use possibility of the signals by dolphins for communication and orientation was considered, as the signals apparently are bimodal. Results of the work have significance for further studying of the dolphin?s sonar and spoken language. Keywords: Dolphins, Hearing, Sonar, Acoustical Signals, Language, Orientation Best regards, Dr. Vyacheslav A. Ryabov Karadag Natural Reserve National Academy of Science of Ukraine Kurortnoe, Feodosia, 98188, Crimea, Ukraine mailto:ryaboff at ukr.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andre.steckenreuter at mq.edu.au Fri Nov 18 15:37:19 2011 From: andre.steckenreuter at mq.edu.au (Andre Steckenreuter) Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:37:19 +1100 Subject: [MARMAM] new publications on tourism impact on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Message-ID: Dear Marmamers, I am pleased to announce two new publications: Steckenreuter, A., Harcourt, R., M?ller, L. (2012). Are Speed Restriction Zones an effective management tool for minimising impacts of boats on dolphins in an Australian marine park? *Marine Policy* 36: 258-264. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X11001023 Abstract The small, genetically distinct population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops aduncus*) in Port Stephens, New South Wales (NSW), is the target of the largest dolphin-watching industry in Australia and falls within the recently created Port Stephens?Great Lakes Marine Park. The effectiveness of Speed Restriction Zones (SRZs) as a management tool in this area was investigated during their second year of implementation by comparing dolphin usage and behaviour to adjacent Control Zones (CZs) of similar habitat. For this purpose, boat-based surveys and focal follows of dolphin groups were carried out in the zones between August 2008 and August 2009. Results showed that SRZs were more intensely used by dolphin-watching boats in summer. There was no change in dolphins? behaviour and group structure in the presence of dolphin-watching boats in SRZs when compared to dolphin groups within CZs in any season. Dolphin groups including calves used SRZs less during summer. The latter may indicate a shift in area utilisation for those groups during intense boat traffic by dolphin-watching operators. CZs were more important than SRZs as foraging grounds for dolphins in summer. This indicates that SRZs as specified are not effective at minimising boating impacts and that the location of these zones should in time be revised. This is important information for management of dolphin-watching within this marine park and an example of adaptive management in progress. Moreover these results are relevant for conservation of dolphins and the management of dolphin-watching industries elsewhere, particularly new industries, where management strategies may incorporate marine protected areas including zoning plans. Steckenreuter, A., Harcourt, R., M?ller, L. (2011). Distance does matter: close approaches by boats impede feeding and resting behaviour of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. *Wildlife Research *38: 455-463. http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/144/paper/WR11048.htm *Abstract* *Context:* Potential impacts of human disturbance on animal populations can be measured as behavioural responses and may affect the survival and fecundity of animals. In areas where human?wildlife interactions occur, conservation management needs to be in place to secure both a viable tourism industry and the sustainability of the targeted species. *Aims:* We sought to evaluate whether different approach distances by boat have effects on the behaviour and group cohesion of dolphins that are targeted by Australia?s largest dolphin-watching industry. *Methods:* The effects of different approach distances of boats on the behavioural states of dolphins, group dispersal and direction of movement were investigated in this area by controlled boat experiments conducted between August 2008 and December 2009. *Key results:* Results showed that there was significantly less feeding when boats approached dolphin groups to a distance of 50 m than when they did to a distance of 150 m, or with controlled approaches. Resting was also observed significantly less when boats approached to a distance of 50 m than when they approached to a distance of 150 m. The dispersal of dolphin groups was significantly tighter (less dispersed) when boats approached to 50 m than that with 150-m-distance or controlled approaches. Furthermore, the dolphins? direction of movement was less neutral when the experimental boat approaches were carried out at a distance of 50 m than when they were carried out at a distance of 150 m, or with controlled approaches. Similar results were also obtained for dolphin groups including calves. *Conclusions:* On the basis of the results from this study, we recommend that the existing New South Wales regulations, which stipulate that dolphin-watching boats keep a distance of 50 m to groups with adults only and 150 m to groups with calves, are maintained within the Port Stephens?Great Lakes Marine Park (PSGLMP). *Implications:* Management plans whose stated goals include both sustainability of a dolphin-watching industry and longer-term viability of a dolphin population may reconcile conflicting objectives and improve their decision making by using these empirical measures rather than best guesses. -- Regards, Andre Steckenreuter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PhD Candidate Marine Mammal Research Group Graduate School of the Environment Macquarie University, 2109 NSW, Australia Ph: 0410862189 Email: andre.steckenreuter at mq.edu.au ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Siri.Hakala at noaa.gov Fri Nov 18 15:29:48 2011 From: Siri.Hakala at noaa.gov (Siri Hakala) Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:29:48 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] CITES Import/Export information session at the Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Message-ID: <4EC6EA6C.5060506@noaa.gov> A joint NOAA/USFWS information session designed to answer questions about importing and exporting marine mammal tissue and DNA from and to the United States under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) will be held at the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. A representative from NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (providing the perspective of an importer/exporter and applicant for CITES permits) and from the USFWS Division of Management Authority (from the CITES regulatory perspective) will be on hand to answer questions. The session will take place on November 30 from 5:30-7:00pm at the NOAA Booth (either Booth 131 or 132 in the same hall as the posters). Everyone is welcome, especially if you have plans to export samples to the US. Some examples of questions we can help answer: What paperwork is required to legally export/import samples to the United States under CITES? Who do I request permits from in my country? Who needs to validate the permit before the samples cross any borders? What will happen to my shipment if it doesn't comply with the CITES regulations? Who do I need to contact if I am expecting an import of marine mammal specimens? We hope to see you there! Siri Hakala (NOAA) Lisa Lierheimer (USFWS) From Patricia.Rosel at noaa.gov Fri Nov 18 15:32:12 2011 From: Patricia.Rosel at noaa.gov (Patricia Rosel) Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:32:12 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] position opening Message-ID: <4EC6EAFC.9010400@noaa.gov> NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center is seeking a research geneticist to work at its marine mammal molecular genetics laboratory in Lafayette, LA. The person selected for this position will apply molecular genetic and genomic tools to characterize population structure and evolutionary histories to provide information in aid of conservation and management of natural populations of marine mammal species. Primary duties include serving as laboratory manager, inventory and ordering of supplies, running and maintenance of two ABI Genetic Analyzers, and collecting and analyzing molecular genetic data. The job announcement and instructions on how to apply are available at USAjobs.gov under announcement numbers: NMFS-SEFSC-2012-0010 ( MAP Vacancy Announcement number) and NMFS-SEFSC-2012-0009 (DEU Vacancy Announcement number) From ritter at m-e-e-r.de Fri Nov 18 08:16:10 2011 From: ritter at m-e-e-r.de (Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V.) Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:16:10 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Vet advice requested for skin anomaly in bottlenose dolphin Message-ID: <4EC684CA.9040404@m-e-e-r.de> Dear Colleagues, during autumn 2012 we observed a number of bottlenose dolphins obvious with *skin anomalies / skin diseases *off La Gomera (Canary Islands). While emaciated bottlenose dolphins have become a more or less regular sight during the past, and some anomalies can be explained relatively straight away, at least one case from October 2012 is still *puzzling:* A bottlenose dolphin calf carried *large patches on both flanks*, where its skin looked *atypical in colour and character*, hence appeared as a skin disease. This anomaly didn't look like anything we had observed so far. We were able to shoot some good quality photographic images of the individual, which are represented here: http://www.m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=511&L=2 If you have *veterinary and/or pathological experience *with cetaceans, we would like to know if you know about the (potential) cause for this anomaly. We will be grateful for any suggestions, which finally will be used for our study *"Anomalies in Cetaceans off La Gomera" *launched in 2010. High resolution images are also available. Best greetings, Fabian -- Fabian Ritter -Vorsitzender/President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T/F: (0)30-644 97 230 e-Mail:ritter at m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org --- The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and there were no major answers they wished to know the questions to... (After Douglas Adams) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From B.J.Godley at exeter.ac.uk Thu Nov 17 15:25:59 2011 From: B.J.Godley at exeter.ac.uk (Godley, Brendan) Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:25:59 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] FW: Three Lecturships at University of Exeter Message-ID: <298090EB4920AF4EA276FB25E2CF14EA948E7914@EXCHMBS05.isad.isadroot.ex.ac.uk> Three Lecturers in Behaviour/Conservation/Genetics We are seeking three dynamic researchers to join our thriving team in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC). The CEC is based on Exeter's Cornwall Campus and is home to an outstanding group of whole organism biologists, with world leading research in conservation, ecology and behavioural, evolutionary, and molecular ecology. Our aim is to further link these and other research areas and develop multidisciplinary research programmes within the Centre and more broadly. We form part of Exeter's Bioscience team, which is a large discipline working from genes to cells to organisms to ecosystems. We are looking for three motivated, high quality researchers to complement our current CEC team and the staff at the Environment and Sustainability Institute, also on the Cornwall Campus. Further details: https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=4944594dHX&WVID=3817591jNg&LANG=USA 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 Daniel.Palacios at noaa.gov Mon Nov 21 10:33:31 2011 From: Daniel.Palacios at noaa.gov (Daniel Palacios) Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:33:31 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Announcing LAJAM online! Message-ID: <2C48A371-F6DF-4D17-986D-13D5407275CD@noaa.gov> SOLAMAC (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mam?feros Acu?ticos) and SOMEMMA (Sociedad Mexicana de Mastozoolog?a Marina) are pleased to announce that the scientific journal of the two societies, the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM), is now an electronic journal. The journal will operate from its new web site (www.lajamjournal.org) and the web pages of SOLAMAC (solamac.org) and SOMEMMA (www.somemma.org) will provide links to it. Since 2002 LAJAM publishes scientific articles on the biology, management and conservation of the aquatic mammals of Latin America. To date it has published seven volumes and Vol. 8 is currently in press. The latter is a special volume on the biology and conservation of neotropical dolphins of the genus Sotalia. It will be the last printed volume of the journal and the electronic version will appear very soon. In addition, editorial teams are currently at work on a special issue on giant otter and a special volume on Tursiops in the Southwestern Atlantic, scheduled to appear in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In preparation for the transition to an electronic publication, earlier this year LAJAM acquired an electronic ISSN (2236-1057) through the Instituto Brasileiro de Informa??o em Ci?ncia e Tecnologia, and a prefix for Digital Object Identifiers (DOI: 10.5597) through CrossRef. As the electronic journal becomes established in the next couple of years LAJAM will seek inclusion in the various indexation services and in the Science Citation Index, which assigns the Impact Factor. The new site for the journal is an implementation of the Open Journal Systems, an initiative of the Public Knowledge Project. As such, LAJAM will be freely available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution License. The new system offers all the services of a modern electronic journal and includes tools like content search, personalization, notifications, social bookmarking, and the option to comment and discuss published articles. The handling of manuscripts from submission to publication will be through the site. Publishing of articles in LAJAM will be free of cost to current members of SOLAMAC and SOMEMMA as a benefit of membership. Everyone is invited to register and create a profile on the site. From its beginning LAJAM has been generously sponsored by Yaqu Pacha (Germany) and Funda??o Oswaldo Cruz (Minist?rio da Sa?de do Brasil). It also has received funding from Cetacean Society International, US Marine Mammal Commission, Wildlife Conservation Society, International Whaling Commission, Instituto Aqualie and Petrobras. LAJAM has relied on the effort of the Associate Editors that have been part of the Editorial Board over the years, and on the many researchers that have served as reviewers for the journal. To all of them, thank you! We look forward to your active participation in this new phase of the journal! Doris Oliva President, SOLAMAC Ma. Concepci?n Garc?a Aguilar President, SOMEMMA Daniel Palacios Editor-in-Chief, LAJAM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danielasilvia at oceanomaredelphis.org Mon Nov 21 12:58:38 2011 From: danielasilvia at oceanomaredelphis.org (Daniela Silvia Pace) Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:58:38 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Anthropogenic food patches and association patterns of Tursiops truncatus at Lampedusa island, Italy Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following paper on bottlenose dolphin social structure: Pace DS, Pulcini M and Triossi F (2011). Anthropogenic food patches and association patterns of Tursiops truncatus at Lampedusa island, Italy. Behavioral Ecology. doi:10.1093/beheco/arr180. It has been made available online in advance via the following link: http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/11/11/beheco.arr180.short?rss=1 Abstract Anthropogenic food patches in the marine environment, such as aquaculture farms and active trawlers, may impact on the behavior of marine mammals through modification of habitats, changes in predation pressure, or alterations in food distribution, availability, and predictability, affecting related social interactions and population demographics. This study examined patterns of association of a population of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) around Lampedusa Island (Italy) during 1996?2006 and tested the hypothesis that the trawl fishery and the presence of an aquaculture farm could affect such patterns. Here, we used measures of association between pairs of individuals to assess this impact on social unit composition/cohesion and some analytical techniques to describe the structure of dolphin social networks and temporal stability of associations. Association information for 71 regularly sighted individuals was obtained from photo-identification surveys within groups observed or not at ?feeding stations?. We found association patterns between dolphins were nonrandom. The Lampedusa population seems to be arranged into 6 clusters and organized in communities composed of animals that were either never seen in association with feeding stations (N individuals) or those that are (Y individuals), although mixed assemblages were also recorded. Both communities showed long-term preferred companions, with different degrees of social cohesion?as resulted by network measures and temporal analysis. Delineating community structure at Lampedusa Island has offered basic information for further investigations in the area, also providing novel evidences on how disparities in association patterns between bottlenose dolphin individuals may have resulted from a combination of ecological and anthropogenic factors. Cheers, Daniela Silvia Pace ======================== Daniela Silvia Pace President Oceanomare Delphis Onlus www.oceanomaredelphis.org danielasilvia at oceanomaredelphis.org Registered office: Corso D?augusto 14, 47921 Rimini (Italy) Operating offices: Via G. Marinuzzi 74, 00124 Roma (Italy) tel&fax +39 06 50910791 Via Zaro 22, 80075 Forio d'Ischia (NA, Italy) tel&fax +39 081 989578 From emiii at buffalo.edu Mon Nov 21 08:26:06 2011 From: emiii at buffalo.edu (emiii at buffalo.edu) Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:26:06 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] M.S. opportunities in cetacean bioacoustics and cognition Message-ID: <5802.1321892766@buffalo.edu> The Neural & Cognitive Plasticity laboratory at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, in Western New York, is looking for motivated students to undertake research towards an M.S. degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior (http://www.evolutionecologybehavior.buffalo.edu/programs/ms/) in one of the following areas: ? Song learning and adaptation by humpback whales ? Auditory distance estimation by cetaceans and songbirds ? Auditory scene analysis and source localization within song choruses ? Auditory perceptual learning in underwater echolocation ? Development of biomimetic sound production and reception technologies ? Real-time acoustic monitoring and analysis of cetacean vocal behavior Most of these projects require a strong interdisciplinary background in acoustics, psychology, engineering or computer science. Students will be supervised by Dr. Eduardo Mercado, along with other faculty in the UB Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (see http://www.evolutionecologybehavior.buffalo.edu/). Interested applicants should email Dr. Mercado (emiii at buffalo.edu) before applying to the program. The program is designed to train researchers, educators, managers and regulators in the study of evolution, ecology and behavior. The subject matter of the program is broad-ranging and encompasses those aspects of the life and environmental sciences that characterize how organisms interact with each other and their environment and how those interactions change over time. Students will be required to complete coursework from multiple departments, including Anthropology, Biological Sciences, and Psychology, and may also take course in other departments such as Neuroscience and Electrical Engineering to fulfill degree requirements. Information about the details of the application process is available at http://www.evolutionecologybehavior.buffalo.edu/programs/applications/ From catriona at mcs.st-and.ac.uk Tue Nov 22 06:10:29 2011 From: catriona at mcs.st-and.ac.uk (Catriona Harris) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:10:29 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Quantitative Ecologist/Statistician (2 PDRA posts available) - University of St Andrews, Scotland Message-ID: <4ECBAD55.4050108@mcs.st-and.ac.uk> We would like to advertise the following post-doctoral positions, which will be based at the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), University of St Andrews, Scotland: Quantitative Ecologist/Statistician (2 posts available) ? Ref SB2276 Description School of Mathematics and Statistics, Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), Salary: ?29,972-?35,788 pa, Start: 2 April 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter, Fixed Term: 3 years Details Applications are invited for two Postdoctoral Research Fellows (PDRFs) on a new research project to start April 2012. The project entitled MOCHA ? ?Multi-study OCean acoustics Human effects Analysis? is a large, international collaborative project with the funded posts based within CREEM at the University of St Andrews. The research is funded by the United States Office of Naval Research. There is currently great concern about the impacts of man-made noise in the oceans on marine fauna. Behavioural Response Studies (BRSs) are experiments aimed at directly quantifying the relationship between potential anthropogenic disturbances and their effect on the behaviour of specific marine mammals. The United States Navy is making a substantial investment in BRS studies, aimed at understanding the effect of active sonar on species of concern. Despite the difficulties of conducting such experiments in the field and analysing such complex data, we believe that substantial progress can be made to enhance the inferences drawn from existing and future BRS data. We will achieve this by bringing together researchers undertaking BRS studies and statisticians specializing in the analysis of biological experiments of this kind in a working group format, with dedicated researcher effort between group meetings. We require two post-doctoral researchers to work within this project. You will either be a statistician or ecologist with demonstrable experience in quantitative methods with a PhD in statistics, mathematics, ecology, or a related quantitative discipline. A broad interest or experience in the field of marine mammal biology, animal behaviour or phase 1 clinical trials would be advantageous. Informal enquiries to Dr Catriona Harris, e-mail: catriona at mcs.st-and.ac.uk or Dr Len Thomas, e-mail: lt5 at st-andrews.ac.uk. Further details, including application details, are available from https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/ under reference number SB2276 A direct link to the above page is http://tiny.cc/bpzmu In particular, see the link to "Further Particulars" at the bottom of that page. Closing date for applications is December 22nd. -- Dr Catriona (Stephenson) Harris Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling The Observatory Buchanan Gardens University of St Andrews St Andrews KY16 9LZ Tel: 01334 461831 Fax: 01334 461800 E.mail: catriona at mcs.st-and.ac.uk ***Please note change in e.mail address The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 From eliovicente at zoomarine.pt Mon Nov 21 15:58:46 2011 From: eliovicente at zoomarine.pt (Elio Vicente) Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:58:46 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] 2012 Annual Symposium of the EAAM References: <088F72F1A78E0042AB20D21AF29EC099033E9507@snetexc.zoomarine.alg> Message-ID: <088F72F1A78E0042AB20D21AF29EC099033E9508@snetexc.zoomarine.alg> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Siri.Hakala at noaa.gov Mon Nov 21 11:54:16 2011 From: Siri.Hakala at noaa.gov (Siri Hakala) Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:54:16 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] CITES info session *date change* Message-ID: <4ECAAC68.2060008@noaa.gov> Change of Date- Due to an unforeseen schedule conflict, the joint NOAA/USFWS information session to answer questions about importing and exporting marine mammal samples from and to the United States under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) will be held on *Tuesday, November 29th* at the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. A representative from NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (providing the perspective of an importer/exporter and applicant for CITES permits) and from the USFWS Division of Management Authority (from the CITES regulatory perspective) will be on hand to answer questions. A representative from NMFS Office of Protected Resources will provide the NMFS Headquarters permit perspective. The session will take place on Tuesday, November 29 from 5:30-7:00pm at the NOAA Booth (either Booth 131 or 132 in the same hall as the posters). Everyone is welcome, especially if you have plans to import/export samples the in future. Some examples of questions we can help answer: What paperwork is required to legally export/import samples to the United States under CITES? Who do I request permits from in my country? Who needs to validate the permit before the samples cross any borders? What will happen to my shipment if it doesn't comply with the CITES regulations? Who do I need to contact if I am expecting an import of marine mammal specimens? We hope to see you there! Siri Hakala (NOAA) Lisa Lierheimer (USFWS) Amy Sloan (NOAA) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jacksonjennifera at gmail.com Tue Nov 22 14:15:23 2011 From: jacksonjennifera at gmail.com (Jennifer Jackson) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:15:23 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Symposium 27th November: Genetic monitoring of marine mammals, Tampa Convention Center Message-ID: Dear all, A one day symposium on the genetic monitoring of marine mammals will be held at the Tampa Convention Center on Sunday prior to the marine mammal Biennial. We have a great range of speakers and look forward to a lively panel debate at the end of it. Please contact me: jacksonjennifera at gmail.com if you wish to register for this meeting. The cost is $30. For those who are interested, some more detail on the genetic monitoring concept is included at the bottom of this email. Hopefully see you in Tampa! Jen AGENDA: 9 am Keynote: Dr Mike Schwartz (head of Wildlife Ecology Research Unit at the USDA Forest Service, also University of Montana) - Genetic monitoring of terrestrial and marine vertebrates: successes and failures of the molecular genetic approach to cost-effective monitoring 9:40 am Dr Diana Weber (New College of Florida, USA) Marching through time: The importance of looking back as we look forward in our efforts to develop genetic monitoring in marine mammals Break 10:40 am Dr Andy Foote (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) - The use of ancient and environmental DNA as a tool for genetic monitoring of marine mammals. 11 am Mia Valtonen (University of Eastern Finland, Finland) Genetic monitoring of a small and isolated seal population 11:20 am Dr Joe Hoffman (University of Bielefeld, Germany) Unravelling pinniped life histories through long term genetic monitoring 11:40 am Rebecca Hamner (Oregon State University) Demographic, genetic and serendipitous findings from the genetic monitoring of the critically endangered Maui's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hector maui) Lunch 2 pm Dr Karina Acevedo Whitehouse (Center for Basic and Applied Microbiology, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico, and Institute of Zoology, London) Goo, germs and genes: non-invasive sampling to monitor cetacean populations 2:20 pm Dr Frank Cipriano (San Francisco State University) - Market surveys and genetic monitoring of the whale meat trade 2:40 pm Dr Jennifer Jackson (British Antarctic Survey) ? Wrap up and introduction to panel discussion Break 3:40 pm Panel discussion: Dr Mike Schwartz, Dr Phil Morin (Southwest Fisheries Science Center), Dr Frank Cipriano, Dr Karina Acevedo Whitehouse Genetic monitoring of Marine Mammal Populations Genetic monitoring is the practice of using molecular genetic markers to track changes in the abundance, diversity or distribution of populations, species or ecosystems over time,and to follow adaptive genetic changes in response to changing external conditions. In recent years genetic monitoring has become a valuable tool in conservation management, biodiversity monitoring and ecological analysis. Genetic monitoring is used to illuminate and define cryptic and poorly understood species and populations, to detect adaptive change and to inform management policy as a result of detected declines, changes in population structure, distribution and hybridization events through time. It can also provide valuable baseline information to evaluate population responses to future global environmental changes, such as global warming. Genetic monitoring projects require a time series of archived genetic data, either in the form of specimen tissue, extracted DNA, or records of previously obtained genetic information. Genetic monitoring approaches are particularly useful for marine mammals as many species (i) are rarely encountered (so traditional records are patchy) (ii) cannot be individually identified without the use of genetics (so survival rates cannot be estimated) (iii) are endangered or threatened under IUCN, or (iv) are subject to regular population assessment through IWC, NAMMCO or CCAMLR auspices. There is currently a strong need for routine population monitoring of many species, and for obtaining a better understanding of population processes in others. We will discuss the following topics: A) The use of genetic markers as identifiers of individuals, populations and species for traditional population monitoring purposes. * Survival and abundance trends. At the individual level, genetic identification can enable estimation of population abundance and vital rates within the framework of mark-recapture models. Genetic monitoring approaches have now been used to investigate population demographic processes for a number of marine mammal species. * Identification of parasites or pathogens. Monitoring of cetacean health through sampling and genetic analysis of cetacean blow. * Identification of species. Indirect monitoring of marine mammal species in markets as a means of evaluating adherence to quotas and the extent of cetacean by-catch. * Identification of hybrids. Inter-species hybridization events have recently been detected for a number of Arctic marine mammals, and this could become an increasing problem as sea ice is lost and formerly isolated populations make contact. B) The use of genetic markers to monitor changes in population genetic parameters, e.g., genetic variation and population structure, gene flow, and effective population size * Changes in range and diversity through time, e.g. by using historical or ancient specimens obtained from museums or from the field. * Changes in population structuring through time. From ler4 at st-andrews.ac.uk Wed Nov 23 08:50:36 2011 From: ler4 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Luke Rendell) Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:50:36 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Abstract: Can Genetic Differences Explain Vocal Dialect Variation in Sperm Whales Message-ID: <49B70506B2166143843AC3CA56E5307F34B1569D@uos-dun-mbx1> Colleagues, The paper below appeared online recently. For those with journal access, it can be found at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/25v60uu35j5369r1/ Otherwise I can send you a pdf if you email me (ler4 at st-andrews.ac.uk). Cheers, Luke Can Genetic Differences Explain Vocal Dialect Variation in Sperm Whales, Physetermacrocephalus? Luke Rendell, Sarah L. Mesnick, Merel L. Dalebout, Jessica Burtenshaw and Hal Whitehead BEHAVIOR GENETICS DOI: 10.1007/s10519-011-9513-y Abstract Sperm whale social groups can be assigned to vocal clans based on their production of codas, short stereotyped patterns of clicks. It is currently unclear whether genetic variation could account for these behavioural differences. We studied mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation among sympatric vocal clans in the Pacific Ocean, using sequences extracted from sloughed skin samples. We sampled 194 individuals from 30 social groups belonging to one of three vocal clans. As in previous studies of sperm whales, mtDNA control region diversity was low (? = 0.003), with just 14 haplotypes present in our sample. Both hierarchical AMOVAs and partial Mantel tests showed that vocal clan was a more important factor in matrilineal population genetic structure than geography, even though our sampling spanned thousands of kilometres. The variance component attributed to vocal dialects (7.7%) was an order of magnitude higher than those previously reported in birds, while the variance component attributed to geographic area was negligible. Despite this, the two most common haplotypes were present in significant quantities in each clan, meaning that variation in the control region cannot account for behavioural variation between clans, and instead parallels the situation in humans where parent-offspring transmission of language variation has resulted in correlations with neutral genes. Our results also raise questions for the management of sperm whale populations, which has traditionally been based on dividing populations into geographic ?stocks?, suggesting that culturally-defined vocal clans may be more appropriate management units. Keywords Sperm whale ? Vocal dialect ? Cultural transmission ? Genetic population structure -- Dr. Luke Rendell Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Tel: (44)(0)1334 463499 E-mail: ler4 at st-andrews.ac.uk WWW: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ler4.htm School of Biology, University of St. Andrews Bute Medical Building, Westburn Lane, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS U.K. The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (SC013532) From Daniel.Palacios at noaa.gov Sun Nov 27 07:23:05 2011 From: Daniel.Palacios at noaa.gov (Daniel Palacios) Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:23:05 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] [lajam] TOC, Vol. 8, Nos. 1-2 (2010) - Sotalia Special Volume Message-ID: The Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM), the scientific journal of SOLAMAC (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mam?feros Acu?ticos) and SOMEMMA (Sociedad Mexicana de Mastozoolog?a Marina), has just published its latest issue: Special Volume on the Biology and Conservation of Neotropical Dolphins of the Genus Sotalia It can be freely accessed at: http://www.lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/issue/current We invite you to review the Table of Contents here and then visit our web site to review articles and items of interest. Registered users can sign up to receive notifications and table of contents via email. Thanks for the continuing interest in LAJAM, Marcos Santos Lead Guest Editor Monica Borobia, Susana Caballero, Carlos Olavarr?a, and Eduardo Secchi Guest Editors Salvatore Siciliano Managing Editor Daniel M. Palacios LAJAM, Editor-in-Chief Vol. 8, Nos. 1-2 (2010) Special Volume on the Biology and Conservation of Neotropical Dolphins of the Genus Sotalia Table of Contents Editorial A Tale of Two Dolphins: Introduction to the Special Volume on the Biology and Conservation of Neotropical Dolphins of the Genus Sotalia PDF M. C. O. Santos, C. Olavarr?a, M. Borobia, S. Caballero, E. R. Secchi, S. Siciliano, D. M. Palacios 9-23 Workshop Reports Report of the Working Group on Taxonomy and Genetics PDF A. M. Sol?-Cava, S. Caballero, C. R. Bonvicino, T. S. G. Correa, I. B. Moreno, P. A. C. Flores 25-29 Report of the Working Group on Distribution, Habitat Characteristics and Preferences, and Group Size PDF V. M. F. da Silva, D. Fettuccia, E. S. Rodrigues, H. Edwards, I. B. Moreno, J. F. Moura, L. L. Wedekin, M. Bazzalo, N. R. Emin-Lima, N. A. S. Carmo, S. Siciliano, V. Utreras B. 31-38 Report of the Working Group on Population Abundance and Density Estimation PDF M. C. O. Santos, M. J. Cremer, E. R. Secchi, L. Flach, G. Filla, A. Hubner, S. Duss?n-Duque 39-45 Report of the Working Group on Major Threats and Conservation PDF E. A. Crespo, D. Alarc?n, M. Alonso, M. Bazzalo, M. Borobia, M. Cremer, G. Filla, L. Lodi, F. A. Magalh?es, J. Marigo, H. L. Queir?z, J. E. Reynolds, III, Y. Schaeffer, P. R. Dorneles, J. Lailson-Brito, D. L. Wetzel 47-56 Reviews Natural history of dolphins of the genus Sotalia PDF F. C. W. Rosas, J. Marigo, M. Laeta, M. R. Rossi-Santos 57-68 Articles Mitochondrial DNA diversity, differentiation and phylogeography of the South American riverine and coastal dolphins Sotalia fluviatilis andSotalia guianensis. PDF S. Caballero, F. Trujillo, J. A. Vianna, H. Barrios-Garrido, M. G. Montiel, S Beltr?n-Pedreros, M. Marmontel, M. C. O. Santos, M. R. Rossi-Santos, F. R. Santos, C. S. Baker 69-79 Initial description of Major Histocompatibility Complex variation at two Class II loci (DQA-DQB) in Sotalia fluviatilis and Sotalia guianensis PDF S. Caballero, D. Heimeier, F. Trujillo, J. A. Vianna, H. Barrios-Garrido, M. G. Montiel, S. Beltr?n-Pedreros, M. Marmontel, M. C. O. Santos, M. R. Rossi-Santos, F. R. Santos, C. S. Baker 81-95 Records of Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, in the State of Cear?, Northeastern Brazil PDF A. C. O. Meirelles, A. C. Ribeiro, C. P. N. Silva, A. A. Soares-Filho 97-102 Ecology and conservation status of tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, Peru PDF T. L. McGuire 103-110 Habitat use of the Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea, Delphinidae), in the Caravelas River Estuary, eastern Brazil PDF M. R. Rossi-Santos, L. L. Wedekin, E. L. A. Monteiro-Filho 111-116 Residence patterns of the Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianensis in Babitonga bay, south coast of Brazil PDF F. A. S. Hardt, M. J. Cremer, A. J. Tonello, Jr., P. C. A. Sim?es-Lopes 117-121 Occurrence of chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from Ubatuba and Baixada Santista, S?o Paulo, Brazil PDF M. B. Alonso, J. Marigo, C. P. Bertozzi, M. C. O. Santos, S. Taniguchi, R. C. Montone 123-130 Sounds produced by the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) from the Napo and Aguarico rivers of Ecuador PDF L. J. May-Collado, D. Wartzok 131-136 Morphology of the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) off southeastern Brazil: growth and geographic variation PDF R. M. A. Ramos, A. P. M. Di Beneditto, S. Siciliano, M. C. O. Santos, A. N. Zerbini, A. F. C. Vicente, E. Zampirolli, F. S. Alvarenga, A. B. Fragoso, J. Lailson-Brito, Jr., A. F. Azevedo, L. Barbosa, N. R. W. Lima 137-149 Cervical ribs and cleft arches in Brazilian Sotalia guianensis: contribution to comparative studies of skeletal morphology in northern and southeastern specimens PDF M. Laeta, S. M. F. M. Souza, S. Siciliano 151-165 Notes Note on the group size and behavior of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Marapanim Bay, Par?, Brazil PDF R. Emin-Lima, L. N. Moura, A. L. F. Rodrigues, M. L. Silva 167-170 Update on the freshwater distribution of Sotalia in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Suriname PDF C. G?mez-Salazar, M. Portocarrero-Aya, F. Trujillo, S. Caballero, J. Bola?os-Jim?nez, V. Utreras, T. Mcguire, A. Ferrer-P?rez, M. Pool, E. Aliaga-Rossel 171-178 Proposed English common name for the neotropical delphinid Sotalia guianensis (P.-J. Van Beneden, 1864) PDF P. A. C. Flores, M. Bazzalo, S. Caballero, M. C. O. Santos, M. R. Rossi-Santos, F. Trujillo, J. Bola?os-Jimenez, M. J. Cremer, L. J. May-Collado, F. J. L. Silva, M. G. Montiel-Villalobos, A. F. Azevedo, A. C. O. Meirelles, L. Flach, H. Barrios-Garrido, P. C. Sim?es-Lopes, H. A. Cunha, K. Van Waerebeek 179-181 A new skin biopsy system for use with small cetaceans PDF H. A. Cunha, A. F. Azevedo, J. Lailson-Brito, Jr. 183-186 The triumph of the commons: Working towards the conservation of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in the Canan?ia estuary, Brazil PDF M. C. O. Santos, M. B. Campolim, I. S. Parada, P. Dunker, E. Silva 187-190 In Memoriam N?lio Baptista Barros (1960-2010) ? a pioneer at home and abroad PDF M. Borobia, D. M. Palacios, R. S. Wells, M. K. Stolen, E. R. Secchi 191-192 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danielle.gibas at seawatchfoundation.org.uk Fri Nov 25 04:05:45 2011 From: danielle.gibas at seawatchfoundation.org.uk (Danielle Gibas) Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:05:45 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2012 Message-ID: <6B495E1414024107B10ADDDC68E49971@D55Z5N1J> The Sea Watch Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the following: RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2012 This position is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the running of the "Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project" and coordinating the project volunteers. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. Start Date: April 2nd 2011 End Date: October 28th 2011 Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: * Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project volunteers - in charge of the volunteer house and the volunteer weekly office rota. * Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in volunteer basic training of land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, Database entry and more. * Assisting the Monitoring Officer in all phases of the research. * Undertaking a personal research project supervised by the Monitoring Officer - research topic will be chosen according to Sea Watch Foundation requirements and applicants' interests. Requirements: The successful applicant is expected to have a BSc degree (or higher) in biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field and able to demonstrate previous experience in marine mammal research. A strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are beneficial. The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific experience in Access and/or GIS would be advantageous. The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other researchers but also must be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating at least 6 volunteers. They must also be self-motivated with the drive and determination to work independently and responsibly. This post brings the opportunity to submit work for scientific publication. This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses will be covered. To apply: Please send your CV, a cover letter and contact details of two references reporting any relevant experience you have to Gemma Veneruso (gemma.veneruso at seawatchfoundation.org.uk). Deadline: 31st January 2012. Please specify RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR into your subject title. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 24th February 2012. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Research The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various projects including: * Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and opportunistic boat surveys * Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure, movements and life histories. * Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (T-PODs) and hydrophones. * Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area. We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: attf30f9.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 6012 bytes Desc: not available URL: From info at cbmwc.org Thu Nov 24 01:14:48 2011 From: info at cbmwc.org (CBMWC) Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:14:48 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] 2012 marine research volunteer opportunity, Wales, UK Message-ID: Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay Wales www.cbmwc.org Bottlenose dolphin research assistant volunteers Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting volunteer visitor centre and bottlenose dolphin research assistants for the 2012 season (March to November). The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is a non-profit organisation based in New Quay, west Wales, UK and since 1996 has been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through research and education. Through boat-based and land-based surveys we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations, with a focus on the photo-identification of the semi-resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC). To learn more, please visit www.cbmwc.org Volunteer positions are available for specific dates from 28th March through to 6th November 2012 to help with our ongoing research, education and awareness-raising programmes concerning the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation and meet new people who share your interests. Learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, gain experience in field work, research methods, data processing, public awareness and education programmes. Contribute to long running studies on bottlenose dolphin site usage and abundance research and photo-identification studies. We welcome undergraduate and postgraduate students who need field work (including boat) support and office space to conduct their research projects. Dedicated boat time can be made available. Please contact us to discuss whether your project ideas are feasible. Volunteers play a vital role in the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre?s work. The centre relies on the generous help of volunteers to undertake its work and greatly appreciates your time. Please note enthusiasm for our work and the marine environment is as valued as experience, since full training in species identification, data collection/entry and visitor centre operation is provided. Position description Responsibilities/duties will include (but are not limited to): * Visitor centre operation, including dealing with enquiries and taking boat bookings * Land-based surveys in conjunction with Ceredigion County Council * Boat-based surveys * Data entry and checking * Updating sightings information * Beach cleans * Educational activities with children and the general public Please note that boat surveys are weather dependent and volunteers take turns to join trips to act as onboard researcher. During times of bad weather, you will spend more time carrying out data entry and visitor centre work. You will be expected to work up to 8 hours a day, six days a week. Field work can involve long periods outdoors, in often inclement weather. All volunteers are expected to contribute to all CBMWC activities, tasks and field work and to attend all training sessions provided. As such, if you are only looking to gain field experience, this is not the opportunity for you. Essential skills * An interest in wildlife and conservation * Positive, reliable, conscientious and mature attitude * Ability to work as part of a small team * Self-motivated with an ability to work unsupervised * Adaptable and patient (particularly as boat work is weather dependent) * Excellent communication skills and confidence in dealing with the public both face to face and over the telephone * Fluency in English * Willingness to ask for help if unsure and admit mistakes Desirable skills * Research and surveying experience * Experience working with children, the public or in environmental interpretation or education * IT, design, videography (own equipment necessary) and fundraising skills Time commitment Volunteers are needed in blocks from March 28th until 6th November 2012. Priority will be given to volunteers who are able to commit to more than one block and we encourage applications from volunteers who would like to join the team for the majority of (or entire) season and would like gain additional experience in photo-ID, volunteer training and coordination. Volunteers living locally who are available on a part-time basis are also welcome year round and are greatly appreciated. Volunteering dates 2012 * Block A: 28th March to 24th April (4 weeks) * Block B: 25th April to 22nd May (4 weeks) * Block C: 23rd May to 3rd July (8 weeks) * Block D: 4th July to 11th September (10 weeks) * Block E: 12th September to 6th November (8 weeks) Volunteer fee An administration fee of ?35 will be required from all successful applicants. Accommodation and expense arrangements Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of ?55 per week, including fuel bills. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs. How to apply It?s easy to get involved - simply download an application form from our website http://www.cbmwc.org/?page_id=455 complete it and email it to volunteer at cbmwc.org with ?Volunteer application 2012? in your subject line. Electronic applications are preferred but you can print and post your application form. Please make sure you fill in your availability. The closing date for applications is Friday 10th February 2012 Postal address: FAO: Laura Mears Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Patent Slip Building Glanmor Terrace New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9PS Wales For further information Visit www.cbmwc.org If you have any questions please email volunteer at cbmwc.org with an appropriate subject line or call Laura on +44 (0)1545 560224 __________________________________________________________________ Support our research - adopt a Cardigan Bay dolphin with the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Raise money for CBMWC with each internet search you do - it doesn't cost you a penny http://sites.affilyon.co.uk/cbmwc Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Patent Slip Building Glanmor Terrace New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9PS Wales, UK Ffon/Phone: 01545 560224 E-bost/E-mail: info at cbmwc.org Website: www.cbmwc.org For all the latest news and sightings information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter or become a fan of our Facebook page www.cbmwc.org http://twitter.com/CBMWC http://facebook.com/CBMWC Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is supported by the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Group, a marine interest group of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Helping to conserve Cardigan Bay's marine wildlife through education, interpretation and research Helpu i warchod bywyd gwyllt morol Bae Ceredigion drwy addysg ac ymchwil __________________________________________________________________ The contents of this email are confidential and are solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you receive this email in error please delete it and notify us either by email or telephone. It is prohibited to copy, forward or otherwise disclose the contents of this email. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From john.p.wise at maine.edu Sat Nov 26 15:17:18 2011 From: john.p.wise at maine.edu (Johnny Wise) Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:17:18 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] SMM- New England Student Chapter Luncheon Message-ID: For any SMM members in the New England area: You are invited to join us for a group lunch to discuss our plans for the upcoming year. We are a newly formed chapter, and are eager to connect with other students/faculty in the New England area. Tues, Nov 29 at Five Guys next to the conference center from 12:15pm until 1pm. (777 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL) John Wise, Jr. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kacevedow at gmail.com Mon Nov 28 04:31:54 2011 From: kacevedow at gmail.com (Karina Acevedo) Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:31:54 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Special virtual issue on Marine Mammals in Animal Conservation Message-ID: Virtual Issue - Marine Mammal Conservation ( http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291469-1795/homepage/virtual_issue_-_marine_mammals.htm ) Inspired by the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals held in Florida, this Virtual Issue of *Animal Conservation* is a selection of papers published in the journal on marine mammal conservation, covering a wide range of topics such as marine mammal ecology, genetics, behaviour, disease, and illegal exploitation. This Virtual Issue?s papers are now freely available to download.* * *L*ong-term patterns in harbour seal site-use and the consequences for managing protected areas *L. S. Cordes, C. D. Duck, B. L. Mackey, A. J. Hall, P. M. Thompson* Genetic status of an endemic marine mammal, the Australian fur seal, following historical harvesting *M. L. Lancaster, J. P. Y. Arnould, R. Kirkwood* Animal behaviour and marine protected areas: incorporating behavioural data into the selection of marine protected areas for an endangered killer whale population *E. Ashe, D. P. Noren, R. Williams* A novel non-invasive tool for disease surveillance of free-ranging whales and its relevance to conservation programs *K. Acevedo-Whitehouse, A. Rocha-Gosselin, D. Gendron* High proportion of protected minke whales sold on Japanese markets is due to illegal, unreported or unregulated exploitation *V. Lukoschek, N. Funahashi, S. Lavery, M. L. Dalebout, F. Cipriano, C. S. Baker* Coastal?marine discontinuities, critical patch size and isolation: implications for marine otter conservation *G. Medina-Vogel, L. O. Merino, R. Monsalve Alarc?n, J. de A. Vianna* Is attempting to change marine mammal behaviour a generic solution to the bycatch problem? A dugong case study *A. J. Hodgson, H. Marsh, S. Delean, L. Marcus* Assessing the potential impact of salmon fisheries management on the conservation status of harbour seals *(Phoca vitulina)* in north-east Scotland *P. M. Thompson, B. Mackey, T. R. Barton, C. Duck, J. R. A. Butler* Incomplete reporting of whale, dolphin and porpoise ?bycatch? revealed by molecular monitoring of Korean markets *C. S. Baker, V. Lukoschek, S. Lavery, M. L. Dalebout, M. Yong-un, T. Endo, N. Funahashi* Considering the temporal when managing the spatial: a population range expansion impacts protected areas-based management for bottlenose dolphins *Ben Wilson, Robert J. Reid, Kate Grellier, Paul M. Thompson, Philip S. Hammond* Unsustainable harvest of dugongs in Torres Strait and Cape York (Australia) waters: two case studies using population viability analysis *Robert Heinsohn, Robert C. Lacy, David B. Lindenmayer, Helene Marsh, Donna Kwan, Ivan R. Lawler* The effects of inbreeding on mortality during a morbillivirus outbreak in the Mediterranean striped dolphin *(Stenella coeruleoalba)* *Elena Valsecchi, William Amos, Juan Antonio Raga, Michela Podest?, William Sherwin Article first pu* How many protected minke whales are sold in Japan and Korea? A census by microsatellite DNA profiling *Merel L. Dalebout, Gina M. Lento, Frank Cipriano, Naoko Funahashi, C. Scott Baker* Can comparing life histories help conserve carnivores? *S. H. Ferguson, S. Larivi?re* Effect of anthropogenic low-frequency noise on the foraging ecology of Balaenoptera whales *Donald A. Croll, Christopher W. Clark, John Calambokidis, William T. Ellison, Bernie R. Tershy* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From katie.dyke at wdcs.org Mon Nov 21 05:58:32 2011 From: katie.dyke at wdcs.org (Katie Dyke) Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:58:32 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] FW: REQUEST for Data regarding the locations of global hotspots where ghost nets and their effects on Marine Mammals are a particular problem Message-ID: <0B6B4E4B653CB5489A1CF1C25DBF9EE812F2886E@WDCS-CRIMSON.wdcs-net.wdcs.org> Dear All I am trying to compile data to highlight particular areas in the world that where marine mammals are effected by ghost fishing caused by ghost nets. I am particularly interested in data regarding location; however any information with statistics regarding net types and by catch species would be beneficial. Gratefully Katie Dyke WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation SocietyBrookfield House, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ UK T: (0)1249 449 500 F:(0)1249 449 501 email: katie.dyke at wdcs.org http://www.wdcs.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From marmontel at mamiraua.org.br Mon Nov 21 20:12:01 2011 From: marmontel at mamiraua.org.br (Miriam Marmontel) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:12:01 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] Call for papers on giant otters for special issue in LAJAM In-Reply-To: <4E9FBF52.5040603@mamiraua.org.br> References: <4E9FBF52.5040603@mamiraua.org.br> Message-ID: <4ECB2111.5030507@mamiraua.org.br> Dear friends This is a friendly reminder about the *LAJAM - Special Issue on Biology and Conservation of the Giant Otter*. Please remember the deadline for submission of letters of interest with an abstract is *November 30th, 2011. *Sincerely Miriam Marmontel, Fernando Trujillo, Paul Van Damme, Jessica Groenendijk, editors of the special issue ** Em 20/10/2011 02:27, Miriam Marmontel escreveu: > Dear Colleagues (apologies for cross postings) > > We are pleased to announce that the /Latin American Journal of Aquatic > Mammals/ (/LAJAM/) will publish a *Special Issue on the Biology and > Conservation of the Giant Otter *(/Pteronura brasiliensis/) by the end > of 2012. > > /LAJAM/ is published twice a year by SOLAMAC (Sociedad Latinoamericana > de Especialistas en Mam?feros Acu?ticos/Sociedade Latino-Americana de > Especialistas en Mam?feros Aqu?ticos) and SOMEMMA (Sociedad Mexicana > de Mastozoolog?a Marina/Mexican Society for Marine Mammalogy). > > /LAJAM/ publishes articles concerning research, management and > conservation biology of aquatic mammals in Latin America. Articles on > theory or techniques broadly applicable to the study of aquatic > mammals are also considered. For this Special Issue we encourage > submissions dealing with the distribution, population status, biology > and ecology of the giant otter, as well as dealing with human-otter > conflicts, population genetics, ex-situ conservation, sampling > methods, etc. > > /LAJAM/ publishes five types of contributed manuscripts: Articles, > Notes, Reviews, Comments and Short Communications. Manuscripts must be > written in English. All submitted manuscripts will be reviewed by at > least two anonymous referees for scientific content. > > Guest Editors of the special issue are Jessica Groenendijk (Peru), > Fernando Trujillo (Colombia), Paul Van Damme (Bolivia) and Miriam > Marmontel (Brazil). > > We invite you to send a letter of interest, including an abstract, to > the Lead Guest Editor (Miriam Marmontel ) > and Fernando Trujillo (Fernando at omacha.org) *before the 31 November > 2011*. Decision will be communicated by 31 December 2011 and selected > authors will be required to _submit final manuscripts by 31 March 2012_. > > Sincerely, > Miriam Marmontel and Fernando Trujillo > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pavelgoldin412 at gmail.com Tue Nov 22 12:10:16 2011 From: pavelgoldin412 at gmail.com (Pavel Gol'din) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:10:16 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] new paper on cephalic presentation of foetus in a cetacean Message-ID: Dear colleagues, The following paper was recently published in Vestnik Zoologii: Gol?din, P. E. 2011. Case of cephalic presentation of foetus in a harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena (Cetacea, Phocoenidae), with notes on other aquatic mammals. Vestnik Zoologii, 45 (5): 473-477. DOI 10.2478/v10058-011-0030-5 Abstract: A stranded harbour porpoise pregnant with a near-term foetus in cephalic (head) presentation was found. It is the first time when cephalic presentation, now recorded in three odontocete families, is reported for phocoenids. It proved to occur rarely, yet to be more widespread for aquatic mammals than could be expected. The publication is available online via Versita Publications at: http://versita.metapress.com/content/12q013v488w34r56/?p=588cb2738173463ab32e123abaa6c8e1&pi=5 You are welcome to contact the author at: pavelgoldin412 at gmail.com Cheers, Pavel Dr Pavel Gol'din Department of Zoology, Taurida National University Simferopol, Ukraine From stenella.asso at hotmail.fr Thu Nov 24 11:40:30 2011 From: stenella.asso at hotmail.fr (manuela voisine) Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:40:30 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunters/interns needed for humpback whale survey, Guadeloupe, France Message-ID: Hi, The NGO Association Stenella is looking for volunteers/interns to participate to a land-based survey on humpback whale in Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe, a french territory in the caribbean. The project will take place between january and mai 2012. The volunteer will assist the researcher in the daily observations from an elevated platform. No accommodation or compensation can be offered for now. Skills needed : Good observation capacity at sea Able to support hard field condition for a long period (sun, warm temperature, etc.) Meticulous Speaking french, english or spanish Be available at least 3 days a week Any valuable experience will be considered Students and non-students are welcome. Communicate with Bruno Proulx for more information or to send your resume. Tank you Bruno Proulx Responsable of scientifics activities Association Stenella stenella.asso at hotmail.fr -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From yeaterd at sacredheart.edu Wed Nov 23 07:02:42 2011 From: yeaterd at sacredheart.edu (Yeater, Prof. Deirdre M.) Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:02:42 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Field Course in Cetacean Ecology in Bimini, The Bahamas Message-ID: Sacred Heart University and the Dolphin Communication Project Field Course in Cetacean Ecology in Bimini, The Bahamas Summer 2012: May 21 - 29 Online through Sacred Heart University May 30 - June 11 At the Bimini field site June 12 - 18 Online through Sacred Heart University Course: Special Topics in Psychology (3 Credits) or Special Topics in Biology (3 Credits) Prerequisites: Psychology Majors/Minors - Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology (with C+ or better) Biology Majors/Minors - Animal Behavior (with C+ or better) Undergraduate students majoring/minoring in Psychology or Biology (or a related discipline) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are invited to apply to this program. Instructor: Dr. Deirdre Yeater - Sacred Heart University Psychology Dept. (yeaterd at sacredheart.edu - 203-365-4870) Course Description: This course will examine the behavioral and social ecology of coastal cetaceans, particularly Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins. Participants in this course will enjoy a real life learning experience with wild dolphins, in the beautiful waters surrounding the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. Students will earn three hours of credit while learning to record and analyze dolphin behaviors. Students will also learn about ecotourism and human impacts on the marine environment. The field work at Bimini will consist of 4-5 hour boat surveys. If the group is able to make underwater observations, students will be assisting in the use of underwater slates, video cameras, and digital still cameras. The number of students will be limited by the size of the research vessel. Therefore, students should apply as soon as possible. All students MUST be able to swim and snorkel as part of the program. Cost: The cost of the trip will be approximately $4270. This includes program tuition, lodging, food, transportation in Bimini, and boat trips. Airfare and personal expenses are the student's responsibility. Applications: Due January 20, 2012 Access the Study Abroad Website at http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/41483_bimini.cfm for further information and online application. For more information about Dolphin Communication Project please go to the following website: http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/. Deirdre Yeater, Ph.D Assistant Professor Sacred Heart University 5151 Park Avenue Fairfield, CT 06825 Phone: 203-365-4870 Fax: 203-371-7998 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From amooney at whoi.edu Tue Nov 29 04:20:13 2011 From: amooney at whoi.edu (T. Aran Mooney) Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:20:13 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Tenure-track Research Scientist, Biology Department, WHOI Message-ID: <1322569213.4ed4cdfde865f@webmail.whoi.edu> Could you please post this job ad: Tenure-track Research Scientist Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) The Biology Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position on our Scientific Staff. We seek exceptional candidates to complement our existing interdisciplinary strengths in oceanography and marine ecology (http://www.whoi.edu/biology). Candidates in all areas are welcome to apply but we are particularly interested in candidates who conduct research on the ecology and biological oceanography of polar ecosystems, and particularly polar sea ice, including biological-physical and biological-chemical interactions. Areas of expertise may focus on one or more trophic levels from microbial communities to invertebrates (e.g., copepods, amphipods, krill) to vertebrates (e.g., ice-associated fish, mammals). Opportunities exist for collaboration with faculty across the Institution working on climate change, sea ice physics, and polar oceanography. We expect to hire at the junior, untenured level. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an internationally recognized and externally funded research program and also will have the opportunity to advise graduate students and teach courses in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography (http://www.whoi.edu/jointprogram/). While members of the Institution?s Scientific Staff are expected to provide for their salaries from grants and contracts, the Institution provides salary support when no other funding is available. Candidates hired at the junior level will receive an initial appointment for four years with salary guaranteed. Our benefits package includes generous vacation time, a retirement dental plans, child care subsidy, flexible scheduling, family illness days and much more. WHOI is the largest private, non-profit oceanographic institution in the world, with staff and students numbering about 1,000. Its mission is to advance our understanding of the ocean and its interaction with the Earth system, and to communicate this understanding for the benefit of society. The Institution is located in the community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a world renowned center for marine, biomedical, and environmental science. Applications should include a 3-page research statement, a CV with the names and addresses of four references, and copies of up to three relevant publications. Candidates should initiate the process by applying online; please visit http://jobs.whoi.edu and respond to Job Reference 11-10-05. The cover letter, statement, CV and relevant publications should be sent by email as pdf files to the chair of the Biology Department at biologychair at whoi.edu. The application review process will begin on January 2, 2012. Female and minority applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. WHOI is sensitive to the issues of dual career scientists and will work with applicants to address them. WHOI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V/EOE; it is also a member of the New England Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NEHERC). http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/jobs/228253-Biology-Department-Scientific-Staff-Position Thank you, Aran Mooney Assistant Scientist WHOI Biology Dept ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. From Ellen.Husain at bbc.co.uk Mon Nov 28 08:13:52 2011 From: Ellen.Husain at bbc.co.uk (Ellen Husain) Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:13:52 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] BBC ATTENDING TAMPA 19TH BIENNIAL LOOKING FOR FILMING SUBJECTS Message-ID: DO YOU HAVE A WILDLIFE STORY THAT SHOULD BE IN A DOCUMENTARY? BBC Natural History Unit underwater film-maker, Ellen Husain, is attending the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals and would love to hear about your spectacular, unexpected and intimate stories of animal behaviour. Ellen is here until Thursday to meet as many people and hear as many ideas as possible. Please get in touch at US cell phone number below or by email. SURVIVAL ?Survival? is a high-end ?blue chip? wildlife series from the BBC Natural History Unit, following in the footsteps of series such as PLANET EARTH, LIFE, and FROZEN PLANET. Employing the world?s best cinematographers and latest camera technology we will seek to capture the most spectacular wildlife footage on the planet. This is to be the next big wildlife series from the BBC, to be aired in 2014. WHAT IS A GOOD IDEA? Good documentary story ideas need to be able to be seen and told visually, but aside from that they are highly varied ? think of all the films you?ve seen in the past, and the diversity of subjects, think of what you've seen in the field - could you imagine this in a film? ELLEN HUSAIN Is a BBC Underwater filming specialist and would love to hear your amazing animal behaviour ideas, if you're not sure get in touch for a quick chat. Please do also keep these contacts for future reference, since the BBC is always interested to hear of new and fascinating wildlife stories. US CELL PHONE FOR CONTACT DURING TAMPA CONFERENCE (27th Nov - 2nd Dec 2011): (call for a chat or to arrange to meet) 813-361-3370 Ellen.husain at bbc.co.uk ellenhusain at manx.net ELLEN HUSAIN 'SURVIVAL' - A SERIES FROM THE BBC. Ellen.husain at bbc.co.uk ellenhusain at manx.net http://www.bbc.co.uk/ This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the BBC monitors e-mails sent or received. Further communication will signify your consent to this. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mmonachus at ttmail.com Tue Nov 29 05:24:07 2011 From: mmonachus at ttmail.com (mmonachus) Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:24:07 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS Conservation Award 2012 Message-ID: ECS Conservation Award The award is for an outstanding contribution to the field of marine mammal conservation and/or welfare, with particular emphasis on contributions to environmental education and/or to conservation in practice (e.g. leading to improved legislation or management). The award will be judged on the basis of a proposal made using the format given below and related material as described. It will be decided upon by consensus, or a majority vote of the ECS Conservation Award Committee. The winner of the award will be announced during the ECS Conference. Self-nominations are discouraged. The Committee reserves the right not to present the award if no appropriate nominations are received. The ECS Award Committee comprises: Ayaka Ozturk (Chair) Simon Berrow Thierry Jauniaux Mandy McMath Aviad Scheinin Mark Simmonds Pro-forma: Name(s) of person(s)/institution/body nominated for award Address and contact details Description of the work/body of work proposed for the award (maximum length of proposal 250 words) NB The award can be given for a single conservation-education tool (such as a book or for an entire body of work - i.e. a series of linked contributions) in the sphere of education relating to marine mammal conservation and or welfare. Full references for the material identified above and any relevant web-links. Name of nominator(s) Address and contact details This form, and any supporting material if deemed necessary, should be sent to the Chair of the Award Committee by 17 February 2012. Dr. Ayaka Ozturk, ECS Conservation Award Chair Email: mmonachus at ttmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From afrantzis at otenet.gr Wed Nov 30 16:04:32 2011 From: afrantzis at otenet.gr (Alexandros Frantzis) Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:04:32 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] New atypical mass stranding of Ziphius in the Ionian Sea, Greece Message-ID: <4ED6C490.70901@otenet.gr> Dear all, Once more we have bad news regarding Cuvier's beaked whales in the Ionian Sea. The local population unit, which has repeatedly been affected by NATO naval activity (last time in February 2011 east of Sicily) may be steadily heading towards its extinction... Today 30 November 2011 at least three Cuvier's beaked whales stranded alive and atypically in west Corfu, along 23 km of coast. All whales were led offshore by people who tried to rescue them. One whale died some 200 m offshore. Another whale, after having swam some 600 m offshore, returned and stranded once more (if this wasn't a different animal). It was led once more offshore after the sunset, so no further information is available so far. The third animal was not seen after it was "rescued". *I would like to draw your attention on two "peculiarities":* *1)* Independent rescuers in two different stranding areas, reported that they were hearing "whistles" while approaching the single animals. The "whistles" were heard even out of the water at a distance of 100 m from the animal (!), and became much louder when the rescuers entered the water to approach the animal. The rescuers kept hearing the "whistles" until they left the place, two hours after the death of the unique whale present! They thought that there might be other whales calling the stranded animal from further offshore, although they could observe nothing for hours. Two independent rescuers (separated by 23 km) described these "whistles" as "emission"-pause of 10-15 seconds-"emission"-pause and so on. *I wonder if what the rescuers were hearing was the probable sonic cause of the stranding*. If you have a similar experience or knowledge, please share it with us. The rescuers didn't see any military or seismic survey vessels from the shore. A fisherman from the area said that today he saw an "unusual" research vessel offshore that he believes (it is known in the area that seismic surveys have started or are about to start) was performing research for oil. *2)* The whale that died 200 m offshore was found at about 3-4 m depth at an unusual position (to me at least). Its flukes were on the sea bed while the beak and part of the head of the animal was out of the water! For some reason the head could float at surface and the animal never sunk. *Does anyone has an explanation? * Unfortunately no necropsy was performed to the animal that died. The port-police authorities and local volunteers have been alerted and we just hope that tomorrow we won't find more animals along the coasts. Repeated use of military sonar and now growing seismic survey activity go on in an area that is critical for the two deep diving Mediterranean species, the Cuvier's and the sperm whales. In 2007 ACCOBAMS officially proposed the creation of a MPA for deep diving cetaceans in the eastern Ionian Sea (Hellenic Trench), but nothing has happened so far. Best wishes, Alexandros -- ___________________________________________ Dr. Alexandros Frantzis Scientific director Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute Terpsichoris 21 16671 Vouliagmeni, GREECE Tel.: +30-210-8960108 e-mail: afrantzis at otenet.gr website: http://www.pelagosinstitute.gr ___________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hpaves at gmail.com Wed Nov 30 17:03:56 2011 From: hpaves at gmail.com (Hector Paves) Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:03:56 -0300 Subject: [MARMAM] Recent publication: Causes of mortality in South American fur seal pups (Arctocephalus australis gracilis) at Guafo Island Message-ID: <4ED6D27C.4090409@gmail.com> Dear friends, the following article (in press) is available online for those of you that are interested: Causes of mortality in South American fur seal pups (/Arctocephalus australis gracilis/) at Guafo Island, southern Chile (2004--2008) 1. Mauricio Seguel^1 ,H?ctor Pav?s^2,3,+ ,Enrique Paredes^4 ,Roberto Schlatter^5 As part of population dynamics studies of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis gracilis) rookery at Punta Weather in Guafo Island (43? 36'S, 74? 43'W), the causes and extent of pup mortality were monitored. During four breeding seasons, daily counts of live and dead pups were carried out to determine pup production and pup mortality. Dead pups were retrieved from the rookery to perform necropsies. The mean pup production was 1,735.5 ? 336 pups and the mean pup mortality up to 12 wk old was 6.0% ? 2.6%. The major causes of death were enteritis with microscopic lesions of bacteremia (28.4%), starvation (23.5%), drowning (21%), trauma (19.8%), and stillbirths (2.5%). Enteritis with microscopic lesions of bacteremia, and starvation had higher incidence during January (beginning and middle of the breeding season) while most trauma and drowning occurred during February (end of the breeding season). In the 2006--2007 breeding season there was an increase in mortality due to starvation and trauma. Most pup deaths at Guafo Island are generated by extrinsic factors; therefore, additional studies that assess the impact of environmental changes and fishing activities, are needed in order to determine the exact causes of the decline of this species along Chilean coasts. The article can be downloaded from Marine Mammals Sciencewebsite http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00534.x/full Best wishes -- ><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><>><> Dr. Hector Paves Hernandez, Bio. Marino Doctor en Ciencias, M/Sist& Ecologia Profesor Adjunto, LECMAA, Laboratorio de Estudios en Biologia y Conservacion de Mamiferos y Aves Acuaticas Investigador Postdoctorante Fondecyt, LOCEB, Laboratorio de Oceanografia Biologica Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnologicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile E-mail: hectorpaves at uach.cl / hpaves at gmail.com , Celular : 56-9-6826729 http://lecmaa.blogspot.com/ http://secure.uach.cl/diracademicos/docentes/default.aspx?id=2038 _____________________________________________ Nota. se omiten los acentos, Nota: No imprimas este correo a menos que sea realmente necesario, Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danielle.gibas at seawatchfoundation.org.uk Tue Nov 29 02:40:32 2011 From: danielle.gibas at seawatchfoundation.org.uk (Danielle Gibas) Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:40:32 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?iso-8859-1?q?Sea_Watch_Foundation_-_Research_Volunteer?= =?iso-8859-1?q?ing_opportunity_in_Cardigan_Bay_for_2012?= Message-ID: <32F516F350FE4E8D942DAF31A8F4F594@D55Z5N1J> Sea Watch Foundation ? Research Volunteering opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2012 Volunteers are invited to assist the Sea Watch Foundation ( www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) with the running of the ?Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project?. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. The volunteers will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer by taking part in the following tasks: ? Land-based surveys ? Boat-based surveys ? Photo-identification studies ? Database entry ? Awareness raising ? Education initiatives ? Acoustic monitoring ? Assist with and participate in training courses and public talks. Volunteers are required from April until October 2012 split into 5 separate periods of 6 weeks each (the first period will consist of 5 weeks). Preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole 6-months field season. Volunteers will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of around ?55/week. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Volunteering periods for summer 2012: Period 1 09/04 ? 13/05, Period 2 14/05 ? 24/06, Period 3 25/06 ? 05/08, Period 4 06/08 ? 16/09, Period 5 17/09 - 28/10 Important skills/qualifications Essential: ? an ability to work in a meticulous and reliable manner ? strong commitment to volunteering work ? willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather ? good IT skills (Office package) ? an ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation Desirable: ? a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar ? a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans ? prior experience in boat-based survey work ? good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking ? experience in interacting with the public All volunteers will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins and grey seals. To apply: Please send your cv, covering letter and contact details of two references, reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for to Gemma Veneruso (gemma.veneruso at seawatchfoundation.org.uk). Deadline: 31st January 2012. Please specify NEW QUAY VOLUNTEER APPLICATION into your subject title. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 24th February 2012. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Research The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various projects including: * Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and opportunistic boat surveys * Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure, movements and life histories. * Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (T-PODs and C-PODS) and hydrophones. * Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area. We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: att18d.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 6012 bytes Desc: not available URL: From sander.vonbendabeckmann at tno.nl Wed Nov 30 08:30:39 2011 From: sander.vonbendabeckmann at tno.nl (Benda-Beckmann, A.M. (Sander) von) Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:30:39 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] launch of Whale FM crowd-sourcing project Message-ID: <8AEB79AEC91A4A42AF6D41660476C7F4753C9F@EXC-MBX01.tsn.tno.nl> Dear M We are happy to announce the launch of the Whale FM (http://whale.fm) crowd-sourcing project, which invites non-expert volunteers to help categorize large datasets of killer whale and pilot whale sounds. For more detail, see the official press-release below. Scientific American launches Citizen Science Whale-Song Project, Whale FM Curious 'citizen scientists' can now help marine researchers better understand how Killer Whales and Pilot Whales communicate. Today Scientific American, in partnership with The Zooniverse, launches the whale-song project, Whale FM, at http://whale.fm. The Whale FM site displays calls from both Orcas (Killer Whales) and the lesser known Pilot Whales. Citizen scientists are presented with a whale call and shown where it was recorded on a map of the world's oceans and seas. After listening to the whale call, which is represented on screen as a spectrogram showing how the pitch of the sound changes with time, citizen scientists are asked to listen to a number of potential matching calls from the project's database. If a match is found, the citizen scientist clicks on that sound's spectrogram and the results are stored. "One doesn't need a science degree to be a citizen scientist," says Mariette DiChristina, Editor in Chief of Scientific American. "All you need is a curiosity about the world around you and an interest in observing, measuring and reporting what you hear and see. We are pleased to work with The Zooniverse on this scientifically interesting and enjoyable project." The dataset generated by this project will enable scientists to address a number of questions regarding whale communication. For example, biologists studying killer whales report that each group of whales has its own distinctive dialect of calls, with related groups having dialects that are more similar. The Whale FM calls on citizen scientists to test these results by making their own judgments of similarity between calls. "Only a few researchers have categorized whale calls," says Peter Tyack of the University of St Andrews. "By asking hundreds of people to make similar judgments, we will learn how reliable the categories are, and they get the fun of hearing these amazing sounds." Much less is known about the calls of pilot whales than of killer whales. Researchers, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews in Scotland want to know the size of the Pilot Whales' call repertoire and whether call repertoires vary between groups as in killer whales. The Whale FM welcomes citizen scientists to help researchers to discover the call repertoires of pilot whales and to study how vocal traditions vary between different groups of whales. "Scientists are faced with huge datasets, which become increasingly difficult and time-consuming to analyze by a small group of experts", adds Sander von Benda-Beckmann of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). "This task is still too challenging for computers to handle. By involving a large number of volunteers we will be able to analyze much more data than we would otherwise be able to." Citizen scientists can sign up to participate in the Whale FM using their existing Scientific American login and password. The project is free and participants can decide how much time they devote to the project. Scientific American has actively promoted citizen science projects, since May 2011 at www.scientificamerican.com/citizen-science. The Whale FM is the first Scientific American has co-sponsored. Other Citizen Scientist projects hosted on Scientific American include The Dragonfly Swarm Project, Gulf Oil Spill Tracker, and The Great Sunflower Project. Citizen Science is one of a number of education initiatives from Scientific American, as part of its Change the Equation commitment. In September 2010, Nature Publishing Group (NPG), Scientific American's parent organization, joined Change the Equation, a CEO-led public-private partnership to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) literacy in the United States. Mariette DiChristina is also an adviser for the Citizen Science Alliance, which will produce around 10 new projects. ### For more information about the program, please visit the website at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/citizen-science/ http://www.scientificamerican.com/education/ http://www.scientificamerican.com/pressroom/pr/release.cfm?site=sciam&date=2010-09-16 About Scientific American Scientific American is at the heart of Nature Publishing Group's consumer media division, meeting the needs of the general public. Founded in 1845, Scientific American is the oldest continuously published magazine in the US and the leading authoritative publication for science in the general media. Together with scientificamerican.com and 14 local language editions around the world it reaches over 5 million consumers and scientists. Other titles include Scientific American Mind and Spektrum der Wissenschaft in Germany. Scientific American won a 2011 National Magazine Award for General Excellence. For more information, please visit www.scientificamerican.com. About The Zooniverse The Zooniverse began with a single project, Galaxy Zoo, which was launched in July 2007. The Zooniverse is now home to the internet's largest, most popular and most successful citizen science projects. The Zooniverse and the suite of projects it contains is produced, maintained and developed by the Citizen Science Alliance. The member institutions of the CSA work with many academic and other partners around the world to produce projects that use the efforts and ability of volunteers to help scientists and researchers deal with the flood of data that confronts them. About the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) is based at the School of Biology, University of St Andrews, Scotland, and is Europe's leading research centre in the field of marine mammal biology. SMRU carries out interdisciplinary research into the biology of marine mammals, trains marine mammal scientists through undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and provides impartial and independent advice to governments, non-governmental organizations and industry on conservation issues. SMRU's current strategic science priorities include: evaluating the status of marine mammal populations; investigating the importance of marine mammals as components of marine ecosystems; determining the dynamics of marine mammal populations; studying marine mammal social structure and communication; providing the technological basis for observing free-ranging marine mammals and their environment. For further information, please visit www.smru.st-andrews.ac.uk/ and www.st-andrews.ac.uk. About the Marine Mammal Center at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, independent organization in Falmouth, Mass., dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930 on a recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences, its primary mission is to understand the ocean and its interaction with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate a basic understanding of the ocean's role in the changing global environment. The WHOI Marine Mammal Center focuses on issues affecting conservation of marine mammals and various other marine animals such as turtles. Interdisciplinary teams are brought together to address these issues from a variety of scientific and engineering perspectives in order to gain a more comprehensive scientific understanding. Through the Center's collaborations with external parties and academic institutions, and its facilities such as the necropsy facility, it creates a unique environment to pursue new research opportunities. For further information, please visit www.whoi.edu. About the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) TNO is an independent innovation organisation. TNO connects people and knowledge to create innovations that sustainably boost the competitive strength of industry and the welfare of society. TNO's more than 4000 professionals work on practicable knowledge and solutions for the problems of global scarcity. TNO focuses its efforts on seven themes: Healthy Living, Industrial Innovation, Energy/Geological Survey of the Netherlands, Mobility, Built Environment, Information Society, and Defence, Safety and Security. The TNO Sonar and Acoustics department has a long history in developing technologies for detecting marine mammals and other sources (ships, submarines etc.) using underwater sound. TNO is involved in studying the impact of human generated underwater noise on marine mammals and provides advice to governments and industry on how to mitigate the impact of underwater noise on marine life. For further information, please visit www.tno.nl/themes. -- Dr. A.M. (Sander) von Benda-Beckmann > Acoustics & Sonar Department TNO Technical Sciences, P.O. Box 96864, 2509 JG The Hague, The Netherlands Tel: +31 888 66 3972 This e-mail and its contents are subject to the DISCLAIMER at http://www.tno.nl/emaildisclaimer -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: