December 2005 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Permitting Workshop at the SMM Biennial
by Kate Swails 02 Dec '05

02 Dec '05

Join the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources Permits, Conservation and Education Division for a Marine Mammal Permits and Authorizations workshop on Monday December 12th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The workshop will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in Elizabeth rooms F, G, H . There will be an overview of the permit process, a general question and answer session, and the opportunity to ask more specific questions in breakout groups. -- Kate Swails Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, F/PR1, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 3532, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Tel: 301-713-2289 (ext.201) Fax: 301-713-0376 Web site: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/

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Sirenian International at SMM Meetings
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 02 Dec '05

02 Dec '05

Dear Colleagues, Sirenian International will host a Participating Membership Meeting during the SMM Conference on Thursday, December 17th, from 7 - 9:30 PM in Room 'Elizabeth A'. This time slot is currently on the SMM Program as "OPEN NIGHT". Ellen Hines, one of SI's Directors will lead the meeting. If you have anything you would like discussed, please send an email to caryn(a)sirenian.org before December 6th and I will get it on the agenda. This is an excellent opportunity for networking with sirenian specialists from around the world. An agenda for the Participating Membership Meeting will be posted to the Sirenian Listserv on December 7th. Registration is free and the meeting is open to all persons interested in sirenian research, education, and conservation. Please register online at so that we make sure you receive an agenda and we know how many folks to prepare for: http://www.sirenian.org/membership.html You may also use the comments section of this form to put items on the meeting agenda. Once you register, I will subscribe you to the Sirenian Listserv (if you are not already subscribed) so that you will receive the meeting agenda and any updates prior to the meeting. Just FYI, there is also an International Sirenian Workshop, hosted by the USFWS and the USGS Sirenia Project on Sunday morning, prior to the SMM Conference. More information on this workshop can be found at http://www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/Workshops.htm Cheers, Caryn ========================================== Caryn Self-Sullivan, President & Co-founder Sirenian International, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit 200 Stonewall Drive, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401-2110 Phones: 540.373.8205 HM; 540.287.8207 CELL URL: http://www.sirenian.org; Email: caryn(a)sirenian.org ========================================== "The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration." Please remember us when budgeting for your charitable donations. Donate online at http://www.sirenian.org.

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International Smart Gear Competition - Entries due March 15, 2006
by Davis, Kimberly 02 Dec '05

02 Dec '05

Please post this to the MarMam listserve. Thanks, Kim > ______________________________________________ > > > A SMART idea to reduce bycatch could net you USD 25,000! > > WWF and our partners launched the second International Smart Gear > Competition this week. Intended to inspire and reward innovative > ideas to reduce bycatch, the competition invites entries from all over > the world. The Competition will award a USD 25,000 grand prize and > two USD 5,000 prizes. Entries for the 2006 Competition are due MARCH > 15, 2006. PLEASE help us spread the word by sharing this information > with anyone that you think might want to enter. > > Visit www.smartgear.org for official rules, entry form and additional > information. Please note that there are competition materials > available in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian > and Mandarin. However, all entries must be submitted in English. > > > If you have questions about the competition, please contact me or > Rodrigo Donadi at rodrigo.donadi(a)wwfus.org or 202-778-9757. > > Thanks, > > Kimberly S. Davis > Deputy Director > Marine Conservation Program > World Wildlife Fund > 1250 24th Street NW > Washington DC 20037 > 202-861-8367 > www.worldwildlife.org > kimberly.davis(a)wwfus.org > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---------------------------------------------------- > > World Wildlife Fund Launches 2006 Competition for Fishing Gear that > Reduce Accidental Marine Life Deaths > > $25,000 Grand Prize for "Smart Gear" that Lowers Bycatch Rate > > For further information: > Sarah Janicke, 202/778-9685 > or Kerry Zobor, 202/778-9509 > > > WASHINGTON-World Wildlife Fund today announced the launch of the > second WWF International Smart Gear Competition. The contest seeks > innovative fishing gear that reduces marine bycatch-the accidental > catch and related deaths of marine mammals, birds, sea turtles and > non-target fish species in fishing gear such as nets and longlines. > > "World Wildlife Fund's looking for real-world fishing solutions that > allow fishermen to fish 'smarter'-better targeting their intended > catch while safeguarding the dolphins, sea turtles and other marine > life often caught unintentionally," said Ginette Hemley, vice > president, species conservation, World Wildlife Fund. "This unique > collaboration among conservationists, fishermen and scientists is > designed to inspire new technologies for more sustainable fishing." > > The international competition will award a $25,000 grand prize and two > $5,000 runner-up prizes to the designs judged to be the most > practical, cost-effective methods for reducing bycatch of any species. > The competition is open to eligible entrants from any > background-including fishermen, professional gear manufacturers, > teachers, students, engineers, scientists and backyard inventors. > Instructions for entry along with the competition rules are available > at www.smartgear.org and completed entries must be submitted by March > 15, 2006. > > Conventional fishing gear does often not allow users to selectively > target their catch. As a result, non-target fish species, marine > mammals, birds, sea turtles and non-target fish species are caught and > sometimes killed. More than 25 percent of what is caught in the > course of fishing - as much as 20 million metric tons, annually-is > thrown over the sides of fishing boats dead or dying. This bycatch is > the leading threat to many endangered marine mammals, sea turtles and > sea birds around the world. > > "The WWF International Smart Gear Competition aims to stop one of the > biggest threats to healthy marine ecosystems and related economic > losses to fishermen," said Hemley of World Wildlife Fund. "We hope > this competition harnesses the creativity and ingenuity of fishermen, > scientists and the public to reduce the waste caused by inefficient > gear." > > Last year, WWF awarded three new practical solutions to marine > bycatch: a system for keeping longlines away from sea turtles by a > former high-school biology teacher and commercial fisherman; changes > to the chemical properties of fishing ropes and nets by a North > American team; and modified trawls to reduce bycatch of undersized > shrimp and fish by a team of Indian scientists. > > The winner of the WWF International Smart Gear Competition will be > decided by a diverse set of judges, including fishermen, researchers, > engineers and fisheries managers from all over the world. > > ### > > Known in the United States as World Wildlife Fund and recognized > worldwide by its panda logo, WWF leads international efforts to > protect endangered species and their habitats and to conserve the > diversity of life on Earth. Now in its fifth decade, WWF, the global > conservation organization, works in more than 100 countries around the > world. For more information on World Wildlife Fund, visit > www.worldwildlife.org. > > For official competition rules and to learn how to enter, please visit > www.smartgear.org. The competition begins on November 29, 2005, and > ends on March 15, 2006. Employees, agents, current contractors, and > relatives of employees of World Wildlife Fund, Inc. or any WWF > National Organization are ineligible. Judges and relatives of Judges > are also ineligible. The competition is void where prohibited. Odds > depend on number of entries received. No purchase is necessary. > > Note to editors: High resolution photographs (2005 winners in the > field and head shots, bycatch, dolphins, whales, and sea turtles) and > video (bycatch, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, fishing boats) are > available to accompany press stories mentioning World Wildlife Fund or > WWF. If used, appropriate credit must also be given to the > photographer. > > For more information on the WWF International Smart Gear Competition, > go to www.smartgear.org. > >

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Public Scoping for Right Whale Research EIS
by Tammy Adams 02 Dec '05

02 Dec '05

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on issuance of permits for research on northern right whales in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The EIS will address the information needs for species conservation, including the types of research activities available for collecting samples and data, and the appropriate levels of research intensity, including temporal and geographic extent of activities, sample sizes, and frequency of sampling. The EIS will also address appropriate mitigation measures and potential cumulative impacts of research activities on right whales and the environment. As an initial step in the EIS process, NMFS is hosting a series of public scoping meetings. NMFS invites the public, including permit holders, researchers and scientists from all disciplines, elected officials, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and other interested parties, to attend the scoping meetings and to provide input on the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts that should be considered in the EIS. The first scoping meeting was held in New Bedford, MA, in association with the North Atlantic Right Whale Research Consortium meeting. Additional scoping meetings will be held in December 2005 and January 2006 at the following locations and dates: San Diego, CA (Note: this meeting will be held the weekend before, and at the same venue as the 16th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals) December 10, 2005 6:30-9:30 pm Manchester Grand Hyatt, Douglas Pavilion D One Market Place Silver Spring, MD January 19, 2006 1:00-4:00 pm NOAA Science Center (SSMC IV) 1301 East-West Highway In addition, comments may be submitted in writing through January 31, 2006 in one of the following ways: Email: rweis.comments(a)noaa.gov Fax: 301-427-2582 Mail to: Mr. Steve Leathery Office of Protected Resources Permits, Conservation, and Education Division (F/PR1) National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705 Silver Spring, MD 20910 For additional information about the EIS, please visit our website http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/rightwhale.htm or one of the established information repositories below: New Bedford Library 613 Pleasant Street New Bedford, MA 02740 La Jolla/Riford Branch Library 7555 Draper Avenue San Diego, CA 92037 NOAA Central Library 1315 East-West Highway 2nd Floor, SSMC3 Silver Spring, MD 20910

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Summer field course -- Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies
by Leszek Karczmarski 01 Dec '05

01 Dec '05

Dear Colleague, Please post the announcement below on the MarMam list. Thank you, Leszek Karczmarski ===== Summer Field Course Marine Mammal Research Experience: Delphinid and Sirenian Field Studies (Further information including web-link will follow shortly) Lectures and Instructions by: Dr. Leszek Karczmarski (Texas A&M University, Galveston, USA) Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. Candidate (Texas A&M University, College Station, USA) Hosted by: Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education Course Summary The course will provide an overview of population ecology, behavior, and conservation biology of cetaceans and sirenians, and will focus on the primary field and laboratory research techniques used in studies of these marine mammals. Classes will include review of recent scientific literature, and open discussion on current issues in behavioral, population, and conservation ecology. Emphasis will be given on hands-on practical experience in data collection and analyses, especially in behavioral and ecological research, such as photo-ID mark-recapture techniques, population assessment, behavioral sampling, genetic research, etc. Students will participate in boat-based research surveys investigating population ecology and social dynamics of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and conservation biology of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in the Drowned Cayes area, central Belize. The course will last 10 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during five or six of these days. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research. This is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in delphinid and sirenian field research in a unique tropical habitat of central Belize. All classes will be in a form of either (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brain-storming on the specific topic, or (b) instructions with hands-on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques or analytical lab techniques. The course will be hosted by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) as a non-credit course . The lecture and lab hours are equivalent of a 4-credit academic course, and, when applicable, credits might be issued by the participating student's own university. In such a case a written assignment will be to follow by e-mail within six weeks of the completion of the course. Location The courses will take place at a unique field location, Spanish Lookout Caye (SLC), a small (184-acre) tropical mangrove island formation off the coast of Belize. SLC is approximately 10 miles east of Belize City and less than 2 miles west of the Belize Barrier Reef -- the second largest barrier reef in the world. This is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Belize City. Spanish Lookout encompasses two of several mangrove islets within the Drowned Cayes range. The Drowned Cayes represent pristine mangrove habitat, surrounded by seagrass beds and coral patch reefs, within the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon system. SLC is privately owned, with approximately 10% of the island developed exclusively for the conservation and research center. We will be hosted at the facilities of Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center (SBCRC), home to the Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education (HPF) . Both SBCRC and HPF are in partnership with (and supported by) Hugh Parkey's Belize Dive Connection, the largest commercial diving operator in Belize. Course Syllabus Day 1 a. Behavioral, population, and evolutionary ecology of marine mammals: The concept of studying natural populations and free-ranging animals b. Marine mammal field research: Basic standards and routines c. Individual identification: Principles and applications d. Individual identification applied in field studies of cetaceans and sirenians: the photo-ID approach, equipment, logistics e. Mark-recapture techniques: Advantages and limitations; the critical issue of equal-catchability Day 2 a. Measuring behavior: Behavioral categories and sampling techniques b. Measuring behavior: The issue of scale and resolution; avoiding potential biases c. Assessing daily behavioral budget and dial/tidal/lunar/seasonal patterns d. Application of behavioral research in assessing area preferences and habitat choice e. The research question dilemma: identifying the issue, formulating the research question, finding the means of bringing in the answer (open discussion) Day 3 Morning: a. Reconnaissance delphinid research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - photo-ID in practice - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables Afternoon: b. Digital versus traditional photography in photo-ID studies: advantages and limitations c. Assessing photographic quality and distinctiveness of digital images, matching IDs Day 4 Morning: a. Reconnaissance sirenian research survey: Getting used to standards and routines (half-day) - standardized point counts for population abundance assessment - sampling behavior - measuring environmental variables and seagrass parameters Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers c. Population assessment for free-ranging cetaceans: Applications and limitations - photo-ID surveys versus transect surveys; populations estimate versus population abundance - aerial survey - quantifying population parameters d. Open discussion Day 5 Morning: a. Bottlenose dolphin photo-ID research survey (half-day) Afternoon: b. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 1 c. Designing field data sheet (cetacean surveys) Day 6 Morning: a. Manatee research survey: distribution and habitat preferences (half-day) Afternoon: b. The priorities, scope, and limitations of sirenian field research: The case of Antillean manatees in Belize versus other species c. Designing field data sheet (sirenian surveys) Day 7 Morning: a. Application of genetics and genetic sampling techniques b. Cetacean social behavior and social structure: Modeling population structure, parameters, and social dynamic Afternoon: c. Tracking and remote sensing techniques d. "Invasive" versus "non-invasive" research: Ensuring that scientifically valuable is still ethically acceptable e. Changing world: Application of marine mammal research in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management - part 2 Day 8 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Field surveys: questions and answers; advanced level c. Current challenges in field studies of free-ranging cetaceans and sirenians: how far can we reach? d. Assignment of research papers to read e. Data entry (optional) Day 9 Morning: a. Research survey, dolphins and/or manatees (half-day) Afternoon: b. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 1 c. Reading assigned research papers, optional data entry Day 10 Morning: a. Current topics in behavioral and evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of marine mammals - part 2. b. Student presentations and open discussion Afternoon: c. Closing comments Room and Board Students will be accommodated in dormitory style housing (12 students per bunkhouse with shared bathroom facilities). Full daily meals will be provided (basic meals, mostly Belizean style), and served in a comfortable dining facility. Tea, coffee, and water will be provided; other beverages can be purchased at the site. The appropriate choice of beverages and snacks can be arranged on request. Off Time Activities a) Kayaking (times to be scheduled) b) Snorkeling at the Spanish Lookout Caye (available anytime) c) SCUBA diving (for additional fee, times would need to be scheduled) d) A day trip to a historic Maya site at Xunantunich or Caracol can be scheduled for a day immediately following the last day of the course (additional fee applies) Timeframe Session 1: June 15 - 26, 2006 - students arrive on June 15, afternoon - June 16 - 25 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning June 26 Session 2: July 6 - 17, 2006 - students arrive on July 6, afternoon - July 7 - 16 -- classes and field work (10 days) - students leave in the morning July 17 Costs Total costs (all inclusive - except airfare to/from Belize) -- $1,950 payable to HPF (all or part of this fee may be tax-deductible; please see your tax accountant for advice) For Further Details Contact either L. Karczmarski or C. Self-Sullivan Dr. Leszek Karczmarski Associate Research Faculty Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal(a)tamug.edu <mailto:karczmal@tamug.edu> Caryn Self Sullivan Ph.D. Candidate, Texas A&M University Director of Research, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness & Education President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Principal Investigator, Earthwatch Institute Email: caryn(a)sirenian.org <mailto:caryn@sirenian.org>; Tel: (540) 287-8207 To Sign Up for the Course, Contact: Caryn Self-Sullivan Email: caryn(a)sirenian.org <mailto:caryn@sirenian.org> Travel Information Air Travel Direct flights to Belize City (airport code BZE) can be booked from Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami. Airlines services to Belize include Continental, American, US Airways, TACA, and Delta. Prices for a round trip generally range from $400 to $600 from these port cities. Visa Information You will travel under a tourist visa. As of September 2003, United States, British, Australian, Canadian, and most European Union citizens will not require a tourist visa for entry to Belize for a stay of up to 30 days (i.e., you receive a 30 visitor's visa automatically upon entry to Belize). Citizens of Japan will need a tourist visa. All visitors are required to have a passport and it must be valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay. You also must have documents for return/onward travel. Citizens of countries other than those listed above should check with their travel agent or a visa agency for specific visa and entry requirements. A useful website for visa requirements is: http://www.embassyworld.com . Currency The Local Currency: Belize Dollars, however $US are accepted and WELCOMED everywhere. There is NO NEED to change $US into $BZ (the general exchange rate is $1US = $2BZ). Traveler's Checks and Credit Cards are more difficult to use, but are becoming more acceptable each year. Debit cards rarely work, but VISA and Mastercard can be used to get cash advances from most banks. The Time Zone GMT/UTC -6:00. Electricity 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Flat two-pin plugs. Electricity at Spanish Bay is generated onsite via solar and wind power with diesel backup. DO NOT bring high voltage appliances such as blow dryers, they will not work! Water We practice water conservation at Spanish Bay because we must capture all our water from rain or transport it in by boat. We recommend one short shower per day. Drinking water is filtered and available at designated taps. Personal Funds Approximately $200- $500 US for personal spending, extra tours, souvenirs, beverages, and snacks might be useful. If you want to call home, you will need to purchase a local phone card. Phone cards from the USA DO NOT work in Belize. Average costs: $1.25 US per minute with a BTL Prepaid Phone Card; $4.00 per minute with your credit card. Tips It is customary to tip for services in Belize. Culture Belize is a melting pot of ethnic cultures including Creole (former African slaves mixed with other cultures), Garifuna (non-slave African mixed with Carib Indian), Maya (Ketchi and Mopan), Mestizo (Mexican, Maya, Spanish mix), Mennonite (predominately German), and other Caucasian (European mix). Shorts and t-shirts are fine for both men and women. Swimwear is appropriate for beaches, but not for Belize City, where shirts and shoes are recommended at all times. ===== ________________________________________________ Leszek Karczmarski, Ph.D. Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University 4700 Avenue U, Building 303, Galveston, TX 77551, USA Tel: (409) 740-4718 Fax: (409) 740-4717 E-mail: karczmal(a)tamug.edu and leszek(a)hawaii.edu http://www.tamug.edu/mmrp/Postdoctoral/Leszek/Leszek.htm ________________________________________________

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New paper on biopsy sampling effects
by Phillip Clapham 01 Dec '05

01 Dec '05

I am posting this paper for Peter Best. Please send all requests for reprints to Peter (pbest(a)iziko.org.za) NOT to me! - Phil Clapham BIOPSYING SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES: THEIR REACTIONS AND EFFECTS ON REPRODUCTION PETER B. BEST,1,2 Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa DESRAY REEB, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa MARY BETH REW, Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California at Berkeley, 151 Hilgard Hall #3110, Berkeley, CA 94720-3110, USA PER J. PALSB�LL, Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California at Berkeley, 151 Hilgard Hall #3110, Berkeley, CA 94720-3110, USA CATHY SCHAEFF, Biology Department, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA ANABELA BRAND�O, Marine Resource Assessment and Management Group, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa ABSTRACT Collecting skin biopsies from large whales for genetic analysis is often subject to national permit, and in the case of cow-calf pairs, it may be prohibited. We present results of 906 biopsy attempts on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in South African waters between 1995 and 1997, including 147 cow-calf pairs. Our sampling success was higher for biopsy darts with a bore of 4 mm compared to 4.6 mm. Contact periods averaged 17.7 min for cow-calf pairs and 25.4 min for whales unaccompanied by calves. There were no significant differences in the short-term reactions of males and females to biopsying, but the reaction of single animals of either sex was greater than for larger groups. Cows accompanied by calves had the strongest reactions, which were significantly greater than even single females. We found evidence of sensitization to repeat biopsying (over periods of hours to 65 days) for cows but not calves (n = 20). We compared the subsequent reproductive history of 117 biopsied cows with that of 163 unbiopsied cows from the same years, and we compared the distribution of calving intervals for biopsied animals with 829 intervals recorded from 1985-1995. We did not detect any adverse effects on the proportion of successful reproductive cycles, and hence calf survival, or the proportion of longer-than-normal cycles; although, the power of all the statistical tests was low. We concluded that any prohibition on the biopsy sampling of cow-calf pairs should be carefully reconsidered in the light of the valuable enetic insights such sampling could achieve. -- Phillip J. Clapham, Ph.D. Alaska Fisheries Science Center National Marine Mammal Laboratory 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 4 Seattle, WA 98115 tel (206) 526-4037 fax (206) 526-6615 email: phillip.clapham(a)noaa.gov

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