From perrtreer at savannahstate.edu Mon Feb 1 07:50:01 2016 From: perrtreer at savannahstate.edu (Perrtree, Robin) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2016 15:50:01 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] SEAMAMMS 2016 Abstracts Due in 1 Week Message-ID: As a reminder SEAMAMMS 2016 abstracts are due in 1 week, Monday, February 8th. Please see below for the initial announcement and additional information. Thanks, Robin ~~~~~~~~~~~ The 2016 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium (SEAMAMMS) will take place April 1-3, 2016 in Savannah, GA and will be hosted by Savannah State University and The Dolphin Project. Abstracts are due Monday, February 8th, please see the website for additional information. Early Registration will end on March 11th. We encourage everyone to register early. The 2016 SEAMAMMS website is now up with more details to be added soon. For meeting details, information on abstract submission and to register please visit: http://www.savannahstate.edu/cost/mar-env-science/SEAMAMMS/index.shtml SEAMAMMS is a regional, student-oriented, scientific marine mammal meeting. Preference will be given to marine mammal research conducted in the mid-Atlantic and southeast US or conducted by students in the same region. Other topics will be considered as space is available. If you have additional questions that are not addressed on the website please e-mail seamamms2016 at gmail.com. We hope to see you in April! Robin Perrtree, Tara Cox, and Peach Hubbard Robin Perrtree SSUDS Lab Manager Marine Sciences Technician Savannah State University Office: Harris Hall 103 912-358-3301 (office) 941-323-2750 (cell) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fkershaw at nrdc.org Mon Feb 1 14:49:29 2016 From: fkershaw at nrdc.org (Kershaw, Francine) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2016 22:49:29 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Feb 2016 Expert Consultation: Visualizing genetic data to identify IMMAs Message-ID: Dear Marine Mammal Community, At the workshop, "Integrating genetics into the Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) identification process," held at the Society of Marine Mammalogy Biennial in December, an interdisciplinary group of more than 20 marine mammal experts evaluated how genetic data and information can be visualized geospatially and systematically integrated into the identification of IMMAs. This project represents a partnership between the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Area Task Force (MMPATF), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the University of California - Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). We are now expanding this effort and seeking expert consultation with the wider marine mammal science and conservation community on how genetic data and information can be effectively represented geospatially and graphically to inform the identification of IMMAs. The consultation period will take place from February 1st to February 26th 2016. The evaluation procedure involves accessing two SeaSketch projects for humpback whales and spinner dolphins, examining a selection of the data layers and graphical analytics, and completing a short questionnaire with your thoughts and feedback on each layer/graphic. You are also able leave more general feedback and comments on the projects and broader initiative in the SeaSketch public comment forums. The information and feedback gathered at the workshop and through the expanded consultation process will be incorporated into a genetics 'module' that will form part of the IMMA "Toolkit", currently being developed by the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA MMPATF, to guide the identification of IMMAs. Given the applied nature of this project, we strongly encourage experts both with and without a background in genetics to participate in the consultation. The links for the Humpback whale project and the Spinner dolphin project, and a Tutorial on how to complete the evaluation can be found here. You can find additional information about the development process of the IMMA classification via the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA MMPATF website. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email (fkershaw at nrdc.org), phone (+1-212-727-4564), or Skype (francine.kershaw) if you have any questions (either on the evaluation process, the workshop, or the initiative more generally). With warm regards, Francine Kershaw and Howard C. Rosenbaum Francine Kershaw, Ph.D. Marine Mammals Science Fellow Natural Resources Defense Council 40 W 20th Street New York, NY 10011 USA T 212.727.4564 C 917.450.0994 fkershaw at nrdc.org http://www.nrdc.org https://columbia.academia.edu/francinekershaw Howard C. Rosenbaum, Ph.D. Director Ocean Giants Program Global Conservation Programs Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, New York 10460 USA T 718-220-5184 F 718-364-4275 hrosenbaum at wcs.org http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/ocean-giants.aspx -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Fontainec at TMMC.org Mon Feb 1 16:16:48 2016 From: Fontainec at TMMC.org (Christine Fontaine) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 00:16:48 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Research Intern opportunity at The Marine Mammal Center - APPLICATION DEADLINE FEB 5th Message-ID: SCIENCE DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT Research Department The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals. Also integral to the Center?s mission are the research and education programs that expand our knowledge of marine mammals, and their ocean environment, and inspire global conservation. Since 1975, TMMC volunteers and staff have responded to more than 18,000 stranded pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sea otters along California?s central coast. For more information about TMMC, please visit: www.marinemammalcenter.org. The Science Department at TMMC is seeking applicants for a volunteer internship position in our research division. There are two intern opportunities, spring and summer. Responsibilities The successful candidate will participate in the following projects: 1) Assist with necropsies: Necropsies are performed on all animals that die during treatment at the center. Depending on the case, some necropsies require a significant amount of sampling. Primary responsibilities will include: assisting with necropsy sample collection, data collection, archiving samples, stocking necropsy lab, and clean up. 2) Data entry and cleaning: The goal of this project is to improve data integrity, standardization, and volume in the Veterinary Science Department?s databases (FileMaker Pro). These data include animal care and medical records, diagnostic results, specimen tracking information, and stranding and disposition details. Intern tasks may include entry of respective data from hard-copy records and data checking and cleaning. 3) Specimen archive project: This project will focus on tracking and optimizing the storage of archived specimens collected from live and dead marine mammals. Intern duties will primarily include: freezer inventory. 4) Library project: This project involves cataloging scientific publications into TMMC?s hardcopy and electronic libraries. Intern duties will primarily include: reference entry using EndNote X, restocking hardcopy reprints, and scanning hardcopy publications. 5) Animal crew: The selected intern will spend one day on an animal crew. Animal crew?s duties include feeding the patients, cleaning the pens, restraining animals for feeds and/or procedures. Training is provided. In addition, the intern will assist with other duties within the Science Department as needed, such as filing paperwork, rescues and releases. Qualifications Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications: * Minimum of 21 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, especially with Microsoft Office Suite; * Comfortable hiking 5 miles and lifting 50 lbs; and * A willingness to spend a minimum of 12 weeks working full time (40 hours per week) as a volunteer with our program. * As there is no compensation for this internship position, and the successful applicant will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. There is flexibility on the start date of this position for both the spring and summer Internships. Please specify which time slot you?re applying for- spring or summer. Internship Period Application Deadline Interviews Notification of acceptance Approximate Internship Time Spring Feb 5th, 2016 February 11-12, 2016 February 17, 2016 March ? May 2016 Summer April 15th, 2016 April 25-26, 2016 May 2nd, 2016 June ? August 2016 Application The following application material is required and should be submitted electronically (PDF or Word document attachments) to intern at tmmc.org. Please put ?Research Intern? in the subject line of the email. 1. Statement of Interest (no more than two pages, double spaced) that describes: a) your professional interests and career goals, b) your reasons for applying for this internship, c) why you should be selected for this internship, and d) your availability and plan for housing. 2. College transcript(s) (official or unofficial copy) with all college-level courses you have taken to-date and the grades you have received. Please include an explanation of grading scales not on a 4.0 scale. 3. One letter of recommendation from an individual capable of commenting on your academic qualifications and, if possible, research skills. College or university faculty or research advisors preferred. Letters of recommendation MUST be sent directly from the person writing the letter, preferably via email (as an attachment or in the body of the email). 4. Resume or curriculum vitae (no more than two pages) describing any relevant jobs, internships, volunteer work, scholarships and/or other activities that you have held or participated in and other skills or accomplishments that you wish to identify. If email submission is not possible, application material can be faxed to (415) 754-4078 (Attn: Christine Fontaine) or mailed to: The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Marin Headlands, Sausalito, CA 94965 (Attn: Christine Fontaine). It is the responsibility of the applicant that all required material is submitted by the deadline. If the intern intends to receive university credit for their internship, they are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution. Christine Fontaine Senior Research Assistant The Marine Mammal Center Fontainec at tmmc.org 415-289-7377 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From atonay at istanbul.edu.tr Tue Feb 2 08:06:45 2016 From: atonay at istanbul.edu.tr (Arda M. Tonay) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 18:06:45 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on cetacean by-catch in the turbot fishery on the Turkish Western Black Sea Coast Message-ID: <001401d15dd3$b83bbb60$28b33220$@istanbul.edu.tr> Dear All, Apologies for cross posting. I would like to inform you that the new paper on estimates of cetacean by-catch in the turbot fishery on the Turkish Western Black Sea Coast has been published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. The pdf copy is available online via the following link. Tonay, A.M. 2016. Estimates of cetacean by-catch in the turbot fishery on the Turkish Western Black Sea Coast in 2007 and 2008. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. doi: 10.1017/S0025315416000060 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315416000060 Abstract This is the first study estimating cetacean by-catch in the Turkish western Black Sea turbot fishery. One turbot fishing boat was observed during two fishing seasons, from April through July 2007 and April through mid-September 2008. During this time, 24 harbour porpoises and one bottlenose dolphin were caught in turbot trammel nets. The by-catch rate was found to be 0.18 for harbour porpoise and 0.01 for bottlenose dolphin individuals per kilometre in 2007, and 0.19 for harbour porpoise individuals in 2008. It is estimated that the total numbers of harbour porpoises killed in the Turkish western Black Sea during the legal fishing period (April and July) were 167 ? 153 (CV: 0.92) in 2007 and 329 ? 220 (CV: 0.67) in 2008, and the number killed during both legal and illegal periods of turbot fishing were 2011 ? 742 (CV: 0.37) in 2007 and 2294 ? 806 (CV: 0.35) in 2008. The estimated range of harbour porpoise by-catch in the turbot fishery on the Turkish western Black Sea coast is between these two estimates. The by-caught harbour porpoises were between 1-8 years of age. About half of them were within the age range of 4 (26%) and 5 (21%) years old, and 78% were physically immature individuals. Turbot fishing carried out with bottom nets, especially in May and June, when turbot fishing is banned, is a threat to the sustainability of harbour porpoise stocks. Alternatively, pdf requests can be sent to atonay at istanbul.edu.tr Regards Arda Arda M. TONAY Ph.D Faculty of Fisheries, ?stanbul University Marine Biology Dep. Ordu Cad. No:200 Laleli, 34480 ?stanbul, Turkey Tel: ?+90 212 455 5700/16434 Fax: +90 212 514 0379 atonay at istanbul.edu.tr http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/ Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, ?stanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danielle.kreb1 at gmail.com Wed Feb 3 00:39:15 2016 From: danielle.kreb1 at gmail.com (Danielle Kreb) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2016 16:39:15 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Limited positions available for volunteers in April, June, October cetacean surveys in Derawan Marine Park, East Kalimantan, Indonesia Message-ID: Dear all, We are looking for motivated volunteers and/or students that are willing to engage in the Berau large marine vertebrates program, which aims to protect a high diversity of large marine vertebrates including cetaceans, turtles, whale sharks and manta rays in the Marine Park of Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Besides raising awareness, engaging local communities in sustainable handycraft and ecotourism activities, part of the conservation program includes a long-term monitoring program of large marine vertebrates in the area. Surveys are being conducted by the local NGO Yayasan Konservasi RASI (Conservation Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia) under guidance of Dr. Danielle Kreb and Ir. Budiono. The research team involves experienced RASI staff, as well as local and overseas (student) volunteers. We are looking for motivated volunteers that are willing to engage in the program through an eight-days monitoring survey in the beautiful landscape of the Berau archipelago.We will collect data to determine relative abundance, core area mapping, assessing seasonal species diversity and site fidelity as well as habitat usage of large marine vertebrates. Besides photo-id collection of cetaceans, we will also take photo-id of whale sharks.Through earlier surveys it was found that the highest relative abundance of ceteaceans was within 5km radius of islands or reefs, and therefore we also conduct coral reef monitoring at several locations by snorkling to asses its health. Cetacean species directly encountered during the surveys so far include, (dwarf)spinner-, spotted-, Fraser?s-, Risso?s-, long-beaked common dolphins as well as common bottlenose and Indo-Pacific bottlenose-dolphins, Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, dwarf sperm whale-, melon-headed- and false killer whales, sperm whales and humpback whales..Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn theory and practice of Reefcheck monitoring for the Indo-Pacific.There will be an opportunity to do recreational things such as snorkling in the stingless jelly fish lake of Kakaban, visiting caves in Maratua Island and snorkling near Manta Rays and/or whale sharks following good practice protocols. Dates: 24 April-5 May; 16 June-27 June;3-14 October 2016 Deadlines for the April and June surveys are 15 February and 15 March 2016. Day by day schedule, qualifications for volunteers and costs involved can be downloaded from a flyer posted on our website at: http://www.ykrasi.org/coastal.html We are looking forward to your participation! Regards, Danielle and Budiono -------------------------- Danielle Kreb (Ph.D.) Member of IUCN/SSC/Cetacean Specialist Group Scientific Program Advisor Yayasan Konservasi RASI Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia Komplek Pandan Harum Indah (Erlyza) Blok C, No. 52 Samarinda 75124 Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia Mobile: 081346489515 http://www.ykrasi.org Facebook group/page: Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at beamreach.org Tue Feb 2 13:45:13 2016 From: info at beamreach.org (Scott Veirs) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 13:45:13 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: ship noise extends to high frequencies Message-ID: <56B12369.9070809@beamreach.org> Greetings, We would like to announce that a new paper on underwater source levels of 12 classes of ships has been published in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal PeerJ. Veirs S, Veirs V, Wood JD. (2016) Ship noise extends to frequencies used for echolocation by endangered killer whales. PeerJ 4:e1657 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1657 Main findings from ~2,800 measurements of ~1,600 unique ships in 12 classes: -- In the Salish Sea ships dominate the soundscape (~20 ships/day, year-round; mean+/-s.d. broadband source level of 173 +/- 7 dB re 1 uPa @ 1m) -- Median noise spectrum levels received in killer whale habitat (2 km from shipping lane) were raised 5-30 dB (re 1 uPa^2@/Hz) above background by ships at all reported frequencies (11.5 Hz - 40,000 Hz). -- Source spectra of different ship classes show similar levels above 20,000 Hz, but bifurcation into lower and higher power groups at lower frequencies (~20 dB re 1 uPa^2/Hz @ 1 m difference at the 50 Hz power peak). -- Container ships have highest median spectrum levels; military ships have some of the lowest levels, especially below 1,000 Hz. -- Within each class, source spectrum levels vary 15-30 dB re 1 uPa^2/Hz @ 1 m between the 5% and 95% quantiles. Supplemental information (R scripts, data, example mp3 files) can be accessed here: http://www.beamreach.org/data/staff-research/ship-noise/ We hope this characterization of ship noise will help inform models of potential impacts on marine life, development of policies regarding ocean noise, and strategies for mitigating noise pollution from ships. Best regards, Scott, Val, and Jason From madelinebodin at gmail.com Tue Feb 2 12:39:03 2016 From: madelinebodin at gmail.com (Madeline Bodin) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 15:39:03 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?Natalie_Goodall_and_Museo_Acatush=C3=BAn?= Message-ID: I am a freelance science journalist with an assignment to write an article on Natalie Goodall, the naturalist, writer, collector of marine mammal specimens in Argentina and founder of Museo Acatush?n. I would like to hear from anyone who knew her who has specific stories or anecdotes about her energy, her commitment to science or her support of her students. I also welcome information about how her work has assisted or informed your own research. Please reply to me directly: mpbodin at vermontel.net. Sincerely, Madeline Bodin mpbodin at vermontel.net 802-875-3581 www.madelinebodin.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nicola.hodgins at whales.org Wed Feb 3 02:23:43 2016 From: nicola.hodgins at whales.org (Nicola Hodgins) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2016 10:23:43 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] WDC Award Message-ID: CLOSING DATE REMINDER Dear MARMAM'ers, WDC is delighted to announce the 2015 WDC Bharathi Viswanathan Award for Innovative and Non-Invasive Research. WDC strives to ensure that benign research methods are promoted as a guiding principle, both for the organisation and the researchers that we fund. Up to ?5,000 is available for the recipient of this annual award. The only restrictions that apply are that the project must utilize only non-invasive techniques and ultimately aim to benefit the conservation management or welfare of whales and/or dolphins. Applications must be on a WDC Research Award Form (see website) and will be accepted at any time until the closing date, mid-day (GMT) February 14th 2015. The Award recipient will be chosen by March 14th 2015. Through this Award, WDC aims to showcase non-invasive research methodologies, highlighting the fact that many of these methods provide scientific data of excellent quality, whilst also promoting the development of innovative and non-invasive approaches towards studying cetaceans. Please visit our website for more details and application forms. http://uk.whales.org/wdc-in-action/wdc-award-for-innovative-and-non-invasive-research Good luck, Nicola Nicola Hodgins WDC Head of science and research T - +44 1249449537 M - +44 7741497597 Skype ? nicola.hodgins Twitter ? nicola_hodgins whales.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From putu.liza at my.jcu.edu.au Thu Feb 4 16:08:09 2016 From: putu.liza at my.jcu.edu.au (Putu Mustika) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2016 00:08:09 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] the stranding of a Bryde's whale neonate in south Bali (2 Feb 2015) Message-ID: Dear all, My name is Icha (Putu Liza Mustika), a cetologist based in Bali (Indonesia) and Townsville (Australia). I'm one of database coordinators for Indonesia's national marine mammal stranding network, and I manage reported stranding events at www.whalestrandingindonesia.com. Last Tuesday (2 Feb) afternoon, one of the vets in our network received a call from Ms Dorion Davis and Baskara DVM that a Code 1 whale had stranded in Canggu, west of Denpasar Bali. When our team went there, they confirmed that it was a 3-4 m whale. We later identified it as a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), most probably a neonate from the skinny and folded looks. Efforts to refloat the whale had been futile, Ms Davis described the whale as not having the will to swim; the whale was also tilting when the rescuers tried to refloat it. The whale died soon after. Some photographs and other info of the event can be found on this link. http://www.whalestrandingindonesia.com/stranding-database.html#home/viewmaindatumdetails/56b1890ea7eb00b835ad704e/ Our stranding team later brought the whale to a necropsy site on Serangan, Denpasar. The necropsy confirmed the followings: - The whale was a 3.28 m female - Four clean cuts (similar to the ones from cookie cutter sharks) that seem to be non-lethal found on the body. - No trace of milk or other food was found in the gastrointestines. The stomach was empty - Possible hypoxia in the lungs and heart. Preliminary theory is that the neonate was separated from her mother as soon as she was born, hence she was emaciated and deprived of energy. I'm not an expert on Bryde's whale (my PhD was about dolphin watching in Bali), hence I'm not familiar with Bryde's whale neonate behaviours. FYI, I have seen Bryde's whales feeding during my recent line transect surveys south of the stranding in the area in November 2015 (with Conservation International Indonesia and Dr Rob Williams of Ocean Initiatives). This stranding event last Tuesday seems to affirm our theory that the southern water of Bali is an important habitat for Bryde's whales. Histopathology, heavy metal and DNA tests are now being conducted in Bali and Jakarta. Any information about the strandings of baleen whale neonates and other info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Dr Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika Coordinator, Whale Stranding Indonesia Director, Cetacean Sirenian Indonesia Member of the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group putuliza at gmail.com ; putu.liza at my.jcu.edu.au http://putuliza.blogspot.com www.whalestrandingindonesia.com www.cetasindonesia.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From riisager-pedersen at hotmail.com Thu Feb 4 10:50:47 2016 From: riisager-pedersen at hotmail.com (Christian Pedersen) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2016 19:50:47 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Abstract submission deadline extended to February 12st 2016 for the 13th Danish Marine Mammal Symposium Message-ID: Dear Marman If possible we would like the following to be posted in the next newsletter. Abstract submission deadline extended to February 12st 2016 for the 13th Danish Marine Mammal Symposium Text: The Danish Marine Mammal Symposium is an annual event convened by DanskHavpattedyrforening ? the Danish Marine Mammal Society. Marine mammal research inDenmark exhibits growing activity and great diversity with groups working within disciplinessuch as behaviour, acoustics, communication, morphology, population biology, ecology,genetics, evolution, systematics and nomenclature. As such, the symposium comprises anideal setting for learning more about marine mammal research, meeting researchers,educators, students and managers, and getting inspiration and contacts for e.g. thesisprojects. In short, for anyone interested in marine mammals, this is the very place to gather!The symposium will be held in English for a broader outreach in general and in particular toembrace the increasing number of international students and researchers in Denmark. At thesame time, we seek to maintain the high quality of presentations and provide an exquisite social program. ABSTRACT ubmission DEADLINE have been extended to the February 12st 2016. Further information can be found on https://www.facebook.com/events/727548697346494/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From rosapires at gov-madeira.pt Fri Feb 5 07:40:53 2016 From: rosapires at gov-madeira.pt (Rosa Maria Cordeiro Pires) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2016 15:40:53 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?Workshop_=E2=80=9CDevelopment_of_a_conservatio?= =?utf-8?q?n_status_surveillance_system_for_monk_seals=E2=80=9D?= Message-ID: <000001d1602b$99253df0$cb6fb9d0$@gov-madeira.pt> Dear MARMAM list members, We invite you to attend in the workshop ?Development of a conservation status surveillance system for monk seals? in 30th Annual ECS Conference, Funchal, Madeira Sunday, 12th March (all day) Participation fee ?25 Aim: To gather and exchange knowledge about systems used to build up a system to survey the monk seal conservation status in its different populations. Summary: Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) is one of the most endangered and scarce marine mammal species in the world. Its scarcity together with the habitat used currently by the surviving populations, marine caves, makes this species difficult to monitor and to identify conservation actions to undertake, as well as to determinate its conservation status and trends. Moreover, monk seal populations are dispersed from the eastern Mediterranean to the Atlantic, making that several groups and administrations perform the monitoring of the populations in different nonstandard ways. In the other hand, different groups have developed different successful systems and methodologies to undertake the same problems in their respective working areas. The workshop will allow participants to know and exchange experiences and methodological solutions successfully applied in the monitoring of different monk seal populations. Monk seal experts will be invited to present their approaches in their working areas. A forum of analysis and discussion about these matters will be established to determinate the minimum data required to be able to determinate and survey the conservation status of a monk seal population. The main output of the workshop will be a set of recommendations of consensus for the survey of the conservation status of monk seal populations. These recommendations will be used as an input for the development of the EU LIFE Madeira Monk Seal project (www.lifemadeiramonkseal.com) which has as one of its main objectives the development of a system to survey the conservation status of the Madeira archipelago monk seal population and its habitat. It is an open workshop and will allow a maximum of 30 participants. More information about the workshop at: http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0 Further details will be sent closer to the date of the workshop to those who have registered to attend. If you are interested to attend to the workshop, please write an email to Rosa Pires: rosapires at gov-madeira.pt with copy to pablo.fernandezdelarrinoa at cbd-habitat.com and rosapnm at hotmail.com. Rosa Pires Divis?o de Conserva??o da Natureza Servi?o do Parque Natural da Madeira Caminho do Meio, Quinta do Bom Sucesso 9064 ? 512 FUNCHAL Telf. (+351)291 214 360 Fax (+351)291 214 379 Mail: rosapires at gov-madeira.pt http://www.pnm.pt P Antes de imprimir este e-mail pense bem se tem mesmo que o fazer. H? cada vez menos ?rvores! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 181 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 28457 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1478 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image004.png Type: image/png Size: 177 bytes Desc: not available URL: From research at pacificwhale.org Mon Feb 1 16:22:53 2016 From: research at pacificwhale.org (Research Department) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2016 14:22:53 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Online panel about cetaceans in captivity Message-ID: We are excited to announce that Pacific Whale Foundation will be hosting a live ?Digital Chat with the Experts? on Saturday, February 6 at 9:00am HST (2:00pm EST). The discussion will focus on issues facing whales and dolphins in captivity, and our expert panel includes John Hargrove, Samantha Berg and Dr. Naomi Rose. The event is hosted using Google Hangouts On Air. Visit https://goo.gl/2oS567 to view the event and RSVP (Note: anyone can view the event, but to RSVP requires a Google+ account). We encourage you to get involved in the conversation by submitting questions for our panel at https://goo.gl/2tG1R6 . Before the live event, the Research Department will review all submissions and select questions to ask. Please share widely and use #PWFexpert on Facebook and Twitter to follow updates for this event. During the live event, you can also use the hashtag to contribute additional questions or comments. The discussion will be moderated by the PWF Research Department. For more information about the event as well as our expert panel, visit http://mauiwhalefestival.org/weekend-with-the-experts *Research Department* Pacific Whale Foundation 300 Ma'alaea Rd., Suite 211 Wailuku, HI 96793, USA Phone: +1 808-856-8305 Fax: +1 808-243-9021 Email: research at pacificwhale.org Website: www.pacificwhale.org -- Run & Walk For The Whales - January 30, 2016 World Whale Day - February 13, 2016 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission and any accompanying attachments contain information belonging to the sender which may be confidential and legally privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom this electronic mail transmission was sent as indicated above. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of the information contained in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this transmission and all attachments. Thank you! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From aread at duke.edu Fri Feb 5 11:08:44 2016 From: aread at duke.edu (Andrew Read, Ph.D.) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2016 19:08:44 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer field course: Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals Message-ID: Hi everyone: We?d like to draw your attention to the following summer field course offered by Duke University: Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals Duke University Marine Laboratory Beaufort, NC July 11 ? August 12, 2016 This field-intensive course covers the biology, management and conservation of marine mammals and sea birds. Detailed consideration is given to adaptation, ecology and conservation. Laboratory and field exercises address behavior, ecology, and communication of local populations of marine mammal and seabirds. The course is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students. 4 credit hours, 1.0 course. Instructors: Dr. Lesley Thorne (Stony Brook University) and Dr. Andy Read (Duke University). Duke tuition: $4,260 Room & Board: $2,519.51 Fees: $211 Total Program Cost: $6,990.51 Tuition scholarships are available; the scholarship application deadline is 1 April. To request a tuition scholarship, please follow this link: https://nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/undergraduate/financial-assistance Registration for the course opens on 22 February. For more information, please contact Katie Wood (katie.wood at duke.edu) or the instructors. Andrew J. Read Stephen Toth Professor of Marine Biology Division of Marine Science and Conservation Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Phone: 252-504-7590 http://superpod.ml.duke.edu/read/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tlubansky at gmail.com Thu Feb 4 18:16:27 2016 From: tlubansky at gmail.com (Tanya Lubansky) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2016 21:16:27 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Allied Whale Intern/Research Assistant Positions Message-ID: Allied Whale, the marine mammal research lab of College of the Atlantic located in Bar Harbor, Maine, seeks 4 intern/research assistants for the 2016 field season. These are entry-level research positions designed to offer experience for individuals seeking to develop their professional careers in marine mammal research. Two three-month positions (mid May through August) and two five-month positions (mid May through October) are available. *Overview of position*: This is a unique internship program in that the selected individuals will have the opportunity to participate and receive training in a wide range of marine mammal research activities while receiving a small income. Allied Whale currently supports field projects in the behavioral ecology and distributions of humpback and fin whales, the ongoing housing and maintenance of the North Atlantic humpback and fin whale photo ID catalogs, an active stranding response program, and a continued relationship with the local whale watch company. In addition, Allied Whale maintains the facilities on and conducts research from Mount Desert Rock, a remote offshore island. The interns play a critical role in the success of the field season and serve as support to all aspects of summer activities within Allied Whale. *Description of duties*: Once the season is in swing, interns will rotate through time on land and offshore at our field station. While on land, interns will take shifts of working as a Research Assistant (RA)/Deckhand for the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., being on call for cetacean surveys on our research vessel (TBD based on projects/funding), and assisting our strandings director. *On land*: Research responsibilities on the whale watch trips include searching for whales, photo-identification of whales and data collection/entry. Deckhand responsibilities include line handling, vessel cleaning, helping seasick passengers and passenger safety. RAs are also responsible for assisting the naturalist in promoting education and conservation programs on each trip. While on board our research vessel, interns will be responsible to participate in cetacean surveys along transect lines, computer data entry, and photo identification of whales. While not on the water, interns may freely structure their time to complete office work, develop independent projects, assist with stranding activities...or explore Acadia National Park! *Offshore*: Interns will have multiple shifts (at least a week in length) at our offshore research station Mount Desert Rock. While on the island, interns will participate in land-based whale monitoring from the lighthouse tower (with use of a theodolite and ?big-eye? binoculars), plankton tows, seal counts, gull counts, and maintenance/construction projects at the station. *Pay/Housing*: Those accepted to the program are able to earn income by their work on the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. Deckhands are paid $45 a trip (at the height of summer, there are 3 trips running a day) plus considerable tips. Interns also receive free First Aid Certification. Housing in Bar Harbor is provided and mandatory for a fee. Rent is $375 a month during the summer when all four interns are present and increases to $500 a month Sept-October for the two five month interns. While at Mount Desert Rock, food is provided for free. *Qualifications*: Applicants should have a college background in biology, ecology, and/or marine sciences. Previous experience in a research setting and knowledge of marine mammals are great advantages. Experience offshore and skills in small boat handling are also assets. Unfortunately, because of employment through the whale watch company, all interns must also be U.S. citizens. Most importantly, applicants must be positive in attitude, flexible to quickly changing schedules, able to work independently, and comfortable working on boats. Because of the community living situation both in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Rock, applicants must get along well with others and be able to handle working in a team setting. These positions begin ~May 15th and applicants must be able to work through with no other commitments (excluding COA students). *Please specify which position you are interested in (three of five month)*. Deadline of application is *February 17th*. *To apply*: Please send a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying, a resume, and two letters of recommendation to: Tanya Lubansky (*tlubansky at gmail.com *) with subject title ?AW Interns 2016? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: AW_intern_announcement_16.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 112035 bytes Desc: not available URL: From sn1608 at googlemail.com Tue Feb 2 14:42:52 2016 From: sn1608 at googlemail.com (Sam Nichols) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 22:42:52 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Intensive Underwater Acoustics Courses - Stockholm, March/April 2016 Message-ID: Seiche Training is announcing two underwater acoustics courses in association with University of Bath, UK, and CPD-recognised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST): *UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT 30 March ? 1 April 2016: Stockholm, Sweden* This three day course equips delegates with a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of underwater acoustics. It then focuses on developing clear, quantitative understanding of the issues involved in the impact of acoustics on marine wildlife. The following topics will be covered: ocean environments, noise propagation models, sound field modelling, methods of assessment, impacts of noise on marine life, mitigation, environmental regulations and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), fisheries, JNCC guidelines and emerging studies and technologies across this field. Delivered by leading research professors and experts Dr Paul Lepper and Professor Victor Humphrey. The course is intended for regulators, environmental consultants, researchers and policy/environmental professionals within industry. It will be particularly useful in providing a better understanding of reports that delegates either have to deliver or receive from clients. *UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS AND SONAR SYSTEMS* *30 March ? 2 April 2016: Stockholm, Sweden* This four day intensive course in underwater acoustics is intended for engineers and scientists, particularly within industry and defence. The first part of the course covers the principles of underwater acoustics. This is followed by advanced modules on underwater sound sources with a key emphasis on sonar, seismic imaging, seismic sources and seismic data. Dr Philippe Blondel, Professor Victor Humphrey and Dr Peter Dobbins are the key lecturers for this course. Please contact us for further information by email (training at seiche.com) or look at our website (www.seichetraining.com.) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Rachel.Cartwright at csuci.edu Sun Feb 7 08:54:00 2016 From: Rachel.Cartwright at csuci.edu (Cartwright, Rachel) Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2016 16:54:00 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Pub - Development of the dive capacity in baleen whale calves. Message-ID: Hi Marmam Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our study detailed below. The study provides new details on the physiological development of the aerobic dive capacity in young baleen whales. Cartwright R, Newton C, West KM, Rice J, Niemeyer M, Burek K, Wilson A, Wall AN, Remonida-Bennett J, Tejeda A, Messi S. Tracking the Development of Muscular Myoglobin Stores in Mysticete Calves. PloS one. 2016 Jan 1;11(1). Abstract For marine mammals, the ability to tolerate apnea and make extended dives is a defining adaptive trait, facilitating the exploitation of marine food resources. Elevated levels of myoglobin within the muscles are a consistent hallmark of this trait, allowing oxygen collected at the surface to be stored in the muscles and subsequently used to support extended dives. In mysticetes, the largest of marine predators, details on muscular myoglobin levels are limited. The developmental trajectory of muscular myoglobin stores has yet to be documented and any physiological links between early behavior and the development of muscular myoglobin stores remain unknown. In this study, we used muscle tissue samples from stranded mysticetes to investigate these issues. Samples from three different age cohorts and three species of mysticetes were included (total sample size = 18). Results indicate that in mysticete calves, muscle myoglobin stores comprise only a small percentage (17?23%) of conspecific adult myoglobin complements. Development of elevated myoglobin levels is protracted over the course of extended maturation in mysticetes. Additionally, comparisons of myoglobin levels between and within muscles, along with details of interspecific differences in rates of accumulation of myoglobin in very young mysticetes, suggest that levels of exercise may influence the rate of development of myoglobin stores in young mysticetes. This new information infers a close interplay between the physiology, ontogeny and early life history of young mysticetes and provides new insight into the pressures that may shape adaptive strategies in migratory mysticetes. Furthermore, the study highlights the vulnerability of specific age cohorts to impending changes in the availability of foraging habitat and marine resources. The full paper can be accessed via the following link: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0145893 Best regards, Rachel Cartwright Rachel Cartwright, PhD. Department of Biology CSU ? Channel Islands Lead researcher ? Keiki Kohola Project Tel: 805 437 2635 Email: rachel.cartwright at csuci.edu Website: www.caringforcalves.org From Alex.Brown at murdoch.edu.au Tue Feb 9 23:16:15 2016 From: Alex.Brown at murdoch.edu.au (Alexander Brown) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 07:16:15 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on abundance estimation of inshore dolphins Message-ID: <9E471CD7B390A7419D883DA9F248CD6F7C79E33C@Exch-AD-MBX4.ad.murdoch.edu.au> Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to bring to your attention the following open access publication: Brown, A.M., Bejder, L., Pollock, K.H. and Allen, S.J. (2016). Site-specific assessments of the abundance of three inshore dolphin species to inform conservation and management. Frontiers in Marine Science 3:4. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2016.00004 The study provides estimates of abundance for Australian snubfin, Australian humpback and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia. The study also presents results on site fidelity and power analysis for trend detection. While the study has a regional-focus, the methods employed are broadly applicable to such studies elsewhere. The full article pdf and supplementary material are available to download from the Frontiers in Marine Science website: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2016.00004 The abstract is pasted below, while an additional summary is provided on our research group's website: http://mucru.org/new-publication-inshore-dolphins/ Abstract Assessing the abundance of wildlife populations is essential to their effective conservation and management. Concerns have been raised over the vulnerability of tropical inshore dolphins in waters off northern Australia to anthropogenic impacts on local populations, yet a lack of abundance data precludes assessment of their conservation status and the management of threats. Using small vessels as cost-effective research platforms, photo-identification surveys and capture-recapture models were applied to provide the first quantitative abundance data for Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni), Australian humpback (Sousa sahulensis), and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) at five sites in the Kimberley region of north-western Australia. The abundance of each species was highly variable between different sites, likely reflecting species-specific habitat preferences. Within the c. 130 km2 study sites, the estimated abundance of most species was ? 60 individuals (excluding calves), and fewer than 20 humpback dolphins were identified at each site in any one 3-5 week sampling period. However, larger estimates of c. 130 snubfin and c. 160 bottlenose dolphins were obtained at two different sites. Several local populations showed evidence of site fidelity, particularly snubfin dolphins. By implementing a standardized, multi-site approach, data on local populations were provided within a broader, regional context, and indicated that each species is patchily distributed in the region. This highlights the need for site-specific baseline data collection using appropriate survey techniques to quantitatively assess the potential impacts of threatening activities to local populations. These findings further illustrate the need to gain a greater understanding of known and potential threats to inshore dolphin populations, their relative impacts, and to mitigate where necessary. An ideal candidate site for a long-term study of snubfin dolphin population dynamics is identified, where trends in abundance and their influencing factors could be investigated. The methods employed herein provide an example of rigorous, site-specific population assessments of inshore dolphins that are broadly applicable to such studies elsewhere. Keywords: baseline data, capture-recapture, abundance estimation, coastal delphinids, robust design, apparent survival, power analysis, trend detection Best wishes, Alex ------------------ Alexander Brown Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University Perth WA 6150 Australia alex.brown at murdoch.edu.au | +61(0)487399861 | www.mucru.org | researchgate -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chapmanl at TMMC.org Tue Feb 9 12:40:07 2016 From: chapmanl at TMMC.org (Laura Chapman) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 20:40:07 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Center Summer Rescue Internship Message-ID: RESCUE/STRANDING DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - 2016 The Rescue Department of The Marine Mammal Center is seeking applicants for internships working with stranded pinnipeds, cetaceans and sea otters. These positions are unpaid. Internship Opportunities are available at the following locations. ? San Luis Obispo Operations in Morro Bay ? Monterey Bay Operations in Moss Landing ? Main Hospital in Sausalito Program Description: The Rescue Department Internship is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are interested in increasing their experience and knowledge of marine mammal behavior and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Interns will be responsible for answering the animal hotline and rotating the after-hours on-call. Interns will coordinate rescue and triage response throughout the Center's over 600-mile rescue range. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in marine mammal rescues, releases and other field responses as available. In addition, interns will be required to assist in other departments and with animal care duties (feed preparations, medical charting, and pen cleaning) for on-site pinnipeds. Other duties may include: participation in training classes, data entry and tracking, maintaining rescue equipment and assorted miscellaneous tasks. Intern Responsibilities & Qualifications: The internship is open to all applicants 21 years of age or older, with an avid interest in marine biology, zoology, general biology, policy or a related field. If the intern intends to receive university credit for their internship, they are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution. Interns must be able to work for a minimum of 3 months, 5 days a week, at least 40 hours per week. Work schedule must be flexible and may include weekends and holidays. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for obtaining housing and transportation. Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and have practical computer knowledge with programs such as Word, Access, and Excel. This internship position involves a fair amount of physical activity, such as: lifting, restraining and moving animals. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a r?sum? that includes the names of three references, and a cover letter detailing interests, experience, housing accommodations, and availability. Please forward all application materials electronically to intern at tmmc.org. Include the Internship period and location to which you are applying in the subject line of the email. For example: Stranding Internship application - Summer 2016 - any location or Stranding Internship application - Summer 2016 - San Luis Obispo. Internship Period Application Deadline Interviews Notification of acceptance by Approximate Internship Time Summer February 26, 2016 March 7-11, 2016 March 31, 2016 June 1st - August 2016 The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue and release of sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals, and to research about their health and diseases. Volunteers and staff have responded to more than 18,500 sea lions, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life. The Center uniquely combines its rehabilitation program with scientific discovery and education programs to advance the understanding of marine mammal health, ocean health and conservation. For more information, please visit our website at www.marinemammalcenter.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From claire.garrigue at ird.fr Mon Feb 8 04:40:08 2016 From: claire.garrigue at ird.fr (Claire Garrigue) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 13:40:08 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on Longman beaked's whales mass stranding Message-ID: <56B88CA8.9040001@ird.fr> Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in "Marine mammal Science": Garrigue, C., Oremus, M., Dodemont, R., Bustamante, P., Kwiatek, O., Libeau, G., Lockyer, C., Vivier, JC., Dalebout, M. 2016. A mass stranding of seven Longman's beaked whales (indopacetus pacificus) in New Caledonia, South Pacific. marine Mammal Science, doi: 11.1111/mms.12304 Abstract : Seven Longman?s beaked whales (Indopacetus pacificus) stranded together in southern New Caledonia on 16 November 2013 (one adult male, two adult females, two subadult females, one calf, and one unknown). At this time, we have no evidence tosuggest that this event was an ?atypical? mass stranding associated with active naval sonar or other anthropogenic activities. The adult females were slightly larger (618?640 cm) than the adult male (590 cm). The length of the calf (ca. 300 cm) suggests it was less than a year old. Five of the whales were sampled for mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis to confirm species identification. All shared the same haplotype over 680 bp of the mtDNA control region. High concentrations of Hg, Fe, Se, Zn (all in the liver), and Cd (in the kidneys) were detected. Necropsies revealed plastic debris in the stomach of two of the whales. One of these same whales had chronic gastritis while the other had acute pleurisy and also tested positive for morbillivirus. This infection may have been a major factor behind this mass stranding event. The paper is available online at _http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12304/abstract _ Alternatively, if you are unable to download the article please email me for a pdf at claire.garrigue at ird.fr Kind Regards, -- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Claire Garrigue IRD.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 30597 bytes Desc: not available URL: From escajeda at uw.edu Mon Feb 8 13:39:15 2016 From: escajeda at uw.edu (Erica Escajeda) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 13:39:15 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy 2016 Annual Meeting Message-ID: Hello Northwest Marine Mammalogy Students! We are pleased to announce that the 20th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM) will take place at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle on May 21-22, 2016! The purpose of the annual meeting is to cultivate community among students studying marine mammals by creating a relaxed atmosphere to share research ideas, tribulations, and triumphs. It is an opportunity to meet other students across the region, collaborate, and generally have a good time in a supportive and informal setting. Saturday May 21st will involve a full day of student oral and poster presentations, followed by a group dinner. On Sunday May 22nd we will be offering a behind the scenes tour of the marine mammal collection at the Burke Museum on the UW campus. Museum entrance fees are $7.50 with student ID, $10 for general admission. Registration is now open and we encourage students (grad, high school, and college students, and post-docs) to present their research. Abstracts for research at all stages, including proposal presentations and preliminary results, will be accepted. Depending on the number of registrants, oral presentations may be reserved for projects with results or preliminary results. We have included the option for a first and second choice of presentation type on the registration form. Registration cost is TBD at this time, but will be a maximum of $15 (USD) and will include breakfast, snacks, and lunch. We'll head out for dinner and drinks after talks on Saturday! We also encourage guests (student or non) that are not interested in presenting to register and attend the conference. The conference will be held at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (located here ). *Abstract submission* *deadline is APRIL 1st*, however registration will be accepted up to the day of the meeting. Register and submit your abstract at: http://bit.ly/20Mn9EB Follow along on the Facebook event page . Limited housing with student hosts will be available on a first-come first-serve basis. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like to be considered for accommodations and contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Seattle! Erica Escajeda (escajeda at uw.edu) and Jessie Hale (jrh33 at uw.edu) NWSSMM 20th Annual Meeting Student Organizers -- Laidre Lab School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From interns at aimm-portugal.org Tue Feb 9 11:58:06 2016 From: interns at aimm-portugal.org (AIMM Internships) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 19:58:06 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL Message-ID: *DOLPHIN RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IN PORTUGAL* *BACKGROUND: *The AIMM ? Associa??o para a Investiga??o do Meio Marinho (Marine Environment Research Association) is a non-for profit, non-governmental organization focussed on the research and conservation of marine species, running an ongoing study of cetaceans in the South of Portugal (Algarve). This project aims to obtain baseline information on species occurrence, behaviour and social structure of the local cetacean populations in order to obtain scientific data to support conservation measures and adequate policies to marine management. The main species observed are short beaked common dolphin (*Delphinus delphis*), common bottlenose dolphin (*Tursiops truncatus)* and harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena*), although other species such as minke whale (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata*) and fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) can also be sighted. The participants in our internships are young hard working individuals, who are willing to contribute to the association and support on-going activities, while experiencing fieldwork at sea, learn data collection and processing methodologies and be part of AIMM team of researchers and marine biologists for a period of time. All team members and participants share accommodation, house tasks, knowledge and experience in an environmental friendly and multicultural environment. To turn your experience with AIMM even more fulfilling, it is possible to start or improve your scuba diving skills (PADI). *WHERE:* Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal *WHEN:* Field season starts in the 1st May and ends in 31st October 2016, the minimum internship attendance is 7 days starting preferably on Mondays. *FIELDWORK: *The field trips are conducted in AIMM research vessel, or in opportunity platforms (commercial dolphin watching boats). It is dependent on weather conditions and seat availability in the dolphin watching boats. Field days can be intense, especially in the peak of Summer but are fulfilling and good fun. The interns will be train to: - On-board surveys of marine species occurrence, - Record track on GPS, - Collect data on behaviour, group size, species, etc., - Photo-identification, - Acoustic records - Underwater videos. *DATA ANALYSIS: *will be in a daily basis and related to: - Entry data on databases and spread cheats. - Photo-identification processing. - Preliminary data interpretation. *INTERNSHIP FEES:* This is a paid internship. To know the fees for 2016 please contact: interns at aimm-portugal.org *Included* in the fee is: - Accommodation, - Transportation to/from the marina, - Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). *Not included* in the fee is: - Transportation to/from Albufeira - Meals in restaurants and snacks - Free time activities - Personal insurance (all participants should have health and/or travel insurance) - Personal expenses *INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO:* - Be above the age of 16. - Have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research and environment. - Be autonomous and quickly operational. - Be able to live and work in an international team and mainly outdoors at sea. - Speak English. - Participate for minimum 7 days. *Preference in internship dates availability will be given* to those who have: - Relevant marine mammal field experience - Working experience on research vessels - Experience working from dolphin/whale watching platforms - Experience in photo-identification - Professional cameras that can be used for photo-ID - Availability to stay for longer periods of time *INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: *Applicants should fill up the online application form in our website at: http://www.aimmportugal.org/#!internship-aimm/cw7b After the confirmation e-mail, send your CV with updated photo and personal statement on which are your expectations and why do you want to work with AIMM to: interns at aimm-portugal.org with the subject ?Internship 2016?. Applicants will be contacted to arrange internship dates and details. Applications will be accepted during all season, however, early application is recommended due to limited vacancies. *Contacts*: interns at aimm-portugal.org | www.aimmportugal.org | -- AIMM - Associa??o para Investiga??o do Meio Marinho / *Marine Environment Research Association* w ww.aimmportugal.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From anna.schleimer at odyssea.lu Tue Feb 9 11:12:52 2016 From: anna.schleimer at odyssea.lu (anna.schleimer at odyssea.lu) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 14:12:52 -0500 (EST) Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?_Sea-Kayak_Adventures_and_Odyssea_Gray_Whale_F?= =?utf-8?q?ield_Course_=2827_Feb_to_8_Mar=29?= Message-ID: <1455045172.61221148@webmail.jimdo.com> Dear Marmamers, ROW Sea Kayak Adventures (http://www.seakayakadventures.com/) in collaboration with the Marine Biology Association Odyssea (http://www.odyssea.lu/) are offering a gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) field course in Magdalena Bay, Mexico. The bay is home to dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and many other shorebirds, but is primarily known as one of the major calving lagoon for gray whales. Whale watching is very popular in the area, because it is one of the few places where you can get close and personal with the ?friendly gray whales?. The field course takes place from 27 February to 8 March 2016. Interns will be introduced to and participate in research techniques involving boat-based photo identification, behavioural studies, and land-based surveys. No previous experience is required. The cost of the field course is 800$, which includes: - Full internship programme with lectures (marine mammal biology and conservation), practical training and workshops - Boat-based gray whale photo-identification and behavioural data collection - Insight into data processing and analysis of both photo-ID and behavioural data - Interaction with other visiting Sea Kayak Adventures guests - Transfers between Loreto (Start and End) and Magdalena Bay - Meals and basic accommodation in comfortable tents directly on the beach of Magdalena Bay (sea view included) The fee does not include flights to and from Mexico, compulsory health and travel insurance, or personal expenses. At the end of the internship a certificate will be issued summing up all the skills acquired by the participants. If you are interested in joining this internship or if you have any further queries, please contact us at anna.schleimer at odyssea.lu best wishes Anna Schleimer Vice-President of Odyssea From holly_morin at uri.edu Mon Feb 8 09:06:04 2016 From: holly_morin at uri.edu (Holly Morin) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 12:06:04 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Underwater Acoustics Webinar for the International Regulatory Community: Potential Effects of Underwater Sound on Marine Mammals Message-ID: Regulators, decision makers, public affairs officers, industry representatives, and other members of the international regulatory community have a high need for training materials on underwater acoustics as well as instructional resources that can be quickly accessed and viewed. To meet this need, the *Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) **Team is facilitating a free, five-part webinar series for the international regulatory community on topics related to underwater sound.* Two webinars took place in 2015. The first reviewed science of sound concepts, the second, sound production and reception in marine animals. *Both of these webinars have been archived to the DOSITS website (**http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/ ) and are available for review*. *PDFs of webinar presentations, as well as full webinar summaries, with associated DOSITS links, are also available for download.* Note: you do not need to register to view archived webinars and their associated materials. The third webinar in this 5-part series, and first webinar for 2016, will take place on *Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 12:00 pm* (U.S. East Coast time). Dr.'s Dorian Houser and Brandon Southall will review the *potential effects of underwater sound on marine mammals.* *Interested individuals must register in advance for this webinar. To register please visit: **http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/registration/ * To learn more about this webinar series and view other, upcoming webinar dates and speakers, please visit the DOSITS webpage, Webinar Series for Regulators of Underwater Sound *.* Questions? Please contact Holly Morin at holly_morin at uri.edu. This webinar series is being sponsored by the *American Petroleum Institute (API) .* The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America?s oil and natural gas industry. *Discovery of Sound in the Sea* (DOSITS; www.dosits.org) is a comprehensive, educational website on underwater sound, designed to provide accurate scientific information at levels appropriate for all audiences, including decision-makers. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From janiger at cox.net Tue Feb 9 06:33:00 2016 From: janiger at cox.net (David S. Janiger) Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2016 06:33:00 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New Articles Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.20160209063300.013be860@pop.west.cox.net> Hi, All Here's the latest posting of new PDF's that are available. Larger file sizes have been included. Abstracts also available on request. Please let me know of any mistakes. 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 (323) 585-3553 (M,T,W,F) (213) 763-3369 (Th) janiger at cox.net djaniger at nhm.org Janiger Journals ABADI, SHIMA H.; WILLIAM S. D. WILCOCK; MAYA TOLSTOY; TIMOTHY J. CRONE and SUZANNE M. CARBOTTE. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(6):3951-3963. 2015. Sound source localization technique using a seismic streamer and its extension for whale localization during seismic surveys. 3.069 MB ABECASSIS, MELANIE; JEFFREY POLOVINA; ROBIN W. BAIRD; ADRIENNE COPELAND; JEFFREY C. DRAZEN; REKA DOMOKOS; ERIN OLESON; YANLI JIA; GREGORY S. SCHORR; DANIEL L. WEBTER and RUSSEL D. ANDREWS. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0142628. 22pp. 2015. Characterizing a foraging hotspot for short-finned pilot whales and Blainville's beaked whales located off the west side of Hawai'i island by using tagging and oceanographic data. 2.409 MB AISSI, M.; A. ARCANGELI; R. CROSTI; M. N. DALY YAHIA; B. LOUSSAIEF; A. MOULINS; G. PELLEGRINO; M. ROSSO; L. M. TRINGALI and P. TEPSICH. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 41(5):343-350. 2015. Cetacean occurrence and spatial distribution in the central Mediterranean Sea using ferries as platform of observation. 1.161 MB ALAVA, JUAN JOSE and FRANK A. P. C. GOBAS. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 544:56-67. 2016. Modeling 137Cs bioaccumulation in the salmon-resident killer whale food web of the northeastern Pacific following the Fukushima nuclear accident. 2.240 MB ALONSO, MARIANA B.; MARIA LUISA FEO; CAYO CORCELLAS; PABLO GAGO-FERRERO; CAROLINA P. BERTOZZI; JULIANA MARIGO; LEONARDO FLACH; ANA CAROLINA O. MEIRELLES; VITOR L. CARVALHO; ALEXANDRE F. AZEVEDO; JOAO PAULO M. TORRES; JOSE LAILSON-BRITO; OLAF MALM; M. SILVIA DIAZ-CRUZ; ETHEL ELJARRAT and DAMIA BARCELO. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 207:391-402. 2015. Toxic heritage: Maternal transfer of pyrethroid insecticides and sunscreen agents in dolphins from Brazil. 0.855 MB ARNOULD, F. CHRISTIANSEN; G. C. HAYS and I. J. STANILAND. BULLETIN OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 96(4):635-638. 2015. Decline of sea lions. 2.994 MB ATTADEMO, FERNANDA LOFFLER NIEMEYER; DEISI CRISTIANE BALENSIEFER; AUGUSTO CARLOS DA BOAVIAGEM FREIRE; GLAUCIA PEREIRA DE SOUSA; FABIO ADONIS GOUVEIA CARNEIRO DA CUNHA and FABIA DE OLIVEIRA LUNA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 101(1):284-287. 2015. Debris ingestion by the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). 0.355 MB AUGER-METHE, MARIE; MARK A. LEWIS and ANDREW E. DEROCHER. ECOGRAPHY 39(1):26-35. 2016. Home ranges in moving habitats: Polar bears and sea ice. 0.747 MB AX, CHRISTINA FOLKE. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARITIME HISTORY 27(4):680-695. 2015. Greenland whalers and life on a Wadden Sea Island in the eighteenth century. 1.582 MB BALCAZAR, NAYSA E.; JOY S. TRIPOVICH; HOLGER KLINCK; SHARON L. NIEUKIRK; DAVID K. MELLINGER; ROBERT P. DZIAK and TRACEY L. ROGERS. JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY 96(6):1184-1193. 2015. Calls reveal population structure of blue whales across the Southeast Indian Ocean and the Southwest Pacific Ocean. 2.093 MB BARTLETT, GEORGINA; WOUTRINA SMITH; CLARE DOMINIK; FRANCESCA BATAC; ERIN DODD; BARBARA A. BYRNE; SPENCER JANG; DAVID JESSUP; JULIAN CHANTREY and MELISSA MILLER. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 52(1):1-9. 2016. Prevalence, pathology, and risk factors associated with Streptococcus phocae infection in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), 2004-10. 0.615 MB BAYLIS, A. M. M.; R. A. ORBEN; J. P. Y. ARNOULD; K. PETERS; T. KNOX; D. P. COSTA and I. J. STANILAND. OECOLOGIA (BERLIN) 179(4):1053-1065. 2015. Diving deeper into individual foraging specializations of a large marine predator, the southern sea lion. 1.351 MB BECKMEN, KIMBERLEE B.; MANDY J. KEOGH; KATHLEEN A. BUREK-HUNTINGTON; GINA M. YLITALO; BRIAN S. FADELY and KENNETH W. PITCHER. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 542(A):441-452. 2016. Organochlorine contaminant concentrations in multiple tissues of free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska. 0.941 MB BEERMAN, AMBER; ERIN ASHE; KATHARINE PREEDY and ROB WILLIAMS. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 70(1):189-198. 2016. Sexual segregation when foraging in an extremely social killer whale population. 0.583 MB BELLEHUMEUR, CHRSTIAN; OLE NIELSEN; LENA MEASURES; LOIS HARWOOD; TRACEY GOLDSTEIN; BRIAN BOYLE and CARL A. GAGNON. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 52(1):70-81. 2016. Herpesviruses including novel gammaherpesviruses are widespread among phocid seal species in Canada. 0.339 MB BENTZ, JULIA; FERNANDO LOPES; HELENA CALADO and PHILIP DEARDEN. TOURISM MANAGEMENT 54:465-476. 2016. Enhancing satisfaction and sustainable management: Whale watching in the Azores. 1.315 MB BERROW, SIMON; PEDRO LOPEZ SUAREZ; BEATRICE JANN; JOANNE O'BRIEN; CONOR RYAN; JAQUELINO VARELA and CORNELIS J. HAZEVOET. ZOOLOGIA CABOVERDIANA 5(2):111-115. 2014(2015). Short note. Recent and noteworthy records of Cetacea from the Cape Verde Islands. 0.247 MB BODEWES, ROGIER; ANA RUBIO GARCIA; SOPHIE M. BRASSEUR; GUILLERMO J. SANCHEZ CONTERAS; MARCO W. G. VAN DE BILDT; MARION P. G. KOOPMANS; ALBERT D. M. E. OSTERHAUS and THIJS KUIKEN. PLOS ONE 10(12) e0144899. 9pp. 2015. Seroprevalence of antibodies against seal influenza A(H10N7) virus in harbor seals and gray seals from the Netherlands. 0.429 MB BOERSMA, ALEXANDRA T. and NICHOLAS D. PYENSON. PLOS ONE 10(12) e0135551. 32pp. 2015. Albicetus oxymycterus, a new generic name and redescription of a basal physeteroid (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Miocene of California, and the evolution of body size in sperm whales. 2.108 MB BOESSENECKER, ROBERT W. and R. EWAN FORDYCE. PAPERS IN PALAENOTOLOGY 1(2):107-140. 2015. A new eomysticetid (Mammalia: Cetacea) from the Late Oligocene of New Zealand and a re-evaluation of 'Mauicetus' waitakiensis. 4.124 MB BOESSENECKER, ROBERT W. and R. EWAN FORDYCE. PEERJ Volume 3. Article e1129. 69pp. 2015. Anatomy, feeding ecology, and ontogeny of a transitional baleen whale: A new genus and species of Eomysticetidae (Mammalia: Cetacea) from the Oligocene of New Zealand. 3.062 MB BOGOMOLNI, ANDREA L.; ANNA L. BASS; SPENCER FIRE; LINDSAY JASPERSE; MILTON LEVIN; OLE NIELSEN; GORDON WARING and SYLVAIN DE GUISE. HARMFUL ALGAE 51:89-96. 2016. Saxitoxin increases phocine distemper virus replication upon in-vitro infection in harbor seal immune cells. 0.698 MB BONATO, M.; E. PAPALE; G. PINGITORE; S. RICCA; A. ATTOUMANE; A. OULEDI and C. GIACOMA. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):3262-3271. 2015. Whistle characteristics of the spinner dolphin population in the Comoros Archipelago. 1.292 MB BONIN, CAROLINA A.; MICHAEL E. GOEBEL; GREGORY M. O'CORRY-CROWE and RONALD S. BURTON. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 476:72-77. 2016. Impacts of ecology and behavior on Antarctic fur seal remating and relatedness. 0.612 MB BORODA, A. V.; P. G. ZACHARENKO; M. A. MAIOROVA; S. E. PETERSON; J. F. LORING and N. A. ODINTSOVA. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 41(5):405-408. 2015. Brief note. The first steps towards generating induced pluripotent stem cells from cryopreserved skin biopsies of marine mammals. 1.049 MB BROWN, TANYA M.; AARON T. FISK; XIAOWA WANG; STEVEN H. FERGUSON; BRENT G. YOUNG; KEN J. REIMER and DEREK C. G. MUIR. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 545-546:503-511. 2016. Mercury and cadmium in ringed seals in the Canadian Arctic: Influence of location and diet. 1.238 MB CARROLL, E. L.; R. M. FEWSTER; S. J. CHILDERHOUSE; N. J. PATENAUDE; L. BOREN and C. S. BAKER. PLOS ONE 11(1) e0146590. 17pp. 2016. First direct evidence for natal wintering ground fidelity and estimate of juvenile survival in the New Zealand southern right whale Eubalaena australis. 0.456 MB CARUSO, FRANCESCO; VIRGINIA SCIACCA; GIORGIO BELLIA; EMILIO DE DOMENICO; GIUSEPPINA LAROSA; ELENA PAPALE; CARMELO PELLEGRINO; SARA PULVIRENTI; GIORGIO RICCOBENE; FRANCESCO SIMEONE; FABRIZIO SPEZIALE; SALVATORE VIOLA and GIANNI PAVAN. PLOS ONE 10(12) e0144503. 16pp. 2015. Size distribution of sperm whales acoustically identified during long term deep-sea monitoring in the Ionian Sea. 2.511 MB CHARVET, CHRISTINE J.; ROGER L. REEP and BARBARA L. FINLAY. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY 524(4):772-782. 2016. Evolution of cytoarchitectural landscapes in the mammalian isocortex: Sirenians (Trichechus manatus) in comparison with other mammals. 1.709 MB CHAVARRIA, MARIO RIVERA; JORGE CASTRO and ARTURO CAMACHO. BIOLOGY OPEN 4(10):1237-1242. 2015. The relationship between acoustic habitat, hearing and tonal vocalizations in the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus, Linnaeus, 1758). 0.599 MB CHRISTIANSEN, FREDRIK and DAVID LUSSEAU. CONSERVATION LETTERS 8(6):424-431. 2015. Linking behavior to vital rates to measure the effects of non-lethal disturbance on wildlife. 0.480 MB CIESIELSKI, TOMASZ; MARTA GORAL; PIOTR SZEFER; BJORN MUNRO JENSSEN and RYSZARD BOJANOWSKI. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 101(1):422-428. 2015. 137Cs, 40K and 210Po in marine mammals from the southern Baltic Sea. 0.354 MB COLLARETA, ALBERTO; WALTER LANDINI; OLIVIER LAMBERT; KLAAS POST; CHIARA TINELLI; CLAUDIO DI CELMA; DANIELE PANETTA; MARIA TRIPODI; PIERO A. SALVADORI; DAVIDE CARAMELLA; DAMIANO MARCHI; MARIO URBINA; GIOVANNI BIANUCCI. SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 102(11-12) Article 70. 12pp. 2015. Piscivory in a Miocene Cetotheriidae of Peru: First record of fossilized stomach content for an extinct baleen-bearing whale. 4.667 MB COOK, PETER F.; COLLEEN REICHMUTH; ANDREW A. ROUSE; LAURA A. LIBBY; SOPHIE DENNISON; OWEN T. CARMICHAEL; KRIS T. KRUSE-ELLIOTT; JOSH BLOOM; BALJEET SINGH; VANESSA A. FRAVEL; LORRAINE BARBOSA; JIM J. STUPPINO; WILLIAM G. VAN BONN; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND and CHARAN RANGANATH. SCIENCE (WASHINGTON D. C.) 350(6267):1545-1547. 2015. Algal toxin impairs sea lion memory and hippocampal connectivity, with implications for strandings. 0.466 MB CORTES-HINOJOSA, GALAXIA; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; ROBERT DELONG; TOM GELATT; LINDA ARCHER and JAMES F. X. WELLEHAN JR. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 52(1):88-95. 2016. A novel gammaherpesvirus in northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is closely related to the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) carcinomaassociated otarine herpesvirus-1. 0.493 MB COSTIDIS, ALEXANDER M. and SENTIEL A. ROMMEL. JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY 277(1):5-33. 2016. The extracranial arterial system in the heads of beaked whales, with implications on diving physiology and pathogenesis. 2.135 MB COSTIDIS, ALEXANDER M. and SENTIEL A. ROMMEL. JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY 277(1):34-64. 2016. The extracranial venous system in the heads of beaked whales, with implications on diving physiology and pathogenesis. 2.537 MB CUNHA, HAYDEE A.; ROCIO LOIZAGA DE CASTRO; EDUARDO R. SECCHI; ENRIQUE A. CRESPO; JOSE LAILSON-BRITO; ALEXANDRE F. AZEVEDO; CRISTIANO LAZOSKI and ANTONIO M. SOLE-CAVA. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0140251. 15pp. 2015. Molecular and morphological differentiation of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the southwestern Atlantic: Testing the two species hypothesis in sympatry. 1.364 MB CUNNINGHAM, KANE A. and COLLEEN REICHMUTH. HEARING RESEARCH 331:83-91. 2016. High-frequency hearing in seals and sea lions. 0.639 MB DA SILVA, DAYSE M. P.; ALEXANDRE F. AZEVEDO; EDUARDO R. SECCHI; LUPERCIO A. BARBOSA; PAULO A. C. FLORES; RAFAEL R. CARVALHO; TATIANA L. BISI; JOSE LAILSON-BRITO and HAYDEE A. CUNHA. ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY 175(4):949-962. 2015. Molecular taxonomy and population structure of the rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae). 0.752 MB DARLING, JAMES D. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):EL452-EL458. 2015. Low frequency, ca. 40 Hz, pulse trains recorded in the humpback whale assembly in Hawaii. 6.197 MB DENKINGER, JUDITH; LUIS GORDILLO; IGNASI MONTERO-SERRA; JUAN CARLOS MURILLO; NATALY GUEVARA; MAXIMILIAN HIRSCHFELD; KATHARINA FIETZ; FRANCISCO RUBIANES and MCHAEL DAN. JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH 105:10-14. 2015. Urban life of Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) on San Cristobal Island, Ecuador: Colony trends and threats. 0.715 MB DESFORGES, JEAN-PIERRE W.; CHRISTIAN SONNE; MILTON LEVIN; URSULA SIEBERT; SYLVAIN DE GUISE and RUNE DIETZ. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 86:126-139. 2016. Immunotoxic effects of environmental pollutants in marine mammals. 1.609 MB DI AZEVEDO, M. I. N.; V. L. CARVALHO and A. M. INIGUEZ. JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY 90(1):48-53. 2016. First record of the anisakid nematode Anisakis nascettii in the Gervais' beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus from Brazil. 0.189 MB DI TULLIO, J. C.; P. F. FRUET and E. R. SECCHI. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(1):35-50. 2016. Identifying critical areas to reduce bycatch of coastal common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in artisanal fisheries of the subtropical western South Atlantic. 1.493 MB DIRTU, ALIN C.; GOVINDAN MALARVANNAN; KRISHNA DAS; VIOLAINE DULAU-DROUOT; JEREMY J. KISZKA; GILLES LEPOINT; PHILIPPE MONGIN and ANDRIAN COVACI. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 146:263-273. 2016. Contrasted accumulation patterns of persistent organic pollutants and mercury in sympatric tropical dolphins from the south-western Indian Ocean. 1.273 MB DUNGAN, SARAH Z.; ALEXANDER KOSYAKOV and BELINDA S. W. CHANG. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 33(2):323-336. 2016. Spectral tuning of killer whale (Orcinus orca) rhodopsin: Evidence for positive selection and functional adaptation in a cetacean visual pigment. 1.049 MB DUNLOP, REBECCA A. ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR 111:13-21. 2016. The effect of vessel noise on humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, communication behaviour. 0.445 MB ESTABAN, RUTH; PHILIPPE VERBORGH; PAULINE GAUFFIER; JOAN GIMENEZ; CHRISTOPHE GUINET and RENAUD DE STEPHANIS. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 194:31-38. 2016. Dynamics of killer whale, bluefin tuna and human fisheries in the Strait of Gibraltar. 0.497 MB ESTEBAN, R.; P. VERBORGH; P. GAUFFIER; J. GIMENEZ; A. D. FOOTE and R. DE STEPHANIS. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 70(1):111-122. 2016. Maternal kinship and fisheries interaction influence killer whale social structure. 0.685 MB FANG, HONGWEI; DONGCHEN DAI; SONGHENG LI; GUOJIAN HE and LEI HUANG. ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING 88:39-52. 2016. Forecasting Yangtze finless porpoise movement behavior using an Eulerian-Eulerian-diffusion method (EEDM). 1.517 MB FERNANDEZ, R.; M. SCHUBERT; A. M. VARGAS-VELAZQUEZ; A. BROWNLOW; G. A. VIKINGSSON; U. SIEBERT; L. F. JENSEN; N. OIEN; D. WALL; E. ROGAN; B. MIKKELSEN; W. DABIN; A. H. ALFARHAN; S. A. ALQURAISHI; K. A. S. AL-RASHEID; G. GUILLOT and L. ORLANDO. MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES 16(1):266-276. 2016. A genomewide catalogue of single nucleotide polymorphisms in white-beaked and Atlantic white-sided dolphins. 0.557 MB FILATOVA, O. A.; E. A. BORISOVA; O. V. SHPAK; I. G. MESCHERSKY; A. V. TIUNOV; A. A. GONCHAROV; I. D. FEDUTIN and A. M. BURDIN. BIOLOGY BULLETIN 42(7):674-681. 2015. Original Russian published in Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 93(11):1345-1353. 2014. Reproductively isolated ecotypes of killer whales Orcinus orca in the seas of the Russian Far East. 0.394 MB FILATOVA, OLGA A.; FILIPA I. P. SAMARRA; VOLKER B. DEECKE; JOHN K. B. FORD; PATRICK J. O. MILLER and HARALD YURK. BEHAVIOUR 152(15):2001-2038. 2015. Cultural evolution of killer whale calls: Background, mechanisms and consequences. 4.153 MB FORD, MICHAEL J.; JENNIFER HEMPELMANN; M. BRADLEY HANSON; KATHERINE L. AYRES; ROBIN W. BAIRD; CANDICE K. EMMONS; JESSICA I. LUNDIN; GREGORY S. SCHORR; SAMUEL K. WASSER and LINDA K. PARK. PLOS ONE 11(1) e0144956. 14pp. 2016. Estimation of a killer whale (Orcinus orca) population's diet using sequencing analysis of DNA from feces. 2.714 MB FOSSI, MARIA CRISTINA; LETIZIA MARSILI; MATTEO BAINI; MATTEO GIANNETTI; DANIELE COPPOLA; CRISTIANA GUERANTI; ILARIA CALIANI; ROBERA MINUTOLI; GIANCARLO LAURIANO; MARIA GRAZIA FINOIA; FABRIZIO RUBEGNI; SIMONE PANIGADA; MARTINE BERUBE; JORGE URBAN RAMIREZ and CRISTINA PANTI. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 209:68-78. 2016. Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios. 2.210 MB FOWLER, MELINDA A.; CATHY DEBIER; CORY D. CHAMPAGNE; DANIEL E. CROCKER and DANIEL P. COSTA. GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY 225:125-132. 2016. The demands of lactation promote differential regulation of lipid stores in fasting elephant seals. 0.425 MB FRAIJA-FERNANDEZ, NATALIA; FRANCISCO J. AZNAR; ANTONIO FERNANDEZ; JUAN A. RAGA and MERCEDES FERNANDEZ. PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 65(3):209-217. 2016. Evolutionary relationships between digeneans of the family Brachycladiidae Odhner, 1905 and their marine mammal hosts: A cophylogenetic study. 3.152 MB FRAIJA-FERNANDEZ, NATALIA; MERCEDES FERNANDEZ; JUAN A. RAGA and FRANCISCO J. AZNAR. PARASITES & VECTORS 8 Article 659. 13pp. 2015. Life-history trade-offs in a generalist digenean from cetaceans: The role of host specificity and environmental factors. 1.912 MB FRANCO-TRECU, VALENTINA; PAULA COSTA-URRUTIA; YOLANDA SCHRAMM; BETTINA TASSINO and PABLO INCHAUSTI. BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY 69(12):1985-1996. 2015. Tide line versus internal pools: Mating system and breeding success of South American sea lion males. 0.523 MB GAJDOSECHOVA, ZUZANA; ANDREW BROWNLOW; NICOLAS T. COTTIN; MARIANA FERNANDES; FIONA L. READ; DAGMAR S. URGAST; ANDREA RAAB; JORG FELDMANN and EVA M. KRUPP. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 545-546:407-413. 2016. Possible link between Hg and Cd accumulation in the brain of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). 0.955 MB GALICIA, MELISSA P.; GREGORY W. THIEMANN; MARKUS G. DYCK and STEVEN H. FERGUSON. POLAR BIOLOGY 38(12):1983-1992. 2015. Characterization of polar bear (Ursus maritimus) diets in the Canadian High Arctic. 0.793 MB GEBBINK, WOUTER A.; ROSSANA BOSSI; FRANK F. RIGET; AQQALU ROSING-ASVID; CHRISTIAN SONNE and RUNE DIETZ. CHEMOSPHERE 144:2384-2391. 2016. Observation of emerging per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Greenland marine mammals. 0.736 MB GEOFFROY, MAXIME; SHANI ROUSSEAU; FRANK REIER KNUDSEN and LOUIS FORTIER. ICES (INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS) JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 73(2):451-463. 2016. Target strengths and echotraces of whales and seals in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. 1.012 MB GIARDINO, GISELA V.; M. AGUSTINA MANDIOLA; JULIAN BASTIDA; PABLO E. DENUNCIO; RICARDO O. BASTIDA and DIEGO H. RODRIGUEZ. MAMMALIAN BIOLOGY: ZEITSCHRIFT FUER SAUGETIERKUNDE 81(1):89-95. 2016. Travel for sex: Long-range breeding dispersal and winter haulout fidelity in southern sea lion males. 1.053 MB GIMENEZ, JOAN; FRANCISCO RAMIREZ; JAVIER ALMUNIA; MANUELA G. FORERO and RENAUD DE STEPHANIS. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 475:54-61. 2016. >From the pool to the sea: Applicable isotope turnover rates and diet to skin discrimination factors for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 0.614 MB GIORLI, GIACOMO; WHITLOW W. L. AU and ANNA NEUHEIMER. DEEP SEA RESEARCH PART I: OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS 107:1-8. 2016. Differences in foraging activity of deep sea diving odontocetes in the Ligurian Sea as determined by passive acoustic recorders. 1.818 MB GIRARD, YVETTE A.; CHRISTINE K. JOHNSON; HEATHER M. FRITZ; KAREN SHAPIRO; ANDREA E. PACKHAM; ANN C. MELLI; DAPHE CARLSON-BREMER; FRANCES M. GULLAND; DANIEL REJMANEK and PATRICIA A. CONRAD. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY: PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 5(1):5-16. 2016. Detection and characterization of diverse coccidian protozoa shed by California sea lions. 1.346 MB GONZALEZ-LEGARDA, EDGAR ANDRES; RODRIGO VEGA and ELEUTERIO YANEZ RODRIGUEZ. REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA MARINA Y OCEANOGRAFIA 50(3):479-489. 2015. Operational interactions between the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens and purse seine fishing activities in northern Chile. 0.364 MB GRANQUIST, SANDRA M. and PER-AKE NILSSON. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 111(B):471-478. 2016. Who's watching whom? - An interdisciplinary approach to the study of seal-watching tourism in Iceland. 0.707 MB GUDMESTAD, OVE T. and JOHANNES ALME. OCEAN ENGINEERING 111:1-7. 2016. Implementation of experience from the Arctic seal hunter expeditions during the late 19th and the 20th century. 2.519 MB HARRIS, C. M.; D. SADYKOVA; S. L. DERUITER; P. L. TYACK; P. J. O. MILLER; P. H. KVADSHEIM; F. P. A. LAM and L. THOMAS. ECOSPHERE 6(11). Article 236. 14pp. 2015. Dose response severity functions for acoustic disturbance in cetaceans using recurrent event survival analysis. 1.376 MB HAUSER, DONNA D.; KRISTIN L. LAIDRE; SANDRA L. PARKER-STETTER; JOHN K. HORNE; ROBERT S. SUYDAM and PIERRE R. RICHARD. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 541:245-264. 2015. Regional diving behavior of Pacific Arctic beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas and possible associations with prey. 2.514 MB HERDER, V.; N. VAN DE VELDE; J. HOJER KRISTENSEN; C. VAN ELK; M. PETERS; J. KILWINSKI; G. SCHARES; U. SIEBERT and P. WOHLSEIN. JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY 153(4):357-362. 2015. Fatal disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection in a captive harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). 1.608 MB HERMOSILLA, CARLOS; LILIANA M. R. SILVA; RUI PRIETO; SONJA KLEINERTZ; ANJA TAUBERT and MONICA A. SILVA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY: PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 4(3):414-420. 2015. Endo- and ectoparasites of large whales (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae, Physeteridae): Overcoming difficulties in obtaining appropriate samples by non- and minimally-invasive methods. 0.773 MB HIEMSTRA, S.; L. HARKEMA; L. C. M. WIERSMA and R. I. KEESLER. VETERINARY PATHOLOGY 52(6):1243-1249. 2015. Beyond parasitism: Hepatic lesions in stranded harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) without trematode (Campula oblonga) infections. 0.794 MB HIGHAM, JAMES E. S.; LARS BEJDER; SIMON J. ALLEN; PETER J. CORKERON and DAVID LUSSEAU. JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 24(1):73-90. 2016. Managing whale-watching as a non-lethal consumptive activity. 0.185 MB HOFFMAN, JORDAN M.; LOUISA S. PONNAMPALAM; CLARYANA C. ARAUJO; JOHN Y. WANG; SUI HYANG KUIT and SAMUEL K. HUNG. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):2829-2835. 2015. Comparison of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) whistles from two areas of western Peninsular Malaysia. 0.550 MB HOOD, JOEY D.; DAVID G. FLOGERAS and JAMES A. THERIAULT. APPLIED ACOUSTICS 106:36-41. 2016. Improved passive acoustic band-limited energy detection for cetaceans. 0.709 MB HORIMOTO, TAKANORI; YOKO MITANI and YASUNORI SAKURAI. FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY 25(1):44-53. 2016. Spatial association between northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) and potential prey distribution during the wintering period in the northern Sea of Japan. 0.577 MB HOUGHTON, JULIANA; MARIA M. HOLT; DEBORAH A. GILES; M. BRADLEY HANSON; CANDICE K. EMMONS; JEFFREY T. HOGAN; TREVOR A. BRANCH and GLENN R. VANBLARICOM. PLOS ONE 10(12).e0140119. 20pp. 2015. The relationship between vessel traffic and noise levels received by killer whales (Orcinus orca). 1.658 MB IJSSELDIJK, LONNEKE L.; MARDIK F. LEOPOLD; ELISA L. BRAVO REBOLLEDO; ROB DEAVILLE; JAN HAELTERS; JOOSKE IJZER; PAUL D. JEPSON and ANDREA GRONE. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0141951. 12pp. 2015. Fatal asphyxiation in two long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) caused by common soles (Solea solea). 0.736 MB JACOB, JESSICA M.; KRISTI L. WEST; GREGG LEVINE; SUSAN SANCHEZ and BRENDA A. JENSEN. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 117(3):215-227. 2016. Initial characterization of novel beaked whale morbillivirus in Hawaiian cetaceans. 0.425 MB JEGLINSKI, JANA W. E.; JOCHEN B. W. WOLF; CHRISTIANE WERNER; DANIEL P. COSTA and FRITZ TRILLMICH. OECOLOGIA (BERLIN) 179(4):1041-1052. 2015. Differences in foraging ecology align with genetically divergent ecotypes of a highly mobile marine top predator. 1.255 MB JEPSON, PAUL D.; ROB DEAVILLE; JONATHAN L. BARBER; ALEX AGUILAR; ASUNCION BORRELL; SINEAD MURPHY; JON BARRY; ANDREW BROWNLOW; JAMES BARNETT; SIMON BERROW; ANDREW A. CUNNINGHAM; NICHOLAS J. DAVISON; MARIEL TEN DOESCHATE; RUTH ESTEBAN; MARISA FERREIRA; ANDREW D. FOOTE; TILEN GENOV; JOAN GIMENEZ; JAN LOVERIDGE; ANGELA LLAVONA; VIDAL MARTIN; DAVID L. MAXWELL; ALEXANDRA PAPACHLIMITZOU; ROD PENROSE; MATTHEW W. PERKINS; BRIAN SMITH; RENAUD DE STEPHANIS; NICK TREGENZA; PHILIPPE VERBORGH; ANTONIO FERNANDEZ and ROBIN J. LAW. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 6(18573). 17pp. 2016. PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters. 1.752 MB JIA, KUNTONG; LIANG DING; LINGLI ZHANG; MEI ZHANG; MEISHENG YI and YUPING WU. TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO 30(1B):529-535. 2015. In vitro assessment of environmental stress of persistent organic pollutants on the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. 0.750 MB JUNG, JEAN-LUC; WIM C. MULLIE; KOEN VAN WAEREBEEK; MOULAYE MOHAMED WAGNE; ABDELLAHI SAMBA OULD BILAL; ZEIN EL ABIDINE OULD SIDATY; LOLA TOOMEY; ELEONORE MEHEUST and FREDERIC MARRET. MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH 12(1):66-75. 2016. Omura's whale off West Africa: Autochthonous population or inter-oceanic vagrant in the Atlantic Ocean? 1.540 MB KARENINA, KARINA; ANDREY GILJOV; TATIANA IVKOVICH and YEGOR MALASHICHEV. ANIMAL COGNITION 19(1):239-243. 2016. Evidence for the perceptual origin of right-sided feeding biases in cetaceans. 0.692 MB KO, YOUNG-JOON; EUN CHAN YANG; JAE-HAK LEE; KYEONG WON LEE; JAE-YEON JEONG; KIEJUNG PARK; OKSUNG CHUNG; JONG BHAK; JUNG-HYUN LEE and HYUNG-SOON YIM. GENES & GENOMICS 37(12):1061-1071. 2015. Characterization of cetacean Numt and its application into cetacean phylogeny. 5.885 MB KRASNOVA, V. V.; A. D. CHERNETSKY and O. V. RUSSKOVA. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 41(5):372-383. 2015. Skin defects in the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776) from the Solovetsky gathering, as revealed by photo-identification analysis. 5.478 MB KRIEGER, LISA K.; ANDRAS SZEITZ and STELVIO M. BANDIERA. CHEMOSPHERE 146:555-564. 2016. Evaluation of hepatic biotransformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). 0.946 MB LAVANDIER, RICARDO; JENNIFER AREAS; PATRICK S. DIAS; SATIE TANIGUCHI; ROSALINDA MONTONE; JAILSON FULGENCIO DE MOURA; NATALIA QUINETE; SALVATORE SICILIANO and ISABEL MOREIRA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 101(2):947-953. 2015. An assessment of PCB and PBDE contamination in two tropical dolphin species from the southeastern Brazilian coast. 0.498 MB LAVANDIER, RICARDO; JENNIFER AREAS; NATALIA QUINETE; JAILSON F. DE MOURA; SATIE TANIGUCHI; ROSALINDA MONTONE; SALVATORE SICILIANO and ISABEL MOREIRA. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 208B:442-449. 2016. PCB and PBDE levels in a highly threatened dolphin species from the southeastern Brazilian coast. 0.538 MB LEE, KICHAN; JI-YEON KIM; SUK CHAN JUNG; HEE-SOO LEE; MOON HER and CHANHEE CHAE. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 52(1):183-185. 2016. Letters. First isolation of Streptococcus halichoeri and Streptococcus phocae from a Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in South Korea. 0.056 MB LEVENGOOD, ALEXIS L. and KATHLEEN M. DUDZINSKI. BEHAVIOURAL PROCESSES 124:52-59. 2016. Is blood thicker than water? The role of kin and non-kin in non-mother-calf associations of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 0.740 MB LOFFLER, SYLVIA GRUNE; VIRGINIA RAGO; MARA MARTINEZ; MARCELA UHART; MONICA FLORIN-CHRISTENSEN; GRACIELA ROMERO and BIBIANA BRIHUEGA. PLOS ONE 10(12) e0144974. 10pp. 2015. Isolation of a seawater tolerant Leptospira spp. from a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). 0.478 MB LOMAC-MACNAIR, KATE and MARI ANN SMULTEA. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND COGNITION 3(1):1-21. 2016. Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) behavior and group dynamics as observed from an aircraft off Southern California. 0.802 MB LOPES, MELISSA M.; JILL L. BORGER-TURNER; HOLLI C. ESKELINEN and STAN A. KUCZAJ II. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND COGNITION 3(1):32-45. 2016. The influence of age, sex, and social affiliation on the responses of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to a novel stimulus over time. 1.016 MB LUDES-WEHRMEISTER, EVA; CLAUDIA DUPKE; TIMM C. HARDER; WOLFGANG BAUMGARTNER; LUDWIG HAAS; JONAS TEILMANN; RUNE DIETZ; LASSE F. JENSEN and URSULA SIEBERT. VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY 183:43-49. 2016. Phocine distemper virus (PDV) seroprevalence as predictor for future outbreaks in harbour seals. 1.214 MB LUNARDI, DENISE; LUIGI ABELLI; CRISTINA PANTI; LETIZIA MARSILI; MARIA CRISTINA FOSSI and ANNALAURA MANCIA. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 114:74-79. 2016. Transcriptomic analysis of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) skin biopsies to assess the effects of emerging contaminants. 0.737 MB MAGNUSDOTTIR, EDDA E.; PATRICK J. O. MILLER; RANGYN LIM; MARIANNE H. RASMUSSEN; MARC O. LAMMERS and JORUNDUR SVAVARSSON. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):3362-3274. 2015. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song unit and phrase repertoire progression on a subarctic feeding ground. 2.390 MB MANAGEIRO, VERA; LURDES CLEMENTE; DANIELA JONES-DIAS; TERESA ALBUQUERQUE; EUGENIA FERREIRA and MANUELA CANICA. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 21(12):2249-2251. 2015. CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli in dolphin, Portugal. 0.536 MB MANNINO, MARCELLO A.; SAHRA TALAMO; ANTONIO TAGLIACOZZO; IVANA FIORE; OLAF NEHLICH; MARCELLO PIPERNO; SEBASTIANO TUSA; CARMINE COLLINA; ROSARIA DI SALVO; VITTORIA SCHIMMENTI and MICHAEL RICHARDS. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 5(16288). 13pp. 2015. Climate-driven environmental changes around 8,200 years ago favoured increases in cetacean strandings and Mediterranean hunter-gatherers exploited them. 1.959 MB MARKEL, RUSSELL W. and JONATHAN B. SHURIN. ECOLOGY 96(11):2877-2890. 2015. Indirect effects of sea otters on rockfish (Sebastes spp.) in giant kelp forests. 0.678 MB MCDONALD, SARA L.; REBECCA L. LEWISON and ANDREW J. READ. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 5:1-11. 2016. Evaluating the efficacy of environmental legislation: A case study from the US marine mammal take reduction planning process. 0.630 MB MCINTOSH, REBECCA R.; ROGER KIRKWOOD; DUNCAN R. SUTHERLAND and PETER DANN. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 101(2):716-725. 2015. Drivers and annual estimates of marine wildlife entanglement rates: A long-term case study with Australian fur seals. 0.815 MB MCMAHON, C. R.; L. F. NEW; E. J. FAIRLEY; M. A. HINDELL and H. R. BURTON. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY (LONDON) 297(4):301-308. 2015. The effects of body size and climate on post-weaning survival of elephant seals at Heard Island. 0.553 MB MELERO, MAR; LUIS G. GIMENEZ-LIROLA; CONSUELO RUBIO-GUERRI; JOSE LUIS CRESPO-PICAZO; EVA SIERRA; DANIEL GARCIA-PARRAGA; FRANCISCO JAVIER; GARCIA-PENA MANUEL ARBELO; TERESA ALVARO; MONICA VALLS and JOSE MANUEL SANCHEZ-VIZCAINO. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 117(3):237-243. 2016. Fluorescent microbead-based immunoassay for anti-Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae antibody detection in cetaceans. 0.350 MB MILLER, SUSANNE; JAMES WILDER and RYAN R. WILSON. JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY 96(6):1317-1325. 2015. Polar bear-grizzly bear interactions during the autumn open-water period in Alaska. 0.583 MB MONTEIRO, SILVIA S.; JORDI TORRES; MARISA FERREIRA; ANA MARCALO; LIDIA NICOLAU; JOSE V. VINGADA and CATARINA EIRA. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 544:837-844. 2016. Ecological variables influencing trace element concentrations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu 1821) stranded in continental Portugal. 0.876 MB MORENO-SANTILLAN, DIANA D.; EILEEN A. LACEY; DIANE GENDRON and JORGE ORTEGA. PLOS ONE 11(1) e0141296. 15pp. 2016. Genetic variation at Exon 2 of the MHC class II DQB locus in blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) from the Gulf of California. 2.708 MB MORON, JULIANA RODRIGUES; THIAGO ORION SIMOES AMORIM; FEDERICO SUCUNZA; FRANCIELE REZENDE CASTRO; MARCOS ROSSI-SANTOS and ARTUR ANDRIOLO. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(4):2495-2498. 2015. Spinner dolphin whistle in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean: Is there a geographic variation? 0.154 MB MORRIS, SINEAD E.; JONATHAN L. ZEINER; DEBORAH A. FAUQUIER; TERESA K. ROWLES; PATRICIA E. ROSEL; FRANCES GULLAND and BRYAN T. GRENFELL. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE 12(112). Article 20150676. 12pp. 2015. Partially observed epidemics in wildlife hosts: Modelling an outbreak of dolphin morbillivirus in the northwestern Atlantic, June 2013-2014. 0.997 MB MOURA, JAILSON F.; ESTEBAN ACEVEDO-TREJOS; DAVI C. TAVARES; ANA C. O. MEIRELLES; CRISTINE P. N. SILVA; LARISSA R. OLIVEIRA; ROBERTA A. SANTOS; JANAINA C. WICKERT; RODRIGO MACHADO; SALVATORE SICILIANO and AGOSTINO MERICO. PLOS ONE 11(1) e0146108. 15pp. 2016. Stranding events of Kogia whales along the Brazilian coast. 1.707 MB MOUTON, M.; A. BOTHA; M. THORNTON; J. MESJASZ-PRZYBYLOWICZ and W. J. PRZYBYLOWICZ. NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS 363:70-74. 2015. Elemental distribution patterns in the skins of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) from a mass stranding in South Africa, analysed using micro-PIXE. 1.809 MB MUIR, JUDY E.; LAURIE AINSWORTH; RUTH JOY; ROBERTO RACCA; YURY BYCHKOV; GLENN GAILEY; VALERIY VLADIMIROV; SERGEI STARODYMOV and KOEN BROKER. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(2):161-178. 2016. Distance from shore as an indicator of disturbance of gray whales during a seismic survey off Sakhalin Island, Russia. 1.990 MB MUIR, JUDY E.; RUTH JOY; YURY BYCHIKOV; KOEN BROKER; GLENN GAILEY; VALERIY VLADMIROV; SERGEI STARODYMOV and YURI YAKOVLEV. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(2):147-160. 2016. Delineation of a coastal gray whale feeding area using opportunistic and systematic survey effort. 4.355 MB MUIR, JUDY E.; LAURIE AINSWORTH; ROBERTO RACCA; YURY BYCHKOV; GLENN GAILEY; VALERIY VLADIMIROV; SERGEI STARODYMOV and KOEN BROKER. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(3):211-227. 2016. Gray whale densities during a seismic survey off Sakhalin Island, Russia. 2.385 MB MULSOW, JASON; CAROLYN E. SCHLUNDT; LACEY BRANDT and JAMES J. FINNERAN. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):2678-2691. 2015. Equal latency contours for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). 2.834 MB MURASE, HIROTO; TSUTOMU TAMURA; SEIJI OTANI and SHIGETOSHI NISHIWAKI. FISHERIES SCIENCE (TOKYO) 82(1):35-45. 2016. Satellite tracking of Bryde's whales Balaenoptera edeni in the offshore western North Pacific in summer 2006 and 2008. 1.446 MB NEELY, BENJAMIN A.; JENNIFER L. SOPER; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; P. DARWIN BELL; MARK KINDY; JOHN M. ARTHUR and MICHAEL G. JANECH. PROTEOMICS 15(23-24):4051-4063. 2015. Proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) with domoic acid toxicosis identifies proteins associated with neurodegeneration. 0.479 MB NISHITA, MIKI; MIKI SHIRAKIHARA and MASAO AMANO. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 5(17266). 11pp. 2015. A community split among dolphins: The effect of social relationships on the membership of new communities. 0.808 MB NUCKTON, THOMAS J.; CLAIRE A. SIMEONE and ROGER T. PHELPS. WILDERNESS & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE 26(4):497-508. 2015. California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) bites and contact abrasions in open-water swimmers: A series of 11 cases. 1.472 MB NYVLT, DANIEL; MIRIAM NYVLTOVA FISAKOVA; MILOS BARTAK; ZDENEK STACHON; VACLAV PAVEL; BEDRICH MLCOCH and KAMIL LASKA. ANTARCTIC SCIENCE 28(1):3-16. 2016. Death age, seasonality, taphonomy and colonization of seal carcasses from Ulu Peninsula, James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. 3.024 MB OEDEKOVEN, CORNELIA; ERICA FLEISHMAN; PHILIP HAMILTON; JAMES S. CLARK and ROBERT S. SCHICK. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(1):51-58. 2016. Expert elicitation of seasonal abundance of North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis in the mid-Atlantic. 0.763 MB OLSON, JENNIFER K.; JOSEPH K. GAYDOS; TORI MCKLVEEN; ROBERT POPPENGA; KAY WICINAS; ELIZABETH ANDERSON and STEPHEN RAVERTY. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 52(1):173-176. 2016. Letters. Conjoined fetal twins in a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). 0.222 MB OOSTHUIZEN, W. CHRIS; MARTHAN N. BESTER; RES ALTWEGG; TREVOR MCINTYRE and P. J. NICO DE BRUYN. ECOSPHERE 6(8). Article 139. 22pp. 2015. Decomposing the variance in southern elephant seal weaning mass: Partitioning environmental signals and maternal effects. 2.166 MB ORBACH, DARA N.; JANE M. PACKARD; THERESA KIRCHNER and BERND WURSIG. BEHAVIOUR 152(14):1953-1977. 2015. Evasive behaviours of female dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) during exploitative scramble competition. 0.392 MB OWEN, KYLIE; JOSEPH D. WARREN; MICHAEL J. NOAD; DAVID DONNELLY; ANNE W. GOLDIZEN and REBECCA A. DUNLOP. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 541:231-244. 2015. Effect of prey type on the fine-scale feeding behaviour of migrating east Australian humpback whales. 0.823 MB PAEZ-ROSAS, DIEGO; MAXIMILIAN HIRSCHFELD; DIANE DERESIENSKI and GREGORY A. LEWBART. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES 52(1):100-105. 2016. Short communications. Health status of Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) on San Cristobal Island rookeries determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, and physical examination. 0.137 MB PASTENE, LUIS A.; JORGE ACEVEDO; SALVATORE SICILIANO; THAIS G. C. SHOLL; JAILSON F. DE MOURA; PAULO HENRIQUE OTT and ANELIO AGUAYO-LOBO. REVISTA DE BIOLOGIA MARINA Y OCEANOGRAFIA 50(3):453-464. 2015. Population genetic structure of the South American Bryde's whale. 0.636 MB PAUDEL, SHAMBHU; JUAN C. LEVESQUE; CAMILO SAAVEDRA; CRISTINA PITA and PRABHAT PAL. PEERJ Volume 4. Article e1563. 23pp. 2016. Characterization of the artisanal fishing communities in Nepal and potential implications for the conservation and management of Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica). 2.127 MB PAUDEL, SHAMBHU; PRABHAT PAL; MICHAEL V. COVE; SHANT RAJ JNAWALI; GRANT ABEL; JOHN L. KOPROWSKI and RISHI RANABHAT. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(1):59-68. 2016. The endangered Ganges River dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica in Nepal: Abundance, habitat and conservation threats. 0.296 MB PETERS, KRISTIAN J.; KATHY OPHELKELLER; HERDINA; NATHAN J. BOTT and SIMN D. GOLDSWORTHY. MARINE ECOLOGY 36(4):1428-1439. 2015. PCR-based techniques to determine diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea): A comparison with morphological analysis. 0.244 MB PHARO, ELIZABETH A.; KYLIE N. CANE; JULIA MCCOEY; ASHLEY M. BUCKLE; W. H. OOSTHUIZEN; CHRISTOPHE GUINET and JOHN P. Y. ARNOULD. GENE (AMSTERDAM) 578(1):7-16. 2016. A colostrum trypsin inhibitor gene expressed in the Cape fur seal mammary gland during lactation. 1.779 MB PIROTTA, VANESSA; DAVID SLIP; IAN D. JONSEN; VICTOR M. PEDDEMORS; DOUGLAS H. CATO; GEOFFREY ROSS and ROBERT HARCOURT. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(3):201-209. 2016. Migrating humpback whales show no detectable response to whale alarms off Sydney, Australia. 1.047 MB RACCA, ROBERTO; MELANIE AUSTIN; ALEXANDER RUTENKO and KOEN BROKER. ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH 29(2):131-146. 2016. Monitoring the gray whale sound exposure mitigation zone and estimating acoustic transmission during a 4-D seismic survey, Sakhalin Island, Russia. 2.488 MB RAIMONDI, PETER; LAURA J. JURGENS and M. TIM TINKER. ECOLOGY 96(11):3102-3108. 2015. Evaluating potential conservation conflicts between two listed species: Sea otters and black abalone. 0.434 MB RATNARAJAH, LAVENIA; JESSICA MELBOURNE-THOMAS; MARTIN P. MARZLOFF; DELPHINE LANNUZEL; KLAUS M. MEINERS; FANNY CHEVER; STEPHEN NICOL and ANDREW R. BOWIE. ECOLOGICAL MODELLING 320:203-212. 2016. A preliminary model of iron fertilisation by baleen whales and Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean: Sensitivity of primary productivity estimates to parameter uncertainty. 1.043 MB REED, LOU ANN; WAYNE E. MCFEE; PAUL L. PENNINGTON; EDWARD F. WIRTH and MICHAEL H. FULTON. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 100(1):501-506. 2015. A survey of trace element distribution in tissues of the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) stranded along the South Carolina coast from 1990-2011. 0.420 MB REIF, JOHN S.; ADAM M. SCHAEFER and GREGORY D. BOSSART. VETERINARY SCIENCES 2:407-422. 2015. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a sentinel for exposure to mercury in humans: Closing the loop. 0.182 MB RIDGWAY, SAM; DIANNA SAMUELSON DIBBLE; KAITLIN VN ALSTYNE and DRUANN PRICE. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY 218(24):3987-3995. 2015. On doing two things at once: Dolphin brain and nose coordinate sonar clicks, buzzes and emotional squeals with social sounds during fish capture. 3.208 MB ROBINSON, KELLY J.; SEAN D. TWISS; NEIL HAZON and PATRICK P. POMEROY. PLOS ONE 10(12) e0144577. 17pp. 2015. Maternal oxytocin is linked to close mother-infant proximity in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). 0.310 MB RODE, KARYN D.; RYAN R. WILSON; ERIC V. REGEHR; MICHELLE ST. MARTIN; DAVID C. DOUGLAS and JAY OLSON. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0142213. 18pp. 2015. Increased land use by Chukchi Sea polar bears in relation to changing sea ice conditions. 2.018 MB ROLLAND, ROSALIND M.; ROBERT S. SCHICK; HEATHER M. PETTIS; AMY R. KNOWLTON; PHILIP K. HAMILTON; JAMES S. CLARK and SCOTT D. KRAUS. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 542:265-282. 2016. Health of North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis over three decades: From individual health to demographic and population health trends. 1.234 MB ROSALES, STEPHANIE M. and REBECCA VEGA THURBER. PLOS ONE 10(12) e0143944. 16pp. 2015. Brain meta-transcriptomics from harbor seals to infer the role of the microbiome and virome in a stranding event. 2.853 MB ROZHNOV, V. V.; N. G. PLATONOV; I. N. MORDVINTSEV; S. V. NAIDENKO; E. A. IVANOV and R. V. ERSHOV. BIOLOGY BULLETIN 42(8):728-741. 2015. Original Russian published in Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 93(11):1354-1368. 2014. Movements of polar bear females (Ursus maritimus) during an ice-free period in the fall of 2011 on Alexandra Land Island (Franz Josef Land Archipelago) using satellite telemetry. 4.352 MB RUAN, RUI; XIAO-LING WAN; YANG ZHENG; JIN-SONG ZHENG and DING WANG. IMMUNOGENETICS 68(1):77-82. 2016. Assembly and characterization of the MHC class I region of the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis). 0.603 MB RUEDIG, ELIZABETH; COLLEEN DUNCAN; BOBETTE DICKERSON; MICHAEL WILLIAMS; THOMAS GELATT; JUSTIN BELL and THOMAS E. JOHNSON. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 152:1-7. 2016. Fukushima derived radiocesium in subsistence-consumed northern fur seal and wild celery. 1.204 MB RUSSELL, DEBORAH J. F.; BRETT T. MCCLINTOCK; JASON MATTHIOPOULOS; PAUL M. THOMPSON; DAVE THOMPSON; PHIL S. HAMMOND; ESTHER L. JONES; MONIQUE L. MACKENZIE; SIMON MOSS and BERNIE J. MCCONNELL. OIKOS 124(11):1462-1472. 2015. Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of activity budgets in sympatric grey and harbour seals. 0.846 MB SAVERY, LAURA C.; TANIA LI CHEN; JAMES T. F. WISE; SANDRA S. WISE; CHRISTY GIANIOS, JR.; JOHN BUONAGURIO; CHRISTOPHER PERKINS; CAROLYNE FALANK; TONGZHANG ZHENG; CAIRONG ZHU and JOHN PIERCE WISE, SR. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY PART C: TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY 178:136-144. 2015. Global assessment of cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). 0.703 MB SCIACCA, VIRGINIA; FRANCESCO CARUSO; LAURA BERANZOLI; FRANCESCO CHIERICI; EMILIO DE DOMENICO; DAVIDE EMBRIACO; PAOLO FAVALI; GABRIELE GIOVANETTI; GIUSEPPINA LAROSA; GIUDITTA MARINARO; ELENA PAPALE; GIANNI PAVAN; CARMELO PELLEGRINO; SARA PULVIRENTI; FRANCESCO SIMEONE; SALVATORE VIOLA and GIORGIO RICCOBENE. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0141838. 18pp. 2015. Annual acoustic presence of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) offshore eastern Sicily, Central Mediterranean Sea. 4.142 MB SEGER, KERRI D.; AARON M. THODE; STEVEN L. SWARTZ and JORGE URBAN R. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):3397-3410. 2015. The ambient acoustic environment in Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico. 5.188 MB SELHEIM, NIKOLAS. POLAR RECORD 52(1):109-114. 2016. Early sealing regimes: The Bering Sea fur seal regime vis-?-vis Finnish-Soviet fishing and sealing agreements. 0.522 MB SENIGAGLIA, V.; F. CHRISTIANSEN; L. BEJDER; D. GENDRON; D. LUNDQUIST; D. P. NOREN; A. SCHAFFAR; J. C. SMITH; R. WILLIAMS; E. MARTINEZ; K. STOCKIN and D. LUSSEAU. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 542:251-263. 2016. Meta-analyses of whale-watching impact studies: Comparisons of cetacean responses to disturbance. 0.251 MB SENSOR, JENNIFER D.; ROBERT SUYDAM; JOHN C. GEORGE; M. C. LIBERMAN; DENISE LOVANO; MARY ANN RHAGANTI; SHARON USIP; CHRISTOPHER J. VINYARD and J. G. M. THEWISSEN. JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY 276(12):1455-1466. 2015. The spiral ganglion and Rosenthal's canal in beluga whales. 0.884 MB SHERO, MICHELLE R.; GREGG P. ADAMS and JENNIFER M. BURNS. ANATOMICAL RECORD: ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY 298(12):1970-1977. 2015. Field use of ultrasonography to characterize the reproductive tract and early pregnancy in a phocid, the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii). 0.484 MB SHUERT, COURTNEY; MARKUS HORNING and JO-ANN MELLISH. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0141948. 10pp. 2015. The effect of novel research activities on long-term survival of temporarily captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). 0.248 MB SHUNTOV, V. P. and O. A. IVANOV. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF MARINE BIOLOGY 41(7):548-564. 2015. Marine mammals in macro-ecosystems of the Far Eastern seas and adjacent waters of the North Pacific. 0.369 MB SIMEONE, CLAIRE A.; FRANCES M. D. GULLAND; TENAYA NORRIS and TERESA K. ROWLES. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0142105. 17pp. 2015. A systematic review of changes in marine mammal health in North America, 1972-2012: The need for a novel integrated approach. 1.978 MB SMITH, LAUREN N.; DAVID S. ROTSTEIN; RAY L. BALL; TREVOR J. GERLACH; MICHAEL KINSEL; MAYA RODRIGUEZ and MARTINE DE WIT. JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE 46(4):895-903. 2015. Reproductive neoplasms in wild and long-term captive female Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). 0.802 MB SOCHELEAU, FRANCOIS-XAVIER; EMMANUELLE LEROY; ANDRES CARVALLO PECCI; FLORE SAMARAN; JULIEN BONNEL and JEAN-YVES ROYER. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):3105-3117. 2015. Automated detection of Antarctic blue whale calls. 4.754 MB SONG, KYUNG-FUN. PACIFIC SCIENCE 70(1):35-44. 2016. Cetacean strandings in Korean waters. 0.277 MB SONG, ZHONGCHANG; XIAO XU; JIANCHEN DONG; LURU XING; MENG ZHANG; XUECHENG LIU; YU ZHANG; SONGHAI LI and PER BERGGREN. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):3129-3137. 2015. Acoustic property reconstruction of a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) forehead based on computed tomography imaging. 2.268 MB STENSON, GARRY B.; ALEJANDRO D. BUREN and MARIANO KOEN-ALONSO. ICES (INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEAS) JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE 73(2):250-262. 2016. The impact of changing climate and abundance on reproduction in an ice-dependent species, the Northwest Atlantic harp seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus. 0.891 MB TANAKA, Y. and R. E. FORDYCE. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND 45(3):135-150. 2015. Historically significant late Oligocene dolphin Microcetus hectori Benham 1935: A new species of Waipatia (Platanistoidea). 1.050 MB TATSCH, ANA CAROLINA C.; EDUARDO R. SECCHI and SILVINA BOTTA. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY 30(3):460-466. 2016. Effects of acidification, lipid removal and mathematical normalization on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions in beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone. 0.320 MB TEMTE, JONATHAN L. and ERIN FLYNN. ZOO BIOLOGY 34(6):522-524. 2015. Phenomenal advanced age of pupping in a captive pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi). 0.260 MB TERHUNE, JOHN M. BIOACOUSTICS 25(1):75-88. 2016. Weddell seals do not lengthen calls in response to conspecific masking. 1.496 MB THOMPSON, KIRSTEN F.; SELINA PATEL; LIAM WILLIAMS; PETER TSAI; ROCHELLE CONSTANTINE; C. SCOTT BAKER and CRAIG D. MILLAR. MITOCHONDRIAL DNA 27(1):128-129. 2016. High coverage of the complete mitochondrial genome of the rare Gray's beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayi) using Illumina next generation sequencing. 0.097 MB TSANGARAS, KYRIAKOS; JENS MAYER; DAVID E. ALQUEZAR-PLANAS and ALEX D. GREENWOOD. VIRUSES-BASEL 7(11):6089-6107. 2015. An evolutionarily young polar bear (Ursus maritimus) endogenous retrovirus identified from next generation sequence data. 1.739 MB TYACK, PETER L.; JOHN CALAMBOKIDIS; ARI FRIEDLAENDER; JEREMY GOLDBOGEN and BRANDON SOUTHALL. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0142287. 3pp. 2015. Formal comment on Schorr GS, Falcone EA, Moretti DJ, Andrews RD (2014) First long-term behavioral records from Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) reveal record-breaking dives. PLoS ONE 9(3): e92633. 0.157 MB VACQUIE-GARCIA, JADE; CHRISTOPHE GUINET; ANNE-CECILE DRAGON; MORGANE VIVIANT; NORY EL KSABI and FREDERIC BAILLEUL. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES 541:265-277. 2015. Predicting prey capture rates of southern elephant seals from track and dive parameters. 1.955 MB VAN BEURDEN, STEVEN J.; LONNEKE L. IJSSELDIJK; SOLEDAD R. ORDONEZ; CHRISTINE FOERSTER; GEERT DE VRIEZE; ANDREA GRONE; M. HELENE VERHEIJE and MARJA KIK. ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY 160(12):3115-3120. 2015. Identification of a novel gammaherpesvirus associated with (muco) cutaneous lesions in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). 0.941 MB VELASCO-MARTINEZ, IRIS DEL CASTILLO; CLAUDIA J. HERNANDEZ-CAMACHO; LIA MENDEZ-RODRIGUEZ and TANIA ZENTENO-SAVIN. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY PART A: MOLECULAR AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 191:196-201. 2016. Purine metabolism in response to hypoxic conditions associated with breath-hold diving and exercise in erythrocytes and plasma from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 0.221 MB VILLEGAS-AMTMANN, S.; L. K. SCHWARZ; J. L. SUMICH and D. P. COSTA. ECOSPHERE 6(10). Article 183. 19pp. 2015. A bioenergetics model to evaluate demographic consequences of disturbance in marine mammals applied to gray whales. 1.681 MB VILLEGAS-ZURITA, FRANCISCO; FATIMA CASTILLEJOS-MOGUEL and FERNANDO R. ELORRIAGA-VERPLANCKEN. REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD 86(4):1107-1109. 2015. Southernmost presence of the Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) in the Mexican South Pacific. 0.810 MB VILORIA-GOMORA, LORENA; EDUARDO ROMERO-VIVAS and JORGE URBAN R. JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 138(5):2722-2725. 2015. Calls of Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) recorded in the Gulf of California. 0.537 MB VOLLMER, NICOLE L.; LEE-ANN C. HAYEK; MICHAEL R. HEITHAUS and RICHARD C. CONNOR. BEHAVIOUR 152(14):1979-2000. 2015. Further evidence of a context-specific agonistic signal in bottlenose dolphins: The influence of consortships and group size on the pop vocalization. 1.435 MB WANG, ZHI-TAO; PAUL E. NACHTIGALL; TOMONARI AKAMATSU; KE-XIONG WANG; YU-PING WU; JIAN-CHANG LIU; GUO-QIN DUAN; HAN-JIANG CAO and DING WANG. PLOS ONE 10(11) e0141807. 24pp. 2015. Passive acoustic monitoring the diel, lunar, seasonal and tidal patterns in the biosonar activity of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Pearl River Estuary, China. 3.101 MB WATT, CORTNEY A.; STEPHEN D. PETERSEN and STEVEN H. FERGUSON. POLAR BIOLOGY 38(2):1971-1981. 2015. Genetics and fatty acids assist in deciphering narwhal (Monodon monoceros ) social groupings. 1.098 MB WESTLEY, BENJAMIN P.; RYAN D. HORAZDOVSKY; DINA L. MICHAELS and DANIEL R. BROWN. CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASE 62(4):491-493. 2016. Identification of a novel mycoplasma species in a patient with septic arthritis of the hip and seal finger. 0.258 MB WIERUCKA, KAJA; SONIA SIEMIANOWSKA; MARTA WOZNIAK; KATARZYNA JASNOSZ; MAGDALENA KIELISZCZYK; PAULINA KOZAK; AGNIESZKA SERGIEL. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE 19(1):62-72. 2016. Activity budgets of captive Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) under a training regime. 0.910 MB WILLIAMS, ROB; JEFFREY E. MOORE; CATALINA GOMEZ-SALAZAR; FERNANDO TRUJILLO and LOUISE BURT. BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 195:136-145. 2016. Searching for trends in river dolphin abundance: Designing surveys for looming threats, and evidence for opposing trends of two species in the Colombian Amazon. 0.996 MB WOODMAN, SALLY; AMANDA J. GIBSON; ANA RUBIO GARCIA; GUILLERMO SANCHEZ CONTRERAS; JOHN W. ROSSEN; DIRK WERLING and VICTORIA OFFORD. VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY 169:10-14. 2016. Structural characterisation of Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) and Toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) in elephant and harbor seals. 1.174 MB WOOLFORD, LUCY; ARTHUR WONG; HELEN L. SNEATH; TREVOR LONG; SUSAN P. BOYD and JANET M. LANYON. VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY 44(4):530-541. 2015. Hematology of dugongs (Dugong dugon) in southern Queensland. 0.392 MB WRIGHT, ANDREW J. and A. MEL COSENTINO. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 100(1):231-239. 2015. JNCC guidelines for minimising the risk of injury and disturbance to marine mammals from seismic surveys: We can do better. 0.405 MB YAMATO, MAYA; KAMAL KHIDAS; NICHOLAS D. PYENSON; R. EWAN FORDYCE and JAMES G. MEAD. JOURNAL OF ANATOMY 228(1):125-136. 2016. Extensively remodeled, fractured cetacean tympanic bullae show that whales can survive traumatic injury to the ears. 0.939 MB YOO, JEAN; MASASHI HIRANO; HAZUKI MIZUKAWA; KEI NOMIYAMA; TETSURO AGUSA; EUN-YOUNG KIM; SHINSUKE TANABE and HISATO IWATA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 49(24):14588-14596. 2015. In vitro and in silico analyses for predicting hepatic cytochrome P450-dependent metabolic potencies of polychlorinated biphenyls in the Baikal seal. 1.753 MB YOUNG, BRENT G.; STEVEN H. FERGUSON and NICHOLAS J. LUNN. ARCTIC 68(3):301-309. 2015. Variation in ringed seal density and abundance in western Hudson Bay estimated from aerial surveys, 1995 to 2013. 0.844 MB ZAPPES, CAMILAH ANTUNES; PAULO CESAR SIMOES-LOPES; ARTUR ANDRIOLO; ANA PAULA MADEIRA DI BENEDITTO. OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT 120:160-169. 2016. Traditional knowledge identifies causes of bycatch on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus Montagu 1821): An ethnobiological approach. 1.542 MB ZHANG, XIYANG; WENZHI LIN; RUILIAN ZHOU; DUAN GUI; XINJIAN YU and YUPING WU. JOURNAL OF HEREDITY 107(2):143-152. 2016. Low major histocompatibility complex class II variation in the endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis): Inferences about the role of balancing selection. 1.428 MB ZHOU, XUMING; INGE SEIM and VADIM N. GLADYSHEV. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 5(16550). 10pp. 2015. Convergent evolution of marine mammals is associated with distinct substitutions in common genes. 0.905 MB From srichardson at coastalstudies.org Wed Feb 10 09:54:45 2016 From: srichardson at coastalstudies.org (Stephanie Richardson) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:54:45 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer Internship - Environmental Education, Provincetown MA USA Message-ID: *Summer 2016 Internship Opportunity* The Center for Coastal Studies is a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting scientific research with emphasis on marine mammals of the western North Atlantic and on the coastal and marine habitats and resources of the Gulf of Maine. CCS has been conducting research and marine and coastal educational programs on Cape Cod for over 39 years. *Education Responsibilities*-Intern will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, and festivals, including CCS?s signature summer week of events: Whale Week: A Celebration of the Sea. Interns will assist in staffing the Center?s new exhibit space near Commercial St; designing and delivering presentations, answering questions about CCS, marine mammals and ocean conservation issues, and other general duties. Other Responsibilities- Each intern will take on a project which they will work on for the duration of their internship. Interns must have their own transportation, and housing is not provided. A small stipend is provided. Qualifications- - The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university. High school students may also be considered. - Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards environmental studies, education, marine science, biology or other related fields. - Intern should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. - Intern should be a self-starter able to take responsibility for completing projects. - Students that are adaptable, responsible, hard working, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply. - Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. - Must be comfortable working with all ages. - Must be comfortable working outside in all conditions. - Must be comfortable working with and handling marine species. - Interns must be able to commit to at least two-three months; preferred start date-end date beginning June to mid August, but dates are flexible based on school schedules. - Interns must work a minimum of 20 hours per week. - Schedule is flexible but intern may have to work some weekends and evenings. - Preference will be given to students with secured housing on Cape Cod. To Apply- Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to Stephanie Richardson at srichardson at coastalstudies.org or 115 Bradford St, Provincetown, Massachusetts 02657. Applications must be received by March 18, 2016. -- Stephanie Richardson Human Resource Manager Center for Coastal Studies 115 Bradford Street Provincetown, MA 02657 t. (508) 487-3622 Ext. 113 f. (508) 487-4495 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nam.dolphin.edu at gmail.com Mon Feb 8 08:04:39 2016 From: nam.dolphin.edu at gmail.com (Namibian Dolphin Project) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 18:04:39 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Research Internship 2016_Namibia Message-ID: We would be grateful if you could circulate this information. The Namibian Dolphin Project is a research and conservation organization run by several independent scientists based in southern Africa. We are running research internships in 2016 and would like to invite students enrolled in marine biology, ecology and zoology degrees to attend. These 6 week long internships will take place between 1 June to 13 July 2016 and 20 July to 31 August 2016 in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Internships are research focused with an emphasis on learning field skills used in cetacean research such as photo-identification and behavioural data collection, as well as data management and team work. The fee of 2500 USD covers all research training, field work, accommodation and food for the 6 week field period. Please note we have limited spaces remaining. If you are interested in joining our research team during one of these periods please send a letter of motivation and your CV in an email with the subject Research Internship 2016_Namibia to nam.dolphin.edu at gmail.com. More information can be found on the Namibian Dolphin Project and our umbrella organisation Sea Search by following these links ( www.namibiandolphinproject.com www.seasearch.co.za) Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions regarding this training opportunity. Kind regards Namibian Dolphin Project Team www.namibiandolphinproject.com namibiandolphinproject.blogspot.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From shannondolphins at gmail.com Wed Feb 10 05:31:49 2016 From: shannondolphins at gmail.com (Shannon Dolphins) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 13:31:49 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH ASSISTANTS REQUIRED IN THE SHANNON ESTUARY, IRELAND Message-ID: BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN RESEARCH ASSISTANTS REQUIRED IN THE SHANNON ESTUARY, IRELAND The Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation (SDWF) is seeking research assistants to conduct boat- and office-based bottlenose dolphin research May-September 2016 in Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland. For more information about the SDWF see www.shannondolphins.ie and www.facebook.com/ShannonDolphinAndWildlifeCentre The SDWF is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation and research of dolphins and wildlife in the Shannon Estuary with offices based in the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre, an interpretive centre open to the public and used to promote educational awareness of the dolphins and wildlife in the Shannon region. Long-term monitoring of the bottlenose dolphin population in the Shannon has been carried out since 1993. The Shannon River estuary is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bottlenose dolphins and is home to a resident population of dolphins. The SDWF is seeking voluntary research assistants for the 2016 field season to carry out dolphin research and education. Research assistants will be required to conduct monitoring surveys from dolphin-watching tour boats, spend a considerable amount of time on bottlenose dolphin photo-identification and related office tasks, provide guided tours of the visitor centre and assist in the management of the dolphin centre on a daily basis. Photo-id training will be provided on the boats and in the office. Research assistants will also assist with a PhD project on bottlenose dolphin social and foraging behaviour on board the RV *Muc Mhara* when weather conditions allow for fieldwork. This research will consist of boat-based photo-ID and behavioural observations of bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary and presents an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to a project with a strong scientific aim and a high conservation value. There may also be opportunities for assistants to help with research conducted on board the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group research vessel *Celtic Mist* and to assist the IWDG with cetacean strandings should the opportunity arise. These positions provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills in cetacean research and education and to assist with one of the longest-running bottlenose dolphin population monitoring programs in the world. WORK PERIOD 15 May 2016 to 17 September 2016 We are seeking skilled research assistants to commence on 15 May 2016. Research assistants are required full-time for four months, finishing 17 September 2016. Because of the training required, preference will be given to applicants who can commit to three or four months. However, those available for a shorter period of time will also be considered. LOCATION Research assistants will be based in Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland, a small town located in west Clare on the northern shore of the Shannon Estuary. The Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre is located less than 10 minutes walk from the town centre. West Clare is a beautiful place to work, but applicants are asked to be aware that it is also somewhat geographically isolated with limited facilities and variable weather patterns. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Conducting monitoring surveys from two dolphin-watching tour boats operating in the Shannon Estuary, collecting photo-id data and recording data on tour boat encounters with dolphin groups. Surveys involve one to four daily boat trips and are weather dependent ? i.e. many days in a row if weather is good. 2. Photo-identification and database entry in the office, including fin identification, fin-matching, photo processing, sighting data entry and maintenance of our long-term photo-id catalogue. Research assistants should be prepared to work long days in the office entering data and analysing and organising photographs, including working with historic archived photographs and related data. 3. Dolphin centre duties, including general administrative tasks, receiving visitors to the dolphin centre, engaging with and educating members of the public, managing merchandise, updating websites and supporting and promoting SDWF, and raising awareness and membership participation. Also, general maintenance of research equipment and facilities. Research assistants will also take part in various fundraising events for SDWF throughout the summer. 4. PhD research assistance (1) Field duties include conducting surveys and focal follows of bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary. Searching for and spotting dolphins, taking photos, recording video, making and recording field observations, photo-identification, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data entry. Expect early starts, cold weather, up to 10 hours on the water for multiple consecutive days, and up to a week between days off. (2) Office duties include photo-identification and database entry, including fin identification, fin-matching, photo processing, sighting data entry and maintenance of our long-term photo-id catalogue. Computer programs used for data are: FinBase, IMatch, Microsoft Access, Excel and Word. As boat-based research is highly weather dependent, it can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long, consecutive days, in the office during bad weather and in the field during good weather. Research assistants should be prepared to spend weeks at a time in the office when the weather is bad and many consecutive days on the boat when the weather is good. All volunteers will be given training in boat-based work, office tasks and visitor tours including observation and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins, photo processing and database entry. REQUIREMENTS Essential - Genuine interest in marine mammal biology, the marine environment and conservation - Basic computer proficiency in MS Office - Previous photo-identification experience or a strong desire to learn photo-id skills - Excellent verbal and communication skills - Enthusiastic with a positive attitude to hard work and long hours - Sociable and team-oriented with the ability to get on well with others in a small team (3-4 people) - Work well both in a team and independently - A detail-oriented work ethic with an ability to work in a meticulous manner - Conscientious, reliable, hard-working, and self-motivated - Flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent - Prepared to work long days in the field or office - Comfortable working on boats - No history of debilitating seasickness - Good English language skills - Must be 18 years or older Preferred but not essential - Enrolled in or completed a degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Animal Behaviour, Ecology, Zoology or related fields - Previous field research experience, especially in marine mammal research - Driving Licence (and possibility to bring your own car) - Possibility to bring your own laptop for data entry - Prior experience working on boats - A strong interest and knowledge of bottlenose dolphins and/or Irish cetaceans - Experience in interacting with the public - Familiarity with DSLR cameras and GPS equipment and software - Prior experience with MS Access and IMatch APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Research assistants will be based in Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland and will be expected to work and live as part of a team. Unfortunately, there is no monetary compensation for these positions and a contribution of ?300 per month towards accommodation and utilities is required. Accommodation is in a shared house within walking distance of the dolphin centre and town of Kilrush. Research assistants are responsible for their own food costs and travel expenses to and from Kilrush, Ireland. To apply, please send your CV (including two relevant referees and their contact information) and a covering letter with a brief description of yourself and what you hope to gain from this experience, details of why you would like to work on this specific project and any relevant experience you have to Isabel Baker (shannondolphins at gmail.com) by 26 February 2016. Please also specify the dates you expect to be able to join the project. Please put SDWF Research Assistant 2016 in the subject line of your email. APPLICATION DEADLINE 26 February 2016 The closing date for applications is 26 February 2016. However, early application is recommended. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a Skype interview in March. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From anadinis at yahoo.com Thu Feb 11 04:01:37 2016 From: anadinis at yahoo.com (ana dinis) Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 12:01:37 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?Reminder=3A_workshop_on_=E2=80=9CRemote_insula?= =?utf-8?q?r_marine_habitats=3A_how_important_are_these_regions_for_oceani?= =?utf-8?q?c_cetacean_populations=E2=80=9D?= References: <1121051372.2078503.1455192097391.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1121051372.2078503.1455192097391.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Dear MARMAM list members, just a reminder that there are still a few places available on this workshop. The workshop will have the participation of some experienced researchers that work on these environments sharing their knowledge. It will be a good opportunity to learn and point out the major difficulties of working with these cetaceans populations.??The workshop, organized by the CIIMAR-Madeira/OOM will be held at the forthcoming ECS Conference?in Funchal - Madeira, on Saturday, 12th March (half day, morning):??Remote insular marine habitats: how important are these regions for oceanic cetacean populations??AbstractOceanic islands worldwide provide important habitat for a variety of cetacean species. Archipelagos like Madeira, Azores, the Canaries or Hawaii, are good examples of such habitats, each of them with 25 or more species of odontocetes and mysticetes documented. Despite being open ocean oligotrophic regions, the islands surrounding waters are known for their biological productivity that attracts many pelagic organisms. Moreover, island-associated communities similar to the ones found in continental coastal habitats were identified in many of these archipelagos. Yet, little is known about the interaction of these individuals with the offshore communities and its significances for the sustainability of these populations. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together researchers conducting studies in similar environments to share knowledge for a better understanding of these unique habitats and what they represent for cetacean populations worldwide. We would like to encourage researchers all over the world working in such regions to submit talks resuming their studies in these cetacean populations.?The workshop has a maximum of 25 participants and a participation fee of? ?15. Anyone interested in participating or offering a talk, please contact:?ana.dinis at ciimarmadeira.org?or?filipe.alves at ciimarmadeira.org??More information about the workshop at:?http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0?. Further details with a programme will be sent closer to the date of the workshop to those who have registered to attend.?Best regards,Ana Dinis?CIIMAR-Madeira,Madeira, PortugalPhone: +351 962785975http://home.ciimarmadeira.org/index.php?page=anadinisReply?Reply to All?Forward?More -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From fkershaw at nrdc.org Thu Feb 11 09:22:42 2016 From: fkershaw at nrdc.org (Kershaw, Francine) Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:22:42 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Feb 2016 Expert Consultation: Visualizing genetic data to identify IMMAs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear MARMAM members, The expert consultation process on visualizing genetic data to identify Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) is still underway! Please take a few minutes to log into the SeaSketch projects and fill out a survey. Again, we encourage feedback from across the marine mammal community. All the details you need to carry out the evaluation are below and, as always, please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, either by email (fkershaw at nrdc.org), phone (+1-212-727-4564), or Skype (francine.kershaw). With best wishes, Francine Kershaw and Howard C. Rosenbaum ______________________________________________ At the workshop, "Integrating genetics into the Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) identification process," held at the Society of Marine Mammalogy Biennial in December, an interdisciplinary group of more than 20 marine mammal experts evaluated how genetic data and information can be visualized geospatially and systematically integrated into the identification of IMMAs. This project represents a partnership between the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Area Task Force (MMPATF), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the University of California - Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). We are now expanding this effort and seeking expert consultation with the wider marine mammal science and conservation community on how genetic data and information can be effectively represented geospatially and graphically to inform the identification of IMMAs. The consultation period will take place from February 1st to February 26th 2016. The evaluation procedure involves accessing two SeaSketch projects for humpback whales and spinner dolphins, examining a selection of the data layers and graphical analytics, and completing a short questionnaire with your thoughts and feedback on each layer/graphic. You are also able leave more general feedback and comments on the projects and broader initiative in the SeaSketch public comment forums. The information and feedback gathered at the workshop and through the expanded consultation process will be incorporated into a genetics 'module' that will form part of the IMMA "Toolkit", currently being developed by the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA MMPATF, to guide the identification of IMMAs. Given the applied nature of this project, we strongly encourage experts both with and without a background in genetics to participate in the consultation. The links for the Humpback whale project and the Spinner dolphin project, and a Tutorial on how to complete the evaluation can be found here. You can find additional information about the development process of the IMMA classification via the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA MMPATF website. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email (fkershaw at nrdc.org), phone (+1-212-727-4564), or Skype (francine.kershaw) if you have any questions (either on the evaluation process, the workshop, or the initiative more generally). With warm regards, Francine Kershaw and Howard C. Rosenbaum Francine Kershaw, Ph.D. Marine Mammals Science Fellow Natural Resources Defense Council 40 W 20th Street New York, NY 10011 USA T 212.727.4564 C 917.450.0994 fkershaw at nrdc.org http://www.nrdc.org https://columbia.academia.edu/francinekershaw Howard C. Rosenbaum, Ph.D. Director Ocean Giants Program Global Conservation Programs Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, New York 10460 USA T 718-220-5184 F 718-364-4275 hrosenbaum at wcs.org http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/ocean-giants.aspx -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hbarriosg at gmail.com Wed Feb 10 22:29:55 2016 From: hbarriosg at gmail.com (Hector Barrios-Garrido) Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 16:29:55 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Acoustic parameters of Guiana Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) Whistles - Gulf of Venezuela Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We are pleased to share with you our latest research article entitled: "Acoustic Parameters of Guiana Dolphin (*Sotalia guianensis*) whistles in the Southern Gulf of Venezuela", to be publish in the next issue of Aquatic Mammals journal (available online on 1st of June/2016). Due to the journal?s policy the pdf file cannot be uploaded on any web page. For pdf copies please send an email to *hector.barriosgarrido at my.jcu.edu.au or hbarriosg at gmail.com * Please find below the citation and abstract. Best regards, Prof. Hector Barrios-Garrido Lcda. Kareen De Turris-Morales Lcda. Gabriela Delgado-Ortega Br. Chloe M. Nash MSc. Ninive Espinoza-Rodriguez *Acoustic Parameters of Guiana Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) whistles in the Southern Gulf of Venezuela* *Abstract* The Guiana dolphin, *Sotalia guianensis*, is widely distributed along the coasts of Central and South America. Similar to other delphinids, this species emits echolocation clicks, burst pulses, and whistles. Although whistling seems to play a major role in the social organisation of dolphins, there is a lack of knowledge about Guiana dolphin whistles outside of populations in Brazil and Costa Rica. In this study, we describe the acoustic structure of Guiana dolphin whistles from the southern Gulf of Venezuela for the first time. We recorded the whistles using an omnidirectional hydrophone (CR1). For each whistle, we measured maximum frequency (kHz), minimum frequency (kHz), starting frequency (kHz), ending frequency (kHz), duration (s), and number of inflection points, using spectrograms created in SpectraLAB 4.32 software (v. 17). Whistles presented an average starting frequency of 10.58 kHz (SD=2.49 kHz), a mean ending frequency of 13.96 kHz (SD=2.60 kHz), an average minimum frequency of 10.31 kHz (SD=2.33 kHz), a mean maximum frequency of 13.96 kHz (SD=2.51 kHz), an average duration of 0.27 s (SD=0.14 s), and a maximum of 4 inflection points (mode 0). This research provides new insights into the acoustic behaviour of the Guiana dolphin in the Gulf of Venezuela. *Key Words: * Guiana dolphin, *Sotalia guianensis*, acoustic structure, acoustic parameters, Gulf of Venezuela, cetacean *Citation*: Barrios-Garrido, H., De Turris-Morales, K., Delgado-Ortega, G., Nash, C.M., Espinoza-Rodr?guez, N. 2016. Acoustic Parameters of Guiana Dolphin (*Sotalia guianensis*) whistles in the Southern Gulf of Venezuela. *Aquatic Mammals*, 42(2): 127-136, doi: *10.1578/AM.42.2.2016.127* -- *********************************************** Hector Barrios-Garrido. PhD Candidate- Candidato a Doctor. College of Marine & Environmental Sciences Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia. Bi?logo-Biologist. Magister en Ecologia Aplicada. Master in Applied Ecology. IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group Member. International Sea Turtle Society Member. Laboratorio de Ecologia General Departamento de Biologia Facultad Experimental de Ciencias La Universidad del Zulia Grupo de Trabajo en Tortugas Marinas del Golfo de Venezuela (GTTM-GV) Presidente Fundador-President (Founder) Centro de Modelado Cientifico (CMC) Eje: BioCiencias. Townsville, Queensland, Australia. alt.email: hector.barriosgarrido at my.jcu.edu.au Skype: hector.barrios.garrido PUBLICATIONS: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hector_Barrios-Garrido https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1-jYN84AAAAJ&hl=es -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lindsay.jp at gmail.com Thu Feb 11 19:31:58 2016 From: lindsay.jp at gmail.com (Lindsay Porter) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:31:58 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Call for Research Proposals: The Emily B Shane (EBS) Award Message-ID: The Emily B. Shane EBS) Award supports conservation-oriented, non-harmful* field research on free-ranging Odontocetes and Sirenians. The award honours Emily B. Shane (1924-1995), a fine amateur naturalist and dedicated conservationist. Funds are awarded to projects which focus on odontocetes and sirenians, especially those aimed at habitat and species conservation. Research that also impacts a local human community in terms of increased public awareness, capacity building, or education may be given special consideration. The award, given annually, will total approximately US$10,000. The award committee may opt to divide the award among two or more applicants. Although awards will be made for no more than one year at a time, applicants may apply more than once for the same project. Due Date: Applications are to be submitted by 31 March 2016 (midnight GMT). No application shall be accepted after the deadline. Proposals must be submitted to the Awards Chair, Lindsay Porter and the subject line must state ?EBS Award 2016?. Evaluation Criteria Eligibility: The award is available to students and other researchers who are members of the Marine Mammal Society and meet the evaluation criteria. The application should be submitted by the person conducting the research. The application must include the following materials; ? - A proposal, not exceeding three pages in length (Times font, 12 point type, single space, 2 cm margins). Briefly outline the proposed research, objectives of the study, methods, role of the proposed work in conservation, the time period for the research, person(s) conducting the field research and role of each, and literature cited. - A budget, including other funding applied for, or already held, for the proposed research. Funding requests should be for direct field research expenses only. - Research permits or authorisation from appropriate authorities (or copies of application if permits not yet finalised) - A current C.V. of the applicant, up to three pages in length. ? - Three references with e-mail address, phone number, and relationship to applicant. - For students, the supervisor must provide a letter of support Award recipient(s) will be announced by 30 June 2016. *Non-harmful research is that which poses a minimal risk to the health and life of an individual animal and to other species within the ecosystem. Research that entails capture or invasive techniques is acceptable only if carried out by competent, experienced personnel and provides clear benefits in terms of conservation and scientific knowledge. Applicant must document previous experience and outcomes -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From robertw.rankin at gmail.com Fri Feb 12 07:14:16 2016 From: robertw.rankin at gmail.com (Robert Rankin) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2016 10:14:16 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on dolphin social networks Message-ID: Dear MARMAM'ers, We invite you to read our new publication on bottlenose dolphin social networks. We studied a variety of weighted metrics (centrality, transitivity, affinity) and argue that many so-called "network" metrics are highly redundant to simple individual-attributes, and are not informative of dolphin social structure. We also compare how social networks' weight information (strength of connections) and binary information (who is connected to who) are differently important for inferences about community-partitioning and network structure. Rankin, RW, J Mann, L Singh, EM Patterson, E Krzyszczyk, and L Bejder. 2016. The role of weighted and topological network information to understand animal social networks: a null model approach. Animal Behaviour 113:215?228. DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.12.015 ABSTRACT: Network null models are important to drawing conclusions about individual- and population-(or graph) level metrics. While the null models of binary networks are well studied, recent literature on weighted networks suggests that: (1) many so-called ?weighted metrics? do not actually depend on weights, and (2) many metrics that supposedly measure higher-order social structure actually are highly correlated with individual-level attributes. This is important for behavioural ecology studies where weighted network analyses predominate, but there is no consensus on how null models should be specified. Using real social networks, we developed three null models that address two technical challenges in the networks of social animals: (1) how to specify null models that are suitable for ?proportion-weighted networks? based on indices such as the half-weight index; and (2) how to condition on the degree- and strength-sequence and both. We compared 11 metrics with each other and against null-model expectations for 10 social networks of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, from Shark Bay, Australia. Observed metric values were similar to null-model expectations for some weighted metrics, such as centrality measures, disparity and connectivity, whereas other metrics such as affinity and clustering were informative about dolphin social structure. Because weighted metrics can differ in their sensitivity to the degree-sequence or strength-sequence, conditioning on both is a more reliable and conservative null model than the more common strength-preserving null-model for weighted networks. Other social structure analyses, such as community partitioning by weighted Modularity optimization, were much less sensitive to the underlying null-model. Lastly, in contrast to results in other scientific disciplines, we found that many weighted metrics do not depend trivially on topology; rather, the weight distribution contains important information about dolphin social structure. Download the free PDF here: http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1SWvl_4tkzCKe Visit on Mendeley: http://mnd.ly/1QwiaR3 Visit on ResearchGate: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/294088685_The_role_of_weighted_and_topological_network_information_to_understand_animal_social_networks_a_null_model_approach Import the following bibtex into your reference manager: @article{rankin_networks_2016, title = {The role of weighted and topological network information to understand animal social networks: a null model approach}, author = {Rankin, Robert W. and Mann, Janet and Singh, Lisa and Patterson, Eric M. and Krzyszczyk, Ewa and Bejder, Lars}, journal = {Animal Behaviour}, year = {2016}, pages = {215--228}, volume = {113}, doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.12.015}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000334721500456X}, keywords = {bias, bottlenose dolphin, community structure, maximum entropy, network topology, social network} } -- "You could give Aristotle a tutorial. And you could thrill him to the core of his being ... Such is the privilege of living after Newton, Darwin, Einstein, Planck, Watson, Crick and their colleagues." -- Richard Dawkins -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sn1608 at googlemail.com Mon Feb 8 06:09:11 2016 From: sn1608 at googlemail.com (Sam Nichols) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2016 14:09:11 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Announcement of Research Trip "Advances in Marine Wildlife Monitoring with Emphasis on Acoustics and Visual Techniques": May 9-16 2016, Ireland Message-ID: *Advances in Marine Wildlife Monitoring with Emphasis on Acoustics and Visual Techniques, May 2016, Ireland* Marine wildlife research is evolving and changing thanks to exciting new monitoring technologies in this field and Seiche is at the forefront of developing these advanced technologies. For the first time, Seiche is running a 7 day research trip on Lambay Island, Ireland, where we will be utilizing some of these new technologies. You will gain hands-on experience using 3 acoustic platforms including towed, digital and conventional hydrophone arrays and an autonomous vehicle. You will learn how thermal imaging techniques can be used as an aid to visual monitoring. This course will mainly consist of fieldwork around Lambay as well as short discussions and data analysis in the evenings. For those that wish to explore this fantastic island and surrounding areas short excursions are also available. Please contact training at seiche.com for more information, costs and itinerary. Seiche Training is part of Seiche Ltd, the global underwater acoustics experts. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sparks at syr.edu Wed Feb 10 06:34:19 2016 From: sparks at syr.edu (Susan E Parks) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:34:19 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Application deadline approaching for SeaBASS 2016 Message-ID: We are pleased to announce this year's marine bioacoustics summer school program (SeaBASS 2016). The application period will be closing on Feb 29, 2016. SeaBASS provides the opportunity for graduate students interested in pursuing careers in marine bioacoustics to develop a strong foundation of both marine animal biology and acoustics from distinguished lecturers in the field. The goals of SeaBASS are to discuss important topics in marine bioacoustics, foster technical communication across disciplines, and promote mentoring and collaboration. SeaBASS gives students an opportunity to learn from experts who will discuss a suite of topics not often offered at any one university. WHEN: June 5-10, 2016 WHERE: Syracuse University, NY COSTS: The costs of student attendance (room and board, based on double occupancy for students) will be funded from sponsor support. There is no registration fee. Full-time participation of all participants is required. Travel costs are the responsibility of the student, but travel assistance can be requested during the application process. APPLICATION: On-line application is available at http://www.arl.psu.edu/education_seabass.php. Applications deadline is February 29, 2016. Direct questions to Dr. Jennifer Miksis-Olds via email at: jlm91 at arl.psu.edu or Dr. Susan Parks at sparks at syr.edu. COURSE TOPICS: Introduction to Underwater Sound, Sound Propagation, Marine Mammal Biology & Behavior, Sound Production, Fisheries Acoustics/Fish Behavior, Hearing and Masking, Marine Animal Acoustic Communication, Echolocation, Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Hot Topic: Effects of Noise, Hot Topic: Density Estimation Assistant Professor Department of Biology Syracuse University 114 Life Sciences Complex Syracuse NY 13244 (315) 443-4672 sparks at syr.edu http://parkslab.syr.edu From victoria.angeline13 at gmail.com Wed Feb 10 07:44:43 2016 From: victoria.angeline13 at gmail.com (Victoria Howard) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:44:43 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer 2016 Marine Mammal Research Internship Message-ID: *Summer 2016 Marine Mammal Research Internship* The IMMS Research Internship Program is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will participate with multiple projects involving bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and diamondback terrapins. As an intern, you will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research, sea turtle satellite tracking, and other current research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine science research. Interns must: - Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. - Be available to work Mon-Fri and must be available for all boat trips. Some field days may fall on the weekends. - Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes. - Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills. - *Principle Duties include*: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), boat based field research (21? and 31? boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS - *Secondary Duties involve*: Assisting with animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, and assisting with educational tours. - *Field days: *Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 ?F in summer to 30 ?F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least two or three times a week. Applicants must be 18 or older and must have a genuine interest in marine research. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in oceanography, marine science/biology, biology, or a related field. Previous research experience in any capacity is a plus. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations. *Deadline to Apply for the Summer Session (5/2/16 - 7/22/16 and 6/6/16 - 8/26/16) is March 1, 2016* *Please visit **http://imms.org/internship.php* * for application and full details* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From volunteer at northcoastmmc.org Thu Feb 11 09:42:23 2016 From: volunteer at northcoastmmc.org (NMMC Volunteer) Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 17:42:23 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] RESCUE/STRANDING DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP SPRING 2016 Message-ID: RESCUE/STRANDING DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP SPRING 2016 The Northcoast Marine Mammal Center is seeking applicants for internships working with stranded marine mammals. These positions are unpaid and no housing is provided. Internships dates are flexible, although March through May would be ideal. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible. Applicants will be living and working in Crescent City, Ca. Program description: The NMMC is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are interested in increasing their experience and knowledge of marine mammals. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in marine mammal rescues, releases and other field responses as available. In addition, interns will be required to assist in other departments and with animal care duties(intake duties, feed preparations, medical charting, administration of medications, pen cleaning and other animal husbandry duties as needed) for onsite patients. This is our busiest season of the year. Spring is Pacific harbor seal pupping season and Northern elephant seal weaner season, so in addition to general animal care duties, there will be a lot of tube feeding and fish schooling involved. Intern responsibilities and Qualifications: This internship is open to all applicants 21 years of age and older, with a devoted interest in marine biology, zoology, general biology, or a related field. Interns should be able to work for a minimum of 2 months, 5 days a week, at least 40 hours per week. Work schedule must be flexible and will include weekends and holidays. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for obtaining housing and transportation. Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and have practical computer knowledge. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume that includes the names of three references and a cover letter detailing interests, experience, start date and availability. Please forward all application materials electronically to volunteer at northcoastmmc.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From shane_gero at hotmail.com Fri Feb 12 00:01:44 2016 From: shane_gero at hotmail.com (Shane Gero) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2016 09:01:44 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] CALL FOR PROPOSALS: The Soceity for Marine Mammalogy's John E. Heyning Research Award 2016 Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, The Society for Marine Mammalogy is seeking proposals for the John E. Heyning Research Award 2016. The John E Heyning Award is presented in accordance with the last wishes of John E. Heyning, Curator of Mammals and Associate Deputy Director of Research and Collections, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, California. His research focused on the natural history, anatomy, evolution and conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises, especially delphinids and ziphiids. The award is presented for the best proposal received from an established researcher to investigate any area of cetacean integrative biology - comparative studies that relate diverse aspects of biology within an evolutionary context. The grant is open to established researchers who are members of the Society of Marine Mammalogy; students are not eligible. To receive research award criteria please contact the Awards Chair, Dr. Lindsay Porter Lindsay.jp at gmail.com with the subject line "JEH Award 2016". Details are available on our website: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/smm-news/call-for-proposals/ My best, Shane Gero **************************** Shane Gero Education Committee Chair Society for Marine Mammalogy http://www.marinemammalscience.org/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 3192 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.png Type: image/png Size: 2981 bytes Desc: not available URL: From Theresa.Mitchell at tamucc.edu Tue Feb 2 09:37:45 2016 From: Theresa.Mitchell at tamucc.edu (Mitchell, Theresa) Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2016 17:37:45 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Request for data Message-ID: I am working on a database project with Dr. James Simons - Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi - called GoMexSI (Gulf of Mexico Species Interactions). This research project is cataloging species interactions in the Gulf of Mexico. Until now we have been focused on the predator/prey interactions of fishes, however, we are currently looking to expand the database to include other taxa and ultimately will include parasite/host relationships. Our project is requesting data regarding stomach contents/diet concerning all endemic cetacean of the region. Thus far, we have only acquired a few studies regarding cetaceans and we wish to compile as much information as possible. If you or someone you know would be willing to cooperate, please contact me at the email below. Theresa Mitchell Theresa.Mitchell at tamucc.edu Center for Coastal Studies - TAMU-CC NRC Suite 3200 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, TX 78412 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sara.labrousse at gmail.com Fri Feb 12 16:08:50 2016 From: sara.labrousse at gmail.com (Sara Labrousse) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2016 01:08:50 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Publication on winter foraging ecology of southern elephant seals Message-ID: Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to bring to your attention the following publication : Labrousse, S., Vacqui?-Garcia, J., Heerah, K., Guinet, C., Sall?e, J.-B., Authier, M., Picard, B., Roquet, F., Bailleul, F., Hindell, M., Charrassin, J.-B., 2015. *Winter use of sea ice and ocean water mass habitat by southern elephant seals: The length and breadth of the mystery.* *Progress in Oceanography* 137, 52?68. doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2015.05.023 Abstract Understanding the responses of animals to the environment is crucial for identifying critical foraging habitat. Elephant seals (*Mirounga leonina*) from the Kerguelen Islands (49 ?20'S, 70 ?20'E) have several different foraging strategies. Why some individuals undertake long trips to the Antarctic continent while others utilize the relatively close frontal zones is poorly understood. Here, we investigate how physical properties within the sea ice zone are linked to foraging activities of southern elephant seals (SES). To do this, we first developed a new approach using indices of foraging derived from high temporal resolution dive and accelerometry data to predict foraging behaviour in an extensive, low resolution dataset from CTD-Satellite Relay Data Loggers (CTD-SRDLs). A sample of 37 post-breeding SES females were used to construct a predictive model applied to demersal and pelagic dive strategies relating prey encounter events (PEE) to dive parameters (dive duration, bottom duration, hunting-time, maximum depth, ascent speed, descent speed, sinuosity, and horizontal speed) for each strategy. We applied these models to a second sample of 35 seals, 20 males and 15 females, during the post-moult foraging trip to the Antarctic continental shelf between 2004 and 2013, which did not have fine-scale behavioural data. The females were widely distributed with important foraging activity south of the Southern Boundary Front, while males predominately travelled to the south-eastern part of the East Antarctica region. Combining our predictions of PEE with environmental features (sea ice concentration, water masses at the bottom phase of dives, bathymetry and slope index) we found higher foraging activity for females over shallower seabed depths and at the boundary between the overlying Antarctic Surface Water (AASW) and the underlying Modified Circumpolar Deep Water (MCDW). Increased biological activity associated with the upper boundary of MCDW, may provide overwintering areas for SES prey. Male foraging activity was strongly associated with pelagic dives within the Antarctic Slope Front where upwelling of nutrient rich Circumpolar Deep Water onto surface water may enhance and concentrate resources. A positive association between sea ice and foraging activity was found for both sexes where increased biological activity may sustain an under-ice ecosystem. Variability of the East Antarctic sea ice season duration is likely a crucial element to allow air-breathing predators to benefit from profitable prey patches within the pack ice habitat. A PDF may be obtained from Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079661115001287 or requests for reprints can be sent to: sara.labrousse at utas.edu.au Kind regards, Sara Labrousse -- Sara Labrousse PhD candidate UPMC - LOCEAN 4 place Jussieu Boite 100 - 45-55 4?me ?tage 75252 Paris cedex 05 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sealrescueireland at gmail.com Sun Feb 14 11:58:44 2016 From: sealrescueireland at gmail.com (Seal Rescue Ireland) Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2016 19:58:44 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Seal Rescue Ireland Spring and Summer Internship/Manager Positions Message-ID: <008101d16762$1c79b810$556d2830$@gmail.com> Seal Rescue Irelands is taking applications for the following positions: 1) Assistant Manager (x2) 2) Marine Conservation and Education Internship 3) Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Education Internship positions Start Dates = April 1st, May 1st or June 1st (DEADLINE FEB 25th) SRI is a very busy marine animal rescue and rehabilitation facility located in Courtown Co. Wexford Ireland. It is the only seal rehabilitation facility in Ireland and responds to strandings along the entire coast of Ireland. Most strandings are Grey and Common Seal pups who have been wounded, orphaned or injured. The facility is currently accepting applications for their spring and summer internships. This is a full time position for a minimum of 12 weeks. Priority will be given to candidates who can stay a longer period of time. Marine Rehabilitation and Education Internship Job Summary: This position provides the intern with work experience in the rescue and rehabilitation effort of stranded marine mammals. The candidate is responsible for assisting in the daily husbandry care and maintenance of rehabilitation animals. Participation in the rescue groups educational program and fundraising program are required. Each intern will be responsible for planning one fundraiser or similar project. Requirements: Applicants must have a background or interest in areas of study such as Pre-Vet, Biology, Zoology, or any other animal related field. Applicants must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral instruction, and have effective communication skills. Applicants should be agile with a good sense of balance in order to maneuver around the exhibits and holding areas, and must be able to lift 25 kilograms. Applicants must possess the ability to adapt to an ever-changing work environment, and be available to work nights, weekends and holidays. Public speaking skills are highly encouraged. Previous animal care and handling skills are preferred. Duties Include: . Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of enclosures and work areas. . Assist with rescue and release of stranded animals. . Assist with the rescue hotline. . Assist in the care and maintenance of the Center's rehabilitation animals.(feeding, restraining, medical treatment, daily care) . Participate in educational talks and tours. . Maintain and update medical records. . Help to ensure that the rehabilitation clinic and quarantine area is stocked and prepared to receive animals. . Provide assistance to the Manager and rehabilitation staff as needed. . Assisting with fundraisers and educational events . Assisting with clerical duties and office work as needed (it is a small rehabilitation centre so you will gain experience in all aspects of how a rehabilitation centre runs and operates) . Performs other duties relating to the Center's goals and mission statement as required. Assistant Manager Position Seal Rescue Ireland is a small organization so the assistance managers must be ready to take on a lot including animal care tasks as well as managerial tasks in the office. You must be well organized, able to multitask, good with computers (office products) and have experience with seal rehabilitation. Some of the duties include but are not limited to: . Oversees daily care of marine animals in care. . Managing animal treatment plans . Supervising and training interns and volunteers . Managing databases or different programs within the organization . Assist director with clerical and business aspects to keep the centre up and running . Organizing events . Taking on projects and helping them grow . Representing Seal Rescue Ireland at events . Public speaking and giving educational talks All positions are unpaid position. For some applicants housing is available at 85 Euro/Week (includes food) if desired. Interns and managers are responsible for all travel expenses. Send a resume and cover letter and available dates to: sealrescueireland at gmail.com Please put position of interest in the subject line Telephone: 087 461 3798 www.sealrescueireland.org Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sealrescueireland -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From annalisa.zaccaroni at unibo.it Mon Feb 15 07:19:31 2016 From: annalisa.zaccaroni at unibo.it (Annalisa Zaccaroni) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 15:19:31 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS workshop Message-ID: <2749B4B8DA99834CAFA461354445D54701634FFF54@E10-MBX4-DR.personale.dir.unibo.it> As the deadline for registration to ECS workshops is getting closer, we would just remind all interested that there are still places available for the workshop "Anthropogenic threats to marine mammals of the Mediterranean area", which will be held on March 13th, Sunday, from 9.30 till 17.30. All information about the workshop can be found at http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0#Anthropogenic threats to marine mammals of the Mediterranean area This workshop is aimed at reviewing the current state of knowledge on threats to the marine mammals of the Mediterranean Sea, putting together experts on pathology, acoustics, toxicology and population monitoring. The workshop will turn the focus of the discussion from a single research topic (e.g. toxicology, pathology, etc.) to the whole environment marine mammals live in, to get to a more complete scenario of threats, of present knowledge and of research gaps that require attention. The outcomes of the workshop will allow the identification of future conservation and management issues, e.g. in relation to naval disturb, habitat disruptions, pollution. The day will comprise of some specialist presentations focused on each potential threat to marine mammals, and of a second sessions during which researches will be presented. Contributions from young researchers will be encouraged, as well as the presence and participation of students. Confirmed speakers are: Fabian Ritter from M.E.E.R., Alessio Maglio from Sinay, Sandro Mazzariol from University of Padua, Tilen Genov from Morigenos. Presentations from young researchers and students on any of the topics of the workshop are more than welcome!!! Dr. Annalisa Zaccaroni Dept. Veterinary Medical Sciences University of Bologna Viale Vespucci 2 Cesenatico (FC) 47042 tel. +39 0547 338944 fax +39 0547 338941 mobile +39 347 5951709 annalisa.zaccaroni at unibo.it -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elsvermeulen5 at gmail.com Wed Feb 17 00:31:50 2016 From: elsvermeulen5 at gmail.com (Els Vermeulen) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:31:50 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Bottlenose dolphins in Central Argentina Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Vermeulen, E., Balbiano, A., Beleguer, F., Colombil, D., Failla, M., Intrieri, E., Br?ger, S. 2016. *Site-fidelity and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins in central Argentina: essential information for effective conservation. *Aquatic Conservation. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2618 Abstract: 1. The effectiveness of conservation measures such as marine protected areas (MPAs) for the conservation of cetaceans is determined by how well their home range or critical habitat is covered. The present study seeks to provide information on the site-fidelity and movement patterns of individual bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*) in central Argentina. 2. Between 2007 and 2013, photo-identification data of bottlenose dolphins were collected in four study sites some 90?200km apart from each other along the central Argentinean coast. 3. Results show long-term site-fidelity (over 5 years) in one of the study areas. Re-sighting rates further suggest the existence of different sub-populations of bottlenose dolphins, but also confirm some connectivity (with movements over 200?290 km) and thus potential for gene flow within the region. 4. Considering the population declines of bottlenose dolphins in Argentina, information on site-fidelity and movement patterns will be of value to improve the effectiveness of existing MPAs for the conservation of the species as well as prioritizing areas for increased research. This article can be downloaded at the link below, or requested by email to elsvermeulen5 at gmail.com http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2618/abstract Kind regards, Els ---------------------------------------- Els Vermeulen, PhD Marine Mammal Biologist SANCOR Post-doctoral fellow - University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Co-director, Sea Search, Cape Town, South Africa - www.seasearch.co.za - www.sousaproject.org Co-founding Director, Whalefish - www.whalefish.org Cell: +27 (0)60 9714301 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bruno at thebdri.com Mon Feb 15 10:58:37 2016 From: bruno at thebdri.com (Bruno Diaz Lopez) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:58:37 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] Cetacean Research Internships in Spain In-Reply-To: <1944939530.2055928.1447154566225.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> References: <362646001.162901.1443952426439.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> <1944939530.2055928.1447154566225.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <534995125.3620174.1455562717310.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Could you please post the following. Cetacean research internships announcement - Last vacancies August - October 2016? Hi everyone, On behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting internship applications for Summer and Fall term 2016 (a minimum of 30 days of participation) for our research project along the North-western coast of Spain. There are still few vacancies available. BDRI invites applications for internships/thesis projects in a dynamic, international, and competitive research environment.??Interns can expect to gain a solid foundation in cetaceans conservation behaviour with a focus on dolphins ethology, habitat use and communication. BDRI offers interns the chance to work through the many steps of research. Your participation means that you will not only be observing the studied animals at sea, but you will also be collecting different types of scientific data, using various research methods, and helping on board the research vessel in general. When back in the lab, you will participate in the transcription of the collected data, with the database work, you will use various softwares, perform photo-identification analysis, use of GIS and more.?Furthermore, as the Galician coastline is known for frequent strandings of various marine mammals species, you will be a part of an important network for rescue and data collection from these stranded animals.? As an internship, you will be encouraged to work hard and gain an insight of what it is actually like to work as a marine mammal researcher.?Our centre understands the importance of giving the participant the responsibilities and experience needed in order to give an insight and reflect the reality of a job within the field of marine mammal science.?The BDRI is a private and self-funded centre, hence, there is no compensation for the internship positions. There is an interships fee that includes the accommodation in an apartment, tuition and other expenses derived of your participation (housing, use of equipment, field trips by car, and use of research vessel). Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research centre (O Grove, Galicia, Spain).?Internship start and end dates are flexible but the position requires a minimum of 30 days continuous commitment sometime between August through to end October. If?the intern intends to receive academic credit, he/she will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions.?Approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Prior field research experience is recommended but not required.? Please download the internships general information and application form at: Send the application form, resume, recommendation letters, and cover letter by email to the email: severine at thebdri.com For more information about BDRI's research and conservation work, please visit www.thebdri.com or our Facebook page. See you on site!?Bruno Diaz Lopez Chief Biologist and DirectorBottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI)Av. Beiramar 192, O Grove CP. 36980Pontevedra-Spaintel. 00 34 605 521441 This email is confidential to the intended recipient(s) and the contents may be legally privileged or contain proprietary and private information. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this email. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete the message from your system immediately. Please note that neither the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI nor the sender accept any responsibility for any viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and the attachments (if any). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From K.Sprogis at murdoch.edu.au Tue Feb 16 20:00:57 2016 From: K.Sprogis at murdoch.edu.au (Kate Sprogis) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 04:00:57 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper: Sex-specific patterns in abundance, temporary emigration and survival of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in coastal and estuarine waters. Message-ID: Dear MARMAM Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following open access publication in Frontiers in Marine Science: Sprogis, K.R., Pollock, K.H., Raudino, H.C., Allen, S.J., Kopps, A.M., Manlik, O., Tyne, J.A., and Bejder, L. (2016). Sex-specific patterns in abundance, temporary emigration and survival of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in coastal and estuarine waters. Frontiers in Marine Science 3:12. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2016.00012. Abstract: Inherent difficulties in determining the sex of free-ranging, sexually monomorphic species often prevents a sex-specific focus on estimating abundance, movement patterns and survival rates. This study provides insights into sex-specific population parameters of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Systematic, boat-based photo-identification surveys (n = 417) were conducted year-round from 2007-2013 in coastal and estuarine waters off Bunbury, Western Australia. Pollock?s Robust Design was used to quantify population parameters for three datasets: i) adults and juveniles combined, ii) adult females and iii) adult males. For all datasets, abundance estimates varied seasonally, with general highs during summer and/or autumn, and lows during winter. Dolphins had seasonally structured temporary emigration rates with similar trends between sexes. The derived return rate (1-??) of temporary emigrants into the study area was highest from winter to spring, indicating that dolphins had a high probability of return into the study area during spring. We suggest that the return of dolphins into the study area and increase in abundance is influenced by the breeding season (summer/autumn). Prey availability is likely a main driver responsible for the movement of dolphins out of the study area during winter. Seasonal apparent survival rates were constant and high (0.98-0.99) for all datasets. High apparent survival rates suggest there is no permanent emigration from the study area. Our sex-specific modeling approach offers a comprehensive interpretation of the population dynamics of a top predator in a coastal and estuarine environment and acts as a model for future sex-based population studies on sexually monomorphic species. The article is freely available from Frontiers in Marine Science: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2016.00012/abstract A publication summary is on our website: http://mucru.org/new-publication-sex-specific-patterns-in-abundance-temporary-emigration-and-survival-of-indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphins-in-coastal-and-estuarine-waters/ Kind regards, Kate Sprogis PhD Cetacean Research Unit | School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch WA 6150, Australia k.sprogis at murdoch.edu.au | MUCRU Kate Sprogis | Kate Sprogis Photography [cid:ECB12812-B5FC-4314-AA62-8F92A32DF800] Recent paper: Sprogis, K., Raudino, H., Rankin R., MacLeod, C. and Bejder, L. 2016. Home range size of adult Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in a coastal and estuarine system is habitat and sex-specific. Marine Mammal Science. 32(1): 287?308. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ECB12812-B5FC-4314-AA62-8F92A32DF800.png Type: image/png Size: 20984 bytes Desc: ECB12812-B5FC-4314-AA62-8F92A32DF800.png URL: From livio.favaro at unito.it Tue Feb 16 12:21:15 2016 From: livio.favaro at unito.it (Livio Favaro) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2016 21:21:15 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Vocal learning in a cross-fostered Risso's dolphin Message-ID: <8E08D356-264C-40AA-9DD6-5BE3DB871781@unito.it> Dear list members, we are pleased to announce publication of the following manuscript: Favaro L., Neves S., Furlati S., Pessani D., Martin V. & Janik VM. (2016). Evidence suggests vocal production learning in a cross-fostered Risso?s dolphin (Grampus griseus). Animal Cognition. doi: 10.1007/s10071-016-0961-x Abstract Vocal learning is a rare skill in mammals, and we have limited information about the contexts in which they use it. Previous studies suggested that cetaceans in general are skilled at imitating sounds, but only few species have been studied to date. To expand this investigation to another species and to investigate the possible influence of the social environment on vocal learning, we studied the whistle repertoire of a female Risso?s dolphin (Grampus griseus) that was stranded at an early age and was subsequently raised in a group of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We show that this cross-fostered animal produced vocal signals more akin to those of its Tursiops poolmates than those of Risso?s dolphins in the wild. This is one of very few systematic cross-fostering studies in cetaceans and the first to suggest vocal production learning in the Risso?s dolphin. Our findings also suggest that social experience is a major factor in the development of the vocal repertoire in this species. The full text is available for download online at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-016-0961-x Best wishes, Livio Favaro -- Livio Favaro, PhD Universit? degli Studi di Torino Dip. Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi Laboratorio di Zoologia e Biologia Marina Via Accademia Albertina, 13 - 10123 Torino Tel. +39.011.6704538 / 78 Fax +39.011.6704508 e-mail livio.favaro at unito.it -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From perrtreer at savannahstate.edu Wed Feb 17 08:29:12 2016 From: perrtreer at savannahstate.edu (Perrtree, Robin) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:29:12 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer 2016 Internship Opportunities in Savannah, Georgia Message-ID: The Savannah State University Dolphin Sciences Laboratory (SSUDS lab) is accepting applications for Summer 2016 interns. There are 4 positions available. Application deadline is March 28th. The SSUDS lab is located adjacent to the marsh on the campus of Savannah State University in coastal Georgia. The SSUDS lab led by Dr. Tara Cox studies spatial ecology and conservation biology of long-lived marine vertebrates, marine and coastal policy and management, and human interactions with marine mammals. Current projects include: Human-interaction behaviors (particularly begging), stock structure and abundance estimates, mother/calf distribution and habitat use, and diet of common bottlenose dolphins. Interns will support graduate research on common bottlenose dolphins living in the local waterways. In addition, there may be opportunities to help other marine science graduate students with diverse fieldwork. Dates: May 16th - July 29th (Start and end dates are flexible) Location: Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia Time: Interns are expected to commit to ~40 hours per week and their time will be split between lab and field work. Lab duties include: photo-identification, data entry and double checking Field duties - dolphin surveys (~5-7 days per month): assisting with small boat-based photo-identification surveys including sighting dolphins, data recording, photography, and environmental measurements Field duties - prey assessment surveys (~2-3 days per month): assisting with trawl deployment and retrieval, fish identification and measurement, acoustic recordings, plankton sampling Qualifications: * Minimum age of 18 years old * Currently or recently enrolled in a college-level program in marine biology, biology, zoology, or related field * Strong interest in marine mammals, the environment, and conservation * Computer proficiency, especially MS Office; MS Access and ArcGIS experience a plus * Enthusiastic, attentive to detail, responsible, and dedicated * Works well in a team environment as well as individually * Ability to work long days in the sun/heat on a small boat * One of the 4 positions requires previous work with fish identification. Direct experience with trawl gear (net deployment/retrieval, winch operation, etc.) is highly preferred. An ideal intern for this position will be comfortable around machinery as the position will require equipment operation; training will be provided. Safety gear must be worn at all times, even in extremely hot temperatures, and work is nearly continuous throughout an 11-hour trawl day (2-3 days per month). This intern will also participate in regular dolphin surveys and lab photo-identification duties. To apply please submit the following via email with the subject "SSUDS Internship" to perrtreer at savannahstate.edu. All attached file(s) must be named starting with your last name (e.g., Perrtree_SSUDS_coverLetter_summer_2016.doc). * A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position, how the experience will help you meet your long-term goals, and your dates of availability. * A resume (or curriculum vitae) describing your relevant training and experience. * Current academic transcripts (unofficial are sufficient). * Names and contact information for two references. This position is unpaid, and interns are responsible for providing their own housing and transport to Savannah, GA. If accepted, we can provide contact information for possible shared housing opportunities with SSU students. This is a great opportunity to work with scientists and graduate students in the field and lab while gaining experience with photo-identification and boat-based marine mammal surveys. Savannah State University offers a Master of Science in Marine Sciences; thus, successful interns may have future opportunities for graduate study in the SSUDS lab. For more information about Marine Sciences at SSU please visit: http://www.savannahstate.edu/cost/nat-science/marine-sci.shtml Robin Perrtree SSUDS Lab Manager Marine Sciences Technician Savannah State University -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pierregallego at yahoo.com Tue Feb 16 00:48:56 2016 From: pierregallego at yahoo.com (Pierre Gallego) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2016 09:48:56 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] HUMPBACK WHALE SAILING RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN SILVER BANKS, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Message-ID: <6B53668D-6007-42C6-B53F-92542D9EBBF3@yahoo.com> HUMPBACK WHALE SAILING RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN SILVER BANKS, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Marine Biology non-profit Organization Odyssea (www.odyssea.lu) and Pangaea Exploration (www.panexplore.com) are opening two one-week humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) research internships in Silver Banks, in the North of the Dominican Republic. Part of the National Marine Mammal Sanctuary, this is the largest reproductive aggregation of humpback whales in the North Atlantic where thousands of whales congregate to give birth to their calves and to mate. The internship will take place on board Sea Dragon, a 72ft (22m), 90,000lb displacement steel hulled sailing vessel. Silver Banks is one of the few places in the world where in-water observations of humpback whales are allowed. These internships are available for durations of one week each from March 24-31 and from April 1-8. Volunteers will be introduced to and participate in the research techniques involving boat-based photo identification, behavioral studies, humpback whale acoustics, biopsies and in-water interactions. No previous experience is required. Active participation of all interns in all on-bard duties (cooking, cleaning etc.) is expected. The dates of the internships are (departing and arriving in Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic): 24-31 March 2016 1-8 April 2016 Cost of the internship: 3350 USD This fee includes: - Board and room during the entire stay on Sea Dragon Boat-based humpback whale photo-identification and behavioral data collection Introduction to humpback whale acoustics, with on-site data analysis Training sessions in cetacean research techniques Introduction to biopsy taking and sample processing In-water observations of humpback whales and their calves Lectures on biology and conservation of cetaceans This fee does not include flights to and from the Dominican Republic, transfers to/from Puerto Plata, the visa on arrival (10$), compulsory health and travel insurance, and personal expenses. At the end of the internship a certificate will be issued summing up all the skills acquired by the participants. No previous experience requested. If you are interested in joining this internship, please contact us at info at odyssea.lu and we will send you a detailed document to assist you with your travel arrangements. Dr Pierre Gallego President of Odyssea www.odyssea.lu Sent from my iPhone -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sn1608 at googlemail.com Mon Feb 15 01:57:12 2016 From: sn1608 at googlemail.com (Sam Nichols) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:57:12 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New NZ DOC-approved PAM training courses - Message-ID: *New Zealand Experienced Passive Acoustic Monitoring Assessment (PAM)* *New Zealand Passive Acoustic Monitoring Training (PAM)* Seiche Training is pleased to announce two new training courses for 2016 approved by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). *New Zealand Experienced PAM Assessment * *25, 26 and 27 April 2016* *Devon, UK* This three day assessment will result in candidates gaining DOC approved accreditation as an experienced PAM Operator. After successfully completing the seven modules, and after DOC approval, you will be recognised by the New Zealand government as an Experienced PAM Operator (or a Trained PAM Operator for those with less than 12 weeks? experience in NZ waters). You will need a minimum of 12 weeks? experience offshore as a PAM Operator to enrol on this course. Offshore experience can be from any location, however, those with less than 12 weeks? experience in New Zealand waters will achieve a ?trained? status that can be upgrade to an ?experienced? status upon completion of 12 weeks as a PAM operator in New Zealand waters. *New Zealand PAM Training* This course will result in candidates gaining DOC approved accreditation as a PAM Operator. It is suitable for candidates working within the industry wanting to expand their skillset as well as those new to PAM. The New Zealand Department of Conservation requires that those working as PAM Operators in New Zealand complete approved training and assessment. The course covers eleven modules and is consistent with the standards set out in the 2013 Code of Conduct for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals from seismic survey operations. Please contact training at seiche.com for more information, modules, costs, new dates and an application form for these courses. *Seiche Training provides world-class marine courses and professional training for individuals, companies and schools in the UK and around the globe. **Bespoke courses and in-house company training on all topics relating to Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Marine Mammal Monitoring and Underwater Acoustics can also be provided.* www.seichetraining.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ruthesteban at gmail.com Tue Feb 16 02:03:16 2016 From: ruthesteban at gmail.com (Ruth Esteban) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2016 11:03:16 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on management units of killer whales in Spain Message-ID: Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in "Ecological Indicators": Ruth Esteban, Phililppe Verborgh, Pauline Gauffier, Joan Gim?nez, Vidal Martin, M?nica P?rez, Marisa Tejedor, Javier Almunia, Paul D. Jepson, Susana Garc?a-T?scar, Lance G. Barret-Lennard, Christophe Guinet, Andrew D. Foote, Renaud de Stephanis. *Using a multi-disciplinary approach to identify a critically endangered killer whale management unit.* *Abstract* A key goal for wildlife managers is identifying discrete, demographically independent conservation units.Previous genetic work assigned killer whales that occur seasonally in the Strait of Gibraltar (SoG) andkiller whales sampled off the Canary Islands (CI) to the same population. Here we present new analy-ses of photo-identification and individual genotypes to assess the level of contemporary gene flow andmigration between study areas, and analyses of biomarkers to assess ecological differences. We identi-fied 47 different individuals from 5 pods in the SoG and 16 individuals in the CI, with no matches foundbetween the areas. Mitochondrial DNA control region haplotype was shared by all individuals sampledwithin each pod, suggesting that pods have a matrifocal social structure typical of this species, whilstthe lack of shared mitogenome haplotypes between the CI and SoG individuals suggests that there waslittle or no female migration between groups. Kinship analysis detected no close kin between CI and SoGindividuals, and low to zero contemporary gene flow. Isotopic values and organochlorine pollutant loadsalso suggest ecological differences between study areas. We further found that one individual from a podwithin the SoG not seen in association with the other four pods and identified as belonging to a poten-tial migrant lineage by genetic analyses, had intermediate isotopic values and contaminant between thetwo study areas. Overall our results suggest a complex pattern of social and genetic structuring corre-lated with ecological variation. Consequently at least CI and SoG should be considered as two differentmanagement units. Understanding this complexity appears to be an important consideration when mon-itoring and understanding the viability of these management units. Understand the viability will helpthe conservation of these threatened management units. You can downloaded at this link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X16000571 Kind Regards, Ruth Esteban Ruth Esteban, PhD. CIRCE ( ?? Conservation Information and Research on Cetaceans) C/Cabeza de Manzaneda 3 C.P. Pelayo-Algeciras (C?diz) Spain +34675837508 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From simon.allen at uwa.edu.au Tue Feb 16 06:34:32 2016 From: simon.allen at uwa.edu.au (Simon Allen) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2016 22:34:32 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Seeking research assistants in Shark Bay Message-ID: [cid:3E1A8159-126A-4BF3-8464-3357B44F4B07] The Shark Bay Dolphin Research Alliance (sharkbaydolphins.org) is seeking two field assistants for the 2016 field season (late-June through November) in Shark Bay, Western Australia. We seek an assistant for the Dolphin Innovation Project, which operates out of the small township of Useless Loop in the western gulf of Shark Bay. The assistant is required from late-June until the end of August (just over two months). We also seek a field assistant for the Dolphin Alliance Project, based in Monkey Mia in the eastern gulf of Shark Bay. The assistant is required from late-June through the end of November (just over five months). In both projects, we will be conducting boat-based surveys and focal follows, collecting a combination of photo-ID, acoustic, behavioural and genetic data from the resident dolphins. These different aspects will be the focus of the field effort at different periods throughout the field season. Weather permitting, days on the water can be long and tiring in variable conditions, but you will encounter dolphins that form complex alliances, and those that exhibit remarkable foraging specialisations, as well as the myriad of other wildlife (e.g. sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs) inhabiting this remote World Heritage Area. On windy days, you will be working on photo-matching and processing, data entry, and the long-term database. We seek assistants who have demonstrable prior field experience, including familiarity with conducting photo-ID and the handling of small (<6m) boats, and those who are comfortable assisting with the collection of small skin/blubber samples using a remote biopsy system. You will need to be a hard-working, easy-going, team player, as we live and work in close quarters for extended periods. Given our remote location, it can be very difficult to accommodate strict dietary requirements. These are volunteer positions and you need to make your own way to Shark Bay, but food and accommodation (in caravans or dongas) on-site is covered by the Shark Bay Dolphin Research Alliance. Since it takes time to train field assistants, preference will be given to those who can commit for the entire time for each of the respective projects. If you?re interested and capable, please send a letter of interest, CV/resume and email contacts for two referees to information at sharkbaydolphins.org by Mon. 29th Feb, 2016. All the best, The Shark Bay Dolphin Research Alliance team. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 3E1A8159-126A-4BF3-8464-3357B44F4B07.png Type: image/png Size: 50876 bytes Desc: 3E1A8159-126A-4BF3-8464-3357B44F4B07.png URL: From Kelly.Macleod at jncc.gov.uk Thu Feb 18 04:19:12 2016 From: Kelly.Macleod at jncc.gov.uk (Kelly.Macleod at jncc.gov.uk) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:19:12 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS WORKSHOP: Future JCP - spaces still available! Message-ID: <7266154A62061144979C4305959521964C3C74F3@Ex2k10prime> Dear all, At the 30th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Madeira the UK?s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) are hosting a workshop titles "The Joint Cetacean Protocol: lessons learned and looking to the future". We have a few spaces left and are particularly keen to attract participants from North Sea bordering countries. For background to the JCP, see the JNCC website: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5657 For more in detail on the workshop, see below or visit ECS workshop page: http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0 The workshop will be held on: Sunday, 13th March (full day) Participation fee ?25 To register or further information contact: Tim.Dunn at jncc.gov.uk Overview: The Joint Cetacean Protocol (JCP) is an ambitious initiative that assembled effort-related cetacean sightings datasets from all major UK, and some European sources. These data represented the largest cetacean sightings resource ever collated in Europe and comprised: 38 data sources from at least 542 distinct survey platforms; over 1 million km of effort; and covered a 17 year period (1994-2010) in a region from the continental shelf edge west of Ireland to the Kattegat. There were 3 phases of analysis, which aimed to: 1. identify all relevant north-west (NW) European cetacean sightings data available; 2. investigate the power these data had to assess trends/changes in abundance and distribution and how to improve that power; 3. define standards for collection and storage of data; 4. facilitate sharing of standardised cetacean datasets via a web portal; and 5. develop methods for the production of cetacean distribution maps and estimates of both abundance and changes in abundance. Each of these was met with varying levels of success and the workshop will review the outputs of the JCP to date. In doing so, lessons learned from the different analytical phases will be identified and will help scope the need and approach to a new phase of work. In discussing this, existing and potential data providers will be invited to present new datasets and/or data standards implemented and this will be opportunity to build wider European partnerships. The output from the workshop will be a draft scope for a new phase of the JCP, which will include identification of objectives, broad approach (data standards, contribution and analysis) and essential partnerships. Building on and broadening the geographic scope of the JCP brings with it greater potential to improve reporting and assessment for, as examples, the Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive, of European cetacean populations. If you have a Freedom of Information/Environmental Information request please refer to our website page Dr Kelly Macleod Senior Marine Species Advisor Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Inverdee House, Baxter Street, Aberdeen AB11 9QA Office +44 (0) 1224 266584 Mobile +44 (0) 7964 598 206 Kelly.Macleod at jncc.gov.uk Please note that I work part-time (Monday-Thursday) _____________________________________________________________________ This email and any attachments, is intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you are not the named recipient then any copying, distribution, storage or other use of the information contained in them is strictly prohibited. In this case, please inform the sender straight away then destroy the email and any linked files. JNCC may have to make this message, and any reply to it, public if asked to under the Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Act or for litigation. If you have a Freedom of Information/Environmental Information request please refer to our website page. This message has been checked for all known viruses by JNCC through the MessageLabs Virus Control Centre however we can accept no responsibility once it has left our systems. The recipient should check any attachment before opening it. JNCC Support Co. registered in England and Wales, Company No. 05380206. Registered Office: Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1JY. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From georgina.wildoceans at gmail.com Thu Feb 18 09:06:43 2016 From: georgina.wildoceans at gmail.com (Georgina L Gemmell) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:06:43 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] ID Catalogue of Killer Whales from the Northern Indian Ocean (NIO) now available online. Message-ID: Dear Marmamers On behalf of the Northern Indian Ocean Killer Whale Alliance, I am pleased to announce that a live on-screen version of the NIO Killer Whale ID Catalogue is now available and can be viewed at this link. http://niokillerwhales.wix.com/niokwa Both the ID Catalogue and sightings repository are the result of an extensive collaborative effort by the individuals and organizations that make up the Northern Indian Ocean Killer Whale Alliance (NIOKWA). Though only in the early stages, the catalogue already hosts 51 unique individuals made up of 15 pods and 4 suspected lone animals. Exciting results so far have revealed localised re-sightings, insights into regional seasonality and the first record of trans-Indian Ocean movement. As the catalogue is live, it will be updated as and when new individuals are identified. Periodic updates will be circulated to a mailing list of NIOKWA members, to be included in this list please contact myself at georgina.wildoceans at gmail.com. All the best Georgina -- *Georgina Gemmell* Lead Administrator, Orca Project Sri Lanka -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jpturner at hawaii.edu Thu Feb 18 15:39:17 2016 From: jpturner at hawaii.edu (Jason Turner) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 13:39:17 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] 2016 Summer Classes (Marine Mammals, Sharks, Sea Turtles) - University of Hawaii at Hilo Message-ID: Aloha all, I am pleased announce that I will be offering the following three classes this summer at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The labs for each class involve research-based, hands-on techniques as the students participate in research studies focused upon each group of marine animals. Please forward to any of your students who might be interested: *MARE 390 - Biology of Marine Mammals/Lab* *MARE 380 - Natural History of Sharks and Rays/Lab* *MARE 490 - Sea Turtle Conservation & Ecology/Lab* *Dates: June 20 - July 29, 2016* *MARE 390, Biology of Marine Mammals, 3 credits - Dr. Jason Turner* Comprehensive investigation of a diverse group of highly adapted marine vertebrates. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, walruses, manatees, dugongs, sea otters and polar bears will be covered. Focus will be on taxonomy, anatomy and physiology, behavior, reproductive ecology, adaptations to the marine environment, and conservation and management. Pre: instructor's consent. *MARE 390L, Biology of Marine Mammals Laboratory, 1 credit - Dr. Jason Turner* Field and lab techniques employed by professional marine mammal biologists including shore and boat-based surveys, photo-identification, and acoustic sampling. Investigations will focus on local species of marine mammals. Pre: MARE 390 or concurrent enrollment. $250 lab fee payable upon registration. *MARE 380, Natural History of Sharks and Rays, 3 credits - Dr. Jason Turner* This course will examine the natural history of the Elasmobranchs, an ancient group of fishes that have existed for almost 450 million years. Comprehensive investigations of sharks, rays, skates, sawfishes, and chimera along with representative species from Hawai`i will be conducted. Subjects will include evolution, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, ecology, conservation and management of these unique animals. Discussions of current research papers along with group research projects will be covered during lectures. Pre: Concurrent enrollment in MARE 380L required. *MARE 380L, Natural History of Sharks, Rays, and Skates Lab, 1 credit - Dr. Jason Turner* This course will further examine Elasmobranchs using a hands-on approach to compliment the work done in lecture using both laboratory and field-based activities. Laboratory sessions will involve detailed dissections of shark, ray, skate, and chimera functional anatomy. Students will also participate in a tagging study of coastal shark species throughout the Big Island of Hawai?i. Pre: Concurrent enrollment in MARE 380 required. $250 lab fee payable upon registration. *MARE 490, Sea Turtle Conservation & Ecology, 3 credits - Dr. Jason Turner* All-encompassing look at the natural history of these ancient marine vertebrates with special focus on sea turtle of Hawaii. Topics include investigations of sea turtles, sea snakes, saltwater crocodiles and marine iguanas throughout the world. Subjects will consist of conservation and management, human impacts, reproductive and feeding ecology, evolution, taxonomy, and anatomy and physiology of these unique marine animals. Pre: prior college-level marine biology course recommended, or equivalent or instructor?s consent. Pre: Concurrent enrollment in MARE 490L. *MARE 490L, Sea Turtle Conservation & Ecology Laboratory, 1 credit - Dr. Jason Turner* Field and lab techniques employed by sea turtle biologists including shore and underwater photo-surveys, forage surveys, and evaluation of nests and hatchlings. Investigations will focus on local species of sea turtles of Hawaiiincluding green (*Chelonia mydas*) and hawksbill (*Eretmochelys imbricata*). Pre: Concurrent enrollment in MARE 490. $250 lab fee payable upon registration. *Tuition and Fees* *Tuition and fees for the 2016 Summer Session are:* Undergraduate Resident $288 per credit Undergraduate Non-resident $407 per credit Undergraduate WUE* $347.50 per credit Graduate Resident $447 per credit Graduate Non-resident $590 per credit Student Life Center fee: $ 35 Lab and Other Fees Varies *Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and for Pacific Island students *Registration begins April 1; please email me directly if you have any questions at:* *jpturner at hawaii.edu * *For additional information about the University of Hawaii at Hilo Summer Program:* *http://hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/summer/UHHilosMarineScienceSummerProgram.php * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lea.david2 at wanadoo.fr Fri Feb 19 01:46:04 2016 From: lea.david2 at wanadoo.fr (Lea David) Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2016 10:46:04 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS workshop Developing tools to ensure high quality MMOs in the ACCOBAMS area, places available Message-ID: <56C6E45C.6020304@wanadoo.fr> As the deadline for registration to ECS workshops is getting closer, we would just remind all interested that there are still places available for the workshop intitled "Developing tools to ensure high quality MMOs in the ACCOBAMS area". The aim is to present and discuss the tools under development to the professionals in order to increase certificate efficiency and define roles of the different actors and links among them. Considering the growing numbers of seismic operations and related projects in the ACCOBAMS area and their known negative impacts on cetaceans, ACCOBAMS is developing a high quality training module to train MMO/PAMwithin the Agreementarea (Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and contiguous Atlantic area). This training module is composed of tools and a framework for implementation in accordance with current standards applied elsewhere in the world. Nevertheless, these tools will need to be known and accepted byprofessionals involved in the monitoring of noise at sea and its impact on cetaceans (scientific, political, industrial, MMO/PAM). Theaim of the proposed workshop will be to present and discuss the tools under development with professionals in order to promote this certificate and define roles of the different actors and links between them. The specific objectives are (1) tofurther develop applicable and relevant tools, (2) to identify ways for these tools to be accepted by relevant bodies and organizations, and (3) to learn from best practiceto reach high quality training standards. The workshop takes place the *Sunday 13th of March*, *full day* from 9h30 Am to 5h30 Pm (http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0) Participation fee : 25 euros It will take place in the *Auditorium of Portugal Telecom*. It is an auditorium Music Conservatory of Madeira with seats for *40 people *and it is located in *Portugal Telecom, Avenida de Zarco, n? 7, Funchal. **To register or further information contact *: lea.david2 at wanadoo.fr See you there L?a DAVID -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mersociety at gmail.com Fri Feb 19 21:43:58 2016 From: mersociety at gmail.com (MER Society) Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2016 21:43:58 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] MERS Intensive Marine Naturalist Workshop Message-ID: Whale School! The Marine Education and Research Society will provide a 2.5 day workshop on BC?s marine mammal species from May 27 to 29 in Campbell River, British Columbia. The MERS workshop is intensive training for those working as marine mammal naturalists or others with a strong interest in the natural history and conservation of BC?s marine mammals. Location: Campbell River?s Marine Heritage Centre. Cost: $250/person for 2.5 days (over 17 hours of content). Space limited. Spot secured with a $125 deposit. All proceeds go to the work of the Marine Education and Research Society. For more information including workshop program and how to make a deposit, please see http://mersociety.org/workshop.htm . Questions to mersociety at gmail.com. Jackie Hildering Education and Communications Director Marine Education and Research Society -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Alexis.Levengood at research.usc.edu.au Sat Feb 20 15:32:18 2016 From: Alexis.Levengood at research.usc.edu.au (Alexis Levengood) Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2016 23:32:18 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] RESEARCH ASSISTANT-Shark Bay, Western Australia Message-ID: Hi everyone, I am seeking a dedicated research assistant for the 2016 field season (mid-April through early-July) in Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia in conjunction with the Shark Bay Dolphin Project (http://www.monkeymiadolphins.org/) and the Frere lab (http://celinefrerelab.com/). This research forms part of an ongoing PhD project through the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia studying social plasticity in female bottlenose dolphins and is part of a long-term study of dolphin behavior, ecology, and genetics. Timeframe: 2.5 months (mid April - 1 July 2016) Location: Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Monkey Mia is approximately 900km north of Perth and is part of the largest World Heritage site in Western Australia. Our field site includes wildlife such as sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs, whales, and of course resident bottlenose dolphins. About: This project is part of one of the longest running marine mammal research projects in the world with behavioral, life-history, ecological, and genetic research conducted since the mid 1980's. Assistance will be required with boat-based behavioral surveys and focal follows, as well as the collection of genetic samples using a remote biopsy system on the resident bottlenose dolphins. Weather permitting, days on the water can be consecutive, long, and tiring in variable environmental conditions. Days on land will require data entry and processing. This is an unpaid, volunteer position and the successful candidate will need to make his/her own way to Shark Bay. However, food and accommodation will be covered once in Monkey Mia. Responsibilities: -Searching for and spotting dolphins -Taking photos -Collecting survey, focal follow, and photo-ID data -Assisting in genetic sampling and processing -Driving the boat -Basic maintenance and equipment prep and cleaning -Entry of dolphin sightings and environmental data Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be a recent graduate with a science background and a genuine interest in marine mammal science. This position is well suited for recent graduates of marine biology, zoology, ecology, genetics, or similar fields looking to gain additional analytical and in-field experience. He or she must: -Be 18 years or older -Possess basic computer skills -Be detail oriented, flexible, and patient -Possess excellent verbal and communication skills -Work well both independently and in a team -Be fluent in English -Be willing to make the full 2.5 month commitment -Have prior field research experience -Be comfortable on a boat -Be prepared to work long, consecutive days, including weekends As this project involves the collection of small skin/blubber samples using a remote biopsy system you must be comfortable with assisting in genetic sampling. Additionally, we live and work in close quarters so mature and respectful candidates are required. Please note that given our remote location, it can be very difficult to accommodate strict dietary requirements. Vegetarianism is not a problem. Application Process: If interested please email Alexis.Levengood at research.usc.edu.au with the subject line RESEARCH ASSISTANT by Tuesday March 1st 2016. Please include in the email: 1. Letter of interest 2. CV 3. Email contacts for 2 references Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Alexis Levengood PhD candidate University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs, Australia www.celinefrerelab.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mellslaurino at gmail.com Sun Feb 21 07:32:56 2016 From: mellslaurino at gmail.com (Melissa Laurino) Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2016 10:32:56 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] New Marman Posting for Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center Message-ID: *Title*: Internship with Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center in Cape May, New Jersey The Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center in Cape May, New Jersey is looking for interns for our 2016 field season. Our whale and dolphin watching season runs from March to November. At the height of our season there are three trips a day with an extremely flexible intern schedule, customized to work around outside employment and summer classes. In addition to trips leaving out of our location in Cape May on the American Star, during the summer we also have trips out of Wildwood on the Atlantic Star. *Intern tasks include:* - Photographing marine mammals on whale and dolphin watching trips - GPS/Data collection and processing - Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin fin matching and analyzing - Leading a touch tank, whale baleen and marine debris demonstration - Maintenance of collected local species tanks - Educating passengers - Contributing to our research blog and creating an independent project *Application Process: *To apply, please submit a complete application package which includes: - Cover Letter and Resume (no more than 3 pages) - Contact information for two references including email and phone numbers - A supporting document of no more than 500 words answering *ONE* of the following: 1. How do you respond to a passenger who is disappointed with the trip (ex. no whale sightings, not close enough to animals, number of dolphins, etc) and continues by commenting that they should go to Seaworld? 2. What conservation efforts do you believe should be established in Southern New Jersey for Marine Mammal protection and how could it be implemented? 3. Why would research of Marine Mammals in their natural habitat, using photo identification, and data collection be useful and important? *Please submit completed application packet to tracie.cicchitti at capemaywhalewatch.com * For more information, please visit: http://www.capemaywhalewatch.com/internship.html -- Melissa Laurino Naturalist/Internship Coordinator Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center, Inc. 1121 Rt. 109 Cape May, New Jersey 08204 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pamtech.acoustics at gmail.com Sun Feb 21 05:46:58 2016 From: pamtech.acoustics at gmail.com (PAMTech) Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2016 13:46:58 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Intro and Advanced PAM courses from PAMTech Message-ID: PAMTech (pamtech.eu) has got two courses coming up in Edinburgh, Scotland, which are now available for booking: a Practical Introduction course in May, and an Advanced course in October. PAMTech is a small UK-based company made up of PAMGuard (pamguard.org) developers and experienced field acousticians who can enable you to get the most out of PAM applications. A high tutor-to-student ratio on our courses ensures participants can get individual assistance with their training requirements. 1. Passive Acoustic Monitoring: a Practical Introduction 06/05/2016 and 07/05/2016 This is a unique two-day PAM introduction course providing the essentials you need to get going with PAMGuard and start working in the field. PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING: A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION is a two day course which gives participants a strong grounding in key aspects of cetacean passive acoustic monitoring, including the capabilities and uses of PAMGuard, the leading research and industry software. The course includes how to configure PAM hardware and troubleshoot problems. Participants will have the opportunity to record and process real-time data. Different types of PAM research including some of the latest methodologies are also discussed. Cost: GBP 350 To book go to: http://pampracticalintropamtech.eventzilla.net 2. Advanced PAMGuard 21/10/2016 and 22/10/2016 This two-day classroom-based course allows those with previous PAMGuard experience to get to grips with more advanced features, focusing on offline analysis and data management. The course will include some core analysis modules, but participants will also be able to tailor training to their particular needs by selecting from a range of optional modules including complex classifiers and localisation techniques, and the PAMGuard MATLAB library. There is also the opportunity to bring your own datasets and explore ways they can be analysed using PAMGuard. Cost 350 GBP To book go to: http://advancedpamguardpamtech.eventzilla.net/ Both courses will take place on the Vine Trust Barge, Prince of Wales Dock, Edinburgh, EH6 7DX, Scotland, UK. Course costs do not include accommodation, travel or food. 50% non-refundable deposit required. Participants must bring their own laptop running Linux or Windows (not OSX). Windows 7 or above or Ubuntu 12.10+. For those wishing to follow the MATLAB module (in the Advanced course), a copy of MATLAB version 2012 or above is required (see pamtech.eu for more information on specifications). To find out more, contact: pamtech.acoustics at gmail.com Or go to: pamtech.eu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lesley.thorne at stonybrook.edu Mon Feb 22 07:53:17 2016 From: lesley.thorne at stonybrook.edu (Lesley Thorne) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 10:53:17 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Tenure Track Faculty Position in Marine Conservation Ecology at Stony Brook University Message-ID: Tenure Track Faculty Position in Marine Conservation Ecology The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) at Stony Brook University invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in marine conservation ecology to begin as early as Fall 2016. We are especially interested in candidates who utilize innovative quantitative approaches in an area such as systems ecology and modeling, molecular genetics, resource management, fisheries ecology, population and community dynamics, ecotoxicology, or statistical modeling. Successful candidates are expected to develop an independent externally funded research program, to teach and direct research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and participate in school and university services. All candidates must have a Ph.D. in a field related to conservation ecology and have demonstrated excellence in research and a strong commitment to teaching. The position will be filled at the Assistant Professor level. Review of applications will begin April 15, 2016, but applications will be considered until the position is filled. Application instructions, detailed procedures, and further information about the position and SoMAS can be found at http://www.somas.stonybrook.edu/jobs/ ____________________________________________________ Lesley Thorne, Assistant Professor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000 631.632.5117 www.thornelab.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Heidrun.Frisch at cms.int Mon Feb 22 08:08:23 2016 From: Heidrun.Frisch at cms.int (Heidrun.Frisch at cms.int) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 17:08:23 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop: Conserving Cetaceans in the Seas around Europe, 12 March, Madeira - spaces left! Message-ID: <000001d16d8b$429c5b40$c7d511c0$@cms.int> Spaces left! Dear All, On behalf of the Steering Group* I am pleased to let you know that some places are left for the ACCOBAMS/ASCOBANS workshop "Conserving Cetaceans in the Seas around Europe through Synergy-building between the Relevant Legislative Frameworks". It will be held on 12 March in Funchal, Madeira. Its aim is to assess critically the gaps and overlaps between the many frameworks relevant for cetacean conservation (Habitats Directive (HD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), ASCOBANS, HELCOM, OSPAR, ACCOBAMS, Barcelona Convention, Bucharest Convention, CMS, CBD, IWC), and to identify synergies that can be expected to help take forward cetacean conservation in an integrated and effective manner. Please find the announcement of the ECS website here . Confirmed speakers to date: Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Vedran Nikoli?, Eunice Pinn, Tullio Scovazzi, L?a David, Claudio Fossati, Robin Law, Cristina Fossi, Fabian Ritter and Peter Evans Draft Agenda: 1. Welcome (9:00) 2. Overview of Threats 3. Introductions to Relevant Instruments 3.1. European Union Habitats Directive (HD) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 3.2. Northern Europe (ASCOBANS, HELCOM, OSPAR, CMS, CBD, IWC) 3.3. Southern Europe (ACCOBAMS, Barcelona Convention, Bucharest Convention, CMS, CBD, IWC) 4. Review of Approaches, Successes, Challenges, Duplications and Gaps 4.1. Coordinated monitoring and coherent assessment of population status 4.2. Monitoring and mitigation of bycatch 4.3. Monitoring and mitigation of noise 4.4. Monitoring and mitigation of chemical contaminants 4.5. Monitoring and mitigation of vessel strikes 4.6. Area-based measures for mobile species 5. Break-out Sessions 5.1. Filling gaps 5.2. Reducing duplication, improving synergies 5.3. Addressing synergistic effects and cumulative concerns 6. Conclusions and Recommendations 7. Close The participation fee for this full-day workshop is 25 Euro. To register, please contact me at heidrun.frisch at ascobans.org . * Members of the Steering Group: Patricia Brtnik, Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Peter Evans, Heidrun Frisch, Steve Geelhoed, Jan Haelters, Katarzyna Kaminska, Camille Montiglio, Eunice Pinn, Jamie Rendell, Fabian Ritter, Tullio Scovazzi, Mark Simmonds, Jeroen Vis Ms Heidrun FRISCH ASCOBANS Coordinator / CMS Marine Mammals Officer UNEP/CMS/ASCOBANS Secretariat UN Campus - Room 927 Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1 - 53113 Bonn, Germany Phone +49 228 815 2418 - Fax +49 228 815 2440 / 49 Skype: cms_marinemammalsofficer PLEASE NOTE MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES: heidrun.frisch at ascobans.org / heidrun.frisch at cms.int www.ascobans.org / www.cms.int Disclaimer: The information transmitted is intended only for use by the addressee and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, dissemination or other use of it, or the taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons and/or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please inform the sender and/or addressee immediately and delete the material. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 22497 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 33904 bytes Desc: not available URL: From ebecker77 at cox.net Mon Feb 22 09:27:22 2016 From: ebecker77 at cox.net (Elizabeth Becker) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:27:22 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper: Moving towards dynamic ocean management: How well do modeled ocean products predict species distributions? Message-ID: <002301d16d96$4a7f3e30$df7dba90$@cox.net> Dear MARMAM Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following open access publication in the special issue of Remote Sensing of Biodiversity: Becker, E.A., K.A. Forney, P.C. Fiedler, J. Barlow, S.J. Chivers, C.A. Edwards, A.M. Moore, and J.V. Redfern. (2016) Moving towards dynamic ocean management: How well do modeled ocean products predict species distributions? Remote Sensing 2016, 8, 149; doi:10.3390/rs8020149 Abstract: Species distribution models are now widely used in conservation and management to predict suitable habitat for protected marine species. The primary sources of dynamic habitat data have been in situ and remotely sensed oceanic variables (both are considered "measured data"), but now ocean models can provide historical estimates and forecast predictions of relevant habitat variables such as temperature, salinity, and mixed layer depth. To assess the performance of modeled ocean data in species distribution models, we present a case study for cetaceans that compares models based on output from a data assimilative implementation of the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) to those based on measured data. Specifically, we used seven years of cetacean line-transect survey data collected between 1991 and 2009 to develop predictive habitat-based models of cetacean density for 11 species in the California Current Ecosystem. Two different generalized additive models were compared: one built with a full suite of ROMS output and another built with a full suite of measured data. Model performance was assessed using the percentage of explained deviance, root mean squared error (RMSE), observed to predicted density ratios, and visual inspection of predicted and observed distributions. Predicted distribution patterns were similar for models using ROMS output and measured data, and showed good concordance between observed sightings and model predictions. Quantitative measures of predictive ability were also similar between model types, and RMSE values were almost identical. The overall demonstrated success of the ROMS-based models opens new opportunities for dynamic species management and biodiversity monitoring because ROMS output is available in near real time and can be forecast. The paper is freely available from Remote Sensing: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/8/2/149 Best Regards, Elizabeth A. Becker, Ph.D. Contractor, Ocean Associates, Inc. Marine Mammal & Turtle Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA 110 Shaffer Road Santa Cruz, CA 95060 e-mail: ebecker77 at cox.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From a.akkaya at archipelago.gr Mon Feb 22 11:58:33 2016 From: a.akkaya at archipelago.gr (Aylin Akkaya) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 21:58:33 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] CETACEAN RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS IN SAMOS, GREECE Message-ID: MARINE MAMMAL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS IN THE AEGEAN SEA ARE AVAILABLE Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (www.archipelago.gr) and Marine Mammals Research Association (www.dmad.org.tr) is currently seeking for volunteers, based in the beautiful island of Samos, Greece. The project is focused on the conservation of marine mammals through combining research and education. Therefore, while marine mammal abundance, distribution, behaviour and threats will be monitored through boat and land surveys, active involvement of stakeholders to the projects will also be supported. This project provides an excellent opportunity for post-grads, students and individuals interested in getting more experience and knowledge in the field of marine mammal research. VOLUNTEERS are primarily responsible for behavioural data collection, theodolite operation, photographing cetacean individuals and cataloguing dolphin/monk seal pictures, data entry. Training will be provided beforehand. In addition, there will be ArcGIS and SPSS courses running which will be free for volunteers during their stay. There will be an opportunity to undertake a personal research project supervised by the project director. The base of project activities will be in Samos however there will be an opportunity to join the cetacean surveys in Fethiye and Antalya, Turkey carried by Marine Mammals Research Association. The enrolment on these surveys depends on the volunteer background and on the time of the year when they will participate. REQUIREMENTS Applicant are expected to be graduates or students of a BSc degree in biology, marine biology or zoology and able to demonstrate previous experience in the field of research and conservation. Knowledge on marine mammal species of Mediterranean is advantage. Practical experience of photo-identification (both photography and matching) and theodolite operation is desirable. The applicant must be fluent in English, proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Volunteers must be self-motivated, with the drive and determination to work independently and responsibly, and with a true interest in marine conservation. The minimum duration of the placements is normally 3 complete months. We may make exceptions for potential participants to apply for a shorter placement. PROJECT FEE This position is unpaid and requires a contribution fee of 650 euro per month, which covers the accommodation, meals, equipment, training and working expenses for the participants, as well as work insurance and Greek language lessons. Participants should cover their own travel expenses to Samos island where all projects start/end. TO APPLY Send CV and cover letter by e-mail to a.akkaya at archipelago.gr Deadline for Applications: *Monday 15th March 2016.* Dr. Aylin Akkaya Bas Marine Mammal Research Coordinator of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation Project Director of Marine Mammals Research Association Marine Research Base: P.O. Box 42, Pythagorio, Samos 83102 www.archipelago.gr Tel. +30 2273061147, +30 2273061191 *Dr. Aylin Akkaya Ba?* *Marine Mammal Research Coordinator of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation* *Project Director of Marine Mammals Research Association* *Marine Research Base: P.O. Box 42, Pythagorio, Samos 83102* *www.archipelago.gr * *Tel. +30 2273061147, +30 2273061191* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at cbmwc.org Tue Feb 23 01:46:05 2016 From: info at cbmwc.org (CBMWC) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:46:05 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Living Seas Dolphin Research Volunteer Positions at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, New Quay, Wales Message-ID: <000b01d16e1f$03d6def0$0b849cd0$@cbmwc.org> WTSWW_high_res_logoCBMWC logo without boarderCardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay Wales www.cbmwc.org Living Seas Dolphin Research Volunteers Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to volunteer with us and gain valuable experience whilst helping us to collect data on the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay, run our visitor centre and inspire visitors through our educational and awareness raising activities. Positions have become available for the following volunteering periods - * Block A: 14th March ? 8th May (8 weeks) * Block B: 9th May ? 3rd July (8 weeks) We ask that volunteers are able to commit for the entire block. Please let us know if you are able to volunteer for both Blocks A and B. We have other opportunities between 14th March and 31st October please contact us if you are interested. About CBMWC The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre is based in New Quay, west Wales, UK. Since 1996 we have been dedicated to raising awareness of the local marine environment through education and research. Using boat-based and land-based surveys, photo-ID and acoustic studies we monitor bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and Atlantic grey seal populations in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and wider Irish Sea. We also run a busy visitor centre as well as our Discovery Room which offers marine educational and awareness raising activities for families, schools and groups. In April 2015 we became part of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) and will be delivering the trusts Living Seas programme. What You Will Gain Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation and meet new people who share your interests. You will learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, gain experience in field work, research methods, data processing, public awareness and education programmes. The data you collect will contribute to long running research studies on bottlenose dolphin site usage, abundance, photo-identification and acoustic studies. There may also be additional opportunities to gain experience in boat handling and seamanship skills. Past volunteers have gone on to further education, work as MMO's and to work for other conservation organisations. Role Description Volunteering tasks include (but are not limited to): * Visitor centre operation, including dealing with enquiries and taking boat bookings * Land-based surveys in conjunction with Ceredigion County Council?s Dolphin Watch * Boat-based surveys* * Educational and awareness raising activities with children and the general public * Data entry and checking * Updating daily sightings information * Beach cleans * Aquarium maintenance * Cleaning and general upkeep of CBMWC premises * Boat surveys are weather dependent and volunteers take turns to join trips to act as onboard researcher. During times of bad weather, you will spend more time carrying out shore-based activities. Person Specification: Essential Skills * Positive, reliable, responsible, conscientious and mature attitude * Ability to work and live closely with others as part of a small team * Strong work ethic with an ability to work unsupervised * Adaptable and patient (particularly as boat work is weather dependent) * Confident in dealing with the public both face to face and over the telephone * Fluency in English Desirable Skills * Interest and/or experience of working with children in environmental education * Research and surveying experience * IT skills, including Microsoft Office and GIS * Interest and or/experience in salt water aquaria Please note that enthusiasm for our work and the marine environment is as valued as experience, since full training is provided. Volunteer Fee An administration fee of ?45 will be required from all successful applicants. Accommodation and Expense Arrangements Shared accommodation in a comfortable and fully equipped house will be arranged for successful volunteers (where required) at a cost of ?55 per week, including bills. Please be aware that volunteers share same sex bedrooms. Volunteers are responsible for their own food, travel and accommodation costs but it is very easy to find part time work in New Quay. Due to payment arrangements with the house owners, accommodation costs are required in advance to cover the cost of each block so before applying please ensure that you can cover this and all other expenses. How To Apply Download a volunteer application form from our website www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/seasonal-volunteers/ and email it along with a CV and covering letter (no more than one side of A4) outlining how you meet the personal specification and your motivations for applying to volunteer at cbmwc.org with ?Seasonal Volunteer application 2016? in your subject line. Spaces are filling fast, apply as soon as possible to ensure your chance of getting a place. For Further Information Visit www.cbmwc.org/ If you have any questions please email volunteer at cbmwc.org with an appropriate subject line or call Laura on 01545 560224. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 273965 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4554 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 356201 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image004.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 3940 bytes Desc: not available URL: From verena.gill at boem.gov Mon Feb 22 16:55:41 2016 From: verena.gill at boem.gov (Gill, Verena) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 15:55:41 -0900 Subject: [MARMAM] Job opportunity in Alaska Message-ID: *You need to be a US citizen to apply. Part of the job involves dealing with marine mammal issues among other resources.* *The following Merit Promotion (MP) announcement has been extended until February 29th, 2016: * This is a courtesy notice to announce that the following Merit Promotion (MP) announcement has been posted on USAJOBS: *Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist*GS-0028-13/14 BOEM, Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region (AKOCSR), Office of Environment, Environmental Analysis Section I Duty Location: Anchorage, AKOpens: 02/01/2016 Closes: *02/29/2016* *BOEM-MMLL-16-TH-033(MP)* https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/428061600 <>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><>><<>><<>><<>>< Verena A. Gill Wildlife Biologist Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500 Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5823 Office phone: 907-334-5239 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From brandon.southall at sea-inc.net Tue Feb 23 23:56:23 2016 From: brandon.southall at sea-inc.net (Brandon Southall) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2016 23:56:23 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on bathypelagic prey for deep-diving marine mammals Message-ID: <56CD6227.6010001@sea-inc.net> Colleagues, Along with my co-authors Kelly Benoit-Bird and Mark Moline, I would like to bring to your attention a paper recently published in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B (Biological Sciences) entitled /Predator-guided sampling reveals biotic structure in the bathypelagic/. The full reference, online location, and full abstract are provided below. We are happy to provide .pdf copies of the article on request by email (Brandon.Southall at sea-inc.net or kbenoit at coas.oregonstate.edu) as a professional courtesy. Thanks, Brandon Southall -------------- Benoit-Bird KJ, Southall BL, Moline MA. 2016. Predator-guided sampling reveals biotic structure in the bathypelagic. Proc. R. Soc. B 283: 20152457. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.2457 http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/283/1825/20152457.abstract We targeted a habitat used differentially by deep-diving, air-breathing predators to empirically sample their prey's distributions off southern California. Fine-scale measurements of the spatial variability of potential prey animals from the surface to 1200 m were obtained using conventional fisheries echosounders aboard a surface ship and uniquely integrated into a deep-diving autonomous vehicle. Significant spatial variability in the size, composition, total biomass, and spatial organization of biota was evident over all spatial scales examined and was consistent with the general distribution patterns of foraging Cuvier's beaked whales (/Ziphius cavirostris/) observed in separate studies. Striking differences found in prey characteristics between regions at depth, however, did not reflect differences observed in surface layers. These differences in deep pelagic structure horizontally and relative to surface structure, absent clear physical differences, change our long-held views of this habitat as uniform. The revelation that animals deep in the water column are so spatially heterogeneous at scales from 10 m to 50 km critically affects our understanding of the processes driving predator?prey interactions, energy transfer, biogeochemical cycling, and other ecological processes in the deep sea, and the connections between the productive surface mixed layer and the deep-water column. -------------- -- Brandon L. Southall, Ph.D. President, Senior Scientist, SEA, Inc. Research Associate, University of California, Santa Cruz 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 8, Aptos, CA 95003, USA 831.332.8744 (mobile); 831.661.5177 (office); 831.661.5178 (fax) Brandon.Southall at sea-inc.net; www.sea-inc.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jg20 at st-andrews.ac.uk Wed Feb 24 01:30:24 2016 From: jg20 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Jonathan Gordon) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:30:24 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] "Best Practices" Workshop on Measuring Behavioural Responses to Man Made Sounds Message-ID: There are still a few places available for this year's Best Practices Workshop. There are no charges for attending these workshops. To register contact Jonathan Gordon jg20 at st-andrews.ac.uk Measuring Behavioural Responses to Man Made Sounds: a "Best Practices" workshop organised on behalf of the ECS Scientific Committee It is now widely appreciated that anthropogenic sound can have detrimental effects on marine mammals. Concerns about behavioural responses to man-made sound are growing because of a realisation that, in some cases, behavioural changes can have severe physiological consequences and may even result in mortality. In addition, chronic disturbance and changes in behaviour can disrupt important activities such as foraging, breeding and socialising. These may have biologically significant consequences for individuals as well as having effects at the population level. Although for some regulators, population level effects might be the primary concern, it is usually by studying behaviour that short term cause and effect relationships can be established so that problems can be identified and solutions or mitigation can be developed. In the last few years several very substantial field projects have been conducted to investigate the effects of military sonar on a range of cetacean species. These probably rank as the largest concerted cetacean field projects ever undertaken and have been mainly supported by military funding. Results have been presented in a range of publications and in several recent workshops. In addition to providing new information on the effects of sonar, these studies have been useful in developing new approaches and tools which should have a wider application. There are of course many other anthropogenic sound sources which are of equal or greater concern. In addition, behavioural responses of marine mammals to artificial sounds can in some cases be helpful in mitigating or alleviating risks such as those from intense sound sources or from net entanglement. In this workshop we focus on studies that have measured responses to some of these "non-sonar" sound sources while exploring how the technical and methodological advances made as part of the large sonar studies might be applied more widely. Studies of behavioural responses have typically followed one of three approaches: observational studies of responses of free ranging animals to activities that are already taking place, uncontrolled experimental exposures where the researcher introduces a sound source but does not have fine scale control over when it is active and controlled exposure experiments during which the researcher has fine scale control over when and where the sound is broadcast. Researchers have attempted to measure a variety of response metrics from changes in relative densities to detailed movement and behavioural responses. A variety of research techniques have been employed, ranging from visual and acoustic observations to detailed telemetry tracking of target individuals. The research approach is often dictated by the particular species of interest, the type of sound being investigated and the metrics that can and should be obtained. In tandem with these studies, have been initiatives to develop and improve techniques for both collecting and analysing the types of behavioural data that such studies generate. When the research involves introducing a new source of sound there may be both ethical and regulatory concerns over possible effects on both the target study subject and other non-target animals in the vicinity. Although they are conceptually simple, these studies have often been challenging to deliver. The purpose of this workshop is to review and take stock of recent studies, critically assess the strengths and shortcomings of different approaches and synthesise recommendations for best practice which should be useful for those planning future studies. In addition to some general presentations the workshops will include sessions where researchers summarise studies that have utilised differing approaches and techniques to investigate response to particular sound sources. The intention is that the workshop should combine a series of presentations focused on practice and methodology of different approaches with ample opportunities for questions, exchange and discussion. General Talks Introduction and overview of some previous workshops. - Jonathan Gordon Analysing behavioural response study data: tools and insights from the MOCHA project. Catriona Harris Ethical, legal and regulatory considerations. Sarah Dolman Collecting and interpreting data with greater biological significance. Saana Isojunno Status and future of research on the behavioural responses of marine mammals to U.S. Navy sonar Catriona Harris Example Studies by Sound Types Responses of porpoises and seals to pile driving during wind farm construction Jacob Tougaard, Gordon Hastie, David Thompson Responses to tidal turbine noise. Gordon Hastie, Dave Thompson Responses of beaked whales and small cetaceans to shipping noise. Enrico Pirotta, Natacha Aguilar Responses of porpoise and seals to mitigation signals. Miriam Brandt, Jonathan Gordon and Dave Thompson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr Jonathan Gordon, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, Gatty Laboratory, University of Saint Andrews, Saint Andrews Fife KY16 8LB Tel. 01334 462637 (o) Mobile 07866 267814 Fax 01334 462632 Digital Messaging Service Voice 07020-964-330, Fax 07020-964-334 Skype: EcologicUK The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr Jonathan Gordon, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, Gatty Laboratory, University of Saint Andrews, Saint Andrews Fife KY16 8LB Tel. 01334 462637 (o) Mobile 07866 267814 Fax 01334 462632 Digital Messaging Service Voice 07020-964-330, Fax 07020-964-334 Skype: EcologicUK The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From robertw.rankin at gmail.com Wed Feb 24 09:21:49 2016 From: robertw.rankin at gmail.com (Robert Rankin) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:21:49 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Tutorial: Bayesian Mark-Recapture in R/JAGS Message-ID: As a follow-up to a presentation at the 2015 SMM Bienniel Conference, I am happy to share an online demonstration of Bayesian Mark-Recapture using R and JAGS, available on github. The demonstration presents various Robust Design temporary emigration models, as discussed in a forthcoming paper Rankin et al. 2016 (see below for link to presentation, pre-release draft, and github URL). The demo has both "Fixed effects" models and as well as a Hierarchical Bayesian version which offers many advantages familiar to users of Program MARK, such as: i) individual heterogeneity, ii) recruitment processes, and iii) an alternative type of 'model parsimony' similar to multimodel inference by model averaging. HB is an automatic "Occam's Razor" which helps prevent over-parametrization and smooths over many of the instabilities encountered in Frequentist CMR and AIC-based model averaging, especially for sparse dolphin data. Also, Bayesian models are fully-probabilistic, intuitive, and provide exact inference under low-sample sizes. Link to the demonstration with R and JAGS code (including real bottlenose photo-ID data): https://github.com/faraway1nspace/PCRD_JAGS_demo/ Link to SMM presentation on Hierarchical Bayesian PCRD: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxeoeRy1g2judW9UOUxpbkswcGs/ See github Readme file for more information on Bayesian PCRD. Abstract of forthcoming paper accompanying the online tutorial: We present a Hierarchical Bayesian version of Pollock's Closed Robust Design for studying the survival, temporary-migration, and abundance of marked animals. Through simulations and analyses of a bottlenose dolphin photo-identification dataset, we compare several estimation frameworks, including Maximum Likelihood estimation (ML), model-averaging by AICc, as well as Bayesian and Hierarchical Bayesian (HB) procedures. Our results demonstrate a number of advantages of the Bayesian framework over other popular methods. First, for simple fixed-effect models, we show the near-equivalence of Bayesian and ML point-estimates and confidence/credibility intervals. Second, we demonstrate how there is an inherent correlation among temporary-migration and survival parameter estimates in the PCRD, and while this can lead to serious convergence issues and singularities among MLEs, we show that the Bayesian estimates were more reliable. Third, we demonstrate that a Hierarchical Bayesian model with carefully thought-out hyperpriors, can lead to similar parameter estimates and conclusions as multi-model inference by AICc model-averaging. This latter point is especially interesting for mark-recapture practitioners, for whom model-uncertainty and multi-model inference have become a major preoccupation. Lastly, we extend the Hierarchical Bayesian PCRD to include full-capture histories (i.e., by modelling a recruitment process) and individual-level heterogeneity in detection probabilities, which can have important consequences for the range of phenomena studied by the PCRD, as well as lead to large differences in abundance estimates. For example, we estimate 8%-24% more bottlenose dolphins in the western gulf of Shark Bay than previously estimated by ML and AICc-based model-averaging. Other important extensions are discussed. Our Bayesian PCRD models are written in the BUGS-like JAGS language for easy dissemination and customization by the community of capture-mark-recapture practitioners. Robert Rankin Ph.D. Candidate Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, 90 South Street, Murdoch WA 6150 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From university at mail.bamfieldmsc.com Wed Feb 24 13:43:34 2016 From: university at mail.bamfieldmsc.com (BMSC University Programs) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:43:34 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] In Pursuit of the Whale - Undergraduate/Graduate-Level Cetological Literature Course Message-ID: Hi there, The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (located in Bamfield, British Columbia and owned by the Universities of Victoria, British Columbia, Alberta, Calgary, and Simon Fraser University) is proud to offer its first English Literature field course! This course will be taught by Dr. Greg Garrard (UBC Okanagan) and Dr. Nicholas Bradley (UVIC). Scholarships are available to those who apply by March 1, 2016. Please find a course poster, poposed syllabus, and information on how to apply attached. Additional information can be found below or at www.bamfieldmsc.com and questions can be directed to university at bamfieldmsc.com Please feel free to forward this message and its attachments to anyone who might be interested in this course. Regards, Nic Wiewel _________________________________________________________________________________________ Who can apply? Upper-level undergraduates (300-400 level) and graduate students may take this course for credit. Prerequisites: For undergraduates: completion of three upper-level English courses, or by application. For graduate students: acceptance to a MA or PhD program in the humanities, or by application. Application Deadline: March 1, 2016. Students who apply before the deadline are automatically considered for $500 scholarships. Course Dates: Jul 4, 2016 - Jul 22, 2016 Overview: The course will involve close study of literature and films relating to whales and whaling, employing theoretical concepts from ecocriticism (environmentally-oriented cultural criticism) and critical animal studies. Making good use of the proximity of wild cetaceans, historic whaling sites, and the contemporary cultural industry of whale-watching, the course will combine place-based experiential learning with historically and theoretically informed methods of cultural analysis. Key questions will include: How and why have attitudes and interactions of humans and whales changed in modern history? What have whales come to mean in contemporary cultures (predominantly, but not solely, Canadian)? What role have literary and filmic representations played in these cultural transformations? How have literary writers responded to changing scientific ideas about cetaceans? And finally: where might the entangled ?naturecultures? of cetaceans and human primates go next? The disciplines of English literature, cultural theory, and environmental ethics; the findings of marine biologists; the recorded experiences of Western whalers; and the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples will be brought to bear on these questions. Herman Melville?s great cetological epic will be a key text and point of departure. The course can be taken at either 400 or graduate level, with differentiated tutoring and assessments. Physical Requirements: This course will involve getting in and out of boats, hikes through the rainforest, and walking over slippery rocks in the intertidal region of the coast. Textbooks: Herman Melville, ?Moby Dick?. Philip Hoare, ?Leviathan?. Farley Mowat, ?A Whale for the Killing?. Linda Hogan, ?People of the Whale?. Witi Ihimaera, ?The Whale Rider?. Charlotte Cot?, ?Spirits of our Whaling Ancestors?. It is essential that participants complete the majority of the reading for the course in advance. -- Nicole Gerbrandt and Nic Wiewel -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2016Whale_poster.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 1321302 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: In Pursuit of the Whale 2016 Syllabus.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 351264 bytes Desc: not available URL: From stonesbrett at hotmail.com Tue Feb 16 00:25:24 2016 From: stonesbrett at hotmail.com (Stones Brett) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:25:24 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteer Wildlife and Dolphin Watching Guides 2016 In-Reply-To: References: , Message-ID: Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteer Wildlife and Dolphin Watching Guides. Volunteer Wildlife and Dolphin Watching Guides Required Volunteer Position offered to a marine biology enthusiast with a passenger boat trip company to assist with wildlife guiding activities. SeaM?r Wildlife and Dolphin Watching Boat Trips are looking for enthusiastic and hardworking boat crew to fill positions offered during the periods of April to June, June to end of August, July to end of August and August to end of October. We would also accept a person who is able to commit to the whole period of April to end of October. The position requires working on the wildlife watching boat as crew and a wildlife guide and also assisting with sales and marketing of the trips. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn some great skills such as boat handling, general seamanship, enhancing your public speaking skills, and hopefully help inspire the next generation of marine biologists. The trips run from the beautiful towns of New Quay and Abaereron in Cardigan Bay, which is home to the largest population of bottlenose dolphins in the UK. Harbour porpoises, grey seals and a variety of sea birds are also amongst the many animals that can be viewed on the trips. WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE YOU WILL GAIN:Public speaking and guiding experienceCrewing on a commercial passenger boatBoat handling and general seamanshipCustomer service and team work ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:Fluent spoken EnglishInterest in marine wildlife and boatingFlexibility and the ability to work outdoorsGood communication skillsGood customer service skillsExperience of working in a small team DESIRABLE:Marine biology (or similar) qualificationRYA powerboat licenseInterest in marketingWebsite editing and design Other info:This is an unpaid post, however, there will be an element of paid work available, and free accommodation is provided. How to apply:If you are interested in this position, email with which period you're interested in, along with your CV to Brett Stones, info at seamor.org, or call us on 07795242445. Website www.seamor.org facebook www.facebook/seamordolphins -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From oswald.jn at gmail.com Thu Feb 25 12:08:06 2016 From: oswald.jn at gmail.com (Julie Oswald) Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:08:06 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Bio-Waves Passive Acoustic Technology Training Course, April 2016 - Second Announcement Message-ID: This is the second announcement for the Bio-Waves, Inc. Passive Acoustic Technology training course, scheduled to occur *Monday, April 18th through Friday April 22nd, 2016*. This five day course combines lectures covering concepts, theory and methods with hands-on hardware demonstrations and computer training. The aim of the course is to give participants a working knowledge of passive acoustic hardware, software, and methods used to study and monitor marine mammals. The training course will familiarize individuals with passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) equipment and best practices, as well as offer instruction for troubleshooting and field repairs. We will teach the basic skills required to prepare individuals for work as passive acoustic field and post processing technicians. We will cover methods used for research as well as mitigation and monitoring. This course will be held at the University of California, San Diego Supercomputer Center in La Jolla, California. The training course will include the following: - An introduction to the physics of underwater sound (lectures) - An introduction to marine mammal acoustics (lectures) - An introduction to PAM hardware such as hydrophones, sonobuoys and autonomous recorders (lectures and demo) - Instruction on the design, setup, troubleshooting and repair of towed hydrophone array systems (Demo and hands-on training) - Training in software used to detect, localize, and classify sounds produced by marine mammals (lectures, computer laboratory work and demos) - Training in software used to review and post-process acoustic data (lectures and computer laboratory work) - Lectures on the role of passive acoustic methods in mitigation and marine mammal monitoring - Lectures on best practices for effective acoustic data collection and management - Guest lectures from subject area experts (e.g., scientists from local research institutes such as UCSD?s Scripps Institution of Oceanography) At the conclusion of the course, participants will have gained a working knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of passive acoustic system design, operation, and maintenance. They will have had hands-on experience with a variety of software programs commonly used during real-time field operations and for data review and analysis. Additionally, participants will have performed specific tasks (e.g. repairing cables, troubleshooting acoustic systems etc.), and will receive a set of materials for reference in the field. For those participants who are interested, we are pleased to offer course credit for the training course through the University of California, San Diego's Extension Program. Four quarter units are available via a separate UCSD application and fees. To register or obtain more information about the course please visit *www.bio-waves.com * and click on the "*Passive Acoustic Technology Training Course*" button on the bottom of the main page. A $300 non-refundable deposit towards the $1,575 total fee will be required to secure your position in the course. This cost includes a light breakfast and catered lunch. Early registration ends on *Friday March 18th *after which a $100 late registration fee will be applied to the total. Limited space is available at a discounted rate of $1,400 for groups of two or more or graduate students; discounts are available on a first come, first served basis. Also, while lodging is not available on UCSD campus, we have a list of local hotels, some of which provide discounts if attending events on campus, and will assist in coordinating room and ride share between registrants via email prior to the training. Please contact education at bio-waves.net with any questions. We look forward to seeing you this coming spring! -- "If you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical expression, go out and explore" -Apsley Cherry-Garrard -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From business at aquaticmammalsjournal.org Sat Feb 27 06:25:41 2016 From: business at aquaticmammalsjournal.org (Kathleen - Aquatic Mammals) Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2016 09:25:41 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Aquatic Mammals 42.1 is available online Message-ID: 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 42, issue 1, 2016) of Aquatic Mammals. The online issue is now available at this link: For individuals with a print subscription, the joint print copy of 42.1/42.2 will be mailed in early July. 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 listserv editors for PDFs or copies of the articles. To obtain a PDF, please subscribe to Aquatic Mammals http://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 42, issue 1 contents. Thank you for your continued interest in the journal and abstract postings. With regards, Kathleen Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals business at aquaticmammalsjournal.org ******* Kavanagh, A.S., Goldizen, A.W., Blomberg, S.P., Noad, M.J., & Dunlop, R.A. (2016). Factors Affecting the Reliability and Validity of Behavioural Datasets: Assessing the Impact of Observers? Experience and Native Language on Studies of Wild Animals. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 1-11. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.1 Giovos, I. Ganias, K., Garagouni, M., & Gonzalvo, J. (2016). Social Media in the Service of Conservation: A Case Study of Dolphins in the Hellenic Seas. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 12-19. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.12 Elorriaga-Verplancken, F.R., Rosales-Nanduca, H., Paniagua-Mendoza, A., Mart?nez-Aguilar, S., Nader-Valencia, A.K., Robles-Hern?ndez, R., G?mez-D?az, F., & Urb?n R, J. (2016). First Record of Pygmy Killer Whales (Feresa attenuata) in the Gulf of California, Mexico: Diet Inferences and Probable Relation with Warm Conditions During 2014. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 20-26. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.20 Victor Huertas and Cynthia J. Lagueux (2016). First Recorded Mass Stranding of the Short-Finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 27-34. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.27 Hansen, M.S., Alstrup, A.K.O., Hansen, J.H., Al-Sabi, M.N.S., Nonnemann, B., Jensen, L.F., Hedayat, A., & Jensen, T.H. (2016). Stranding of Two Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the ?North Sea Trap? at Henne Strand, Denmark. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 35-41. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.35 Villegas-Zurita, F., Elorriaga-Verplancken, F.R., & Castillejos-Moguel, F. (2016). First Report of a South American Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis) in Mexico. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 42-46. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.42 Toro, F., Vilina, Y.A., Capella, J.J., & Gibbon, J. (2016). Novel Coastal Feeding Area for Eastern South Pacific Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in Mid-Latitude Humboldt Current Waters off Chile. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 47-55. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.47 Poonian, C.N.S., Lopez, D.D. (2016). Small-Scale Mariculture: A Potentially Significant Threat to Dugongs (Dugong dugon) Through Incidental Entanglement. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 56-59. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.56 Song, K-J. (2016). First Stranding of Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Korean Waters. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 60-62. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.60 Br?ger, Z., Gonzalvo, J., Agazzi, S., & Bearzi, G. (2016). Identification of Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Prey Using Fish Scale Analysis. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 63-73. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.63 Caldwell, M. (2016). Historical Seasonal Density and Distribution Patterns of Tursiops truncatus in Northeast Florida. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 74-88. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.74 Caldwell, M. (2016). Historical Evidence of Tursiops truncatus Exhibiting Habitat Preference and Seasonal Fidelity in Northeast Florida, Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 89-103. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.89 Arg?elles, M.B., Fazio, A., Fiorito, C., P?rez-Mart?nez, D., Coscarella, M., & Bertellotti, M. (2016). Diving Behavior of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) in a Maritime Traffic Area in Patagonia, Argentina. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 104-108. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.104 Brusa, J.L., Young, R.F., & Swanson, T. (2016). Abundance, Ranging Patterns, and Social Behavior of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in an Estuarine Terminus. Aquatic Mammals 42(1), 109-121. DOI: 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.109 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From footead at gmail.com Fri Feb 26 01:05:59 2016 From: footead at gmail.com (Andy Foote) Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 10:05:59 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Killer whale population genomics paper deposited in biorxiv Message-ID: Dear colleagues, Our population genomics study on killer whales, in which analyse the genomes of 50 individuals to reconstruct demographic history, population structuring and adaptation to different habitats and diets is now deposited in the biorxix and can be accessed with this link: http://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/02/22/040295. Andrew D. Foote, Nagarjun Vijay, Mari?a C. A?vila-Arcos, Robin W. Baird, John W. Durban, Matteo Fumagalli, Richard A. Gibbs, M. Bradley Hanson, Thorfinn S. Korneliussen, Michael D. Martin, Kelly. M. Robertson, Vitor C. Sousa, Filipe. G. Vieira, Toma?s? Vinar?1, Paul Wade, Kim C. Worley, Laurent Excoffier, Phillip. A. Morin, M. Thomas. P. Gilbert & Jochen. B.W. Wolf Genome-culture coevolution promotes rapid divergence in the killer whale. BioRxiv doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/040295 The interaction between ecology, culture and genome evolution remains poorly understood. Analysing population genomic data from killer whale ecotypes, which we estimate have globally radiated within less than 250,000 years, we show that genetic structuring including the segregation of potentially functional alleles is associated with socially inherited ecological niche. Reconstruction of ancestral demographic history revealed bottlenecks during founder events, likely promoting ecological divergence and genetic drift resulting in a wide range of genome-wide differentiation between pairs of allopatric and sympatric ecotypes. Functional enrichment analyses provided evidence for regional genomic divergence associated with habitat, dietary preferences and postzygotic reproductive isolation. Our findings are consistent with expansion of small founder groups into novel niches by an initial plastic behavioural response, perpetuated by social learning imposing an altered natural selection regime. The study constitutes an important step toward an understanding of the complex interaction between demographic history, culture, ecological adaptation and evolution at the genomic level. Best, Andy Dr. Andrew D. Foote Computational and Molecular Population Genetics (CMPG) lab Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Baltzerstrasse 6 Bern CH-3012 Switzerland +41 31 631 4549 andrew.foote at iee.unibe.ch -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From holly_morin at uri.edu Fri Feb 26 12:34:09 2016 From: holly_morin at uri.edu (Holly Morin) Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 15:34:09 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Underwater Acoustics Webinar for the International Regulatory Community: Potential Effects of Underwater Sound on Marine Mammals Message-ID: **apologies for cross-postings** Members of the international regulatory community have an expressed need for training materials on underwater acoustics as well as instructional resources that can be quickly accessed and viewed. To meet this need, the Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) Team is facilitating a free, five-part webinar series on topics related to underwater sound. Two webinars took place in 2015. The first reviewed science of sound concepts, the second, sound production and reception in marine animals. These webinars, PDF versions of the webinar presentations, and other associated resources, have been archived to the DOSITS website (http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/). The third webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 12:00 pm (U.S. East Coast time). Dr.'s Dorian Houser and Brandon Southall will review the potential effects of underwater sound on marine mammals. Interested individuals must register in advance for this webinar. To register please visit: http://www.dosits.org/resources/all/decisionmakers/ircwebinar/registration/ To learn more about this webinar series and view other, upcoming webinar dates and speakers, please visit the DOSITS webpage, Webinar?Series for Regulators of Underwater Sound. Questions? Please contact Holly Morin at holly_morin at uri.edu. This webinar series is being sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute (API) . The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America?s oil and natural gas industry. Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS; www.dosits.org ) is a comprehensive, educational website on underwater sound, designed to provide accurate scientific information at levels appropriate for all audiences, including decision-makers. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at edmaktub.org Thu Feb 25 14:12:57 2016 From: info at edmaktub.org (Info Edmaktub) Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 23:12:57 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Reminder: Fin whale Research Assistant Program Opportunity - Barcelona (EDMAKTUB) Message-ID: *RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITY* *EDMAKTUB ASSOCIATION* *7-Day Fin whale Research Assistant Program* *Vilanova i la Geltr?, Barcelona (SPAIN)* *Want to be part of a pioneer research project to study fin whales? remarkable presence near Barcelona?s coast?* *Interested in joining a scientific campaign while you enjoy seeing many other cetacean species and seabirds in Mediterranean waters?* *We are seeking volunteers to assist in next year?s research campaign in the catalan coast, *between Barcelona and Tarragona (NW Mediterranean basin), which will take place *from March to May 2016*, to study fin whales? use of Catalan waters in the area of Garraf (central-south Catalonia) as a potential feeding station during their migrations across the Mediterranean Sea. This is the *first dedicated study that has ever been conducted in this area*, which includes the* use of new non-invasive techniques such as drones *(used to obtain blow samples for genetic studies). Last two-year research we have sighted 92 fin whales and we photo-identified 58 individuals. Volunteers will have the chance to enjoy the *high marine biodiversity found in the area*, including: bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops truncatus*), striped dolphins (*Stenella coeruleoalba*) and Risso?s dolphins (*Grampus griseus*); many seabird species, some of which are endangered such as the Balearic shearwater (*Puffinus mauretanicus*), Mediterranean shearwater (*Puffinus yelkouan*), Cory's shearwater (*Calonectris diomedea)*, Atlantic puffin (*Fratercula arctica*), and Northern gannet (*Morus bassanus*); different fish species (such as sunfish, manta ray and blue-fin tuna); many invertebrates; and sometimes even Loggerhead turtles (*Caretta caretta*)! *FIN WHALE PROJECT* Our research campaigns focus on the *monitoring of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus),* the second largest species on earth and the only regular whale in the Mediterranean, *presence in Catalan waters (NW Mediterranean basin) *using visual vessel-based surveys. We offer the opportunity to learn about marine species and habitats in the study area; gain experience in field work and monitoring techniques (including non-invasive techniques such as the use of drones to obtain blow samples for genetic studies and the use of hydrophones for passive acoustic studies), data processing and analysis. Assistants will also be able to listen to vocalizations recorded in the field and help in the processing of photos taken from sightings for photo-id. Volunteering with EDMAKTUB you will *learn about the rich marine fauna found in the Garraf area and cetaceans? census techniques while you enjoy full-day survey trips on our catamaran along the Catalan coast*. Data collected by volunteers during the surveys will contribute to our long running research studies on fin whales habitat usage, abundance, photo-identification, feeding behaviour and acoustic studies. We offer a fantastic opportunity for you to *make a positive contribution to marine wildlife conservation* and also meet new people who share your interests! During their free time and when weather conditions are unfavorable for boat surveys, volunteers will be able to visit Barcelona and enjoy its vibrant cultural offer, as well as to enjoy a huge variety of wildlife while doing some trekking and nature expeditions in Garraf?s Natural Park (beautiful location where we?re based). *Here * *you will find a short video about the ?Fin whale Project?.* *We invite you to join **EDMAKTUB* *?s research.* *Research Assistant Program: participate in our ongoing research for 7 days* The campaign period will be divided into one-week sessions. A maximum of 6 assistants will be able to join each session, and priority will be given to volunteers who can join more than one session. *We welcome undergraduate and postgraduate students *who require field work support and office space *to conduct their research projects* (please contact us by email to discuss project ideas). No previous experience, nor specific knowledge, is required as EDMAKTUB staff will provide all the necessary information and training. ------------------------------ *EDMAKTUB* * is a non-profit organization* that relies on its volunteers? and collaborators? donations to cover the costs and support the work of the project. *Volunteers are an essential part of the association* and play a vital role in our work. Join us in this *unforgettable experience* which will allow you to stay in direct contact with the marine environment and its fascinating inhabitants! *If you are interested and would like more information on dates and prices, please fill up the following form:* *http://goo.gl/forms/uU3fYmrTSh * *EDMAKTUB Association: for the study and disclosure of the marine environment* *www.edmaktub.org* Facebook: *Edmaktub * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at quixote-expeditions.com Thu Feb 25 18:29:45 2016 From: info at quixote-expeditions.com (Quixote Expeditions) Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 20:29:45 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] Antarctica Guest Scientist Program Message-ID: Antarctica Guest Scientist Program Quixote Expeditions is excited to announce its 2016-2017 Guest Scientist program for our Dec 15 2016 - Jan 7 2017 Trip to the Antarctic Peninsula. More information is on our website ( http://www.quixote-expeditions.com/guest-scientist/) and below: Quixote Expeditions has a Guest Scientist Program where scientists can join any of our regularly scheduled trips in order to help them carry out their research. This can be anyone working on a master?s or PhD thesis, professors and researchers at universities, and scientists associated with non-profits. We offer a free space onboard any of our scheduled trips for scientists to perform their research. We sail in remote places that are often hard for scientists to get to and for those with limited funding, impossible due to the expensive nature of working in remote areas. We hope that by offering these spaces ? one per trip, that amazing and interesting science can be continued here at the end of the world. In exchange we ask that the scientists to contribute the following: - To involve the other guests onboard with the research and data collecting if possible (Its not always possible!). - To present some of their current or past research while onboard. - At the end of the trip to prepare a short write up about the trip and the science that will then be posted on the Quixote Expeditions Website. - To help operate the vessel (standing watch, helping in the galley, etc). Ocean Tramp, while a large sailboat, is still small compared to a larger research vessel. We ask that all scientists chip in, along with our guests. We can offer free room and board to one scientists per trip. All other related costs are at the expense of the scientists. Please go to our website for the application and full details http://www.quixote-expeditions.com/guest-scientist/ Cheers, Laura, Owner info at quixote-expeditions.com -- QUIXOTE EXPEDITIONS www.quixote-expeditions.com Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/QuixoteExpeditions/ Twitter: @QuixoteExped Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quixote_expeditions/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kev.robinson at crru.org.uk Sun Feb 28 01:19:18 2016 From: kev.robinson at crru.org.uk (Dr Kevin Robinson) Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2016 11:19:18 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] 2016 field teams dates with the CRRU in Scotland Message-ID: <000001d17209$1aaf4020$500dc060$@crru.org.uk> ?Whales and dolphins of the Moray Firth? field training internship programme Each year we offer a number of unique opportunities for a seasonal corps of trainees to join us in Gardenstown, Scotland, as contributing members of the CRRU team. This resident Internship Programme is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. In 2016, places are available on the following field teams: * Team I: 16 May - 26 May * Team II: 30 May - 9Jun * Team III: 13 Jun - 23 Jun * Team IV: 27 Jun - 7 Jul * Team V: 11Jul - 21Jul * Team VI: 25 Jul - 4 Aug * Team VII: 8 Aug - 18 Aug * Team VIII: 22 Aug - 1 Sep * Team IX: 5 Sep - 15 Sep * Team X: 19 Sep - 29 Sep * Team XI: 3 Oct - 13 Oct The residential courses are run in the form of a training internship in cetacean research and conservation, with formal lectures, seminars and presentations by the research team and practical training in field methodologies and data collection at sea and tools used in the analysis of long-term field datasets. The cost for an 11 day internship in 2016 is 895 GBP, and this will cover you for full board (all your accommodation and food costs), your full equipment needs and ALL associated field costs during your stay with us in the heritage fishing village of Gardenstown in Banff. You'll simply need to arrange your own travel itinerary to us in Banffshire, northeast Scotland (nearest airport Dyce, Aberdeen, approx. 1? hours from the field base by coach) plus any personal spending money. To find out more about these courses, please visit www.crru.org.uk/join_the_team.asp (scroll to the foot of this page for video links about volunteering). To view/download our publications and reports, please visit www.crru.org.uk/publications.asp . To receive our full project briefing and application/booking form or if you have any questions or inquiries, please email us at info at crru.org.uk with the subject ?CRRU Summer Internship Enquiry" and we will get back to you at our very soonest convenience We look forward to hearing from you With all best wishes Dr. Kevin Robinson Director, CRRU kev.robinson at crru.org.uk Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, PO Box 11307, Banff, AB45 3WB, Scotland, UK | * +44 (0)1261 851696 | www.crru.org.uk Whale and Dolphin Research | Environmental Educational Outreach | Marine Wildlife Rescue | Consultancy | MMO Services Recognised Scottish Charity No. SC 035473 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 5626 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image004.png Type: image/png Size: 10432 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image006.png Type: image/png Size: 5542 bytes Desc: not available URL: From naomi at awionline.org Thu Feb 25 13:42:35 2016 From: naomi at awionline.org (Naomi Rose) Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 21:42:35 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] USDA APHIS proposed rule on care and maintenance conditions for captive marine mammals Message-ID: Dear MARMAMers: For those interested in the welfare of captive marine mammals, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has published a proposed rule to amend several provisions of the regulations governing the care and maintenance of captive marine mammals (see the Federal Register notice here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-02-03/pdf/2016-01837.pdf). Revising the USDA care and maintenance regulations for captive marine mammals was first proposed in 1994. Some provisions were updated in 2001. The rest were the subject of an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in 2002. This proposed rule is the outcome of the agency's consideration of comments received in response to that ANPR, as well as during a negotiated rulemaking panel process undertaken in 1995-1996. The proposed rule was published on February 3 and the comment period is 60 days - the deadline for public comment is April 4. I would like to highlight one element of the proposed rule in particular, which may be of interest to field researchers who have been examining ranging and dive behavior and fine-scale movement patterns of various species of marine mammals in recent years. On p. 5635 of the Federal Register notice, the agency writes: "We are proposing to make a number of changes to ? 3.104, as discussed in detail below. However, we are not proposing changes to the minimum space requirements (i.e., minimum horizontal dimension (MHD), depth, volume, and surface area) at this time. In light of the disparate recommendations by the ANPR commenters (2002) and the limited scientific data available on this issue, we do not have sufficient scientific or other supporting data to propose space requirements changes at this time. We would appreciate any published literature, science-based data or other studies that would support changes in the space requirements for any marine mammals." Please note the current space requirements for up to 2 bottlenose dolphins: Minimum horizontal dimension (e.g., diameter of a circular tank, width of a rectangular/square tank, or narrowest width of an irregular shaped tank) = 24 ft or 7.32m Minimum depth = 6 ft or 1.83m (There are additional requirements for minimum surface area and minimum volume) For up to 2 orcas, they are: Minimum horizontal dimension = 48 ft or 14.64m Minimum depth = 12 ft or 3.66m For up to 2 polar bears, they are: Minimum area of dry resting and social activity surface = 400 sq ft or 37.16 sq m Minimum horizontal dimension of pool = 8 ft or 2.44 m Minimum depth = 5 ft or 1.52 m The current regulations can be found at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2014-title9-vol1/pdf/CFR-2014-title9-vol1-part3-subpartE.pdf ____________________________ [13_AWILogo_ONLY] NAOMI A. ROSE, PH.D. Marine Mammal Scientist ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE 900 Pennsylvania Ave., SE Washington, DC 20003 naomi at awionline.org T: +1 202 446 2120 ~ F: +1 202 446 2131 ~ C: +1 240 401 4269 www.awionline.org P Please consider the animals and their habitat before printing. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 2475 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From sclymene at aol.com Fri Feb 26 15:26:45 2016 From: sclymene at aol.com (Thomas Jefferson) Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:26:45 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] MARINE MAMMAL JOURNALS AVAILABLE Message-ID: <1531fe7e956-2f33-17be@webstg-a04.mail.aol.com> MARINE MAMMALJOURNALS AVAILABLE The following is a partial list of items available. All funds go to ?VIVA Vaquita! (a collaboration of five 501(3)c non-profits), forresearch and conservation of the World?s most endangered marine mammal species,the vaquita (Phocoena sinus). Go to www.vivavaquita.orgfor more details. Prices listed are suggested minimum donations. European Assoc. for Aquatic Animal Medicine. AquaticMammals. Misc. volumes. $8/issue. Hvalradets Skrifter. Misc. volumes. $6-8/volume. International Whaling Commission. Reportsof the International Whaling Commission, misc. volumes. $18/volume. International Whaling Commission. Journalof Cetacean Research and Management, misc. volumes. $4/volume. Pilleri, G.E., editor. (1969-1994) Investigations onCetacea, 2 Complete sets, vols.1-25, plus 5 supplements. $950/set. Society for Marine Mammalogy. (1985-2013). Marine Mammal Science, 2 Complete sets, vols. 1-29. $125/set. Whales Research Institute (1971-1981) 11-year run(complete). Scientific Reports of theWhales Research Institute, vols. 23-33 (all bound in green buckram). $160. Whales Research Institute (1948-1984) 44-year run (incomplete).Scientific Reports of the Whales ResearchInstitute, vols. 1-38 (incomplete, with only 24 of 38 volumes, unbound). $400. All items are in good-excellent condition, unless otherwisestated; HC=hardcover, PB=paperback. Preference will be given to domestic USAorders. Donations can be made in cash orwith checks in US dollars. Email Tom Jefferson the list of items you want and your postal address forthe items to be sent to (please type your name and address exactly as theywould appear on a mailing label). Shipping is included. Orders willbe sent out only after payment and ?mailing label? are received. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elizabeth at whalemuseum.org Fri Feb 26 17:58:13 2016 From: elizabeth at whalemuseum.org (Elizabeth Seely) Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 17:58:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] Soundwatch Boater Education Program Internship Message-ID: <1456538293.710117553@apps.rackspace.com> The Whale Museum?s Soundwatch Boater Education Program: 2016 Summer Internship Soundwatch, The Whale Museum is a successful and internationally acclaimed education and monitoring program working to reduce vessel disturbance to orcas and other marine wildlife in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered orcas and other marine wildlife. Internship is based in Friday Harbor, Washington: minimum of 12 weeks between May 15th and September 30th, 20 ? 30 hours a week, Monday ? Sunday. Interns will receive a small monthly stipend and shared affordable housing is likely. Key Tasks and Responsibilities: Assist with seasonal vessel patrols Assist with boater education on and off the water on regional/federal guidelines and regulations Assist with data collection while monitoring vessel activities around whales Assist with data entry and volunteer organization and training Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water sometimes in extreme seasonal conditions for typically eight hours and 2-4 days a week Applicant requirements: At least 18 years of age, physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs), must be able to swim, not easily susceptible to seasickness. Interns will need a valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license and CPR/First Aid certification. HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION: Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Be sure to include what dates you can start/end. Applications accepted until March 30th, 2016. Decisions will be made by April 15th, 2016. PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Elizabeth Seely Soundwatch Coordinator P.O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, Washington 98250 Or email (preferred) to: [ soundwatch at whalemuseum.org ]( mailto:soundwatch at whalemuseum.org ) Please visit The Whale Museum?s Web site for more information on Soundwatch: [ http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.html ]( http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.html ) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elizabeth at whalemuseum.org Fri Feb 26 18:01:48 2016 From: elizabeth at whalemuseum.org (Elizabeth Seely) Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:01:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] Soundwatch Boater Education Program - Seasonal Vessel Driver Message-ID: <1456538508.40696521@apps.rackspace.com> The Whale Museum?s Soundwatch Boater Education Program: 2016 Summer Boat Driver Positions Available The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor, WA Soundwatch is a successful and internationally acclaimed education and monitoring program working to reduce vessel disturbance to orcas and other marine wildlife in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch needs drivers to conduct seasonal vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional guidelines and regulations and collect data while monitoring vessel activities around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered orcas and other marine wildlife. The Soundwatch program is operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington state. Driver responsibilities: Conduct daily on-the-water public education and monitoring of vessel activities from May thru September within the San Juan Country Marine Stewardship Area (including National Wildlife Refuge areas and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Biological Preserve Areas). Maintain daily boat protocols and data collection procedures on vessels, marine wildlife viewing trends, guideline/federal law compliance measurements, and educational materials distribution. Prevent wildlife disturbance by intercepting boaters before they reach wildlife areas. Maintain equipment (including routine boat maintenance and minor boat/engine repairs) Work with Soundwatch volunteers and interns. Maintain communications with whale research and commercial whale-watch community. Report marine mammal strandings to the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Driver Benefits: Gain valuable experience working with an endangered population of killer whales under a NOAA research permit Paid position for 30-40 hours a week, Mon-Sunday, May - September Shared affordable housing is likely. Live and work in one of the best places in the United States Applicant requirements: Physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs), must be able to swim, familiar with field data collection. Drivers will need a valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license, CPR/First Aid certification, a state boater license/or equivalent safe boating card and previous boat driving experience. Knowledge of the area is preferred but not required. HOW TO APPLY FOR DRIVER POSITION Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Be sure to include what dates you can start/end. Preference will be given to applicants able to work from May 16th thru September 16th. Applications accepted until May 1st, 2015. PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Elizabeth Seely Soundwatch Coordinator P.O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, Washington 98250 Or email (preferred) to: [ soundwatch at whalemuseum.org ]( mailto:soundwatch at whalemuseum.org ) Please visit The Whale Museum?s Web site for more information on Soundwatch: http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From awerth at hsc.edu Sun Feb 28 11:22:14 2016 From: awerth at hsc.edu (Alex Werth) Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:22:14 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Two new publications on baleen structure and function Message-ID: Dear Marmam colleagues, My coauthors and I are pleased to announce the publication of two articles on baleen function and biomechanics, especially its role in mysticete filter feeding and the ways baleen structure indicates its use. Werth Alexander J, and Jean Potvin. Baleen hydrodynamics and morphology of cross-flow filtration in balaenid whale suspension feeding. PLoS One, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0150106 Abstract: The traditional view of mysticete feeding involves static baleen directly sieving particles from seawater using a simple, dead-end flow-through filtration mechanism. Flow tank experiments on bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) baleen indicate the long-standing model of dead-end filtration, at least in balaenid (bowhead and right) whales, is not merely simplistic but wrong. To recreate continuous intraoral flow, sections of baleen were tested in a flume through which water and buoyant particles circulated with variable flow velocity. Kinematic sequences were analyzed to investigate movement and capture of particles by baleen plates and fringes. Results indicate that very few particles flow directly through the baleen rack; instead much water flows anteroposteriorly along the interior (lingual) side of the rack, allowing items to be carried posteriorly and accumulate at the posterior of the mouth where they might readily be swallowed. Since water flows mainly parallel to rather than directly through the filter, the cross-flow mechanism significantly reduces entrapment and tangling of minute items in baleen fringes, obviating the need to clean the filter. The absence of copepods or other prey found trapped in the baleen of necropsied right and bowhead whales supports this hypothesis. Reduced through-baleen flow was observed with and without boundaries modeling the tongue and lips, indicating that baleen itself is the main if not sole agent of crossflow. Preliminary investigation of baleen from balaenopterid whales that use intermittent filter feeding suggests that although the biomechanics and hydrodynamics of oral flow differ, cross-flow filtration may occur to some degree in all mysticetes. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0150106 Werth Alexander J, Janice M Straley, and Robert E Shadwick. Baleen wear reveals intraoral water flow patterns of mysticete filter feeding. Journal of Morphology, DOI:10.1002/jmor.20510 Abstract: A survey of macroscopic and microscopic wear patterns in the baleen of eight whale species (Cetacea: Mysticeti) discloses structural, functional, and life history properties of this neomorphic keratinous tissue, including evidence of intraoral water flow patterns involved in filter feeding. All baleen demonstrates wear, particularly on its medial and ventral edges, as flat outer layers of cortical keratin erode to reveal horn tubes, also of keratin, which emerge as hair-like fringes. This study quantified five additional categories of specific wear: pitting of plates, scratching of plates, scuffing of fringes, shortening of fringes, and reorientation of fringes (including fringes directed between plates to the exterior of the mouth). Blue whale baleen showed the most pitting and sei whale baleen the most scratching; gray whale baleen had the most fringe wear. The location of worn baleen within the mouth suggests that direct contact with the tongue is not responsible for most wear, and that flowing water as well as abrasive prey or sediment carried by the flowing water likely causes pitting and scratching of plates as well as fringe fraying, scuffing, shortening, and reorientation. Baleen also has elevated vertical and horizontal ridges that are unrelated to wear; these are probably related to growth and may allow for age determination. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmor.20510/abstract Best regards, Alex Werth _______________________________ Alexander J. Werth, Ph.D. Venable Professor & Biology Department Chair Hampden-Sydney College Box 162, Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943 434-223-6326, fax 434-223-6374 http://www.hsc.edu/Academics/Academic-Majors/Biology/Professors/Alex-Werth.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mnoad at uq.edu.au Mon Feb 29 03:18:51 2016 From: mnoad at uq.edu.au (Michael Noad) Date: Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:18:51 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Publications from BRAHSS (Behavioural Response of Humpback whales to Seismic Surveys) Message-ID: <88ee61fc97114e809ec39d2c5a6576da@uq-exmbx7.soe.uq.edu.au> We would like to draw to the attention of the MARMAM community the recent publication of the following papers: Dunlop, R. A., Noad, M. J., McCauley, R., Kniest, E., Paton, D., Slade, R. & Cato, D.H. 2016. Response of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to ramp-up of a small experimental air gun array. Marine Pollution Bulletin 103(1-2):72-83. 'Ramp-up', or 'soft start', is a mitigation measure used in seismic surveys and involves increasing the radiated sound level over 20-40 min. This study compared the behavioural response in migrating humpback whales to the first stages of ramp-up with the response to a 'constant' source, 'controls' (in which the array was towed but not operated) with groups in the absence of the source vessel used as the 'baseline'. Although the behavioural response, in most groups, resulted in an increase in distance from the source (potential avoidance), there was no evidence that either 'ramp-up' or the constant source at a higher level was superior for triggering whales to move away from the source vessel. 'Control' groups also responded suggesting the presence of the source vessel had some effect. However, the majority of groups appeared to avoid the source vessel at distances greater than the radius of most mitigation zones. PDF available at http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1SaCw,ashegqZ until 10 April. Dunlop, R.A., Noad, M.J., McCauley, R.D., Kniest, E., Paton, D. & Cato, D.H. 2015. The behavioural response of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to a 20 cubic inch air gun. Aquatic Mammals 41(4):412-433. Seismic surveys are widely used for exploration for oil and gas deposits below the sea floor. Despite concern they may have an impact on whale behaviour, our knowledge of marine mammal responses is limited. In the first of a series of experiments (the last one involving a full seismic array), this study tested the response of migrating humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) groups to a 20 cubic inch air gun. Experiments were carried out during the southward migration of humpback whales along the east coast of Australia. Groups of whales were focally followed from land stations and/or small boats with observations before, during, and after exposure to a vessel towing the air gun. The source vessel moved either eastwards across the migratory flow or northwards into the migratory flow. In total, there were 18 control trials (where the source vessel ran the compressor and towed the air gun without it firing; n = 35 groups) and 16 active trials (where the air gun was firing every 11 s; n = 32 whale groups). The air gun source level was 199 dB re 1 ?Pa2.s (Sound Exposure Level [SEL]) at 1 m, and SELs received by the whales varied from 105 to 156 dB re 1 ?Pa2.s (modal value 128 dB re ?Pa2.s) for SELs at least 10 dB above the background noise (measured as dB re 1 ?Pa). Other baseline groups were focal followed when there was no source vessel in the area (n = 25). Results suggested that humpback whale groups responded by decreasing both dive time and speed of southwards movement though the response magnitude was not found to be related to the proximity of the source vessel, the received level of the air gun, the tow path direction, or the exposure time within the during phase. There was no evidence of orientation of the groups towards, or away from, the source vessel in the during phase. Interestingly, this behavioural response was found in the control trials as well as the active trials suggesting a response to the source vessel. PDF available through Aquatic Mammals or by contacting the authors. These are the first two major papers of the BRAHSS project, looking at behavioural effects of seismic air guns on migrating humpback whales. This has been a very large study, initiated in 2010. BRAHSS is being funded by the Joint Industry Programme on E&P Sound and Marine Life (JIP) and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The JIP partner companies include BG group, BHP Billiton, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Eni, ExxonMobil, IAGC, Santos, Statoil and Woodside with some additional funding from Origin Energy, Beach Energy and AWE, coordinated by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers. Rebecca Dunlop r.dunlop at uq.edu.au Mike Noad mnoad at uq.edu.au Doug Cato doug.cato at sydney.edu.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From l.williamson at abdn.ac.uk Mon Feb 29 03:28:50 2016 From: l.williamson at abdn.ac.uk (Williamson, Laura Dawn) Date: Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:28:50 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper: Echolocation detections and digital video surveys provide reliable estimates of the relative density of harbour porpoises Message-ID: Dear MARMAM Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following open access publication in Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Williamson, L. D., Brookes, K. L., Scott, B. E., Graham, I. M., Bradbury, G., Hammond, P. S., Thompson, P. M. (2016), Echolocation detections and digital video surveys provide reliable estimates of the relative density of harbour porpoises. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.12538 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210X.12538/abstract Abstract: 1.Robust estimates of the density or abundance of cetaceans are required to support a wide range of ecological studies and inform management decisions. Considerable effort has been put into the development of line-transect sampling techniques to obtain estimates of absolute density from aerial- and boat-based visual surveys. Surveys of cetaceans using acoustic loggers or digital cameras provide alternative methods to estimate relative density that have the potential to reduce cost and provide a verifiable record of all detections. However, the ability of these methods to provide reliable estimates of relative density has yet to be established. 2.These methodologies were compared by conducting aerial visual line-transect surveys (n = 10 days) and digital video strip-transect surveys (n = 4 days) in the Moray Firth, Scotland. Simultaneous acoustic data were collected from moored echolocation detectors (C-PODs) at 58 locations across the study site. Density surface modelling (DSM) of visual survey data was used to estimate spatial variation in relative harbour porpoise density on a 4 ? 4 km grid. DSM was also performed on the digital survey data, and the resulting model output compared to that from visual survey data. Estimates of relative density from visual surveys around acoustic monitoring sites were compared with several metrics previously used to characterise variation in acoustic detections of echolocation clicks. 3.There was a strong correlation between estimates of relative density from visual surveys and digital video surveys (Spearman's ? = 0*85). A correction to account for animals missed on the transect line [previously calculated for visual aerial surveys of harbour porpoise in the North Sea was used to convert relative density from the visual surveys to absolute density. This allowed calculation of the first estimate of a proxy for detection probability in digital video surveys, suggesting that 61% (CV = 0*53) of harbour porpoises were detected. There was also a strong correlation between acoustic detections and density with Spearman's ? = 0*73 for detection positive hours. 4.These results provide confidence in the emerging use of digital video and acoustic surveys for studying the density of small cetaceans and their responses to environmental and anthropogenic change. Best Regards, Laura D. Williamson MASTS PhD student Room 418, Zoology Building School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Aberdeen AB24 2TZ The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683. Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain na charthannas claraichte ann an Alba, Air. SC013683. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From anamafaldacorreia at gmail.com Mon Feb 29 05:43:48 2016 From: anamafaldacorreia at gmail.com (=?UTF-8?Q?Ana_Mafalda_Tom=C3=A1s_Correia?=) Date: Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:43:48 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] URGENT: Volunteers required in Portugal for cetacean monitoring campaigns in the Atlantic Ocean (Projet Cetus - Isabel Sousa Pinto) Message-ID: URGENT: Volunteers required in Portugal for cetacean monitoring campaigns in the Atlantic Ocean (Project Cetus - Isabel Sousa Pinto) The Faculty of Sciences from University of Porto / Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research is preparing its 5th year of cetacean monitoring in cargo ships from Continental Portugal (Porto/Lisbon) to Madeira (Cani?al), to Azores (Ponta Delgada/Horta/Praia da Vit?ria) and to Canary and Cape Verde Islands (Las Palmas/Sal/Boavista/S?o Vicente/Mauritania). We are seeking volunteers for the 2016 MMOs team for the following periods: 1. 15th June to 31st August 2. 15th August to 31st October Sea-surveys will include an educational component when the ship is at the port in the islands, where volunteers, accompanied by a member of the team, will visit local schools and give a lecture or an activity to the children. For 2.5 months, the internship includes: - - An intensive training on monitoring protocol, cetacean identification and data processing and analysis; - - Sea-surveys from Mainland Portugal to the Islands (in the routes stated above); - - Educational activities in local schools (when possible); - - Data processing and analysis; - - Free time to visit Mainland Portugal and the Islands. We encourage the use of this experience for university reports or internships (given that the course director allows it) or for other scientific results (presentation at conferences, scientific papers, ?). The 2.5-month internship requires the payment of 300? and includes accommodation for the full period, as well as food when on-board. Accident insurances for European volunteers are covered but travel expenses (travel insurances and trips) aren?t. Non-European volunteers have to pay for their own accident/travel insurance. Successful applicants should possess or be enrolled in a BS or MS course in biology or related, be reliable, dedicated, adaptable and patient, as this work is highly weather dependent and requires consecutive days of work at sea. If you are an undergraduate or graduated student interested in pursuing a careen in marine mammal research, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and gain experience at sea. Application deadline is 31st March. A few volunteers will be selected for interview. Skype interviews will be undertaken during the first 2 weeks of April and final decision will be communicated by the end of April. *To apply please send a Motivation Letter (state which period you prefer) and a Short Curriculum Vitae (highlight experience in cetacean monitoring) to: ispinto at ciimar.up.pt and anamafaldacorreia at gmail.com **. * ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Isabel Sousa Pinto Prof. Faculty of Sciences of University of Porto Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research - Director of Coastal Biodiversity Lab R. dos Bragas, *289. 4050-123* Porto, Portugal Email: *ispinto at ciimar.up.pt * *www.cimar.org/CIIMAR/en/index.htm * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Holly.Raudino at DPaW.wa.gov.au Mon Feb 29 16:10:46 2016 From: Holly.Raudino at DPaW.wa.gov.au (Raudino, Holly) Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2016 00:10:46 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper seasonal cyclicity in bonds between adult female dolphins Message-ID: Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors I'd like to invite you to read our new paper on seasonal cyclicity in sociality of adult female bottlenose dolphins and how these predictable behavioural patterns in time and space have informed management decisions on a no-go zone for boats and speed restrictions. Smith, H., Fr?re, C., Kobryn, H. & Bejder, L. (2016) Dolphin sociality, distribution and calving as important behavioural patterns informing management. Animal Conservation DOI:10.1111/acv.12263 Abstract Conservation management typically focuses on protecting wildlife habitat that is linked to important behaviours such as resting, breeding or caring for young. However, development of conservation strategies of social species would benefit from inclusion of social dynamics, particularly for species where social relationships influence fitness measures such as survival and reproduction. We combined the study of dolphin sociality, distribution and calving to identify important behavioural and ecological patterns to inform management. Over 3 consecutive years, 231 boat-based photo-identification surveys were conducted to individually identify adult female bottlenose dolphins over a 120 km2 area in Bunbury, Western Australia. The density distribution of female dolphins was highest in the inner waters during December-February (austral summer) and March (early autumn), which also coincided in time with the majority of calving. The temporal stability of social bonds between adult females was measured (using lagged association rates) and remained stable over multiple years. A cyclic model best described female-female associations with an annual peak occurring each austral summer (Dec-Jan-Feb). These results informed the implementation of a legislative no-go area and vessel speed restriction areas. In addition to conventional management approaches of protecting important habitat and breeding periods, our measure of dolphin sociality provides a new metric to consider in conservation efforts. We encourage studies on socially complex species to incorporate social dynamics when evaluating possible impacts of anthropogenic activities. The early view is now available http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acv.12263/abstract or please contact me directly for a pdf A summary can be found on our blog along with related papers http://mucru.org/publication-alert-dolphin-sociality-distribution-and-calving-as-important-behavioural-patterns-informing-management/ Thanks in advance, Holly Raudino, PhD Research Scientist Marine Science Program Dept of Parks and Wildlife * (08) 9219 9754 * holly.raudino at dpaw.wa.gov.au http://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=OV3KoBoAAAAJ Science and Conservation Division -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: