From danielle.gibas at seawatchfoundation.org.uk Wed Aug 1 04:16:18 2012
From: danielle.gibas at seawatchfoundation.org.uk (Danielle Gibas)
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2012 12:16:18 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] =?iso-8859-1?q?Sea_Watch_Foundation_-_Intern_Research_Vo?=
=?iso-8859-1?q?lunteer_position_in_Cardigan_Bay_for_2012?=
Message-ID: <0A55AC9053224DF097D3AD295C612C81@SightingsOfficer>
Sea Watch Foundation ? Intern Research Volunteer position in Cardigan Bay
for 2012
Sea Watch Foundation (
www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) has one last intern research volunteer
position available to assist 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 intern will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings
Officer with land and boat-based surveys and photo-identification studies,
database entry, awareness raising and education initiatives, acoustic
monitoring, and will assist with and participate in training courses and
public talks.
One intern Research Volunteer position is available and is required for 6
weeks: September 17th ? October 28th. Volunteers will be based in New Quay,
West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of ?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.
Important skills/qualifications
Essential:
? an ability to work in a conscientious and reliable manner
? strong commitment to volunteering work
? willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable
Welsh weather
? basic IT skills (Office package)
? an ability to get on well with others in a small team
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.
To apply:
Please send to Daphna Feingold (daphna.feingold at seawatchfoundation.org.uk)
your cv, covering letter and contact details of two references, reporting
any relevant experience you have.
Deadlines: 28th August 2012.
Please specify NEW QUAY VOLUNTEER APPLICATION into your subject title.
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 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.
Danielle Gibas
National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2012 - 27th to 29th July
See them
Report them
Save them!
Sightings Officer
Sea Watch Foundation
Paragon House
Wellington Place
New Quay SA45 9NR
Tel: 01545 561227
www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk
Sea Watch Foundation is a registered charity. If you would like to support
us you can adopt a Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphin. All monies go directly
back into the research and conservation of the dolphins you adopt. Voted
best animal adoption scheme by BBC Wildlife.
http://www.adoptadolphin.org.uk
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From lundquistdave at hotmail.com Wed Aug 1 20:39:37 2012
From: lundquistdave at hotmail.com (Dave Lundquist)
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2012 15:39:37 +1200
Subject: [MARMAM] New papers: Behavioural effects of swim-with-cetacean
tourism
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the publication of the following two papers:
Lundquist, D., N. Gemmell, and B. W?rsig. 2012. Behavioural responses of
dusky dolphin groups to tour vessels off Kaikoura, New Zealand. PLoS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041969
Lundquist, D., M. Sironi, B. W?rsig, V. Rowntree, J. Martino, and L.
Lundquist. 2012. Response of southern right whales to simulated
swim-with-whale tourism at Pen?nsula Vald?s, Argentina. Marine Mammal
Science. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00583.x
The first article is freely available via Open Access using the following
link:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0041969.
Requests for a PDF of the second article can be made to me at
lundquistdave at hotmail.com or accessed directly at:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00583.x/abstract
.
Abstracts for both articles are below.
Regards,
Dave Lundquist, Ph.D.
University of Otago
Behavioural responses of dusky dolphin groups (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) to
tour vessels off Kaikoura, New Zealand
Background
Commercial viewing and swimming with dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus
obscurus) near Kaikoura, New Zealand began in the late 1980s and researchers
have previously described changes in vocalisation, aerial behaviour, and
group spacing in the presence of vessels. This study was conducted to assess
the current effects that tourism has on the activity budget of dusky
dolphins to provide wildlife managers with information for current
decision-making and facilitate development of quantitative criteria for
management of this industry in the future.
Methodology/Principal Findings
First-order time discrete Markov chain models were used to assess changes in
the behavioural state of dusky dolphin pods targeted by tour vessels.
Log-linear analysis was conducted on behavioural state transitions to
determine whether the likelihood of dolphins moving from one behavioural
state to another changed based on natural and anthropogenic factors. The
best-fitting model determined by Akaike Information Criteria values included
season, time of day, and vessel presence within 300 m. Interactions with
vessels reduced the proportion of time dolphins spent resting in spring and
summer and increased time spent milling in all seasons except autumn.
Dolphins spent more time socialising in spring and summer, when conception
occurs and calves are born, and the proportion of time spent resting was
highest in summer. Resting decreased and traveling increased in the
afternoon.
Conclusions/Significance
Responses to tour vessel traffic are similar to those described for dusky
dolphins elsewhere. Disturbance linked to vessels may interrupt social
interactions, carry energetic costs, or otherwise affect individual fitness.
Research is needed to determine if increased milling is a result of acoustic
masking of communication due to vessel noise, and to establish levels at
which changes to behavioural budgets of dusky dolphins are likely to cause
long-term harm. Threshold values from these studies would allow managers to
set appropriate operational conditions based on quantifiable criteria.
Response of southern right whales to simulated swim-with-whale tourism at
Pen?nsula Vald?s, Argentina
Abstract
Guidelines for sustainable tourism involving swimming with large whales are
not well-developed compared to those focused on programs of swimming with
delphinids. From September to November 2005 and August to September 2006, we
collected behavioral and movement data for southern right whales (Eubalaena
australis) exposed to interactions with boats and swimmers at Pen?nsula
Vald?s, Argentina. Whales were tracked from shore using a theodolite before,
during, and after a series of directed interactions with swimmers and a
boat. Resting, socializing, and surface active behavior decreased, traveling
increased, and whales swam faster and reoriented more often during
interactions. Responses were variable by age/sex class, with mother/calf
pairs showing strongest responses. Increased levels of tourism activity are
a concern, as reduction in resting time and disruption of socialization
among adults, juveniles, and mother/calf pairs have unknown long-term
consequences. Additional data should be collected for whale behavior in
proposed tourism and non-tourism areas to build a long-term database which
can be used to determine if reactions of whales change over time. Our data
suggest that swimming with whales in Chubut Province should not be legalized
until further investigations are completed, especially in light of the
recent southern right whale die-offs recorded in Pen?nsula Vald?s.
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From uko at ukogorter.com Wed Aug 1 17:30:53 2012
From: uko at ukogorter.com (Uko Gorter)
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2012 17:30:53 -0700
Subject: [MARMAM] American Cetacean Society Conference: early bird
registration deadline Sept. 1, 2012
Message-ID: <6D75158C-C1E4-4CD0-A5B8-83B21E0ABAD5@ukogorter.com>
AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY
13th International Conference
?Whales and Humans: A Conflicted Relationship?
November 9-11, 2012
Hyatt Regency, Mission Bay, San Diego, California
Dear MARMAM subscribers,
A reminder to all of you, the EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION for our ACS
conference will END on SEPTEMBER 1. So sign up now!
Below is a direct link to our ACS conference page with a direct link
to the registration page:
http://acsonline.org/education/conference/2012-conference./
A direct link to the conference registration and conference program
(PDF) can be found here:
http://acsonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-Confererence-Program-7_161.pdf
A Direct link to the Hyatt Regency, Mission Bay, San Diego, can be
found here below (conference rate is $149/night):
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=9379502
This is shaping up to be an incredible conference with amazing
speakers and special guests, whale watch trips, and more.
Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Frans de Waal, C.H. Chandler Professor of
Primate Behavior, Emory University, and director of Living Links,
Yerkes National Primate Research Center.
Speakers and Special Guests are:
Bob Brownell (NOAA); Cheryl McCormick (Ascend Nonprofit Consulting);
Kate O?Connell (Balaena Consulting); Andr?s Ciscneros Montemayor
(UBC); Deborah Giles (UC Davis); Cara Lachmuth (UBC); Stephanie Norman
(Marine-Med); Brandon Southall (SOCAL-BRS); Denise Herzing (Wild
Dolphin Project); Lori Marino (Emory University); Diana Reiss (Hunter
College); Thomas White (Loyola Marymount Univ.); Charles ?Flip?
Nicklin (National Geographic Society); Taryn Kiekow (NRDC); Marla Holt
(NOAA); Peter Ross (Dept. Fisheries Oceans, Canada); Susan Chivers
(NOAA-SWFSC); Ari Friedlaender (Duke Univ.); Robert Pitman (NOAA-
SWFSC); John Durban (NOAA-SWFSC); Michael Weise (Off. Naval Res.);
Bruce Mate (OSU); Cindy McInnis (Ocean Alliance), and many more!
Don't miss it. Sign up today. We look forward to seeing you...
Questions? Contact Kaye Reznick at acsoffice at acsonline.org or call
310-548-6279
Kathy Zagzebski, ACS President
Kaye Reznick, ACS Business Manager
American Cetacean Society
National Headquarters
P.O. Box 1391
San Pedro, CA 90733-1391
310-548-6279
www.acsonline.org
Uko Gorter, ACS-Puget Sound Chapter president, on behalf of ACS
National Headquarters
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From sotalia at gmail.com Fri Aug 3 17:03:13 2012
From: sotalia at gmail.com (Marcos Santos)
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 21:03:13 -0300
Subject: [MARMAM] new publication on feeding habits of Atlantic spotted
dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in Brazil
Message-ID:
Dear Marmamers; a new publication on on feeding habits of Atlantic spotted
dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in Brazil is available.
Pdf requests through: sotalia at gmail.com.
Lopes, X.M.; Santos, M. C. de O.; da Silva, E.; Bassoi, M. and Dos Santos,
R.A. 2012. Feeding habits of the Atlantic spotted dolphin, Stenella
frontalis, in southeastern Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography,
60(2): 189-198.
Abstract: This study presents new information on the feeding habits of the
Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis, in the
Western South Atlantic. Nine stomach contents of S. frontalis incidentally
caught in fishing operations conducted
by the gillnet fleet based on main harbour of Cananeia (25o00?S; 47o55?W),
southeastern Brazil, were analyzed.
These specimens were captured between 2005 and 2007. A total of 1 422
cephalopod beaks, 147 otoliths and three
crustaceans were recovered from the stomach contents. The dolphins assessed
preyed on at least eight different fish
species of the families Trichiuridae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Merluccidae,
Engraulidae, Sciaenidae, Congridae and
Scombridae, five cephalopod species of the families Loliginidae,
Sepiolidae, Tremoctopodidae and
Thysanoteuthidae, and one shrimp species of the Penaeidae family. Based on
the analysis of the Index of Relative
Importance (IRI), the Atlantic cutlassfish, Trichiurus lepturus, was the
most important fish species represented. Of
the cephalopods, the squid Doryteuthis plei was by far the most
representative species. Several items were reported
for the first time as prey of the S. frontalis: Xiphopenaeus kroyeri,
Tremoctopus violaceus, Semirossia tenera,
Merluccius hubbsi, Pagrus pagrus and Paralonchurus brasiliensis. S.
frontalis presented teuthophagous and
ichthyofagous feeding habits, with apparent predominance of the first, and
preyed mainly on pelagic and demersal
items.
--
Dr. Marcos Cesar de Oliveira Santos
Laboratorio de Biologia da Conservacao de Mamiferos Aquaticos
Departamento de Oceanografia Biologica, Instituto Oceanografico,
Universidade de S?o Paulo
Praca do Oceanografico, 191, Sala 145-A
Butanta, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil
05508-120
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From pirotts at libero.it Sat Aug 4 06:47:23 2012
From: pirotts at libero.it (Enrico Pirotta)
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 15:47:23 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: [MARMAM] NEW PAPER: Vessel noise affects beaked whale behavior:
results of a dedicated acoustic response study
Message-ID: <3800293.623341344088043195.JavaMail.defaultUser@defaultHost>
Dear MARMAM members,
We are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published on PLoS ONE:
Pirotta E, Milor R, Quick N, Moretti D, Di Marzio N, Tyack P, Boyd I, Hastie G (2012) Vessel Noise Affects Beaked Whale Behavior: Results of a Dedicated Acoustic Response Study. PLoS ONE 7(8): e42535. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0042535
ABSTRACT: Some beaked whale species are susceptible to the detrimental effects of anthropogenic noise. Most studies have concentrated on the effects of military sonar, but other forms of acoustic disturbance (e.g. shipping noise) may disrupt behavior. An experiment involving the exposure of target whale groups to intense vessel-generated noise tested how these exposures influenced the foraging behavior of Blainville?s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) in the Tongue Of The Ocean (Bahamas). A military array of bottom-mounted hydrophones was used to measure the response based upon changes in the spatial and temporal pattern of vocalizations. The archived acoustic data were used to compute metrics of the echolocation-based foraging behavior for 16 targeted groups, 10 groups further away on the range, and 26 non-exposed groups. The duration of foraging bouts was not significantly affected by the exposure. Changes in the hydrophone over which the group was most frequently detected occurred as the animals moved around within a foraging bout, and their number was significantly less the closer the whales were to the sound source. Non-exposed groups also had significantly more changes in the primary hydrophone than exposed groups irrespective of distance. Our results suggested that broadband ship noise caused a significant change in beaked whale behavior up to at least 5.2 kilometers away from the vessel. The observed change could potentially correspond to a restriction in the movement of groups, a period of more directional travel, a reduction in the number of individuals clicking within the group, or a response to changes in prey movement.
A PDF copy of the work can be downloaded from: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0042535
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding our work.
Best Regards,
Enrico Pirotta
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From adrian.shephard at marine-life.org.uk Fri Aug 3 01:38:23 2012
From: adrian.shephard at marine-life.org.uk (Adrian Shephard)
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:38:23 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] MARINElife Cetacean & Seabird Training Courses
Message-ID: <9bf800e15b1a773997c7455212571aed@mailstudio.rock7.com>
Cetacean & Seabird Surveyor Training Courses around the UK
If you are interested in learning more about cetacean and seabird
identification from land or in becoming an offshore marine
wildlife surveyor then join a day-long MARINElife course to
learn more.
MARINElife are teaming up with some of the Wildlife Trusts to
offer training days in the UK
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust: Saturday 25th August at Flamborough
in Yorkshire
Cumbria Wildlife Trust: Saturday 1st September 2012 in Kendal in
Cumbria
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: Saturday 15th September 2012 at
Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve in
Lincolnshire Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Saturday 29th September 2012
venue in Suffolk to be confirmed
The day-long training day will consist of a series of
presentations given by experienced MARINElife research surveyors
covering identification of cetaceans and seabirds and the conduct
of effort-based surveys and will help those with limited or no
practical experience in understand more about cetacean and
seabird identification and the methodology for conducting
ship-based surveys.
MARINElife is unparalleled in its experience of conducting
ferry-based cetacean surveys, operating since 1995 and currently
supported across 13 different commercial vessel routes leaving
the UK. We also operate opportunistic small boat surveys in the
English Channel and North Sea.
Many of our volunteer surveyors have gone on to have careers in
marine mammal observation and we have conducted surveys and
training for JNCC, Natural England, CEFAS and the Inshore
Fisheries and Conservation Authorities. For those interesting in
taking their knowledge and experience further, the training would
be supplemented by one to one tuition by experienced MARINElife
team leaders during surveys aboard commercial vessels.
For further information visit the website at
www.marine-life.org.uk/surveyor-training-courses or contact
Tricia Dendle to book your place
(tricia.dendle at marine-life.org.uk). The course costs ?30 which
does not cover transport to the venue or lunch.
Adrian Shephard
Chairman of MARINElife Trustees
www.marine-life.org.uk
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From lori.quakenbush at alaska.gov Sat Aug 4 13:59:37 2012
From: lori.quakenbush at alaska.gov (Quakenbush, Lori (DFG))
Date: Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:59:37 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] Call for Abstracts -- Wakefield Fisheries Symposium
Message-ID: <9699D4822BAFD4488EDD8F0B985F6DE102E34B@SOAFAIEXMB2.soa.alaska.gov>
Please post the Call for abstracts and details for the Wakefield Fisheries Symposium. Thank you.
**************************************************
Symposium: Responses of Arctic Marine Ecosystems to Climate Change
March 26-29, 2013
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Call for abstracts, due November 30, 2012, http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/2013/wakefield-arctic-ecosystems/call.php
Alaska Sea Grant, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and other sponsors will hold a 3.5-day Wakefield Fisheries Symposium, to advance understanding of present and future responses of arctic marine ecosystems to climate change at all trophic levels.
Organizers encourage contributions that focus on collaborative approaches to understanding and managing living marine resources in a changing Arctic, and to managing human responses-locally, regionally, and globally-to changing arctic marine ecosystems.
For more information on the symposium, including invited speakers, steering committee, sponsors, and online registration, see http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/2013/wakefield-arctic-ecosystems/index.php
**************************************************
Lori Quakenbush
Arctic Marine Mammal Program
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
1300 College Road
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Ph: (907) 459-7214; Fax: (907) 459-7332
e-mail: lori.quakenbush at alaska.gov
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From mariasmithies at hydenlyne.com Mon Aug 6 07:48:19 2012
From: mariasmithies at hydenlyne.com (Maria Smithies)
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2012 07:48:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [MARMAM] PAM operator needed urgently
Message-ID: <1344264499.81300.YahooMailNeo@web2811.biz.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Experienced PAM operator with seaman book required urgently for a job in French Guiana, mob date 15th August.?I need a PAM operator who has at least 6 months expereience and preferably experience using MSeis equipment. Please email me at mariasmithies at hydenlyne.com asap if interested.
thanks
Maria Smithies
Project Manager
UK Mobile +44 ?(0)7718002915
Office ? ? ? ? +44 ?(0)1202 900078
Hydenlyne
1 Princes Court
Princes Road
Ferndown
Dorset
England
BH22 9JG
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From paul.wade at noaa.gov Mon Aug 6 10:56:32 2012
From: paul.wade at noaa.gov (Paul Wade)
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2012 10:56:32 -0700
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on social and behavioural factors
affecting the over-exploitation of odontocetes
In-Reply-To:
References:
Message-ID: <9128EEA2-3BBB-401B-9450-D300427273FF@noaa.gov>
We would like to announce a new publication:
Wade, P. R., R. R. Reeves and S. Mesnick. 2012. Social and Behavioural Factors in Cetacean Responses to Over-exploitation: Are Odontocetes Less ?Resilient? than Mysticetes? J. Marine Biology 2012 (doi:10.1155/2012/567276)
The Journal of Marine Biology is Open Access, so the pdf of the article can be found here:
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jmb/2012/567276/
You can also directly request the pdf from me at paul.wade at noaa.gov.
Abstract:
Many severely depleted populations of baleen whales (Mysticeti) have exhibited clear signs of recovery whereas there are few examples in toothed whales (Odontoceti). We hypothesize that this difference is due, at least in part, to social and behavioural factors. Clearly, a part of the lack of resilience to exploitation is explained by odontocete life history. However, an additional factor may be the highly social nature of many odontocetes in which survival and reproductive success may depend on: (a) social cohesion and organization, (b) mutual defence against predators and possible alloparental care, (c) inter-generational transfer of ?knowledge?, and (d) leadership by older individuals. We found little evidence of strong recovery in any of the depleted populations examined. Their relatively low potential rates of increase mean that odontocete populations can be over-exploited with take rates of only a few percent per year. Exploitation can have effects beyond the dynamics of individual removals. Four species showed evidence of a decrease in birth rates following exploitation; potential mechanisms include a deficit of adult females, a deficit of adult males, and disruption of mating systems. The evidence for a lack of strong recovery in heavily exploited odontocete populations indicates that management should be more precautionary.
Best regards,
Paul Wade, Ph.D.
National Marine Mammal Laboratory
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
Seattle, WA 98115
From ctaylor at sea2shore.org Mon Aug 6 15:43:28 2012
From: ctaylor at sea2shore.org (Cynthia Taylor)
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2012 18:43:28 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers - Job Announcement
Message-ID: <004f01cd7424$e6aaa480$b3ffed80$@org>
Sea to Shore Alliance
Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers
Job Announcement
Sea to Shore Alliance, a non-profit international research and conservation
organization, is seeking temporary, seasonal aerial observers for marine
mammal surveys from November 2012 through April 2013. These positions are
in anticipation of research activities to be conducted in the southeastern
United States, contingent upon funding. Responsibilities will include
participating in aerial flights up to four days per week, data processing,
and photo analysis. Observers are required to complete an aviation and
marine safety/survival training course. Housing is provided.
Qualifications:
Previous aerial or marine mammal survey experience, as well as experience in
photo-identification of large cetaceans, is strongly desired. Applicants
should be skilled in database entry and other computer applications
including photo processing software. The ability to live and work well in a
team environment and withstand up to eight hours per day in a small aircraft
is required. We are currently accepting applications from U.S. citizens and
permanent residents.
Please submit cover letter, resume, and three references to
ctaylor at sea2shore.org by August 20, 2012.
Cynthia R. Taylor
Research Scientist
Sea to Shore Alliance
ctaylor at sea2shore.org
941-232-4587
www.sea2shore.org
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From eldazey at gmail.com Mon Aug 6 16:03:33 2012
From: eldazey at gmail.com (Erica Dazey)
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2012 18:03:33 -0500
Subject: [MARMAM] New PSO course announcement
Message-ID:
Geo-Marine, Inc. is pleased to announce the offering of a BOEM/BSEE
accredited Protected Species Observer (PSO/MMO) course in Plano, Texas,
USA. The 1-day course trains students to become fully qualified, BOEM/BSEE
accredited, professional PSOs for seismic survey mitigation in the Gulf of
Mexico.
The next available course-date will be 11 September 2012. The class will be
held at our Plano, TX office location.
The cost of the class is $200 per person. A class size of at least 10
students is required. If there are less than 10 registrants, deposits will
be refunded and the class will be rescheduled. The price of the course will
include all teaching materials and take-aways, experienced staff, lunch,
and travel from hotel to training site. Suggestions for accommodations and
airport transportation will be emailed to registrants.
For more information and to register for the course please visit:
http://www.geo-marine.com/environmental/ps-trng.html
The deadline for registration is 24 August 2012 and full payment must be
received no later than 1 September 2012.
Thank you,
Erica Dazey
Geo-Marine, Inc.
PSO Program Trainer/Coordinator
edazey at geo-marine.com
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From akkayaaylin at yahoo.com Tue Aug 7 10:02:09 2012
From: akkayaaylin at yahoo.com (aylin akkaya)
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2012 10:02:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [MARMAM] More Research Assistants are Needed for the Dolphin
Behaviour Project in the Istanbul Strait
Message-ID: <1344358929.85447.YahooMailNeo@web163402.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Dear Marmam readers,
?
I am seeking
more 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 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bayram ?zt?rk and Dr. Ayaka
Amaha ?zt?rk. 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. Now, the highest season for the dolphins are coming so we
need more research assistants in the field. ?The field work will take 3-4
days in a week and office work will take a day or two. 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 plus there is an accomodation fee which is 100 dolar per month. 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
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From dagmar_fertl at hotmail.com Wed Aug 8 21:41:47 2012
From: dagmar_fertl at hotmail.com (Dagmar Fertl)
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 23:41:47 -0500
Subject: [MARMAM] Contents and Abstracts - IWC JCRM Special Issue 3-
Humpback Whales: Status in the Southern Hemisphere
Message-ID:
Dear Marmam and ECS-mailbase subscribers,
Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The following are abstracts from Special Issue 3 of the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, entitled Humpback Whales: Status in the Southern Hemisphere, edited by N. Gales, J.L. Bannister, K. Findlay, A. Zerbini, and G.P. Donovan, with a publication date of 2011.
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) publishes The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management thrice yearly (Spring, Autumn, and Winter), with at least one supplement that will contain the full report of the IWC Scientific Committee. The following is posted on behalf of the IWC and the journal editor. Further information can be found at: http://www.iwcoffice.org/publications/JCRM.htm. A guide for authors is included in the first volume of each issue and on the IWC website: http://www.iwcoffice.org/publications/authorsguide.htm.
Contact information is provided for the corresponding author for each article. Please do not contact the listserve editors or me for pdfs or copies of the articles. Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings.
With regards,
Dagmar Fertl
*******
International Whaling Commission. 2011. Report of the Workshop on the Comprehensive Assessment of Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales, 4-7 April 2006, Hobart, Tasmania. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):5-50.
Contents include: assessment procedures; review of stock structure, distribution and movements; catch information; estimates of recent abundance and observed trends; biological parameters; threats; environmental parameters; assessments and projections; and conclusions and recommendations to the Scientific Committee. Annexes include: discovery mark summary; assessment of genetic differentiation between Breeding Stocks A, B, C and X, and Areas I, II and III based on mtDNA; consideration of observed male-skewed sex ratios in humpback whales; and considerations for matching large photo-identification catalogues; recommendations for each breeding stock.
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Branch, T.A.* 2011. Humpback abundance south of 60?S from three complete circumpolar sets of surveys. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):53-69.
*Contact e-mail: tbranch at uw.edu
Austral summer estimates of abundance are obtained for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Southern Ocean from the IWC?s IDCR and SOWER circumpolar programmes. These surveys have encircled the Antarctic three times: 1978/79?1983/84 (CPI), 1985/86?1990/91 (CPII) and 1991/92?2003/04 (CPIII), criss-crossing strata totalling respectively 64.3%, 79.5% and 99.7% of the open-ocean area south of 60?S. Humpback whales were absent from the Ross Sea, but were sighted in all other regions, and in particularly high densities around the Antarctic Peninsula, in Management Area IV and north of the Ross Sea. Abundance estimates are presented for each CP, for Management Areas, and for assumed summer feeding regions of each Breeding Stock. Abundance estimates are negatively biased because some whales on the trackline are missed and because some humpback whales are outside the survey region. Circumpolar estimates with approximate midpoints of 1980/81, 1987/88 and 1997/98 are 7,100 (CV = 0.36), 10,200 (CV = 0.30) and 41,500 (CV = 0.11). When these are adjusted simply for unsurveyed northern areas, the estimated annual rate of increase is 9.6% (95% CI 5.8?13.4%). All Breeding Stocks are estimated to be increasing but increase rates are significantly greater than zero only for those on the eastern and western coasts of Australia. Given the observed rates of increase, the current total Southern Hemisphere abundance is greater than 55,000, which is similar to the summed northern breeding ground estimates (~60,000 from 1999?2008). Some breeding ground abundance estimates are far greater, and others far lower, than the corresponding IDCR/SOWER estimates, in a pattern apparently related to the latitudinal position of the Antarctic Polar Front.
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Best, P.B.* 2011. A note on the age at sexual maturity of humpback whales. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):71-73.
*Contact e-mail: pbest at iziko.org.za
The conclusion of researchers in the 1950s that humpback whales reached sexual maturity at about age five was largely influenced by their interpretation of baleen tracings, and to achieve consistency with these tracings the accumulation rate of ear plug laminations (growth layer groups: GLGs) was assumed to be two per year. However, ovulation and natural mortality rates calculated by these researchers under the same assumption produced estimates that are difficult to reconcile with other biological data or with more recent estimates using individual re-sighting data. Such disparities are reduced or disappear when an annual accumulation rate is used, in which case their ear plug data would have indicated a mean age at sexual maturity of 9?11 years. Recent estimates of the age of female humpback whales at first calving using longitudinal studies of photo-identified individuals have produced conflicting results, some (from southeastern Alaska) being compatible with the earlier age-determination studies, others (from the Gulf of Maine) suggesting a much younger age.
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Matsuoka, K., T. Hakamada, H. Kiwada, H. Murase, and S. Nishiwaki. 2011. Abundance estimates and trends for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Antarctic Areas IV and V based on JARPA sightings data. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):75-94.
*Contact e-mail: matsuoka at cetacean.jp
Sighting survey data from the Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA) are analysed to obtain abundance estimates for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) south of 60?S. The surveys were conducted during the 1989/90?2004/05 austral summer seasons (mainly in January and February); the survey areas alternated between Area IV (70?E?130?E) and Area V (130?E to 170?W) each year. Primary sighting effort totalled 293,811 n.miles over 6,188 days. Abundance estimates are obtained using standard line transect analysis methods and the program DISTANCE. Estimated densities of humpback whales were highest east of the Kerguelen Plateau (80?E?120?E). Abundance estimates for Area IV range from 2,747 (CV = 0.153) in 1993/94 to 31,134 (CV = 0.123) in 2001/02, while those for Area V range from 602 (CV = 0.343) in 1990/91 to 9,342 (CV = 0.337) in 2004/05. The estimates are similar to those obtained from the International Whaling Commission?s IDCR-SOWER surveys, which were conducted in Area IV (in 1978/79, 1988/89 and 1998/99) and in Area V (in 1980/81, 1991/92 and 2001/02?2003/04). Estimated annual rates of increase for Area IV (16.4%; 95% CI = 9.5?23.3%) and Area V (12.1%; 95% CI = 1.7?22.6%) are also similar to those obtained from the IDCR-SOWER surveys. The total abundance in Areas IV and V based on the most recent JARPA surveys (2003/04 and 2004/05 combined) is 37,125 (95% CI = 21,349?64,558); the confidence interval incorporates estimated additional variance. Results of several sensitivity tests are presented that suggest that estimates of abundance and trends are not appreciably affected by factors such as different approaches to deal with survey coverage (which in some cases was poor or included gaps). Changes in the order in which survey strata were covered and potential effects are investigated using a nested GLM approach; a QAIC model selection criterion suggests a preference for not attempting to adjust for such changes. Under various sensitivity approaches, the point estimates of increase rates are not greatly affected for Area IV. Although they drop by typically a half for most approaches for Area V, they nevertheless remain within the confidence limits of the base case estimate of 12.1% per year (95% CI = 1.7?22.6%). The presented results thus suggest that the estimated abundance of humpback whales in Area IV has increased rapidly. Although there is also an increase indicated for Area V, it is neither as rapid nor as precisely estimated. Taking these results together with the similar rates of increase estimated from coastal surveys off western and eastern Australia for Breeding Stocks D and E respectively, and given demographic limitations on the increase rates possible for closed populations of humpback whales, the hypothesis is advanced that whales from Breeding Stock E may have shifted their feeding distribution westward as their numbers have increased, perhaps to take advantage of the higher densities of krill to be found to the west.
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Allen, J.,* C. Carlson, and P.T. Stevick. 2011. A description and summary of the Antarctic Humpback Whale Catalogue. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):95-99.
*Contact e-mail: jallen at coa.edu
The Antarctic Humpback Whale Catalogue (AHWC) is an international collaborative project investigating movement patterns of humpback whales in the Southern Ocean and corresponding lower latitude waters. The collection contains records contributed by 261 researchers and opportunistic sources. Photographs come from all of the Antarctic management areas, the feeding grounds in southern Chile and also most of the known or suspected low-latitude breeding areas and span more than two decades. This allows comparisons to be made over all of the major regions used by Southern Hemisphere humpback whales. The fluke, left dorsal fin/flank and right dorsal fin/flank collections represent 3,655, 413 and 407 individual whales respectively. There were 194 individuals resighted in more than one year, and 82 individuals resighted in more than one region. Resightings document movement along the western coast of South America and movement between the Antarctic Peninsula and western coast of South America and Central America. A single individual from Brazil was resighted off South Georgia, representing the first documented link between the Brazilian breeding ground and any feeding area. A second individual from Brazil was resighted off Madagascar, documenting long distance movement of a female between non-adjacent breeding areas. Resightings also include two matches between American Samoa and the Antarctic Peninsula, documenting the first known feeding site for American Somoa and setting a new long distance seasonal migration record. Three matches between Sector V and eastern Australia support earlier evidence provided by Discovery tags. Multiple resightings of individuals in the Antarctic Peninsula during more than one season indicate that humpback whales in this area show some degree of regional feeding area fidelity. The AHWC provides a powerful non-lethal and non-invasive tool for investigating the movements and population structure of the whales utilising the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. Through this methodical, coordinated comparison and maintenance of collections from across the hemisphere, large-scale movement patterns may be examined, both within the Antarctic, and from the Antarctic to breeding grounds at low latitudes.
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Cott?, C.,* and C. Guinet. 2011. The importance of seasonal ice zone and krill densities in the historical abundance of humpback whale catches in the Southern Ocean. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):101-106.
*Contact e-mail: cecotte at cebc.cnrs.fr
Humpback whale populations in the Southern Hemisphere were dramatically reduced by the whaling industry. A comprehensive whaling dataset was used in an analysis of circumpolar abundance of humpback whale catches relative to contemporary densities of its preferred prey, Antarctic krill, and to a major dynamic feature of the marine ecosystem, the summer seasonal ice zone (SSIZ) derived from southernmost whaling locations. The circumpolar abundance of catches derived only from pelagic data, i.e. about 30% of the total humpback whale catches in the Southern hemisphere, was found to be only marginally related to krill density. However, the total abundance of catches ? from pelagic operations and land stations, from high and low latitudes ? was found to be more related to SSIZ than to krill density, especially when excluding the highly dynamic west Atlantic region where the circulation probably drives the ecosystem. A large SSIZ is likely to provide a favourable feeding ground for humpback whales, given their high energy requirements and because of its predictability and the prey aggregation processes occurring there.
******************
Secchi, E.R.*, L. Dalla Rosa, P.G. Kinas, R.F. Nicolette, A.M.N. Rufino, and A.F. Azevedo. 2011. Encounter rates and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, in the Gerlache and Bransfield Straits, Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):107-111.
*Contact e-mail: edu.secchi at furg.br
During the austral summer of 2006, the Projeto Baleias/Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) conducted ship surveys for estimating whale encounter rates and abundance in Gerlache and Bransfield Straits, westward of the Antarctic Peninsula (edge between IWC Areas I and II). The encounter rate was higher in the Bransfield Strait (0.32 groups n. mile?1; 95% CI: 0.26?0.39) than in the Gerlache Strait (0.24 groups n. mile?1; 95% CI: 0.13?0.44), though the difference was not statistically evident. An abundance estimate using conventional distance sampling methods was computed only for the Bransfield Strait. The perpendicular distance data was best fitted by the half-normal model without adjustments. Derived abundance for the surveyed area was 865 humpback whales (95% CI =656?1,141; CV = 14.13). This area represents only a small fraction of the Stock G feeding ground.
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Zerbini, A.N., A. Andriolo, M.P. Heide-J?rgensen, S.C. Moreira, J.L. Pizzorno, Y.G. Maia, G.R. VanBlaricom, and D.P. DeMaster. 2011. Migration and summer destinations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):113-118.
*Contact e-mail: alex.zerbini at noaa.gov
Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) migrate from wintering grounds in tropical latitudes to feeding areas in the Antarctic Ocean. In 2003 and 2005, satellite transmitters were deployed on humpback whales on their wintering grounds off the eastern coast of South America (Breeding Stock A). Seven whales were tracked for a period of 16 to 205 days travelling between 902 and 7,258km. The tracks of these whales provided partial or full information on the migratory schedule, migration routes and location of the feeding ground in the Southern Oceans. Whales departed from the coast of Brazil from late October to late December between 20? and 25?S and gradually moved away from the South American coast as they moved towards high latitudes. They followed a somewhat direct, linear path, with an approximate geographic heading of 170?. Satellite telemetry data indicated that the migratory corridors are restricted to a relatively narrow (~500?800km) strip in the South Atlantic Ocean. Migration speed to the feeding grounds averaged 80.2km/day and lasted from 40?58 days. Four individuals arrived at the feeding ground located to the north of the South Sandwich Islands, where they were tracked up to 102 days. Movements in this area were erratic at a mean travelling speed of 22.3km/day. Satellite telemetry data indicate that the main feeding grounds for the population wintering off eastern South America lie between 22?W and 33?W and in the southern South Atlantic Ocean south of the Antarctic Convergence but north of 60?S. This is only partially consistent with the currently proposed stock boundaries for this population on the feeding grounds.
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Leaper, R.*, S. Peel, D. Peel, and N. Gales. 2011. Exploring the assumptions of multi-stock assessment models for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Southern Hemisphere: using Breeding Stocks D and E as an example. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):119-128.
*Contact e-mail: rebecca.leaper at uta.edu.au
There is potential value in exploring multi-stock models to address situations where humpback stocks are mixing. However, sensitivity to the assumptions underlying these models has yet to be fully explored. Using a simple simulation approach, the assumptions of a population model that allows for mixing of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) stocks D and E on feeding areas has been explored by relaxing the assumptions of the original Johnston and Butterworth model in a number of plausible ways. First the ability of the model to estimate parameters was checked for a situation where simulated data are generated from an underlying model of exactly the same form for which the actual values of these parameters are known (Scenario 1). Then the ability of the model to estimate these parameters when alternative forms and assumptions were used for the underlying model generating the data was investigated. Specifically, stocks were allowed to mix non-uniformly across each feeding area and catch was non-uniformly distributed across each feeding area (Scenario 2). The consequences of density dependence implemented on feeding rather than breeding areas (Scenario 3) were also examined. The original mixing model was robust to alternate mixing and catch allocation scenarios in all but one of the simulations, but when density dependence acted at the level of the feeding rather than the breeding areas, the model produced estimates that were quite different from the underlying population. It is recommend that the inclusion of density dependence on feeding areas in models that allow for mixing of whales on these grounds be investigated further.
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Zerbini, A.N., E.J. Ward, P.G. Kinas, M.H. Engel, and A. Andriolo. 2011. A Bayesian assessment of the conservation status of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the western South Atlantic Ocean (Breeding Stock A). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):131-144.
*Contact e-mail: alex.zerbini at noaa.gov
The population of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering off the eastern coast of South America is referred to by the International Whaling Commission as ?Breeding Stock A? (BSA). This population was heavily exploited in 20th century modern commercial whaling operations. After more than 30 years of protection, its present status remains unknown. A deterministic sex and age-aggregated population dynamics model was used to estimate the pre-exploitation population size (K), the maximum net recruitment rate (rmax), the maximum depletion level (Nmin/K), and other quantities of interest of BSA. Input data included modern whaling catch series, absolute estimates of abundance, observed growth rates and indices of relative abundance. A Bayesian statistical method was used to calculate probability distributions for the model parameters. Prior distributions were set on rmax ? an uninformative (Uniform [0, 0.106]) and an informative (Normal [0.067, 0.042]) ? and on the population size in 2005 ? N2005 (Uniform [500, 22,000]). A total of 10,000 samples were used to compute the joint posterior distribution of the model parameters using the Sampling-Importance-Resampling algorithm. Sensitivity of model outputs to the priors on rmax, a genetic constraint, data inclusion and catch allocation scenarios was investigated. Medians of the posterior probability distributions of quantities of interest for the base case scenario were: rmax = 0.069 (95% probability intervals [PI] = 0.013?0.104), K = 24,558 (95% PI = 22,791?31,118), Nmin/K = 2% (PI = 0.31%?12.5%), N2006/ K = 27.4% (PI = 18.3%?39.5%), N2020/K = 61.8% (PI = 23.8%?88.6%), and N2040/K = 97.3% (PI= 31.6%?99.9%). Despite apparent recovery in the past three decades, the western South Atlantic humpback whale population is still low relative to its pre-exploitation size and requires continued conservation efforts.
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Ward, E.*, A.N. Zerbini, P.G. Kinas, M.H. Engel, and A. Andriolo. 2011. Estimates of population growth rates of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the wintering grounds along the coast of Brazil (Breeding Stock A). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):145-149.
*Contact e-mail: warde at u.washington.edu
Humpback whales wintering off the eastern coast of Brazil were heavily exploited by commercial whaling in the Southern Hemisphere. During recent years, clear signs of recovery have been observed, but few estimates of population growth rate exist. In this study, quantitative estimates of rates of population increase are obtained from sighting per unit of effort data (1995?98) using generalized linear models and maximum likelihood estimation. The error distributions considered for the models were Poisson and negative binomial. Predictors of the number of sightings included the year, month and 2-week periods during which the sightings were made. Predictors were treated as factors or numeric variables. For the numeric variables, quadratic dependence was also considered for each predictor to allow for possible non linear relationships. Using Akaike Information Criterion (AICc) as a model selection criterion, the best model included year and month as continuous predictors. The data indicated strong support for the negative binomial over the Poisson models, but did not support models based on a finer temporal scale than month. Assuming year to be a linear predictor, the best estimate of the growth rate for the population wintering off Brazil was 7.4% per year (95% CI = 0.6?14.5%) during the period 1995? 98. This estimate provides additional quantitative evidence that this population has been increasing and is consistent with the observed growth rates of other humpback whale stocks.
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Strindberg, S.*, P.J. Ersts, T. Collins, G-P Sounguet, and H.C. Rosenbaum. 2011. Line transect distance sampling estimates of humpback whale abundance and distribution on their wintering grounds in the coastal waters of Gabon. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):153-160.
*Contact e-mail: sstrindberg at wcs.org
There have been few recent estimates of abundance for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean. The first distance sampling survey of the coastal waters of Gabon was conducted in 2002. The difficult logistics of covering a large survey region with limited time, effort and refuelling opportunities required a line transect survey design that carefully balanced the theoretical demands of distance sampling with these constraints. Inshore/offshore zigzag transects were conducted to a distance of up to approximately 50 n.miles from the coast of Gabon corresponding to the 1,000m depth contour, from the border with Equatorial Guinea to a point south of Mayumba, near the Congo border representing 1,488 n.miles of survey effort. Seventy-nine different groups of humpback whales were observed throughout the survey area comprising a northern (Equatorial Guinea to Cap Lopez) and southern (Cap Lopez to Gamba) survey stratum. Relatively large numbers of whales were encountered throughout the southern stratum; encounter rates and densities were considerably lower in the northern stratum. The initial abundance estimate from a distance sampling analysis suggests that more than 1,200 humpback whales were present in Gabon?s coastal waters during the survey period. This estimate does not account for either availability or perception bias. In addition, this instantaneous snapshot of the number of whales occupying Gabon?s coastal waters is likely to correspond to only a portion of the population that uses these waters over time. However, the abundance estimate derived from the aerial survey are consistent with those based on photographic and genetic capture-recapture techniques. A continuing research programme in this area will help refine estimates of humpback whale abundance and using genetic and photographic data also establish the relationships between this and other populations. This is important given the potential overlap of humpback whales in large numbers throughout this region and the current extent and continued expansion of hydrocarbon exploration and extraction activities throughout the Gulf of Guinea.
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Findlay, K.*, M. Me?er, S. Elwen, D. Kotze, R. Johnson, P. Truter, C. Uamusse, S. Sitoe, C. Wilke, S. Kerwath, S. Swanson, L. Staverees, and J. van der Westhuizen. 2011. Distribution and abundance of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, off the coast of Mozambique, 2003. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):163-174.
*Contact e-mail: kenfin at mweb.co.za
Humpback whales within the southwestern Indian Ocean undertake annual migrations from summer Antarctic/Southern Ocean feeding grounds to winter breeding grounds in the tropical and sub-tropical coastal waters of Mozambique, Madagascar and the central Mozambique Channel Islands. Little is known of the inter-relationship of humpback whales on each of these wintering grounds, or the inter-relationship of these wintering grounds with the summer Antarctic feeding grounds. A line-transect survey of cetacean species was carried out in Mozambique coastal waters between Cabo Inhaca (26?00?S, 33?05?E) and just north of Mozambique Island (14?26?S, 40?53?E) and between the 20 and 200m isobaths, over the period 26 August to 7 September 2003. The majority (98.1%) of 951.8 n.miles of search effort carried out on this survey was in passing mode due to the high densities of whales encountered. Humpback whales were the only large whales to be identified and the distribution of 691 sightings of an estimated 1,130 individual
humpback whales and 132 sightings of an estimated 154 large unidentified whales show distribution throughout the survey region. Two sightings of individual small whales were made in the region of Inhambane. In general, higher than expected sighting densities (based on survey effort) were recorded in the region between Cabo Inhaca and Xai-Xai, and in the region of the Pantaloon and David Shoals to the north east of Quelimane. Lower than expected sighting densities were recorded over the Sofala Banks. No distribution trends could be ascribed to environmental parameters, apart from whales being distributed in waters of higher salinities than expected, possibly due to turbidity associated with low salinity water arising from river input. Groups containing a cow and calf pair were distributed across the entire region surveyed. Analyses of unstratified data result in a total abundance estimate of 6,808 (CV = 0.14)
humpback and unidentified whales in the 14,029.5 n.mile2 area surveyed. As a result of the differences in width of the coastal shelf area along the coast of Mozambique, the line transect survey data were further analysed in four strata. Pooling of estimates over these four strata results in a total abundance of 6,664 whales (CV = 0.16), with highest densities in the southernmost stratum and the lowest densities in the narrow shelf region across the Sofala Banks. Similar analyses of humpback whales only resulted in abundance estimates of 5,930 (CV = 0.15) (unstratified data) and 5,965 whales (CV = 0.17) (data analysed by four strata). Although not directly comparable due to differing survey platforms, these estimates indicate the population to have increased since previous surveys in the early 1990s.
****************
Ersts, P.J., J. Kiszka, M. V?ly, and H.C. Rosenbaum. 2011. Density, group composition, and encounter rates of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the eastern Comoros Archipelago (C2). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):175-182.
*Contact e-mail: ersts at amnh.org
The Comoros Archipelago is an assemblage of oceanic islands, banks and offshore reef systems that longitudinally span the northern Mozambique Channel. The greater Comoros Archipelago has been designated by the IWC as Wintering sub-Region C2 for humpback whales and is currently considered data deficient. Since 1997, annual marine mammal surveys of varying length and objective have been carried out in the waters surrounding Mayotte, the eastern most island in the Comoros Archipelago. The humpback whales component of these surveys focused effort in and around the lagoon surrounding Mayotte. While it is expected that humpback whales can found throughout Comoros Archipelago it still remains unknown as to what degree humpback whales utilise specific banks and offshore reef systems within this area. Surveys conducted in 2002 and 2003 included passing mode and closing mode components intended to examine the density, group composition and encounter rates of humpback whales in an offshore reef complex and a bank adjacent to the lagoon surround Mayotte. The densities of humpback whales, out to one nautical mile from the surveyed transects, ranged from 0.027 to 0.618 whales/n.mile2 across three study sites. Females with calves were the most frequently encountered group type. Encounter rates ranged from 0.98 to 2.36 groups per hour of search effort. These results, while exploratory in nature, indicate that the eastern region of the Comoros may be an important area for humpback whales during the late austral winter months and that additional, more intensive systematic research is warranted.
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Minton, G., T. Collins, K. Findlay, P.J. Ersts, H. Rosenbaum, P. Berggren, and R. Baldwin. 2011. Seasonal distribution, abundance, habitat use and population identity of humpback whales in Oman Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):185-198.
*Contact e-mail: gianna.minton at gmail.com
Previously published data on the occurrence of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Arabian Sea suggests that the region hosts a non-migratory population that adheres to a Northern Hemisphere breeding cycle. In order to investigate the distribution and abundance of this population, twelve small boat surveys were conducted in three main locations off the coast of Oman between February 2000 and November 2004. Humpback whales were observed during surveys in Dhofar and Gulf of Masirah on Oman?s Arabian Sea coast, but not during surveys in the Muscat region in the Gulf of Oman. An even ratio of males to females was observed and sampled during surveys in the Gulf of Masirah, which was surveyed in October and November (n = 38), while almost all whales sampled in Dhofar in February/March were male (n = 28). Song was detected frequently in the bay surrounding the Halaniyat Islands (formerly known as the Kuria Muria Bay) in February/March, but observations of mother-calf pairs were sparse, and competitive groups were absent. Feeding was observed in both October/November and February/March, but behavioural and environmental observations indicate that the Gulf of Masirah is primarily an important feeding ground, while the Dhofar region, particularly the Halaniyat Bay, may be a breeding area. However, limited survey effort and a lack of recent observations of mother-calf pairs or competitive groups raises the possibility that the primary mating, calving and nursing areas are yet to be identified. Sixty-four individual whales were identified using photographs of dorsal fins or tail flukes. A high rate of re-sightings between years and between survey areas at different times of the year indicates year-round residence off the coast of Oman. A Chapman?s modified Petersen estimator was applied to various data pairings to calculate abundance. All pairings yielded estimates of less than 100 individuals, but sample sizes were small and there were various sources of possible bias. Analysis of scarring on the caudal peduncle region of identified individuals in Oman indicates that between 30 and 40% are likely to have been involved in entanglements with fishing gear. Comparison of the Oman photo-identification catalogue with those from Zanzibar, Antongil Bay (Madagascar) and Mayotte and the Geyser Atoll (Comoros Archipelago), yielded no photographic matches. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of a discrete population. The distribution of fluke pigmentation rankings from the Oman catalogue, which varied significantly from those of Madagascar and Mayotte, provides further evidence for this theory. The evidence presented here provides a strong underpinning for the recent IUCN Red List classification of the Arabian Sea sub-population of humpback whales as Endangered. In light of ongoing coastal development and other threats to this population?s habitat and future survival, urgent research and conservation measures are recommended.
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Brand?o, A., and D.S. Butterworth. 2011. Concerning demographic limitations on the population growth rate of west Australian (Breeding Stock D) humpback whales. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):201-208.
*Contact e-mail: anabela.brandao at uct.ac.za
The upper bound of 0.126 on the maximum demographically possible annual growth rate for humpback whales that has standardly been imposed on recent applications of age-aggregated assessment models for this species in the IWC Scientific Committee, is based on an analysis that assumes steady age structure. It is conceivable that transient age-structure effects could admit greater population growth rates for short periods than suggested by such a bound. This possibility is addressed by developing an age-structured population model in which possible density dependent changes in pregnancy rate, age at first parturition and natural mortality are modeled explicitly, and allowance is made for the possibility of natural mortality increasing at older ages. The model is applied to the case of the west Australian humpback whale population (Breeding Stock D), for which breeding ground surveys over the 1982?1994 period provide a point estimate of 0.10 for the annual population growth rate. Results based upon the breeding population survey estimate of abundance of 10,032 in 1999 suggest that 0.12 is the maximum demographically feasible annual rate of increase for this stock over 1982?1994 if it is a closed population. This result is based on essentially the same parameter choices as led to the earlier r = 0.126 bound, i.e. that in the limit of low population size the age at first parturition approaches five years from above, the annual pregnancy rate 0.5 from below, and the annual natural mortality rate 0.01 from above. Transient effects do not appear able to reconcile the observed rate of increase with less extreme values of demographic parameters than led to the previously imposed upper bound of 0.126 on the maximum possible annual growth rate. Although use of extreme values reported for demographic parameters for Northern Hemisphere humpback whale populations, rather than those considered here, would reduce this suggested maximum rate of 0.12, the conclusion that transient effects have a very limited impact on observed population growth rates would be unlikely to change.
******************
Hedley, S.L.*, J.L. Bannister, and R.A. Dunlop. 2011. Abundance estimates of Southern Hemisphere Breeding Stock ?D? humpback whales from aerial and land-based surveys off Shark Bay, Western Australia, 2008. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):209-221.
*Contact e-mail: sharon at countingwhales.co.uk
Single platform aerial line transect and land-based surveys of Southern Hemisphere Breeding Stock ?D? humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae were undertaken off Shark Bay, Western Australia to provide absolute abundance estimates of animals migrating northward along the western Australian coast. The aerial survey flew a total of 28 flights, of which 26 were completed successfully, from 24 June?19 August 2008. The land-based survey was undertaken from Cape Inscription, Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay, during the expected peak of the whales? northward migration, from 8?20 July. During the first week of the land-based survey, some double count effort was undertaken to provide information on the numbers of pods missed from the land station. The assumed period of northward migration was 2 June?7 September. Estimated abundance of northward-migrating whales during that time is 34,290 (95% CI: (27,340?53,350)), representing an annual rate of increase of 12.9% (CV = 0.20) since an estimate of 11,500 in 1999. This estimate is based on an estimate of relative abundance of surface-available whales of 10,840 (8,640?16,860), and an estimated g(0) of 0.32. There were considerable practical difficulties encountered during the land-based survey which reduced the effectiveness of the dual-survey approach for estimating g(0) for the aerial survey. Furthermore only about 15% of whales were estimated to be within the visual range of the land-based station. Alternative approaches for estimating g(0) from these data are therefore also presented, resulting in considerably higher estimates of around 0.6?0.7, and yielding a conservative abundance estimate of 17,810 (14,210?27,720).
******************
Paxton, C.G.M.*, S.L. Hedley, and J.L. Bannister. 2011. Group IV humpback whales: their status from aerial and land-based surveys off Western Australia, 2005 Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):223-234.
*Contact e-mail: cgp2 at st-andrews.ac.uk
Single platform aerial line transect and land-based surveys of Southern Hemisphere Group IV humpback whales were undertaken to provide absolute abundance estimates of animals migrating northward along the western Australian coast during June?August 2005. The aerial survey was designed to cover the whole period of northward migration but the resulting estimates from that survey alone could only, at best, provide relative abundance estimates as it was not possible to estimate g(0), the detection probability along the trackline, from the data. Owing to logistical constraints, the land-based survey was only possible for a much shorter period (two weeks during the expected peak of the migration in mid-July). This paper proposes three methods that utilise these complementary data in different ways to attempt to obtain absolute abundance estimates. The aerial line transect data were used to estimate relative whale density (for each day), allowing absolute abundance from the land-based survey to be estimated for the short period of its duration. In turn, the land-based survey allowed estimation of g(0) for the aerial survey. Absolute estimates of abundance for the aerial survey were obtained by combining the g(0) estimate with the relative density estimates, summing over the appropriate number of days. The most reliable estimate of northward migrating whales passing the land station for the period of the land-based survey only was 4,700 (95% CI 2,700?14,000). The most reliable estimate for the number of whales passing through the aerial survey region for the duration of that survey (55 days from June through to August) was 10,300 (95% CI 6,700?24,500). This is a conservative estimate because the duration of the aerial survey was almost certainly shorter than the period of the migration. Extrapolation beyond the end of this survey was considered unreliable, but abundance from the estimated start of the migration to the end of the survey (87 days from mid April to August) was estimated to be 12,800 (95% CI 7,500?44,600). The estimated number of whales depends crucially on the assumed migration and period of migration. Results for different migration parameters are also presented. The point estimates of abundance, whilst higher than those from a previous survey in 1999 (when adjusted for survey duration) are not significantly so. The peak of the whales? distribution was found at c.90m water depth.
********
Forestell, P.*, G.D. Kaufman, and M. Chaloupka. 2011. Long term trends in abundance of humpback whales in Hervey Bay, Australia. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):237-241.
*Contact e-mail: paul.forestell at liu.edu
Seasonal abundance estimates of humpback whales resident during the austral winter in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia between 1987 and 2007 were obtained from a capture-mark-recapture study using photo-identification images of 3,155 individual whales. Hervey Bay is a major southbound stopover site for Breeding Stock E humpback whales returning to Antarctic waters from overwintering in the vicinity of the Great Barrier Reef. Annual survival, recapture and abundance estimates were derived using a Cormack-Jolly-Seber modelling approach and a Horwitz-Thompson type abundance estimator. The best-fit model was a 2-ageclass Brownie-Robson type model that estimated apparent annual survival for the non-transient winter stopover ageclass at approximately 0.945 (95% confidence interval: 0.929?0.957). Apparent annual abundance of winter stopover humpback whales in Hervey Bay was estimated to
have increased significantly over the past 21 years at ca. 13.4% per annum (95% CI 11.6?15.2). The most recent Hervey Bay winter stopover population (2007) was estimated to comprise ca. 6,246 post-yearlings (95% CI 5,011?7,482). This estimated rate of population increase is similar to estimates for other surveys along the east Australian coast but significantly higher than the intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) estimated recently for several recovering Southern Hemisphere humpback whale stocks based on the feeding ground sampling.
***************
Noad, M.J., R.A. Dunlop, D. Paton, and D.H. Cato. 2011. Absolute and relative abundance estimates of Australian east coast humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):243-252.
*no contact e-mail information provided
The humpback whales that migrate along the east coast of Australia were hunted to near-extinction in the 1950s and early 1960s. Two independent series of land-based surveys conducted over the last 25 years during the whales? northward migration along the Australian coastline have demonstrated a rapid increase in the size of the population. In 2004 we conducted a survey of the migratory population as a continuation of these series of surveys. Two methods of data analysis were used in line with the previous surveys, both for calculation of absolute and relative abundance. We consider the best estimates for 2004 to be 7,090?660 (95% CI) whales with an annual rate of increase of 10.6?0.5% (95% CI) for 1987?2004. The rate of increase agrees with those previously obtained for this population and demonstrates the continuation of a strong post-exploitation recovery. While there are still some uncertainties concerning the absolute abundance estimate and structure of this population, the rate of annual increase should be independent of these and highly robust.
************
Paton, D.A., L. Brooks, D. Burns, T. Franklin, W. Franklin, P. Harrison, and P. Baverstock. 2011. Abundance of east coast Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in 2005 estimated using multi-point sampling and capture-recapture analysis. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):253-259.
*Contact e-mail: dave at blueplanetmarine.com
The humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that migrate along the east coast of Australia were hunted to near extinction during the last century. This remnant population is part of Breeding Stock E. Previous abundance estimates for the east Australian portion of Breeding Stock E have been based mainly on land-based counts. Here we present a capture-recapture abundance estimate for this population using photo-identification data. These data were collected at three locations on the migration route (Byron Bay ? northern migration, Hervey Bay and Ballina ? southern migration) in order to estimate the population of humpback whales that migrated along the east coast of Australia in 2005. The capture-recapture data were analysed using a variety of closed population models with a model-averaged estimate of 7,041 (95% CI 4,075?10,008) whales.
**************
Paton, D.A.*, and E. Kniest. 2011. Population growth of Australian East Coast humpback whales, observed from Cape Byron, 1998 to 2004. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):261-268.
*Contact e-mail: dave at blueplanetmarine.com
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that migrate past the east coast of Australia comprise part of Group V (E(i) breeding stock). From 1995 to 2004 an annual 16 day survey was conducted from Cape Byron (28?37?S, 153?38?E), the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, monitoring the peak of the humpback whale northern migration. The annual rate of increase between 1998 and 2004 of humpback whales observed off Cape Byron is 11.0% (95% CI 2.3?20.5%). This rate of increase is consistent with that recorded from other studies of the humpback whale population off the east coast of Australia. The large confidence intervals associated with this estimate are due to considerable inter-annual variation in counts. The most likely explanation for this being the short survey period, which may not have always coincided with the peak of migration, and in some years a large proportion of whales passed Cape Byron at a greater distance out to sea, making sightability more difficult.
*************
Garrigue, C.*, T. Franklin, R. Constantine, K. Russell, D. Burns, M. Poole, D. Paton, N. Hauser, M. Oremus, S. Childerhouse, D. Mattila, N. Gibbs, W. Franklin, J. Robbins, P. Clapham, and C.S. Baker. 2011. First assessment of interchange of humpback whales between Oceania and the east coast of Australia. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):269-274.
*Contact e-mail: op.cetaces at lagoon.nc
The interchange of individual humpback whales between the wintering grounds of Oceania (South Pacific) and the east coast of Australia were documented by individual identification photographs collected from 1999 to 2004. Interchange was assessed using regional catalogues of fluke photographs, totalling 672 individuals from Oceania (represented by New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Island, French Polynesia and American Samoa) and 1,242 individuals from Hervey Bay and Byron Bay representing the southbound and the northbound migration along the east coast of Australia (EA). Overall, there were seven documented movements between EA and Oceania. Four instances of movement of four individuals were documented between EA and the closest breeding grounds of New Caledonia. A further three movements were recorded between EA and a small catalogue (n = 13) from the New Zealand migratory corridor. In contrast, during this same period, 20 cases of interchange were documented among nine breeding grounds: French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Niue, American Samoa, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The low level of interchange between Oceania and the east coast of Australia has important implications for understanding the stock structure and abundance of humpback whales in the South Pacific.
**************************
Garrigue, C.*, R. Constantine, M. Poole, N Hauser, P. Clapham, M. Donoghue, K. Russell, D. Paton, D.K. Mattila, J. Robbins, and C.S. Baker. 2011. Movement of individual humpback whales between wintering grounds of Oceania (South Pacific), 1999 to 2004. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):275-281.
*Contact e-mail: op.cetaces at lagoon.nc
The movement of individual humpback whales between regional breeding grounds of Oceania (South Pacific) was documented by individual identification photographs collected from 1999 to 2004. Photographs were collected with comparable effort across the six years in four primary island breeding grounds: New Caledonia, Tonga (Vava?u) the Cook Islands and French Polynesia (Mo?orea and Rurutu); with smaller effort in adjacent regions: Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Niue and American Samoa. Interchange among wintering grounds was assessed first with all usable photographs included in each regional catalogue, representing 1,080 regional sightings (including within-region and between-region resightings) of 949 individual whales from Oceania. From this, 28 cases of movement between (mostly adjacent) regions were documented. Previously undocumented interchange was found between regions of central Oceania and the western South Pacific. No individual was sighted in more than two regions during this six-year period. The documented movement between regions was one-directional, except for one individual sighted first in French Polynesia, then in American Samoa and then back in French Polynesia (each in different years). Only one whale was resighted in more than one region during the same winter season. No directional trend was apparent and movement between regions did not seem to be sex specific. A systematic quality control review of all catalogues was then implemented to calculate standardised indices of within-region return and between-region interchange, resulting in a quality controlled catalogue of 776 regional sightings of 659 individuals. The standardized indices confirmed that the probability of between-region interchange was low, relative to within-region return, supporting the assumption of multiple management units or stocks in Oceania. The relative isolation of breeding regions and the movement of individuals across the longitudinal borders of Antarctic management Areas V and VI has important implications for the allocation of historical catches from the Antarctic and therefore, for assessing current levels of recovery for breeding stocks.
*************
F?lix, F.*, M. Mu?oz, J. Falconi, N. Botero, and B. Haase. 2011. Entanglement of humpback whales in artisanal fishing gear in Ecuador. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):285-290.
*Contact e-mail: fefelix90 at hotmail.com
Southeastern Pacific humpback whales (Breeding Stock G) congregate along the northwest coast of South America during the austral winter (July?October). Information collected from stranded animals for more than a decade in Ecuador and Colombia indicates that entanglement in fishing gear is a major threat for this population during the breeding season. Twelve new cases are reported here of live individual whales entangled in artisanal gillnets on the central coast of Ecuador from 2004 to 2007. The varying severity of the entanglement and the behaviour of the animals involved indicated that they had differing chances of survival. The findings confirm that the problem persists, although the impact on the population is unknown. The necessity of taking conservation measures to reduce the current level of entanglement is reiterated. Creation and training of rescue teams seems an appropriate alternative in the short-term, but in the long-term it will be necessary to design and implement actions with a wider regional scope, since the problem extends also to at least other two neighbouring countries.
*******************
F?lix, F.*, D.M. Palacios, S.K. Salazar, S. Caballero, B. Haase, and J. Falconi. 2011. The 2005 Gal?pagos humpback whale expedition: A first attempt to assess and characterise the population in the Archipelago. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3):291-300.
*Contact e-mail: fefelix90 at hotmail.com
It has been known for some time that humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) occur in waters of the Gal?pagos Islands, an oceanic archipelago located 1,000km west of Ecuador, South America (1?S, 91?W), but their presence there has been poorly documented. Although presumed, no linkage has been established between Gal?pagos and southeast Pacific humpback whales (Breeding Stock G), the nearest breeding stock. An expedition to Gal?pagos was carried out between 31 August and 10 September 2005 to document the presence of humpback whales, their distribution, and their relationship to other stocks in the Pacific. Surveys covered 722km of the central and southern parts of the archipelago. Only one adult with a newborn calf was found at Santa F? Island (0?47?S, 90?05.1?W), yielding an encounter rate of 0.27 whales per 100km of survey. A hydrophone with a response frequency range of 0.25?25kHz was dropped 25 times, but no whale sounds were heard. A skin sample was obtained by darting of the adult at Santa F?, and was used for genetic analysis of the mtDNA control region. The haplotype of the Gal?pagos specimen has been found in a few individuals sampled previously off Colombia, Ecuador and the Antarctic Peninsula, thus establishing at least some degree of relatedness with Breeding Stock G. The observations, combined with a compilation of historical and recent sighting information in the archipelago, support the idea that Gal?pagos is a breeding area for the species. Further studies are needed to establish the level of discreteness, size and other basic aspects of the Gal?pagos humpback whale population.
***************
F?lix, F.*, C. Castro, J.L. Laake, B. Haase, and M. Scheidat. 2011. Abundance and survival estimates of the southeastern Pacific humpback whale stock from 1991-2006 photo-identification surveys in Ecuador. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 3): 301-307.
*Contact e-mail: fefelix90 at hotmail.com
Southeastern Pacific humpback whales (Breeding Stock G) breed along the northwestern coast of South America and farther north up to Costa Rica. Photo-identification surveys conducted aboard whalewatching vessels during the migration/breeding season from June to September between 1991 and 2006 off the coast of Ecuador (2?S, 81?W) have produced a database of 1,511 individual whales. Comparisons of photographs produced 190 between-year re-sightings of 155 individual whales. Closed and open capture-recapture models were used to estimate abundance and survival. The best estimate of abundance in 2006 with the Chapman modified-Petersen was 6,504 (95% CI: 4,270?9,907; CV = 0.21). Abundance estimates from open population models were considerably lower due to heterogeneity in capture probability which produced a ?transient? effect. Our best estimate of true survival was 0.919 (95% CI: 0.850?0.958). Heterogeneity most likely occurred from inter-annual variation in sampling and unknown structure and variation in the migration timing and corridor. A more extensive collaborative effort including other wintering areas further north as well as integrating breeding-feeding data will help to reduce heterogeneity and increase precision in abundance and survival estimates.
********
Johnston, S.J.*, A.N. Zerbini, and D.S. Butterworth. 2011. A Bayesian approach to assess the status of Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with an application to Breeding Stock G. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special issue 3):309-318.
*Contact e-mail: Susan.Holloway at uct.ac.za
The Bayesian stock assessment methodology presently being applied in the Comprehensive Assessment of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whales, which uses a sex- and age-aggregated population model, is detailed. This methodology is applied to Breeding Stock G, which winters off the west coast of South America. This application takes into account the recently updated historic catch series, as well as the most recent estimates of absolute abundance and population trend information.
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From eldazey at gmail.com Wed Aug 8 14:52:20 2012
From: eldazey at gmail.com (Erica Dazey)
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 16:52:20 -0500
Subject: [MARMAM] New PSO Announcement (edited)
Message-ID:
We have a slight misprint in the initial part of our announcement. It
should read:
Geo-Marine, Inc. is pleased to announce the offering of a Protected Species
Observer (PSO/MMO) course in Plano, Texas, USA. Upon completion of the
1-day course, students will be fully qualified to be professional PSOs for
seismic survey mitigation in the Gulf of Mexico as per the JOINT NTL
2012-G02.
The next available course-date will be 11 September 2012. The class will
be held at our Plano, TX office location.
The cost of the class is $200 per person. A class size of at least
10 students is required. If there are less than 10 registrants, deposits
will be refunded and the class will be rescheduled. The price of the course
will include all teaching materials and take-aways, experienced staff,
lunch, and travel from hotel to training site. Suggestions for
accommodations and airport transportation will be emailed to registrants.
For more information and to register for the course, please visit:
www.geo-marine.com/environmental/ps-trng.html
The deadline for registration is 24 August 2012 and full payment must
be received no later than 1 September 2012.
Thank you
Erica Dazey
Geo-Marine, Inc.
PSO Program Trainer/Coordinator
edazey at geo-marine.com
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From libbypalmer2 at gmail.com Wed Aug 8 12:58:01 2012
From: libbypalmer2 at gmail.com (Libby Palmer)
Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 12:58:01 -0700
Subject: [MARMAM] Orca Bone Atlas Now On Web
Message-ID:
*Orca Bone Atlas Now on the Web*
*
*
For the very first time, scanned digital images of the bones and skeleton
of an orca can be examined on the web at http://www.ptmsc.org/boneatlas/
A collaboration between the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, NOAA and
the Idaho Virtualization Laboratory at the Idaho Museum of Natural History
resulted in the development of this free online research and education tool.
In January 2002, a 46-year old female transient orca stranded and died on
the north shore of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. She was
identified as CA189, later re-named Hope by local students. The necropsy,
skull CT scan and subsequent lab analysis of her tissue raised serious
questions about the cause of her death. As a result, CA189 has become one
of the most studied orcas in the years since her death. Visit
http://www.ptmsc.org/orca_project.html for more information on the
stranding and subsequent findings.
The Orca Bone Atlas is designed for students and teachers, researchers,
archaeologists and marine mammal protection agencies. Viewers can examine
any bone?s surface details, rotate and change its scale, modify its surface
shading, accurately measure any dimensions of the bone and compare the bone
with those of other marine mammals via an allied site - the Virtual
Zooarchaeology of the Arctic Project
http://vzap.iri.isu.edu/ViewPage.aspx?id=230 title=
Funding for the Bone Atlas was generously provided by the Institute of
Museum and Library Sciences and by the Norcliffe Foundation.
* *
For more information, contact:
Libby Palmer
Orca Project Manager
Port Townsend Marine Science Center
532 Battery Way
Port Townsend, WA 98368
libbypalmer2 at gmail.com
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From lish at ihb.ac.cn Thu Aug 9 05:28:02 2012
From: lish at ihb.ac.cn (lish)
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 20:28:02 +0800
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication
Message-ID: <201208092027599714851@ihb.ac.cn>
Dear Colleagues:
The following paper was just published in JEB:
http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/215/17/3055
Evoked-potential audiogram of an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Songhai Li, Ding Wang, Kexiong Wang, Elizabeth A. Taylor, Emilie Cros, Wenjing Shi, Zhitao Wang, Liang Fang, Yuefei Chen, and Fanming Kong. J Exp Biol 2012;215 3055-3063
SUMMARY
An evoked-potential audiogram was measured for an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) living in the dolphinarium of Nanning Zoo, China. Rhythmic 20 ms pip trains composed of cosine-enveloped 0.25 ms tone pips at a pip rate of 1 kHz were presented as sound stimuli. The dolphin was trained to remain still at the water surface and to wear soft latex suction-cup EEG electrodes used to measure the animal's envelope-following evoked potentials to the sound stimuli. Responses to 1000 rhythmic 20 ms pip trains for each amplitude/frequency combination were averaged and analysed using a fast Fourier transform to obtain an evoked auditory response. The hearing threshold was defined as the zero crossing point of the response input?output function using linear regression. Fourteen frequencies ranging from 5.6 to 152 kHz were studied. The results showed that most of the thresholds were lower than 90 dB re. 1 ?Pa (r.m.s.), covering a frequency range from 11.2 to 128 kHz, and the lowest threshold of 47 dB was measured at 45 kHz. The audiogram, which is a function of hearing threshold versus stimulus carrier frequency, presented a U-shape with a region of high hearing sensitivity (within 20 dB of the lowest threshold) between approximately 20 and 120 kHz. At frequencies lower than this high-sensitivity region, thresholds increased at a rate of approximately 11 dB octave?1 up to 93 dB at 5.6 kHz. The thresholds at high frequencies above 108 kHz increased steeply at a rate of 130 dB octave?1 up to 127 dB at 152 kHz.
If you are interested in a pdf copy, please send an email to lish at ihb.ac.cn or tmsshl at nus.edu.sg
Best Regards
Songhai Li Ph.D
2012-08-09
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From EMONTIE at uscb.edu Thu Aug 9 12:47:48 2012
From: EMONTIE at uscb.edu (MONTIE, ERIC)
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 19:47:48 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper - MRI in California sea lions with domoic acid
toxicosis
Message-ID: <5D66402E81C1334592133F37E0D4BF700FF3A5@CAE145EMBP01.ds.sc.edu>
Dear Colleagues,
The following paper has just been published in Harmful Algae.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2012.07.004
Montie, E.W., Wheeler, E., Pussini, N., Battey, T.W.K., Van Bonn, W., Gulland, F. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals that brain atrophy is more severe in older California sea lions with domoic acid toxicosis. Harmful Algae (2012), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2012.07.004
ABSTRACT
In 1998, domoic acid (DA) toxicosis was first documented in marine mammals, when more than 400 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) were determined to have been exposed to DA through contaminated prey that was linked to a bloom of toxin-producing diatoms. Over the last fifteen years, these blooms have increased in frequency and distribution, and DA toxicosis has become a more complex disease. Evidence with laboratory animals show that DA can cause epilepsy, may affect brain development, and may have synergistic effects with some pollutants. Detecting these effects in marine mammals requires quantitative methods to evaluate brain morphology in live animals. In this study, our goal was to employ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the morphologic effects of DA toxicosis on the brain in live, wild California sea lions admitted to a rehabilitation center. We performed MRIs and volumetrics of brain structures of 53 sea lions that exhibited clinical signs of acute or chronic DA intoxication. We found that the volumes of the hippocampi and parahippocampal gyri of sea lions with chronic DA toxicosis were less than the volumes of these structures in non-DA intoxicated animals. In addition, adult sea lions with chronic DA toxicosis had more structural damage to the brain than younger animals. This pattern may be explained by one or more of the following possibilities: (i) repetitive, sublethal exposure; (ii) increased susceptibility of adults to DA compared to younger animals; and/or (iii) initial exposure to the toxin followed by the progressive effects of ongoing seizure activity. Of these three possibilities, increased susceptibility and progressive effects of ongoing seizure activity most likely explain why atrophy of the hippocampus and thinning of the parahippocampal gyrus is most severe in adults.
Sincerely,
Eric Montie
Eric W. Montie
Assistant Professor of Biology
Department of Natural Sciences
University of South Carolina Beaufort
One University Boulevard
Bluffton, SC 29909
Office Phone: (843) 208-8107
Fax: (843) 208-8294
Email: emontie at uscb.edu
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From footead at gmail.com Mon Aug 13 07:16:27 2012
From: footead at gmail.com (Andy Foote)
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:16:27 +0200
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication - Ecological speciation in killer whales
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
A special issue of Evolutionary Ecology Research edited by Andrew Hendry
and based on work presented at the Niche Theory and Speciation workshop
held in Hungary almost one year ago is now available to access online ahead
of final publication: http://www.evolutionary-ecology.com/forthcoming.html
The special issue includes the following review paper in addition to other
contributions from the likes of Dan Bolnick, Ole Seehausen, and Patrick
Nosil, and should be of interest to those working on evolution and
speciation.
Please contact me if you have any difficulty accessing the article.
Foote, A.D. (2012) Investigating ecological speciation in non-model
organisms: a case study on killer whale ecotypes. Evolutionary Ecology
Research (http://www.evolutionary-ecology.com/issues/forthcoming/ar2727.pdf)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Studies of ecological speciation have been dominated by a few
model biological systems. There are comparably few studies on non-model
organisms that have been able to robustly infer ecological speciation as
the underlying mechanism of evolutionary divergence.
QUESTION: What are the pitfalls in studying ecological speciation in
non-model organisms that lead to this bias? and what alternative approaches
might redress the balance?
ORGANISM: Genetically differentiated types of the killer whale (*Orcinus
orca*) exhibiting differences in prey preference, habitat use, morphology
and behavior.
METHODS: I review the literature on killer whale evolutionary ecology to
highlight the difficulty of identifying whether there are causal links
between variation in phenotype, ecology and reproductive isolation in this
non-model organism.
RESULTS: I suggest that there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest
that adaptive phenotype traits linked to ecological variation underlie
reproductive isolation between sympatric killer whale types. This does not
mean that ecological speciation has not occurred, but rather that it is
hard to conclusively prove. The constraints on studying non-model organisms
means that this is the likely outcome in studies of species that
experimental approaches and comparative studies among multiple taxon pairs
cannot easily be applied to. New genomic approaches that first identify
genes under selection and then link alleles to phenotypic differences and
reproductive isolation may increase the success of robustly inferring
ecological speciation in non-model organisms.
Best regards,
Andy
--
*Dr Andrew Foote*
*Centre for GeoGenetics*
The Natural History Museum of Denmark
?ster Voldgade 5 - 7
1350 Copenhagen K
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From i.ansmann at uq.edu.au Sun Aug 12 19:36:41 2012
From: i.ansmann at uq.edu.au (Ina Ansmann)
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 02:36:41 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Fine-scale genetic population structure
in a mobile marine mammal: inshore bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay,
Australia
Message-ID: <4C9619471300104BAE7CF9C08666F3FB02A5E7@uqexmdb6.soe.uq.edu.au>
Dear MARMAM community,
On behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to announce the publication of our research in Molecular Ecology:
Fine-scale genetic population structure in a mobile marine mammal: inshore bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay, Australia
INA C. ANSMANN, GUIDO J . PARRA, JANET M. LANYON and JENNIFER M. SEDDON
Highly mobile marine species in areas with no obvious geographic barriers are expected to show low levels of genetic differentiation. However, small-scale variation in habitat may lead to resource polymorphisms and drive local differentiation by adaptive divergence. Using nuclear microsatellite genotyping at 20 loci, and mitochondrial control region sequencing, we investigated fine-scale population structuring of inshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) inhabiting a range of habitats in and around Moreton Bay, Australia. Bayesian structure analysis identified two genetic clusters within Moreton Bay, with evidence of admixture between them (FST = 0.05, P = 0.001). There was only weak isolation by distance but one cluster of dolphins was more likely to be found in shallow southern areas and the other in the deeper waters of the central northern bay. In further analysis removing admixed individuals, southern dolphins appeared genetically restricted with lower levels of variation (AR = 3.252, p = 0.003) and high mean relatedness (r = 0.239) between individuals. In contrast, northern dolphins were more diverse (AR = 4.850, p = 0.009) and were mixing with a group of dolphins outside the bay (microsatellite-based STRUCTURE analysis), which appears to have historically been distinct from the bay dolphins (mtDNA ?ST = 0.272, P < 0.001). This study demonstrates the ability of genetic techniques to expose fine-scale patterns of population structure and explore their origins and mechanisms. A complex variety of inter-related factors including local habitat variation, differential resource use, social behaviour and learning, and anthropogenic disturbances are likely to have played a role in driving fine-scale population structure among bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay.
The early view pdf can be accessed online at:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2012.05722.x/abstract
or via email requests to:
i.ansmann at uq.edu.au
Best regards,
Ina Ansmann
Ina Ansmann, PhD
Marine Vertebrate Ecology Research Group
School of Biological Sciences
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, QLD 4072
Australia
Phone: (+61) 7 3365 8382
Mobile: (+61) 4 0853 2478
Email: i.ansmann at uq.edu.au
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From koakley at usgs.gov Thu Aug 9 13:31:44 2012
From: koakley at usgs.gov (Karen L Oakley)
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2012 12:31:44 -0800
Subject: [MARMAM] Vacancy Announcement--Sea Otter Project Leader (USGS)
Message-ID:
This vacancy will be posted on USAJOBS starting August 13.
PAC-2012-0482 for the MP/status announcement (current federal employees
with status)
PAC-2012-0483 for the DEU/non-status announcement (all others)
Research Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist, GS-0486/0408-13
Type of Appointment: Permanent
Duty location: Anchorage, Alaska
Open date: 8-13-2012
Closing date: Midnight, EASTERN time on Friday, 8-31-2012
USAJOBS may be accessed at http://www.usajobs.gov/
If applicants have questions about the USAJOBS website, they may contact:
Beverly Ledbetter
USGS, Human Resources
916-278-9399 or pacsac2 at usgs.gov
If applicants have questions about the position, they can contact me.
Note: US Citizens only.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Karen Oakley
U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Marine & Freshwater Ecology, Branch Chief
4210 University Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99508
907-786-7076
907-786-7150 fax
koakley at usgs.gov
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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From melissa.soldevilla at noaa.gov Fri Aug 10 11:01:44 2012
From: melissa.soldevilla at noaa.gov (Melissa Soldevilla)
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:01:44 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Postdoctoral associate position in marine mammal acoustics
In-Reply-To: <4FE89263.80602@noaa.gov>
References: <4FE89263.80602@noaa.gov>
Message-ID: <50254C88.1080109@noaa.gov>
The University of Miami is committed to educating and nurturing
students, creating knowledge, and providing service to our community and
beyond. We are leaders in the area of education, scholarship,
intercollegiate athletics and service. Come join our team!
The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) of
the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric
Science, invites applicants for a Postdoctoral Associate position in
Marine Biology and Fisheries. This position is situated at the NOAA
Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center Protected Resources and
Biodiversity Division located in Miami, FL.
We seek a postdoctoral researcher to join our group and oversee a
project on the impacts of shipping noise and ship-strike mitigation on
North Atlantic right whales along the southeast US Atlantic coast. The
incumbent will collect and analyze passive acoustic monitoring data,
characterize ship noise in right whale calving and migratory habitats
and use passive acoustic monitoring tools to improve strategies for
ship-strike mitigation.
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Oceanography, Biology or related field
and experience in passive acoustic monitoring methodologies and
processing large datasets and the computer skills necessary for analysis
of spatio-temporal patterns of right whale occurrence and noise
characterization from acoustic data. In addition, preferred applicants
will have some field experience participating in vessel-based studies of
marine mammals.
Apply on line at: www.miami.edu/careers
position# 045304. Curriculum Vitae and the contact information for 3
people who can provide letters of recommendation are required.
The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive
benefits package including medical and dental benefits, tuition
remission, vacation, paid holidays and much more. The University of
Miami is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa Soldevilla, PhD
Research Fishery Biologist
Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA
75 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
melissa.soldevilla at noaa.gov
305-361-4238
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From zabramson at psi.ucm.es Sun Aug 12 09:51:12 2012
From: zabramson at psi.ucm.es (=?iso-8859-1?Q?=22Jos=E9_Francisco_Zamorano_Abramson=22?=)
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 18:51:12 +0200
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Experimental evidence of action imitation
in killer whales (Orcinus orca)
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues: we are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following paper:
Abramson, Z. J., Hern?ndez-Lloreda, MV, Call, J. y Colmenares F. (2012).??Experimental evidence of action imitation in killer whales (Orcinus orca).?Animal Cognition.?DOI:?10.1007/s10071-012-0546-2
The article has just been published and is available as 'Online First' on SpringerLink:
http://www.springerlink.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&id=doi:10.1007/s10071-012-0546-2?
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about this article.?
Best regards,
Jos? Z. Abramson.
Abstract
Comparative experimental studies of imitative learning have focused mainly on primates and birds. However, cetaceans are promising candidates to display imitative learning as they have evolved in socioecological settings that have selected for large brains, complex sociality, and coordinated predatory tactics. Here we tested imitative learning in killer whales,?Orcinus orca. We used a ?do-as-other-does? paradigm in which 3 subjects witnessed a conspecific demonstrator?s performance that included 15 familiar and 4 novel behaviours. The three subjects (1) learned the copy command signal ?Do that? very quickly, that is, 20 trials on average; (2) copied 100?% of the demonstrator?s familiar and novel actions; (3) achieved full matches in the first attempt for 8?13 familiar behaviours (out of 15) and for the 2 novel behaviours (out of 2) in one subject; and (4) took no longer than 8 trials to accurately copy any familiar behaviour, and no longer than 16 trials to copy any novel behaviour. This study provides experimental evidence for body imitation, including production imitation, in killer whales that is comparable to that observed in dolphins tested under similar conditions. These findings suggest that imitative learning may underpin some of the group-specific traditions reported in killer whales in the field.
Keywords: ?Social learning???Imitation????Do-as-other-does? test???Animal culture??Killer whales
Jos? F. Zamorano-Abramson. PhD. Departamento de Psicobiolog?a Facultad de Psicolog?a Universidad Complutense de Madrid Campus de Somosaguas 28223 Madrid, Spain e-mail: zabramson at psi.ucm.es?
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From tkiekow at nrdc.org Mon Aug 13 10:50:43 2012
From: tkiekow at nrdc.org (Kiekow, Taryn)
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:50:43 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] NRDC -- marine mammal protection attorney
Message-ID: <9F97E0F22D12D94EB4A531097A753DB95ABBC2ED@SFMAIL5A.nrdc.org>
Hello MARMAM colleagues,
NRDC is hiring a staff attorney to work with our Marine Mammal Protection and Southern California Ecosystems Projects in the Santa Monica office. The attorney will work on both marine mammal protection (70%) and Southern California ecosystem (30%) issues. We are looking for someone with 3-5 years of litigation experience. Please feel free to pass along this job posting to anyone who might be interested. We are accepting and reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so please encourage folks to apply early using our online system. Thanks!
Best,
Taryn
Taryn G. Kiekow
Staff Attorney, Marine Mammal Protection
Natural Resources Defense Council
1314 Second Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel. (310) 434-2323
Fax (310) 434-2399
tkiekow at nrdc.org
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Staff Attorney
Santa Monica Office
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our staff helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, and many of the implementing regulations; our water enforcement cases played a major role shaping current water policy throughout the country. Today, our staff of more than 430 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy and communications experts, and others, work out of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Livingston, Montana and Beijing.
Position Summary:
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has an immediate opening for an attorney to work with NRDC's Marine Mammal Protection and Southern California Ecosystems Projects in our Santa Monica office.
Responsibilities:
The attorney will work on both marine mammal protection (70%) and Southern California ecosystem (30%) issues. This position involves: Litigating new and existing cases, administrative advocacy, campaign initiatives, legislative analysis, lobbying, and working with environmental organizations and coalitions. As part of the Marine Mammal Protection Project, the attorney will litigate cases involving endangered species, habitats and emergent threats to marine mammals; advocate for marine mammal protection before administrative agencies and government officials; and participate in cutting-edge, public campaigns for the preservation of these species. As part of the Southern California Ecosystems Project, the attorney will work to challenge proposed and existing transportation, infrastructure, and development projects that threaten wildlife habitat and open space, and to promote sustainable land use and transportation practices and policies in support of NRDC's strategic goals of fostering sustainable communities and saving wildlife and wild places.
Qualifications:
This position requires a J.D. with 3-5 years of legal experience, including significant litigation experience. The successful applicant will possess a superior academic background; exceptional research, writing, communication, and analytical skills; ability to understand and convey scientific material; and a high degree of professional integrity. The successful applicant will also possess outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to manage and prioritize a heavy workload while working as a member of a team. A demonstrated interest in environmental protection and/or a background in marine or environmental science is a plus.
NRDC is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.
To apply, please visit www.nrdc.org/jobs. Please submit a cover letter, resume, references, transcript, and a legal writing sample that does not reflect edits by anyone other than you. No phone calls or faxes please. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For further information about NRDC, please visit www.nrdc.org
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From howard at orcanetwork.org Mon Aug 13 19:20:24 2012
From: howard at orcanetwork.org (Howard Garrett)
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:20:24 -0700
Subject: [MARMAM] Possible solitary orca in Tunisia
Message-ID: <017501cd79c3$5d7eff40$187cfdc0$@org>
Below is a slightly edited email from a person reporting a solitary orca
close to shore in Tunisia on August 11. He called that morning and I asked
him to put it in writing in an email. Below my edited version of his email
is his original email.
No other reports have been received here about this before or after his call
and email.
If anyone does have any further information about this please email that
information to info at orcanetwork.org.
Thanks,
Howard
From: houssein b [mailto:housseinb at hotmail.com]
August 11
At 5 a.m, for about 15 minutes, one orca (probably a small one) was
swimming close to the shore ( about 40 meters). A few people said that they
witnessed that before but no one believed them because it never happened
before. I heard them talking about it but I didn't believe until I saw it
today with my friends and a group of fishers who were freaked out because it
could destroy their spun (nets). I hope that you guys can make this info
reach the biggest number possible of people and make them know how to react
with it because people ignore this specie here and it might be dangerous if
someone finds it, specially fishers with harpoons!
Houssein B
Note: Google "tunisia nabeul manzil tamim" for location.
The original email:
tunisia _ nabeul_manzel tamim 11/08/2012 at 5 a.m , for about 15
minnutes, one orca (probably a small one) was swimming close to the shore
( about 40 metters)
few people said that they witnessed that before but no one believed them
because it never happened before and me my self heard them talking about it
but I didn't believe untill I saw it today with my friends and a group of
fishers who were freaked out because it could distroy their spun.
I hope that you guys can make this info reach the biggest number possible
of people and make them now how to react with it because people ignore this
specie here and it might be dangerous if someone face it specialy fishers
with harpoons !
Howard Garrett
Orca Network
info at orcanetwork.org
www.orcanetwork.org
1-866-ORCANET
Orca Network - Connecting whales and people in the Pacific Northwest
Orca Network is dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the
Pacific Northwest,
and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
Projects include the Whale Sighting Network and Education Programs, the Free
Lolita Campaign,
and the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
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From aramaral at fc.ul.pt Wed Aug 15 04:51:34 2012
From: aramaral at fc.ul.pt (Ana Rita Amaral)
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:51:34 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on the phylogeography and evolutionary history
of the genus Delphinus
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
I would like to draw your attention to the following paper recently
published online:
Amara AR, Beheregaray LB, Bilgmann K, Freitas L, Robertson KM, Sequeira M,
Stockin KA, Coelho MM, M?ller LM (2012) Influences of past climatic changes
on historical population structure and demography of a cosmopolitan marine
predator, the common dolphin (genus Delphinus). Molecular Ecology. doi:
10.1111/j.1365-294X.2012.05728.x
Abstract
Climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene have greatly influenced the
distribution and connectivity of many organisms, leading to extinctions but
also generating biodiversity. While the effects of such changes have been
extensively studied in the terrestrial environment, studies focusing on the
marine realm are still scarce. Here we used sequence data from one
mitochondrial and five nuclear loci to assess the potential influence of
Pleistocene climatic changes on the phylogeography and demographic history
of a cosmopolitan marine predator, the common dolphin (genus Delphinus).
Population samples representing the three major morphotypes of Delphinus
were obtained from 10 oceanic regions. Our results suggest that short-beaked
common dolphins are likely to have originated in the eastern Indo-Pacific
Ocean during the Pleistocene and expanded into the Atlantic Ocean through
the Indian Ocean. On the other hand, long-beaked common dolphins appear to
have evolved more recently and independently in several oceans. Our results
also suggest that short-beaked common dolphins had recurrent demographic
expansions concomitant with changes in sea surface temperature during the
Pleistocene and its associated increases in resource availability, which
differed between the North Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basins. By proposing
how past environmental changes had an effect on the demography and
speciation of a widely distributed marine mammal, we highlight the impacts
that climate change may have on the distribution and abundance of marine
predators and its ecological consequences for marine ecosystems.
Abstract
link:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2012.05728.x/abs
tract
For pdf requests or additional information please contact:
aramaral at fc.ul.pt.
Thanks!
Ana Rita Amaral
--
Ana Rita Amaral, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024 USA
Centre for Environmental Biology
Faculty of Sciences University of Lisbon
Campo Grande 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
E-mail: aramaral at fc.ul.pt
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From srichardson at coastalstudies.org Wed Aug 15 06:34:13 2012
From: srichardson at coastalstudies.org (Stephanie Richardson)
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:34:13 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Aerial Observer Position - Provincetown, MA USA
Message-ID:
RIGHT WHALE AERIAL SURVEY OBSERVER
The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) isseeking a right whale
aerial survey observer for the 2013 winter/spring season(January 2nd
through May 15th 2013). The selected candidate will participate in
anon-going long term study of North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay
and theadjacent waters. Responsibilitiesinclude participation in marine
mammal aerial surveys, photo-analysis,assisting with maintenance of the
in-house catalog, and data processing.
Previous experience as a marine mammal aerial surveyobserver and
photo-identification (right whales or other large cetaceans) isstrongly
desired. Applicants must haveat least a B.S., with courses in biology, and
the ability to live and work wellin a team environment. This is afull-time
seasonal position. Shared housing will be provided at no cost. General
information about the Right WhaleStudies Program at PCCS is available at
our website www.coastalstudies.org.
Please submitcover letter, resume, and two references by September 15, 2012
to:
Stephanie Richardson
Human Resource Manager
115 Bradford Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
Email: srichardson at coastalstudies.org
--
Stephanie Richardson
Human Resource Manager
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
115 Bradford Street
Provincetown, MA 02652
t. (508) 487-3622 Ext. 113
f. (508) 487-4495
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 AM-2:00PM
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From barrosocel at gmail.com Tue Aug 14 13:01:05 2012
From: barrosocel at gmail.com (Celia Barroso)
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:01:05 -0700
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper - Shape analysis of odontocete mandibles
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in
Journal of Morphology:
Barroso, C., Cranford, T. W., and Berta, A. (2012). Shape analysis of
odontocete mandibles: Functional and evolutionary implications. J.
Morphol., 273: 1021?1030. doi: 10.1002/jmor.20040
Abstract. Odontocete mandibles serve multiple functions, including feeding
and hearing. We consider that these two major functions have their primary
influence in different parts of the mandibles: the anterior feeding
component and the posterior sound reception component, though these
divisions are not mutually exclusive. One hypothesis is that sound enters
the hearing apparatus via the pan bone of the posterior mandibles (Norris,
Evolution and Environment,1968,
pp 297?324). Another viewpoint, based on finite element models, suggests
that sound enters primarily through the gular region and the opening
created by the absent medial lamina of the posterior mandibles. This
unambiguous link between form and function has catalyzed this study, which
uses Geometric Morphometrics to quantify mandibular shape across all major
lineages of Odontoceti. The majority of shape variation was found in the
anterior (feeding) region: Jaw Flare (45.0%) and Symphysis Elongation
(35.5%). Shape differences in the mandibular foramen, within the posterior
(sound reception) region, also accounted for a small portion of the total
variation (10.9%). The mandibles are an integral component of the sound
reception apparatus in toothed whales and the geometry of the mandibular
foramen likely plays a role in hearing. Furthermore, model goodness-of-fit
tests indicate that mandibular foramina shapes, which appear conserved,
evolved under a selective regime, possibly driven by sound reception
requirements across Odontoceti. J. Morphol. ? 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sincerely,
Celia Barroso
San Diego State University
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From njaratiana.rabearisoa at gmail.com Fri Aug 10 09:14:57 2012
From: njaratiana.rabearisoa at gmail.com (Njaratiana Rabearisoa)
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:14:57 +0400
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper - Toothed whale depredation mitigation device
Message-ID: <50253381.6070505@gmail.com>
Dear all,
We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article in
JEMBE (Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology):
Rabearisoa, N., Bach, P., Tixier, P. and Guinet, C., 2012. Pelagic
longline fishing trials to shape a mitigation device of the depredation
by toothed whales. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 432?433, 55?63.
*Abstract*
Depredation is defined as the damage or removal of fish from fishing
gear by predators, and is a crucial issue leading to negative impacts on
both animals involved in depredation and fisheries. Depredation in
longline pelagic fisheries targeting swordfish (/Xiphias gladius/) and
tuna (/Thunnus/ spp.) involves short-finned pilot whales (/Globicephala
macrorhynchus/), false killer whales (/Pseudorca crassidens/) and some
pelagic sharks. Since no long-term solution could be found to date, we
investigated fishing gear improvement by deploying a technology designed
to physically protect the hooked fish by hiding it to predators: the DMD
(depredation mitigation device). Two types of DMDs were designed:
?spiders? and ?socks?. The efficiency of ?spiders? was tested in
November 2007 during a fishing trial of 26 longline fishing operations
when 12,480 hooks and 1970 devices were set. The efficiency of ?socks?
was tested in October 2008 during a fishing trial of 32 longline fishing
operations when 13,220 hooks and 339 devices were set. 117 and 24 fish
were hooked on branchlines equipped with spiders and socks, respectively
and among those devices, 87.3% versus 69.2% were correctly triggered and
80% versus 15% of the fish were correctly protected. A low entanglement
rate of the spiders with the fishing gear was found (3.6%), but a higher
one was associated to the socks (17.8%). Operational constraints to
routinely deploy ?spiders? were examined. The number of sets impacted by
shark depredation was significantly greater than the number of sets
involving toothed whale depredation. However, when depredation occurred,
the proportion of fish damaged by toothed whales was significantly
greater. While more trials should be carried out to deeply verify the
efficiency of DMDs, we remain convinced that considerations of fishing
gear technologies might be more actively investigated to propose
innovative measures to mitigate toothed whale depredation in pelagic
longlining. For this type of gear, innovative technology is an important
issue of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) framework.
Available from:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098112002675
Pdf request can be made to njaratiana.rabearisoa at gmail.com
Cheers,
Njaratiana
--
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Njaratiana RABEARISOA
PhD student
IRD - UR 212 "Ecosyst?mes marins exploit?s"
SEMIR
16 rue Claude Chappe
ZAC 2000
97420 Le Port
La R?union
Tel : +262 55 15 63
Fax : +262 55 15 20
Site web : http://www.umr-eme.org/
http://www.la-reunion.ird.fr/
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
From njq at smru.co.uk Mon Aug 13 08:34:53 2012
From: njq at smru.co.uk (Nicola Quick)
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:34:53 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] Publication: Bottlenose dolphins exchange signature
whistles when meeting at sea
Message-ID:
Dear all,
The following paper appeared online earlier in the year, but we are pleased to announce it is now available with a full citation.
Nicola J. Quick and Vincent M. Janik (2012). Bottlenose dolphins exchange signature whistles when meeting at sea. Proc. R. Soc. B 279; 2539-2545
ABSTRACT: The bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, is one of very few animals that, through vocal learning, can invent novel acoustic signals and copy whistles of conspecifics. Furthermore, receivers can extract identity
information from the invented part of whistles. In captivity, dolphins use such signature whistles while separated from the rest of their group. However, little is known about how they use them at sea. If signature whistles are the main vehicle to transmit identity information, then dolphins should exchange these whistles in contexts where groups or individuals join. We used passive acoustic localization during focal boat follows to observe signature whistle use in the wild. We found that stereotypic whistle exchanges occurred primarily when groups of dolphins met and joined at sea. A sequence analysis verified that most of the whistles used during joins were signature whistles. Whistle matching or copying was not observed in any of the joins. The data show that signature whistle exchanges are a significant part of a greeting sequence that allows dolphins to identify conspecifics when encountering them in the wild.
A pdf copy of the work can be obtained from the lead author at njq at smru.co.uk
Best Regards
Nicola Quick
Dr Nicola Quick
Senior Research Scientist
Scottish Oceans Institute
SMRU Ltd
New Technology Centre
North Haugh
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9SR
Scotland
email: njq at smru.co.uk
http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=njq
Tel: +44 (0)1334 479100
Fax: +44 (0)1334 477878
www.smru.co.uk
http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk/
? Please consider whether you really need a hard copy of this email before
printing it - thank you.
NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This message, and any attachments, are intended
solely for the addressee and may contain privileged or confidential
information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure,
copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on
it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you believe that you have
received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately and
destroy this email. Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email
and any attachments are free from any virus, we advise that, in keeping
with good computing practice, the recipient should ensure they are actually
virus free.
SMRU LIMITED is a limited company registered in Scotland, Registered
Number: 296937. Registered Office: 5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8EJ.
From Sclymene at aol.com Sun Aug 12 14:54:53 2012
From: Sclymene at aol.com (Sclymene at aol.com)
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:54:53 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [MARMAM] Requesting Books, Journals, and Reprints on Marine Mammals
Message-ID: <108f.6e6e1847.3d59802d@aol.com>
Requesting Books, Journals, and Reprints on Marine Mammals
Requesting Books, Journals, and Reprints on Marine Mammals
Requesting Books, Journals, and Reprints on Marine Mammals
To: marmam at lists.uvic.ca
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="part1_108f.6e6e1847.3d59802d_boundary"
X-Mailer: Thunderbird - Mac OS X sub 308
X-AOL-IP: 64.12.7.133
X-Originating-IP: [64.12.7.133]
--part1_108f.6e6e1847.3d59802d_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en
Requesting Books, Journals, and Reprints on Marine Mammals
=C2=A1VIVA Vaquita! is collecting hardcopy marine mammal literature that ma=
y not=20
be used much anymore. We will distribute it to colleagues who can most=20
effectively put it to use. We can scan literature and replace paper copies=
=20
with PDF copies. Money raised from this effort will be used directly in=
=20
research, conservation, and public awareness efforts directed at the vaquit=
a (
Phocoena sinus), seen by many as the World=E2=80=99s most endangered marine=
mammal=20
species. We are currently working towards obtaining funding for a 2013=20
expedition to the Northern Gulf and your donations could help!
=C2=A1VIVA Vaquita! is a collaboration of conc=
erned=20
researchers and educators from three 501(3)c nonprofit organizations: Cetos=
=20
Research Organization, Save The Whales, and the American Cetacean Society. =
=20
Ultimately, with our partner organizations, we aim to help save the=20
vaquita from extinction.
Donations are tax-deductible. If you have any books or other literature=
=20
that you might be willing to donate or sell to us for reasonable prices,=20
please contact us. We can pay for postage, and may even be able to arrang=
e=20
pick up. Thank you.
*********************************************************************
Thomas A. Jefferson, Ph.D.
=C2=A1VIVA Vaquita! =20
13037 Yerba Valley Way =20
Lakeside, CA 92040 =20
Mobile phone (858) 945-4240 =20
Email: sclymene at aol.com
Web: http://www.vivavaquita.org
*********************************************************************
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Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en
Requesting Books, Journals, and Reprints on Marine Mammals
=C2=A1VIVA Vaquita! is collecting hardcopy marine mammal literature that ma=
y not be used much anymore. We will distribute it to colleagues who =
can most effectively put it to use. We can scan literature and replace pape=
r copies with PDF copies. Money raised from this effort will be used=
directly in research, conservation, and public awareness efforts directed =
at the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), seen by many as the World=
=E2=80=99s most endangered marine mammal species. We are currently w=
orking towards obtaining funding for a 2013 expedition to the Northern Gulf=
and your donations could help!
=C2=A1VIVA Vaquita! <http://www.vivavaquita.org> is a =
collaboration of concerned researchers and educators from three 501(3)c non=
profit organizations: Cetos Research Organization, Save The Whales, and the=
American Cetacean Society. Ultimately, with our partner organizatio=
ns, we aim to help save the vaquita from extinction.
Donations are tax-deductible. If you have any books or other literat=
ure that you might be willing to donate or sell to us for reasonable prices=
, please contact us. We can pay for postage, and may even be able to=
arrange pick up. Thank you.
*********************************************************************
Thomas A. Jefferson, Ph.D.
=C2=A1VIVA Vaquita! =
=
13037 Yerba Valley Way &nb=
sp;
Lakeside, CA 92040 &=
nbsp;
Mobile phone (858) 945-4240 =
;
Email: sclymene at aol.com
Web: http://www.vivavaquita.org
*********************************************************************
--part1_108f.6e6e1847.3d59802d_boundary--
From jonathan.shannon at noaa.gov Thu Aug 16 09:16:13 2012
From: jonathan.shannon at noaa.gov (Jonathan Shannon)
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:16:13 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Comment Period: NOAA Fisheries Draft Marine Mammal SARs
until Nov 5th
Message-ID:
NOAA Fisheries has published our Draft Marine Mammal Stock Assessment
Reports and they are open for public comment until November 5, 2012.
To view the draft reports and the accompanying Federal Register Notice,
visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/draft.htm
You may submit comments, identified by [NOAA?NMFS?2012?0119], by any of the
following methods:
*
*
*Electronic Submissions:*
Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal
http://www.regulations.gov.
You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel,
WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
*
*
*Mail:*
Send comments or requests for copies of reports to:
Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910?3226
Attn: Stock Assessments.
*Instructions:*
All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be
posted to http://www.regulations.gov without change.
All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address,
etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do
not
submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive
or protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if
you wish to remain anonymous).
Best regards,
Jonathan Shannon
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
http://nmfs.noaa.gov/pr
Outreach Specialist
301.427.8431
jonathan.shannon at noaa.gov
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From jen at blueoceansociety.org Fri Aug 17 05:31:46 2012
From: jen at blueoceansociety.org (Jen Kennedy, Blue Ocean Society)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:31:46 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Call for Presenters: Educator's Workshop in Conjunction
With American Cetacean Society Conference
Message-ID: <018a01cd7c74$454cbd00$cfe63700$@blueoceansociety.org>
CALL FOR PRESENTERS: EDUCATOR'S WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 11, 2012 IN CONJUNCTION
WITH AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO, CA
Workshop Description:
Whales and Humans have had a conflicted relationship throughout the years.
Teachers - both formal and informal - can help to place that relationship in
context. At the same time, whales are an engaging topic that can be used to
teach subjects from science to technology, engineering to math, literacy to
art. In this workshop, learn about the connections between whales and
humans. Get ideas for how you can incorporate whales into your classroom.
Come home with hands-on activities to share with your students.
Call for Speakers:
We're looking for speakers to present 15-45-minute talks and activities on
the following subjects:
* Whale Biology - hands-on activities that teach basic information
about whales.
* Scientific Method - Activities that use data to teach about whales.
* Activism - Activities that empower students to act to help whales.
Talks should be geared toward elementary, middle, high school and/or
informal educators.
Please visit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SBZjQcOYgt1EHA_inX1HWeVuWmRvSgIidQCoO6yV
QNU/edit to download a presentation proposal form. Please e-mail it to
ACSEducatorsWorkshop at gmail.com by September 10, 2012. Selected speakers will
be notified by September 18, 2012. If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact us via email at ACSEducatorsWorkshop at gmail.com.
Thank you!
Jen Kennedy, Executive Director, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation,
www.blueoceansociety.org
Cynde McInnis, Education Coordinator, Cape Ann Whale Watch,
www.seethewhales.com
Kathy Zagzebski, President, American Cetacean Society Board of Directors,
www.acsonline.org
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From spencer.fire at noaa.gov Thu Aug 16 12:49:16 2012
From: spencer.fire at noaa.gov (Spencer Fire)
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:49:16 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper - Three brevetoxin-associated dolphin mortality
events in Florida panhandle
Message-ID:
On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the
following article:
Twiner MJ, Flewelling LJ, Fire SE, Bowen-Stevens SR, Gaydos JK, Johnson CK,
Landsberg JH, Leighfield TA, Mase-Guthrie B, Schwacke L, Van Dolah FM, Wang
Z, Rowles TK (2012). Comparative analysis of three brevetoxin-associated
bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus*) mortality events in the Florida
Panhandle region (USA). PLoS ONE 7: e42974
Abstract:
In the Florida Panhandle region, bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*)
have been highly susceptible to large-scale unusual mortality events (UMEs)
that may have been the result of exposure to blooms of the
dinoflagellate *Karenia
brevis* and its neurotoxin, brevetoxin (PbTx). Between 1999 and 2006, three
bottlenose dolphin UMEs occurred in the Florida Panhandle region. The
primary objective of this study was to determine if these mortality events
were due to brevetoxicosis. Analysis of over 850 samples from 105
bottlenose dolphins and associated prey items were analyzed for algal
toxins and have provided details on tissue distribution, pathways of
trophic transfer, and spatial-temporal trends for each mortality event. In
1999/2000, 152 dolphins died following extensive* K. brevis* blooms and
brevetoxin was detected in 52% of animals tested at concentrations up to
500 ng/g. In 2004, 105 bottlenose dolphins died in the absence of an
identifiable *K. brevis* bloom; however, 100% of the tested animals were
positive for brevetoxin at concentrations up to 29,126 ng/mL. Dolphin
stomach contents frequently consisted of brevetoxin-contaminated menhaden.
In addition, another potentially toxigenic algal species, *Pseudo-nitzschia*,
was present and low levels of the neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) were detected
in nearly all tested animals (89%). In 2005/2006, 90 bottlenose dolphins
died that were initially coincident with high densities of* K. brevis*.
Most (93%) of the tested animals were positive for brevetoxin at
concentrations up to 2,724 ng/mL. No DA was detected in these animals
despite the presence of an intense DA-producing *Pseudo-nitzschia* bloom.
In contrast to the absence or very low levels of brevetoxins measured in
live dolphins, and those stranding in the absence of a* K. brevis* bloom,
these data, taken together with the absence of any other obvious pathology,
provide strong evidence that brevetoxin was the causative agent involved in
these bottlenose dolphin mortality events.
The full text and pdf are available from:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0042974;jsessionid=4A6482143AE60BAFA7CF0E3AC4F806DB
Best regards,
-Spencer Fire
-----
Spencer E. Fire, Ph.D.
Marine Biotoxins Program
Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research
NOAA/National Ocean Service
219 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412****
Tel: 843.762.8574
Fax: 843.762.8700
Email: spencer.fire at noaa.gov
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From ivlarkin at ufl.edu Wed Aug 15 10:57:51 2012
From: ivlarkin at ufl.edu (Larkin,Iskande V)
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:57:51 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] UF Aquatic Animal Health program | Course registration
closing soon!
Message-ID: <2BB79AFC82480F4FB04E8807FD38B10C0472CB34@AHC-MB03.ad.ufl.edu>
Hi All,
The UF Aquatic Animal Health program offers Distance Learning courses through the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. The Fall semester is quickly approaching and Registration is still OPEN for our fall course, Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues (http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/aquatic-animal-conservation-issues/).
FALL REGISTRATION CLOSES on Aug. 21st. To learn more about our courses and program please visit the links below or contact us. Don't miss out on this great learning opportunity. Take our course and learn from anywhere in the world!
Registration options are available for students seeking university credit or continuing education. These courses are designed for undergraduate students interested in this field of study as well as veterinary/graduate students and professionals already immersed in aquatic animal medicine.
Spaces are LIMITED, Register TODAY!
* Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues (FALL 2012)
(http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/aquatic-animal-conservation-issues/) Aquatic Animal Conservation Issues is a 3 credit course that will expose students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to some of the controversial issues surrounding aquatic animal species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals, with emphasis on marine mammals, but also including sea turtles, fisheries, and marine ecosystems. >Registration is Now Open!
For more information contact us:
Iske Larkin, PhD
Education Coordinator
(352) 294-4095
ivlarkin at ufl.edu
AAH Distance Learning Webpage
http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/courses/distance-learning-courses/
AAH Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/UFAquatic
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From kev.robinson at crru.org.uk Fri Aug 17 05:54:03 2012
From: kev.robinson at crru.org.uk (Dr Kevin Robinson)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:54:03 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] GIS field course in Scotland Oct 14 to 24 - places now
available
Message-ID: <015d01cd7c77$6194da30$24be8e90$@robinson@crru.org.uk>
Teaming up with GIS In Ecology, the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit (CRRU)
is offering a unique 10 day residential cetacean field course at their field
base in Gardenstown in northeast Scotland from 14th to 24th October.
The course will incorporate a custom-designed 3 day GIS module (including
course manuals and materials) from GIS In Ecology (see www.GISinEcology.com
for more information), taught by Dr. Colin MacLeod, a renowned expert in
using GIS in ecological research and author of 'An Introduction To Using GIS
In Marine Biology'. It will consist of a series of background and practical
sessions covering the use of GIS in cetacean and marine research. Practical
elements will include learning how to collect field data at sea and how to
import this data into a Geographic Information System to investigate the
spatial and temporal distribution of identified species and analyse the home
ranges of known individual animals. A combination of ESRI's ArcGIS 10.1
software and an open-source (and licence free) alternative will be used in
this regard, and a uniquely numbered and verifiable certificate of
completion for this GIS module of the course will be provided.
Additional aspects of this course will include basic instruction in power
boat handling, safety at sea and competent crew ability; cetacean
identification, taxonomy and nomenclature; photo-identification procedures
and mark capture-recapture analyses for bottlenose dolphins and minke
whales; an introduction to relational databases and computer-assisted
matching software; assessment, first aid administration and methods used in
the care, transport and rescue of stranded cetaceans; and practical methods
for the re-floatation of live stranded whales and dolphins
In short, you will have the opportunity to learn about these mammals and
their dynamic marine environment first hand; working closely alongside a
dedicated and knowledgeable research team. As you participate in ongoing
field studies, you will learn and apply the principles of field research
design, data collection and analyses, undertake training in marine mammal
rescue techniques, and gain a personal understanding of the conservation
issues which drive current research, rescue and conservation activities by
cetacean biologists.
The cost for this internship course is ?1095 [ for a
currency converter, click here], which includes full board (i.e. all
accommodation and food costs), your full equipment needs (immersion suits,
wet boots etc for boat trips), associated course materials and hand-outs,
and all associated field costs during your stay with the CRRU team. You will
simply need to arrange your own travel itinerary to Banff in northeast
Scotland (nearest airport Dyce, Aberdeen, approx. 1? hours from the field
base by coach) plus any personal spending money.
For further details and conditions, please visit
http://www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp. Just 10 places available for this
exclusive GIS field team, so immediate booking advised.
Founded in 1997, the CRRU boasts over 70 scientific publications to date (
http://www.crru.org.uk/publications.asp). In cooperation with universities,
research institutions and other environmental organisations, current studies
focus on the key coastal cetacean species frequenting the outer Moray Firth
in NE Scotland ? namely the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and the
minke whale ?providing robust scientific data for the adoption of management
measures and effective conservation strategies for their future protection.
Dr. Kevin Robinson
kev.robinson at crru.org.uk
Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit | Whale and Dolphin Research |
Environmental Education | Wildlife Rescue | Marine Conservation |
Consultancy | Recognised Scottish Charity No. SC 035473
PO Box 11307, Banff AB45 3WB, Scotland ( +44 (0)1261 851696 | 126 Suksamran
Villas, 12/33 Moo 1 Sairee, Ban Koh Tao, Suratthani 84360, Thailand ( +66
(0) 844 651347 | www.crru.org.uk
Check out our new Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/crru.org.uk
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
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From jipperim.orca at gmail.com Mon Aug 20 00:43:29 2012
From: jipperim.orca at gmail.com (Imogen Webster)
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:43:29 +0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteers needed for marine conservation and research in
Mauritius
Message-ID:
The Mauritius Marine Conservation Society (MMCS) is a non-governmental
organization existing for more than 30 years, working actively to promote
awareness and appreciation of the rich marine life around Mauritius.
Educating people to the need for marine conservation, our core objective is
the protection of marine mammals and coral reefs.
One of the objectives of MMCS is to promote the need for marine
conservation in Mauritius through the creation of marine parks. This is
done through ongoing research activities.
In order to continue our work and research we are looking for willing
volunteers who want to gain conservation experience, to come to Mauritius
and work on current projects. This would involve both field based data
collection and office based data entry, equipment maintenance and a variety
of office base activities.
Specifically, you could be involved with:
1. Monitoring the behavior, ecology and population demographics of the
local cetaceans
2. The behavior of dolphin watching boats
3. Turtle monitoring
4. Cetacean diversity studies
5. Surveying tourists and operators
6. Working with schools to promote environmental awareness
7. Creating educational games and presentations for information
evenings to spread awareness and gain support for the need for sustainable
marine eco-tourism
8. Fundraising
Volunteers will be accommodated in a furnished house in Black River (GPS
20?21.77?S, 57?21.48?E). It is a short walk to the supermarket, post
office, pharmacy and beach. Accommodation, bedding and laundry facilities
are all supplied but *food is the volunteers responsibility* (allow
40-60/week). Wifi is available at the house/office so bring a laptop.
*Openings for volunteers are available immediately*. Charges are
GBP?200/?250/Aus$405 per week with an additional ?50 to organize airport
transfers. Due to the training involved the minimum stay is 3 weeks and
maximum 8 weeks because of Government stipulation. Please note the
volunteer programme will not operate over the Christmas/New Year period.
For more information on volunteering and application forms, contact:
Stephanie or Nina via email: info at mmcs-ngo.org
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From mhssinding at gmail.com Fri Aug 17 02:49:55 2012
From: mhssinding at gmail.com (Mikkel Sinding)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:49:55 +0200
Subject: [MARMAM] Publication of a paper that may be of interest to some of
you.
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the publication of a paper that may be of
interest to some of you, but in a journal that might be off your radar,
hence the heads-up:
Sinding MHS, Gilbert MTP, Gr?nnow B, Gull?v HC, Toft PA, Foote AD (2012)
Non-destructive DNA extraction from archaeological artifacts made from
whale baleen. Journal of Archaeological Science, 39: 3750-3753.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440312002774
Abstract
Here we demonstrate the successful extraction and amplification of target
species DNA from artefactsmade of whale baleen collected from excavations
of past palaeo-Eskimo and Inuit cultures in Greenland.DNA was successfully
extracted and amplified from a single baleen bristle of 1.5 cm length dated
basedon archaeological context to the period of the Saqqaq culture, more
than 4000 years ago and followingdecades of storage at room temperature at
the National Museum. The results reveal ancient baleen inarchaeological
material as a potential source of DNA that can be used for population
genetic studies. Weconclude that genetic investigation of historical baleen
collections can contribute to our knowledge ofthe prehistoric population
genetics of baleen whales, for example by quantifying the impact of
modernwhaling on the genetic diversity of bowhead whales.
Please contact me if you are unable to access the article online.
Best regards,
Mikkel Holger Strander Sinding,
mhssinding at gmail.com
Centre for GeoGenetics
The Natural History Museum of Denmark
?ster Voldgade 5 - 7
1350 Copenhagen K
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From ajh7 at st-andrews.ac.uk Tue Aug 21 02:57:19 2012
From: ajh7 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Ailsa Hall)
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:57:19 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] Job Advertisement - Director Sea Mammal Research Unit
Message-ID:
The following post has been advertised at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews. Further particulars can be found at https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Director, Sea Mammal Research Unit & Professor in Marine Mammal Biology - Ref No: ME3988
School of Biology, Salary: Negotiable, Start Date: As soon as possible
SMRU (http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk/) is a world leading research unit investigating all aspects of sea mammal biology within the Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) (http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk/) at the University of St Andrews. The unit has statutory responsibilities and provides independent advice and expertise relating to marine mammals in the UK. These responsibilities are under-pinned by long-term funding (currently until 2020) from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the unit is a Delivery Partner in the UK's National Oceanography Centre (http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/).
The School of Biology is now looking for a new academic leader for SMRU which currently comprises 20 principal Investigators, 9 research Fellows, 32 PhD students, 6 engineers and 6 support staff. Applicants for the post should have a strong track record of publication in sea mammal biology, proven qualities of academic leadership and extensive experience of interacting with diverse stakeholders and funders. The Director SMRU is expected to inspire and nurture interaction within the unit and contribute to academic goals set by Director SOI.
Informal enquires may be made to Professor Ian A. Johnston (iaj at st-andrews.ac.uk; Tel +441334463440) or Dr Ailsa Hall (ajh7 at st-andrews.ac.uk; Tel +441334462634).
Ailsa Hall
Acting Director
Sea Mammal Research Unit
Scottish Oceans Institute
University of St Andrews
KY16 8LB
Tel: 01334 462634
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From doreteb at savn.fo Mon Aug 20 10:23:57 2012
From: doreteb at savn.fo (Dorete Bloch)
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:23:57 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] Risso dolphin paper
Message-ID: <691E97E365AF83488C3F483438378FB81390C11E61@LNET-SRV-EXMBX2.landsnet.far.local>
This paper has just appeared. A pdf.file can be send you from doreteb at savn.fo or taken online from the journal later in this month.
Dorete Bloch
Bloch, D., Desportes, G., Harvey, P., Lockyer, C. and Mikkelsen, M. 2012. Life History of Risso's Dolphin, Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier, 1812), in the Faroe Islands. Aquatic Mammals Journal 38: 250-266.
Abstract:
AbstractRisso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) were taken for the first time by the opportunistic drive fishery in the Faroe Islands in two separate incidents: three in September 2009 and 21 in April 2010, with in total 16 females and eight males. Their sizes ranged from 193 to 308 cm in length and 60 to 395 kg in weight for females, and 186 to 323 cm in length and 70 to 505 kg in weight for males; the maximum weights are heavier than previously documented for this species. The smallest mature female was 277 cm long, while the youngest and also lightest mature female was 8 y old and weighed 280 kg. Sperm competition and a pro-miscuous mating system were suggested for the species based on large testicular masses. The diet was composed of cephalopods from both the water column (Todarodes and Loligo) and the ocean floor (Eledona and Todaropsis). Although both schools landed showed a mixed diet, the September school diet centred on a pelagic squid (Todarodes sagit-tatus), while the April school diet centred upon a benthic octopod (Eledona cirrhosa). Since August 2009, Risso's dolphins have been observed on five occasions in waters around the Faroese north of 61? 34' N, the northernmost observation situated at a latitude of 62? 23' N. Sightings of the spe-cies off Shetland occur mostly between April and September, with a peak in August and September, the observations in Faroese waters (2 in April, 1 in August, and 2 in September) falling within this period. While the species had not previously been observed in this area north of the Shetland-Faroe Channel, these observations in Faroese territorial waters indicate a likely northward extension of the known range of the species.
NB: New e-mail address and phones
Dorete Bloch
Prof., PhD.
Museum of Natural History
F?tal?g 40
FO-100 T?rshavn
Faroe Islands
E-mail address: doreteb at savn.fo
Phone: +298 34 05 78
Mobile: +298 79 05 78
www.ngs.fo
Private phone: +298 32 80 45
Private mobile: +298 21 81 45
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From f_penin at hotmail.com Tue Aug 21 17:56:14 2012
From: f_penin at hotmail.com (Felipe Penin)
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:56:14 -0300
Subject: [MARMAM] IBAC 2013 calls for symposia
In-Reply-To:
References:
Message-ID:
CALL FOR SYMPOSIA
Dear fellow bioacoustics? researcher,
The XXIV International
Bioacoustical Congress (IBAC) will be held at Pousada dos Pirineus Resort, Piren?polis,
Goi?s, Brazil between September 8th -13th 2013. We hope
you all enjoy the location. We now have a Scientific committee and a homepage where
you may find further information about the meeting (www.ibacbrazil.com).
At this moment we are
opening calls for symposia. We would like to invite you to make proposals! So,
please turn your recorders off, quit your sound analysis software, and start
writing! The deadline is November 15th 2012.
Each symposium will consist of 4-6 oral
presentations. Additionally, the organizer will have five minutes to open the
Symposia and another five minutes to make his final considerations.
Guidelines for symposium
proposals:
Please provide a title; name, email, and
affiliation of the organizer. The body of the text should contain a description
of the importance and objectives of the symposium, but also explain how it
would contribute to the congress and why would it be of interest to IBAC
attendees. The text should have up to 500 words. Upon approval, the Organizing
Committee will request a brief synthesis of the proposal with up to 50 words.
The text should be sent to ibac2013 at gmail.com
with the subject Symposium proposal.
The Scientific
Committee will decide on the proposals acceptance based on the theme?s
relevance, but other factors such as congress symposia diversity may be
considered. Please, be aware that IBAC Organizing Committee may not provide
financial support for Symposium organizers.
We sure hope to meet you all in Brazil!
With our best wishes,
IBAC-2013 Organizing Committee
--
Organizing Committee
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From janiger at cox.net Tue Aug 21 01:15:56 2012
From: janiger at cox.net (David S. Janiger)
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 01:15:56 -0700
Subject: [MARMAM] New Articles
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.20120821011556.00fda2c0@email.usc.edu>
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
ALONSO, MARIANA B.; ETHEL ELJARRAT; MARINA GORGA; EDUARDO R. SECCHI;
MANUELA BASSOI; LUPERCIO BARBOSA; CAROLINA P. BERTOZZI; JULIANA MARIGO;
MARTA CREMER; CAMILA DOMIT; ALEXANDRE F. AZEVEDO; PAULO R. DORNELES; JOAO
PAULO M. TORRES; JOSE LAILSON-BRITO; OLAF MALM and DAMIA BARCELO.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 170:152-160. 2012.
Natural and anthropogenically-produced brominated compounds in endemic
dolphins from Western South Atlantic: Another risk to a vulnerable species.
0.640 MB
ALONSO, MARIANA B.; MARIA LUISA FEO; CAYO CORCELLAS; LARA G. VIDAL;
CAROLINA P. BERTOZZI; JULIANA MARIGO; EDUARDO R. SECCHI; MANUELA BASSOI;
ALEXANDRE F. AZEVEDO; PAULO R. DORNELES; JOAO PAULO M. TORRES; JOSE
LAILSON-BRITO; OLAF MALM; ETHEL ELJARRAT and DAMIA BARCELO.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 47:99-106. 2012.
Pyrethroids: A new threat to marine mammals.
0.686 MB
ALTER, S. ELIZABETH; SETH D. NEWSOME and STEPHEN R. PALUMBI.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e35039. 12pp. 2012.
Pre-whaling genetic diversity and population ecology in eastern Pacific
gray whales: Insights from ancient DNA and stable isotopes.
0.444 MB
ANZOLIN, D. G.; J. E. S. SARKIS; E. DIAZ; D. G. SOARES; I. L. SERRANO; J.
C. G. BORGES.; A. S. SOUTO; S. TANIGUCHI; R. C. MONTONE; A. C. D. BAINY and
P. S. M. CARVALHO.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 64(7):1402-1408. 2012.
Contaminant concentrations, biochemical and hematological biomarkers in
blood of West Indian manatees Trichechus manatus from Brazil.
0.202 MB
AU, WHITLOW W. L.; BRIAN BRANSTETTER; PATRICK W. MOORE and JAMES J. FINNERAN.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 132(2):1199-1206. 2012.
Dolphin biosonar signals measured at extreme off-axis angles: Insights to
sound propagation in the head.
1.012 MB
AU, W. W. L. and S. W. MARTIN.
IET RADAR SONAR AND NAVIGATION 6(6):566-575. 2012.
Why dolphin biosonar performs so well in spite of mediocre 'equipment'.
0.994 MB
AYRES, KATHERINE L.; REBECCA K. BOOTH; JENNIFER A. HEMPELMANN; KARI L.
KOSKI; CANDICE K. EMMONS; ROBIN W. BAIRD; KELLEY BALCOMB-BARTOK; M. BRADLEY
HANSON; MICHAEL J. FORD and SAMUEL K. WASSER.
PLOS ONE 7(6) e36842. 12pp. 2012.
Distinguishing the impacts of inadequate prey and vessel traffic on an
endangered killer whale (Orcinus orca) population.
0.413 MB
AZZELLINO, A.; S. PANIGADA; C. LANFREDI; M. ZANARDELLI; S. AIROLDI and G.
NOTARBARTOLO DI SCIARA.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT 67:63-74. 2012.
Predictive habitat models for managing marine areas: Spatial and temporal
distribution of marine mammals within the Pelagos Sanctuary (northwestern
Mediterranean Sea)
1.018 MB
BHAT, SOMANATH; ANDREA M. POLANOWSKI; MIKE C. DOUBLE; SIMON N. JARMAN and
KERRY R. EMSLIE.
PLOS ONE 7(6) e39181. 9pp. 2012.
The effect of input DNA copy number on genotype call and characterising SNP
markers in the humpback whale genome using a nanofluidic array.
0.659 MB
BIANCANI, BARBARA; CARA L. FIELD; SOPHIE DENNISON; ROBERT PULVER and
ALLISON D. TUTTLE.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 43(2):355-359. 2012.
Hiatal hernia in a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pup.
0.237 MB
BOERSCH-SUPAN, PHILIPP H.; LARS BOEHME; JANE F. READ; ALEX D. ROGERS and
ANDREW S. BRIERLEY.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 461:293-298. 2012. Comment.
Elephant seal foraging dives track prey distribution, not temperature:
Comment on McIntyre et al. (2011).
1.304 MB
BURROWS, JULIA A.; JAMES T. HARVEY; KELLY M. NEWTON; DONALD A. CROLL and
SCOTT R. BENSON.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 461:257-271. 2012.
Marine mammal response to interannual variability in Monterey Bay, California.
0.509 MB
CARROLL, EMMA L.; SIMON J. CHILDERHOUSE; MARK CHRISTIE; SHANE LAVERY;
NATHALIE PATENAUDE; ALANA ALEXANDER; ROCHELLE CONSTANTINE; DEBBIE STEEL;
LAURA BOREN and C. SCOTT BAKER.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY 21(16):3960-3973. 2012.
Paternity assignment and demographic closure in the New Zealand southern
right whale.
0.267 MB
CARTWRIGHT, RACHEL; BLAKE GILLESPIE; KRISTEN LABONTE; TERENCE MANGOLD; AMY
VENEMA; KEVIN EDEN and MATTHEW SULLIVAN.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e38004. 16pp. 2012.
Between a rock and a hard place: Habitat selection in female-calf humpback
whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) pairs on the Hawaiian breeding grounds.
0.442 MB
CHAMPAGNE, CORY D.; DORIAN S. HOUSER; DANIEL P. COSTA and DANIEL E. CROCKER.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e38442. 13pp. 2012.
The effects of handling and anesthetic agents on the stress response and
carbohydrate metabolism in northern elephant seals.
0.724 MB
CHUA, G. H.; P. R. WHITE and T. G. LEIGHTON.
IET RADAR SONAR AND NAVIGATION 6(6):510-515. 2012.
Use of clicks resembling those of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus) to improve target discrimination in bubbly water with biased
pulse summation sonar.
0.420 MB
COZZI, BRUNO; MICHELA PODESTA; SANDRO MAZZARIOL and ALESSANDRO ZOTTI.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e37110. 5pp. 2012.
Fetal and early post-natal mineralization of the tympanic bulla in fin
whales may reveal a hitherto undiscovered evolutionary trait.
0.964 MB
CURRY, E.; M. A. STOOPS and T. L. ROTH.
THERIOGENOLOGY 78(2):308-314. 2012.
Non-invasive detection of candidate pregnancy protein biomarkers in the
feces of captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus).
0.859 MB
DANS, SILVANA LAURA; MARIANA DEGRATI; SUSANA NOEMI PEDRAZA and ENRIQUE
ALBERTO CRESPO.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 26(4):708-716. 2012.
Effects of tour boats on dolphin activity examined with sensitivity
analysis of Markov chains.
0.796 MB
DE MOURA, JAILSON FULGENCIO; RENATA EMIN-LIMA; SANDRA S. HACON; CLAUDIA
MARIBEL VEGA; REINALDO CALIXTO DE CAMPOS and SALVATORE SICILIANO.
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 89(2):412-418. 2012.
Mercury status of the Amazon continental shelf: Guiana dolphins (Sotalia
guianensis, Van Beneden 1864) as a bioindicator.
0.294 MB
DELLABIANCE, NATALIA A.; ALETA A. HOHN; R. NATALIE P. GOODALL; JORGE L.
POUSA; COLIN D. MACLEOD and MAURICIO LIMA.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 18(8):2477-2486. 2012.
Influence of climate oscillations on dentinal deposition in teeth of
Commerson's dolphin.
0.277 MB
DUNGAN, S. Z.; S. K. HUNG; J. Y. WANG and B. N. WHITE.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 90(7):1031-1043. 2012.
Two social communities in the Pearl River Estuary population of
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis).
0.854 MB
ERDSACK, NICOLA; FREDERIKE D. HANKE; GUIDO DEHNHARDT and WOLF HANKE.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL BIOLOGY 37(7):537-544. 2012.
Control and amount of heat dissipation through thermal windows in harbor
seals (Phoca vitulina).
0.747 MB
FERRER-I-CANCHO, RAMON and BRENDA MCCOWAN.
JOURNAL OF STATISTICAL MECHANICS: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT Article P06002.
12pp. 2012.
The span of correlations in dolphin whistle sequences.
0.200 MB
FINFER, D. C.; P. R. WHITE; G. H. CHUA and T. G. LEIGHTON.
IET RADAR SONAR AND NAVIGATION 6(6):545-555. 2012.
Review of the occurrence of multiple pulse echolocation clicks in
recordings from small odontocetes.
0.588 MB
FITZGERALD, ERICH M. G.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY 32(4):976-980. 2012.
Possible neobalaenid from the Miocene of Australia implies a long
evolutionary history for the pygmy right whale Caperea marginata (Cetacea,
Mysticeti).
2.853 MB
GINTER, CARLY C.; THOMAS J. DEWITT; FRANK E. FISH and CHRISTOPHER D. MARSHALL.
PLOS ONE 7(4) e34481. 10pp. 2012.
Fused traditional and geometric morphometrics demonstrate pinniped whisker
diversity.
0.312 MB
GLOVER, KEVIN; TORE HAUG; NILS OIEN; LARS WALLOE; LOTTA LINDBLOM; BJORGHILD
B. SELIUSSEN and HANS SKAUG.
FISH AND FISHERIES 13(3):313-332. 2012.
The Norwegian minke whale DNA register: A data base monitoring commercial
harvest and trade of whale products.
0.567 MB
HAMMOND, JOHN A.; CHRIS HAUTON; KIMBERLEY A. BENNETT and AILSA J. HALL.
PLOS ONE 7(4) e35395. 9pp. 2012.
Phocid seal leptin: Tertiary structure and hydrophobic receptor binding
site preservation during distinct leptin gene evolution.
0.747 MB
HAMNER, REBECCA M.; FRANZ B. PICHLER; DOROTHEA HEIMEIER; ROCHELLE
CONSTANTINE and C. SCOTT BAKER.
CONSERVATION GENETICS 13(4):987-1002. 2012.
Genetic differentiation and limited gene flow among fragmented populations
of New Zealand endemic Hector's and Maui's dolphins.
0.562 MB
HINDELL, MARK A.; CHRISTIAN LYDERSEN; HAAKON HOP and KIT M. KOVACS.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e38307. 10pp. 2012.
Pre-partum diet of adult female bearded seals in years of contrasting ice
conditions.
1.343 MB
IBSEN, STUART D.; PAUL E. NACHTIGALL; JACQUELINE KRAUSE-NEHRING; LAURA
KLOEPPER; MARLEE BREESE; SONGHAI LI and STEPHANIE VLACHOS.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 132(2):1213-1221. 2012.
Spatial orientation of different frequencies within the echolocation beam
of a Tursiops truncatus and Pseudorca crassidens.
4.431 MB
IZIDORO, FLAVIA B. and YVONNICK LE PENDU.
PANAMJAS - PAN-AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCES 7(1):27-36. 2012.
Estuarine dolphins (Sotalia guianensis, Cetacea, Delphinidae) play at Porto
de Ilh?us harbor, Bahia, Brazil.
0.354 MB
KASTELEIN, RONALD A.; ROBIN GRANSIER; LEAN HOEK and CHRIST A. F. DE JONG.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 132(2):607-610. 2012. Letters
to the editor.
The hearing threshold of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) for
impulsive sounds (L).
0.487 MB
KELSO, ELIZABETH J.; CORY D. CHAMPAGNE; MICHAEL S. TIFT; DORIAN S. HOUSER
and DANIEL E. CROCKER.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 215(15):2637-2645. 2012.
Sex differences in fuel use and metabolism during development in fasting
juvenile northern elephant seals.
0.503 MB
KLINCK, HOLGER; DAVID K. MELLINGER; KAROLIN KLINCK; NEIL M. BOGUE; JAMES C.
LUBY; WILLIAM A. JUMP; GEOFFREY B. SHILLING; TRINA LITCHENDORF; ANGELA S.
WOOD; GREGORY S. SCHORR and ROBIN W. BAIRD.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e36128. 8pp. 2012.
Near-real-time acoustic monitoring of beaked whales and other cetaceans
using a Seaglider (TM).
0.653 MB
KOT, BRIAN C. W.; MICHAEL T. C. YING; FIONA M. BROOK and REIMI E. KINOSHITA.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 43(2):256-264. 2012.
Sonographic evaluation of thyroid morphology during the normal estrous
cycle in the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus).
0.515 MB
KRASNOVA, V. V.; A. D. CHERNETSKY; O. I. KIRILLOVA and V. M. BEL'KOVICH.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 38(3):218-225. 2012. Original Russian
text in Biologiya Morya
The dynamics of the abundance, age, and sex structure of the Solovetsky
reproductive gathering of the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas (Onega
Bay, White Sea).
0.383 MB
KUO, HSIAO-I.; CHI-CHUNG CHEN and MICHAEL MCALEER.
TOURISM MANAGEMENT 33(6):1321-1328. 2012.
Estimating the impact of whaling on global whale-watching.
0.190 MB
LAW, ROBIN J.; JON BARRY; JONATHAN L. BARBER; PHILIPPE BERSUDER; ROB
DEAVILLE; ROBERT J. REID; ANDREW BROWNLOW; ROD PENROSE; JAMES BARNETT; JAN
LOVERIDGE; BRIAN SMITH and PAUL D. JEPSON.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 64(7):1485-1494. 2012.
Contaminants in cetaceans from UK waters: Status as assessed within the
Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme from 1990 to 2008.
0.781 MB
LACOMMARE, KATHERINE S.; SOLANGE BRAULT; CARYN SELF-SULLIVAN and ELLEN M.
HINES.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 152:169-177. 2012.
Trend detection in a boat-based method for monitoring sirenians: Antillean
manatee case study.
0.590 MB
LAVERY, TRISH J.; BEN ROUDNEW; JUSTIN SEYMOUR; JAMES G. MITCHELL and THOMAS
JEFFRIES.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e36478. 9pp. 2012.
High nutrient transport and cycling potential revealed in the microbial
metagenome of Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) faeces.
0.935 MB
LEMONDS, DAVID W.; WHITLOW W. L. AU; STEPHANIE A. VLACHOS and PAUL NACHTIGALL.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 132(2):1222-1228. 2012.
High-frequency auditory filter shape for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin.
0.866 MB
LIDGARD, D. C.; W. D. BOWEN and D. J. BONESS.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 90(7):849-860. 2012.
Longitudinal changes and consistency in male physical and behavioural
traits have implications for mating success in the grey seal (Halichoerus
grypus).
0.830 MB
LIND, YLVA; BRITT-MARIE BACKLIN; KART LUNDSTROM; SUZANNE M. BUDGE; MICHAEL
WALTON and OLLE KARLSSON.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 461:283-291. 2012.
Stability of fatty acid composition in seal blubber during long-term storage.
0.623 MB
LONDON, JOSH M.; JAY M. VER HOEF; STEVEN J. JEFFRIES; MONIQUE M. LANCE and
PETER L. BOVENG.
PLOS ONE 7(6) e38180. 9pp. 2012.
Haul-out behavior of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Hood Canal, Washington
0.449 MB
LUBETKIN, S. C.; J. E. ZEH and J. C. GEORGE.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 90(7):915-931. 2012.
Statistical modeling of baleen and body length at age in bowhead whales
(Balaena mysticetus).
0.967 MB
MACMILLAN, DOUGLAS CRAIG and JEONGHEE HAN.
HUMAN ECOLOGY 39(6):757-768. 2011.
Cetacean by-catch in the Korean Peninsula - by chance or by design?
0.488 MB
MARTIN, JULIEN; HOLLY H. EDWARDS; MATTHEW A. BURGESS; H. FRANKLIN PERCIVAL;
DANIEL E. FAGAN; BETH E. GARDNER; JOEL G. ORTEGA-ORTIZ; PETER G. IFJU;
BRANDON S. EVERS and THOMAS J. RAMBO.
PLOS ONE 7(6) e38882. 8pp. 2012.
Estimating distribution of hidden objects with drones: From tennis balls to
manatees.
0.829 MB
MARTINEZ-JAUREGUI, M.; G. TAVECCHIA; M. A. CEDENILLA; T. COULSON; P.
FERNANDEZ DE LARRINOA; M. MUNOZ and L. M. GONZALEZ.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 461:273-281. 2012.
Population resilience of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus at
Cabo Blanco Peninsula.
0.221 MB
MCCLELLAND, SARA J.; MARK GAY; D. ANN PABST; RICHARD DILLAMAN; ANDREW J.
WESTGATE and HEATHER N. KOOPMAN.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY 273(8):932-942. 2012.
Microvascular patterns in the blubber of shallow and deep diving odontocetes.
0.440 MB
MCINTYRE, TREVOR; ISABELLE J. ANSORGE; HORST BORNEMANN; JOACHIM PLOTZ;
CHERYL A. TOSH and MARTHAN N. BESTER.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 461:299-303. 2012. Reply comment.
Elephant seal foraging dives do indeed track prey distribution, but
temperature influences the distribution of prey: Reply to Boersch-Supan et
al. (2012).
0.127 MB
MEI, ZHIGANG; SHIANG-LIN HUANG; YUJIAG HAO; SAMUEL T. TURVEY; WEIMING GONG
and DING WANG.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 153:192-200. 2012.
Accelerating population decline of Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena
asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis).
0.462 MB
MILLER, CAROLYN A.; PETER B. BEST; WAYNE L. PERRYMAN; MARK F. BAUGARTNER
and MICHAEL J. MOORE.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 459:135-156. 2012.
Body shape changes associated with reproductive status, nutritive condition
and growth in right whales Eubalaena glacialis and E. australis.
0.492 MB
MORANO, JANELLE L.; AARON N. RICE; JAMEY T. TIELENS; BOBBI J. ESTABROOK;
ANITA MURRAY; BETHANY L. ROBERTS and CHRISTOPHER W. CLARK.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 26(4):698-707. 2012.
Acoustically detected year-round presence of right whales in an urbanized
migration corridor.
0.894 MB
MORANO, JANELLE L.; DANIEL P. SALISBURY; AARON N. RICE; KARAH L. CONKLIN;
KERI L. FALK and CHRISTOPHER W. CLARK.
JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 132(2):1207-1212. 2012.
Seasonal and geographical patterns of fin whale song in the western North
Atlantic Ocean.
0.507 MB
NAKAMURA, GEN; HIDEHIRO KATO and YOSHIHIRO FUJISE.
MAMMAL STUDY 37(2):105-112. 2012.
Relative growth of the skull of the common minke whale Balaenoptera
acutorostrata from the North Pacific in comparison to other Balaenoptera
species.
0.508 MB
NOREN, S. R.; M. S. UDEVITZ and C. V. JAY.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 460:261-275. 2012.
Bioenergetics model for estimating food requirements of female Pacific
walruses Odobenus rosmarus divergens.
0.663 MB
O'BRIEN, J. K. and T. R. ROBECK.
THERIOGENOLOGY 78(3):469-482. 2012.
The relationship of maternal characteristics and circulating progesterone
concentrations with reproductive outcome in the bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus) after artificial insemination, with and without
ovulation induction, and natural breeding.
1.133 MB
OATES, STORI C.; MELISSA A. MILLER; BARBARA A. BYRNE; NADIRA CHOUICHA; DANE
HARDIN; DAVID JESSUP; CLARE DOMINIK; ANNETTE ROUG; ALEXANDER SCHRIEWER;
SPENCER S. JANG and WOUTRINA A. MILLER.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 48(3):654-668. 2012.
Epidemiology and potential land-sea transfer of enteric bacteria from
terrestrial to marine species in the Monterey Bay region of California.
0.363 MB
PERTOLDI, CINO; CHRISTIAN SONNE; OYSTEIN WIIG; HANS J. BAAROE; VOLKER
LOESCHCKE and THEA OSTERGAARD BECHSHOFT.
HEREDITAS 149(3):99-107. 2012.
East Greenland and Barents Sea polar bears (Ursus maritimus): Adaptive
variation between two populations using skull morphometrics as an indicator
of environmental and genetic differences.
2.431 MB
PETERSON, SARAH H.; MONIQUE M. LANCE; STEVEN JEFFRIES and ALEJANDRO
ACEVEDO-GUTIERREZ.
PLOS ONE 7(6) e39046. 10pp. 2012.
Long distance movements and disjunct spatial use of harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina) in the inland waters of the Pacific Northwest.
3.884 MB
RANDIC, SRDAN; RICHARD C. CONNOR; WILLIAM B. SHERWIN and MICHAEL KRUETZEN.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON SERIES B BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
279(1740):3083-3090. 2012.
A novel mammalian social structure in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops sp.): Complex male alliances in an open social network.
1.012 MB
RITTER, FABIAN.
JOURNAL OF CETACEAN RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT 12(1):119-127. 2012.
Collisions of sailing vessels with cetaceans worldwide: First insights into
a seemingly growing problem.
0.094 MB
RIVAS RODRIGUEZ, BELKIS A.; ARNALDO FERRER PEREZ and GIUSEPPE COLONNELLO.
MEMORIA DE LA FUNDACION LA SALLE DE CIENCIAS NATURALES 173-174:155-172. 2012.
Distribucion, uso de habitat y status poblacional del manati (Trichechus
manatus) en el tramo central del bajo Orinoco, Venezuela. (Distribution,
habitat use, and population status of the manatee (Trichechus manatus) in
the middle region of the lower Orinoco River, Venezuela)
ROBECK, TODD R.; CLAUDIA GILI; BETHANY M. DOESCHER; JAY SWEENEY; PIET DE
LAENDER; CORNELIS E. VAN ELK and JUSTINE K. O'BRIEN.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 43(2):296-308. 2012.
Altrenogest and progesterone therapy during pregnancy in bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) with progesterone insufficiency.
0.938 MB
ROBINSON, PATRICK W.; DANIEL P. COSTA; DANIEL E. CROCKER; JUAN PABLO
GALLO-REYNOSO; CORY D. CHAMPAGNE; MELINDA A. FOWLER; CHANDRA GOETSCH;
KIMBERLY T. GOETZ; JASON L. HASSRICK; LUIS A. HUCKSTADT; CAREY E. KUHN;
JENNIFER L. MARESH; SARA M. MAXWELL; BIRGITTE I. MCDONALD; SARAH H.
PETERSON; SAMANTHA E. SIMMONS; NICOLE M. TEUTSCHEL; STELLA VILLEGAS-AMTMANN
and KEN YODA.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e36728. 12pp. 2012.
Foraging behavior and success of a mesopelagic predator in the northeast
Pacific Ocean: Insights from a data-rich species, the northern elephant seal.
1.243 MB
SAHANATIEN, V. and A. E. DEROCHER.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION 15(4):397-406. 2012.
Monitoring sea ice habitat fragmentation for polar bear conservation.
0.821 MB
SCHARPEGGE, JULIA; MANUEL GARCIA HARTMANN and KLAUS EULENBERGER.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 43(2):265-274. 2012.
Thoracic auscultation in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus),
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and South African fur seals
(Arctocephalus pusillus) with an electronic stethoscope.
0.323 MB
SCOTT, MICHAEL D.; SUSAN J. CHIVERS; ROBERT J. OLSON; PAUL C. FIEDLER and
KIM HOLLAND.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 458:283-302. 2012.
Pelagic predator associations: tuna and dolphins in the eastern tropical
Pacific Ocean.
2.727 MB
SEIBEL, HENRIKE; URSULA SIEBERT; HANNA SCHOEPPER and PETER WOHLSEIN.
DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 99(1):79-83. 2012.
Granulosa cell tumour in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from German
waters.
1.072 MB
SHARPLES, RUTH J.; SIMON E. MOSS; TOBY A. PATTERSON and PHILIP S. HAMMOND.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e37216. 14pp. 2012.
Spatial variation in foraging behaviour of a marine top predator (Phoca
vitulina) determined by a large-scale satellite tagging program.
0.766 MB
SHEN, YONG-YI; LU LIANG; GUI-SHENG LI; ROBERT W. MURPHY and YA-PING ZHANG.
PLOS GENETICS 8(6) e1002788. 10pp. 2012.
Parallel evolution of auditory genes for echolocation in bats and toothed
whales.
0.548 MB
SIERRA, E.; A. FERNANDEZ; A. ESPINOSA DE LOS MONTEROS; J. R. JABER; M.
ANDRADA and P. HERRAEZ.
VETERINARY JOURNAL 193(1):152-156. 2012.
Complex polysaccharide inclusions in the skeletal muscle of stranded
cetaceans.
0.677 MB
SIMMONDS, MARK PETER.
JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 2012: Article ID 684279. 8pp. 2012.
Cetaceans and marine debris: The great unknown.
0.511 MB
SOLNTSEVA, GALINA N. and VYACHESLAV A. RODIONOV.
ACTA ZOOLOGICA (BULGARICA) 64(2):159-173. 2012.
Structural and functional organization of sound-generation and
sound-perception organs in dolphins.
0.982 MB
STRINGER, ELIZABETH M.; WILLIAM VAN BONN; SATHYA K. CHINNADURAI and FRANCES
M. D. GULLAND.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 43(2):233-239. 2012.
Risk factors associated with perianesthetic mortality of stranded
free-ranging California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) undergoing
rehabilitation.
0.209 MB
TANAKA, MIYUU; TAKESHI IZAWA; MITSURU KUWAMURA; TATSUKO NAKAO; YUKO
MAEZONO; SHU ITO; MICHIKO MURATA; MASARU MURAKAMI; AYAKO SANO and JYOJI
YAMATE.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE 74(6):779-782. 2012.
Deep granulomatous dermatitis of the fin caused by Fusarium solani in a
false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens).
0.676 MB
TRIPOVICH, JOY S.; SOPHIE HALL-ASPLAND; ISABELLE CHARRIER and JOHN P. Y.
ARNOULD.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e37228. 7pp. 2012.
The behavioural response of Australian fur seals to motor boat noise.
0.617 MB
TRYLAND, MORTEN; INGEBJORG H. NYMO; OLE NIELSEN; ERLING S. NORDOY; KIT M.
KOVACS; BJORN A. KRAFFT; STEIN I. THORESEN; KJETIL ASBAKK; KLAUS
OSTERRIEDER; SWAANTJE J. ROTH; CHRISTIAN LYDERSEN; JACQUES GODFROID and
ARNOLDUS S. BLIX.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 48(3):632-645. 2012.
Serum chemistry and antibodies against pathogens in Antarctic fur seals,
Weddell seals, crabeater seals, and Ross seals.
0.191 MB
TURVEY, SAMUEL T.; CLAIRE L. RISLEY; LEIGH A. BARRETT; YUJIANG HAO and WANG
DING.
PLOS ONE 7(5) e37902. 8pp. 2012.
River dolphins can act as population trend indicators in degraded
freshwater systems.
0.300 MB
TYSON, RENY B.; ARI S. FRIEDLAENDER; COLIN WARE; ALISON K. STIMPERT and
DOUGLAS P. NOWACEK.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 457:209-220. 2012.
Synchronous mother and calf foraging behaviour in humpback whales Megaptera
novaeangliae: Insights from multi-sensor suction cup tags.
1.496 MB
VISCARRA, JOSE ABRAHAM; JOSE PABLO VAZQUEZ-MEDINA; RUBEN RODRIGUEZ; CORY D.
CHAMPAGNE; SEAN H. ADAMS; DANIEL E. CROCKER and RUDY M. ORTIZ.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 215(14):2455-2464. 2012.
Decreased expression of adipose CD36 and FATP1 are associated with
increased plasma non-esterified fatty acids during prolonged fasting in
northern elephant seal pups (Mirounga angustirostris).
0.752 MB
WERTH, ALEXANDER J.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY Article ID 208913. 13pp. 2012.
Hydrodynamic and sensory factors governing response of copepods to
simulated predation by balaenid whales.
1.920 MB
From Karen.Evans at csiro.au Tue Aug 21 19:50:14 2012
From: Karen.Evans at csiro.au (Karen.Evans at csiro.au)
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:50:14 +1000
Subject: [MARMAM] Second Climate Impacts on Top Predators Symposium
Message-ID:
Dear all,
On behalf of the Organising Committee, it is my pleasure to announce that
the Second Climate Impacts on Top Predators (CLIOTOP) Symposium will be
held in Noumea, New Caledonia, February 11-15, 2013.
Registration is now open via our website:
www.imber.info/index.php/Science/Regional-Programmes/CLIOTOP
Key dates to keep in mind are:
Deadline for abstract submission: 1 October 2012
Acceptance of abstracts: 1 November 2012
Registration closes: 1 December 2012
Late registration closes: 1 February 2013
Thos interested in convening workshops in association with the Symposium
are encouraged to contact the Organising Committee.
We look forward to seeing you in Noumea in 2013!
Dr. Karen Evans
On behalf of the Organising Committee for the Second Climate Impacts on
Top Predators Symposium
From TBohuszewicz at conshelf.com Wed Aug 22 06:45:09 2012
From: TBohuszewicz at conshelf.com (Bohuszewicz, Teresa)
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:45:09 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Observers needed for Israel
Message-ID: <07734DFF84B4E948824ED1786835FC5127F34EDD@EXCH01.csa05.local>
Offshore marine mammal observers needed for Israel. Must have Israeli passport and be able to speak and write English. Previous experience and safety training required for application. These are contract positions starting before the end of the year. Interested observers please send resume and 3 reference contacts to: tbohuszewicz at conshelf.com
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From dagmar_fertl at hotmail.com Thu Aug 23 20:07:39 2012
From: dagmar_fertl at hotmail.com (Dagmar Fertl)
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:07:39 -0500
Subject: [MARMAM] Abstracts - Journal of Cetacean Research and Management,
Vol. 12(1), 2012
Message-ID:
Dear Marmam and ECS-mailbase subscribers,
Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The following are abstracts from the most recent issue (Volume 12, issue 1, 2012) of the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management.
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) publishes The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management thrice yearly (Spring, Autumn, and Winter), with at least one supplement that will contain the full report of the IWC Scientific Committee. The following is posted on behalf of the IWC and the journal editor.
Further information can be found at: http://www.iwcoffice.org/publications/JCRM.htm. A guide for authors is included in the first volume of each issue and on the IWC website: http://www.iwcoffice.org/publications/authorsguide.htm.
Contact information is provided for the corresponding author for each article. Please do not contact the listserve editors or me for pdfs or copies of the articles. Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings.
With regards,
Dagmar Fertl
*************************************
Heide-J?rgensen, M.P.*, K.L. Laidre, R.G. Hansen, M.L. Burt, M. Simon, D.L. Borchers, J. Hansen, K. Harding, M. Rasmussen, R. Dietz, and J. Teilmann. 2012. Rate of increase and current abundance of humpback whales in West Greenland. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):1-14.
*Contact e-mail: mhj at ghsdk.dk
Aerial line transect surveys of the density of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) conducted off West Greenland eight times between 1984 and 2007 were used to estimate the rate of increase on the summer feeding ground. Only surveys in 1993, 2005 and 2007 had enough sightings to construct independent density estimates, whereas the surveys in 1984?85 and 1987?89 had to be merged and treated as two surveys. The annual rate of increase was 9.4% yr?1 (SE = 0.01) between 1984 and 2007. This rate of increase is higher than the increase estimated at the breeding grounds in the West Indies, but is of the same magnitude as the observed rate of increase at other feeding grounds in the North Atlantic. A matrix model based on observed life history parameters revealed that the theoretical growth rate of a humpback whale population ranged between 1 and 11%. This confirms that the observed growth in West Greenland is within the plausible values. The survey in 2007 was used to make a fully corrected abundance estimate including corrections for whales that were submerged during the passage of the survey plane. The line transect estimate for 2007 was 1,020 (CV = 0.35). When the estimate was corrected for perception bias with mark-recapture distance sampling (MRDS) methods, the abundance increased to 1,505 (0.49). A correction for availability bias was developed based on time-depth-recorder information on the time spent at the surface (0?4m). However, used directly this correction leads to a positively-biased abundance estimate and instead a correction was developed for the non-instantaneous visual sighting process in an aircraft. The resulting estimate for 2007 was 3,272 (CV = 0.50) for the MRDS analysis. An alternative strip census estimate deploying a strip width of 300m resulted in 995 (0.33) whales. Correction for perception bias resulted in 991 (0.35) whales and corrected for the same availability bias as for the MRDS method resulted in a fully corrected estimate of 2,154 (0.36) humpback whales in West Greenland in 2007.
************************
Punt, A. E.*, and P.R. Wade. 2012. Population status of the eastern North Pacific stock of gray whales in 2009. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1): 15-28.
*Contact e-mail: aepunt at u.washington.edu
An age- and sex-structured population dynamics model is fitted using Bayesian methods to data on the catches and abundance estimates for the Eastern North Pacific (ENP) stock of gray whales. The prior distributions used for these analyses incorporate revised estimates of abundance for ENP gray whales and account explicitly for the drop in abundance caused by the 1999?2000 mortality event. A series of analyses are conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of the results to different assumptions. The model fits the available data adequately, but, as in previous assessments, the measures of uncertainty associated with the survey-based abundance estimates are found to be negatively biased. The data support the inclusion of the 1999?2000 mortality event in the model, and accounting for this event leads to greater uncertainty regarding the current status of the resource. The baseline analysis estimates the ENP gray whale population to be above the maximum sustainable yield level (MSYL) with high probability (0.884). The posterior mean for the ratio of 2009 (1+) abundance to MSYL is 1.29 (with a posterior median of 1.37 and a 90% probability interval of 0.68?1.51). These results are consistent across all the model runs conducted. The baseline model also estimates the 2009 ENP gray whale population size (posterior mean of 20,366) to be at 85% of its carrying capacity (posterior mean of 25,808), and this is also consistent across all the model runs. The baseline model estimate of the maximum rate of increase, ?max, is 1.062 which, while high, is nevertheless within the range of estimates obtained for other baleen whales.
*******************************
Salgado Kent, C., C. Jenner, M. Jenner, P. Bouchet, and E. Rexstad. 2012. Southern Hemisphere Breeding Stock D humpback whale population estimates from North West Cape, Western Australia. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):29-38.
*Contact e-mail: c.salgado at cmst.curtin.edu.au
Estimates of the abundance of Breeding Stock D humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are key to the conservation and management of what is thought to be one of the largest populations of the species. Five years (2000, 2001, 2006, 2007 and 2008) of aerial surveys carried out over an eight-year period at North West Cape (Western Australia) using line transect methodology allowed trends in whale numbers to be investigated, and provided a base for comparison with estimates made approximately 400km south at Shark Bay (Western Australia). A total of 3,127 whale detections were made during 74 surveys of the 7,043km2 study area west of NWC. Pod abundance for each flight was computed using a Horvitz-Thompson like estimator and converted to an absolute measure of abundance after corrections were made for estimated mean cluster size, unsurveyed time, swimming speed and animal availability. Resulting estimates from the migration model of best fit with the most credible assumptions were 7,276 (CI = 4,993?10,167) for 2000, 12,280 (CI = 6,830?49,434) for 2001, 18,692 (CI = 12,980?24,477) for 2006, 20,044 (CI =13,815?31,646) for 2007, and 26,100 (CI = 20,152?33,272) for 2008. Based on these data, the trend model with the greatest r2 was exponential with an annual increase rate of 13% (CI = 5.6%?18.1%). While this value is above the species? estimated maximum plausible growth rate of 11.8%, it is reasonably close to previous reports of between 10?12%. The coefficient of variation, however, was too large for a reliable trend estimate. Perception bias was also not accounted for in these calculations. Based on a crude appraisal which yielded an estimated p(0) of 0.783 (from independent observer effort, CV = 0.973), the 2008 humpback population size may be as large as 33,300. In conclusion, the work here provides evidence of an increasing Breeding Stock D population, but further surveys are necessary to confirm whether the population is indeed increasing at its maximum
rate.
**********
Ferguson, M.C. 2012. Quantifying spatial characteristics of the Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project
(BWASP) survey design. Journal of Cetacean Research Management 12(1):39-44.
Contact e-mail: Megan.Ferguson at noaa.gov
The Bowhead Whale Aerial Survey Project (BWASP) has been conducted annually since 19769 in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea to monitor the distribution and relative abundance of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort (BCB) stock of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) during their autumn migration. BWASP was created to specifically address broad-scale research and management questions related to bowhead whale ecology, with particular interest in the potential effects of oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities on the BCB bowhead whales. With elevated concerns about climate change, increasing oil and gas activities and the forecasted increase in vessel traffic, it is expected that interest in the BWASP dataset will also increase in order to evaluate effects of these anthropogenic activities on BCB bowhead whales and indigenous whaling. The following analysis quantified the spatial characteristics of the BWASP survey design and provided guidelines for the types of investigations that the BWASP data can potentially address. Sampling lags (transect spacing) in the BWASP survey design of approximately 20km along the east/west axis of the study area limit the spatial scale of phenomena that can be detected using data from a single BWASP survey. Therefore, BWASP data are relatively uninformative for studying variability in distribution or relative abundance along the east/west axis over short time scales (one survey) and within small areas measuring less than approximately 20km. In addition, computer simulations showed spatial heterogeneity in the long-term survey coverage probability (the probability that a given location will be included in a survey having an assumed effective search width under the BWASP survey design). Pooled transects created from simulated surveys resulted in a repeating diamond pattern in which coverage probability was low. Analyses incorporating data from many BWASP surveys should account for this spatial heterogeneity, via either the survey coverage probabilities or quantification of survey effort; otherwise estimates of variables such as relative density, density, or habitat use may be biased. The BWASP surveys have increased understanding of the broad-scale patterns of bowhead distribution, relative abundance and behaviour. The utility of this dataset in informing other questions will depend upon the scale of the ecological phenomena under investigation and the analytical scales used to address the questions.
***************
Palacios, D.M.*, J.C. Herreira, T. Gerrodette, C. Garc?a, G.A. Soler, I.C. Avila, S. Bessudo, S., E. Hern?ndez, F. Trujillo, L. Fl?rez-Gonz?lez, and I. Kerr. 2012. Cetacean distribution and relative abundance in Colombia's Pacific EEZ from survey cruises and platforms of opportunity. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):45-60.
*Contact e-mail: Daniel.Palacios at noaa.gov
Cetacean sighting data collected under various programmes in Colombian Pacific waters were collated with the goal of assessing the distribution and abundance patterns of all species occurring in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Distribution maps are presented for 19 species and one genus based on 603 sightings collected between 1986 and 2008. Ordered by sighting frequency, these species were: humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae); striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba); common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus); pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata); common dolphin (Delphinus delphis); Risso?s dolphin (Grampus griseus); sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus); rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis); short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus); mesoplodont whales (Mesoplodon spp.); Cuvier?s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris); melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra); false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens); killer whale (Orcinus
orca); spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris); dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima); Bryde?s whale (Balaenoptera edeni); pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata); minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Concentrations of sightings were observed in three geographic areas: (1) the continental shelf (depths <200m) and the contiguous continental slope (200?2,000m); (2) over the Malpelo Ridge, an offshore bathymetric feature and (3) the northeast corner of the EEZ between Golfo de Cupica and the border with Panam?, although we do not rule out that these patterns could be an artifact of non-random effort. In inshore waters, the most frequently seen species were pantropical spotted dolphin, common bottlenose dolphin and humpback whale. For several of the data sets we provide encounter rates as indices of relative abundance, but urge caution in their interpretation because of methodological limitations and because several factors that affect sightability could not be accounted for in these estimates. Our results provide useful information for ongoing regional research and conservation initiatives aimed at determining occurrence, population status and connectivity within adjacent EEZs in the eastern tropical Pacific. Suggested research priorities include conducting dedicated surveys designed for estimating abundance and monitoring trends throughout the EEZ and focused studies in areas of special interest like the continental shelf, the Malpelo Ridge and the vicinity of Cupica and Cabo Marzo. More research is also needed in terms of quantifying the sources and impact of anthropogenic mortality on population size. Studies characterising genetic diversity and stock discreteness in coastal species (pantropical spotted dolphin and common bottlenose dolphin) would help inform local management strategies.
*******************
Olson, P.A.*, P. Ensor, and S. Kuningas. 2012. Observations of killer whales off East Antarctica, 82?-95?E, in 2009. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):61-64.
*Contact e-mail: Paula.Olson at noaa.gov
Observations of killer whales (Orcinus orca) during a survey off East Antarctica, 82?-95?E revealed previously undescribed variations in pigmentation and group associations. During the survey 24 killer whale groups were sighted south of 60?S and classified, when possible, to Types A, B, or C based on their external morphology. Sufficient observation was available for nine groups to be classified: 2 groups of Type A; 1 mixed group of Type A and Type B; 3 groups of Type C; and 3 groups with eyepatch pigmentation intermediate in size between Types B and C. These whales may represent an intergrade between Types B and C or a previously unrecognised form. One of the ?intermediate? groups was observed feeding in a multi-species aggregation with other cetaceans in deep water. Clearly distinguishable Type A and Type B whales were observed feeding together in a mixed aggregation, the first time that this has been documented.
**************
Silva, M. A.*, L. Steiner, I. Casc?o, M.J. Cruz, R. Prieto, T. Cole, P.K. Hamilton, and M. Baumgartner. 2012. Winter sighting of a known western North Atlantic right whale in the Azores. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):65-69.
*Contact e-mail: monica at uac.pt
A right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from the western North Atlantic population, sighted in the Azores, was subsequently found to have moved back to the northwest Atlantic. The whale was sighted in the Azores on 5 January 2009 travelling in a west-south westerly direction at a constant speed. A photographic match was found to an adult female in the North Atlantic Right Whale
Catalogue. The whale?s previous last sighting, on 24 September 2008 in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, implies movement to the Azores of at least 3,320km in 101 days. It was subsequently resighted in the Bay of Fundy on 2 September 2009, 237 days after being seen in the Azores. This appears to be the only documented evidence of a western North Atlantic right whale outside its normal range in winter, and provides additional evidence of the potential for interbreeding between western North Atlantic right
whales and the remnant eastern population.
****
F?lix, F.*, S. Caballero, and C. Olavarr?a. 2012. Genetic diversity and population structure of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Ecuador based on mitochondrial DNA analyses. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):71-77.
*Contact e-mail: fefelix90 at hotmail.com
Information on the genetic characterisation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) wintering off Ecuador (Breeding Stock G) is presented. Mitochondrial DNA was extracted and sequenced from 230 skin samples collected between 2002 and 2008 to establish the genetic diversity of this population. From 182 usable samples, 41 different haplotypes were found, eight of which were new and unique. Haplotype diversity (h ? SD) was estimated to be 0.922 ? 0.012 and the nucleotide diversity (? ? SD) 0.019 ? 0.009. A comparison with other areas within the Southeast Pacific (Colombia and Magellan Strait) and the Antarctic Peninsula suggested panmixia within Breeding Stock G, even though significant differentiation was found with Magellan Strait (p < 0.0001 in both FST and ?ST). An additional analysis with the exact test of population differentiation showed significant differences in haplotype frequencies between breeding areas in Ecuador and southern Colombia (p < 0.01), suggesting some level of stratification at breeding grounds as supported by photo-identification studies. The Ecuadorian dataset included haplotypes reported in all three Southern Hemisphere ocean basins indicating recent gene flow within the Southern Hemisphere. The population showed a male-biased sex ratio in adult animals of 2.16:1. Further research and a larger number of samples from breeding areas in the north (Panama and Costa Rica) are required to appropriately assess the extent of structure in this population.
*********
Gendron, D.,* and A. Ugalde de la Cruz. 2012. A new classification method to simplify blue whale photo-identification technique. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):79-84.
*Contact e-mail: dgendron at ipn.mx
Individual identification of blue whales is based on unique pigmentation patterns. Historically photo identification has been based on the pigmentation patterns observed on a large portion of the animal?s flanks. The new classification method presented here is based primarily on seven dorsal fin shapes and secondarily on five pigmentation patterns selected from a minor portion of the flank adjacent to the dorsal fin. This classification is then applied to a blue whale catalogue that comprises 621 individuals photo-identified in the waters adjacent to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. The classification system adequately divides the number of individuals per dorsal fin category and pigmentation patterns. It has been useful not only for reducing time and for matching photographs more efficiently but also has facilitated the finding of intra-catalogue photographic recaptures or photo-recaptures and has enhanced the efficiency of the field work. This new classification method should be considered by other blue whale researchers and for future inter-catalogue comparisons.
************
Hardy, T.*, R. Williams, R. Caslake, and N. Tregenza. 2012. An investigation of acoustic deterrent devices to reduce cetacean bycatch in an inshore set net fishery. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):85-90.
Contact e-mail: tom.hardy at cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
In Europe, problems with the use of pingers on larger fishing vessels have raised the question as to whether pingers would be practical on smaller vessels, which are a large proportion of the European static net fishing fleet. In this study, four netting vessels less than 10m long used AQUAmark pingers on part of their nets off the southwest coast of Britain over a 12 month period. Boat skippers recorded ease of use. Acoustic click detectors were deployed on test and control nets to assess the response of cetaceans to the pingers. No significant practical problems, apart from premature failure of pingers, were encountered. During the study, only one harbour porpoise was bycaught, in an unpingered net. In 650 days of acoustic data from pingered and nonpingered nets, matched by location, date and boat, there was a highly significant reduction in the number of porpoise clicks recorded at nets with pingers to 48% of the number predicted from the number recorded at control nets (range 35?51%). To assess habituation, single, modified pingers that were active for alternate seven hour periods were moored below a click detector at two sites, one of which has strong tides and high levels of associated ambient noise. This study showed a stronger pinger effect at the quiet site and a much reduced effect at the noisy site. There was evidence of a period of exclusion of porpoises following pinger use that could exceed seven hours, and no evidence of habituation. Results suggest that pingers are practical on small vessels, that they reduce harbour porpoise activity around nets and are therefore likely to reduce bycatch. Easier means of detecting pinger failure are needed. Pingers should be considered as a bycatch mitigation method in small vessel fisheries using bottom set nets.
************
McDonald, T. L.*, W.J. Richardson, C.R. Greene, Jr., S.B. Blackwell, C.S. Nations, R.M. Nielson, and B. Streever. 2012. Detecting changes in the distribution of calling bowhead whales exposed to fluctuating anthropogenic sounds. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, 12(1):91-106.
*Contact e-mail: mcdonald at west-inc.com
This paper describes an analysis approach designed to detect the effects of fluctuating anthropogenic underwater sound on the distribution of calling bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) during migration. The anthropogenic sounds in this case were associated with an offshore oil production island (Northstar Island) in the Beaufort Sea northwest of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, but the method has wider applicability. In autumn, bowhead whales migrate westward at varying distances offshore where some are exposed to Northstar sounds. Anthropogenic effects, if present, were hypothesized to be most pronounced in the southern (proximal) part of the migration corridor. Underwater sound levels were measured continuously ca. 500m from Northstar, and locations of calling whales were determined by a seafloor array of directional acoustical recorders. Weighted quantile regression related the 5th quantile of offshore call distance to anthropogenic sounds and other covariates. Case weights were inversely proportional to both probability of detection and location uncertainty. Due to potential dependencies in call locations, block permutation of uncorrelated whale call clusters was used to assign significance levels to coefficients in the quantile regression model. Statistical model selection was used to determine the anthropogenic sound measures most correlated with the 5th quantile of offshore call distances, after allowing for natural within-season variation quantified by day?night changes, distance of the call east or west of Northstar, and date. Data used to illustrate the method were collected over 29 days in September 2003 and included 25,176 bowhead calls. The estimated offshore distance of the 5th quantile call was 0.67km (95% confidence interval 0.31 to 1.05km) farther offshore when tones associated with Northstar were recorded in the 10?450Hz band during the 15 minutes just prior to each call. The method has been applied successfully to similar data collected near Northstar in other years, and may be useful in other studies that simultaneously collect data on animal locations and fluctuating stimuli.
****
Litz, J. A.*, C.R. Hughes, L.P. Garrison, L.A. Fieber, and P.A. Rosel. 2012. Genetic structure of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting adjacent South Florida estuaries ? Biscayne Bay and Florida Bay. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, 12, 107-117.
*Contact e-mail: jenny.litz at noaa.gov
Coastal common bottlenose dolphins show a variety of migration and residency patterns adding to the difficulty of defining stocks for management purposes. Genetic structure plays an important role in identifying population stocks of dolphins. This study examines genetic differentiation in common bottlenose dolphins both between two social groups occurring in Biscayne Bay, Florida and between Biscayne Bay and an adjacent group of dolphins in Florida Bay. Skin biopsy samples were sequenced at the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and genotyped at microsatellite loci. Significant genetic differentiation was found between bottlenose dolphins in Biscayne Bay and Florida Bay (mtDNA FST = 0.139, p ? 0.001; microsatellite FST = 0.042, p ? 0.001) supporting independent management stock status for these two populations. Within Biscayne Bay, evidence of weak but significant population differentiation was found between the two social groups using microsatellite markers (FST = 0.0149, p ? 0.009); however, differentiation was not evident from the mtDNA-based estimates of FST and ?ST. The lack of differentiation at mtDNA coupled with field observations indicating overlapping home ranges for these two groups suggests ongoing, though perhaps low, levels of interbreeding. These data are insufficient to warrant splitting the Biscayne Bay management stock at this time.
****
Ritter, F. 2012. Collisions of sailing vessels with cetaceans worldwide: First insights into a seemingly growing problem. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1): 119-127.
*Contact e-mail: ritter at m-e-e-r.de
Vessel-whale collisions are of growing concern worldwide, but information about collisions involving sailing vessels is especially scarce. This study represents the first global quantification of this kind. A total of 111 collisions and 57 near misses were identified, spanning from 1966 until 2010; 75% of cases was reported for the period from 2002?2010, suggesting an increasing trend. Reported collisions and near misses occurred on all oceans, often during ocean races and regattas, and were most frequent in the North Atlantic. Vessel type and speed as well as circumstances of the incident varied widely, but most often monohulls were involved, predominantly sailing at speeds between 5 and 10 knots. Most reports referred to ?large whales? as opposed to ?small whales? or ?dolphins?. The species could be identified in 54 cases. Most recognised animals were humpback or sperm whales. Injuries to the whales varied strongly from ?not visible? to ?dead after collision?, but mostly could not be determined. Sailing crew members were hurt in several cases, including collisions occurring at low speeds, and collisions often damaged vessels, including major impairment and seven cases of vessel loss. The findings presented here suggest that elevated vessel speed contributes to a higher risk of collisions. Conversely, the outcome of a collision (e.g. injury to whale or crew, damage to vessel) appears not to be a direct function of vessel speed. Several measures are discussed which potentially can contribute to mitigating the problem, including placing watchposts, an open dialogue with regatta organisers, changes in the design of regattas and ocean races and public outreach initiatives.
****
Gibbs, M. 2012. Whale catches from 19th century shore stations in Western Australia. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):129-135.
*Contact e-mail: martin.gibbs at sydney.edu.au
This paper presents historical data from 19th century shore whaling stations along the Western Australian coast, complementing data already presented in an earlier 1985 analysis. In particular, catch records of the Castle Rock whaling station, Geographe Bay, Western Australia, for the period 1846-53 together with other contemporary records indicate that humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) comprised the majority of the colonial shore whalers? catch. It is suggested that this could have been a result of a significant presence of American whale ships in the region in the early 1840s, which had presumably already reduced southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) numbers by the time these detailed colonial records were kept.
*****
Coughran, D. K.*, I. Stiles, and P.R. Mawson. 2012. Euthanasia of beached humpback whales using explosives. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 12(1):137-144.
Contact e-mail: Douglas.Coughran at dec.wa.gov.au
A method for the safe and effective euthanasia of large beached humpback whales using explosives is described. Five recent case studies involving live stranded humpback whales measuring 9.1?12.7m are described to show how the method was applied, and the capacity of the method to deal with the varying conditions encountered when dealing with large baleen whales. Issues relating to the wider application of this method to other species of baleen whale and large odontocete species are discussed along with key safety implications for the safe use of this method.
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From dagmar_fertl at hotmail.com Thu Aug 23 20:47:42 2012
From: dagmar_fertl at hotmail.com (Dagmar Fertl)
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:47:42 -0500
Subject: [MARMAM] Contents - Journal of Cetacean Research and Management -
Supplement to Volume 13 - 2012
Message-ID:
Dear Marmam and ECS-mailbase subscribers,
Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) publishes The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management thrice yearly (Spring, Autumn, and Winter), with at least one supplement that will contain the full report of the IWC Scientific Committee. The following is posted on behalf of the IWC and the journal editor.
Further information can be found at: http://www.iwcoffice.org/publications/JCRM.htm. A guide for authors is included in the first volume of each issue and on the IWC website: http://www.iwcoffice.org/publications/authorsguide.htm.
Contact information is provided for the corresponding author for each article. Please do not contact the listserve editors or me for pdfs or copies of the articles. Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings.
With regards,
Dagmar Fertl
*************************************
The latest publication of JRCM is the supplement to Volume 13 (April 2012). The editor notes that Volume 13 Supplement was required for the IWC?s Annual Meeting that was held recently, so this volume had to be published before Volume 12(2) which will follow later; apologies for the inconvenience caused by the delay.
This supplement to JCRM contains the Report of the Scientific Committee from its Annual Meeting held from 30 May ? 11 June 2011 in Troms?, Norway. The supplement also contains the reports of seven intersessional meetings:
(1) the Report of the Workshop on Small Cetaceans and Climate Changes held in November-December 2010 in Vienna, Austria;
(2) the Report of the 2011 AWMP Workshop with a focus on Eastern Gray Whales, held in March-April 2011 in La Jolla, USA;
(3) the Report of the First RMP Intersessional Workshop for Western North Pacific Common Minke Whales held in December 2010 in Pusan, Republic of Korea, incorporating the Preparatory Meeting for this Workshop held in September 2010 in Tokyo, Japan;
(4) the Report of the Intersessional IA Workshop on Estimating Abundance of Antarctic Minke Whales held in January 2010 in Bergen, Norway;
(5) the Report of the Workshop on Planning for an IWC Co-ordinated North Pacific Research Cruise Programme held in September-October 2010 in Tokyo, Japan;
(6) the Final Report on the Assessment of the Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whale Breeding Stock B held in Troms?, Norway in June 2011; and also
(7) the Report of the Workshop on Welfare Issues Associated with the Entanglement of Large Whales held in April 2010 in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.
A review of the taxonomy, population structure and status of Ziphiids of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean formed the focus of the Committee?s work on small cetaceans. Other populations of small cetaceans that were of notable concern included the vaquita; franciscanas off the coast of South America; and narwhals and white whales in West Greenland.
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From dep22 at cornell.edu Thu Aug 23 08:35:16 2012
From: dep22 at cornell.edu (Dan Pendleton)
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:35:16 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on North Atlantic right whale habitat
modeling
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
We would like to announce the publication our research titled: Weekly
predictions of North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis habitat
reveal influence of prey abundance and seasonality of habitat
preferences. The manuscript has been published with open access and
can be downloaded here:
http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p147-161/
ABSTRACT: Primary sources of mortality and serious injury to
endangered North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis are vessel
strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. All management plans depend
on knowing when and where right whales are likely to be present. We
tested the feasibility of a system designed to predict potential right
whale habitat on a weekly time scale. The system paired right whale
occurrence records with a collection of data layers including: results
from a coupled biological-physical model of Calanus finmarchicus (the
primary prey of right whales), satellite-derived sea surface
temperature and chlorophyll, and bathymetry. Using these data, we
trained seasonal habitat models and projected them onto environmental
data for each 8 d period from January to June, 2002 to 2006. Two
hypotheses were tested: (1) that right whale environmental preferences
change from season to season and (2) that modeled prey concentration
is an important predictor of the distribution of right whales. To test
H1, we trained, tested, and compared models for 3 time periods:
winter, spring, and winter and spring combined. To test H2, we trained
and tested models with and without C. finmarchicus. Predictions of
habitat suitability were highly dynamic within and across years. Our
results support the hypothesis that right whale environmental
preferences change between winter and spring. The inclusion of modeled
C. finmarchicus abundance improved the accuracy of habitat suitability
predictions.
Regards,
Dan Pendleton, PhD
Research Scientist
New England Aquarium
Boston, MA 02110 USA
From skj3 at st-andrews.ac.uk Wed Aug 22 13:10:44 2012
From: skj3 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Silje-Kristin Jensen)
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:10:44 +0200
Subject: [MARMAM] New publications of Toxoplasma in pinnipeds in Antarctica
Message-ID:
Dear MARMAM readers
We are pleased to announce two publications regarding the parasite *Toxoplasma
gondii* in pinnipeds in Antarctica.
Short summary of the two papers:
*Toxoplasma: a Cat-parasite in seals from Antarctica*
*
*
*Toxoplasma gondii* is a protozoan parasite that causes the disease
toxoplasmosis which is considered dangerous for pregnant women who have not
had the disease before, or people with weakened immune systems. *Toxoplasma
*is known worldwide and has also been part of the reason for increased
mortality among sea otters in the United States. Members of the cat family
are definitive hosts for this parasite, and play a key role in the
epidemiology. *Toxoplasma *may be transmitted through food or water
contaminated with oocysts (the resistant form of the parasite) from cat
faeces, or via ingestion of infected meat with resting parasites in tissue
cysts.
Despite extensive worldwide surveillance in populations of both people and
wildlife, little is known about *Toxoplasma gondii* ecology in the
Antarctic region. Two recent studies, performed by scientists at the Norwegian
School of Veterinary Science, The Sea Mammal Research Unit, the British
Antarctic Survey and at the SALUVET group from Complutense University of
Madrid in Spain, have investigated the presence of this parasite in
Antarctic marine mammals. Different animal species, true seals and eared
seals, from different locations were examined. In both studies, antibodies
against *T. gondii* were found mainly in Weddell seals and Southern
elephant seals whereas a small percentage of Antarctic fur seals were
positive. Although antibodies have been found in seals in several studies
from the arctic and worldwide, these studies are the first to document the
presence of antibodies in seals from Antarctica.
The study led by Pedraza-D?az concluded that the differences observed
between the animal species could be due to their different distribution and
migratory ranges as well as their feeding habits. There is no wild felid
fauna in Antarctica and in 1991 the Madrid Protocol on Environmental
Protection to the Antarctic banned all introduced species, including cats,
from the Antarctic to protect the native wildlife from introduced
diseases. However, felids are present in the sub-Antarctic regions, areas
within the normal distribution range of the animal species analysed here.
High seroprevalence values have been reported in feral cats in the
Kerguelen archipelago in the Sub-Antarctic region. Therefore exposure to *
Toxoplasma* might have occurred outside Antarctica. This agrees with the
higher detection rates in Southern elephant seals and Weddell seals found
here, which show wider distribution and migratory ranges.
Survival of infectious *Toxoplasma *oocysts in seawater has previously been
demonstrated, suggesting that the oocysts can survive in the marine
ecosystem of Antarctica. Since seal don?t drink water, contact through diet
is the best way of explaining the exposure. When oocysts of the parasite
come in contact with water, molluscs like shellfish, can filter these
oocysts and possibly infect the animals that eat them. At least that was
the conclusion from scientists in the United States who worked with sea
otter mortality due to toxoplasmosis. In addition, recent studies in which
anchovies were experimentally exposed to *Toxoplasma* oocysts have
indicated that migratory filter feeder fish may play a role in the
transmission of *T. gondii* in the marine environment.
Macquarie Island is an island known for sealing, science and tourism. Feral
cats have been known to inhabit the island since 1820s and have been
eradicated since the late 1990s. Little is known about the marine pathway
of Toxoplasma, and Jensen and her team suggest a marine pathway of *
Toxoplasma* oocysts. Although the presence of *Toxoplasma* has not been
investigated in the feral cats on Macquarie Island there is a possibility
that oocysts have found their way from the island across the Antarctic
conveyor belt and to Hutton Cliff where Weddell seals forage. Jensen has
suggested a similar transmission for the Arctic ecosystem in a previous
study where she found polar bear, ringed and bearded seals to be exposed to
Toxoplasma.
These findings are very interesting and show how little we know about the
presence and transmission of *T. gondii *in the marine ecosystem. Further
studies are needed to provide additional information regarding how *T
gondii *may affect the Antarctic fauna.
References:
*Jensen, S.K*., Nymo, I.H., Forcada, J., Godfroid, J., Hall, A. (2012).
Prevalence of *Toxoplasma gondii* antibodies in pinnipeds from
Antarctica.Veterinary Record doi:10.1136/vr.100848
http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/early/2012/07/31/vr.100848.extract
*Rengifo-Herrera, C*., Ortega-Mora, L.M., ?lvarez-Garc?a, G.,
G?mez-Bautista, M., Garc?a-P?rraga, D., Garc?a-Pe?a, F.J., Pedraza-D?az, S.
(2012), Detection of T*oxoplasma gondii* antibodies in Antarctic pinnipeds.
Veterinary Parasitology doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.05.020
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.05.020
For any questions or pdf requests please email:
Silje-Kristin Jensen: skj3 at st-andrews.ac.uk
Susana Pedraza D?az: spedraza at vet.ucm.es
Cheers
Silje-Kristin Jensen and Susana Pedraza D?az
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From marthajane_c at yahoo.com Wed Aug 8 13:34:38 2012
From: marthajane_c at yahoo.com (Marthajane Caldwell)
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:34:38 -0000
Subject: [MARMAM] How to record and measure survey effort?
Message-ID: <1344457912.9362.YahooMailNeo@web39303.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Greeting All,
I am a member of a consortium that is studying population size and structure of Tursiops truncatus along the east coast of Florida.? My task is to determine the optimal way to record and measure variable survey effort for a huge study area (600+ km by 40+ km).? Here is what I know so far:
1.????? Designate strip transects and only record it if the transect was complete.? This way you know the exact water covered and how often?problem ?loose? data from incomplete survey days.
2.????? Divide a survey area into 1 km zones and record each zone completely covered during each survey.? Then the measure of effort would be how many times that zone was covered?problem cumbersome when the survey area is huge (600 km by 20 km or so)
3.????? Use a GPS to record a trackline and enter it into a DB?.that?s all I know about this method since I?m behind in the technological times and would like to know more about this technique!
Any advice, comments, opinions, or alternative methods would be GREATLY appreciated.? I will compile a summary of your responses and post it to the list so that others my benefit from this query.
Thank you in advance for your help,
Marthajane
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marthajane Caldwell, Ph.D.,
Marine Mammal Behavioral Ecology Studies, Inc.
8429 Cresthill Avenue
Savannah, GA 31406
marthajane_c at yahoo.com
912-655-1765
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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From castelblanco.nataly at gmail.com Sun Aug 26 08:23:45 2012
From: castelblanco.nataly at gmail.com (Nataly Castelblanco)
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2012 10:23:45 -0500
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on population viability of Antillean manatees
In-Reply-To:
References:
Message-ID:
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to inform that the following paper has just been published
(Apologies for cross-posting!):
*Castelblanco-Mart?nez D, Nourisson C, Quintana-Rizzo E, Padilla-Saldivar
J, Schmitter-Soto J. 2012. Potential effects of human pressure and habitat
fragmentation on population viability of the Antillean manatee Trichechus
manatus manatus: a predictive model. Endanger Spec Res. 18:129-145. *[
http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p129-145/]
ABSTRACT: We present a population viability analysis for the metapopulation
of the Antillean manatee *Trichechus manatus manatus* with the aim of
predicting its tendencies under various hypothetical scenarios of
conservation. Multiple individual Monte Carlo simulations of deterministic
and stochastic factors were run on VORTEX 9.73 software. Populations were
defined using genetic structure, geographic barriers, and typical ranging
behavior. Demographic characteristics and life history parameters were
inferred from the most recent compilation of information on the subspecies
or were extrapolated from the Florida manatee *T. m. latirostris*. The
baseline model describes a metapopulation with a positive growth. This
model was sensitive to changes in mortality, but did not show any
significant response to variations in assumed carrying capacity, age at
first reproduction, maximum reproductive age, or initial population size.
We simulated different scenarios by modifying human pressure, habitat
fragmentation, and catastrophic events (i.e. hurricanes). Additional
combined models were developed to simulate the best- and worst-case
scenarios for human pressure level and fragmentation. The model suggested
that the metapopulation would not be able to withstand an annual
anthropogenically induced mortality rate >5%. A decrease in the survival of
transient individuals could also lead to a decline of the population.
Variations of the hurricane parameters did not yield important changes in
the population curves, but other effects of climatic change are discussed.
The extensive geographical area used by manatees requires international
collaboration to ensure the protection of the metapopulation through
effective conservation strategies across countries.
KEY WORDS: Population ecology ? *Trichechus manatus manatus* ?
Human-related mortality ? Connectivity ? Tropical ecosystems ? VORTEX
More information upon request from me (castelblanco.nataly at gmail.com)
--
Nataly Castelblanco-Mart?nez, Ph.D
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Chetumal.
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From kdudzinski at dolphincommunicationproject.org Mon Aug 27 04:59:41 2012
From: kdudzinski at dolphincommunicationproject.org (Kathleen M. Dudzinski)
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 07:59:41 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Aquatic Mammals 38.3 now available
Message-ID: <22028663-26E2-445E-B3F9-36BF8C773D36@dolphincommunicationproject.org>
Dear MARMAM and ECS-talk subscribers,
Apologies to those of you who will receive duplicate emails due to cross-posting. The following titles represent the contents of the most recent issue (Volume 38, issue 3, 2012) of Aquatic Mammals. The online issue is now available. For individuals with a print subscription, the joint hard copy of 38.3/38.4 will be mailed in December.
Aquatic Mammals is the longest running peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research on aquatic mammals and is published quarterly with manuscripts available as published PDFs in real time. Further information about the journal can be found at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/
Instructions for authors and formatting guidelines can be found in the first volume of each issue and at this link: http://tinyurl.com/AMauthorinstructions
To submit a manuscript for publication consideration, please visit: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php
If you subscribe to Aquatic Mammals online, you can visit the journal web site and sign in to download all articles from this volume:http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/
Please do not contact the listserve editors for PDFs or copies of the articles. To obtain a PDF, please subscribe to Aquatic Mammalshttp://tinyurl.com/AMsubscribe or contact the corresponding author for reprints. Links to a purchase page for each article are also included below. Please see list below for Volume 38, issue 3 contents.
Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings.
With regards,
Kathleen Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Editor, Aquatic Mammals
aquaticmammals at gmail.com
*******************
S. Bexton, D. Thompson, A. Brownlow, J. Barley, R. Milne, & C. Bidewell: Unusual Mortality of Pinnipeds in the United Kingdom Associated with Helical (Corkscrew) Injuries of Anthropogenic Origin. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 229-240, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.229
R. Stafford-Bell, M. Scarr, & C. Scarpaci: Behavioural Responses of the Australian Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) to Vessel Traffic and Presence of Swimmers in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 241-249, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.241
D. Bloch, G. Desportes, P. Harvey, C. Lockyer, & B. Mikkelsen: Life History of Risso?s Dolphin (Grampus griseus) (G. Cuvier, 1812) in the Faroe Islands. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 250-266, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.250
A. Steiner: Temporal Determinants of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) Activity in the Port River Estuary (Adelaide, South Australia). Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 267-278, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.267
M. W. Demarchi, M. Holst, D. Robichaud, M. Waters, & A. O. MacGillivray: Responses of Stellar Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus) to In-Air Blast Noise from Military Explosions. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 279-289, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.279
M. L. Bills & E. O. Keith: Historical Abundance and Spatial Distribution of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Along the Southeast Coast of the United States. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 290-300, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.290
S. M. Wilkin, J. Cordaro, F. M. D. Gulland, E. Wheeler, R. Dunkin, T. Sigler, D. Casper, M. Berman, M. Flannery, S. Fire, Z. Wang, K. Colegrove, & J. Baker: An Unusual Mortality Event of Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Off Central California: Increase in Blunt Trauma Rather Than an Epizootic. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 301-310, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.301
F. F?lix & N. Botero-Acosta: Evaluating Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Social Behaviour Through Sexing Active Individuals. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 311-316, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.311
C. K. M. Kolesnikovas, K. R. Groch, K. R. Groch, A. N. de Moraes, P. A. C. Flores, D. J. Pretto, R. R. Freitas, M. C. Gaidzinski, L. M. de P. Moreira, & M. E. C. da Rocha: Euthanasia of an Adult Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) in Brazil. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 317-321, DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.317
M. G. Guterres-Pazin, F. C. W. Rosas, & M. Marmontel: Ingestion of Invertebrates, Seeds, and Plastic by the Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis) (Mammalia, Sirenia). Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 322-324, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.322
S. Piwetz, S. Hung, J. Wang, D. Lundquist, & B. W?rsig: Influence of Vessel Traffic on Movements of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) Off Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 325-331, DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1578/AM.38.3.2012.325
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From fabia.luna at icmbio.gov.br Mon Aug 27 11:14:41 2012
From: fabia.luna at icmbio.gov.br (Fabia Luna)
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:14:41 -0300
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on Brazilian manatee genetic
In-Reply-To: <503bb768.2873b60a.7c42.316e@mx.google.com>
References: <503bb768.2873b60a.7c42.316e@mx.google.com>
Message-ID:
**
Dear colleagues,****
We are pleased to announce the publication of a paper that may be of
interest to some of you.****
Luna, F. O., Bonde, R. K., Attademo, F. L. N., Saunders, J. W.,
Meigs-Friend, G., Passavante, J. Z. O. and Hunter, M. E. (2012),
Phylogeographic implications for release of critically endangered manatee
calves rescued in Northeast Brazil. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst..
doi: 10.1002/aqc.2260****
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2260/abstract****
Abstract****
1. The Antillean manatee (*Trichechus manatus manatus*), a subspecies of
the West Indian manatee, is a large-bodied marine mammal found in fresh,
brackish, and marine habitats throughout the Caribbean Islands and Central
and South America. Antillean manatees in Brazil are classified as
critically endangered, with a census size of approximately 500 individuals.
The population in the Northeast region of Brazil is suspected to have
approximately 300 manatees and is threatened by habitat alteration and
incidental entanglement in fishing gear.****
2. A high incidence of dependent calf strandings have been identified
near areas of altered critical manatee habitat. The majority of the calves
are neonates, discovered alive, with no potential mothers nearby. These
calves typically require human intervention to survive.****
3. Since 1989 the calves have been rescued (N=67), rehabilitated, and
released (N=25) to supplement the small wild manatee population. The
rescued calves, and those born in captivity, are typically, not released to
their rescue location, mainly for logistical reasons. Therefore,
phylogeographic analyses can help to identify related populations and
appropriate release sites.****
4. Here, mitochondrial DNA analyses identified low haplotype (*h*=0.08)
and nucleotide (?=0.0026) genetic diversity in three closely related
haplotypes. All three haplotypes (M01, M03, and a previously unidentified
haplotype, M04) were found in the northern portion of the region, while
only a single haplotype (M01) was represented in the south. This suggests
the presence of two genetic groups with a central mixing zone. Release of
rehabilitated calves to unrelated populations may result in genetic
swamping of locally adapted alleles or genotypes, limiting the evolutionary
potential of the population.****
5. The small population size coupled with low genetic diversity
indicates that the Northeast Brazil manatee population is susceptible to
inbreeding depression and possible local extinction. Further conservation
measures incorporating genetic information could be beneficial to the
critically endangered Brazilian manatee population.****
** **
Please, fill free to contact me for a pdf copy or if you have any question.*
***
Best regards,****
--
M.Sc. F?bia Luna
Coordenadora do CMA/ICMBio
Analista Ambiental - ICMBio
PhD. candidate
Centro Mam?feros Aqu?ticos-CMA/ICMBio
Estrada do Forte Orange s/n
Ilha de Itamarac? - PE - Brasil
CEP: 53.900-000
Fone: + 55 (81) 3544-1835
E-mail: fabialunacma at gmail.com
Curr?culo Lattes: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8912525041395967
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From alonso.mb at gmail.com Wed Aug 29 18:44:46 2012
From: alonso.mb at gmail.com (Mariana Alonso)
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:44:46 +1000
Subject: [MARMAM] New papers from a vulnerable Brazilian dolphin
Message-ID:
To: marmam at lists.uvic.ca
Subject: [MARMAM] New papers from a vulnerable Brazilian dolphin
On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the
two following articles:
Mariana B. Alonso, Maria Luisa Feo, Cayo Corcellas, Lara G. Vidal, Carolina
P. Bertozzi, Juliana Marigo, Eduardo R. Secchi, Manuela Bassoi, Alexandre
F. Azevedo, Paulo R. Dorneles, Jo?o Paulo M. Torres, Jos? Lailson-Brito,
Olaf Malm, Ethel Eljarrat, Dami? Barcel?
(2012)
?*Pyrethroids: A new threat to marine mammals??*
*Environment International* 47: 99?106
Abstract:
The present study constitutes the first investigation to demonstrate
pyrethroid bioaccumulation in marine mammals, despite the assumption that
these insecticides are converted to non-toxic metabolites by hydroly- sis
in mammals. Twelve pyrethroids were determined in liver samples from 23
male franciscana dolphins from Brazil. The median concentration values for
total pyrethroids were 7.04 and 68.4ng/g lw in adults and calves,
respectively. Permethrin was the predominant compound, contributing for 55%
of the total pyre- throids. Results showed a distinct metabolic balance of
pyrethroids through dolphin life. High loads are re- ceived at the
beginning of their lives and, when they reach sexual maturity, these
mammals seem to degrade/metabolize pyrethroids. Maternal transfer of these
compounds was also evaluated through the anal- ysis of breast milk and
placenta samples. Pyrethroids were detected in both matrices, with values
between 2.53?4.77ng/g lw and 331?1812ng/g lw, respectively. Therefore, for
the first time, a study shows mother-to-calf transfer of pyrethroids by
both gestational and lactation pathways in dolphins.
Mariana B. Alonso, Ethel Eljarrat, Marina Gorga, Eduardo R. Secchi, Manuela
Bassoi, Lup?rcio Barbosa, Carolina P. Bertozzi, Juliana Marigo, Marta
Cremer, Camila Domit, Alexandre F. Azevedo, Paulo R. Dorneles, Jo?o Paulo
M. Torres, Jos? Lailson-Brito, Olaf Malm, Dami? Barcel? (2012)
?*Natural and anthropogenically-produced brominated compounds in endemic
dolphins from Western South Atlantic: Another risk to a vulnerable species?*
*Environmental Pollution* 170: 152-160
Abstract:
Liver samples from 53 Franciscana dolphins along the Brazilian coast were
analyzed for organo- brominated compounds. Target substances included the
following anthropogenic pollutants: poly- brominated diphenyl ethers
(PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB),
hexabromobenzene (HBB), decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), as well as the
naturally- generated methoxylated-PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs). PBDE concentrations
ranged from 6 to 1797 ng/g lw (mean 166 ` 298 ng/g lw) and were similar to
those observed in cetaceans from Northern Hemisphere. PBBs were found in
all sampling locations (
Best regards,
Mariana Alonso
--
*Mariana Batha Alonso*
*PhD Student*
* *
*Biophysics **Institute**, **Federal **University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil*
*Aquatic Mammal and Bioindicator Lab, University of the State of Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
Projeto BioPesca, S?o Paulo, Brazil*
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From conocifuentes at gmail.com Wed Aug 29 08:55:14 2012
From: conocifuentes at gmail.com (Constanza Cifuentes Ortiz)
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:55:14 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Stranded Sea Leopard advice
Message-ID:
Dear all,
I'm a veterinarian graduated student in Chile, and i would like to borrow a
space here to ask for any kind of advice if it's possible.
A sea leopard (*Hydrurga leptonyx*) is stranded in Talcahuano (VIII Region
of Chile) and here are a few volunteers taking care of this animal.
It seems like the sea leopard has pneumonia, a fracture and some injures on
its tail.
For the treatment, i was thinking of:
*Acetylcistein*: 20% solution nebulizer BID-QID
*Aminophylline*: 5,5 mg/kg PO, BID
I don't know if the doses would be fine to a sea leopard.
I'm very far from this animal, because I?m from Santiago. But i a
veterinarian already have diagnostic the animal. I don't think they will
make a cultive to see the agent. But, would you treat it with antibiotics
also? Which would be the best for this seal and which dose?
I read that parasitism is a very common cause of pneumonia in pinnipeds. Would
you treat it with Fenbendazole also? (11 mg/kg PO SID (two doses))
If anyone could give us some information we will be very grateful.
Thank you!
*M. Constanza Cifuentes Ortiz*
*conocifuentes at gmail.com** *
*Medicina Veterinaria*
*Universidad Mayor*
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From slivermore at ifaw.org Mon Aug 27 17:15:14 2012
From: slivermore at ifaw.org (Livermore, Sharon)
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:15:14 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Request: PAM, sperm whales and seismic surveys
Message-ID: <7AB298A393D1434A864AF86B777C1F2F079EA3BE@hq00sm01.ifaw.net>
Dear Marmamers,
We are currently looking for any papers, studies, theses or other
written content relating to the use of passive acoustic monitoring to
detect sperm whales during seismic surveying (specifically oil and gas).
Any assistance that anyone can offer with this request would be greatly
appreciated - please email me at the address below.
Many thanks in advance,
Sharon
Sharon Livermore | Marine Campaigner
___________________________________________________________
IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare
Oceania Office
6 Belmore Street, Surry Hillis, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
tel. +61 (0)9288 4984 mob. +61 (0)410 815 650
email. slivermore at ifaw.org
Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org
?
The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary,?and/or legally privileged.?Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.
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From dollyfinz at hotmail.com Wed Aug 22 08:50:51 2012
From: dollyfinz at hotmail.com (Gemma Cave)
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:50:51 +0000
Subject: [MARMAM] HWDT Practical PAM course places still available
Message-ID:
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin
Trust (HWDT) and its associated partners are hosting two Practical
PAM (Passive Acoustic Monitoring) courses in
Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.
Attendees will be taught how to use PAMGUARD effectively in the field by
experienced PAM operators and developers
through a series of classroom sessions
and boat-based workshops onboard the HWDT research vessel Silurian
http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/research-Silurian.asp
The course should appeal to those
looking for the practical experience necessary to become a PAM operator or
those with a research interest in this field. Course content will include
software and hardware troubleshooting, involving practical scenarios and
discussions, and offline analysis of data collected.
Two 3 day courses will be delivered
between the 15th and 17th September 2012 and between the 30th
September and 2nd
October 2012.
The cost of the course will be ?295. To reserve a place, please email Gemma Cave at education at hwdt.org for further information and instructions.More information is also available at http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/stand_alone.asp?page=practical-pam.asp
Course numbers are limited and will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis, so contact HWDT now to avoid disappointment.
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From footead at gmail.com Wed Aug 29 14:27:59 2012
From: footead at gmail.com (Andy Foote)
Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 23:27:59 +0200
Subject: [MARMAM] New publication - Using eDNA to detect marine mammals
Message-ID:
Dear Colleagues,
We have just published details of a study in which we have investigated the
ability to detect species presence by amplifying ?environmental DNA? (eDNA)
in samples of seawater.
For this proof of concept study we used small samples (15-50 ml) and
targeted sequencing to allow direct comparison with published freshwater
studies, but this meant we had a high proportion of false negative
detections.
However, our colleagues have used filtrate from larger volumes of seawater
and using the Roche GS FLX 454 pyrosequencing have been able to detect a
number of fish species comparable with, or even bettering, results from
traditional survey methods for the same area.
eDNA sampling therefore has the potential to compliment current acoustic
and visual survey methods if the question is one regarding species
presence/absence.
It should be noted that eDNA is very fragmented, often <100bp, and this
sampling method is not a suitable alternative to biopsy sampling for
population genetics.
Below are the links to access both papers.
PLoS One is open access and so everyone with internet access should be able
to get a copy.
Foote AD, Thomsen PF, Sveegaard S, Wahlberg M, Kielgast J, Kyhn LA, Salling
AB, Galatius A, Orlando L, Gilbert MTP (2012)
Investigating the potential use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for genetic
monitoring of marine mammals. PLoS one
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0041781
Thomsen PF, Kielgast J, L?nsmann Iversen L, Rask M?ller P, Ramussen M,
Willerslev E (2012) Detection of a diverse marine fish fauna using
environmental DNA from seawater samples. PLoS one
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0041732
Andy Foote
--
*Dr Andrew Foote*
*Centre for GeoGenetics*
The Natural History Museum of Denmark
?ster Voldgade 5 - 7
1350 Copenhagen K
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From ngandilh at univ-ag.fr Fri Aug 31 05:49:51 2012
From: ngandilh at univ-ag.fr (ngandilh)
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:49:51 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Record of two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in
the South western of the Gulf of Lion, Mediterranean Sea.
In-Reply-To: <20120823163726.M86006@univ-ag.fr>
References: <20120823163726.M86006@univ-ag.fr>
Message-ID: <20120831124952.M2058@univ-ag.fr>
Record of two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the South western of
the Gulf of Lion, Mediterranean Sea.
Dear colleagues,
On the 2nd of August 2012, at 10:30 a.m., 2 humpback whales have been visually
observed in front of Cerb?re, French Catalonia. This occurrence seems to be
the first documented sighting of humpback whale in the French South western
part of the Gulf of Lion,Mediterranean Sea.
A first picture is available at : http://www.breach.fr.
---------------------------------------
Best to all,
Nadege Gandilhon, Catherine Oms,
Sonia Gara, Caroline Azzinari and Georges Azzinari.
Contact e-mai l: nadege.gandilhon at univ-ag.fr
BREACH, Observation, Research and Protection of Cetaceans,
Laboratory of Marine Biology (DYNECAR), Universit? des Antilles et de la
Guyane, BP 592, 97159 Pointe-?-Pitre Cedex, Guadeloupe.
From KateWerner at wspa-international.org Wed Aug 22 08:13:28 2012
From: KateWerner at wspa-international.org (Kate Werner)
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:13:28 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] Symposium invite: Entanglement in marine debris- Regional
and global impacts on animal welfare: Seeking solutions
Message-ID: <2117702DA2AAB843A4A5D8DE172B752EE6EA3D@EXCH2003.wspa.local>
http://www.wspa-international.org/wspaswork/oceans/marinedebris/symposiu
m/default.aspx
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) would like to
invite you to take part in the world's first global symposium focusing
exclusively on the animal welfare impacts of entanglement in marine
debris.
Experts and interested parties from all disciplines and backgrounds,
academia, industry, government and NGOs, are invited to join us to
identify the species affected; the types of debris harming marine
animals; and geographical hotspots for this problem.
Most importantly, we are aiming for the symposium to provide an
opportunity for experts to share and discuss practical and effective
solutions to this problem.
Please follow the link above for more details and to register to take
part.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email is from the World Society for the Protection of Animals and may contain
information that is privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure.
Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not
necessarily represent those of any other party.
If you have received this email in error, please contact WSPA at mailman at wspa.org.uk
and delete the message from your computer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WSPA, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP, United Kingdom. Telephone +44(0)20 7587 5000
Registered UK Charity number 1081849 Company Registration number 4029540.
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From lesley.thorne at stonybrook.edu Fri Aug 31 14:26:11 2012
From: lesley.thorne at stonybrook.edu (Lesley Thorne)
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:26:11 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on spinner dolphin resting habitat
Message-ID:
Dear Colleagues,
You might be interested in the following paper that my co-authors and I
recently published in PLoS ONE:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0043167
Predictive Modeling of Spinner Dolphin (*Stenella longirostris*) Resting
Habitat in the Main Hawaiian Islands
Lesley H. Thorne, David W. Johnston, Dean L. Urban, Julian Tyne, Lars
Bejder, Robin W. Baird, Suzanne Yin, Susan H. Rickards, Mark H. Deakos,
Joseph R. Mobley Jr., Adam A. Pack, Marie Chapla Hill
Abstract:
Predictive habitat models can provide critical information that is
necessary in many conservation applications. Using Maximum Entropy
modeling, we characterized habitat relationships and generated spatial
predictions of spinner dolphin (*Stenella longirostris*) resting habitat in
the main Hawaiian Islands. Spinner dolphins in Hawai'i exhibit predictable
daily movements, using inshore bays as resting habitat during daylight
hours and foraging in offshore waters at night. There are growing concerns
regarding the effects of human activities on spinner dolphins resting in
coastal areas. However, the environmental factors that define suitable
resting habitat remain unclear and must be assessed and quantified in order
to properly address interactions between humans and spinner dolphins. We
used a series of dolphin sightings from recent surveys in the main Hawaiian
Islands and a suite of environmental variables hypothesized as being
important to resting habitat to model spinner dolphin resting habitat. The
model performed well in predicting resting habitat and indicated that
proximity to deep water foraging areas, depth, the proportion of bays with
shallow depths, and rugosity were important predictors of spinner dolphin
habitat. Predicted locations of suitable spinner dolphin resting habitat
provided in this study indicate areas where future survey efforts should be
focused and highlight potential areas of conflict with human activities.
This study provides an example of a presence-only habitat model used to
inform the management of a species for which patterns of habitat
availability are poorly understood.
Best,
Lesley
--
______________________________________________
Lesley Thorne, PhD
Lecturer, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
Stony Brook University
Stony brook, NY 11794-50000
631.632.5117
lesley.thorne at stonybrook.edu**
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From kmchugh at mote.org Fri Aug 31 14:13:48 2012
From: kmchugh at mote.org (Katie McHugh)
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:13:48 -0400
Subject: [MARMAM] Updated Winter Internship Positions - Sarasota Dolphin
Research Program
Message-ID: <5041290C.9040500@mote.org>
**
*Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Internships*
The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), a partnership led by the
Chicago Zoological Society and based at Mote Marine Laboratory in
Sarasota, Florida, conducts the world's longest-running study of a
dolphin population. The program's primary goal is to contribute to a
better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of
small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that
impact them. The SDRP uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative
approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota
Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal
waters. For more information about the SDRP, please visit:
www.sarasotadolphin.org
.
The SDRP is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for our
Winter/Spring 2013 internship program (a minimum of 10 weeks of
participation during 2 Jan -- 3 May). The successful candidates will
participate in at least two research projects:
1) *Dolphin population monitoring project* (approx. 80% time)
This study will continue to monitor the resident bottlenose dolphin
community in Sarasota Bay. Duties in the field will include assisting
with boat-based photographic identification surveys for dolphin groups.
Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data will be
recorded for each dolphin group. While in the lab, work will generally
involve photo-identification of dolphins, computer data entry, video
logging, dolphin dorsal fin identification catalog maintenance,
equipment maintenance and other duties. In 2012, we began development
of a Gulf-wide photographic identification catalog, greatly expanding
our existing catalog, and interns may be involved in some aspects of
this catalog's development in addition to working with the local
Sarasota Bay catalog.
2) *Dolphin prey and habitat use project* (approx. 20% time)
This study will use the Sarasota dolphin community and fish populations
to study relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey
and factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide. While
in the field, work will involve sampling of fish communities through
purse seining techniques, collection of prey fish for energetic and
stable isotope analysis, and collection of other environmental data.
3) **Acoustic methods of abundance estimation and effects of
noise** NEW ADDITION
In addition to the long term projects described above, interns may spend
time working on a new field and lab project with one of our graduate
students during the winter/spring intern session. This project involves
the use of bottom-mounted acoustic recorders for two primary purposes:
1) to evaluate multiple methods of cetacean abundance estimation using
recorded bottlenose dolphin whistles, and 2) to examine the effects of
noise on dolphin whistles. Interns will assist with the deployment and
retrieval of the recorders, playback experiments, focal follows of
dolphins near recorders, acoustic analyses, data recording, data entry,
and photo-ID.
There is no compensation for these internship positions, and successful
applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation
expenses during the time of the internship. Shared housing opportunities
near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available (cost: $85/week). A few
scholarships are available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a
competitive application process (US citizens only).
Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications:
* Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed
undergraduate studies;
* A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology,
Zoology or a related field;
* Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
(especially Excel and Access);
* Some field research experience preferred but not required;
* Must be able to swim;
* Enthusiasm and desire to learn a variety of field and lab based
research methods;
* A willingness to spend a minimum of 10-12 weeks working full time
as a volunteer with our program.
*To apply for a Sarasota Dolphin Research Program internship, interested
persons should:*
1) Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory's website
(www.mote.org/interns ). Be sure to select
"Sarasota Dolphin Research Program" as your first choice;
2) Complete and provide to Mote's intern office all other application
materials including: a statement of interest, current college
transcript, letter of recommendation, and /curriculum vitae/;
3) Send a brief email to the SDRP's Intern Coordinator (Katie McHugh,
_kmchugh at mote.org_) stating your name, contact information, exact dates
and duration of availability and that you have provided all of your
application materials to the Mote intern office, as detailed above.
All applications will be reviewed; those received by the application
deadline of September 15^th will be given first priority. We are seeking
4-5 interns for the winter/spring of 2013, depending on scheduling.
These are competitive positions - we typically receive many more
applications than we can accept. Applicants may contact Katie McHugh
(941-388-4441 ext. 450, kmchugh at mote.org )
in the SDRP with any questions.
Applicants applying because of an interest in possibly being involved in
graduate studies with the SDRP should discuss their interests with
Program Director Randall Wells upon acceptance into the program.
--
************************************
Katherine McHugh
Post-Doctoral Scientist
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
Chicago Zoological Society
c/o Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 388-4441 x450 office
(650) 400-2776 cell
kmchugh at mote.org
************************************
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From sarahjackson at planetwhale.com Fri Aug 31 14:36:27 2012
From: sarahjackson at planetwhale.com (Sarah Jackson)
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:36:27 +0100
Subject: [MARMAM] Most northerly sighting of a Cuvier's beaked whale?
In-Reply-To:
References:
Message-ID:
Hello,
I'm writing with regards to a sighting of Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius
cavirostris) between the Faroe Islands and Iceland on 26 July 2012.
As far as I'm aware this is the most northerly recorded sighting of the
species - there have been strandings in Iceland but I cannot find evidence
of a live animal being recorded further north than the Shetland Islands,
Scotland. General consensus on the distribution of the Cuvier's beaked
whale seems to be that the northernmost boundary is south of the Faroe
Islands. Is anyone aware of any other sightings in this area or can shed
some light on the distribution of the species?
The sighting has come to my attention as a result of the cetacean
distribution survey currently taking place in the Faroe Islands, run by
Planet Whale and WSPA. The project is ongoing until September 30th this
year, and is currently calling for all cetacean sightings in the area to be
reported to the survey team. Working with local and outside partners we
hope to establish a clearer picture of the diversity and distribution of
cetaceans around the Islands - through dedicated watches throughout the
summer season and the collection of data from other sources.
Please send any information or sightings to sarahjackson at planetwhale.com,
and please feel free to contact me for more details regarding the project.
We'd also be very happy to hear from anyone who has worked or studied the
marine wildlife in the area previously, or has any relevant work ongoing.
Kind regards,
Sarah Jackson
Project Manager
sarahjackson at planetwhale.com
Office: +44 (0)1273 355011
Planet Whale, 2a Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FL, UK
www.whale-fest.com
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