From jamesrichardrobbins at googlemail.com Fri Jan 1 08:28:32 2016 From: jamesrichardrobbins at googlemail.com (James Robbins) Date: Fri, 1 Jan 2016 16:28:32 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Handling dolphin detections from C-PODs, with the development of acoustic parameters for verification and the exploration of species identification possibilities. Message-ID: Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication: James R. Robbins, Anja Brandecker, Michelle Cronin, Mark Jessopp, Rob McAllen & Ross Culloch (2015): *Handling dolphin detections from C-PODs, with the development of acoustic parameters for verification and the exploration of species identification possibilities*. Bioacoustics, DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2015.1125789 Abstract: C-PODs are static passive acoustic monitoring devices used to detect odontocete vocalizations in the range of 20?160 kHz. However, falsely classified detections may be an issue, particularly with broadband species (i.e. many dolphin species) due to anthropogenic and other noise occurring at the same frequency. While porpoise detections are verified using species-specific acoustic parameters, the equivalent does not currently exist for verifying dolphin detections. Development of such parameters would increase the accuracy of dolphin detections and eliminate the need for additional monitoring techniques or devices, reducing the cost of monitoring programmes. Herein, we present parameters based on acoustic characteristics of bottlenose (*n* = 29), common (*n* = 19) and Risso?s (*n* = 99) dolphin click trains, sighted within 1 km of C-PODs during land-based surveys, for in-software verification. Overlap of click train parameters among dolphin species prevented robust species identification; therefore, parameters were devised for these dolphin species collectively using frequency, inter-click interval and click train duration. A data set of 4898 Detection Positive Hours was visually verified using these parameters. The temporal and spatial patterns in the visually verified data were similar to land-based observations, suggesting the parameters operate at an acceptable accuracy. However, 68% of high-, moderate- and low-quality KERNO detections were false-positive. Our results suggest that the accuracy of classifiers and quality class weightings are site-specific, and we highlight the importance of data exploration to make the most appropriate software choices based on the aims of a study. This paper is available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2015.1125789 If there are any questions, queries or you would like to request a PDF copy, please contact the corresponding author at : jamesrichardrobbins at googlemail.com Kind regards, and wishing you a happy new year. James Robbins -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cjsbarton at tiscali.co.uk Sat Jan 2 17:39:17 2016 From: cjsbarton at tiscali.co.uk (Carolyn Barton) Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2016 01:39:17 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] MMO and PSO training courses, Inverness, UK Message-ID: MMO and PSO training courses are running in Inverness, Scotland, in February: JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters, 6 February 2016, GBP 125 PSO course for the Gulf of Mexico, meets BOEM/ BSEE requirements, 7 February 2016, GBP 55 (when taken in conjunction with the MMO course). For details of course content and to download a booking form, see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or e-mail info at carolynbarton.co.uk . Carolyn Barton info at carolynbarton.co.uk www.carolynbarton.co.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sarahmallette at yahoo.com Sat Jan 2 13:49:57 2016 From: sarahmallette at yahoo.com (Sarah Mallette) Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2016 21:49:57 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Ontogenetic allometry and body composition of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from the U.S. mid-Atlantic (Sarah Mallette) References: <1453093298.15020.1451771397537.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1453093298.15020.1451771397537.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Hello, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Marine Mammal Science. Mallette, S. D., McLellan, W. A., Scharf, F. S., Koopman, H. N., Barco, S. G., Wells, R. S. and Ann Pabst, D. (2016), Ontogenetic allometry and body composition of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) from the U.S. mid-Atlantic. Marine Mammal Science, 32: 86?121. doi: 10.1111/mms.12253 ABSTRACT: Growth in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was investigated through examination of sex-specific, ontogenetic changes in the mass of 38 discrete body compartments, utilizing stranded dolphins in good body condition (n = 145). Ontogenetic allometry and the body composition technique were used to quantitatively describe growth patterns. Although adult males were significantly larger than adult females in total body mass (TBM) and total length, overall patterns of growth were remarkably similar between sexes. The integument, locomotor muscle, and vertebral column together represented 50%?58% of TBM across all life history categories, although their relative contributions varied ontogenetically. Young dolphins invested the greatest percentage of TBM in integument, while locomotor muscle was the single largest body component in adults. In both sexes (1) most muscle groups displayed positive allometry, (2) most skeletal elements displayed negative allometric or isometric growth, (3) most abdominal viscera associated with digestion displayed positive allometry, and (4) the brain displayed negative allometric growth. Reproductive tissues exhibited the highest rates of growth in both sexes, and increased as a percentage of TBM with maturity. This study provides an integrated view of bottlenose dolphin growth and a quantitative baseline of body composition for future monitoring of this sentinel species of ecosystem health. This publication is available online:? http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12253/abstract Please contact me by email and I will be happy to send you a copy:? sarahmallette at yahoo.com Best, Sarah Mallette From sn1608 at googlemail.com Fri Jan 1 14:47:43 2016 From: sn1608 at googlemail.com (Sam Nichols) Date: Fri, 1 Jan 2016 22:47:43 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] JNCC MMO and PAM Training: 11-15 January 2016, UK Message-ID: Seiche Training is offering its first 2016 training courses this January in the UK. *JNCC MMO* *11-12 January* *Devon, UK* Our JNCC-accredited course provides the skills needed to become a Marine Mammal Observer. Highest quality training both in the classroom and on board a vessel to allow delegates to gain experience with marine mammal identification while at sea. Certificate for offshore work awarded upon successful completion of course. *PAM Level 1* *13-15 January* *Devon, UK* Our PAM course provides the skills needed to become an offshore PAM operator. Run by Seiche's highly experienced team with thorough support material, interactive PAMGuard workshops and a boat session, this course will expand delegates' knowledge of acoustic monitoring and provide insight into industry requirements for environmental mitigation. Certificate for offshore work awarded upon successful completion of course. Please contact training at seiche.com for more information, modules and costs. Limited student discounts available on request and with full proof of student status. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jessarah19 at yahoo.com Mon Jan 4 12:00:13 2016 From: jessarah19 at yahoo.com (Jessica Taylor) Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 20:00:13 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-Identification Internship Position 2016 References: <1780362885.605958.1451937613422.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1780362885.605958.1451937613422.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> ?Bottlenose DolphinPhoto-ID Internship/Research Assistant Position for Summer 2016 The Outer Banks Centerfor Dolphin Research (OBXCDR)/Nags Head Dolphin Watch are currently acceptingapplications for the 2016 summer season. One internship position is available.The research season is May 3 ? October 7. Successful applicants must be able tocommit for the entire season. The Outer Banks Centerfor Dolphin Research is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to theconservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks, NC. Our program?s goalis to gain an understanding of the population dynamics, movement patterns, andbehavioral ecology of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the sounds and coastalwaters near the Outer Banks. The OBXCDR currently conducts aphoto-identification monitoring study of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke,Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. Data is collected viadedicated small boat surveys as well as opportunistically from a local dolphinwatch. This study is a continuation of the long-term study initiated by theNags Head Dolphin Watch in 1997. Information from the long-term monitoringstudy will provide a basis for studies involving habitat utilization, socialassociations, and anthropogenic effects on the dolphins as well as aid in effortsto examine bottlenose dolphin stock structure and movement patterns along theU.S. Atlantic coast. Interns will gain experience in field data collection,photo-identification of dolphins, and environmental education. For moreinformation about the OBXCDR, please visit: obxdolphins.org. The internshipposition will consist of bottlenose dolphin photo-identification,opportunistic/dedicated field research, and environmental education.Responsibilities include: ?? Photo-identification of dolphins in the lab:This includes photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry, andassisting in maintenance of the long-term OBX photo-id catalog using the MSAccess database FinBase. ?Additional timewill also be spent completing an independent project in which the intern willmatch the OBX catalog to the Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog (MABDC) toexamine seasonal movement patterns. The MABDC is a long-term collaborativeeffort to gain a greater understanding of the stock structure and movementpatterns of bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. Atlantic coast. This independentproject should be completed within the span of the internship. The finalproduct of this project will be a final project report (40% of time) ??? Mate/naturalist duties aboard the Nags HeadDolphin Watch: This involves the implementation of educational programs,including public speaking aboard the eco-tours (using a microphone andone-on-one) to educate others about local dolphin biology and marineconservation, as well as additional mate duties. The mate/naturalist will alsocollect opportunistic photo-identification data aboard the eco-tours(photographing dorsal fins, measuring environmental parameters, and recordingsighting data), organize opportunistic data for inclusion in thephoto-identification catalog, and assist in general maintenance of fieldequipment.? For additional information about the Nags Head Dolphin Watch,please see www.nagsheaddolphinwatch.com (50% of time) ? ?? Boat-based photo-identification: The internwill assist with boat-based photo-identification surveys to examine seasonalabundances, site fidelity, and prevalence of skin lesions of bottlenosedolphins in Roanoke Sound.? Responsibilities include operating a smallvessel during transect surveys and sightings, assisting withphoto-identification, collecting environmental, location, and behavioral datafor dolphin groups, and general maintenance of field equipment. (10% of time) ?This internshiprequires a minimum commitment of 36 hours per week, consisting of eco-tours,lab photo-identification, and dedicated surveys. The intern will carry outmate/naturalist duties and opportunistic photo-identification aboard the NagsHead Dolphin Watch for 3-4 days per week throughout the field season while 1-2days per week will be spent conducting photo-identification in the lab.Abundance surveys will be conducted once per month (May, June, August, andSeptember) and 2-3 times a month during July and October. Salary:? Thisinternship is a paid position. Applicants will receive an hourly salary for thenaturalist position on the dolphin watch. Tips aboard the dolphin tours areexpected, but not guaranteed. Housing:?Although housing is not provided, we will assist you in finding housingaccommodations in the Outer Banks. Interns are responsible for their owntransportation to and from the Outer Banks as well as to and from the fieldsites and lab. The successfulapplicant would ideally have the following qualifications: ?? Minimum of 18 years of age and recentlyenrolled in a college-level program in marine biology, biology, zoology, orrelated field ?? Strong interest in the marine environment andconservation ?? Ability to swim ?? Basic proficiency in MS Access, Word, Excel,and Picture Manager ?? Enthusiasm, attention to detail, responsible, independent,focused, and dedicated ?? Works well in a team environment as well asindividually ?? Experience in boating and marine field datacollection ?? Experience in photo-identification preferredbut not required ?? First AID/CPR certification preferred but notrequired ?? Due to employment aboard the dolphin eco-tours,all candidates must be U.S. citizens ?NOTE: The UnitedStates Coast Guard requires all passenger vessels to be drug free workenvironments. In order to work aboard the dolphin eco-tours, the intern will berequired to pass a pre-employment drug test and to participate in random drugtesting during the period of the research season. Application Process: Please submit coverletter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email to:obxcdr at hotmail.com?Use ?Dolphin photo-id internship? in thesubject line of the email. All applications will be reviewed in the order theyare received. Applicants must apply by February 19th to beconsidered for this position. ?Jessica Taylor President/PrincipalInvestigator, Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research P.O. Box 7721 Kill Devil Hills, NC27948 Obxdolphins.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cdmacleod at gisinecology.com Tue Jan 5 03:16:32 2016 From: cdmacleod at gisinecology.com (Colin D. MacLeod) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 11:16:32 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Upcoming GIS Courses: Home Range Analyses, Creating Custom GIS Tools and Using QGIS In Biological Research Message-ID: GIS In Ecology will be running three GIS courses for biologists/ecologists over the next few months. These courses will be held in Glasgow in Scotland, and will be taught by Dr. Colin D. MacLeod, a biological researcher with more than 15 years experience in using GIS. These courses are: 1. An Introduction To Investigating The Home Ranges Of Individual Animals (15 ? 16 February 2016): This course will provide an introduction to investigating the home ranges of individual animals using a GIS-based approach. It will cover how to create a minimum convex polygon (MCP), how to create a kernel density estimate (KDE) in environments with and without barriers to movements, how to create 50 and 95% percentage volume contours (PVCs) and how to select an appropriate bandwidth/h value. This course is aimed at anyone who wishes to use GIS to study the home ranges of animals in either the terrestrial or aquatic environments, even if they have little or no existing knowledge of GIS. It will primarily use ArcGIS software, but it will also cover the use of ArcMET and Geospatial Modelling Environment (GME) for home range analyses. Duration: 2 days. Cost: ?295 (?200 for students, unwaged and those working for NGOs). Places will be limited to a maximum of 15 people and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information on this course, visit www.gisinecology.com/Training_Course_Home_Range_February_2016.htm or email info at GISinEcology.com. Places can also be booked through this email address. 2. An Introduction To Creating Custom GIS Tools For Biological Research (17 ? 18 February 2016): This course will provide an introduction to the creation of custom GIS tools for use in all areas of biological research. Creating custom GIS tools for biological research allows you not only to automate frequently repeated tasks (saving time and reducing the risk of accidental processing errors), but it also allows non-GIS specialists to process and analyse data using standard protocols in a GIS-based environment by running a single easy-to-use tool. This means that creating custom GIS tool provides an effective way of expanding the pool of individuals within a research group or organisation who can carry out specific and complex GIS tasks. The course will consist of background session which will explain the principles of creating your own custom GIS tools, as well as practical exercises in which a number of example tools will be built and tested. There will also be the option of building your own custom tool to automate a task of your choice. This course assumes that you have at least a basic knowledge of GIS and is not aimed at complete beginners. It will use the ModelBuilder module of ESRI?s ArcGIS software to show how biologists can create custom GIS tools for use in their research. Duration: 2 days. Cost: ?295 (?200 for students, unwaged and those working for NGOs). Places will be limited to a maximum of 15 people and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information on this course, visit www.gisinecology.com/Training_Course_Custom_GIS_Tools_February_2016.htm or email info at GISinEcology.com. Places can also be booked through this email address. 3. An Introduction To Using QGIS In Biological Research (21 ? 22 March 2016): QGIS (also known as Quantum GIS) is the leading, open source, and so freely available, GIS software (see www.qgis.org/en/site/about/index.html for more information), which can be run on Windows, Mac OS and Linux operating systems. This course will provide an introduction to the use of QGIS in biological research. It is aimed at those just starting to use GIS in their research and who have little or no existing knowledge of this subject area, those who are looking for a free, open source GIS solution for their biological research, and at existing users of commercial GIS software, such as ArcGIS, who wish to learn how to do GIS using QGIS software. Duration: 2 days. Cost: ?295 (?200 for students, unwaged and those working for NGOs). Places will be limited to a maximum of 15 people and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. For more information on this course, visit www.gisinecology.com/Training_Course_QGIS_For_Biologists_March_2016.htm or email info at GISinEcology.com. Places can also be booked through this email address. Finally, there are also a very limited number of spaces still available on our January 2016 courses titled ?An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology? (18 ? 20 January 2016) and ?An introduction To Using Species Distribution Modelling In the Marine Environment? (21 ? 22 January 2016). For more information on these courses, visit www.gisinecology.com/Training_Course_Glasgow_January_2016.htm, or email info at GISinEcology.com. Places can also be booked through this email address. All the best, Colin ================================================================================== GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS In Ecology Web: www.GISinEcology.com Email: info at GISinEcology.com Need to ask a question about using GIS? Try the GIS In Ecology Forum: www.GISinEcology.com/GIS_in_Ecology_forum.htm Books From GIS In Ecology Staff: An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology; RRP: ?44.99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook One - Creating Maps Of Species Distribution; RRP: ?19:99 An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology: Supplementary Workbook Two - Working With Raster Data Layers; RRP: ?19.99 If you wish to purchase these books, visit: http://www.gisinecology.com/Book_Shop.htm To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is unavoidable. ================================================================================== --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kjr33 at st-andrews.ac.uk Tue Jan 5 03:18:04 2016 From: kjr33 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Kelly Robinson) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 11:18:04 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on the hormone oxytocin and maternal behvaiour in Grey Seals Message-ID: Dear MARMAM subscribers, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce a new publication on the neuropeptide hormone oxytocin's relationship with maternal behaviour in grey seals: Robinson, K.J., Twiss, S.D., Hazon, N. & Pomeroy, P.P. (2015). Maternal Oxytocin is Linked to Close Mother-Infant Proximity in Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) PLOS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144577 Abstract: Maternal behaviour is a crucial component of reproduction in all mammals; however the quality of care that mothers give to infants can vary greatly. It is vital to document variation in maternal behaviour caused by the physiological processes controlling its expression. This underlying physiology should be conserved throughout reproductive events and should be replicated across all individuals of a species; therefore, any correlates to maternal care quality may be present across many individuals or contexts. Oxytocin modulates the initiation and expression of maternal behaviour in mammals; therefore we tested whether maternal plasma oxytocin concentrations correlated to key maternal behaviours in wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Plasma oxytocin concentrations in non-breeding individuals (4.3 ?0.5 pg/ml) were significantly lower than those in mothers with dependent pups in both early (8.2 ?0.8 pg/ml) and late (6.9 ?0.7 pg/ml) lactation. Maternal plasma oxytocin concentrations were not correlated to the amount of nursing prior to sampling, or a mother's nursing intensity throughout the dependant period. Mothers with high plasma oxytocin concentrations stayed closer to their pups, reducing the likelihood of mother-pup separation during lactation which is credited with causing starvation, the largest cause of pup mortality in grey seals. This is the first study to link endogenous oxytocin concentrations in wild mammalian mothers with any type of maternal behaviour. Oxytocin's structure and function is widely conserved across mammalian mothers, including humans. Defining the impact the oxytocin system has on maternal behaviour highlights relationships that may occur across many individuals or species, and such behaviours heavily influence infant development and an individual's lifetime reproductive success. The article can be found at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0144577 The article is open access; so anyone who is interested in the manuscript should be able to download a pdf of it. However if you have any problems getting a copy please email kjr33 at st-andrews.ac.uk. Kind regards, Kelly Robinson Sea Mammal Research Unit University of St Andrews -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nwingers at disl.org Tue Jan 5 08:05:35 2016 From: nwingers at disl.org (Noel Wingers) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 10:05:35 -0600 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?Marine_Mammal_Stranding_Internship_=E2=80=93_A?= =?utf-8?q?LMMSN?= Message-ID: February ? May 2016 (3-4 months; start/end dates are flexible) The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN), located at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) in Dauphin Island, AL, is recruiting a highly motivated intern to assist with cetacean stranding response in coastal Alabama waters. ALMMSN is a cooperative regional stranding network partner, and works in conjunction with NOAA's NMFS and USFWS to respond to dolphin, whale and manatee strandings. The primary goal of ALMMSN is to enhance reporting and response efforts for marine mammal strandings in order to ensure collection of consistent, high-quality data which are used to evaluate causes of strandings and/or death. This internship is a physically demanding position, as field response and necropsy events often occur on long days in a variety of weather conditions. Interns will gain useful skills and experience in the fields of marine biology and marine mammalogy. *Daily duties include*: Field stranding response, data collection, data management, participation in necropsy events, sample handling, and equipment maintenance. Interns will also have the opportunity to assist DISL Manatee Sighting Network staff with projects including data entry, sonic and radio telemetry, and photo-identification to gain a broader set of skills. *Qualification requirements*: Interest in marine mammal biology, physiology and anatomy; student or recent graduate of a biology/marine biology, marine science, oceanography, zoology or related program; valid driver?s license and clean driving record; 18 years or older; physically fit, able to lift at least 50 lbs and strong swimmer; ability to endure unpleasant field conditions including temperatures between 30?F-100?F, rain, humidity and biting insects; knowledge of digital SLR cameras and lenses; ability to work at least 30 hrs/week including one weekend day per week (nights and holidays may be required as necessary with fieldwork). This position is unpaid and interns are responsible for providing their own housing and transport to DISL. Assistance finding housing can be provided. Interested applicants must send a cover letter, CV and dates of availability to almmsn at disl.org before January 24, 2016 to be considered. Application review will begin immediately. More information about ALMMSN and the Marine Ecosystem Response Laboratory can be found at http://almmsn.disl.org/ and http://www.disl.org/faculty-staff/member/rcarmichael/projects or by contacting Noel Wingers at almmsn at disl.org. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From alyson.fleming at gmail.com Tue Jan 5 15:24:39 2016 From: alyson.fleming at gmail.com (Alyson Fleming) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 15:24:39 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Humpback whale diets respond to variance in ocean climate and ecosystem conditions in the California Current Message-ID: Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication: Fleming AH, Clark CT, Calambokidis J, Barlow J (2015) *Humpback whale diets respond to variance in ocean climate and ecosystem conditions in the California Current*. Global Change Biology. DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13171 Large, migratory predators are often cited as sentinel species for ecosystem processes and climate-related changes, but their utility as indicators is dependent upon an understanding of their response to environmental variability. Documentation of the links between climate variability, ecosystem change and predator dynamics is absent for most top predators. Identifying species that may be useful indicators and elucidating these mechanistic links provides insight into current ecological dynamics and may inform predictions of future ecosystem responses to climatic change. We examine humpback whale response to environmental variability through stable isotope analysis of diet over a dynamic 20-year period (1993?2012) in the California Current System (CCS). Humpback whale diets captured two major shifts in oceanographic and ecological conditions in the CCS. Isotopic signatures reflect a diet dominated by krill during periods characterized by positive phases of the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO), cool sea surface temperature (SST), strong upwelling and high krill biomass. In contrast, humpback whale diets are dominated by schooling fish when the NPGO is negative, SST is warmer, seasonal upwelling is delayed and anchovy and sardine populations display increased biomass and range expansion. These findings demonstrate that humpback whales trophically respond to ecosystem shifts, and as a result, their foraging behavior is a synoptic indicator of oceanographic and ecological conditions across the CCS. Multi-decadal examination of these sentinel species thus provides insight into biological consequences of interannual climate fluctuations, fundamental to advancing ecosystem predictions related to global climate change. The paper is available online: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.13171/full Questions or requests for PDF copies can be directed to alyson.fleming at gmail.com. Kind regards, Alyson Fleming -- Alyson Fleming James Smithson Postdoctoral Fellow National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (617) 913-9724 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From er26 at st-andrews.ac.uk Wed Jan 6 04:14:09 2016 From: er26 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Eric Rexstad) Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 12:14:09 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Distance sampling workshops, St Andrews, August 2016 Message-ID: <568D0511.9010104@st-andrews.ac.uk> The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting two linked workshops in the summer of 2016 in our purpose-built facilities at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Participation in these workshops will train participants in the latest methods for design and analysis of distance sampling surveys, including line and point transects. The workshops are taught by leading researchers in the field, using industry-standard software. The first workshop (16-19 August) will run at an introductory level, and will focus on distance sampling methods, largely described in the standard reference book "Introduction to Distance Sampling." The workshop will be a blend of theory and practice and participants will learn how to use the program "Distance." Participants will gain a solid grounding in both survey design and methods of analysis for distance sampling surveys. Note that we have moved the 'automated survey design' and 'incorporating covariates in detection function' from the advanced workshop into the introductory workshop. The advanced distance sampling workshop (22-25 August) will include advanced treatment of analyses in which detectability on the transect line is not assumed to be perfect (the so-called g(0) problem) and spatial (or density surface) modelling. We will showcase a series of R packages for performing standard as well as sophisticated analyses in R. The aim of this workshop is to perform non-standard and sophisticated distance sampling analyses. It is also an opportunity for those actively engaged in the design, analysis and execution of distance sampling surveys to discuss common issues and problems, and set future research directions. The workshop will be a combination of lectures and computer sessions, with considerable time for discussion. For all workshops, participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets, and can expect to do some preliminary analyses with their data. Computer sessions take place in our modern computer classroom (attached to the seminar room); participants can use our computers or bring their own laptops. Additional details regarding the workshop can be found at our website http://creem2.st-andrews.ac.uk/distance-sampling-workshops-st-andrews-august-2016-2/ -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Stephanie.Plon at nmmu.ac.za Wed Jan 6 08:20:38 2016 From: Stephanie.Plon at nmmu.ac.za (Plon, Stephanie (Dr) (Summerstrand Campus South)) Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 16:20:38 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Occurrence, group size and habitat use of humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in Algoa Bay, South Africa Message-ID: <1C977EF7EBCBFB4799827A826F2D19CF5220FD9D@SCMBX2.nmmu.ac.za> Dear MARMAM subscribers, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce a new publication on humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in South Africa: R. P. Koper, L. Karczmarski, D. Du Preez, and S. Pl?n (2015) Sixteen years later: Occurrence, group size, and habitat use of humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in Algoa Bay, South Africa Marine Mammal Science. DOI: 10.1111/mms.12279. Abstract: Coastal dolphins are more prone to cumulative impacts of environmental and anthropogenic changes than pelagic species. However, few studies use historical comparisons to evaluate those impacts across a temporal scale. The study presented here describes the pattern of occurrence, group size, behavior, and habitat use of humpback dolphins in Algoa Bay and compares these to a similar study conducted in the early 1990s. Results indicate a considerable change in the frequency of occurrence. Furthermore, the mean group size has decreased from six to three individuals, mainly due to an increase in occurrence of solitary individuals (36.3% vs. 15.4%). Foraging, which was previously the predominant activity (64%), has now been replaced by traveling (49%). Moreover, dolphins showed a negative reaction towards a variety of watercrafts and swimmers. These observed differences could be due to a change in prey abundance, direct anthropogenic disturbance, and/or population decline. We emphasize the need for long-term environmental and biological data series and long-term monitoring of the demographics of this population to accurately assess any changes observed in future. For any further info please contact stephanie.plon at nmmu.ac.za. Dr. Stephanie Pl?n Coastal and Marine Research Institute Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University PO Box 77000 Port Elizabeth, 6031 Tel: 041-5042877 Cell: 076-3791067 Fax: 041-5832317 ________________________________ NOTICE: Please note that this eMail, and the contents thereof, is subject to the standard NMMU eMail disclaimer which may be found at: http://www.nmmu.ac.za/disclaimer/email.htm -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Daniel.Levine at MyFWC.com Wed Jan 6 11:01:31 2016 From: Daniel.Levine at MyFWC.com (Levine, Daniel) Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 19:01:31 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] FWC SWFL Marine Mammal Internships Message-ID: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Marine Mammals section at the Charlotte Harbor Field Lab is accepting applications for spring interns to begin in February. Normally, four positions are available per year: two positions in the spring (January-April) and two positions in the fall (September-December). Schedules will be Sunday-Wednesday and Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., but some additional evening and weekend hours may be required. We occasionally accept, self-motivated individuals during the summer session. Interns will assist with manatee rescue, carcass salvage, and research for ten counties, and cetacean rescue, carcass salvage, and research for three counties in southwest Florida. Interns will operate trucks, trailers, and boats up to 22' in length. Interns will assist with manatee and dolphin field necropsies as needed and conduct photo ID and radio tracking research as time permits. Interns will also complete mortality reports, label and catalog slides, perform equipment maintenance, and assist with other office and public outreach work as needed. The intern is required to complete a project and a 10-15 minute presentation at the end of their internship. This position is unpaid and housing is not provided. Interns must provide their own transportation to and from the field station. Qualifications: ? College juniors, seniors, and recent graduates are eligible. ? Interns must have some research field experience. ? Interns must be comfortable speaking to the public. ? Previous experience in the use of 35 mm cameras, telephoto lenses, and filters is preferred, but can be trained. ? Computer literacy ? Previous animal handling experience is desirable but not necessary. ? Ability to trailer and operate watercrafts up to 22' in length and experience with radio telemetry tracking gear is desirable. ? Interns must possess a valid US Class E driver's license, be able to lift 50 lbs., and swim. ? Interns should understand that this job will require them to be wet, dirty and outdoors in all weather conditions. Application Process: We are accepting applications for the fall, summer and winter-spring sessions. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying. Please send a hard copy of your r?sum? along with your cover letter, college transcripts, three references, and contact information to the following address: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Southwest Field Laboratory 585 Prineville Drive Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Office: (941) 613-0944 Fax: (941) 613-0948 Interns at MyFWC.com Daniel A. Levine Marine Mammal Biologist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Southwest Field Lab 585 Prineville St Port Charlotte, FL 33954 Office:(941)613-0946 ext 115 Fax:(941)613-0948 daniel.levine at myfwc.com Manatee Hotline:1-888-404-3922 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at cbmwc.org Thu Jan 7 01:30:04 2016 From: info at cbmwc.org (CBMWC) Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 09:30:04 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Final Call For Living Seas Volunteer Applications at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, New Quay, West Wales Message-ID: <000301d1492d$fd974400$f8c5cc00$@cbmwc.org> WTSWW_high_res_logoCBMWC logo without boarderCardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay Wales www.cbmwc.org Living Seas Volunteers 2016 Dedicated to conserving Cardigan Bay?s marine wildlife through education and research Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting volunteers for the 2016 season (March to November) to collect data on the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay and to help run our visitor centre, educational and awareness raising activities. 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 an education and activity room which offers marine educational and awareness raising activities for families, school 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. Why Volunteer 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. Positions We are recruiting for ? Living Seas Research Volunteers (multiple positions) For specific periods from 14th March through to 31st October 2016. Tasks include conducting land and boat based marine mammal surveys, data entry, running our visitor centre and helping with educational events. Please visit www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/seasonal-volunteers/ for dates, further information about the role and details on how to apply. ? ShoreFin Volunteers (2 positions) Must commit to the entire research season from 14th March to 31st October 2016. Tasks include photographing dolphins in New Quay Bay, sorting, matching and cataloguing dolphin photographs, writing the ShoreFin report and assisting with the other aspects of our work such as conducting land surveys. Please visit www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/shorefin-volunteers/ for further information on the role and details of how to apply. ? Atlantic Grey Seal ID Volunteer (1 position) Must commit to the entire research season from 14th March to 31st October 2016. Tasks include analysing photos of Atlantic grey seals, sorting and matching using ExtractCompare, writing a research report and assisting with the other aspects of our work such as conducting land surveys. Please visit www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/seal-photo-id/ for further information on the role and details of how to apply. ? Assistant Volunteer Coordinator (Voluntary) (1 position) Must commit to the entire research season from 14th March to 31st October 2016. Tasks include assisting with volunteer coordination and training, assisting with the administration of CBMWC, assisting with CBMWC research projects and assisting with the other aspects of our work such as conducting land surveys. Please visit www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/volunteer-co-ordinator/ for further information on the role and details of how to apply. ? Living Seas Education and Awareness Volunteer (1 position) Must commit to the entire research season from 14th March to 31st October 2016. Tasks include helping to run education events, assisting with developing new educational materials and activities, promoting work of WTSWW and CBMWC and assisting with the other aspects of our work such as conducting land surveys. Please visit www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/education-assistant/ for further information on the role and details of how to apply. Applications close at midnight 17th January 2016 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. 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. 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. ----------------------------- Sarah Perry Living Seas Science Officer Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales ----------------------------- Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Patent Slip Building, Glanmor Terrace, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9PS Ffon/Phone: 01545 560224 Website: www.cbmwc.org Website: www.welshwildlife.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Our researchers have studied whales and dolphins throughout the Pacific for over 30 years and currently conduct projects in Hawai?i, Australia, and Ecuador. We offer internships in our Marine Mammal Research Program year-round. *Commitment* PWF seeks performance-driven and dedicated individuals for long-term internships. We have one immediate opening for the January - April period. Successful applicants are expected to dedicate 30-40 hours per week working both in the office and on our research vessel. Applicants must be available to work Monday - Friday and be available for all boat trips. Some weekend work may also be required. *Responsibilities* Interns will be based at PWF?s headquarters on Maui, Hawaii and will participate with multiple projects involving mysticetes (humpback whales) and odontocetes (numerous species of toothed whales and dolphins). Primary responsibilities are office-based and may include: ? Photo-identification matching of whale flukes and/or dolphin dorsal fins; ? Data entry and archival tasks; ? Data processing and analysis; ? General operational tasks. Additional responsibilities include field work: boat surveys within the four-island region of Maui, and land-based surveys using a theodolite. Each intern may be assigned to a specific cetacean project (with ancillary duties supporting field projects) according to skill set and availability. Interns also assist staff with other projects (including outreach events) as the need arises. *Requirements* Ideal applicants should: ? Be advanced undergraduates or recent graduates in biology, zoology, marine biology, ecology, or a related field; ? Be available to volunteer on a full-time basis and must be available for all field work; ? Have a mature attitude towards research; ? Be proficient with computers and data entry; specifically using PCs and the Microsoft Office suite of products; ? Have a strong work ethic, attention to detail and superior organizational skills; ? Have the ability to admit to mistakes; ? Be independent, adaptable, and a fast-learner; ? Be able to collect data in a detail-oriented manner; ? Have boating experience; ? Speak, read and write English fluently. Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme weather conditions. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur approximately two times per week. Applicants with little biology or marine expertise that possess outstanding skills in programming, statistical analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and database management are also welcomed to apply. *Compensation* There is no financial compensation for these positions and interns are responsible for their own living and transportation expenses. There is public transportation available on the island. Once accepted, the PWF staff will be able to assist in finding suitable housing options. *Application process* Applicants must be authorized to legally remain in Hawai?i if they are not U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S. Interested candidates should submit an application with the following: ? A cover letter including your availability (1 page only); ? A resume describing training, experience and relevant skills (2 pages only); ? Names and contact information of three references. Please send these items as e-mail attachments (PDF preferred) to research at pacificwhale.org - No phone calls or drop-ins, please. Mahalo, PWF Research Team *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 daniela.maldini at ucc.ie Tue Jan 5 02:18:31 2016 From: daniela.maldini at ucc.ie (Maldini, Daniela) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 10:18:31 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal research assistants required in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo, Ireland Message-ID: <813598759410DF4D9A3F35199B647BF90452A19F@exchmbx03.central.ad.ucc.ie> Marine Mammal research assistants required in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo, Ireland The Marine Ecology Group at MaREI, University College Cork, is seeking volunteer research assistants for the 2016 field season, to carry out research on marine mammals in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo, Ireland between May ? September 2016. Research assistants will be required to conduct cliff-based monitoring surveys, office related tasks and strandings surveys and will each be assigned a seasonal office-based project. This presents an opportunity to work within a team of experienced researchers and gain experience in field techniques for marine mammal surveys, while contributing to a larger program of marine mammal research. WORK PERIOD 15 May 2016 ? 31 September 2016 Due to training requirements, preference will be given to applicants who can commit to the full season. However, those available for shorter periods of time will also be considered. LOCATION Research assistants will be based in a shared house on the Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo. The house, which doubles as the office, is approx. 7km from the town of Belmullet, where there are supermarkets, cafes, pubs, banks, etc. Accommodation will be shared with up to 7 people so good teamwork and interpersonal skills are imperative. The Mullet Peninsula is a stunning location on the world famous Wild Atlantic Way, boasting some of the nicest, and untouched, beaches in Ireland. Applicants must be aware that the Mullet Peninsula is geographically remote with limited facilities and variable weather patterns with rain, wind and generally stormy conditions possible year-round. Expect to spend time in the office when conditions are less than ideal as field work will not be possible in these circumstances, however there will be plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding area, which is an ideal location for those who enjoy surfing, hiking and wildlife. Whilst bikes for transport to the nearest town will be provided, applicants with a car will be looked upon favourably. RESPONSIBILITIES Interns will work in shifts and all field work is weather-dependent and can be cancelled with short notice by the field leader if conditions are not ideal. A structured schedule will be set up with rotations of field duties, time off and specific duties for each person. Interns will each have their own project in addition to rotational field duties. Field work will include conducting cliff-based surveys from two sites in Broadhaven Bay using theodolites. There will be occasional C-POD servicing trips on a fishing vessel. There will be the need to respond to strandings in the area and to conduct complete necropsies when appropriate. The rest of the time will be spent in the office on data entry and analysis duties and each intern will be assigned a project according to previous agreements with the Field Leader, which could include either photo-id, acoustics, or GIS data analysis. There may be a public outreach and education component as well which will include interpreting marine mammal biology to the local community. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES As part of the internship there will be three courses offered throughout the field season. An introductory course on marine mammal biology and ecology, a photo-identification workshop focusing on data analysis, data entry and the use of photo-identification data in mark-recapture and social analysis, a course on stranding response and necropsy skills and procedures, and a workshop on C-POD data download and verification. TERMS OF INTERNSHIP The project budget will cover accommodations at the project house and transportation to and from the field, and the courses offered during the internship. Interns will be responsible for their own food, transportation to and from the research station, entertainment and free time expenses. REQUIREMENTS Essential Genuine interest in marine mammal biology, the marine environment and conservation. Advanced computer proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word) Excellent verbal and communication skills Enthusiasm and a positive attitude to hard work and long hours in the field in inclement weather Ability to work well both in a team and independently Flexibility and patience as fieldwork is highly weather dependent Excellent English language skills Moderate level of fitness ? there is a 25 minute hike carrying gear to the cliff sites. Highly Desirable Driving Licence and car Familiarity with theodolite use, GPS equipment and software Prior experience with R, ArcGIS and C-POD software Enrolled in or completed a degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Animal Behaviour, Ecology, Zoology or related fields Previous field research experience, particularly marine research Previous experience of working in remote locations as part of a small team A strong interest and knowledge of marine mammals APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS To apply, please send a copy of your CV (including two relevant referees and their contact details) and a brief (max 250 words) cover letter with a description of yourself and your experience to Daniela Maldini (daniela.maldini at ucc.ie). Daniela Maldini, Ph.D. Senior Post Doctoral Researcher MaREI Centre Beaufort Building - Environmental Research Institute (ERI) University College Cork Haulbowline Rd Ringaskiddy Co. Cork Ireland Mobile: +353 087 446 4342 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From frth at dhigroup.com Thu Jan 7 05:15:16 2016 From: frth at dhigroup.com (Frank Thomsen) Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 13:15:16 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Free online seminars: Risk assessment of environmental noise impacts Message-ID: <336D295AE7D63F45A03E2064507EB2BC7FCFA317@DKCPH1-EXCH01.dhi.dk> Hello colleagues I would like to draw your attention to free online seminars that DHI is organising if you want to learn more about how to assess the impacts of underwater noise on marine life. The seminars will also introduce new tools that can be used for noise modelling. The seminars will take place: * 20th of January: 9-10 CET - for further info and registration click here * 20th of January: 16-17 CET - for further info and registration click here We are also organising a training course 9th of March in Denmark where you can learn more about noise risk assessments and noise modelling. Further info can be found here Best regards, Frank Thomsen Ph.D. Senior Marine Scientist and Business Development Manager Ecology and Environment (DK-EED) [DHI logo] DHI Agern All? 5 DK-2970 H?rsholm Denmark Tel: +45 4516 9200 Direct: +45 4516 9446 frth at dhigroup.com www.dhigroup.com The expert in WATER ENVIRONMENTS This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorised to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose any information contained in it thereof. If you have received this communication in error, please advise the sender appropriately by reply e-mail, and then delete it. Thank you very much. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 6222 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From pamtech.acoustics at gmail.com Tue Jan 5 11:38:54 2016 From: pamtech.acoustics at gmail.com (PAMTech) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 19:38:54 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Advanced PAMGuard course - final announcement Message-ID: PAMTech (pamtech.eu) is offering an Advanced PAMGuard course, teaching the advanced use of the leading passive acoustic monitoring research and industry software, PAMGuard (pamguard.org) for offline analysis. We are a small UK-based company made up of PAMGuard 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. Our next course is running on: 29/01/2016 and 30/01/2016 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. The course will take place on the Vine Trust Barge, Prince of Wales Dock, Edinburgh, EH6 7DX, Scotland, UK. Cost 350 GBP Participants must bring their own laptop running Linux or Windows (not OSX). We would recommend Windows 7/8.1 or Ubuntu 12.10+. Microsoft Access is also very useful for the course. For those wishing to follow the MATLAB module, a copy of MATLAB version 2012 or above is required. Course costs do not include accommodation, travel or food. To find out more, contact: pamtech.acoustics at gmail.com Or go to: pamtech.eu To book go to: http://pamtechadvancedpamguard.eventzilla.net (50% non-refundable deposit required) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sandro.mazzariol at unipd.it Tue Jan 5 23:12:45 2016 From: sandro.mazzariol at unipd.it (Sandro Mazzariol) Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 08:12:45 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: Mediterranean Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) Threatened by Dolphin MorbilliVirus Message-ID: <568CBE6D.4080009@unipd.it> Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication: Mazzariol S, Centelleghe C, Beffagna G, Povinelli M, Terracciano G, Cocumelli C, Pintore A., Denurra D., Casalone C., Pautasso A., Di Francesco C.E., Di Guardo G. Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) threatened by dolphin morbillivirus. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Feb. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2202.150882 Abstract: During 2011?2013, dolphin morbillivirus was molecularly identified in 4 stranded fin whales from the Mediterranean Sea. Nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, and hemagglutinin gene sequences of the identified strain were highly homologous with those of a morbillivirus that caused a 2006?2007 epidemic in the Mediterranean. Dolphin morbillivirus represents a serious threat for fin whales. The paper is available online on Emerging Infectious Diseases as ahead of print: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/2/15-0882_article Kind Regards and Happy New Year, Sandro Mazzariol -- Dr. Sandro Mazzariol, DVM, PhD Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) Universit? degli Studi di Padova Cetaceans strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT) AGRIPOLIS - Ed. Museo Viale dell'Universit? 16 35020 - Legnaro (PD) tel.: +39 049 827 2963 fax: +39 049 827 2973 skype: smazzariol -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From seasynergy at gmail.com Thu Jan 7 01:20:55 2016 From: seasynergy at gmail.com (Lucy Hunt) Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 09:20:55 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Please post : Marine Volunteer opportunities in SW Ireland Message-ID: *Marine biology volunteer positions available at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness and Activity Centre, Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland: 2016 summer season* Sea Synergy is a new Marine Awareness and Activity Centre set up by marine biologist Lucy Hunt in the beautiful coastal village Waterville located on the famed picturesque Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way driving routes in SW Ireland. For more info please visit www.seasynergy.ie The marine awareness centre incorporates an interactive marine exhibition of Irish marine life, a small gift shop and a booking office for marine activities in the area. Marine awareness and education programmes are run from the centre throughout the summer including children and family beach workshops, snorkelling, nature surveys, hatchery and lake tours, summer camps and indoor presentations. Sea Synergy is involved in and reports to a number of ongoing research projects such as Coastwatch, Seasearch, IWDG reporting schemes. There are three full time volunteer positions available for start June ? end Sept 2016. Preference will be given to candidates that can volunteer for longer periods of time and who fit the below requirements. (More positions may also be available in August so please include how long you can come for and when you are available). *Education and Outreach officer duties (2):* Working alongside owner of Sea Synergy you will: - Develop the marine education programme - Supervise children and adult marine workshops on the beaches and in the centre - Show people around the exhibition centre - Generate marine awareness presentations and games - Give marine wildlife presentations - Provide marine wildlife talks on boats when possible - Host travelling marine workshops - Create educational and promotional resources - Promote social networking and public relations - Assist in research and field survey work - Work in gift shop/booking office/exhibition reception *Research development officer duties* Working alongside owner of Sea Synergy you will: - Develop research and survey programme incl. Coastwatch, Shore Thing, local nature studies & trails - Record, organise data and report to relevant organisations - Supervise local headland watches for marine mammals and birds - Organise and conduct public whale watches from local headland - Set up and attend boat based surveys when possible - Provide talks/presentations on marine wildlife and survey involvement - Encourage the public in surveys - citizen science - Teach children and public survey methods - Promote social networking and public relations - Work in gift shop/ exhibition reception & centre/booking office *Important skills/qualifications* *Essential:* - Background in marine biology/environmental science or similar - Keen interest in marine conservation and education - First Aid skills - Be enthusiastic and possess a caring, patient & positive attitude, with a strong desire to learn - Strong commitment to volunteering work - Must be able to use own initiative and have desire for independent actions/thoughts and work without continuous supervision - Ability to work well in a team - Confidence to interact with the public, especially children - Excellent verbal and writing/reporting skills - Good organizational and workload management skills - Good IT skills *Desirable:* - Strong interest in and knowledge of Irish marine biodiversity - Previous experience snorkeling or scuba diving certificate - Previous experience in public speaking - Marketing and social media skills - Previous experience working with children - Previous experience in survey work (e.g. headland watches, coastal surveys) - Previous experience in data handling - Previous experience with aquaria - Ability to work long hours outdoors in variable weather - Capability to work well on boats - Life saving and Advanced First Aid skills - Have own transport *Opportunities:* - Live in one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland for the summer - See some of Ireland?s amazing marine life on watches and surveys - Snorkel, or possibly scuba dive (if qualified) and observe Ireland?s coastal waters - Work with like-minded and enthusiastic team - Visit UNESCO world heritage site Skellig Micheal - Be part of survey vessels, wildlife tour boats and Skellig trips - Develop your skills in marine surveying, outreach, education and awareness - Gain experience with Waterville Lakes & Rivers Trust in salmon and seatrout conservation measures To view more of Sea Synergy and the area where you could be working watch this video clip from a programme featured on TV3 Lucy Hunt - Sea Synergy Waterville, Co. Kerry Or see our schools promo clip on our new Youtube channel Shared accommodation can be arranged with the Sea Synergy team at your own expense (ranging from ?50-70pw depending on house availablity). TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter with your CV and available times for summer 2016 to Lucy Hunt at seasynergy at gmail.com. TITLED: *VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES *Application deadline is *20**th** of Feb*. Interviews will be conducted in March via skype/tel or in person. For more information please send an email to seasynergy at gmail.com or call +353 (0) 877850929. Add us on Facebook *LH Marine & Sea Synergy* Follow us on Twitter *LHMARINE_info* *www.seasynergy.ie * -- *Lucy* [image: Inline image 1] Lucy Hunt MSc. Founder & Managing Director - Sea Synergy Marine Awareness & Activity Centre Waterville Co. Kerry www.seasynergy.ie +353 877850929 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kathy.james at seawatchfoundation.org.uk Thu Jan 7 09:09:51 2016 From: kathy.james at seawatchfoundation.org.uk (Kathy James) Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 17:09:51 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Important Information for Applicants to Volunteer Internships in Cardigan Bay this summer Message-ID: <004701d1496e$38b7e0e0$aa27a2a0$@seawatchfoundation.org.uk> Please note that there are two organisations offering internships in Cardigan Bay, UK this summer. You will need to apply to either Sea Watch Foundation or Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre for the specific roles that they are offering. Please do not assume that if you have applied to one that your application will be considered for the other. Whilst we are located in close proximity, we are entirely different organisations. I am sending this message following some confusion from the MARMAM moderators and hope this clears up any further confusion amongst applicants. Deadlines for internships with Sea Watch Foundation are this coming Sunday 10th January at midnight (GMT). Please see www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships for more info and to apply. We look forward to receiving your applications and wish you the best of luck! Thank you, Kathy James Sightings Officer For correspondence between Oct and April: Loveden House 26 Bridge Street Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 1QB Tel: 01970 623906 (please bear in mind I will be working in an office shared with other organisations and that you should ask for me by name) www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From amooney at whoi.edu Tue Jan 5 06:50:44 2016 From: amooney at whoi.edu (Aran Mooney) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 09:50:44 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Tenure-track Research Scientist: Coastal Ecosystems - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Message-ID: <568BD844.1080708@whoi.edu> Hi, can you please post this faculty job advertisement. Submitted files will be read soon. Thank you! *Tenure-track Research Scientist** **Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)* The Biology Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) invites applications for one or more full-time tenure-track positions on our Scientific Staff. We seek exceptional candidates to complement our existing interdisciplinary strengths in biology, biological oceanography, and marine ecology (http://www.whoi.edu/biology). Candidates in all areas are welcome to apply, but we are particularly interested in applicants who conduct research in coastal ecosystem processes and dynamics. Areas of expertise can encompass any aspect of marine biology, physiology, or ecology, and would ideally focus on both characterizing long-term forcing on the coastal ecosystem (e.g., climate change, ocean acidification, sea level rise, persistent human perturbation) and understanding/predicting the biological response (e.g., acclimation, adaptation, distribution shift). We seek to hire at the Assistant Scientist level, but exceptionally well qualified candidates at other levels also will be considered. Applicants should have a doctoral degree, postdoctoral experience, and a record of scientific research publications in scholarly journals. WHOI scientific staff members are expected to develop an internationally recognized and externally funded research program. They have the opportunity to advise graduate students and teach courses in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography and Oceanographic Engineering (http://www.whoi.edu/jointprogram/). Opportunities for interdisciplinary research exist through collaboration with the other science departments (Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Marine Geology and Geophysics, and Physical Oceanography; www.whoi.edu/main/departments-centers-labs), WHOI?s Marine Policy Center (http://www.whoi.edu/main/mpc), and the WHOI Ocean Institutes (www.whoi.edu/main/oceaninstitutes), as well as with researchers in the broader Woods Hole scientific community. Members of the WHOI?s Scientific Staff are expected to provide for their salaries from grants and contracts, but the Institution provides salary support when no other funding is available as well as significant internal funding for developing innovative research. Candidates hired at the junior level will receive an initial appointment for four years with salary guaranteed. Female and minority applicants are particularly encouraged to apply. WHOI is sensitive to the issues of dual career scientists and will work with applicants to identify and explore available options. WHOI?s benefits package includes vacation time, an employer contribution retirement plan, medical and dental plans, child care subsidy, flexible scheduling, and family illness days. WHOI is the largest private, non-profit oceanographic institution in the world, with staff and students numbering approximately 1,000. Its mission is to advance our understanding of the ocean and its interaction with the Earth system, and to communicate this understanding for the benefit of society. The Institution is located in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a world-renowned center of excellence in marine, biomedical, and environmental science. HOW TO APPLY: Apply online; please visit http://jobs.whoi.edu and respond to Job Reference 15-12-05. Applications should include, as a single pdf document, a cover letter, CV, 3-page research statement that clearly describes your research interests, names and contact information for four references, and copies of up to three relevant publications. The package should also be sent separately to the chair of the Biology Department at biologychair at whoi.edu. Review of applications will begin on 15 January 2016. WHOI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V/EOE; it is also a member of the New England Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NEHERC). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From abostwick at psocertifications.com Fri Jan 8 23:15:41 2016 From: abostwick at psocertifications.com (abostwick) Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 02:15:41 -0500 (EST) Subject: [MARMAM] Protected Species Observer Training in Galveston, TX - February 26-27 Message-ID: <812397661.661619.1452323741404.JavaMail.open-xchange@bosoxweb02.eigbox.net> MPSC will be holding Protected Species Observer training in Galveston, Texas on February 26-27. This BOEM/BSEE-compliant PSO certification course covers the regulations for reducing seismic survey impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles, and how to visually locate and identify the animals. Course comprehension is measured with examinations on regulations and animal identification. Lunch is provided and included in the $800 course fee (college/recent graduate and group discounts available), along with various identification guides, regulatory documents, and advice on applying to PSO positions. The registration form may be found here: http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/MPSC_Registration-February2016.pdf For more information or to register, please contact Angela at ABostwick at PSOCertifications.com , by phone at 832-523-2402 , or visit the website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/. Thank you, Angela Bostwick, M.S. Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cetacealab at gmail.com Fri Jan 8 09:48:13 2016 From: cetacealab at gmail.com (CetaceaLab) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 09:48:13 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteer/Intern Position for Whale Research Station North Coast BC Message-ID: Cetacea Lab is a whale research facility located along the remote north coast of British Columbia, Canada. We are accepting applications for the 2016 field season from May until the end of September. All positions are for 1 to 2 month duration. There is a weekly fee for food and accommodation.These are volunteer/intern positions to help with the collection of data on the habitat use and abundance of northern resident/transient killer whales, humpback and fin whales. Both the lab and out camp are located in areas of high abundance of all 3 species. Due to our remote location applicants need to be in good physical condition, able to participate with the daily routine of living off the grid and comfortable sleeping in a tent in the wilderness of BC. There is a lot of hard physical work that will come with this position, you must be fit with out any physical injuries. There are no roads, very limited Internet access, and power is completely off the grid. - Daily shifts involve scanning for whales, documenting all sightings and when possible to take identification pictures of whales - Listening and recording all whale vocalizations that are transmitted to the lab facility from our network of hydrophone stations - Data entry from land based and marine vessel based surveys - Identification work of all whales from photographs taken in the field - There will also be a lot of heavy lifting and moving over uneven rocky terrain, chopping wood ( our only source of heat) and assistance with the physical maintenance of the hydrophone stations. - Experience with carpentry, electronics, computers, acoustic software programs and environmental communications would be a valuable asset. Interested applicants should send a letter describing why they would like to join our team, CV and letter of reference to cetacealab at gmail.com. References will be contacted. More information about our research can be found at www.forwhales.org All the Best, Hermann Meuter & Janie Wray -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ecs2016conference at gmail.com Fri Jan 8 14:41:28 2016 From: ecs2016conference at gmail.com (ECS2016 Madeira Conference) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 22:41:28 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?15_Jan_2016_=2823=3A45_CET=29_=E2=80=93_early_?= =?utf-8?q?registration_deadline_of_the_30th_Conference_of_the_Euro?= =?utf-8?q?pean_Cetacean_Society=2C_Madeira=2C_14_-_16_March=2C_201?= =?utf-8?q?6=2E?= Message-ID: The EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE for the 30th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society is near - *15 Jan 2016 (23:45 CET). Please register before in order to take advantage of the lower registration fees.* The theme of the conference is *?Into the Deep: Research and Conservation on Oceanic Marine Mammals?.* For further information on the conference visit: http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/30th-annual-conference-funchal-madeira INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS to be held in association with the Conference on the 12th and 13th March are available at the conference web page: http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0 Please contact the workshop organizers (contacts on the web page) directly in order to obtain further information and to register. Looking forward to meeting in Madeira in March 2016, The Conference Organising Committee -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From eric.archer at noaa.gov Sat Jan 9 12:38:44 2016 From: eric.archer at noaa.gov (Eric Archer - NOAA Federal) Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 12:38:44 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Missing fin whale skeleton Message-ID: I am trying to track down the skeleton of a fin whale (*Balaenoptera physalus*) that was once hanging at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, PA USA. The skeleton was collected by Edward Cope from San Clemente, California in 1895 and donated to the Wistar a few years later. It was described in True 1904. "The Whalebone Whales of the Western North Atlantic" as measuring 62 feet, 10 inches long. The name applied by Cope for this specimen was *Balaenoptera velifera*, originally described in 1869, currently synonymized with *B. physalus*. As there doesn't appear to be any surviving material for the holotype of*Balenoptera velifera*, the specimen from the Wistar Institute would be the next candidate to designate as a lectotype for a new subspecies of fin whales in the eastern north Pacific: *Balaenoptera physalus velifera*. The skeleton is no longer at the Wistar Institute. I have been in touch with directors at the Wistar and scoured the internet and the evidence is that sometime soon after a new director, Hilary Koprowski, arrived in 1957, the skeleton was shipped to the Field Museum in Chicago. However, the current curator of the mammal collection at the Field Museum says that the skeleton is not in their collection nor does anyone there have any recollection or knowledge of it. It is also not in the Smithsonian or at the American Natural History Museum. If anyone has any knowledge of this specimen or knows of someone who might, I would greatly appreciate their contact information. I am currently working on writing up the description for this subspecies and would like to identify the lectotype as well as potentially obtain some bone sample for mitochondrial DNA sequencing. Thank you in advance. Regards, Eric Archer ---- *Eric Archer, Ph.D.* Southwest Fisheries Science Center NMFS, NOAA 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 USA 858-546-7121 (work) 858-546-7003 (FAX) Marine Mammal Genetics Group: swfsc.noaa.gov/mmtd-mmgenetics ETP Cetacean Assessment Program: swfsc.noaa.gov/mmtd-etp " *The universe doesn't care what you believe. The wonderful thing about science is that it doesn't ask for your faith, it just asks for your eyes.*" - Randall Munroe "*Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.*" - Benjamin Franklin "*...but I'll take a GPS over either one.*" - John C. "Craig" George -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Fontainec at TMMC.org Fri Jan 8 15:21:23 2016 From: Fontainec at TMMC.org (Christine Fontaine) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 23:21:23 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Research Intern opportunity at The Marine Mammal Center 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 Gullandf at TMMC.org Sat Jan 9 12:30:49 2016 From: Gullandf at TMMC.org (Frances Gulland) Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 20:30:49 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] archived samples Message-ID: Dear MarMammers, As we start the New Year, at The Marine Mammal Center, we are consolidating our tissue archive of liver and kidney samples from marine mammals that stranded along the central California coast over the last decade. If you are interested in requesting samples of liver or kidney that have been stored at -20 C for many years, for research purposes, please contact Frances Gulland for further information. Thank you Frances Gulland, email: gullandf at tmmc.org, The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA 94965 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kathy.james at seawatchfoundation.org.uk Thu Jan 7 09:21:47 2016 From: kathy.james at seawatchfoundation.org.uk (Kathy James) Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2016 17:21:47 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Last call for applicants for Education & Outreach Assistant & Research Intern opportunity with Sea Watch Foundation in Cardigan Bay, Wales, UK in 2016. Message-ID: <005601d1496f$e3757be0$aa6073a0$@seawatchfoundation.org.uk> Please see two different internship opportunities listed below ? Deadline 10th January Sea Watch Foundation ? Voluntary Education and Outreach Assistant opportunity based in Cardigan Bay for the 2016 summer season The Sea Watch Foundation is seeking an Education and Outreach Assistant for the 2016 season. This position will suit a volunteer who has a strong interest in marine conservation and recognises the importance of educating and raising awareness by involving the public. The assistant will be responsible in aiding the Sightings Officer with the following duties: ? Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch event (23rd ? 31st July 2016) ? Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools ? Researching and writing articles ? Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers) ? Assisting in the organisation of training courses ? Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, website) ? Raising Sea Watch Foundation?s profile locally (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier, liaising with local boat operators to produce educational materials) ? Interacting with the media (radio, TV and newspapers) ? Representing Sea Watch at public events within the UK generally ? Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and the Adopt a Dolphin scheme The Education and Outreach Assistant will also have some opportunity to be involved in the fieldwork aspects of the ?Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project ? (land-based and boat-based surveys). This project, undertaken on behalf of Natural Resources Wales, manages the conservation of a coastal population of bottlenose dolphins, the largest in the UK. Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal populations is also part of the project. The field season will run from April to October 2016 and has been split into two periods of 6 weeks followed by two periods of 8 weeks. One assistant is required for each half of the season. However, preference may be given to those who can stay for the entire seven-month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately ?70/week in a house, sharing with the research interns. The assistant is responsible for their own travel and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Intern periods for summer 2016: Period 1: 18/04 ? 12/06, Period 2: 13/06 ? 07/8, Period 3: 08/08 ? 18/9, Period 4: 19/09 ? 30/10 Important skills/qualifications Essential: * a strong interest in marine conservation and education * outgoing personality with confidence to interact with the public * excellent verbal and writing skills * must have initiative and bring their own ideas and personality to the position * strong commitment to volunteering work * an ability to work in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload, including appropriate delegation * an ability to get on well with others in a small team and within shared accommodation Desirable: * a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar * a strong interest and some knowledge of British cetaceans * good IT skills (Office package) * prior experience in public speaking * experience with postings in social media * prior experience in boat-based survey work * willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather To apply: Please send your CV and a cover letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for, as well as contact details of two referees, to Kathy James (kathy.james at seawatchfoundation.org.uk). Deadline: 10th January 2016. Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title. Applicants must be available for interview via Skype between the 20th and 26th January and will be notified of the outcomes by the 29th January 2016. Sea Watch Foundation ? Research Intern Opportunity in Cardigan Bay for 2016 Interns are invited to assist the Sea Watch Foundation ( www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk) with the running of the ?Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project?. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and supports the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of vessel-based, land-based and acoustic surveys. Sea Watch has been monitoring these populations on behalf of the Welsh government (through funding provided by Natural Resources Wales) for the last 15 years. Cardigan Bay contains Britain?s largest coastal population of bottlenose dolphins, for which two Special Areas of Conservation have been established under the EU Habitats Directive. Interns will help the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Officer and the Sightings Officer by taking part in the following tasks: ? Land-based surveys ? Boat-based surveys ? Photo-identification matching ? Data entry ? Raising public awareness ? Education initiatives and school visits ? Acoustic data collection ? Assisting with and participation in training courses and public talks. In addition to these tasks, this year we are specifically looking for two interns in each period with interest in recently acquired specialist equipment to assist us in acoustic and aerial data collection using a towed hydrophone and unmanned camera drone respectively. Both drone and hydrophone interns will undertake all regular intern activities but will be expected to concentrate on acoustic and aerial data collection during boat based surveys. If you are particularly interested in either opportunity, please draw our attention to it in your covering letter and application form, highlighting relevant experience and by titling your application email Drone Research Intern or Hydrophone Research Intern. Interns are required from mid April until the end of October 2016. The research season is split into four separate periods, two 8-week periods (periods 1 & 2) and two 6-week periods (periods 3 & 4). Preference will be given to those applying for more than one period, including the whole 6.5 month field season, and particularly to applicants interested in working with the drone or towed hydrophone. Those applying for longer periods of time will be able to take on a personal project, potentially leading to a publication. Interns will be based in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. Accommodation is provided through rental of a house that interns share at a rate of around ?70 per person per week. Interns are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Period dates for summer 2016: Period 1: 18/04 ? 12/06, Period 2: 13/06 ? 07/08, Period 3: 08/08 ? 18/09, Period 4: 19/09 ? 30/10 Important skills/qualifications Essential: ? an ability to work in a meticulous and reliable manner ? strong commitment to volunteering work ? willingness to work long hours outdoors in often changeable Welsh weather ? good IT skills (Office package) ? an ability to get on well with others in a small team and in shared accommodation Desirable: ? a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans ? a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar ? prior experience in boat-based survey work ? good verbal and written communication skills and in public speaking ? experience in interacting with the public All interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in boat survey protocols, and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins. Interns in Periods 2 and 3 will be able to take part in Sea Watch?s annual 2-day training courses. Internships with Sea Watch have frequently led to established posts both within the organisation and in other national and international research and conservation bodies, as well as providing a stepping stone for students to undertake doctoral studies in marine mammal science. Please note that interns are responsible for their own travel and living expenses. International applications are welcome but it is the applicant?s responsibility to ensure visa requirements are met; Sea Watch cannot sponsor visa applications. To apply: Please send your CV and application form (which can be downloaded from our website www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/), with a cover letter and contact details of two referees, reporting any relevant experience you have, to Katrin Lohrengel- katrin.lohrengel at seawatchfoundation.org.uk Deadline: 10th January 2016. Please specify NEW QUAY INTERN APPLICATION in your subject title. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 10th February 2016. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife inhabiting Welsh seas. Our work in Wales has been funded over the years by Natural Resources Wales, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Research The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various projects including: * Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and opportunistic boat surveys * Maintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure, movements and life histories, using mark-recapture techniques. * Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC primarily through hydrophone data collection. * Setting up a library of bottlenose dolphin whistles in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area. Public awareness We aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the marine environment for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods. A list of recent of recent awareness and education achievements is given below: ? Sea Watch Director, Peter Evans, received the European Cetacean Society Conservation Award, 2012 ? Sea Watch Foundation was recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS ?Outreach and Education Award?, 2009 ? Sea Watch Foundation was voted best UK animal adoption scheme by BBC Wildlife, December 2008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lajam.editors at gmail.com Tue Jan 5 08:23:17 2016 From: lajam.editors at gmail.com (Lajam Editors) Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 12:23:17 -0400 Subject: [MARMAM] LAJAM Pteronura Special Issue_announcement Message-ID: Dear Readers: We are happy to let you know that the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals has just published its latest issue 10(2) (Special Issue on Giant Otter *Pteronura brasiliensis*) at http://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam. We invite you to review the Table of Contents and visit our web site to review articles and items of interest. Thanks for the continuing interest in our work, Dr. Miriam Marmontel Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustent?vel Mamirau? lajam.editors at gmail.com LAJAM, Editor-in-Chief Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals Vol 10, No 2 (2015): Special Issue on Giant River Otter Pteronura brasiliensis Table of Contents http://lajamjournal.org/index.php/lajam/issue/view/27 Editorial -------- Editorial (70-74) Miriam Marmontel, Danielle Lima, Paul Van Damme, Jessica Groenendijk, Fernando Trujillo Reviews -------- Advances in the study of giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis): ecology, behavior, and conservation: a review (75-98) Nicole Duplaix, Emanuela Evangelista, Fernando C. W. Rosas Articles -------- Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) distribution, relative abundance and conservation in northwestern Bolivia (99-106) Guido Ayala, Robert Benedict Wallace, Maria Viscarra, Cynthya Jurado Distribution and status of giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in the Pantanal wetland, Brazil (107-114) Walfrido M. Tomas, Andr? R. Camilo, Carolina Ribas, Caroline Leuchtenberger, Paulo Andr? Lima Borges, Guilherme Mour?o, Luiz A. Pellegrin Cub biometry, litter size and reproductive period of giant oters (Pteronura brasiliensis) at the Balbina Hydroelectric Reservoir, Amazonas, Brazil (115-121) Bruno Freitas Bozzetti, M?rcia Munick Mendes Cabral, Fernando Weber Rosas Negative interactions between giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) and local fisheries in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in Colombia (122-130) Fernando Trujillo, Andrea Caro, Sindy Mart?nez, Mar?a Victoria Rodr?guez-Maldonado The use of premaxillary bones of six fish species in giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) diet analysis (131-142) Maria del Pilar Becerra Cardona, Heiddy Asunci?n Mallea Cardenas, Paul Andr? Van Damme Notes -------- First giant otter distribution survey in the southeast of Roraima, Brazil, with notes on the OSG Guidelines for a Standardization of Survey Methods (143-146) Emanuela Evangelista, Chiara Tosi Rediscovery of Pteronura brasiliensis in the Aman? Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil (147-151) Miriam Marmontel, Jorge Calvimontes, Oldemar Carvalho Jr. Protection and monitoring of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in Cant?o State Park, Tocantins, Brazil (152-155) George Georgiadis, Silvana Campello, Benaya N. Leles What do we know about Pteronura brasiliensis in Uruguay? (156-158) Martin Buschiazzo, Enrique M. Gonz?lez, Alvaro Soutullo A case study of artificial feeding of an unweaned giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) cub (159-162) Marcia Munick Mendes Cabral, Carolina Ribas, Fernando Cesar Weber Rosas A reliable method for sexing giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) in the wild (163-165) Jessica Groenendijk, Frank Hajek -- Miriam Marmontel Editor-in-Chief Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals http://www.lajamjournal.org/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From nachtiga at hawaii.edu Fri Jan 8 17:35:02 2016 From: nachtiga at hawaii.edu (Paul Nachtigall) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 15:35:02 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] Beluga whales shift hearing Message-ID: Work on beluga whale hearing in which either a 32 or 45 kHz tone was presented prior to a loud 32 kHz tone showed that either warning tone caused the whale to dampen its hearing in anticipation of the loud sound. This response was quickly learned within a single day but took three days to extinguish when the loud sound was removed. This work, presented at the recent SMM meeting in San Francisco, is now available as a publication in the Journal of Comparative Physiology A. DOI. Nachtigall, P.E*., * Supin, A.Ya. Estaban, J.A., and Pacini, A.F. (2016) Learning and extinction of conditioned hearing sensation change in the beluga whale (*Delphinapterus leucas*) * Journal of Comparative Physiology A* DOI 10.1007/s00359-015-1056-x A limited number of preprints are available on request. ALOHA Paul Nachtigall - nachtiga at hawaii.edu? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From seebca01 at luther.edu Sat Jan 9 10:10:18 2016 From: seebca01 at luther.edu (Cassie Seebart) Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 13:10:18 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer Animal Care Internships at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Message-ID: *CALL FOR INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS* (Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL) Clearwater Marine Aquarium conducts rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts for sick or injured marine life. If rescued animals are deemed un-releasable due to their physical limitations or need for continuous care, Clearwater Marine Aquarium can provide permanent care for these animals. Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers intensive, hands on internships for individuals interested in particular aspects of the marine animal care field. The *Stranding Team Internship *provides interns with a unique opportunity to gain hands on experience in the response of live and dead dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and North American river otters. Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting with the monitoring, rescue, transport, data collection, rehabilitation, release, and necropsy of stranded aquatic animals. Interns will also be given ample opportunities to further their skill sets relating to writing and public speaking. This will be achieved through duties such as writing weekly newsletters and presenting daily guest narrations. The Stranding Team seeks enthusiastic, dedicated, and hardworking individuals who are interested in promoting wildlife conservation through stranding efforts. The *Marine Mammal Training Internship* is designed to give individuals an inside look into what it takes to care for marine animals, with emphasis on common bottlenose dolphins, North American river otters and African great white pelican. During your internship, you will learn how to prepare diets, clean to USDA standards, maintain exhibits, provide enrichment/mental stimulation and give public presentations to educate our visitors as well as promote environmental conservation. Through a classroom lecture series, you will also learn how trainers use principles such as positive reinforcement, operant conditioning and shaping to train. Candidates should be able to perform physically demanding duties and ideally be enrolled in a four-year college program in psychology, biology, marine biology or another related field. Hands-on animal experience, such as volunteering at an animal shelter or completing other marine mammal internships at another facility is required. SCUBA, First Aid and CPR certification is also a plus. The *Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Internship* offers a hands-on learning experience caring for rehabilitating sea turtles as well as permanent residents at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Interns will be exposed to all aspects of the field including stranding, triage, food prep, exhibit maintenance, operating under USDA and FWC standards, animal restraint, basic target training, enrichment, daily husbandry and, occasionally, more extensive surgical procedures. Interns are able to practice many duties necessary for future animal care careers. After completing this internship, previous interns have used their experiences to gain employment in vet clinics or animal rehabilitation jobs, gained admission to veterinary school, or pursued educational and conservational outreach. The Sea Turtle department has an additional *Sea Turtle Nesting Internship*, in the summer only, designed to give interns an opportunity to perform field research that is reported to government agencies. Nesting interns will assist in patrol of about 25 miles of beach. Interns will conduct all aspects of sea turtle nesting including nest marking, night patrol, hatchling release, inventory, caging, data input, and much more. Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers 3 internship time frames annually. The Summer Internship runs from May through August. The application deadline for this internship is February 1st. To learn more about Clearwater Marine Aquarium?s animal care internships and how to apply, please visit the ?About Us? page on www.seewinter.com and select the link for ?Internships.? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From megan at elding.is Fri Jan 8 08:37:01 2016 From: megan at elding.is (Megan Whittaker) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 16:37:01 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] JOB OPPORTUNITY AS AN ON-BOARD NATURALIST FOR ELDING WHALE WATCHING REYKJAVIK, ICELAND SUMMER 2016. Message-ID: JOB OPPORTUNITY AS AN ON-BOARD NATURALIST FOR ELDING WHALE WATCHING REYKJAVIK, ICELAND SUMMER 2016. Elding Whale Watching Reykjavik is a family owned company and has been running since 2000. We are the original operator in Reykjavik, strict in abiding by IceWhale?s (www.icewhale.is) guidelines in vessel behaviour around wildlife and work with IFAW to stop Whaling in Iceland. We are also well known for our environmental policy. Elding also provides a platform for marine biologists to study the cetaceans we encounter to help build our knowledge and understanding. Elding also has ties with Whale Safari ( www.whalesafari.is), a RIB whale watching company and developing a new whale watching company in Akureyri (North Iceland) this up and coming summer. For further information please visit our website at www.elding.is. Elding is looking for full-time guides that are fluent in English. Preference will go to those that are multi-lingual (German, French, Spanish in particular). However, few positions are available for those that are not. Applicants MUST have a passport from an EEA country https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea . Duration: April/May to August/September, winter work may also be available for hard workers. Shift work on a 2-2-3 schedule (two days on, two off etc. and you have every other weekend off Fri-Sun). Flexibility is essential and there is usually opportunity of overtime. Salary will be discussed at a later date but looking around 300,000ISK/month (~?2000/?1600month) Remember taxes are about 35%. Recommend looking through http://www.eures.is/english/work-in-iceland/living-conditions/nr/32/ before applying. Employees are responsible for their own accommodation, travel, travel insurance and living expenses. *Employment Duties* ? Narrating clearly to passengers the biology, conservation (including whaling) and ecology of the marine life found in Faxafloi Bay and other areas around Iceland. ? Spotting wildlife for passengers. ? Cleaning ? cleaning the boats is done at the end of the day or when cancelled due to bad weather. ? Looking after the welfare and security of passengers onboard. ? Bar work ? Each vessel has a bar where light refreshments are sold. ? Hospitality ? this is done both onboard and in the office when needed. ? Other work/tasks ? i.e. selling tickets, distributing brochures, answering the phone, translating documents etc? ? Photo Identification for the research. *Important skills/qualifications* ? A strong interest and education in marine science specifically cetaceans and marine birds. ? A good knowledge of conservation issues related to marine life. ? Confidence to narrate and interact with large groups. ? Must be a quick learner, adaptive, hard working, outgoing and generally a very positive person (finding beauty in the little things). ? Be able to work calmly and politely under pressure and sometimes in stressful situations. ? Must have experience on boats and not acceptable to seasickness easily ? Good spotting skills. ? Maritime safety and First Aid certified is an advantage but not necessary. ? Photography skills are highly desirable. ? Willingness to work long hours outdoors in sometimes unfavorable weathers. Elding prides itself on teamwork, no job is too small or too big for any of our staff members. We work together to make sure everything is finished for the following day. So being a team player is also very important. How to apply: Please email your C.V. and introduction of yourself in English specifying any relevant experience and languages and why you think you would be good for the job. Please also include one reference from a past employer to Megan (megan at elding.is) Deadline for applications is the 15th February and those that are successful for interview will be contacted no later than the 29th of February 2016. -- Kind Regards Megan Whittaker Head Naturalist and Research co-ordinator Elding Adventures at Sea ?gisgar?ur 5, 101 Reykjav?k, Iceland Tel. (+354) 519 5090 elding at elding.is www.elding.is Add us on Facebook Elding Whale Watching Reykjav?k Follow us on Twitter: EldingWhale Check our Videos on YouTube: Reykjavik Activitie s Please think of the environment; please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From megan at elding.is Fri Jan 8 09:16:44 2016 From: megan at elding.is (Megan Whittaker) Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2016 17:16:44 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELDING WHALE WATCHING REYKJAVIK, ICELAND SUMMER 2016. Message-ID: RESEARCH ASSISTANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELDING WHALE WATCHING REYKJAVIK, ICELAND SUMMER 2016. Elding Whale Watching Reykjavik is a family owned company and has been running since 2000. We are the original operator in Reykjavik, strict in abiding by IceWhale?s (www.icewhale.is) guidelines in vessel behaviour around wildlife and work with IFAW to stop Whaling in Iceland. We are also well known for our environmental policy. Elding also provides a platform for marine biologists to study the cetaceans we encounter to help build our knowledge and understanding. Elding also has ties with Whale Safari ( www.whalesafari.is), a RIB whale watching company and developing a new whale watching company in Akureyri (North Iceland) this up and coming summer. For further information please visit our website at www.elding.is. Elding Whale Watching Reykjavik is looking for four voluntary research assistants with a passport from an EEA country (https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea) to assist for 5 months (1st May to the 31st September 2015). Research is conducted in co-operation with the University of Iceland?s research center in H?savik and it comprises of photo identification and behavioral studies mainly of minke whales and white-beaked dolphins but occasionally also humpback whales, orca, fin whales and basking sharks. Research will be conducted on the whale watching tours (3 hours, 3 times a day). There will always be two assistants on board taking data and one on land processing, cropping, ID matching and uploading onto an online database. Each researcher will have four days at sea and two days on land processing. Working day averages at about 12-14 hours for those at sea and 6-8 hours those on land. You will have every Sunday off work as well as bad weather days when tours are cancelled. We are looking for assistant that; ? Have a strong interest and education in marine science specifically cetaceans and marine birds. ? Good spotting skills ? Have experience on boats preferably above 17m and not acceptable to seasickness easily. ? Be able to work calmly and politely under pressure and sometimes in stressful situations. ? Must be a quick learner, adaptive, have a very good sense of humour, hard working, outgoing and generally a very positive person. ? Willingness to work long hours outdoors in sometimes unfavorable weathers. ? A Team Player ? Physically fit - there may be some heavy lifting. i.e. moving cases of drinks or working with heavy ropes, being on your feet for most the day. ? Don?t mind cleaning ? lots of cleaning needs to be done on a daily basis, between and after tours and yes it also means cleaning up vomit and toilets. ? Bar work ? Each vessel has a bar where light refreshments are sold ? Have their own equipment and good at using them e.g. DSLR camera and computer. Assistants will be responsible for their own travel costs, travel insurance and personal expenses but accommodation is provided throughout the working period as well as an afternoon hot meal. Further information on living and working in Iceland can be found at http://www.mcc.is/media/frettir/Living_and_working_in_Iceland.pdf and www.iceland.is *Accommodation* You will be living on an old converted capelin fishing boat that now acts as a permanently stationed gift shop/ waiting area/ small museum for our passengers in the heart of Iceland?s capital city, Reykjavik. You will get your own small bedroom but the living area, shower room, kitchen and toilet, with all essentials, will be communal with the other researchers and maybe the occasional crewmember. All facilities are provided including wifi, fridge, cooker, bedding, towels etc. Elding prides itself on teamwork, no job is too small or too big for any of our staff members. We work together to make sure everything is finished for the following day. So being a team player is also very important. *How to apply: * Please email your C.V. and introduction of yourself in English specifying any relevant experience and languages you have, also why you would be good for the job with the contact details of one reference to Megan ( megan at elding.is). Deadline for applications is the 15th February and those that are successful for interview will be contacted no later than the 29th of February 2016. -- Kind Regards Megan Whittaker Head Naturalist and Research co-ordinator Elding Adventures at Sea ?gisgar?ur 5, 101 Reykjav?k, Iceland Tel. (+354) 519 5090 elding at elding.is www.elding.is Add us on Facebook Elding Whale Watching Reykjav?k Follow us on Twitter: EldingWhale Check our Videos on YouTube: Reykjavik Activitie s Please think of the environment; please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lcornick at alaskapacific.edu Sun Jan 10 07:48:45 2016 From: lcornick at alaskapacific.edu (Leslie Cornick) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 15:48:45 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] IMCC4 Call for Abstracts References: Message-ID: <98224E95-0103-46DE-A4C3-7F8993F76789@alaskapacific.edu> Call for Abstracts for the 4th International Marine Conservation Congress The Call for Abstracts for the 4th International Marine Conservation Congress is now open! IMCC4 will be held from 31 July - 3 August 2016 at the Delta Conference Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada (YYT). We are now accepting abstracts for oral (spoken), speed (short spoken), and poster presentations, as well as proposals for OceansOnlinefacilitated discussions. OceansOnline, held 4 August, is a full add-on day to IMCC4 focused on communication and online tools for marinescience and conservation. All abstracts must be submitted online by 5pm (GMT) on 7 March 2016. Decisions will be made by the end of March 2016. Complete instructions for submission are available at the meeting website: http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016/registration-participation/call-for-abstracts/. The selection process is highly competitive. The overall theme of the congress is Making Marine Science Matter. For marine conservation to be effective, marine conservation science must matter to stakeholders, policy makers, and practitioners. To accomplish this, the congress will be organized around specific topics of interest for marine conservation in general, as well as for the local area. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but merely a guide for proposers. Other topics of interest are welcome. * Fisheries, aquaculture and the oceans * Marine food security * Conservation and management of the Arctic and Antarctic * Conservation engineering * Ocean science technology * Marine energy * Climate, ocean acidification, and the changing oceans * Culture and the marine environment * Advancing marine conservation through international treaties * Effective marine conservation planning * Communicating marine conservation * Participation in marine conservation science (e.g. citizen and indigenous science) * Marine tourism * Marine policy * Estuary and coastal restoration * Conservation at the land-sea interface In addition, the SCB Marine Section developed a list of 71 research questions critical to the advancement of marine conservation (http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016/about/71-questions/). We encourage proposals that address one or more of these questions but welcome all abstracts related to marine conservation science and practice. Thank you for helping IMCC Make Marine Science Matter! Website: http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016 Facebook: https://goo.gl/TFcaGJ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IMCC2016 Blog: https://imcc2016.wordpress.com/ -- Samantha Oester (@samoester) President-Elect, SCB Marine Section (@SCBMarine) Communications Co-Chair, 27th International Congress for Conservation Biology Meeting Chair, International Marine Conservation Congress (@IMCC2016) Invited Member, Explorers Club Commission on Education and Communication, IUCN (@IUCN_CEC) Research Assistant and PhD Candidate, George Mason University From pottwal at pottwale.de Sun Jan 10 08:36:11 2016 From: pottwal at pottwale.de (Wilfried Steffen) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 17:36:11 +0100 (CET) Subject: [MARMAM] Helping need to identify a deep sea squid found in caribbean waters In-Reply-To: <1287462313.292873.1452442524894.JavaMail.open-xchange@ptangptang.store> References: <1287462313.292873.1452442524894.JavaMail.open-xchange@ptangptang.store> Message-ID: <2090452246.295037.1452443771257.JavaMail.open-xchange@ptangptang.store> Dear Marmamers, We live parts of the year on the island of Dominica in the eastern Caribbean. The island is known to host some families of sperm whales year round. Years ago we found a carcass of the potential prey of these whales and it was identified as Pholidoteuthis adami by a German squid expert. But recently we found another almost complete body of a deep sea squid, probably brought up by a hunting sperm whale, that we could not identify yet. Therefor we would ask to help us with the identification. It would help to expand our knowledge of the diet of the sperm whales in this area. You will find some pictures here: deep sea squid found off Dominica http://www.wale-hautnah.de/squid/ Sincerely yours Andrea and Wilfried Steffen Sperm whale research pottwal at pottwale.de www.pottwale.de http://www.wale-hautnah.de/squid/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From adambsmi at hawaii.edu Sun Jan 10 15:43:28 2016 From: adambsmi at hawaii.edu (Adam Smith) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 13:43:28 -1000 Subject: [MARMAM] New paper on echolocation of the Risso's dolphin Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are happy to announce the publication of the following article in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. "Transmission beam characteristics of a Risso's dolphin" by Adam B. Smith, Laura N. Kloepper, Wei-Cheng Yang, Wan-Hsiu Huang, I-Fan Jen, Brendan P. Rideout, and Paul E. Nachtigall. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/1.4937752 Abstract: The echolocation system of the Risso?s dolphin (Grampus griseus) remains poorly studied compared to other odontocete species. In this study, echolocation signals were recorded from a stationary Risso?s dolphin with an array of 16 hydrophones and the two dimensional beam shape was explored using frequency-dependent amplitude plots. Click source parameters were similar to those already described for this species. Centroid frequency of click signals increased with increasing sound pressure level, while the beamwidth decreased with increasing center frequency. Analysis revealed primarily single lobed, and occasionally vertically dual-lobed, beam shapes. Overall beam directivity was found to be greater than that of the harbor porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, and a false killer whale. The relationship between frequency content, beam directivity, and head size for this Risso?s dolphin deviated from the trend described for other species. These are the first reported measurements of echolocation beam shape and directivity in G. griseus. [ http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/1.4937752] Aloha, -- Adam B. Smith Ph.D. Candidate Marine Mammal Research Program Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology University of Hawaii at Manoa -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From alisongill at intelligentocean.com Sun Jan 10 14:27:14 2016 From: alisongill at intelligentocean.com (Alison Gill) Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 22:27:14 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] JNCC MMO (UK) and BOEM PSO (Gulf of Mexico) Training Courses Message-ID: Intelligent Ocean Ltd (http://www.intelligentocean.com/) is running the following training courses in January in Kings Lynn, UK for which we have spaces available. Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) Training for UK - 21st January 2016 - ?130 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Protected Species Observer (PSO) Training for Gulf of Mexico, USA - 22nd January 2016 - ?60 (when taken in conjunction with the JNCC MMO course). To book a place please use our online booking system at this link http://www.intelligentocean.com/booking.php Alison Gill Intelligent Ocean Ltd www.intelligentocean.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From charry at ifaw.org Mon Jan 11 08:24:38 2016 From: charry at ifaw.org (Harry, Charles) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 16:24:38 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer 2016 marine mammal stranding internship Message-ID: <4A281105B1F2F94982E3F26DE28D38847FE6B4D9@HQ00SM02.ifaw.net> IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internship The International Fund for Animal Welfare?s (IFAW) Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is currently accepting applications for Marine Mammal Stranding Internship for our summer session 2016 (June 6th 2016 ? August 29th 2016). Please see below for future internship sessions. Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization with headquarters in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW?s Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is a federally authorized response program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our mission is to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding ?hot spot? with over 230 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, large whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The Cape Cod region also experiences an unusually high frequency of live, mass stranded dolphins. Specific Internship Duties - Manage stranding hotline and dispatch volunteers for stranding calls received during office hours - Assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response, including live animal health assessment and triage, opportunistic public outreach, biological data collection, and sampling from dead stranded marine mammals - Assist in stranding preparedness, including cleaning, organizing and maintaining stranding response gear and equipment - Assist in data entry of stranding reports, case files, sample collection, and lab results - Assist in organizing, cataloging and archiving stranded marine mammal documentation, including photos, video and datasheets - General office duties, including training and outreach material preparation and organization - Assist the Necropsy Coordinator in performing post-mortem examinations in both field and laboratory settings - Assist in maintaining, cleaning, and organizing necropsy equipment and supplies - Assist in the archiving, shipping, and tracking of biological samples - Assist in the preparation of necropsy reports Specific Focus Areas Interns will be cross-trained in all areas of stranding response and every effort will be made for interns to gain a wide-range of experiences. However, each intern will have specific ?focus areas? of either: field response, necropsy, or outreach. Interns will be paired with staff based on these particular focus areas and individual tasks and projects will be related to one of these areas. Each individuals? ?focus? will be determined by staff once they have been selected for the program. Please indicate in your cover letter your primary preferred focus and any other areas of interest if your primary choice is not available. The final determination will be made by staff but we will make an effort to assign interns based on their preferences. Requirements - Must be at least 18 years old - Must possess a valid driver?s license - Must be of good physical fitness, be able to lift/carry 40lbs, walk long distances in difficult terrain, be comfortable on small boats in nearshore waters, able to swim, and work in harsh weather conditions at times - Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively - Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or have graduated within 2 years - Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Preferred candidate will also have: - Undergraduate and/or graduate study of biology, zoology, ecology, marine/environmental/animal science - Previous marine mammal stranding response/research experience - Experience handling animals - Experience driving large trucks Learning outcomes While hands-on experience is opportunistic and the number and type of responses will vary, most interns have the opportunity to: - Develop skills in identifying species commonly stranded on Cape Cod and gain knowledge of their biology and ecology - Acquire basic stranded cetacean and pinniped assessment and triage skills - Gain knowledge of response logistics and management, including the use of the Incident Command System - Gain knowledge of the stranding network structure and operation, as well as marine mammal policy as it relates to strandings - Gain basic necropsy skills and knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and physiology - Participate in active research projects, as appropriate Additional Information This internship is unpaid. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. International applicants will be considered, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation, including an international driver?s license. The internship position requires the commitment for the full session (June 6th 2016 ? August 29th 2016). Interns are required to attend three days per week, which may include weekends and holidays. Since strandings are unpredictable, applicants with flexible daily schedules are preferred. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, he/she will be responsible for making all arrangements with his/her educational institution. Interns should be prepared to perform in a variety of settings on any given day, including beach, on-water and laboratory. Specialized gear such as dry suits, boots and life jackets will be provided. Please keep in mind that stranding work is unpredictable and changes seasonally. We cannot guarantee the type and number of strandings and experiences you will receive during your internship. We will do our best when possible to give interns a varied experience. To apply: Please use the link below to access the online application and to upload the required documents: 1. Cover Letter (please indicate which focus area(s) you prefer) 2. Resume 3. Letter of Recommendation from college professor or employer (can be uploaded or directly emailed to RecruitMMRR at ifaw.org by the recommender. (It is your responsibility to ensure your letter of recommendation has been submitted on time, or you will not be considered for the internship.) http://www.ifaw.org/united-states/about-ifaw/employment All application materials must be received by Friday, March 11th by 5:00pm EST Internship notification of acceptance will be sent by Monday, April 18th , 2016 Required intern orientation will be June 6-8, 2016 Future Internship Session Dates: The IFAW Marine Mammal Stranding Internships are offered 3 times a year; you must re-apply for each session. Fall Session Dates: September 12th 2016 ? January 9th 2017 Application due date: July 8th 2016 Winter Session Dates: January 23rd 2017 ? May 15th 2017 Application due date: October 28th 2016 For more information about IFAW?s global animal welfare and conservation work, please visit www.ifaw.org. C.T. Harry | Asst. Stranding Coordinator | Marine Mammal Rescue & Research __________________________________________________________ IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters 290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 tel.1.508.744.2272 email. charry at ifaw.org stranding hotline. 1.508.743.9548 Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From intern at neaq.org Mon Jan 11 06:25:03 2016 From: intern at neaq.org (Intern) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 14:25:03 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer Internships at New England Aquarium Message-ID: Good morning everyone, The New England Aquarium is currently seeking candidates for Summer 2016 internships! Applications are being accepted for all positions, but a link to our Marine Mammal internship as well as our Marine Mammal Education and Research internship is below. We hope to receive your application soon! Applications consist of a cover letter, resume, references, a completed questionnaire, an unofficial transcript, and a letter of recommendation. Applications may be sent electronically to intern at neaq.org. Internships are 2-3 days per week for 12-16 weeks and all positions are unpaid. The priority deadline is listed as January 31st but we will continue to accept applications beyond that date; any applications received prior to January 31st receive priority consideration. Marine Mammal Internship Marine Mammal Education and Research If you have any questions please feel free to reach out or see the links in my signature, below. Best wishes, Brendon Dempsey Intern Coordinator New England Aquarium tel 617.226.2153 BDempsey at neaq.org www.neaq.org Applying for Internships Internship Positions Have questions? Internship FAQ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jailsonfm at gmail.com Mon Jan 11 04:23:37 2016 From: jailsonfm at gmail.com (Jailson Fulgencio de Moura) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 13:23:37 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?New_Paper_=E2=80=93_Kogia_whales_in_Brazilian_?= =?utf-8?q?coast_-_PlosOne?= Message-ID: Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of our paper *?Stranding Events of Kogia Whales along the Brazilian Coast?* (January, 2016) in *PlosOne*. Moura, J.F., Acevedo-Trejos, E., Tavares, D.C., Meirelles, A.C.O., Silva, C.P.N., Oliveira, L.R., Santos, R.A., Wickert, J.C., Machado, R., Siciliano, S. & Merico, A. (2015) *Stranding events of Kogia whales along the Brazilian coast*. PLoS ONE, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146108 ?Abstract ? The genus *Kogia*, which comprises only two extant species, *Kogia sima* and *Kogia* *breviceps*, represents one of the least known groups of cetaceans in the global ocean. In some coastal regions, however, stranding events of these species have been relatively common over the last decades. Stranding provides the opportunity to investigate the biology of these cetaceans and to explore the epidemiological aspects associated with the mortality of the organisms found on the beach. A number of disturbances (including pelagic fisheries, chemical pollution, boat strikes, and noise pollution) have been confirmed to pose a particular threat to the *Kogia* species. However, no study has yet investigated potential relationships between environmental conditions and stranding events. Here we analyse how a collection of environmental, physical, and biological variables, such as wind, sea surface temperature (SST), water depth, and chlorophyll-a, correlate to *Kogia* stranding events along the Brazilian coast. The results of our statistical analyses suggest that *K. sima* is more likely found in warm tropical waters, which provide an explanation for the high frequency of stranding in northeastern Brazilian coast. In contrast, *K. breviceps* appears to have a preference for temperate and productive waters. Wind speed results to be also an important factor for predicting *Kogia* strandings in Brazilian coast. Additionally, literature information in combination with our own data and analyses of stomach contents confirms that oceanic cephalopods constitute the primary nutritional source of both *Kogia* species. By using the available information as a qualitative proxy for habitat preference and feeding ecology, our study provides a novel and comprehensive assessment of *Kogia* stranding data in relation to environmental conditions along the Brazilian coast. A full copy of the paper can be downloaded at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146108 Sincerely yours, -- Dr. Jailson F. Moura Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology System Ecology Group Fahrenheitstrasse 6 D - 28359 Bremen, Germany Tel:+49(0)421/23800-105 www.zmt-bremen.de -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From gianni.pavan at gmail.com Tue Jan 12 03:21:11 2016 From: gianni.pavan at gmail.com (Gianni Pavan) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:21:11 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New Report Available Message-ID: Dear colleagues, on behalf of my coauthors I'm pleased to announce the availability of the final report of a project granted by ACCOBAMS: *OVERVIEW OF THE NOISE HOTSPOTS IN THE ACCOBAMS AREA* *Part I ? Mediterranean Sea* Alessio MAGLIO, Gianni PAVAN, Manuel CASTELLOTE Silvia FREY Short Abstract: Identifying areas of high anthropogenic pressure on the marine environment is a key element for an effective environmental management and for mitigating impacts. As underwater noise is considered a major threat for cetaceans, the ACCOBAMS Agreement has undertaken a work aiming at identifying noise hotspots and areas of potential conflicts with cetacean conservation. The global aim of this project is to gather baseline knowledge on noise-producing human activities in the Mediterranean Sea. The report is available on ResearchGate *DOI:* 10.13140/RG.2.1.2574.8560 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290084063_Overview_of_the_Noise_Hotspots_in_the_ACCOBAMS_Area_Part_I_-_Mediterranean_Sea -- Gianni Pavan Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali Universit? degli Studi di Pavia Via Taramelli 24, 27100 Pavia http://www.unipv.it/cibra http://mammiferimarini.unipv.it -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From s.kuczaj at usm.edu Mon Jan 11 09:14:56 2016 From: s.kuczaj at usm.edu (Stan Kuczaj) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:14:56 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Dolphin Behavior Class Message-ID: <7370A35A-512B-4D3B-853D-EC9D67FABF14@usm.edu> Earn four semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in psychology or biology by joining Dr. Stan Kuczaj, Director of the Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory at the University of Southern Mississippi, and participate in studies of dolphin communication and social interaction at the Roatan Institute of Marine Studies in the Bay Islands of Honduras. Dates of the course: May 21 - June 4, 2016. Application Deadline: March 4, 2016 Office of International Programs International Center 409 601.266.4344 ? studyabroad at usm.edu www.usm.edu/study-abroad -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From plyne1 at eircom.net Wed Jan 13 14:43:19 2016 From: plyne1 at eircom.net (Patrick Lyne) Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:43:19 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Life on the Edge Message-ID: <002e01d14e53$cd237480$676a5d80$@net> Life on the Edge ? Ireland/France Outward Cruise: Dates 28th of August to September 7th Castletownbere (West Cork, Ireland) to Camaret (Brittany, France) Return Cruise: September 8th to 18th Camaret (Brittany) to Castletownbere (West Cork). You are invited to join a training cruise recording cetacean activity principally in the Irish EEZ from West Cork to Brittany where the shelf edge is targeted from Ireland to France on Jessy of Adrigole a 37ft yacht (Jessy ). Participants will receive instructions on how to record and recognise sightings prior to joining and these will be covered again on start up and reinforced during the survey. This data will be submitted to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group database and used for future publications on the distribution of cetaceans in Irish waters. Data from UK and French waters will be made available to relevant authorities in these jurisdictions. Anyone with a strong interest in acoustics and some previous knowledge should let us know beforehand so we can accommodate this as well. Otherwise a basic introduction to acoustics will be included with instruction. This is an opportunity to gain experience of a wide variety of cetaceans in a natural setting with minimal or no disturbance and will enhance the detection and behavioural analysis of marine mammal observers and acoustics operators. Sailing instruction will be provided as necessary but no qualifications will be obtained. Sailing time can be logged for experience if required. No prior experience of sailing, or marine mammals is required but some prior experience or interest is typical of all previous crews members. This will be the fifth year of operation but the first time exploring the rarely visited canyon systems off the South West of Ireland where it is expected large baleen whales (fin/blue),beaked (hopefully), sperm and pilot whales may be encountered among others. The objective for the entire crew is to gather as much sightings data and acoustic data on species encountered as possible, along the shelf edge, in sea states of 3 or less. While 10 days are allowed, sailing a direct crossing from West Cork to Brittany can very comfortably be undertaken in two days. Participants should expect to spend about 5 or 7 days at sea depending on weather and will be required to assist in sailing the vessel, recording sightings and other crewing duties. While it is intended to avoid rough weather this can never be guaranteed. Night time sailing will be required and crew will sleep in shifts at night. While time at sea is not luxurious, it is hoped to record a large variety and number of species and this is an opportunity for participants to see the greatest variety and abundance that the Irish and French (and UK) waters have to offer. Time on the shelf edge will be determined by weather and typically the Celtic Sea will see calmer weather and we will his area unless necessary. Early September typically sees periods of settled weather so we will utilise these to cover track lines on the shelf edge. Cost for joining the crew on this survey will be ?1310 for either outward or return journey and IWDG membership (www.iwdg.ie ). Food on board will be provided, although when in port crew will buy their own meals ashore typically. We may spend days in port while waiting for good weather and will hope to arrive in port before appointed final date. Participants will be expected to organise their own travel to and from Cork/Brittany but we will assist in any way we can. Further details are available on request by email to mmo at iwdg.ie . Patrick Lyne MMO Coordinator IWDG Disert Castletownbere County Cork Ireland Email: mmo at iwdg.ie / plyne1 at eircom.net Website: www.iwdg.ie Ph: 353 27 71930 Mob: 353 86 2334424 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From paula.olson at noaa.gov Tue Jan 12 16:40:59 2016 From: paula.olson at noaa.gov (Paula Olson - NOAA Affiliate) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:40:59 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: New Zealand blue whales: residency, morphology, and feeding behavior of a little-known population Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication on blue whales in New Zealand waters: Olson, P.A., Ensor, P., Olavarria, C., Bott, N., Constantine, R., Weir, J., Childerhouse, S., van der Linde, M., Schmitt, N., Miller, B.S., and Double, M.C. 2015. New Zealand blue whales: residency, morphology, and feeding behavior of a little-known population. Pacific Science (69)4: 477-485. Abstract: Blue whales are infrequently reported from New Zealand and their taxonomic status is unclear. Here we present new information on the residency, external morphology, and habitat use of blue whales encountered in New Zealand waters. Thirty-one blue whales were photo-identified around the North and South Islands of New Zealand from 2004-2014 in seven different months of the year. One photographic match was found between June 2011 and March 2013: the first evidence that an individual blue whale has remained in or returned to New Zealand waters in different years and seasons. Observations of the external morphology of blue whales encountered off the South Island confirm that there is a shorter, non-Antarctic form of blue whale occurring near New Zealand. Body length and proportion, head shape, body condition and skin condition were similar to Australian but not Antarctic blue whales. In 2013, feeding behavior was observed off the South Island?s west coast and strong evidence of feeding was observed off the east coast, the first reported occurrence of feeding for these locations. Feeding behavior was also observed in the Hauraki Gulf in November 2010. Feeding in these widely spread locations, in addition to the recently reported foraging ground in the South Taranaki Bight, suggest that New Zealand coastal waters are a feeding area for blue whales. For information or requests please contact: Paula.Olson at noaa.gov Warm regards, Paula A. Olson Marine Mammal Biologist Visiting Scientist/Marine Mammal and Turtle Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center/NMFS/NOAA 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, California 92037 USA Tel: 858-546-5616 Paula.Olson at noaa.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mmadden at nmlc.org Tue Jan 12 13:23:25 2016 From: mmadden at nmlc.org (Margot Madden) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:23:25 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] National Marine Life Center 2016 Summer Internship Opportunities Message-ID: <00aa01d14d7f$7973c2b0$6c5b4810$@nmlc.org> The National Marine Life Center is seeking qualified students to fill our summer internship positions. Marine Animal Rehabilitation/Education interns will assist NMLC staff and volunteers with education projects and animal husbandry, and Marketing/Development interns will assist with fundraising, public relations, social media. See below for the complete details. Marine Animal Rehabilitation & Education Internship Animal Care Responsibilities: Depending on need and case load, interns will assist with the care of the NMLC rehabilitation patients including seals, sea turtles, and freshwater turtles. Animal Care duties will include animal restraint; cleaning; disinfecting tanks, equipment, and environmental enrichment devices; preparing food; administering feeds (including tube feeding); record keeping; facility maintenance; and water quality testing. Interns will also assist animal care staff with medical procedures, admission exams, animal necropsies, and release events. Education Responsibilities: Interns will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, fairs, and festivals. Interns will assist in giving public presentations to guests of NMLC and educate them on marine animals and conservation. Interns will assist in the gift shop, assist with various office projects, create displays for the Discovery Center, and help create lesson plans and activities that are aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks. Other Responsibilities: Each intern will take on a project which they will work on for the duration of their internship. The project must be proposed by the student and agreed upon with the NMLC staff. At the end of the internship, the intern will present the project to the staff, volunteers, and members of the public. Each intern will also be assigned a weekly chore to assist with the upkeep of the facility and equipment, and will be required to attend regularly scheduled intern meetings. Positions are unpaid. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer suggestions. 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 biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields. . Intern should demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. . 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. . Spring interns should be available to work from May 23, 2016 through August 21, 2016. . Interns should expect to work 30-40 hours per week which will include early morning and/or late night seal feedings. . If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to Kate Shaffer & Margot Madden at apply at nmlc.org or P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532. Applications must be received by August 1 for the fall semester, November 30 for the spring semester, or February 28 for the summer semester. Marketing/Development Internship Responsibilities: . Promoting NMLC's mission through appropriate publications and venues. . Assisting with donor outreach and communications, including donor tracking, follow-up, and upkeep of the donor database. . Updating community and website calendars with upcoming events and educational programs. . Assist in the planning and execution of fundraising events including our annual Mermaid Ball, Feet Fins & Flippers 5K, Deals for Seals Yard Sale, and The Spectacle of the Trees. Specific activities include: Creating event marketing materials, Writing press releases, Managing the 5K t-shirt design competition, Recruiting event sponsors, Recruiting donations for auction and raffle prizes, Helping with event registration and day of preparations . Maintaining social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram. . Maintaining our WordPress website. . Research potential funding sources and apply for funding through grants and sponsorship programs. . Update and edit current marketing materials such as brochures, flyers, direct mailings, and educational materials. . Update NMLC's marketing plan, social media policy, media policy, & other communications policies Qualifications: . The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an accredited college or university. . Preference will be given to students or recent graduates in marketing, communications, or other related fields. . Strong written and verbal communication skills. . Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. . Must be outgoing and personable with good social and conversational skills. . Have knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and blogging . Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. . Spring interns should be available to work from May 23, 2016 through August 21, 2016. . Intern should expect to work 20-24 hours per week, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. . If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. This position is unpaid. Interns must have their own transportation. Housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer suggestions. To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and one letter of reference to Kate Shaffer at apply at nmlc.org or P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, 02532. Applications must be received by August 1 for the fall semester, November 30 for the spring semester, or February 28 for the summer. Margot Madden Animal Care and Volunteer Coordinator National Marine Life Center P.O. Box 269, 120 Main Street Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-0269 p. (508) 743-9888 X306 f. (508) 759-5477 www.nmlc.org mmadden at nmlc.org --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From intern at savethemanatee.org Sun Jan 10 17:51:02 2016 From: intern at savethemanatee.org (Intern) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 01:51:02 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Reclassification Notice Message-ID: Hello, Save the Manatee Club requests that you distribute the FWS's reclassification notice regarding the Florida Manatee, along with information regarding submitting comments to FWS. The notice can be found at this link http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=u.s.-fish-and-wildlife-service-to-reclassify-west-indian-manatee-from-&_ID=35428 and is copied below. "MIAMI, Fla. ? As a result of significant improvements in its population and habitat conditions, and reductions in direct threats, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today that the West Indian manatee is proposed to be downlisted from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposal to downlist the manatee to threatened will not affect federal protections currently afforded by the ESA, and the Service remains committed to conservation actions to fully recover manatee populations. The ESA defines an endangered species as one currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and a threatened species as one that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. Given its review of the best scientific and commercial information available, including analyses of threats and populations, the Service proposes that the West Indian manatee no longer falls within the ESA?s definition of endangered and should be reclassified as threatened. The Service will publish its proposal in the Federal Register tomorrow, beginning a 90-day comment period in which the public is invited to submit scientific or technical information that will aid the agency in reaching its final decision. ?The manatee is one of the most charismatic and instantly recognizable species,? said Michael Bean, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the Department of the Interior. ?It?s hard to imagine the waters of Florida without them, but that was the reality we were facing before manatees were listed under the Endangered Species Act. While there is still more work to be done to fully recover manatee populations, their numbers are climbing and the threats to the species? survival are being reduced. Today?s proposal is a positive step that recognizes the progress citizens, conservation groups, the State of Florida, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and our own Service employees have made working together.? The manatee protection measures currently in place would remain in force if the species is downlisted from endangered to threatened. These measures by the Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, other state and federal agencies, and industries resulted in the establishment of over 50 manatee protection areas and have played a key role in reversing the species? decline. Retrofitted water control structures have resulted in significant decreases in manatee fatalities, and power companies are working cooperatively with federal and state conservation managers to address warm water outflows at wintering manatee congregation sites. Florida counties have made significant progress in developing and implementing manatee protection plans and siting boat facilities to reduce boater impacts on manatees. The Service works with the Coast Guard to enforce manatee protection areas and minimize collisions with high-speed boats. Significant advances have also been made in reducing the threat from entanglement in fishing gear. Additionally, manatee rescue, rehabilitation and release organizations help save dozens of manatees yearly, with a majority successfully released back into the wild. Today, the range-wide minimum known population is estimated to be at least 13,000 manatees, with more than 6,300 in Florida. When aerial surveys began in 1991, there were only an estimated 1,267 manatees in Florida, meaning that over the last 25 years there?s been a 500 percent increase in the species population in that state. ?The manatee?s recovery is incredibly encouraging and a great testament to the conservation actions of many,? said Cindy Dohner, the Service?s Southeast Regional Director in conjunction with an event at the Miami Seaquarium to announce the Service?s proposal. ?Today?s proposal is not only about recognizing this progress, but it?s also about recommitting ourselves to ensuring the manatee?s long-term success and recovery. ?As part of its balanced approach to the recovery of the manatee, the Service recognizes that even as it proposes to update the manatee?s status under the ESA with this proposal, it may at times need to strengthen protection for the species in specific local areas,? Dohner added. ?For example, the Service is reviewing comments on a proposal to establish greater protection for manatees at Three Sisters Springs, which is part of the agency?s Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge north of Tampa, Florida.? The manatee also remains protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Today?s action follows an extensive review of the threats the species faces, and the conservation actions put into place to help recover the manatee. The proposal relies on the most recent science and recommendations from a 2007 West Indian Manatee Five-Year Status Review. It also serves as a 12-month finding in response to a petition filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation and Save Crystal River, Inc. In its review, the Service considered the status of the West Indian manatee throughout its range. West Indian manatees are found in the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Greater and Lesser Antilles. The finding and additional information is available online at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov/. In the Keyword box, enter Docket Number FWS-R4-ES-2015-0178. Background information on the Florida and Antillean sub-species is available at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammal/manatee/. To ensure the Service?s review is complete and based on the best available scientific and commercial information, the Service is requesting information concerning the status of the West Indian manatee throughout its entire range (see range map). Specifically, the Service seeks information on the manatee?s biology, distribution, abundance, population trends, demographics and genetics; habitat conditions; the threat posed by climate change; past and ongoing conservation measures that have been implemented for the species, its habitat or both; threat status and trends within the geographical range; and a wide variety of other information. Public comments on this proposal can be made until April 7, 2016. To learn more about how to submit comments as well as locations for future public hearings on the proposal, seeFrequently Asked Questions. The ESA plays a critical role in conserving and recovering our most at-risk wildlife, and has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the species originally listed as threatened or endangered. Listing a species such as the manatee brings worldwide attention to its plight and drives coordinated conservation efforts across a range of potential partners. The ESA also provides crucial conservation funding for recovery efforts to reduce threats, protect and restore habitats, and increase populations. Listen to the press conference: Your browser does not support the audio element. Download the audio A transcript of the recording will be available for download as soon as it is ready. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who can make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with the Service Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch the YouTube Channel athttp://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from the Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast." Along with the notice, please include the following link and/or information regarding submitting a comment to FWS. http://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammal/manatee/pdf/manatee-frequently-asked-questions.pdf "You may submit information by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Keyword box, enter Docket Number FWS-R4-ES-2015-0178, which is the docket number for this action. Then, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen under the Document Type heading, click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ?Send a Comment or Submission.? (2) U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-R4- ES-2015-0178, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Headquarters, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (3) Attend the public hearing scheduled below during the open comment period: Location: Orlando, FL Date: Saturday, February 20, 2016 Venue: Buena Vista Palace Convention Center, 1900 Buena Vista Drive, The Great Hall, Orlando, Florida, 32830 Informational Open House: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Formal Public Hearing: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the public hearings should contact Chuck Underwood of the North Florida Ecological Services Office at 904-731-3332 or via e-mail to chuck_underwood at fws.gov at least one week prior to the desired meeting date. All comments and information submitted during the open comment period, regardless of which submission method is selected, will be reviewed and considered by Service staff prior to making a final decision. Additionally, comments submitted electronically don?t also need to be mailed. Comments submitted by mail need not be sent electronically as well. Oral comments given at public hearings will be captured by a court reporter as part of the official hearing transcript and need not be submitted by other methods. All comments and transcripts will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov and be available for review. The Service will post all information received, including comments and hearing transcripts, on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that the Service will post any personal information that is provided (see the Request for Information section of the Federal Register notice for more details). In order to allow sufficient time for biologists to review and consider submitted information and conduct the review, submissions must be received on or before Thursday, April 7, 2016." Thank you for your time. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Regards, Michelle Culver Conservation Intern Save the Manatee Club 500 N. Maitland Ave. Maitland, FL 32751 Email: intern at savethemanatee.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From hcpearson at uas.alaska.edu Tue Jan 12 10:55:45 2016 From: hcpearson at uas.alaska.edu (Heidi C Pearson) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:55:45 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] M.S. position available at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Message-ID: <1452624945155.65390@uas.alaska.edu> M.S. position available at the University of Alaska Fairbanks I am pleased to announce the availability of a M.S. in Fisheries position with the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (SFOS) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) starting in Summer 2016. The goal of the project is to assess the ecological costs and educational benefits of whale-watching in Juneau, AK using theodolite observations of humpback whales and passenger surveys. Field work for this project will occur during the summers of 2016 and 2017. This project is funded by Alaska SeaGrant (https://seagrant.uaf.edu/news/fishlines/2015/november.php). The research assistantship available for this position includes tuition, health insurance, and a stipend for 2 years. In addition to meeting the UAF and SFOS graduate admission requirements (https://www.uaf.edu/sfos/academics/apply/graduate-fisheries/), students should have experience conducting behavioral observations of marine mammals and strong quantitative skills. Previous experience in photo-identification, theodolite tracking, and humpback whale behavioral ecology is also desired. Applications may be submitted through the UAF admissions website: http://www.uaf.edu/admissions/apply/#new. The deadline for Summer admission is May 1, 2016 but applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please contact me if you have any questions: Dr. Heidi Pearson Assistant Professor of Marine Biology University of Alaska Southeast (http://www.uas.alaska.edu/dir/hcpearson.html) and University of Alaska Fairbanks (https://www.sfos.uaf.edu/directory/faculty/pearson/) 907-796-6271 hcpearson at uas.alaska.edu ? --------------------------------------------- Heidi Pearson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Marine Biology University of Alaska Southeast 11120 Glacier Highway, AND1 Juneau, AK 99801 907-796-6271 hcpearson at uas.alaska.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From oasis.excurrent at gmail.com Thu Jan 14 00:34:25 2016 From: oasis.excurrent at gmail.com (Shambhu Paudel) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:19:25 +0545 Subject: [MARMAM] Research Paper: Fisheries and Ganges River Dolphin Interaction Message-ID: Dear Colleagues: I am pleased to announce the publication of our research article: Paudel S, Levesque JC, Saavedra C, Pita C, Pal P. (2016) Characterization of the artisanal fishing communities in Nepal and potential implications for the conservation and management of Ganges River Dolphin (*Platanista gangetica gangetica*) PeerJ 4:e1563 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1563 The Ganges River dolphin (*Platanista gangetica gangetica*) (GRD) is classified as one of the most endangered of all cetaceans in the world and the second scarcest freshwater cetacean. The population is estimated to be less than 2,000 individuals. In Nepal?s Narayani, Sapta Koshi, and Karnali river systems, survival of GRD continues to be threatened by various anthropogenic activities, such as dam construction and interactions with artisanal fisheries. A basic description of the geographic scope, economics, and types of gear used in these fisheries would help managers understand the fishery-dolphin interaction conflict and assist with developing potential solutions. The main goal was to provide new information on the artisanal fishing communities in Nepal. The specific objectives were to identify, compile, and investigate the demographics, economics, fishing characteristics, and perception of fishermen about GRD conservation in the Narayani, Sapta Koshi, and Karnali rivers so conservation managers can develop and implement a potential solution to the GRD-fishery interaction problem in Nepal. Based on 169 interviews, 79% of Nepalese fishermen indicated fishing was their primary form of income. Fishermen reported fishing effort was greater in summer than winter; greatest in the afternoon (14:30 hrs ? 0:27) and during low water level conditions; and gear was set 4.8 ? 0.2 days/week. Fishermen reported using eight different types of monofilament nets (gillnets and cast nets). Sixty percent used gillnets less than 10 m long, and nearly 30% preferred gillnets between 10 and 100 m long; a few used gillnets longer than 100 m. Most fishermen reported they believed education, awareness, and changing occupations were important for GRD conservation, but they indicated that alternative occupational options were currently limited in Nepal. Nepalese fishermen acknowledged that fisheries posed a risk to GRD, but they believed water pollution, and dam/irrigation developments were the greatest threats. For more details:https://peerj.com/articles/1563/ Thanks Shambhu Paudel -- *Assistant Professor for Wildlife/GIS/RS * * ||*Kathmandu Forestry College ||Kathmandu, Nepal || www.kafcol.edu.np Cell: 977-9841-170723 *South Asia Representative for *World Cetacean Alliance www.worldcetaceanalliance.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jenlouise2010 at gmail.com Thu Jan 14 04:03:21 2016 From: jenlouise2010 at gmail.com (jen adams) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:03:21 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Research and Outreach Assistants, Isle of Man Message-ID: Good afternoon, Please could you post the following volunteer advert to the mailing list. Thank you Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch is a charity based on the Isle of Man working towards the conservation of cetaceans in Manx waters through research and education. We are currently recruiting full-time volunteer Marine Research and Outreach Assistants for the 2016 season to work from Monday 2nd May to Friday 2nd September. Please only apply if you can commit to the full length of the placement. This vacancy is suitable for those with no previous experience or qualifications. The deadline is 7th February 2016. Manx territorial waters are home to 5 local species of cetacean and are of particular importance to Risso's dolphins. The majority of your time here will be split between four activities: land-based surveys, boat-based surveys, office tasks and public engagement. Land-based surveys are at the core of what we do and form the majority of the effort based data that we collect. Boat-based surveys take place on our research vessel ?Girl Pat? whenever the sea state is good enough. These surveys allow us to calculate relative abundance of cetaceans and also are when we obtain the majority of our images for photo-identification. These surveys are usually the highlights of the summer and provide us with all of the offshore information currently known about cetaceans in Manx waters. The principal office activities you will participate in are data analysis and photo-identification. Extensive work is being done with our Risso's dolphin catalogue which you will help to collate. 2016 marks our 10 year anniversary and our first year as a registered charity. Our Outreach and Education Officer is looking to organise a number of public events to raise our profile and help raise funds. You will be have the opportunity to assist her in the development, advertising and running of these events. We also attend numerous small events such as carnivals and fun-days with our stall to talk to the public about our work. You may also have the opportunity to assist with children?s clubs and school visits. You will be living in a shared house along with the other members of staff and volunteers. Rent is ?50 per week plus bills. This position is unpaid and volunteers will be expected to fund their own travel to the Isle of Man. We do not have a typical working week as we have to take advantage of good weather when it is available, however, we typically work five days per week including most weekends. To apply, please email us on manxwhaleanddolphinwatch at gmail.com with a copy of your CV and a covering letter explaining why you would like to come and volunteer with us. Please take a look at our website (www.mwdw.net) and find us on Facebook to learn more about our work and the species you can see here. -- Jen Adams Outreach Officer Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch www.mwdw.net Mobile: 07624 393 496 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From guido.parra at flinders.edu.au Thu Jan 14 14:16:15 2016 From: guido.parra at flinders.edu.au (Guido Parra Vergara) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 22:16:15 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publications Australian humpback dolphins Message-ID: Dear colleagues On behalf of myself and my co-authors, I am pleased to announce three new articles on the biology and conservation of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis): * Parra GJ, Cagnazzi D (2016) Chapter Seven - Conservation Status of the Australian Humpback Dolphin (Sousa sahulensis) Using the IUCN Red List Criteria. In: Advances in Marine Biology (eds. Thomas AJ, Barbara EC), pp. 157-192. Academic Press. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.07.006 Abstract Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) were recently described as a new species endemic to northern Australia and potentially southern New Guinea. We assessed the species conservation status against IUCN Red List Criteria using available information on their biology, ecology and threatening processes. Knowledge of population sizes and trends across the species range is lacking. Recent genetic studies indicate Australian humpback dolphins live in small and relatively isolated populations with limited gene flow among them. The available abundance estimates range from 14 to 207 individuals and no population studied to date is estimated to contain more than 104 mature individuals. The Potential Biological Removal method indicates populations are vulnerable to even low rates of anthropogenic mortality. Habitat degradation and loss is ongoing and expected to increase across the species range in Australia, and a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals is anticipated. Considering the available evidence and following a precautionary approach, we considered this species as Vulnerable under IUCN criterion C2a(i) because the total number of mature individuals is plausibly fewer than 10,000, an inferred continuing decline due to cumulative impacts, and each of the populations studied to date is estimated to contain fewer than 1000 mature individuals. Ongoing research efforts and recently developed research strategies and priorities will provide valuable information towards the future conservation and management of Australian humpback dolphins. * Hanf DM, Hunt T, Parra GJ (2016) Chapter Eight - Humpback Dolphins of Western Australia: A Review of Current Knowledge and Recommendations for Future Management. In: Advances in Marine Biology (eds. Thomas AJ, Barbara EC), pp. 193-218. Academic Press. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.07.004 Abstract Among the many cetacean species that occupy Australian coastal waters, Australian humpback dolphins, Sousa sahulensis, are one of the most vulnerable to extirpation due to human activities. This review summarises the existing knowledge, presently occurring and planned research projects, and current conservation measures for humpback dolphins in Western Australia (WA). Rapid and wide-scale coastal development along the northern WA coastline has occurred despite a lack of baseline data for inshore dolphins and, therefore, without a precautionary approach to their conservation. The distribution, abundance, habitat use, and population structure of humpback dolphins remain poorly understood. Less than 1% of their inferred distribution has so far been studied to understand local population demography. The sparse data available suggest that WA humpback dolphins occur as localised populations in low numbers within a range of inshore habitats, including both clear and turbid coastal waters. Marine protected areas cover a third of their inferred distribution in WA, but the efficacy of these reserves in protecting local cetacean populations is unknown. There is a pressing need for coordination and collaboration among scientists, government agencies, industry bodies, Traditional Owners, and local community groups to fill in the gaps of information on humpback dolphins in WA. The recently developed strategies and sampling guidelines developed by state and federal governments should serve as a best practise standard for collection of data aimed at assessing the conservation status of humpback dolphins in WA and Australia. * Brown AM, Bejder L, Parra GJ, et al. (2016) Chapter Ten - Sexual Dimorphism and Geographic Variation in Dorsal Fin Features of Australian Humpback Dolphins, Sousa sahulensis. In: Advances in Marine Biology (eds. Thomas AJ, Barbara EC), pp. 273-314. Academic Press. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.08.002 Abstract Determining the sex of free-ranging cetaceans can be challenging. Sexual dimorphism among external features may allow inferences on sex, but such patterns may be difficult to detect and are often confounded by age and geographic variation. Dorsal fin images of 107 female and 54 male Australian humpback dolphins, Sousa sahulensis, from Western Australia (WA) and Queensland (QLD) were used to investigate sex, age and geographic differences in colouration, height/length quotient and number of notches. Adult males exhibited more dorsal fin notches (p < 0.001) and a significantly greater loss of pigmentation on the upper half of their dorsal fins (p < 0.001) than did adult females. These differences likely reflect that males experience a higher frequency and/or intensity of intraspecific aggression than females. In QLD, heavily spotted dorsal fins were more frequent among females than males (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that dorsal fin spotting and loss of pigmentation on the upper half of the dorsal fin provided the best model parameters for predicting the sex of sampled adults, with 97% accuracy. This technique offers a rapid, non-invasive method for predicting sex in Australian humpback dolphins, which could potentially be applied to populations throughout their range. In contrast to adults, presumed immature animals showed little or no loss of pigmentation or spotting; however, the rate of development of these features remains unknown. There were pronounced differences between QLD and WA in the intensity of spotting on dorsal fins and the extent of pigmentation loss around the posterior insertion and trailing edge of the dorsal fin. While based on a limited sample size, these geographic differences may have conservation implications in terms of population subdivision and should be investigated further. Articles available at links above or email: guido.parra at flinders.edu.au All the best, Guido ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guido J. Parra, PhD Senior Lecturer | School of Biological Sciences Flinders University * Staff: http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/guido.parra Research leader | Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) * Lab: www.cebel.org.au School of Biological Sciences Flinders University Sturt Road, Bedford Park 5042 SA, Adelaide GPO Box 2100 Adelaide, SA 5001 Australia * +61 8 8201 3565|0437639843|* guido.parra at flinders.edu.au [cid:image002.png at 01D14F71.5A7F83A0] [cid:image004.png at 01D14F71.5A7F83A0] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ P Please consider the environment before printing this email CRICOS Registered Provider. The Flinders University of South Australia|CRICOS provider Number: 00114A -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.png Type: image/png Size: 4295 bytes Desc: image002.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image004.png Type: image/png Size: 9738 bytes Desc: image004.png URL: From erbe_c at yahoo.com Thu Jan 14 11:03:48 2016 From: erbe_c at yahoo.com (C Erbe) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 20:03:48 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] review of communication masking in marine mammals Message-ID: <6586A4EF-8658-40B3-80F3-FC2BB03B69DA@yahoo.com> Happy new year, folks. The below article might be of interest to some. It?s a review of masking in marine mammals, including a summary of all available audiogram data, critical ratios and bandwidths for all marine mammal species. C. Erbe, C. Reichmuth, K. C. Cunningham, K. Lucke and R. J. Dooling, "Communication masking in marine mammals: A review and research strategy," Marine Pollution Bulletin (2016). doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.007 Underwater noise, whether of natural or anthropogenic origin, has the ability to interfere with the way in which marine mammals receive acoustic signals (i.e., for communication, social interaction, foraging, navigation, etc.). This phenomenon, termed auditory masking, has been well studied in humans and terrestrial vertebrates (in particular birds), but less so in marine mammals. Anthropogenic underwater noise seems to be increasing in parts of the world?s oceans and concerns about associated bioacoustic effects, including masking, are growing. In this article, we review our understanding of masking in marine mammals, summarise data on marine mammal hearing as they relate to masking (including audiograms, critical ratios, critical bandwidths, and auditory integration times), discuss masking release processes of receivers (including comodulation masking release and spatial release from masking) and anti-masking strategies of signalers (e.g. Lombard effect), and set a research framework for improved assessment of potential masking in marine mammals. The article is open access and can be downloaded for free here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15302125 Cheerio, Christine Christine Erbe Director | Centre for Marine Science & Technology Curtin University GPO Box U1987 Perth, Western Australia 6845 Web | http://cmst.curtin.edu.au -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From daniela.maldini at ucc.ie Tue Jan 12 05:16:16 2016 From: daniela.maldini at ucc.ie (Maldini, Daniela) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:16:16 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Monitoring Programme Field Assistant (2 positions) Message-ID: <813598759410DF4D9A3F35199B647BF904531C58@exchmbx03.central.ad.ucc.ie> Marine Mammal Monitoring Programme Field Assistant Applications are invited for two paid Research Assistant positions working on a marine mammal monitoring programme in Co. Mayo on the west coast of Ireland. The marine mammal monitoring programme is grant aided by Shell E&P Ireland through RSK Environment Ltd with support funding from Science Foundation Ireland under MaREI (Marine Renewable Energy Ireland). Background: Under a development plan for the CORRIB gas field off western Ireland, Enterprise Energy Ireland Ltd. commissioned the Coastal & Marine Research Centre (CMRC), University College Cork to conduct an independent marine mammal monitoring programme in northwest Ireland in 2001/2002. Research was undertaken in Broadhaven Bay (candidate Special Area of Conservation - cSAC), County Mayo and its adjoining coastal waters. The programme of marine mammal monitoring was continued in 2005, and has been continuous since 2008 during the CORRIB development?s marine phases, to safeguard protected species from potential impacts. A valuable long-term dataset of marine mammal occurrence and distribution has resulted, through visual and acoustic efforts. Research efforts will continue until March 2018 with support from Science Foundation Ireland under MaREI building on efforts to date. Position: We are recruiting two research assistants for a 4-month and a 6-month position to join a project leader, and three interns to conduct marine mammal monitoring in Broadhaven Bay for the field season. The positions will be from June ? September (4 month) and April ? September (6 month) 2016. The candidates will ideally be an experienced researcher (MSc. Level) with previous marine mammal monitoring experience, employed through MaREI Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork and will be based close to the study area in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo. Office space and shared accommodation/field station will be provided for the team. Data collection will primarily be in the form of land-based surveys and PAM using C-PODs. The majority of the time when not in the field (data collection is very weather dependent in Ireland) will be spent entering and analysing data and producing reports. Key duties and responsibilities ? To work under the direction of the Project Manager/Postdoc ? To conduct shore-based marine mammal surveys ? To assist with analyses of cetacean visual and acoustic datasets ? To perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and some interpretation of information/results. ? To undertake tasks which may include recording results and preparing technical reports including conclusions and recommendations. ? To present information on research progress and outcomes to others responsible for the research project. ? To provide guidance as required to any research students or interns assisting with the research project, as agreed with the Project Manager/Postdoc ? To contribute to the publication of findings. Criteria: ? A minimum of an MSc in biology/ecology ? Ability to work in the EU (citizen, resident or with work visa in hand) ? Full-driver license and own car are essential ? At least one year of marine mammal sighting experience both land and boat based ? Experience with using a theodolite to track marine mammals (VADAR experience a plus) ? Experience in using CPODs and working with acoustic data ? Experience in using Excel, R and ArcGIS ? Statistical analytical experience and modelling experience a plus ? GIS skills/experience ? Experience in writing reports/publications ? Experience in working remotely and unsupervised ? Proven ability to work as part of a small team ? Proven ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time often in adverse weather ? Good physical fitness ? Good interpersonal skills The following skills are also desirable ? Cetacean photo-id experience ? JNCC MMO course ? Safety at sea course ? First aid course Duration and salary: Duration is for a 4 or 6 month period. The salary for this position (gross) is fixed at ?21,850 per annum. Application: The closing date for applications is February 15th. Candidates should submit their curriculum vitae including references and a cover letter via email to Daniela Maldini: daniela.maldini at ucc.ie. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: MaREI field assistant positions.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 341357 bytes Desc: MaREI field assistant positions.pdf URL: From anadinis at yahoo.com Thu Jan 14 10:30:48 2016 From: anadinis at yahoo.com (ana dinis) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 18:30:48 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] Announcement: Workshop on "Remote insular marine habitats: how important are these regions for oceanic cetacean populations", 30th ECS, Funchal, Madeira, March 2016 References: <1348709931.4176526.1452796248408.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1348709931.4176526.1452796248408.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Dear MARMAM list members, ? The following workshop, organized by theCIIMAR-Madeira/OOM will be held at the forthcoming ECS Conference in Funchal - Madeira, on Saturday, 12th March (half day,morning): ?Remote insularmarine habitats: how important are these regions for oceanic cetaceanpopulations? ? Abstract Oceanic islands worldwide provide importanthabitat for a variety of cetacean species. Archipelagos like Madeira, Azores,the Canaries or Hawaii, are good examples of such habitats, each of them with25 or more species of odontocetes and mysticetes documented. Despite being openocean oligotrophic regions, the islands surrounding waters are known for theirbiological productivity that attracts many pelagic organisms. Moreover,island-associated communities similar to the ones found in continental coastalhabitats were identified in many of these archipelagos. Yet, little is knownabout the interaction of these individuals with the offshore communities andits significances for the sustainability of these populations. The purpose ofthis workshop is to bring together researchers conducting studies in similarenvironments to share knowledge for a better understanding of these uniquehabitats and what they represent for cetacean populations worldwide. We wouldlike to encourage researchers all over the world working in such regions tosubmit talks resuming their studies in these cetacean populations. ? Theworkshop 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? Moreinformation about the workshop at: http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0. Further details with a programme will be sent closer to the date of theworkshop to those who have registered to attend. ?Bestregards, Ana Dinis ? CIIMAR-Madeira, Madeira, Portugal Phone: +351 962785975 http://home.ciimarmadeira.org/index.php?page=anadinis -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From annalisa.zaccaroni at unibo.it Fri Jan 15 12:32:29 2016 From: annalisa.zaccaroni at unibo.it (Annalisa Zaccaroni) Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:32:29 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Announcement: Workshop on Antrhopogenic threats to marine mammals of the Mediterranean area, 30th ECS, Funchal, Madeira, March 2016 Message-ID: <2749B4B8DA99834CAFA461354445D54701634F1C04@E10-MBX4-DR.personale.dir.unibo.it> Dear MARMAM list members, The following workshop, organized by Univeristy of Bologna and Thesis Institution will be held at the forthcoming ECS Conference in Funchal - Madeira, on Sunday, 13th March (whole day): Antrhopogenic threats to marine mammals of the Mediterranean area. The 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. Summary: The Mediterranean Sea is a particular, closed sea rich in marine biodiversity, marine mammals included. As well, it is one of the most crowded marine areas, and human impact on water quality and marine mammals' environment is enormous. Marine mammals have to cope with increasing pollution, high naval traffic, noise pollution, pathogens, which can increase their risk of extinction. The 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. It is an open workshop and will allow a maximum of 40 participants. More information about the workshop at: http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0#Anthropogenic threats to marine mammals of the Mediterranean area. Further details with a programme will be sent closer to the date of theworkshop to those who have registered to attend. Best regards 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 chaka at tokai-u.jp Wed Jan 13 21:34:06 2016 From: chaka at tokai-u.jp (Tadamichi MORISAKA) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:34:06 +0900 Subject: [MARMAM] Symposium "The Ganges River Dolphins" Message-ID: Dear Marmam list members, We are pleased to announce and invite you to participate in the following international symposium at Shizuoka, JAPAN. For more detail & submission, please visit our website. http://marinemammal.jimdo.com/ The deadline of the poster presentation submission will be 12th, Feb. All topics of marine mammal scientific studies can be accepted for this presentation. International Symposium "The Ganges River Dolphin" Host: Tokai University Institute of Innovative Science and Technology Co-host: Institute of Oceanic Research and Development, Tokai University School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University (Public Seminar of School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University) Date: 26th, Feb 2016 (FRI) 10:00 ? 17:30 Free of charge (\1,000 for banquet) Location : Shizuoka Convention Arts Center ?GRANSHIP? Audio Visual Hall (2F) Tentative Schedule & Titles: 9:30 Open 10:00 Opening Remarks | Dr. Yasuhiro Senga (Dean, School of Marine Science and Technology) 10:10 IIST introduction | Dr. Shigeru Yamaguchi (Director, IIST) 10:20 Dr. Yoshihiro Tanaka (Numata Fossil Museum) ?Evolution of the Ganges River dolphin group? 11:05 Dr. Yukiko Yamamoto (National Research Institute of Fisheries Engineering) ?Acoustic behavior of the Ganges River dolphins? 11:35 ? 13:00 Lunch & Poster Viewing 13:00 Dr. Toshio Kasuya ?The dawn of the Japanese research on the Ganges River dolphins? 13:40 Dr. Sunil K. Choudhary (T.M. Bhagalpur University) ?Conserving Ganges river dolphins in a dynamic and conflict-ridden environment: Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary? 14:30 Mr. Nachiket Kelkar (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) ?Ecological research towards re-calibrating Ganges river dolphin conservation? 15:15 Dr. Tadamichi Morisaka (Tokai University) ?Acoustic research in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary? 15:40 ? 17:20 Poster Session for marine mammal studies (Call for papers!) 17:20 Closing Remarks | Dr. Masahisa Kubota (Director, IORD) 17:30 ? 19:30 Banquet at OASIS (1st floor of the GRANSHIP) (\1,000 per one person) Organizing Committee: Tadamichi Morisaka, Yayoi M. Yoshida, Nobuyuki Ozawa, Youko Takeshita Registration & Submission : http://marinemammal.jimdo.com/ Contact: Tadamichi Morisaka (IIST, IORD) chaka at tokai-u.jp From chapmanl at TMMC.org Fri Jan 15 12:01:06 2016 From: chapmanl at TMMC.org (Laura Chapman) Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:01:06 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Center Winter Stranding 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 and no housing is provided. We have up to two openings for internships starting in February 2016 which we are hoping to fill as soon as possible. Applicants must be willing to work at either the Monterey Bay Operation in Moss Landing or the 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, start date and availability. Please forward all application materials electronically to intern at tmmc.org. There is some flexibility on the start date of the position, however please indicate your desired start date in the cover letter. Internship Period Application Deadline Interviews Notification of acceptance by Approximate Internship Time Winter January 22nd, 2016 January 25th-28th, 2016 January 29th, 2016 February - May 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 julie.oswald at bio-waves.net Thu Jan 14 23:22:15 2016 From: julie.oswald at bio-waves.net (Julie Oswald) Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 23:22:15 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Bio-Waves Passive Acoustic Technology Training Course, April 2016 Message-ID: Bio-Waves, Inc. is pleased to announce that registration (www.bio-waves.com) is now open for our 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! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From perrtreer at savannahstate.edu Fri Jan 15 10:08:25 2016 From: perrtreer at savannahstate.edu (Perrtree, Robin) Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 18:08:25 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] SEAMAMMS 2016! Message-ID: 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) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From monica.pepe at whales.org Fri Jan 15 13:19:42 2016 From: monica.pepe at whales.org (Monica Pepe) Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 21:19:42 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Directed behavioral study internship- Whale and Dolphin Conservation Message-ID: <0B82DCA9D7826C4E8F27B482571768A4C03E6EC4@WDCS-RED.wdcs-net.wdcs.org> Directed behavioral study internship Whale and Dolphin Conservation, North America (NA), is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts and offers internships and field volunteer positions providing research, policy, education, and administration experience in working for an international non-profit organization. This behavioral study internship is a specialized intern position to assist in data gathering for a project examining the behavioral ecology and foraging strategies of humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine. Successful applicants will become proficient at literature review processes, defining and piloting field data collection techniques, and reviewing archival data, as well as gaining experience with educational outreach for the conservation of marine mammals. We are currently accepting applications for one available position beginning in early May, 2016. The deadline to submit an application is Sunday, February 24th. Background information This project provides an opportunity for the candidate to be exposed to the bridge between research and conservation of protected species and gain an understanding of skills needed to succeed in the field of marine mammal conversation and research. Participants will gain an in-depth perspective of this field and a better understanding of where their interests lie. Through this internship, a number of skills are developed including analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. This internship will assist in data gathering for a WDC project to investigate the transmission of social information through the well-studied humpback whale population in the Gulf of Maine. This is a population of fewer than 1,000 whales currently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In addition, the intern will explore opportunities for collecting data on persistent individual behavioral differences in foraging techniques between whales. A portion of the project will involve data collection conducted on board platforms of opportunity. Opportunities will also be available to gain wider experience across the work of our North American office, from administration to public speaking by interacting with passengers aboard whale watching vessels, participating in school talks and other public outreach events. Other potential opportunities include writing blogs, contributing to WDC campaigns, and attending workshops/conferences, though these are not guaranteed opportunities. There is no fee or compensation for this internship position. Participants must arrange for their own transportation to and from Plymouth and provide their own food. Limited housing with a shared bedroom is available on site for a monthly fee of $300, which is strictly to offset the cost of housing. Assistance can be provided in finding alternate housing at the request of the applicant, and those that can provide their own housing are encouraged to apply. WDC is willing to help qualified students obtain credits for the program through their college or university. The successful applicant will dedicate between 3-6 months for this full-time position.. International applicants interested in the internship program must be able to secure their own travel Visa and other required documentation. Candidate Requirements * Fluency in English. * Must be 18 years or older (preference given to students matriculated in or recently graduated from appropriate graduate or under graduate degree programs.) * Be able to show proof of valid health insurance. * Act effectively as a member of a close-knit team. * Be open to long days in the field or office. * Ability to work on sea going vessels for long hours that may require physical labor. * Good computer skills - familiarity with operating PCs and MACs. * Excellent verbal and written communications skills. * Familiar with literature research protocols is beneficial. * Ability to function well under pressure. * Must be comfortable speaking in front of groups of people of all ages and able to handle unanticipated situations. * Familiarity with DSLR camera, GPS equipment. * Experience gathering large whale behavioral observations in a field setting is strongly preferred How to Apply Please submit the following via e-mail to monica.pepe at whales.org: 1. Cover letter and Resume 2. Contact information for two references including e-mail and phone numbers 3. A supporting document of no more than 500 words answering the following: Choosing only one, would you define whaling more primarily as a welfare or conservation issue, and why? We are currently accepting applications for one available position beginning in early May, 2016. The deadline to submit an application is Sunday, February 24th. Applicants should make sure their email subject reads "Directed behavioral study internship", and that they clearly indicate their availability (specific dates, if possible) in their cover letter. Successful applicants will be contacted after the application deadline to set up an interview. Any additional questions should be directed to Monica Pepe via email at monica.pepe at whales.org or by calling the office at (508) 746-2522. WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, is the leading international charity dedicated solely to the worldwide conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins, and porpoises. WDC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. [WDC - Whale and Dolphin Conservation] Monica Pepe Conservation and Education Manager Telephone: +1 508 746 2522 Skype monica.c.pepe WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation 7 Nelson Street Plymouth MA 02360-4044 United States whales.org [WDC on Facebook] [WDC on Twitter] [WDC on YouTube] [WDC Blogs] [WDC E-Newsletter] [http://www.wdcs.co.uk/media/images/EmailSignatureImages/Campaigns/USCelebrate10Years.png] ________________________________ Whale and Dolphin Conservation ("WDC"), Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. WDC, 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360-4044 Tel: +1 (508) 746-2522 This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. ________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 8240 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: image007.png Type: image/png Size: 21157 bytes Desc: image007.png URL: From tihana.vucur at blue-world.org Fri Jan 15 01:52:14 2016 From: tihana.vucur at blue-world.org (=?UTF-8?Q?tihana_vu=C4=8Dur?=) Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:52:14 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Opportunity to participate in the Blue World Institute Eco-volunteering program (summer 2016) Message-ID: Opportunity to participate in the Blue World Institute Eco-volunteering program (summer 2016) Blue World Institute is an NGO that runs the Adriatic Dolphin Project for over 20 years. The aim of the project is research on population ecology, genetics, acoustics and habitats of bottlenose dolphins and other Cetacean species of the Adriatic. Within this project the Blue World Institute conducts an Eco-volunteering program for highly motivated individuals who come to join the research and provide great help in data collecting and analysis throughout the season. During the course period, Eco-volunteers are being educated in cetacean biology, marine conservation and scientific research techniques by the resident researchers. The funding received from Eco-volunteers is important for further research and conservation in the Adriatic Sea. Those interested can find more information on our web site http://www.blue-world.org/en/get-involved/volunteer/ or contact volunteer coordinator Tihana Vu?ur via e-mail tihana.vucur at blue-world.org Best regards, Tihana Vu?ur Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation Kastel 24 Veli Lo?inj Croatia *tihana.vucur at blue-world.org * mob. *+385 91 211 2226* www.blue-world.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From danielle.kreb1 at gmail.com Tue Jan 12 19:29:08 2016 From: danielle.kreb1 at gmail.com (Danielle Kreb) Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:29:08 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Eco-volunteers positions available for large marine vertebrates surveys in Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, 2016 Message-ID: Dear all, We are looking for motivated volunteers and/or students that are willing to engage in the Berau 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 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. Underwater photo-id will be taken of whale sharks as well. Through earlier surveys it was found that the highest relative abundance of cetaceans 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. 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 and snorkling near Manta Rays and/or whale sharks following good practice protocols. . Dates: 24 April-5 May; 13 June-24 June;3-14 October 2016 Deadlines for the April and June surveys are 31 January 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 dankerem at research.haifa.ac.il Mon Jan 11 03:46:51 2016 From: dankerem at research.haifa.ac.il (Dani Kerem) Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 13:46:51 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] Request information Steno live capture Message-ID: <201601111156.u0BBu6em029641@hobby.comp.uvic.ca> Hello MARMAM, would you please post the below: Dear list members, For a chapter on Mediterranean rough-toothed dolphin, I am trying to follow up on a statement by Anne Collet (Live-Capture of Cetaceans for European Institutions, report to the Scientific Committee of the IWC, 1984), saying: "R. Busnel (pers. comm.) reported that about 10 rough-toothed dolphins were taken in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1950s...on behalf of the Laboratoire de Physiologie Acoustique in France." Anyone having more information (e.g. the whereabouts of their capture) or who may point me to where it may be found, is kindly requested to contact me directly. Sincerely, Dani Dan H. Kerem, PhD IMMRAC (Israel Marine Mammal Research & Assistance Center) The Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies The Charney School for Marine Sciences The University of Haifa Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905 Israel http://maritime2.haifa.ac.il/eng/DK.asp http://immrac.org Phone: 972-4-8249449 Fax: 972-4-8240493 e-mail: dankerem at research.haifa.ac.il ' -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From carlosvet.sac at gmail.com Sat Jan 16 13:43:15 2016 From: carlosvet.sac at gmail.com (Carlos Sacristan) Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:43:15 -0200 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication about lacaziosis-like disease in Tursiops truncatus from Brazil Message-ID: Dear Colleagues: I am pleased to announce the publication of our research article about Lacaziosis-like disease: Sacrist?n C, R?ssio RA, Castilho P, Fernandes NCCA, Costa-Silva S, Esper?n F, Daura-Jorge FG, Groch KR, Kolesnikovas CKM, Marigo J, Ott PH, Oliveira LR, S?nchez-Sarmiento AM, Sim?es-Lopes PC, Cat?o-Dias JL (2015). *Lacaziosis-like disease in Tursiops truncatus from Brazil: a histopathological and immunohistochemical approach*. Dis Aquat Org 117:229-235 ABSTRACT: Cetacean lacaziosis-like disease or lobomycosis-like disease (LLD) is a chronic skin condition caused by a non-cultivable yeast of the order Onygenales, which also includes *Lacazia loboi*, as well as *Paracoccidioides brasiliensis*and *P. lutzii*, respectively responsible for lacaziosis and paracoccidioidomycosis in humans. Complete identification and phylogenetic classification of the LLD etiological agent still needs to be elucidated, but preliminary phylogenetic analyses have shown a closer relationship of the LLD agent to *Paracoccidioides* spp. than to *L. loboi*. Cases of LLD in South American cetaceans based on photographic identification have been reported; however, to date, only 3 histologically confirmed cases of LLD have been described. We evaluated multiple tissue samples from 4 *Tursiops truncatus* stranded in the states of Santa Catarina (n = 3) and Rio Grande do Sul (n = 1), southern Brazil. Macroscopically, all animals presented lesions consistent with LLD. Hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Grocott?s methenamine silver, and Mayer?s mucicarmin stains were used for histological evaluation. Microscopically, numerous refractile yeasts (4-9 ?m in diameter) were observed in skin samples (4/4), and for the first time in dolphins, also in a skeletal muscle abscess (1/4). Immunohistochemistry using anti-*P. brasiliensis* glycoprotein gp43 as a primary antibody, which is known to cross-react with *L. loboi* and the LLD agent, was performed and results were positive in all 4 cases. We describe 3 new cases of LLD in cetaceans based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This is the first report of LLD in the muscle of cetaceans. http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v117/n3/p229-235/ Articles available at link above or email: carlosvet.sac at gmail.com Best regards Carlos Sacrist?n -- *Carlos Sacrist?n Yag?e* DVM, MSc, PhD Candidate of Department of Pathology - VPT Laboratory of Comparative Wildlife Pathology - LAPCOM School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - FMVZ University of S?o Paulo (Brazil) https://www.linkedin.com/pub/carlos-sacristan-yague/50/266/854 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From cossavellaj at gmail.com Sat Jan 16 15:29:34 2016 From: cossavellaj at gmail.com (Julie Cossavella) Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 18:29:34 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] humpback whale stranding data request Message-ID: Hi all, I am a research assistant working with the Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center (MCERC) in Puerto Rico under Dr. Mithriel MacKay, investigating humpback whale behavioral ecology. We are currently doing a project with photogrammetry this season and possibly the next winter, and are in search of some measurements from strandings (or otherwise) of humpback whales. In particular, we need total body length, distance from rostrum to blowhole, blow hole to dorsal fin, dorsal fin to end of tail stock, and tip to tip on the flukes (as well as any other body length measurements). We also need the age (calf, juvenile, adult, or known age) and sex of each individual, as available. If drone measurements are taken, we would love to give them a try as well. We would highly appreciate any relevant data or contacts for further conversation. Of course, if anything advances into any kind of presentation or publication, we will notify and acknowledge the source of contributions. Thank you in advance, Julie Cossavella (On behalf of the research assistants, 2016) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From krillcarson at me.com Sun Jan 17 06:29:46 2016 From: krillcarson at me.com (Carol Carson) Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2016 09:29:46 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] 2016 Marine Wildlife Summer Internship with NECWA Message-ID: <4F6090A0-AD59-4D69-8A73-7FBDB30738E4@me.com> Marine Wildlife Internship Program - Summer 2016 Season Sponsored by the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) The New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) is seeking qualified upper level high school, college, and graduate students for our Marine Wildlife Internship Program. NECWA interns work alongside staff members to conduct a variety of educational programs, research projects, and conservation activities. Our internship program provides a comprehensive experience in the field of marine biology that is meaningful and essential for those interested in the field of marine science. Summer Internships can begin at any time in the spring or early summer, and typically require a 3 to 4-month commitment. Interns work a 30 to 40-hour workweek. Internship positions are non-paid and can be coordinated privately or through a school or university program. Interns must provide their own transportation to and from work areas, and housing is not provided. Internship activities include: The collection of sighting, environmental, and behavioral data aboard a commercial whale-watching company out of Plymouth Harbor (Plymouth and Provincetown Whale Watch) operating May through October. When offshore, interns act as research assistants and are engaged in educational outreach and data collection. Data input and analysis including sighting and environmental data into Microsoft Excel and FileMaker Pro. Learning photo-identification techniques that utilize Adobe Photoshop to process photographic images of individual humpback whales and other marine wildlife. Attendance at weekly summer seminars sponsored by NECWA. Participating at summer festivals and other community events in the New England area. Experience with public speaking at various community programs. Assistance with educational development and program presentations. Educational outreach and interaction with the public at various venues. And when applicable, assistance at strandings and necropsies of ocean sunfish and sea turtles on the shores of southeast MA, including the beaches of Cape Cod. NECWA also has positions available for those who are more interested in land-based activities related to: Program development and fundraising activities that support our community education and outreach planning. Graphic design projects that support our educational outreach activities and conservation programs. Computer programing and software manipulation, including that of Autodesk Maya, a 3-D computer graphics program. The New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) is a non-profit organization based in southeastern MA. We are dedicated to the protection and conservation of the unique coastal marine wildlife off New England. We conduct field research on a number of species of marine animals in an effort to advance our understandings of their biology and ecology, as well as support conservation efforts on their behalf. Information collected through our research activities is also used to form the basis of our educational outreach activities within the New England community. To learn more about our internship program, go to our Marine Wildlife Internship webpage at http://necwa.org/internships.html . To apply: Go to the NECWA website, print and fill out the formal application. Mail this form to NECWA at the address below. NECWA 11 Clarence Soule Drive Middleboro, MA 02346 Also, mail or email the material below to our Intern Coordinator, Dr. Mary Nash: resume, letter of intent, and 1 letter of recommendation from a teacher or person that has worked with you. Intern Coordinator, Dr. Mary Nash at mcnash at capecod.net . To learn more about NECWA, visit us at: necwa.or necwanews.blogspot.com nebshark.org Thank you, Dr. Mary C. Nash NECWA Intern Coordinator mcnash at capecod.net NECWA www.necwa.org 11 Clarence Soule Drive Middleboro, MA 02346 posted by Carol "Krill" Carson President, NECWA krillcarson at mac.com 508-566-0009 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Valeria.Vergara at vanaqua.org Sun Jan 17 10:33:01 2016 From: Valeria.Vergara at vanaqua.org (Valeria Vergara) Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2016 18:33:01 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Beluga Acoustics Research Opportunity at Oceanografic Aquarium, Valencia Message-ID: <1453044734381.5555@vanaqua.org> The research team at Oceanografic Aquarium is looking for a motivated student that would like to conduct a minimum of one acoustic research project on the beluga whales at this facility. Priority research areas have been identified and will be discussed with the candidates. Eligible individuals would have to be self-funded, and have some experience in bioacoustics. Interest in developing this research project as a master or doctoral thesis chapter is preferred, but honours theses will be considered. A calibrated, broadband recording system can be provided. Please contact Dr.Valeria Vergara at valeria.vergara at vanaqua.org for more information Valeria Vergara Research Scientist Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre Marine Mammal Research Program w. 604-659-3452 c. 604-220-7593 Valeria.Vergara at vanaqua.org The Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING - THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE ADDRESSEE, IT MAY CONTAIN PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. ANY UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY SO THAT WE MAY CORRECT OUR INTERNAL RECORDS. PLEASE THEN DELETE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE. THANK YOU ________________________________ We enjoy talking to you - If you do not wish to receive further information from us (where applicable), please email PRIVACY at VANAQUA.ORG or write to our policy officer at Vancouver Aquarium, PO Box 3232 Vancouver, BC V6B 3X8 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From oflavescens at gmail.com Sun Jan 17 12:40:34 2016 From: oflavescens at gmail.com (Gisela Giardino) Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2016 17:40:34 -0300 Subject: [MARMAM] New publications about breeding trips of South American sea lions Message-ID: Dear Colleagues: On behalf of myself and my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of our research article about breeding trips of South American sea lions: TRAVEL FOR SEX: LONG RANGE BREEDING DISPERSAL AND WINTER HAULOUT FIDELITY IN SOUTHERN SEA LION MALES Giardino, Gisela V.; Mandiola, M. Agustina; Bastida, Juli?n; Denuncio, Pablo E.; Bastida, Ricardo O. and Diego Rodriguez (2016) *Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift f?r S?ugetierkunde* vol. 81 (1) p. 89-95 Abstract Southern sea lions (*Otaria flavescens*; SSLs) have a polygynous mating system and a prolonged social-sexual maturation period for males. Male haulouts are common in this species, with some very distant from central breeding rookeries, although the functions of these aggregations are not clearly understood. To estimate the potential connectivity between northern Argentina male colonies and breeding rookeries in Patagonia and Uruguay, we monitored the summer breeding activities and winter presence of 559 individually identified SSL males from haulouts in Mar del Plata and Quequ?n harbors. Our results confirm that male groups are formed by sexually active sea lions that show a strong annual connection with distant (up to 700 km) breeding colonies. Circa 70% of the marked males made long-distance round-trips (72 ? 26.7 days; *n* = 325) from northern Argentina to Patagonia and Uruguay, indicating a high degree of winter site fidelity. Mating activity was confirmed for 53% of the sea lions re-sighted in breeding colonies, with approximately 80% of them having central positions on the beach and holding harems of up to nine females. The chronology of this cycle is finely tuned with the onset of the breeding season, which may result in comparative advantages such as anticipating female arrival or a prolonged participation in mating activities. Our results suggest a model of male haulouts spatially segregated from the central breeding areas, but with a summer recurrent flow of animals that contributes a significant proportion of the male population of northern Patagonia and Uruguay. Keywords - *Otaria flavescens*; - Pinnipeds; - Sea lions; - Connectivity; - Mating system; - Male hauling grounds; - Argentina; - Marking; - Spatial segregation Articles available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1616504714001293 or by email: oflavescens at gmail.com Cheers and good 2006! Gisela -- Dra. Gisela Giardino Lab. Biol., Ecolog?a y Conserv. de Mam?feros Marinos Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP) De?n Funes 3350, (7600) Mar del Plata, Argentina. Tel: +54 223 4752426 (int. 456) Casilla de Correo 1260-Correo Central-MdP http://travesiasdelobos.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/136323163081610/ https://twitter.com/travesiasdelobo -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ayyymere17 at gmail.com Mon Jan 18 12:04:26 2016 From: ayyymere17 at gmail.com (Jessie Weldon) Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:04:26 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] NORTHCOAST MARINE MAMMAL CENTER INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - 2016 Message-ID: NORTHCOAST MARINE MAMMAL CENTER INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - 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. We have up to two openings for internships starting in March 2016 which we are hoping to fill as soon as possible. Applicants will be living and working in Crescent City, CA. Program Description: The Northcoast Marne Mammal Center is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are interested in increasing their experience and knowledge of marine mammal behavior. 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, medicine administration, pen cleaning and other animal husbandry duties as needed) for on-site patients. Intern Responsibilities & Qualifications: The internship is open to all applicants 21 years of age or older, with a devoted interest in marine biology, zoology, general biology, policy or a related field. Interns must 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 r?sum? that includes the names of three references, and a cover letter detailing interests, experience,housing accommodations, start date and availability. Please forward all application materials electronically to volunteer at northcoastmmc.org There is some flexibility on the start date of the position, however please indicate your desired start date in the cover letter. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From filalves at rocketmail.com Sun Jan 17 13:17:19 2016 From: filalves at rocketmail.com (Filipe Alves) Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2016 21:17:19 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] Workshop on "Platforms of opportunity as research vehicles: benefits and limitations" References: <1214204616.5136710.1453065439339.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1214204616.5136710.1453065439339.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Dear MARMAM list members,? The following workshop, organized by the CIIMAR-Madeira/OOM will be held at the forthcoming ECS Conference in Funchal - Madeira, on Saturday, 12th March (half day, afternoon): "Platforms of opportunity as researchvehicles: benefits and limitations" ?AbstractNowadays, the access to platforms ofopportunity can allow researchers to collect scientific data in a regular basisat a low cost. It can include ferries with established regular routes or whale-watchingboats, which have increased along coastlines globally. Despite its limitations,such platforms can offer ?free? trips on a daily basis, constituting a highlycost-effective tool and a valuable vehicle that can help answering to numerousquestions regarding the conservation of marine mammals. Yet, existentinformation and protocols supporting the establishments of collaborationbetween local researchers and stakeholders such as tourist operators (e.g.,whale-watching companies working with biologists) are still scarce. The presentworkshop aims to promote a discussion between stakeholders with access toplatforms of opportunity and researchers, either with experience or planning toestablish such type of collaborations. Researchers that have used/publishedinformation from this kind of data, and tourist operators that have developedsuch collaborations, were invited for lectures. It is expected forparticipants to share experiences, as well as to highlight the limitations andbenefits of using such platforms to collect scientific data (e.g., sighting,photographic). It is expected to discuss possible types of outcomes that canarise from such collaboration, from both scientific/conservation and touristoperator viewpoint.The workshop has a maximum of 25 participants and a participation fee of? ?15. There are only 10 places available. Anyone interested in participating?please contact: filipe.alves at ciimarmadeira.org,ana.dinis at ciimarmadeira.org or ventura at venturadomar.com.Further details with a programme will be sent closer to the date of the workshop to those who have registered to attend.?Best regards,Filipe AlvesMarine biologist, PhDCIIMAR-Madeira, and Ventura | nature emotions -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From arletesogorb.eaam at gmail.com Mon Jan 18 09:19:19 2016 From: arletesogorb.eaam at gmail.com (Arlete Sogorb EAAM) Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 17:19:19 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] EAAM second announcement Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We are pleased to invite you to upcoming 44th Annual Symposium of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, in Mundomar, Benidorm, Spain, March 11 to 14, 2016. Registration is now open. You will find specials fees for early bird registration, 1st Feb2016. Also, members and students will find additional discounts The outline of the Conference is given at http://www.eaam2016.com/ Looking forward to seeing you in Benidorm 2016! Arlete Sogorb, EAAM Board --- Este e-mail foi verificado em termos de v?rus pelo software antiv?rus Avast. https://www.avast.com/antivirus -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From paola.tepsich at gmail.com Tue Jan 19 02:03:35 2016 From: paola.tepsich at gmail.com (Pao Tepsich) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:03:35 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?CETASMUS_2016_=E2=80=93_Internship_in_North_We?= =?utf-8?q?stern_Mediterranean_Sea?= Message-ID: CETASMUS 2016 ? Internship in North Western Mediterranean Sea CIMA Research Foundation is a private non-profit research organization aimed at the advancement of science and engineering in environmentally related fields, focusing on public health and safety, civil protection and the preservation of terrestrial and water-related ecosystems. CIMA RF is based in Savona, Italy, and it is seeking undergraduate/postgraduate students for the CETASMUS PROGRAM 2015. General details about the CETASMUS program can be found here ( http://www.cimafoundation.org/en/pelagic-biodiversity/) In particular open positions refer to three different projects: ? FERRIES ? this project is held in collaboration with a national ferry company. CETASMUS interns will be on-board of ferries operating between Italy and Corsica /Sardinia at least twice a week and they will be part of the Marine Mammal Observer team working on the ferries. (more info at http://www.cimafoundation.org/en/cima-foundation/aboard-ferries/) ? ZIPHIUS ? this project is focused on the local Cuvier?s beaked whale population and it foresees surveys in the Ligurian, Corsica and Tyrrhenian Seas onboard of a 18m long dedicated research sailing vessel. Each survey usually last 3-5 consecutive days. CETAMSUS interns will assist researchers with data collection, photo-id as well as actively participating in life on-board (more info at http://www.cimafoundation.org/en/cima-foundation/ziphius/) ? WHALE WATCHING ? this project is held in collaboration with the regional consortium of research institutions aiming to collect data aboard whale watching vessels operating in Liguria. interns will take part to daily surveys (4-6 hours) all along the whale watching season Successful applicants will be assigned to *one of the three projects*. These are full-time positions requiring a 5-months commitment from May through September. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the fulltime project: all interns will be trained in cetacean observation and identification, in line-transect survey protocols and photo-identification. Qualifications - Applicants must be reliable, motivated and team oriented, have a positive attitude as well as a genuine interest in marine mammal sciences; - Applicants should possess or be enrolled in a BS or MS course in biology, environmental sciences or a related major; - Applicants must be adaptable and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means a lot of data-entry work during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits; - Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and previous experience with GIS. - Previous field experience is preferred. These positions are an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal research to strengthen their skills and above all to gain practical experience in the field. Preference will be given to students willing to develop a thesis or a personal project. Topics will be agreed with CIMA Researchers These are unpaid positions and successful applicants are responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from Italy and for accommodation in Savona during the entire staying. All costs related to at sea surveys will be covered by CIMA RF If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV and a cover letter via email to *paola.tepsich at cimafoundation.org * -- Non stampare questa mail, pensa all'ambiente!! Before printing, think about the environment! Avant d'imprimer, pensez ? l'environnement! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: clip_image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4265 bytes Desc: not available URL: From glazovd at gmail.com Tue Jan 19 00:34:54 2016 From: glazovd at gmail.com (Dmitri Glazov) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:34:54 +0300 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?The_first_announcement=2E_The_Ninth_Internatio?= =?utf-8?q?nal_Conference_=E2=80=9CMarine_Mammals_of_the_Holarctic?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_Russia=2C_Astrakhan=2C_October_31_-_November_0?= =?utf-8?q?5=2C_2016=2E?= Message-ID: *The Ninth International Conference * MARINE MAMMALS OF THE HOLARCTIC *Astrakhan, Russia * *October 31 - November 05, 2016* 36 Nachimovskiy av. 117851 Moscow, Russia Tel/fax: +7 (499) 1247579 *http://2mn.org* email: *conf2016 at 2mn.org * ??????, 117851 ??????, ??????????? ?????. 36 ???/????: +7 (499) 1247579 ANNOUNCEMENT 1 *December 09, 2015 * Following the decision of the the Eighth International Conference ?Marine Mammals of the Holarctic? (Russia, Saint-Petersburg, September 2014), the Marine Mammal Council (Russia) is organizing the Ninth International Conference ?Marine Mammals of the Holarctic?. Organizing Committee established by the Council, after detailed discussions, has decided that the Ninth Conference will be held on October 31 - November 05, 2016 in Astrakhan (with organizational support from). Objective of the Conference is to discuss the results and prospects for the marine mammals research, protection and use in the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally, special attention will be paid to the following issues: ? Population biology; ? Estimate of abundance and monitoring; ? Ecology (nutrition, distribution, habitat and migration, etc.); ? Behaviour and acoustics; ? Physiology, toxicology and pollution; ? Veterinary for marine mammals; ? Contemporary research methods; ? Conservation, use, management and legislation; ? Rehabilitation, holding in captivity; ? Reduction of impact caused by economic activities on marine mammals. Information about procedure for registration and abstracts submission will be provided in the *Second Announcement*. Organizing Committee welcomes the participants` initiative in events holding on the conference subject, invites to cooperation and welcomes any assistance from individuals and organizations in interest. You can send your proposals to the Organizing Committee e-mail: *conf2016 at 2mn.org * Information about conference preparation is available on the website: *http://2mn.org* Please, circulate this information among your colleagues. *Organizing Committee of the Ninth International Conference * *?Marine Mammals of the Holarctic"* Dmitry Glazov Deputy head of Russian White Whale Program www.sevin-expedition.ru A.N. Severtsov Institute of the Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences 33 Leninskiy prosp., Moscow, 119071, Russia www.sevin.ru glazovd at gmail.com Tel. mob. +79104051823 Tel. + 74959541511 Fax. +74959581260 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From glazovd at gmail.com Tue Jan 19 00:41:58 2016 From: glazovd at gmail.com (Dmitri Glazov) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:41:58 +0300 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication about "Summer distribution of beluga whales in the Sea of Okhotsk" Message-ID: Dear Colleagues: I am pleased to announce the publication of our research Summer distribution of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the Sea of Okhotsk Solovyev B.A., Shpak O.V., Glazov D.M., Rozhnov V.V., Kuznetsova D.M. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF THERIOLOGY, 2015, 14(2) P. 201-215 The summer distribution of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the Sea of Okhotsk is typical for boreal and subarctic seas that are seasonally ice covered and support numerous anadromous fish species. During summer in the Sea of Okhotsk, beluga whales aggregate where rivers flow into estuaries, gulfs, and bays. Beluga whales are currently found in Sakhalinskiy Bay (in an estuary of the Amur River), the Shantar region, in portions of Shelikhov Bay, and along the northwestern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Changes in beluga whale distribution have occurred when compared to results of earlier studies. In particular, summer aggregations have increased in the Shantar region and along the northwestern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. http://zmmu.msu.ru/rjt/articles/ther14_2_201_215_Solovyev_et_al_for_Inet.pdf Articles available at link above or email: glazovd at gmail.com Best regards Dmitry Glazov Deputy head of Russian White Whale Program www.sevin-expedition.ru A.N. Severtsov Institute of the Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences 33 Leninskiy prosp., Moscow, 119071, Russia www.sevin.ru glazovd at gmail.com Tel. mob. +79104051823 Tel. + 74959541511 Fax. +74959581260 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From victoria.angeline13 at gmail.com Wed Jan 20 10:51:13 2016 From: victoria.angeline13 at gmail.com (Victoria Howard) Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 12:51:13 -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 vanessa.pirotta at students.mq.edu.au Thu Jan 21 04:21:14 2016 From: vanessa.pirotta at students.mq.edu.au (VANESSA PIROTTA) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 23:21:14 +1100 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on whale alarm research off Sydney, Australia Message-ID: Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following publication in Endangered Species Research: Migrating humpback whales show no detectable response to whale alarms off Sydney, Australia Vanessa Pirotta*, David Slip, Ian D. Jonsen, Victor M. Peddemors, Douglas H. Cato, Geoffrey Ross, Robert Harcourt *Email: vanessa.pirotta at students.mq.edu.au Pirotta V, Slip D, Jonsen ID, Peddemors VM, Cato DH, Ross G, Harcourt R (2016) Migrating humpback whales show no detectable response to whale alarms off Sydney, Australia. Endang Species Res 29:201-209 ABSTRACT: Migratory Group V (Stock E1) humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae are at risk of entanglement with fishing gear as they migrate north and south along the east coast of Australia. This study investigated the effectiveness of 2 distinct tones for use as an alarm to acoustically alert whales to fishing gear presence and therefore reduce the chance of entanglement. We compared how whales responded in terms of changes of surface behaviour and changes in direction of travel in response to 2 acoustic tones and when there was no alarm. These 2 acoustic tones were a 5 kHz tone (5 s emission interval and 400 ms emission duration, similar to but higher frequency than the signal from a Future Oceans F3TM 3 kHz Whale Pinger?) and a 2?2.1 kHz swept tone (8 s emission interval and 1.5 s emission duration). A total of 108 tracks (focal follows) were collected using a theodolite at Cape Solander, Sydney, Australia, during the whales? 2013 northern migration. Linear mixed effects models were used to determine the effect of the different acoustic tones on whale direction (heading), and behaviour (dive duration and speed). Whales showed no detectable response to either alarm. Whale direction and surfacing behaviour did not differ whether the alarm was ?on? or ?off?. Although the response may have been different if the alarms were attached to fishing gear, the lack of measurable response suggests that the types of tones used are not likely to be effective in alarms intended to reduce entanglement of northward migrating Australian humpback whales. KEY WORDS: Fisheries ? Entanglement ? Megaptera novaeangliae ? Mortality ? Bycatch ? Acoustic deterrents The paper is available online: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v29/n3/p201-209/ *Vanessa Pirotta* | PhD Candidate Marine Predator Research Group Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science and Engineering Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia *Twitter: *@VanessaPirotta -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sh52 at st-andrews.ac.uk Wed Jan 20 07:14:39 2016 From: sh52 at st-andrews.ac.uk (Sonja Heinrich) Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:14:39 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Science & Ecosystem-based Management Master's degrees at the University of St Andrews, UK Message-ID: Master's programmes at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK - Marine Mammal Science & Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems We are currently accepting applications for our unique and intense one-year Master's programmes at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, UK for 2016/17 entry. The Master's in Marine Mammal Science (MSc MMS ) reflects the research interests and expertise of the staff at the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). This unique Master's has a strong focus on quantitative methods and applied techniques and is designed to prepare students fully for professional careers involved with conservation of and research into marine mammals. We had a fantastic turn-out of our past Master's students at the recent SMM in San Francisco with 40 alumni attending (and most also presenting at) the conference - see our course blog. Compulsory modules include marine mammal biology, conservation and management of marine mammals as well as mathematical ecology and statistical modelling. Optional modules take full advantage of the research strengths of the SMRU including biologging, bioacoustics, behaviour and population biology. The optional Antarctica field course involves a vessel-based field expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula (requires additional payment of a substantial expedition fee) - you can follow our upcoming fourth student expedition on the Antarctic expedition blog. For detailed information on the Marine Mammal Masters including content, entry requirements and how to apply please refer to the MSc MMS website: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/mms/. The Master's in Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Systems (MSc EMMS) is jointly delivered by the Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) at St Andrews and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) at the West coast of Scotland, offering the best of both Scottish coasts. Students study marine environments from the tropics to polar regions as integrated systems, exploring interconnections between the physical environment, biodiversity and the impacts of human activity and resource use. Students can opt to join the Antarctic expedition (see above) or take a field course in scientific diving in Indonesia (both at extra cost). For detailed information including content, entry requirements and how to apply please refer to the MSc EMMS website: http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/biopostgraduate/ Applications for the upcoming academic year (starting in September 2016) must be received by Friday, 01 April 2016, and should be submitted online via the St Andrews Postgraduate Admission Portal: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/taught/. Please get in touch if you have further questions, via email: pgtaughtbiology at st-andrews.ac.uk Best wishes from Scotland, Sonja Dr Sonja Heinrich Postgraduate Taught Convenor, School of Biology, University of St Andrews The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No SC013532 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sealrescueireland at gmail.com Thu Jan 21 04:48:56 2016 From: sealrescueireland at gmail.com (Seal Rescue Ireland) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:48:56 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Rehabilitation and Education Internships with Seal Rescue Ireland Message-ID: <012201d1544a$1a45cc30$4ed16490$@gmail.com> Seal Rescue Ireland is a very busy marine animal rescue and rehabilitation facility located in Courtown 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. 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 group's educational program, fundraising program and admin work are required. Each intern will be responsible for planning one fundraiser or similar project. This is a small facility so you will be involved in all aspects of the charity and in turn get a well-rounded experience. 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. This is an unpaid position. For some applicants Intern housing is available at 85 Euro/Week (includes food) if desired. Interns are responsible for all travel expenses. Send a resume and cover letter and available dates to: Attention: Rehabilitation Internship sealrescueireland at gmail.com Telephone: 087 461 3798 www.sealrescueireland.org Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sealrescueireland -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sacha.vsop at gmail.com Thu Jan 21 04:29:15 2016 From: sacha.vsop at gmail.com (Sacha Viquerat) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:29:15 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] New report on cetacean abundance and distribution from two antarctic cruises Message-ID: Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the release of our report from two cetacean surveys on board of Antarctic expeditions during the austral summers of 2008 and 2010. The english summary contains the major points of the report, whereas the full german report elaborates the analysis steps and discusses the findings in detail. The main results are stratum estimates for Minke, Humpback and large whales in general for 5 Strata between Neumayer Station III and the Western Antarctic peninsula and a comparison of automated detection systems (IR camera) and bridge personnel observations versus dedicated cetacean observers under mitigation and population estimate aspects. The unabridged german report can be found under the following link: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/erhebung-auswertung-von-daten-vorkommen-zu The english summary is available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/collection-analysis-of-data-on-occurrence If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me! Cheers, Sacha Sacha Viquerat University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) Werftstr. 6 25761 B?sum Germany +49 511 856-8172 Fax. +49 511 856-8181 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From phillip.clapham at noaa.gov Wed Jan 20 13:03:15 2016 From: phillip.clapham at noaa.gov (Phillip Clapham - NOAA Federal) Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 13:03:15 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Nature correspondence on scientific whaling Message-ID: The following was just published in *Nature*: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v529/n7586/full/529283a.html The text is given below for those who don't have subscription access to the journal. *Japan?s whaling is unscientific* Japanese whalers are back in the Southern Ocean, aiming to kill 333 minke whales ? ostensibly for the purposes of scientific research ? under special permits issued by their government. In our view, the science behind Japan?s whaling activity has not passed a reasonable standard of peer review. We are members of the International Whaling Commission?s Scientific Committee (IWC-SC), plus one independent expert witness (M. Mangel) whose evidence contributed to the March 2014 negative ruling on Japan?s JARPA II whaling permit by the International Court of Justice (ICJ; see A. S. Brierley *Nature* *520,* 157; 2015). In 2015, Japan submitted a new whaling proposal (NEWREP-A). The IWC-SC coordinated two rounds of review, including one by an independent expert panel that concluded that lethal sampling had not been justified. Numerous IWC-SC members recommended exploration of widely used non-lethal alternatives (see, for example, A. M. Polanowski *et al. Mol. Ecol. Resour.* *14,* 976?987; 2014) before killing is resumed. Japan claims to have ?sincerely taken into account? the IWC-SC?s opinion, but, as on previous occasions, has failed to alter its plans in any meaningful way and is proceeding to kill whales under a self-determined quota. In October 2015, Japan also rejected the jurisdiction of the ICJ on this issue. We believe that further discussion of special-permit whaling at IWC-SC under the present procedure ? in which the opinion of proposers is afforded equal weight to that of referees ? is a waste of time. The IWC urgently needs to develop a process of scientific review that results in clear decisions that can be respected by all. Andrew S. Brierley* University of St Andrews, UK. Phillip J. Clapham* Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, USA. asb4 at st-andrews.ac.uk *On behalf of 31 other signatories (listed below). The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the governmental, academic or private institutions with which the authors are affiliated. Andrew S. Brierley University of St Andrews, UK. asb4 at st-andrews.ac.uk Phillip J. Clapham Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, USA. C. Scott Baker Oregon State University, Newport, USA. Sarah Baulch *EIA International, London, UK.* Maria Bego?a Santos Instituto Espa?ol de Oceanograf?a, Centro Oceanogr?fico de Vigo, Vigo, Spain. Per Berggren Newcastle University, UK. Robert L. Brownell Jr NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Granite Canyon, California, USA. Cristina Castro A. Pacific Whale Foundation, Puerto L?pez, Manab?, Ecuador. Jean-Benoit Charrassin Sorbonne Universit?s (UPMC, Univ. Paris 06)-CNRS-IRD-MNHN, LOCEAN-IPSL, Paris, France. Luis Chasqui Velasco Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras INVEMAR, Santa Marta, Colombia. Justin Cooke Centre for Ecosystem Management Studies, Emmendingen, Germany. Rohan Currey Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand. Pierre Gallego Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg. B?rbara Galletti Vernazzani Centro de Conservaci?n Cetacea,Vitacura, Santiago, Chile. Helena Herr Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buesum, Germany. Yulia V. Ivashchenko Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. Giancarlo Lauriano ISPRA ? Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Rome, Italy. Russell Leaper University of Aberdeen, UK. Marc Mangel (ICJ Independent Expert Witness) University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA. Milton Cesar C. Marcondes Humpback Whale Institute, Caravelas, Bahia, Brazil. Fabia de Oliveira Luna National Aquatic Mammal Center/ICMBio, Itamarac?, Pernambuco, Brazil. Simone Panigada Tethys Research Institute, Milan, Italy. Stuart A. Reeves Cefas, Lowestoft, UK. Vincent Ridoux Observatoire PELAGIS, UMS 3462 CNRS-Universit? de la Rochelle, La Rochelle, France. Fabian Ritter M.E.E.R. e.V., Berlin, Germany. Javier Rodr?guez-Fonseca Fundaci?n Promar, San Jos?, Costa Rica. Beatriz A. Roel Halesworth, UK. Howard Rosenbaum Wildlife Conservation Society-Global Conservation, Bronx, New York, USA. Meike Scheidat IMARES Wageningen UR, Ijmuiden, the Netherlands. Mark Simmonds University of Bristol, UK. Michael Stachowitsch University of Vienna, Austria. Paul Wade Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. -- Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D. Leader, Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program National Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center 7600 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115, USA Associate Editor, *Royal Society Open Science* http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/ tel 206 526 4037 fax 206 526 6615 email phillip.clapham at noaa.gov -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kfreeman at mysticaquarium.org Thu Jan 21 05:06:52 2016 From: kfreeman at mysticaquarium.org (Freeman, Kathleen) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:06:52 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Summer Internships at Mystic Aquarium Message-ID: <272F8F681534B94DBFD15780C30D0268134B075B@EX2010.searesearch.local> Mystic Aquarium is offering summer internships in the following areas: Research Complete information and application instructions may be found on our website, http://www.mysticaquarium.org/get-involved/internships. Department Function Our research team conducts research in many aspects of marine animal health, husbandry, ecology, and conservation. This is accomplished through detailed analysis of behavior, specimens, data records and a combination of field, in-house, and laboratory-based research projects that focus on animal census, behavior, ecology, infectious disease, neuro-immunology, and physiology. Daily Duties * Videorecord, observe, describe and analyze animal behavior * Prepare chemical solutions and biological reagents * Assist with specimen collection * Management of biological specimens * Assist with biological assays and experiments * Data entry and database management * Data analysis, table and graph construction * Report writing Water Quality Lab Complete information and application instructions may be found on our website, http://www.mysticaquarium.org/get-involved/internships. Department Function The Water Quality Lab staff works closely with the Life Support Technicians in order to maintain exceptional water quality in all aquatic exhibits at Mystic Aquarium ensuring proper habitats for all animals. Daily Duties * Perform all tests required to maintain critical parameters in marine mammals pool systems * Perform all tests required to maintain critical parameters in fish and aquatic invertebrate exhibits * Monitor all chemical feed pumps * Record keeping and data entry * Assist with ensuring compliance with state discharge permits Animal Husbandry Complete information and application instructions may be found on our website, http://www.mysticaquarium.org/get-involved/internships. Gain hands-on husbandry experience in a dynamic environment with guidance from a mentor who is a member of our husbandry staff. Husbandry internship positions are available in the following areas: Beluga Whales California Sea Lions Pinnipeds (Northern Fur Seals, Harbor Seals & Steller Sea Lions) African Penguins Reptiles & Amphibians Fish & Invertebrates Animal Rescue Program The internship program reflects our mission, "to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration." Internships are available for the fall, spring and summer. Interns have the opportunity to attend weekly educational seminars, receive feedback from supervisors, and work on independent projects to enhance their knowledge and resumes. Typical husbandry internship duties include the following: Assist staff with preparing diets for the animals Cleaning and maintenance of exhibits and back-up areas Record keeping Assist with the training of husbandry behaviors Assist husbandry staff and staff veterinarian with medical procedures Please note that internship duties vary depending on the department and the above list may not apply in all areas. Interns may take responsibility for additional duties once they have demonstrated competence. Thank you very much! Kathleen Freeman Internship Coordinator & Mission Programs Administrator Human Resources Department / Mission Programs Phone | 860-572-5955 Ext 306 kfreeman at mysticaquarium.org www.mysticaquarium.org [cid:image001.jpg at 01D06AE5.5079F7D0] [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: FBicon][Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: twitterlogo][Description: cid:image007.png at 01CBE934.31FFF3E0] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 4239 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image002.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 947 bytes Desc: image002.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 940 bytes Desc: image003.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image004.png Type: image/png Size: 2212 bytes Desc: image004.png URL: From jhamblen at sitkascience.org Tue Jan 19 11:19:18 2016 From: jhamblen at sitkascience.org (Jennifer Hamblen) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 10:19:18 -0900 Subject: [MARMAM] Sitka Sound Science Center Accepting Applications for 2017 Scientist in Residency Fellowship Awards Message-ID: *Sitka Sound Science Center Accepting Applications for* *2017 Scientist in Residency Fellowship Awards* *Polar and Subarctic Scientists of All Disciplines* *January 19, 2016*: The Sitka Sound Science Center is excited to announce that applications are now open for the third round of a fellowship program funded by the National Science Foundation to attract pre-eminent polar and subarctic scientists to Sitka. The program offers several one month-long fellowships for polar scientists each year. Expenses for travel, one month of lodging, per diem and a small honorarium will be provided to each fellow. The scientists would be given lab and office space and SSSC would provide administrative support. The Polar Scientist in Residency Fellowship (PSIRF) brings scientists annually to Sitka for one-month sabbaticals.The Fellowship is limited to US Citizens and is intended for mid-career scientists (not graduate students).Scientists live on the Sheldon Jackson Campus, now owned and operated by the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and are provided office and laboratory space at the Science Center. The short sabbatical will allow scientists undisturbed time that can be used in a variety of ways: data analysis, manuscript preparation, experimentation, collaboration, or simply thoughtful process. At the same time they will learn what Sitka has to offer researchers in terms of logistical support, research opportunities and resources. The PSIRF Fellows will spend a week of their residency in outreach and education activities to share their work in the schools and at other forums like public library programs, lunch meetings with students, and science cafes. They will give a lecture to the general community through the Natural History Seminar series put on by the Science Center and supported by the Sitka Charitable Trust and the University of Alaska Southeast. Fellows will also be provided guidance on best practices for communicating science to a public audience in rural Alaska. The five year NSF award is from the Office of Polar Programs. UAS Associate Professor Jan Straley is the Principal Investigator for the project. Lauren Bell is the Director of the program. Applications and further information is available at the SSSC website www.sitkascience.org/SIRF *Deadline for application is April 1, 2016* For more information contact Lauren Bell at (907) 747-8878 ext 9 or lbell at sitkascience.org Also, please see the two attachments for more information. ------------------------------------------- Jenn Hamblen AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Sitka Sound Science Center (907) 747-8878 ext. 11 www.sitkascience.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: PRESS RELEASE for P-SIRF application announcement.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 158315 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: PSIRF poster.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 391855 bytes Desc: not available URL: From CmsOffice.ae at cms.int Tue Jan 19 00:06:49 2016 From: CmsOffice.ae at cms.int (CmsOffice.ae) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:06:49 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Job opening: Associate Programme Management Officer (Marine), Dugong MOU Secretariat Message-ID: Dear All - deadline for applications has been extended until 19 February 2016 for this JO. Grateful if you could share the below ad with a new deadline to your networks, as appropriate. Many thanks and best regards, Jenny / CMS Office - Abu Dhabi From: CmsOffice.ae Sent: 28 December 2015 12:17 Subject: Job opening: Associate Programme Management Officer (Marine), Dugong MOU Secretariat Dear All, The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is an intergovernmental treaty aiming to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their migratory range. The Convention Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). CMS Office - Abu Dhabi coordinates two international agreements under the Convention's framework: the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MOU) and the CMS MOU on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU). CMS Office - Abu Dhabi is looking for an Associate Programme Management Officer (Marine) to the Dugong MOU Secretariat. Deadline for applications is 19 February 2016 (extended). Please see full details of the job opening on the UN Careers Portal: https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=52040 . Applications should be submitted via the UN Careers Portal (this requires registering to UN INSPIRA). Applications sent via email won't be considered. We'd appreciate if you could share with your networks as appropriate. Many thanks and best regards, Jenny Renell Associate Programme Management Officer Convention on Migratory Species Office - Abu Dhabi United Nations Environment Programme c/o Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi P.O.Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates cmsoffice.ae at cms.int www.cms.int/dugong www.cms.int/raptors [cid:image005.jpg at 01D152A3.66B2DD40] [cid:image006.jpg at 01D152A3.66B2DD40] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image005.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 2065 bytes Desc: image005.jpg URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image006.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 2023 bytes Desc: image006.jpg URL: From diverdownbelow at hotmail.com Tue Jan 19 15:22:01 2016 From: diverdownbelow at hotmail.com (irene Arpayoglou) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 18:22:01 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteer Manatee Observers Needed for Stuart, FL Regatta In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The Stuart Sailfish Regatta is in need of volunteer manatee observers for their upcoming races on May 20-22, in Stuart, Florida. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Maggie Northup at fishychic7 at yahoo.com http://stuartsailfishregatta.com/ Irene Arpayoglou, MS Marine Biology, Coastal Zone Management Adjunct Instructor iarpayoglou at keiseruniversity.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From blasimf at yahoo.com Tue Jan 19 00:02:14 2016 From: blasimf at yahoo.com (Monica F. Blasi) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:02:14 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] Research camps on dolphins and sea turtles in the Aeolian Archipelago (Italy) References: <1313315369.7818334.1453190534908.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1313315369.7818334.1453190534908.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Dear MARMAM Filicudi WildLife Conservation is a non-profit association aimed at the study and conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Aeolian Archipelago (Southern Italy).? Become a volunteer for dolphins and sea turtles inthe Aeolian Archipelago! ?You can spend an enthusiastic week living in atypical Aeolian house in the wonderful Island of Filicudi. During the research weeksthe volunteers will be involved in making daily boat excursions for monitoring cetaceansand sea turtles and assisting the research personnel to collect data.?Asregards the cetaceans the research activities are mainly focused on thepopulation of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiopstruncatus) and ?striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), but in some periodsof the year it is possible to sight fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).The monitoring sessions will be also dedicated to identifying and mapping the foragingareas for the loggerhead sea turtle Carettacaretta?and to rescue individuals with different problems,such as longlines ingestion and boat collision. As a volunteer you will also participate at the firstaid and care of the sea turtles in the Rescue Centre of Filicudi and consequentlyto the release of turtles at sea. For information: Monica F. Blasi, PhD?Ass. FILICUDI WildLife Conservation?Localit? Stimpagnato Filicudi 98055 Lipari (ME)Italy?cel: +39 3494402021 email: blasimf at yahoo.com?www.filicudiconservation.com facebook:?https://www.facebook.com/Filicudi-Wildlife-Conservation-235413569876227/ Publications 2015??Mattei D., Veschetti E., D?Ilio S.,Blasi M. F.Mapping elements distribution in carapace of?Carettacaretta: a pilot study, Marine Pollution Bulletin 06/2015; 98(1-2). 2015?-?Blasi M.F., Giuliani A. and BoitaniL.? Influence oftrammel nets on the behaviour and spatial distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiopstruncatus) in the Aeolian Archipelago, Southern Italy. Aquatic Mammals06/2015; 41(3):295-310. 2015- Leone A. B.? and BlasiM. F. Skin lesions occurring on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)in the Aeolian Archipelago (Southern Italy). ECS 2015 Malta. 2014?-?BlasiM.F. and Boitani L. Complex social structure of an endangered population ofbottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Aeolian Archipelago(Southern Italy), PLoS ONE 9(12): e114849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0114849. 2012-?M.F. Blasi andLuigi Boitani, Modeling distribution of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiopstruncatus) with physiographic parameters in Filicudi island (Italy);Endangered Species Research, Vol 17:269-288. 2011?-S. D'Ilio, D. Mattei, M.F. Blasi, A. Alimonti, S. Bogialli. The occurrenceof chemical elements and POPs in loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta): Anoverview. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62(8):1606-1615, 2011. 2011-M.F. Blasi, G. Insacco, V. Casciello, G. Benzi, M. Paraboschi. Status andconservation of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the shallowwater of the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). 4th Mediterranean Conferenceon Marine Turtles - Napoli, 7 - 10 November 2011. 2010?-V. Casciello, M. Paraboschi, G. Benzi, G. Insacco and M.F. Blasi. Conservation ofthe loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the shallow water ofAeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). 31st Annual Symposium on Sea TurtleBiology and Conservation, San Diego, California, USA, 12 - 15 April 2011. 2009?- Roscioni F.and Blasi M. F. "Preliminary analysis of distribution and foragingbehaviour of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the shallowwater of Filicudi Island". 2st European Congress of Conservation Biology.Prague (1- 5 Settembre), Czech Republic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------?Monica F. Blasi, PhD?Ass. FILICUDI WildLife Conservation?Localit? Stimpagnato Filicudi 98055 Lipari (ME)Italy?cel: +39 3494402021 email: blasimf at yahoo.com?www.filicudiconservation.com? facebook:?https://www.facebook.com/Filicudi-Wildlife-Conservation-235413569876227/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andy_szabo at hotmail.com Tue Jan 19 10:00:51 2016 From: andy_szabo at hotmail.com (Andy Szabo) Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 10:00:51 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] Call for volunteers for research in Alaska Message-ID: Alaska Whale Foundation is looking for volunteers to participate in a series of research, monitoring and data analysis projects at its field station on Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska. Volunteers will assist in collecting and analyzing data for projects examining humpback and sperm whale foraging ecology, as well as conducting avian acoustic monitoring and temperate rainforest vegetation surveys. Volunteers are needed for each of two 2-month blocks: 1) May 1 ? July 1, 2016; and, 2) July 1 ? August 31, 2016. Volunteers are expected to cover their own costs of getting to/from Sitka AK; however, float plane travel to the field station and room and board will be provided by AWF. For more information and to apply, visit: www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/volunteer. Andy Szabo, PhDDirector and Research BiologistAlaska Whale Foundation . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Leilani_Stelle at redlands.edu Sun Jan 17 14:26:43 2016 From: Leilani_Stelle at redlands.edu (Stelle, Lei Lani) Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:26:43 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Looking for publications based on citizen science data Message-ID: I am preparing a chapter on the use of citizen science in marine mammal research and am looking for publications (ideally peer-reviewed journal articles) that are based primarily on data contributed by citizen scientists. I have searched through Google Scholar for papers that discuss marine mammals (with various synonyms used) and citizen science but few show up. I am aware though of many organizations that utilize citizen scientists in their research so assume that the articles may be using different terms. Any species of marine mammal or research topic is fine. If you have published such work I would really like to be able to include it in my chapter. Please send me a PDF of the article (if possible), or the citation if a PDF is not available, to Leilani_stelle at redlands.edu Also, if you are interested in discussing this topic further I'd love to include a variety of perspectives. Thank you! Lei Lani Stelle Lei Lani Stelle, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology University of Redlands 1200 E Colton Avenue Redlands, CA 92373 (909) 748-8628 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From courtney.smith at noaa.gov Fri Jan 22 10:27:49 2016 From: courtney.smith at noaa.gov (Courtney Smith - NOAA Affiliate) Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:27:49 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication: UAS impacts on marine mammals Message-ID: Hi MARMAM community, My colleagues and I are pleased to announce the publication of a literature review focusing on the known impacts of unmanned aerial systems on marine mammals. This review is one of a special series of invited papers on the use of unmanned vehicle systems in wildlife studies. Assessment of known impacts of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on marine mammals: data gaps and recommendations for researchers in the United StatesCourtney E. Smith, Seth T. Sykora-Bodie, Brian Bloodworth, Shalynn M. Pack, Trevor R. Spradlin, Nicole R. LeBoeuf. Journal of Unmanned Vehicle Systems, Published on the web 22 January 2016, 10.1139/juvs-2015-001. Abstract: The development of advanced technologies to enhance conservation science often outpaces the abilities of wildlife managers to assess and ensure such new tools are safely used in proximity to wild animals. Recently, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have become more accessible to civilian operators and are quickly being integrated into existing research paradigms to replace manned aircraft. Several federal statutes require scientists to obtain research permits to closely approach protected species of wildlife, such as marine mammals, but the lack of available information on the effects of UAS operations on these species has made it difficult to evaluate and mitigate potential impacts. Here, we present a synthesis of the current state of scientific understanding of the impacts of UAS usage near marine mammals. We also identify key data gaps that are currently limiting the ability of marine resource managers to develop appropriate guidelines, policies, or regulations for safe and responsible operation of UAS near marine mammals. We recommend researchers prioritize collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data on marine mammal responses to UAS when using the devices to better inform the scientific community, regulators, and hobbyists about potential effects and assist with the development of appropriate mitigation measures. The article is available from the publisher's website ( http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/juvs-2015-0017#.VqJzRnhcKeA ) or by request at courtney.smith at noaa.gov. Cheers, Courtney -- *COURTNEY E. SMITH* *Principal Scientist:* *Marine Mammal Conservation & Recovery Specialist* Contractor with Ocean Associates, Inc. NOAA Fisheries Service - Office of Protected Resources Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division (F/PR2) 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring MD 20910 Email: courtney.smith at noaa.gov Website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From d00b44002 at ntu.edu.tw Thu Jan 21 18:52:18 2016 From: d00b44002 at ntu.edu.tw (=?ks_c_5601-1987?B?9Nrd7Nal?=) Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 02:52:18 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on subsampling of annual dentin for SIA Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of our research article: Evacitas FC, Worthy GAJ, Chou L-S. ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR SUBSAMPLING ANNUAL DENTIN LAYERS IN SMALL MAMMALIAN TEETH FOR STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS. Journal of Archaeological Science 66 (2016) 112-119. doi:10.1016/j.jas.2016.01.001 Abstract: Several techniques have been used to sample annual dentin layers in mammalian teeth for stable isotope analysis. However tooth size in smaller animals and the conical arrangement of the dentin layers have constrained precision of subsampling and collection of adequate sample from each annual growth layer. We tested an alternative subsampling technique using teeth from Risso's dolphins (n = 15) that involved cutting out the annual dentin growth layer groups (GLGs) from 300 to 500 ?m longitudinal sections from one half of a demineralized tooth and comparing the results to those obtained using a standard micromilling process on the other half of the same tooth. Subsamples were analyzed for elemental C and N content and for stable C and N isotopes. Subsamples obtained from cutting out the GLGs showed more consistent wt%N, wt%C, and atomic C/N ratios that were significantly different (P<0.0001) from those obtained by micromilling. Consequently, the ?15N and ?13C values differed significantly between methods with values from the former method being more concordant with the expected variations in the early years of Risso's dolphins. Deviations in ?13C values in the micromilled subsamples were large enough to create possible errors in interpretation of dietary sources. Cutting out the dentin layers reduced sample processing time by 90% and yielded ?10% more collagen than micromilling. These results suggest that cutting out the annual dentin layers can produce greater yield of samples of better collagen quality with a much shorter processing time than the micromilling process and is, therefore, an effective method to subsample small mammalian teeth. Free access to the article until March 5, 2016: http://authors.elsevier.com/a/ 1SNnh15SlTYGSU Lien-Siang Chou National Taiwan University Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Life Science Taipei City 10617 Taiwan Phone: +886 2 33662468 Fax: +886 2 23639902 E-mail: chouls at ntu.edu.tw -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From shane.gero at bios.au.dk Fri Jan 22 00:05:03 2016 From: shane.gero at bios.au.dk (Shane Gero) Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:05:03 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Identity cues in sperm whale codas [NEW PUBLICATION] Message-ID: <2161B95135EBEF45B719AA3529C0F7EB3C7ADC48@SRVUNIMBX02.uni.au.dk> Hi Everyone, We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper in Royal Society Open Science: Individual, unit and vocal clan level identity cues in sperm whale codas By: Shane Gero, Hal Whitehead, and Luke Rendell The paper is OPEN ACCESS and available here: HTML Full Text: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/content/full/rsos.150372?ijkey=gMaN5mQ56lOFJ4z&keytype=ref PDF: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/reprint/rsos.150372?ijkey=gMaN5mQ56lOFJ4z&keytype=ref Abstract The 'social complexity hypothesis' suggests that complex social structure is a driver of diversity in animal communication systems. Sperm whales have a hierarchically structured society in which the largest affiliative structures, the vocal clans, are marked on ocean-basin scales by culturally transmitted dialects of acoustic signals known as 'codas'. We examined variation in coda repertoires among both individual whales and social units-the basic element of sperm whale society-using data from nine Caribbean social units across six years. Codas were assigned to individuals using photo-identification and acoustic size measurement, and we calculated similarity between repertoires using both continuous and categorical methods. We identified 21 coda types. Two of those ('1+1+3' and '5R1') made up 65% of the codas recorded, were shared across all units and have dominated repertoires in this population for at least 30 years. Individuals appear to differ in the way they produce '5R1' but not '1+1+3' coda. Units use distinct 4-click coda types which contribute to making unit repertoires distinctive. Our results support the social complexity hypothesis in a marine species as different patterns of variation between coda types suggest divergent functions, perhaps representing selection for identity signals at several levels of social structure. Cited as: Gero, S., Whitehead, H. & Rendell, L. 2016 Individual, unit and vocal clan level identity cues in sperm whale codas. R. Soc. Open Sci. 3, 150372. (doi:10.1098/rsos.150372) My very best, Shane **************************** Shane Gero, Ph.D. Founder of The Dominica Sperm Whale Project & FNU Research Fellow Marine Bioacoustics Lab Institute for Bioscience Aarhus University Denmark [home-icon20] [Twitter_2012_bird_icon 20] [linkedin_logo20] Learn more about The Dominica Sperm Whale Project at http://www.thespermwhaleproject.org Find us on Facebook or Follow @DomWhale **************************** Shane Gero, Ph.D. FNU Research Fellow Marine Bioacoustics Lab Institute for Bioscience Aarhus University Denmark [home-icon20] [Twitter_2012_bird_icon 20] [linkedin_logo20] Learn more about The Dominica Sperm Whale Project at http://www.thespermwhaleproject.org Find us on Facebook or Follow @DomWhale -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: image006.png Type: image/png Size: 2835 bytes Desc: image006.png URL: From silvia.sm.monteiro at gmail.com Fri Jan 22 02:33:11 2016 From: silvia.sm.monteiro at gmail.com (Silvia Monteiro) Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 10:33:11 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on "Biological variables and health status affecting inorganic element concentrations in Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Portugal (Western Iberian Peninsula)" Message-ID: Dear Marmam Readers, I am very pleased to announce the following publication: Ferreira, M.; Monteiro, S.S.; Torres, J.; Oliveira, I.; Sequeira, M.; L?pez, A.; Vingada, J.; Eira, C. (2016). Biological variables and health status affecting inorganic element concentrations in Harbour porpoises (*Phocoena phocoena*) from Portugal (Western Iberian Peninsula). Environmental Pollution 210: 293-302. 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.01.027 Abstract The coastal preferences of harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena*) intensify their exposure to human activities. The harbour porpoise Iberian population is presently very small and information about the threats it endures is vital for the conservation efforts that are being implemented to avoid local extinction. The present study explored the possible relation between the accumulation of trace elements by porpoises and their sex, body length, nutritional state, presence of parasites and gross pathologies. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) were evaluated in 42 porpoises stranded in Portugal between 2005 and 2013. Considering European waters, porpoises stranded in Portugal present the highest Hg concentrations and the lowest Cd concentrations, which may reflect dietary preferences and the geographic availability of these pollutants. While no effect of sex on trace element concentrations was detected, there was a positive relationship between porpoise body length and the concentration of Cd, Hg and Pb. Animals in worse nutritional condition showed higher levels of Zn. Harbour porpoises with high parasite burdens showed lower levels of Zn and As in all analysed tissues and also lower levels of renal Ni, while those showing gross pathologies presented higher Zn and Hg levels. This is the first data on the relationship between trace elements and health-related variables in porpoises from southern European Atlantic waters, providing valuable baseline information about the contamination status of this vulnerable population. For an early view of this paper, please visit: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749116300276 If you are unable to download the article, please contact me by email and I will be happy to send you a copy: s.monteiro at ua.pt Best wishes, Silvia Monteiro ---------------------------------------- Postdoctoral researcher CESAM (Centro de estudos do ambiente e do Mar) University of Aveiro Portugal s.monteiro@ ua.pt www.cesam.ua.pt/silvia.monteiro Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem/Portuguese Wildlife Society University of Minho Portugal www.socpvs.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From smit at m-e-e-r.de Sat Jan 23 02:06:09 2016 From: smit at m-e-e-r.de (Volker Smit) Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2016 18:06:09 +0800 Subject: [MARMAM] ECS conference - 4th workshop on Communicating marine mammal science to the general public Message-ID: <56A35091.7060701@m-e-e-r.de> Dear all, the 30th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society on the beautiful island of Madeira is approaching and so is our educational workshop. This workshop will take place in the premises of the Madeira Whale Musuem. For more in detail information refer to the information below or visit the ECS homepage and the workshop section. *Sunday, 13th March (full day)*, contact Luigi Bundone (luigi.bundone at unive.it ) *Participation fee ?25* This workshop is organised by the NGO M.E.E.R, Berlin, Germany (www.m-e-e-r.org ), Archipelagos, Ambiente e Sviluppo Italia, Dolphin Watch Alliance and the Madeira Whale Museum. The workshop will take place at the* Madeira Whale Museum* with a presentation and guided tour by the museums' staff. There will be a transport organized for the workshop participants from the conference venue in Funchal to the museum in Canical (approx. 30 minutes one way) which is included in the workshop fee of 25 Euros. For any questions regarding registration and details referring to the programme - which will be send to you on request - please mail to: Luigi Bundone (luigi.bundone at unive.it ). You may also download the workshop programme*from the ECS webpage: *http://europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0#4th workshop on Communicating marine mammal science to the general public4th workshop on Communicating marine mammal science to the general public* * * Aims:* . share information about sources related to education, . exchange ideas and knowledge in new science teaching tools, . exchange experience in addressing the media, . foster general networking with all stakeholders, . exchange about the outreach of education and . support ECS to address educational questions. *Summary:*After the workshops in Setubal, 2013, Li?ge in 2014 and on Malta 2015 we want to continue to share educational and outreaching experiences of communicating marine mammal science to schools and to the general public. These experiences can be educational programs that support school curricula, pedagogical outreach materials such as books, videos, kits, activities and exhibitions. As in recent years we will focus on the theme of the conference: "Into the Deep: Research and Conservation on Oceanic Marine Mammals". For an introductionary round during the workshop we would kindly ask all the participants -- if applicable - to prepare 1-2 powerpoint slides showing their involvement in education and present it to the workshop participants during a max. of 2-3 minutes. At the end of the introductionary round we will run a short brainstorming session where the participants have the opportunity to give some input on what they want to get out of the workshop. The workshop is open to researchers, educators, science teachers, students and to the media and will allow a maximum of 25 participants. Volker Smit 2.Vorsitzender - vice-president M.E.E.R. e.V. Office Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin nnnn T +49-(0)30-644 97 230 Private Eichendorffstr. 41 46242 Bottrop T +49-(0)2041-4629243 smit at m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at cbmwc.org Thu Jan 21 05:43:02 2016 From: info at cbmwc.org (CBMWC) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:43:02 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Application Extension Living Seas Awareness Assistant (Volunteer) at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Message-ID: <000c01d15451$a659c440$f30d4cc0$@cbmwc.org> WTSWW_high_res_logoCBMWC logo without boarderCardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay Wales www.cbmwc.org Education and Awareness Volunteer 2016 Dedicated to conserving Cardigan Bay?s marine wildlife through education and research The Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting for a Living Seas Awareness Assistant (Voluntary) for the 2016 season (14th March to 31st October) to promote and deliver our educational programme and assist with awareness raising work and events in the local community. 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 research and education. Using boat-based and land-based surveys techniques, photo-identification and acoustic studies we collect data on marine megafauna, with a focus on bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and Atlantic grey seals in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the wider Irish Sea. We operate a busy visitor centre and also run an education and activity room which offers marine educational activities for families, school 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. Role description Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to help run the educational activities of a small but very active marine conservation group, gaining experience and developing skills essential for a career in environmental education. You will also meet new people who share your interests, learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, experience Wales? marine life and gain valuable work field experience. The assistant will work with the Living Seas Awareness Officer to: ? Develop and promote a range of educational activities for 2016 ? Deliver educational activities such as Seashore Safaris and Dolphin Detective Sessions ? Create new educational activities and materials ? Organise and promote events and fundraising activities e.g The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Week ? Provide talks and activities to visiting groups ? Run the Wildlife Watch Group ? Represent CBMWC at public events e.g. The Sea2Shore Festival ? Provide engaging content for CBMWC social media and Adopt a Dolphin Scheme Outside of school holidays the Education Assistant will also assist with all other activities including running our busy visitor centre and conducting research (land and boat based marine mammal surveys). Essential skills and qualifications: ? Excellent verbal and written communication skills ? Experience of working with children and families ? Experience in delivering educational activities ? Enthusiastic, conscientious and hard working ? Proactive with ability to work unsupervised ? Responsible, flexible and mature attitude ? Interest in wildlife and conservation ? IT skills ? Ability to work and live closely with others as part of a small team Desirable skills: ? An interest and knowledge of British marine life would be an advantage ? A background in biology, particularly marine biology/environmental science Volunteering Dates: The successful applicants must be available to start on 14th March and volunteer for the entire field season until 31st October. In the past volunteers have worked up to 8 hours a day 6 days a week. Volunteer fee An administration fee of ?45 will be required from all successful applicants. Accommodation and expenses: 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 payments for each block (8 weeks) are required in advance. To apply: Download a volunteer application form from our website www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/education-assistant/ 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 ?Education Volunteer 2016? in your subject line. Incomplete applications will not be assessed so please make sure you complete the form fully, including availability and be sure to attach your CV and covering letter The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 7th February 2016 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. ----------------------------- Sarah Perry Living Seas Science Officer Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales ----------------------------- Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Patent Slip Building, Glanmor Terrace, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9PS Ffon/Phone: 01545 560224 Website: www.cbmwc.org Website: www.welshwildlife.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: image004.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 3940 bytes Desc: not available URL: From info at cbmwc.org Thu Jan 21 05:44:16 2016 From: info at cbmwc.org (CBMWC) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:44:16 -0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Application Extension Living Seas Volunteer Coordinator Assistant (Volunteer) at Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre Message-ID: <001201d15451$d2669f40$7733ddc0$@cbmwc.org> WTSWW_high_res_logoCBMWC logo without boarderCardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay Wales www.cbmwc.org Assistant Volunteer Coordinator 2016 Dedicated to conserving Cardigan Bay?s marine wildlife through education and research Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre (CBMWC) is recruiting an Living Seas Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for the 2016 season (14th March to 31st October) to help coordinate our volunteers and get involved with our research and education work. 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 an education and activity room which offers marine educational and awareness raising activities for families, school 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. Role Description Volunteering for the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales at CBMWC is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn about running a small but very active marine conservation group, to develop skills in volunteer coordination and gain leadership experience. You will also meet new people who share your interests, learn about the species and habitats in Cardigan Bay, experience Wales? marine life and gain valuable field work experience. The assistant will work with and assist the Living Seas Volunteer Coordinator to: ? Manage and coordinate CBMWC?s team of volunteers ? Train volunteers in species ID, marine mammal surveying and data entry ? Assist with the analysis of Dolphin Watch data collected in New Quay ? Organise and promote events e.g. public beach cleans ? Provide engaging content across CBMWC?s social media ? Produce newsletters for our Adoption Scheme The assistant will also be involved with all other activities including running our busy visitor centre and conducting research (land and boat based marine mammal surveys). Essential skills and qualifications ? Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills ? Leadership skills ? Approachable ? Experience of team working ? IT literate ? Enthusiastic, conscientious and hard working ? Proactive with ability to work unsupervised ? Responsible, flexible and mature attitude Desirable Skills: ? Experience of managing small teams ? Experience in updating Word press websites Volunteering Dates: The successful applicants must be available to start on 14th March and volunteer for the entire field season until 31st October. In the past our volunteers have worked up to 8 hours a day six days a week. Volunteer fee An administration fee of ?45 will be required from all successful applicants. Accommodation and expenses: 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 payments for each block (8 weeks) are required in advance. To apply: Download a volunteer application form from our website www.cbmwc.org/volunteer/volunteer-co-ordinator/ 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 ?Volunteer Coordinator Assistant 2016? in your subject line. Incomplete applications will not be assessed so please make sure you complete the form fully, including availability and be sure to attach your CV and covering letter The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 7th February 2016 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. ----------------------------- Sarah Perry Living Seas Science Officer Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales ----------------------------- Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, Patent Slip Building, Glanmor Terrace, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9PS Ffon/Phone: 01545 560224 Website: www.cbmwc.org Website: www.welshwildlife.org -------------- 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 hbarriosg at gmail.com Sun Jan 24 08:41:14 2016 From: hbarriosg at gmail.com (Hector Barrios-Garrido) Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 02:41:14 +1000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on Sea Birds and Guiana Dolphin in the Gulf of Venezuela Message-ID: Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to share with you our new research article entitled: "Seabirds and Sotalia guianensis associations at the southern Gulf of Venezuela". The paper can be download in the following link: http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/cal/v37n2/v37n2a6.pdf The original paper is in Spanish, but further questions can be formulated in English to the authors. ABSTRACT: Associations between seabirds and marine mammals are a common event in all seas and oceans of the world. Several authors have called these associations as commensal, opportunistic or parasitic relationships, depending on the result of such interaction effect on one or two related species. In order to describe the presence of associations among Sotalia guianensis and sea birds in the southern region of the Gulf of Venezuela, from June 2011 to June 2012, observations of groups of this cetacean and seabirds were made on mobile platforms, using the ?group follow? protocol following an ?Ad libitum sampling?. All sightings were geo-referenced and annotations about the occurrence or non-association with seabirds, species and number of birds present at the association were made. During the sampling period 721 sightings were recorded, of which 197 events of aggregation between seabirds and S. guianensis were registered. The resident seabird species most frequently presented at each event associated with S. guianensis were: Fregata magnificens (49%; n=98), Phalacrocorax brasilianus (29.5%; n=59) and Pelecanus occidentalis (22.5%; n=45); being Thalasseus maxima (71%; n=142) the only migratory species. During all sampling sightings was observed only one interaction between a swallow species (Riparia riparia) and Sotalia guianensis. These bird-dolphin associations were only observed when a notable congregation of fish was registered and a dolphin or a group of dolphins were performing any activity with large movements of water that allowed birds to find and locate their preys with low energy cost. Key words. Seabirds, Sotalia guianensis, Navigation channel, Gulf of Venezuela. CITATION: Espinoza-Rodr?guez, N., Carrasquero, J., De Turris-Morales, K., Delgado-Ortega, G., & Barrios-Garrido, H. (2015). ASOCIACIONES ENTRE AVES MARINAS Y SOTALIA GUIANENSIS EN EL SUR DEL GOLFO DE VENEZUELA. *Caldasia*, *37*(2), 309-318. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/caldasia.v37n2.54381. Best regards HBG -- *********************************************** Hector Barrios-Garrido. PhD Candidate- Candidato a Doctor. College of Marine & Environmental Sciences James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia. *GTTM-GV: 18 a?os. **Acompa?ando a nuestras comunidades ind?genas hacia la conservaci?n integral. * 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 NO IMPRIMAS ESTE CORREO SI NO ES NECESARIO. CUIDEMOS A LOS ?RBOLES. CUIDEMOS EL PLANETA. VENZAMOS AL CAMBIO CLIM?TICO. 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 urrutiaof at gmail.com Sun Jan 24 09:46:56 2016 From: urrutiaof at gmail.com (M. Fernanda Urrutia Osorio) Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2016 18:46:56 +0100 Subject: [MARMAM] Course/Internship/Independent Study on Monitoring Cetaceans in Baja California, Mexico In-Reply-To: <001c01d15521$3a3d9090$aeb8b1b0$@gmail.com> References: <001c01d15521$3a3d9090$aeb8b1b0$@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hello everybody, The Cetacean Observation Program PROCETUS (Programa de Observacion de Cetaceos), located in Baja California, Mexico is offering a course on monitoring cetaceans in Bahia de los Angeles, Mexico. This course is directed to students or anyone interested in learning more about whales and/or want to gain valuable research experience on the field. This one-week course includes 5 days of boat surveys. Each survey consisting of 6 to 8 boat hours along the Canal de Ballenas. Each day, students/interns will learn photo-id research, sampling techniques, behavioral observations and GIS mapping. Although students cannot obtain academic credit with this course, we encourage students to talk to their teachers in order to take this course as an independent study. Interns will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course. Dates May 24th -31st 2016 * Dates are flexible at this point. Because most schools don't have the same academic calendar, please let us know if the dates don't work for you so we can make arrangements. Fee 700 USD The fee includes ? Transportation to/from Bahia de los Angeles from/to San Diego/Tijuana (11-12 hour drive). ? Accommodation at "Las Hamacas" Hotel. ? All meals. ? Field work: boat surveys. Does not include ? Travel to San Diego or Tijuana ? Travel insurance ? Expenses incurred before/after the course ? Spending money For more information visit http://www.procetus.com.mx/courseinternshipindependent-study-on-monitoring-cetaceans-in-baja-california-mexico/ Check out our page www.procetus.com.mx and visit us on Facebook to see what we do www.facebook.com/procetus Contact us for more information on the course info at procetus.com.mx or on Facebook Regards, PROCETUS -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From michellecaputo3 at gmail.com Sun Jan 24 10:45:40 2016 From: michellecaputo3 at gmail.com (Michelle Caputo) Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2016 20:45:40 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?Volunteer/Intern_Opportunity_for_South_African?= =?utf-8?q?_Cetacean_Research_Group_=E2=80=93_Photo-ID?= Message-ID: Please post the following- Thanks very much! Volunteer/Intern Opportunity for South African Cetacean Research Group ? Photo-ID Dear all, The Cetacean Research Group, located at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, conducts a variety of studies in South Africa?s Eastern Cape Province. We are currently seeking 1 volunteer/intern to help with boat-based dolphin research off the Wild Coast from February 18 ? March 12, 2016. Food and accommodation during field activities (February 21-March 11) will be covered by the research group. Travel costs to South Africa, and food and accommodation outside of the field to be covered by the volunteer/intern. This position will include assisting researchers with Photo-ID, data collection and analysis of photo-ID pictures for bottlenose (*Tursiops aduncus*), common (*Delphinus capensis*), and humpback (*Sousa plumbea*) dolphins along the Wild Coast in the Hluleka Nature Reserve, to better understand occurrence and residency of dolphin species in this remote and relatively unknown area. Due to the remote location and rugged sea conditions in this area, the applicants must be in good physical condition with no physical injuries, able to participate in surf launch activities and spend 6-8 hours at sea. Essential Requirements: - Photo ID experience ? please provide referees who can speak to your abilities in this area - Good physical condition and ability to work in challenging environment - Experience at sea - skippers license and surf launch experience considered an asset? - Ability to swim? - Working well in a team and a positive attitude Duties: - ? Photo-ID of animals during field activities - ? Assisting with dolphin sighting observations - ? Cropping and preliminary analysis of photos during non-field days - ? Assisting with preservation of biopsy samples - ? Assisting with general field work tasks such as equipment cleaning Boat-based surveys will be conducted at every opportunity, weather depending (between 5 to 10 days at sea). However, given the difficult weather and sea conditions in the area, applicants may be required to assist with other work during non-sea days. Interested applicants should send their CV, including two references, to michellecaputo3 at gmail.com. More information about our research group and the field site/accommodations can be found at: http://cmr.nmmu.ac.za/Current-Projects/Cetacean-Research-Group; www.facebook.com/CRGCMR and http://www.visiteasterncape.co.za/nature-conservation/provincial-parks/hluleka/ Thank you, Michelle Caputo PhD Candidate Rhodes University ? South Africa -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From drstaggs at gulfworldmarinepark.com Mon Jan 25 08:33:49 2016 From: drstaggs at gulfworldmarinepark.com (Dr. Staggs) Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:33:49 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Job Posting: Stranding Coordinator for Gulf World Marine Institute Message-ID: <619893CCA3808B439DE066C7BB0C49A649BD9FFB@LOUIEMBOX7.louie.exchangedefender.com> Please see posting below. POSITION: Stranding Coordinator for Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) Location: Panama City Beach, FL Compensation: Salaried Position with Benefits Please send cover letter and resume to pam at gulfworldmarinepark.com by February 12, 2015 Job Summary: Demonstrate excellent representation of GWMI at all times through a positive, can-do attitude and focused work ethic. Responsible for assisting the Institute Director with the execution of duties associated with GWMI's Animal Rescue Program. These duties include: rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, maintenance of all rehabilitation facilities, answering and responding to calls of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, and coordinating the schedules of the stranding program volunteers. Minimum Requirements for Position: Must be willing to consistently provide full time assistance for stranding calls and responses. Must be willing to work with a diverse group of people with a wide variety of experience. Must be able to work well with Institute Director and Staff Veterinarian. Bachelor of Science degree or minimum 4 years experience in related field. Must have good understanding of stranded marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation. Must have public speaking experience. Ability to work under harsh weather conditions. Ability to develop stranding teams and work well with members as well as work independently when required. Must be able and willing to assist in animal necropsies, experience preferred but not necessary. Strong communication skills (oral and written) and computer expertise is required. Grant writing skills are highly desirable. Valid driver's license and a good driving record. Must be physically able to execute the work of the position. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must be legally able to work in the United States. Weekends and scheduling flexibility required. Responsibilities & Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. * Perform all other duties as assigned by Institute Director and Staff Veterinarian. Responsible for staffing a 24-hour hotline for reports of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in stranding area. * Appropriately coordinate field response/rescue of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. * Assist with overseeing the daily operations of the rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles including animal care and facility maintenance. * Oversee the training of all volunteers within the Animal Rescue Program and coordinate the scheduling of rehabilitation volunteers. * Collect Level-A data and specimens in the field and assist with carcass disposal, when necessary. * Provide educational information to the public when responding to stranding reports. * Assist in conducting public outreach programs, and media relations. * Conduct or assist veterinarian in necropsy examinations both onsite and in the field including, but not limited to, clean-up and waste management. * Write and implement new standard operating procedures. * Coordinate release of rehabilitated marine mammals and sea turtles. * Perform accurate data entry into GWMI, FWC, and NOAA Fisheries databases for all reported sightings and stranding's. * Demonstrate understanding of the hazards employees and volunteers are exposed to and must be certain that volunteers are properly trained in the use of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that will protect them from that hazard. * Insure employees and volunteers have the appropriate safety training needed in their position. [Business Card - DrStaggs-1] "This transmission may contain confidential health information that is legally privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any other party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after it's stated need has been fulfilled. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken in reliance on the contents of these documents is strictly prohibited. If you have received this information in error, please notify the sender immediately and arrange for the return or destruction of these documents." -- ExchangeDefender Message Security: Click below to verify authenticity https://admin.exchangedefender.com/verify.php?id=u0PGXlMb002356&from=drstaggs at gulfworldmarinepark.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 99293 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From k.indeck at uq.edu.au Mon Jan 25 15:41:23 2016 From: k.indeck at uq.edu.au (Katherine Indeck) Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 23:41:23 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] SMM Australia/New Zealand Student Chapter Membership Message-ID: <31efe9f4e16c4c359c4cf98c7bba8067@uq-exmbx2.soe.uq.edu.au> Hello Australian and New Zealand Students! First off, the ANZ Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy would like to introduce its new chapter heads: Kate Indeck, Cecilia Passadore, Emily Wilson and Jessica Pati?o P?rez. We look forward to meeting those of you that are already members, and to talking with those that are interested in joining! That being said, the ANZSC is eager to recruit new members in the coming year. The chapter provides an opportunity for those studying in Australia and New Zealand to share ideas, start discussions and keep in touch with students from different labs and universities across the region. Our primary objective is to organise the 3rd ANZ Student Chapter Meeting, which we hope to hold late this year. This conference will give participants the chance to present and discuss their research in a relaxed environment while meeting and networking with other marine mammalogy students and researchers. If you are not yet a member of the student chapter but are interested in joining, please fill out a membership registration form from (https://www.marinemammalscience.org/for-students/chapters/australianew-zealand-smm-student-chapter/). Last but not least, we would like to extend membership to any interested students from the South Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. While we realise that geographic separation will limit our ability to facilitate face-to-face meetings, we also recognise the need for every student and young professional to have accessible to them a forum for networking beyond their immediate academic/research location. As such, we would encourage students from these regions to apply for membership, join the Australian/New Zealand Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/216733571703949/ ), and get involved with any and all of our research-related discussions! For any questions regarding membership or chapter activities, please contact us at anzscsmm at gmail.com. Sincerely, Kate Indeck The Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, University of Queensland Cecilia Passadore, Emily Wilson Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Laboratory, Flinders University Jessica Pati?o P?rez Coastal Marine Research Group, Massey University -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From chapmanl at TMMC.org Tue Jan 26 11:44:37 2016 From: chapmanl at TMMC.org (Laura Chapman) Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 19:44:37 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammal Center Spring Rescue Internship Message-ID: RESCUE/STRANDING DEPARTMENT SPRING 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 and no housing is provided. 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 - Spring 2016 - any location or Stranding Internship application - Spring 2016 - San Luis Obispo. Internship Period Application Deadline Interviews Notification of acceptance by Approximate Internship Time Spring February 5, 2016 February 15-19, 2016 February 26, 2016 April 6th - June 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 filalves at rocketmail.com Thu Jan 28 09:17:30 2016 From: filalves at rocketmail.com (Filipe Alves) Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:17:30 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] Annoucement: [PRACTICAL INTENSIVE CETACEANS COURSE] - Madeira Island, 17-19th March References: <1471435750.1382261.1454001450720.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1471435750.1382261.1454001450720.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Dear collegues, we are pleased to annouce a special edition of a practical intensive course on cetaceans, in Madeira Island (Portugal), between 17-19th March,?after the 30th ECS. INCLUDES:four lectures, three pelagic trips?, a visit to the Whale Museum, a look-out post experience, insurance and certificate. TARGET PARTICPANTS:undergraduate / recente graduated students and?naturalists. ORGANIZED BY:Ventura | nature emotions, in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Envirnomental Research (CIIMAR-Madeira) and the Madeira Whale Museum, with the participation of Madeira's Regional Agency for the Development of Research Technology and Inovation (ARDITI) and the Oceanic Observatorium of Madeira (OOM).Lectures will be given by researchers with experience on the field, and the pelagic trips guided by?an experienced tour leader. GOALS:to provide the participants thechance to learn more about the marine life in general, covering aspects of the biology,species identification, and standard research techniques applied to the studyof whales and dolphins, as well as of other associated megafauna inhabiting theMadeiran waters such as sea birds, turtles and the endangered Mediterraneanmonk seal.?To provide the participants anintensive sea life watching experience during the week, covering: datacollection (visual and photographic data) and the chance to discuss real lifedifficulties in data collection and species identification; adequateapproaching procedures / best practices when near the animals; and ?reading?animals signs of stress.PRICE:290? (early registration: 261?, untill 15?February). 10% discount for students. INFORMATION and BOOKING:please contact the responsibles for the course: Lu?s Dias?/ Filipe Alves at ventura at venturadomar.com with the subject 'Whales & Dolphins Practical Course'.A brochure with more details?is available upon request. Best regards, Filipe Alves Marine biologist, PhDCIIMAR-Madeirahttp://home.ciimarmadeira.org/index.php?page=filipealves Ventura | nature emotionshttp://www.venturadomar.com/team -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Course_Cetaceans_Madeira_2016_Poster.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 287202 bytes Desc: not available URL: From felix.marx at otago.ac.nz Thu Jan 28 03:05:46 2016 From: felix.marx at otago.ac.nz (Felix G. Marx) Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2016 11:05:46 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New fossil mysticete Metopocetus hunteri Message-ID: <1453979139582.19863@otago.ac.nz> Dear colleagues, please find below the abstract of a newly published article describing a new fossil mysticete, Metopocetus hunteri, from the Late Miocene of the Netherlands. Marx, F.G., Bosselaers, M.E.J., and Louwye, S. 2016. A new species of Metopocetus (Cetacea, Mysticeti, Cetotheriidae) from the Late Miocene of the Netherlands. PeerJ 4:e1572. The family Cetotheriidae has played a major role in recent discussions of baleen whale phylogenetics. Within this group, the enigmatic, monotypic Metopocetus durinasus has been interpreted as transitional between herpetocetines and other members of the family, but so far has been restricted to a single, fragmentary cranium of uncertain provenance and age. Here, we expand the genus and shed new light on its phylogenetic affinities and functional morphology by describing Metopocetus hunteri sp. nov. from the Late Miocene of the Netherlands. Unlike the holotype of M. durinasus, the material described here is confidently dated and preserves both the tympanic bulla and additional details of the basicranium. M. hunteri closely resembles M. durinasus, differing primarily in its somewhat less distally expanded compound posterior process of the tympanoperiotic. Both species are characterised by the development of an unusually large fossa on the ventral surface of the paroccipital process, which extends anteriorly on to the compound posterior process and completely floors the facial sulcus. In life, this enlarged fossa may have housed the posterior sinus and/or the articulation of the stylohyal. Like other cetotheriids, Metopocetus also bears a well-developed, posteriorly-pointing dorsal infraorbital foramen near the base of the ascending process of the maxilla, the precise function of which remains unclear. The article is open access and can be freely read and downloaded here: https://peerj.com/articles/1572/ Kind regards, Felix Marx ________________________________ Felix G. Marx PhD Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow *Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium *Monash University, Melbourne, Australia *Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia Address: School of Biological Sciences, Monash University 25 Rainforest Walk, VIC 3800, Australia Tel. +61 (0)3 9905 1190 (Monash University) or +61 (0)3 8341 7733 (Museum Victoria) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dwalk at mmome.org Wed Jan 27 09:36:26 2016 From: dwalk at mmome.org (Walk, Dominique) Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:36:26 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Marine Mammals of Maine 2016 summer internship announcement Message-ID: Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is a relatively new non-profit organization federally authorized to respond to live and dead marine mammals. MMoME is dedicated to providing response, assistance and care to stranded marine mammals between Kittery and Rockland, Maine. The organization covers some of the busiest seal stranding coastline during the summer months, totaling over 300 live and dead stranded marine mammals every year. MMoME recently received authorization to temporarily hold, and stabilize, sick and injured seals before transporting them to long term care facilities-currently the only triage facility on the east coast. MMoME?s mission also heavily targets education and outreach to many different interest groups to address our growing human interaction numbers, and increase awareness of marine mammals, their protection, and the organization. MMoME is seeking up to 4 qualified, motivated, and independent interns for the months of May through August, or May through October, to assist with our busiest time of year-harbor seal pupping. Interns and volunteers are critical in fulfilling our mission and are able to participate in a variety of activities. The internship is based out of midcoast Maine, though travel throughout our response region, as well as to rehabilitation centers, will be necessary. Interns will be required to dedicate at least 20 hours per week, and may be required to work during holidays, weekends, and late hours. This internship is unpaid, and shared housing may be available. Maine?s busy tourist industry during the summer months offers many seasonal job opportunities for interns looking to supplement their income. *KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:* ? ANIMAL RESPONSE: on-call for live and dead marine mammal stranding response to perform health assessments and carry out response actions such as monitor, relocate, collect for rehabilitation, or transport live animals, and data and carcass collection for necropsy or disposal of deceased animals. ? TEMPORARY CARE OF SEALS: assist with the care of sick and injured seals being temporarily held and stabilized. Tasks range from tube-feeding, assisting with medical procedures, animal restraint for exams, running lab samples, record maintenance and transport to long term care facilities. ? TRIAGE CENTER MAINTAINANCE: assist with maintenance and organization of MMoME?s new triage center including cleaning of animal enclosures, tools, maintaining lab equipment, and general projects to continue growing the facility. ? NECROPSY: participate in necropsies of fresh dead seals and cetaceans, and help transport carcasses to partner organizations assisting MMoME with necropsy. ? EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: assist MMoME staff with education and outreach by giving presentations to interest groups about the organization, our mission, and work, as well as help create educational tools and materials. ? INDEPENDENT PROJECT: each intern will design an independent project relating to education/outreach, a research project using existing MMoME data and/or specific data collected throughout the summer, fundraising projects, or other aspects of marine mammal response and care or non-profit work of interest to the intern. ? OTHER TASKS: data entry, assistance with fundraising events, and other tasks as needed *REQUIREMENTS:* ? 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, but must be at least 18 years of age. ? Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, marine science, education, or other related fields. ? Individuals that are passionate, responsible, hardworking, willing to learn, and have attention to detail are encouraged to apply. ? Must be able to work independently and as part of a team, and be adaptable to a changing and unpredictable schedule due to the nature of stranding response. ? Interns must be able to commit to at least three months, and should be available to work from at least May 15 , 2016 ? August 15, 2016. ? Must have a valid driver?s license as well as a vehicle. ? Must be comfortable driving a truck. ? If an intern plans to receive school credit for an internship they must notify staff prior to the internship start date, and it will be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required paperwork is completed and submitted. *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 February 29, 2016. Interviews will be conducted in early March, and final decisions will be announced mid-March. *Please send application materials and questions to*: info at mmome.org or Marine Mammals of Maine P.O. Box 751 Bath, ME 04530 *Dominique Walk* *Assistant Stranding Coordinator* *Marine Mammals of Maine* *Reporting Hotline: 1-800-532-9551* *www.mmome.org * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From dianna at blueoceansociety.org Wed Jan 27 09:35:12 2016 From: dianna at blueoceansociety.org (Dianna Schulte, Blue Ocean Society) Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:35:12 -0500 Subject: [MARMAM] Blue Ocean Society- Summer Internships Available Message-ID: <004101d15929$14b67c90$3e2375b0$@blueoceansociety.org> Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is accepting applications for Summer 2016 Interns. Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is a nonprofit organization based in Portsmouth, NH, USA with a mission to protect marine life in the Gulf of Maine through research, education and inspiring action. We achieve our goals primarily through our core programs which involve studying whales from commercial whale watch boats, collecting data on debris found during beach cleanups and offshore, and interacting with thousands of people each year during programs and events. Blue Ocean Society's Internship Program is structured and designed to provide undergraduates and recent post-grads with hands-on experience in the field of whale research, education and marine conservation. Interns will be directly involved in a variety of programs, including contributing to our long-term studies of several wild cetacean species (humpback, fin, minke whales, etc) in the Gulf of Maine while working aboard commercial whale watching vessels departing from NH and northern MA. Interns will also assist with education through our outreach programs, beach cleanups and at our Blue Ocean Discovery Center in Hampton Beach, NH. Responsibilities: . Collect detailed data (environmental and behavioral) on local marine species and marine debris . Interact with program participants of all ages and backgrounds . Assist with beach cleanups and school/outreach programs . Educate visitors at our Blue Ocean Discovery Center . Enter data . Attend weekly meetings and lectures . Complete weekly reading assignments Qualifications: . Must possess a strong work ethic, have high attention to detail and the ability to work with limited supervision . Must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, friendly and able to talk to small groups . Must be 18 or older . Must have reliable transportation . Must be available on weekends and holidays . Must be available to start by May 25, 2016 Prior experience is not required and all training is provided. This is an unpaid position. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Those who can work full-time hours for at least 10 weeks will be given preference. Please visit http://www.blueoceansociety.org/Jobs/intern.html for full Internship information. Details on how to apply can be found here: http://www.blueoceansociety.org/Jobs/app_forms.html Application deadline is March 1, 2016. Dianna Schulte Research and Intern Coordinator Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation Gov. John Langdon House 143 Pleasant Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 Office: 603-431-0260 Email: dianna at blueoceansociety.org www.blueoceansociety.org Facebook | Twitter -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From carol.c.tatsch at gmail.com Wed Jan 27 19:27:37 2016 From: carol.c.tatsch at gmail.com (Carol Tatsch) Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2016 01:27:37 -0200 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on lipid extraction and acidification in stable isotopes of ziphiid bones Message-ID: Dear MARMAM subscribers, My colleagues and I are pleased to announce the publication of our research article: Tatsch, A. C. C., Secchi, E. R., & Botta, S. (2016). Effects of acidification, lipid removal and mathematical normalization on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions in beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone. *Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 30*, 460?466. http://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.7457 *ABSTRACT* RATIONALE: The analysis of stable isotopes in tissues such as teeth and bones has been used to study long-term trophic ecology and habitat use in marine mammals. However, carbon isotope ratios (?13C values) can be altered by the presence of 12C-rich lipids and carbonates. Lipid extraction and acidification are common treatments used to remove these compounds. The impact of lipids and carbonates on carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (?15N values), however, varies among tissues and/or species, requiring taxon-specific protocols to be developed. METHODS: The effects of lipid extraction and acidification and their interaction on carbon and nitrogen isotope values were studied for beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone samples. ?13C and ?15N values were determined in quadruplicate samples: control, lipid-extracted, acidified and lipid-extracted followed by acidification. Samples were analyzed by means of elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the efficiency of five mathematical models developed for estimating lipid-normalized ?13C values from untreated ?13C values was tested. RESULTS: Significant increases in ?13C values were observed after lipid extraction. No significant changes in ?13C values were found in acidified samples. An interaction between both treatments was demonstrated for ?13C but not for ?15N values. No change was observed in ?15N values for lipid-extracted and/or acidified samples. Although all tested models presented good predictive power to estimate lipid-free ?13C values, linear models performed best. CONCLUSIONS: Given the observed changes in ?13C values after lipid extraction, we recommend *a priori* lipid extraction or *a posteriori* lipid normalization, through simple linear models, for beaked whale bones. Furthermore, acidification seems to be an unnecessary step before stable isotope analysis, at least for bone samples of ziphiids. The article is available from the publisher's website ( http://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.7457) or by request at carol.c.tatsch at gmail.com Best regards, Ana Carolina Tatsch MSc. Ana Carolina Corr?a Tatsch Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Oceanografia Biol?gica - PPGOB Laborat?rio de Ecologia e Conserva??o da Megafauna Marinha- EcoMega Instituto de Oceanografia - IO Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG Rio Grande/RS - Brasil -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From akkayaaylin at yahoo.com Thu Jan 28 00:16:50 2016 From: akkayaaylin at yahoo.com (aylin akkaya) Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2016 08:16:50 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [MARMAM] =?utf-8?q?New_Publication=3A_New_records_of_Cuvier?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_beaked_whales_=28Ziphius_cavirostris=29_from_the_Tur?= =?utf-8?q?kish_Levantine_Sea?= References: <683212638.1514409.1453969010920.JavaMail.yahoo.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <683212638.1514409.1453969010920.JavaMail.yahoo@mail.yahoo.com> Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following publication: Bas. A.A., Lagoa J.C., Atchoi E. 2016. New records of Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) from the Turkish Levantine Sea. Turkish Journal of Zoology. DOI: 10.3906/zoo-1509-19 Abstract: Cuvier's beaked whales were sighted once on each of three different surveys over Antalya Canyon, in June and September 2015. Sightings took place in waters between 600 and 1000 m depth and at 8 km from the closest shore. While the first sighting was positively identified as Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) (G. Cuvier, 1823), latter sightings couldn't be identified to species level. Nevertheless, noting that latter sightings had a similar spatial and temporal distribution to the first one and that there is an overwhelming difference between the probabilities of sighting Cuvier's beaked whales versus Mesoplodon sp. in the Mediterranean Sea, all three sightings were assumed to be Cuvier's beaked whales. Group size was recorded as two for the first two sightings and one for the last sighting. We hereby report the most recent Cuvier?s beaked whale sightings from the Levantine Basin and the first ones from Antalya Bay, as well as compile the previous sighting and stranding information on beaked whales in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The current study supports previous modelling results showing the northern region of the Levantine Sea to be of importance to the species distribution in the Mediterranean Sea and we propose that the species is indeed regularly present in the area. However, consistent regional surveys are needed in order to validate these conclusions. The paper is available online: http://online.journals.tubitak.gov.tr/openAcceptedDocument.htm?fileID=641687&no=160983 For information or request please contact: akkayaaylinn at gmail.com Warm regards, Aylin Akkaya Bas Deniz Memelileri Ara?t?rma Derne?i (DMAD) Marine Mammals Research Association +90 5337739867 info at dmad.org.trt www.dmad.org.tr -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kate at smulteasciences.com Thu Jan 28 14:59:09 2016 From: kate at smulteasciences.com (Kate Lomac-Macnair) Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2016 22:59:09 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New Publication: Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) behavior and group dynamics as observed from an aircraft off Southern California Message-ID: Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper: Lomac-MacNair, K., & Smultea, M. A. (2016). Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) behavior and group dynamics as observed from an aircraft off Southern California. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 3(1), 1-21. doi: 10.12966/abc.02.01.2016 ABSTRACT Group behavior and interactions of endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) have not been systematically studied. Such behavioral data are often overlooked when assessing anthropogenic effects. Yet behavioral data are necessary to compare ?normal? behaviors with behavior affected by anthropogenic factors of concern relative to effective management and recovery of blue whales. For a baseline study, we hypothesized that the response variables sighting rate, group size, calf presence and group cohesion (i.e., spacing between individuals within a group) differed according to the spatio-temporal explanatory variables behavioral state, time of day, season, water depth and distance from shore. To address our hypotheses, we flew systematic line transect surveys in southern California and collected focal group data. Two sets of data were separately analyzed using different sampling approaches: (1) point sample data associated with the first sighting of a blue whale(s), and (2) extended all-occurrence focal group behavioral sampling data (i.e., focal follows) collected on a subsample of all sightings while the aircraft circled at a radial distance of approximately 0.5-1 km and an altitude of 1,500 m for extended periods of 5 ? 60 minutes. Chi-square contingency table and G? analyses were used to assess statistical relationships between response and explanatory variables. We conducted 18 one-week-long aerial surveys spanning October 2008 through May 2013 (at least once during every month except December), totaling 87,555 km of observation effort. Seventy blue whale sightings (117 individuals) were seen, ranging in size from 1 ? 6 whales, and focal follow was performed on over half (55%) of these sightings. Results supported our hypotheses that blue whale group characteristics were related to behavioral state and spatio-temporal variables. Sighting rates were significantly highest during summer followed by spring, fall, and winter. Group type differed significantly by season: groups (at least three individuals) were seen only during summer but singles and pairs were seen from spring through fall. Noncalf groups and mother/calf pairs engaged predominantly in mill and slow travel/rest, while singles and pairs were only observed in medium/fast travel. Behavioral state differed significantly by time of day, group type, water depth and distance from shore. On average mother/calf pairs (n = 3) and singles (n = 43) were found in deeper offshore waters than groups (n = 8) and pairs (n = 16). Group cohesion and group size were negatively correlated: as group size increased whales became less cohesive and more spread out. Our study suggests that group characteristics and behavior are sensitive to spatio-temporal factors. These data are important in providing the first systematic quantitative study of blue whale behavior, providing a baseline against which to assess potential impacts of increasing anthropogenic marine activities in the study area and elsewhere. Results further indicate that social, behavioral and spatio-temporal factors influencing blue whales must be considered when attempting to differentiate potential impacts of anthropogenic activities. We thus suggest that our study parameters be applied as behavioral indices of anthropogenic disturbance to blue whales. To identify effective management and conservation actions to assist in recovery of the blue whale population, it is imperative to describe and quantify natural behavior and habitat use patterns. Our paper is available online at: http://static1.squarespace.com/static/55d8cdaee4b02c0cfcea3dc6/t/56a963041c12105ee0bb57cc/1453941516815/01.Feb2016-Lomac+%26+Smultea+-+final.pdf Or via e-mail request to kate at smulteasciences.com Cheers, Kate Lomac-MacNair COO/Senior Research Scientist Smultea Environmental Sciences kate at smulteasciences.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From a.akkaya at archipelago.gr Thu Jan 28 23:06:58 2016 From: a.akkaya at archipelago.gr (Aylin Akkaya) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:06:58 +0200 Subject: [MARMAM] MARINE MAMMAL PLACEMENTS IN ARCHIPELAGOS, GREECE Message-ID: MARINE MAMMAL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS IN THE AEGEAN SEA ARE AVAILABLE Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is currently seeking for volunteers, based in 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. Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (www.archipelago.gr) is a Greek non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the conservation of the marine and terrestrial environments of the Greek seas and islands for over a decade. Previously, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, striped dolphins, Risso's dolphins, sperm whales, beaked whales, fin whales, false killer whale, harbour porpoises and Mediterranean monk seals were documented in the Aegean Sea. VOLUNTEERS are primarily responsible for behavioural data collection, theodolite operation, photographing 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 position is open starting from March 7th throughout the year. 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 cove rletter by e-mail to a.akkaya at archipelago.gr Deadline for Applications: Monday 15th February 2016. Dr. Aylin Akkaya Bas Marine Mammal Research Coordinator Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation 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 abostwick at psocertifications.com Fri Jan 29 07:46:23 2016 From: abostwick at psocertifications.com (abostwick) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:46:23 -0500 (EST) Subject: [MARMAM] Protected Species Observer Training - Galveston, TX Feb 26-27 Message-ID: <480523724.1996996.1454082384001.JavaMail.open-xchange@bosoxweb02.eigbox.net> There are a few spots left in the MPSC Protected Species Observer training course February 26-27 in Galveston, TX. This BOEM/BSEE-compliant PSO certification course covers the regulations for reducing seismic survey impacts to marine mammals and sea turtles, and how to visually locate and identify the animals. Course comprehension is measured with examinations on regulations and animal identification. Lunch is provided and included in the $800 course fee (college/recent graduate and group discounts available), along with various identification guides, regulatory documents, admission to Moody Gardens Aquarium, and advice on applying to PSO positions. The registration form may be found here: http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/MPSC_Registration-February2016.pdf MPSC is also holding PSO training at Mote Marine Lab Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida on April 9-10. For more information or to register, please contact Angela at ABostwick at PSOCertifications.com , by phone at 832-523-2402 , or visit the website at http://www.protectedspeciesobservers.com/ . Thank you, Angela Bostwick / Founder Marine Protected Species Consulting ProtectedSpeciesObservers.com https://Facebook.com/ProtectedSpeciesObservers/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From elizabeth at whalemuseum.org Fri Jan 29 18:04:44 2016 From: elizabeth at whalemuseum.org (elizabeth at whalemuseum.org) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 18:04:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: [MARMAM] The Whale Museum's Soundwatch Boater Education Program Summer Internship! Message-ID: <1454119484.523424539@apps.rackspace.com> Be Part of the Soundwatch Boater Education Program: Summer Internships Available! 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 interns to help conduct seasonal vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal 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 data is used to promote better boater compliance and to inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel laws and guidelines. 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. Interns Must: Commit to at least 12 weeks between May and September Be able to work approximately 30-40 hours per week, Mon-Sun Perform a variety of tasks both in the field, on the boat and in an office Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic and attention to detail Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water sometimes in extreme seasonal conditions. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least three or four times a week. Internship is located in Friday Harbor, Washington. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, TWM staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations. 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, and familiar with database spreadsheets. Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences. Interns will need a valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license and CPR/First Aid certification. A state boater license/or equivalent safe boating card, not required, but is encouraged. 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 15th, 2016. Decisions will be made by April 1, 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 EMONTIE at uscb.edu Fri Jan 29 15:44:09 2016 From: EMONTIE at uscb.edu (MONTIE, ERIC) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 23:44:09 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Fish and marine mammal bioacoustic internship at USCB Message-ID: <5D66402E81C1334592133F37E0D4BF7058595073@CAE145EMBP05.ds.sc.edu> USCB Bioacoustic Spring/Summer Research Experience Need: Two fish/marine mammal bioacoustic interns for spring and summer 2016. Organization: Marine Sensory and Neurobiology Lab at USCB, Dr. Eric Montie, Department of Natural Sciences, University of South Carolina Beaufort. Salary: Unpaid internship. Position Information: 25 hrs minimum per week; Monday through Friday. 30 - 40 hrs per week is preferred. Position is for 6 months from March 1st to August 31st. Location: This position is located at the University of South Carolina Beaufort at the Bluffton campus. Bluffton, SC is located only 20 minutes from Hilton Head Island, SC. The campus is 10 minutes from the May River and 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. About Our Lab: Our research lab strives to understand the sensory and neurobiology of marine organisms. Specifically, we are interested in brain architecture, hearing of fish and marine mammals, and acoustic communication of aquatic vertebrates. The more applied part of our research program focuses on studies that investigate how natural and man-made stressors impact the brain, hearing, and acoustic communication. These stressors include man-made chemicals, harmful algal blooms, noise pollution, and climate change. We use techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, auditory evoked potentials, and passive acoustics using long-term monitoring devices. This research involves work on biomedical models such as zebrafish, as well as wild marine organisms like spotted seatrout, red drum, and bottlenose dolphins. Duties Include: (1) Sound production studies with fish and bottlenose dolphins. (2) Larval and juvenile fish sampling using plankton tows, fyke nets, and beam trawls. (3) Bottlenose dolphin abundance, distribution, and photo-identification. (4) Managing our Adopt a Dolphin program. The internship will focus on analyzing and interpreting previously collected acoustic data using our DSG-Ocean Recorders. In addition, interns will participate in larval and juvenile fish sampling through the use of plankton tows, fyke nets, and beam trawls. There will be some opportunities for additional field work, including dolphin surveys, as well as deployment and retrieval of stationary and drifting acoustic recorders. Qualifications: The internship is designed for undergraduates who have recently graduated and are interested in gaining experience in marine bioacoustics. Experience with Adobe Audition, Excel, and MATLAB preferred. Students in computational science majors are urged to apply. Boat experience is preferred but not mandatory. Evidence of good communication skills through interaction with public is also a bonus. Good organizational skills are a necessity. How to Apply: Please email a C.V. with GPA and two reference contacts to Dr. Eric Montie (emontie at uscb.edu). If you have questions concerning the position, please email or phone (843) 208-8107. Eric W. Montie Assistant Professor of Biology Department of Natural Sciences University of South Carolina Beaufort Science and Technology Building Office: Room 103 Lab: Room 116 One University Boulevard Bluffton, SC 29909 Office Phone: (843) 208-8107 Fax: (843) 208-8294 Email: emontie at uscb.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Jennifer.Johnson at MyFWC.com Fri Jan 29 11:14:18 2016 From: Jennifer.Johnson at MyFWC.com (Johnson, Jennifer) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:14:18 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] FWC Manatee Photo-identification Internships Message-ID: Manatee Photo-identification Internships The manatee photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency. For more information about FWRI, please visit: www.MyFWC.com/research/. FWRI's manatee photo-identification research focuses on long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The program's primary goal is to document individual manatees, which allows us to estimate annual adult survival and reproductive rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use and behavior. Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, entering information into databases, scanning data sheets and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based; however, during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include but are not limited to data entry, assisting with manatee genetics research, special projects and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency. Two positions are available each year: one in winter (November to March) and one in summer (May to September). Start and end dates are flexible; however, a minimum commitment of four weekdays per week for four months is required. Work hours are typically 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the institute. Positions are open until filled, and priority will be given to candidates who can commit for longer periods. Qualifications: * Computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred. * Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters and lenses preferred but not required. * The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment. * A valid U.S. Driver's License. * Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods. If you are interested in applying for an internship with the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, the following information is required: * A cover letter describing the internship you are applying for; area(s) of academic/research interest; and the dates, days, and hours of availability. * A resume (or curriculum vitae) describing your relevant training and experience. * Current academic transcripts. (unofficial are sufficient) * Names and contact information for three references. Please submit application items as an e-mail attachment to: Interns at MyFWC.com If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to: Internship Coordinator FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eight Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020 Applicants may contact FWRI's Manatee Photo-identification Project Manager, Kari Rood, (Kari.Rood at MyFWC.com, 727-502-4737) with questions regarding the internship. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jennifer at whalemuseum.org Fri Jan 29 15:47:00 2016 From: jennifer at whalemuseum.org (Jennifer Olson) Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:47:00 -0800 Subject: [MARMAM] The Whale Museum 2016 Stranding Network Internship Message-ID: <027201d15aef$5962b620$0c282260$@org> The Whale Museum's Stranding Network Program: Summer Internship 2016 The San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SJCMMSN), a program of The Whale Museum established in 1980, is authorized by NMFS to respond to all marine mammal strandings in San Juan County, WA. We typically respond to more than 200 calls of both live and deceased animals a year. SJCMMSN is currently recruiting a San Juan Island-based intern to help respond to marine mammal strandings during our busy season. Interns and volunteers of this critical program serve as ambassadors between humans and marine mammals as well as contribute scientific data that is crucial to both human and animal health. Internship is based in Friday Harbor, WA: approximately 35-40 hours per week, June-August; variety of tasks both in the field and in an office setting. Schedule may vary and involve "on call" time. Intern will receive a small stipend. Shared housing at reasonable cost is likely available. KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * Assist with stranding response including: health assessments of live seal pups in the field; tagging harbor seals that are not collected for rehabilitation; transfer of harassed or injured pups to a local rehabilitation center; Level A examinations of dead marine mammals * Perform first mate duties on board The Whale Museum's stranding boat, the R/V Buzzard * Assist with necropsies of fresh dead marine mammals including: transfer of carcass to the lab space; preparation, set-up, and take-down of necropsy supplies; organizing and archiving biological samples * Assist with data entry and analysis REQUIREMENTS: At least 18 years of age, physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs), possess a valid US driver's license. Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences. Animal handling and/or boating experience is preferred but not required. 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 1, 2016. Decisions will be made by April 1, 2016. Please send application materials to: ATTN Jennifer Olson The Whale Museum, P.O. Box 945, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250 Or email (preferred) to: jennifer at whalemuseum.org Jennifer Olson Data Specialist - Stranding Coordinator - Collections Curator The Whale Museum Office: (360) 378-4710 ext. 27 Stranding hotline: 1-800-562-8832 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From michael.j.weise at navy.mil Fri Jan 29 18:35:52 2016 From: michael.j.weise at navy.mil (Weise, Michael J CIV ONRA, 322) Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2016 02:35:52 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] Full-time Contract Employment - ATN Network Coordinator - Silver Springs, MD Message-ID: <47FF0FFA3A049548A888E09856C45AAA18A7698E@NAEAWNYDXM31V.nadsusea.nads.navy.mil> Position Announcement - ATN Network Coordinator The IOOS Program Office seeks to recruit a Network Coordinator for the Animal Telemetry Network About the ATN The U.S. Animal Telemetry Network (ATN) will be an alliance among Federal and non?Federal, state, regional, tribal, and academic tagging partners to maximize collaborations within the community and access to animal telemetry data, to generate information products, to provide science?based information for species- and ecosystem-based management, and to promote economic, social, and environmental benefits nationally and globally. The ATN is designed as a distributed technology and information network that applies consistent international data standards and best practices to achieve seamless integration, not only among various ATN observing assets and animal telemetry efforts, but also with other observing systems. The ATN is supported by multiple Federal agencies, has worked through the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) - which operates under the National Ocean Council?s Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) - and has determined that the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (U.S. IOOS) Program Office (U.S. IOOS PO) will implement the national ATN in partnership with the IOOC member agencies and in collaboration with the community of U.S. IOOS Regional Associations (RAs) and regional experts. A national ATN Steering Group (SG) will facilitate development and continuity of the ATN by representing RA and agency research interests, identifying and fostering coordinated long?term strategies, and providing operational guidance and decision?making for the overarching ATN. The Steering Group will include Regional Association representatives, independent subject matter experts, and Federal and non?Federal entities that provide funding or in?kind support to the ATN. Position Summary The ATN Network Coordinator will serve as the point of contact for the ATN through the IOOS program, facilitate communication and information exchange among parties involved, and coordinate overarching planning and resource management. In this capacity, the position facilitates, develops and supports multi-agency and institutional collaborations that conduct and/or promote animal telemetry. The Network Coordinator will work to harmonize the needs of the ATN Steering Group, the U.S. IOOS Program Office, Regional Associations (RA), and stakeholders. The Network Coordinator will report to the IOOS Operations Division Chief on administrative matters, and report to the SG on all programmatic related matters. The broad objectives for the ATN Network Coordinator are as follows: * Coordinate the overall network management, both programmatically and operationally, and serve as a point of contact for the SG, participating IOOC agencies, U.S. IOOS RAs, and other regional experts. Oversee administration of the ATN, including working with the SG in defining ATN scientific and operational objectives, and participating in the annual budget-planning process among participating agencies that fund animal tagging. * Review and provide input on ATN scientific and technical directions for the IOOC, U.S. IOOS, partner agencies, and the academic community. * Identify long?term strategies to meet ATN goals and objectives outlined in the ATN Implementation, and work with the SG in the development of updates to the ATN Implementation Plan as needed. All updates will take into consideration Federal, tribal, non?Federal, regional and other user needs. * Successfully create and maintain formal and informal collaborations with other research groups and institutions to facilitate and support baseline observations of the aquatic species movements and behaviors that are required to support resource and protected-species management, identify critical habitat and habitat use, engage in real?time monitoring, contribute to our understanding of how disturbances affect these species and their habitats, and collect data to improve ocean modeling and forecasting. The Network Coordinator will also develop collaborations in an effort to coordinate, support, maintain, and enhance existing national infrastructure and capability, including activities coordinated through participating U.S. IOOS RAs. * Engage and lead communications regarding ATN activities and initiatives with the U.S. IOOS Program Office, RAs and regional experts. Serve as the ATN?s principal point of contact on issues related to animal telemetry research, and be responsible for communications with all ATN partners. * Identify resource requirements and work with the SG in the development of funding pathways, in cooperation with partnering organizations, and to achieve the annual operating plan goals. * Implement a national data management system in partnership with the SG and the ATN Data Assembly Center team to meet the needs of Federal and non-Federal entities by developing metadata standards, providing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), archiving the data in standard formats, and making the data accessible through common web services. In coordination with the SG, the Network Coordinator will oversee the DAC operations and maintenance, which may be contracted to a third party. * Lead the integration of animal telemetry data more seamlessly into the ocean observing systems at both national and international levels. Qualifications Bachelor degree (Master's or Ph.D. preferred) in marine science or conservation with a demonstrated record of accomplishment in aquatic animal telemetry. Experience working with policy and advocacy players to apply science to conservation policy solutions. At least 2 years' experience in program administration, including personnel and budget management, short and long-term goal setting, program development and evaluation. Experience/Competencies Demonstrated capacity to enthusiastically communicate and execute a progressive science vision that advances the ATN?s long term goal of an alliance among Federal and non?Federal entities. Outstanding oral and written communication skills with ability to convey animal telemetry science to the stakeholders and the public in a compelling fashion. Excellent leadership skills, with demonstrated ability to create and lead motivated and effective teams as well as work with colleagues in a team-oriented environment. Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with a very diverse stakeholder group, including but not limited to IOOC, U.S. IOOS, partner Federal agencies, state and tribal agencies, and the academic community. To apply please go to the following website: https://issmgmt.catsone.com/careers/index.php?m=portal&a=details&jobOrderID=6840933 -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: smime.p7s Type: application/pkcs7-signature Size: 5619 bytes Desc: not available URL: From Rob.Deaville at ioz.ac.uk Sat Jan 30 03:52:52 2016 From: Rob.Deaville at ioz.ac.uk (Rob Deaville) Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:52:52 +0000 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication- PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters Message-ID: <91CBCDEF546B114C89727C606B8CC479012AAED43F@ZSL82.zsl.org> Dear MARMAM colleagues We are pleased to announce the recent publication of our paper ?PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters?. Jepson, P. D., Deaville, R., Barber, J. L., Aguilar, ?., Borrell, A., Murphy, S., Barry, J., Brownlow, A., Barnett, J., Berrow, S., Cunningham, A. A., Davison, N., ten Doeschate, M., Esteban, R., Ferreira, M., Foote, A. D., Genov, T., Gim?nez, J., Loveridge, J., Llavona, ?., Martin, V., Maxwell, D. L., Papachlimitzou, A., Penrose, R., Perkins, M. W., Smith, B., de Stephanis, R., Tregenza, N., Verborgh, P., Fernandez, A. & Law, R. J. (2016) PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters. Sci. Rep. 6, 18573; doi: 10.1038/srep18573. Abstract: Organochlorine (OC) pesticides and the more persistent polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have well established dose-dependent toxicities to birds, fish and mammals in experimental studies, but the actual impact of OC pollutants on European marine top predators remains unknown. Here we show that several cetacean species have very high mean blubber PCB concentrations likely to cause population declines and suppress population recovery. In a large pan-European meta-analysis of stranded (n=929) or biopsied (n=152) cetaceans, three out of four species:- striped dolphins (SDs), bottlenose dolphins (BNDs) and killer whales (KWs) had mean PCB levels that markedly exceeded all known marine mammal PCB toxicity thresholds. Some locations (e.g. western Mediterranean Sea, south-west Iberian Peninsula) are global PCB ?hotspots? for marine mammals. Blubber PCB concentrations initially declined following a mid-1980s EU ban, but have since stabilised in UK harbour porpoises and SDs in the western Mediterranean Sea. Some small or declining populations of BNDs and KWs in the NE Atlantic were associated with low recruitment, consistent with PCB-induced reproductive toxicity. Despite regulations and mitigation measures to reduce PCB pollution, their biomagnification in marine food webs continues to cause severe impacts among cetacean top predators in European seas. The paper can be downloaded directly from the journal Scientific Reports; http://www.nature.com/articles/srep18573 Best wishes Rob Rob Deaville Project Manager UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme The Wellcome Building Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park London NW1 4RY tel: +44 (0)20 7449 6672 fax: +44 (0)20 7483 2237 Web: www.ukstrandings.org Email: rob.deaville at ioz.ac.uk Facebook: Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON LIVING CONSERVATION Registered Charity no. 208728 The Zoological Society of London is incorporated by Royal Charter Principal Office England. Company Number RC000749 Registered address: Regent's Park, London, England NW1 4RY Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 208728 _________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been sent in confidence to the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or distribute it in any form, and you are asked to contact the sender immediately. Views or opinions expressed in this communication may not be those of The Zoological Society of London and, therefore, The Zoological Society of London does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. The recipient(s) must be aware that e-mail is not a secure communication medium and that the contents of this mail may have been altered by a third party in transit. If you have any issues regarding this mail please contact: administrator at zsl.org. ___________________________________________________________________________ This message has been scanned for viruses by MailControl, a service from BlackSpider Technologies. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From c.cross at massey.ac.nz Sun Jan 31 13:41:23 2016 From: c.cross at massey.ac.nz (Cheryl Cross) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2016 10:41:23 +1300 Subject: [MARMAM] Volunteer research assistant - dolphin spatial and temporal distribution in NZ Message-ID: An assistant is required to help with the processing of dolphin spatial and temporal distribution data that were collected in Queen Charlotte Sound, NZ. This research forms part of an ongoing PhD study being conducted under the auspices of the Coastal-Marine Research Group (C-MRG) at Massey University, Auckland (http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz). This is great opportunity to gain experience and skills while contributing to an important project. Priority will be given to placing applicants that are available immediately. *Timeframe:* 1-3 Months commencing 1 February 2016 *Location:* Albany, Auckland, New Zealand *Responsibilities:* Major Responsibilities include: - Entry of dolphin sighting and environmental data - Data analysis using GIS - Data manipulation in Microsoft excel - Photo ID work - MINIMAL fieldwork ? 1 day per week *Qualifications:* The ideal candidate will have a science background, experience in the aforementioned areas and an interest in marine mammal science. This internship is well-suited for students or recent graduates of marine biology, zoology, ecology or similar fields looking to gain additional analytical experience. He or she must: - Possess basic computer skills - Possess skills in Microsoft excel; experience with ArcGIS, or a desire to gain these skills - Be detail oriented and organized - Be flexible and patient - Be responsible, focused and motivated - Be personable and fluent in English - Make a minimum 1-3 month commitment (~35 hrs/week) to the project - Possess a strong interest in science and a mature attitude toward marine mammal research *Application Process*: If interested please email c.cross at massey.ac.nz with the subject line RESEARCH ASSISTANT Please LIST the following in a CONCISE message: 1) Relevant experience or qualifications 2) The time frame that you are available over the next several months 3) Reasons you want to help with this project 4) The contact info of at least one professional reference that can confirm work ethic and experience 5) Current place of residence Please also attach CV or resume to the email. Applicants will ideally currently reside in NZ. Unfortunately, no monetary compensation or funding for housing is available for this position, so the candidate must be able to support living expenses for the extent of the internship period. Thank you for your interest! Sincerely, *Cheryl L. Cross* PhD Student Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904, North Shore 0745 Auckland, NZ Tel: +64 9 414 0800 EXT 43789 Fax: +64 9 443 9790 Email: c.cross at massey.ac.nz Web: http://www.coastalmarineresearchgroup.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From tom.broughnz at gmail.com Sun Jan 31 11:19:57 2016 From: tom.broughnz at gmail.com (Tom Brough) Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2016 08:19:57 +1300 Subject: [MARMAM] New publication on bottlenose dolphin reproductive success in Doubtful Sound, NZ Message-ID: Kia ora Marmam, On behalf of my co-authors I'm pleased to announce a new publication on female reproductive success in the bottlenose dolphin population of Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. The study is published with Endangered Species Research and can be accessed online here: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v29/n3/p255-270/ Alternatively, feel free to request a copy from me at tom.brough at otago.ac.nz The abstract of the study is given below, Warm regards, Tom Brough *PhD Candidate* *Marine Mammal Research Group* *Department of Marine Science* *University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ* Factors influencing heterogeneity in female reproductive success in a Critically Endangered population of bottlenose dolphins T. E. Brough1,*, S. Henderson1,2, M. Guerra1, S. M. Dawson1 1Marine Mammal Research Group, Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand 2Department of Biology, Tacoma Community College, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98466, USA *Corresponding author: tom.brough at otago.ac.nz ABSTRACT: For threatened species or populations, variation in reproductive success among females may be explicitly linked with vulnerability to extinction. Thus, an understanding of factors that may cause variability in reproductive success is important. The population of bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, has a recent history of rapid population decline and low calf survival rates. A previous study has shown high variability in calf survival among multiparous females. This study addresses the factors that seem most important in explaining variation in calf survival and thus reproductive success among females in this population. Reproductive data were sourced from a long-term photo-identification dataset, which allowed tracking the fate of 49 calves born into the population between 1995 and 2012. General linear mixed models combined with model averaging were used to assess how birth timing, maternal size, age and potential anthropogenic impacts contributed to variation in calf survival. Models show that a female?s size and her ability to give birth at an optimum time in the calving season are significant predictors of calf survival to an age of 1 and 3 yr. This is the first study to demonstrate how birth timing and mother size are correlated with female reproductive success in a cetacean species. These results confirm the importance of demographic stochasticity and reproductive heterogeneity in small, threatened marine mammal populations -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: