September 2005 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Conference Video Night Submission Deadline
by Jim Sumich 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

Dear MarMammers For the upcoming Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, an evening of videos will continue as a standard part of the program. We are inviting submission of videos to be presented during the Wednesday Video Night session. Each presentation will be limited to no more than 15 minutes, allowing the maximum opportunity to view a wide range of work. Commercial or long documentary material will not be accepted. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 14, 2005. Submissions after Nov. 14 will only be considered on a space-available basis. If you are intending to submit, but have not yet, contact Dr. Denise Herzing (wdpdenise(a)earthlink.net <mailto:wdpdenise@earthlink.net> ) with topic, play duration, and recorded medium. We strongly encourage all submissions to be submitted on CD or DVD for playback. As you edit your material for presentation, please be mindful that this Society-sponsored event is a forum for sharing video images of marine mammals in the flesh. It is NOT intended as a venue for lobbying or presenting primarily political messages. For an updated schedule, check the SMM website www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/Events.htm#VideoNight <http://www.marinemammalogy.org/conference2005/Events.htm#VideoNight> . Thanks. Dr. Jim Sumich jim.sumich(a)gcccd.edu

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Alaska SeaLife Center Job Announcement
by Valerie Park 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

The Alaska SeaLife Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, rehabilitation, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the following: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE This position is responsible for assisting lead scientist in conducting research projects at the Alaska SeaLife Center and independently managing designated projects. The focus is development and application of biotelemetry technology to study the behavior and physiology of Steller sea lions, northern fur seals and killer whales, and analysis/synthesis of data. Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): * Assisting in all phases of assigned research projects including functioning as the primary position to develop project plans, manage project budgets, and arrange research project logistics * Working directly with internal and external collaborators and contractors to meet project objectives * Reporting to lead scientist regularly on status of research projects * Providing technical support in laboratory and field settings: technology design, fabrication and testing, animal capture, application of remote-monitoring instruments to marine mammals. * Collecting data, maintaining data records, assisting with data entry and analysis and database management * Assisting in the procurement, inventory, and maintenance of equipment and supplies to be used in research projects * Drafting reports and scientific publications and preparing posters, graphic presentation, and public presentations * May be required to participate in extended field research Requirements: Master's degree in natural resources related field; or Bachelor's degree in biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field with two years experience in a similar position. Preferred skills/experience: familiarity with principles of biotelemetry, experience in soldering electrical components, experience with laboratory and field research of animals, especially in the areas of integrative physiology and behavioral ecology. This is a full-time position. The SeaLife Center offers a competitive wage (DOE) with great benefits, in a beautiful setting. Start Date: ASAP Apply by: October 14, 2005 Send resume & application (downloadable at www.alaskasealife.org <http://www.alaskasealife.org/> ) to Human Resources, Alaska SeaLife Center, P. O. Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664-1329, or fax 907-224-6320, or email to HR(a)alaskasealife.org . www.alaskasealife.org The ASLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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image matching data base for Apple
by Christian Ramp 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

Hi all, We would like to inquire about data bases for Macintosh computers handling digital pictures. We are working on four different species of rorqual whales and would like to transfer the matching and storing process into that database. (Matching is still done by us, not an automatic software system). Basically photo ID pictures should be imported in the data base, going through the matching process for all species and then be stored in an individual specific file. We are aware of the some IBM (e.g. ACCESS) solutions, but would like to know what the people running Apple systems are using. Therefore we would appreciate any ideas and suggestions. Many thanks in advance Christian Ramp Mingan Island Cetacean Study 378 Bord de la mer Longue Pointe de Mingan G0G 1V0, Qc Canada www.rorqual.com <http://www.rorqual.com/> Please answer to christianramp(a)web.de <mailto:christianramp@web.de>

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Looking for a MARMAM co-editor
by MARMAM Editors 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

Over the years MARMAM has been run by a number of vounteer editors. At this point we are looking for one or two volunteers to participate in this process. We would like people to commit to assisting with the list for at least two years. There is an initial period of a couple of weeks where *extra* time (1-2 hours) is required to get up to speed on the process we use, our editorial policies etc, but once that is over the average daily time commitment is perhaps 15 minutes, and this can be spread in several shorter blocks throughout the day. We are looking for individuals who have been professionals in the field of marine mammal science for at least five years, have consistent access to the internet, and are willing to adhere to the long-standing editorial policies of the list. A little known benefit of the position is that the MARMAM editors' account receives multiple spam messages every day announcing lotteries and foreign money-making schemes that you can sign up for. Anyone interested please contact us at this address - marmamed(a)uvic.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------- -To submit a message to MARMAM, send it to: marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca -Please include your name and e-mail address in the body of the text of all submissions, and ensure your message has an appropriate subject heading (ie., not "Message for MARMAM") -Do not submit attached files or HTML/MIME messages. -To subscribe to MARMAM, go to lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam -To contact the MARMAM editors, write to: marmamed(a)uvic.ca -MARMAM Editorial Policy & FAQ: http://whitelab.biology.dal.ca/marmam.htm

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Right whale images
by Phil Hamilton 29 Sep '05

29 Sep '05

In response to Elaine Francis' posting below: The New England Aquarium maintains a catalog of all photographs of right whales taken in the North Atlantic. The Catalog currently contains over 30,000 sightings of 459 whales from 1935 to the present. These sightings have been contributed by hundreds of organizations and individuals. Anyone who has collected identifiable images of right whales (showing details of the callosity pattern on the head and any visible scars- flukes are only useful if they have scars), and has date and location data for the sighting, should contact the data coordinator at the Aquarium's right whale research project (rwdata(a)neaq.org <mailto:rwdata@neaq.org> ) to discuss data submission. However, no one should approach a right whale within 500 yds in US waters without a research permit as this is against the law and violators have been prosecuted. The Aquarium is currently working a on a web site to describe right whale photo identification in general and the North Atlantic Catalog specifically- including the ability to search for a subset of images in the Catalog. This web site should be completed in the next few months and will be found at www.neaq.org/rwcatalog <http://www.neaq.org/rwcatalog> . Philip Hamilton Research Scientist New England Aquarium Elaine's email: Hello, I have just returned from a holiday whalewatching in Eastern Canada watching the northern right whales in the Bay of Fundy. I was lucky enough to see a courtship display by the whales, and I have two rather good digital photos of one male showing its genitalia. I don't know if you would like to list this on your web page to see if anyone is interested in these. Also, I have some good fluke digital photos, and I was wondering if anyone is doing a library of the Northern rights and who might be interested in using my photos to help monitor the whales. Your web site was passed on to me by Rachel at the Whale & Dolphin Magazine. Hope to hear from you soon. Regards Elaine Francis.

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Hooded seals in the Caribbean...Again
by Dr. Antonio Mignucci-Giannoni 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

Hi to all, We are in the process of rescuing a hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) which stranded on 28 Sep 2005 in the Lesser Antillean island of Antigua in the northeastern Caribbean. The seal is a blue-pelt juvenile. This is the second seal found in Antigua (one in 2001), and the eleventh recorded in the Caribbean since 1992 (two in Puerto Rico, one in the Virgin Islands, one in Bermuda, two in Bahamas, one in Turks and Caicos, one in Anguilla, and one in St. Barthelemy). We would like to alert all colleagues and government agency officials in the southeastern US and Caribbean countries to this situation and to request that any sightings and strandings be documented thoroughly and reported to help assess these unusual events. The Caribbean Stranding Network is also available 24-hours around the clock to assist anybody that finds a hooded seal in the Caribbean. You may reach the Network by calling 787-399-1900 or 787-399-1903 or by email mignucci(a)caribe.net. Additional Information: * Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Odell DK. 2001. Tropical and subtropical Western Atlantic records of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) dispel the myth of extant Caribbean monk seals (Monachus tropicalis). Bulletin of Marine Science 68(1):47-58. * Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Haddow P. 2002. Wandering hooded seals. Science 295(5555):627-628. Thanks, Tony Dr. Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni Director Red Caribeña de Varamientos Caribbean Stranding Network PO Box 361715 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-1715 EMAIL mignucci(a)caribe.net WEB http://rcv.caribe.net

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Photos which may be of interest of Northern Right Whales (fwd)
by MARMAM Editors 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

Hello, I have just returned from a holiday whalewatching in Eastern Canada watching the northern right whales in the Bay of Fundy. I was lucky enough to see a courtship display by the whales, and I have two rather good digital photos of one male showing its genitalia. =20 I don't know if you would like to list this on your web page to see if anyone is interested in these. Also, I have some good fluke digital photos, and I was wondering if anyone is doing a library of the Northern rights and who might be interested in using my photos to help monitor the whales. Your web site was passed on to me by Rachel at the Whale & Dolphin Magazine. Hope to hear from you soon. Regards Elaine Francis.

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AQUATIC MAMMAL COURSE - SPAIN (METHODS-ANALYSIS) (fwd)
by MARMAM Editors 28 Sep '05

28 Sep '05

Dear colleagues, The course on study methods and multivariate analysis in aquatic mammal research to be held in Onda (Castellon, Spain) has been postponed to November 2005. You will find an update of this course at the Omacha Foundation?s web site (http://www.omacha.org/html/html/curbogota.htm) Kindest regards, OMACHA FOUNDATION Estimados colegas, El curso sobre métodos de estudio y análisis multivariado en investigación de mamíferos acuáticos a celebrarse en Onda (Castellon, España) ha sido retrasado a Noviembre de 2005. Podréis encontrar la convocatoria actualizada en la página web de la Fundación Omacha. Un cordial saludo, OMACHA FOUNDATION Salvador Herrando-Pérez, Biólogo acuático, BSc. MPhil. FUNDACIÓN OMACHA, Associated Researcher (www.omacha.org) DIRECCIONES POSTALES / POSTAL ADDRESSES: C/ Padre Jofre 19, 12006 Castellón de la Plana, ESPAÑA Fundación Omacha, Diagonal 86ª # 30-38. Barrio El Polo, Bogotá, COLOMBIA PARA CONTACTAR / CONTACT INFORMATION salherra(a)ono.com / salvador(a)omacha.org / salherra68(a)yahoo.es (mensajes/messages> 5 Mb) Teléfonos, España: +34 964036814 / +34 657787340 Teléfono, Colombia: +571 2362686 Ahora estoy en España... / I am currently in Spain...

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Gray's beaked whale
by oli.yates＠conservation.org.fk 27 Sep '05

27 Sep '05

Dear All, Many thanks for all the requests for details and specimens regarding the beaked whale. The specimen was in poor condition and nothing other than skin tissue was possible, the land owner will keep the entire skeleton for tourism. My apologies if I did not respond to all the mail but some were simply not viable suggestions due to the reasons above. Those who are helping with genetics and ID I thank again and will be in touch shortly. Best regards, Oli Yates. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- Oli Yates Project Leader Albatross and Petrel Programme Falklands Conservation Stanley Falkland Islands Tel: 00 500 22247 Fax: 00 500 22288 oli.yates(a)conservation.org.fk

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Military exercise in the Eastern Aegean Sea cancelled
by Jen Palmer 27 Sep '05

27 Sep '05

Military exercise in the Eastern Aegean Sea cancelled Below is a message of sincere thanks for all of the voices who spoke out against the military exercises which were to take place in Anhydro and Petrokaravo, rare and critical habitat for Mediterranean monk seals. The proposed military exercises, that were to begin TODAY, have now been cancelled. Thank you all for voicing your immediate concern. Kind regards, Jen Jennifer L. Palmer, M.S., Conservation Scientist Marine Conservation Biology Institute 14301 Arnold Dr. Suite 25 Glen Ellen, CA 95442 Ph. 707. 938. 3214 Fax 707. 996. 4842 jen.palmer(a)mcbi.org <mailto:jen.palmer@mcbi.org> www.mcbi.org <http://www.mcbi.org> Marine Conservation Biology Institute Protecting Ocean Life through Science and Conservation Advocacy From: Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara [mailto:disciara@tin.it <mailto:disciara@tin.it> ] Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 12:39 AM To: Elliott Norse Cc: info(a)archipelago.gr Subject: a special thank you Dear Friends and Colleagues, I just received a text message from Anastasia Miliou (9.47 AM Greek time) with these words: "Kalimera from peaceful Petrokaravo. Over 60 Eleonora's are flying around us now and there is no sign of army anywhere". We had received late in the day yesterday the information that the exercises in Anhydro and Petrokaravo had been cancelled, but I wanted to wait till Anastasia went on site to give you the good news. This morning I have received the following positive message from the office of Mr. Spilotopoulos, Minister of defence of the Hellenic Republic: "Upon receipt of the e-mail you sent to the Minister of Defence Mr Spilios P. Spiliotopoulos. We would like to thank you for contacting us and to inform you that your case is under consideration. "Soon you will be informed about its progress. "We are willing to cooperate with you and provide you any information or anything else you may need." I think we can take a deep breath now, thanks to all of you who expressed your concern in the appropriate circles. But if an emergency was taken care of successfully, this doesn't mean that the job is finished. Much progress remains to be made in raising the awareness of all the parties concerned with the protection of the marine environment. Countless military exercises occur daily in all of the world's oceans and seas, and who knows how many other conflicting conditions exist between the needs of the military and the conservation of the marine environment. In part, this is a problem of knowledge: I am personally convinced that the Greek Army had no idea that there was anything wrong with bombing Anhydro and Petrokaravo. On the other hand, substantial improvements are needed in terms of awareness. If it true that the armies exist to protect us and all that is important to us, then it is obvious that environmental protection should be one of the highest concerns for the military. Much work remains to be done to see the effects of such change in attitude, which may take a generation to happen. I wish to express to all of you my deepest appreciation for your participation and support in this circumstance. Yours sincerely, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara

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