April 2006 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Summer Internship
by Marine Animal Lifeline 13 Aug '06

13 Aug '06

MARINE MAMMAL REHABILITATION INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT The Marine Animal Lifeline in Portland, Maine, seeks applicants for a summer internship working with stranded harbor seal pups. The internship will begin on May 20th and end August 13th. This is a full time internship position with some flexibility of the start and end date of the internship. The internship is an unpaid position and interns are responsible for all travel and housing expenses. Job Summary/Program Description: This internship is designed to provide a dynamic educational experience in the marine mammal field while offering valuable career experience. The interns will have a leadership role in the rehabilitation team and interns will be responsible for a number of support tasks with rehabilitating stranded seals throughout the course of the internship. The positions will involve working under the Veterinary Technicians in providing medical care, feeding, cleaning and completing medical records in the rehabilitation program. The intern will be integrated into the department with assigned duties allowing them to progressively take on more responsibility. Interns may also have the opportunity to assist in marine mammal rescues as they arise. In addition, they will provide support to the animal care staff in animal physicals, and assist in a number of other marine mammal care procedures. Intern Responsibilities & Qualifications: The internship is open to all applicants at least 18 years of age or older. Undergraduate students and non-students alike are encouraged to apply. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, the intern will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. The internship is 5 days a week, 40 hours per week, however, due to the unpredictable nature of animal care, interns may sometimes be required to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Daily operations at the rehabilitation facility begin at 6:30 am and go until at least 8:30 pm often later, on a case-by-case basis. The Marine Animal Lifeline is an extremely busy rehabilitation facility and the animals often require late-night or overnight care. Interns must be able and willing to work long and flexible hours including weekends, holidays and occasional nights. Interns will be required to have fair physical strength and be in good health. Successful applicants will have leadership skills, or posses the ability to learn proper leadership skills quickly. Interns need to have the ability to multitask and work in a fast paced environment. Animal care and/or marine mammal experience is a plus but not required. Duties Include: * Daily animal diet preparations, routine cleaning of work areas. * Assisting with veterinary examinations and treatments. * Assisting with rescues and releases of injured or abandoned marine animals. * Assisting with the taking and processing of X-rays. * Assisting with blood handling and collection. * Assisting with necropsies. * Updating medical and laboratory records and logs. * Maintaining veterinary and rehab supplies and equipment. * Assisting in the feeding, cleaning and daily operations of the rehab area. * Other duties relating to the Center's goals and mission as required. Application Process: Interested individuals must send the following: - Letter of intent including reasons for wanting to do the internship. - Resume - 3 references Submit the above items through one of the following 3 ways: 1. Email: jjakush(a)stranding.org (via pdf file or MSWord) 2. Regular mail: Marine Animal Lifeline c/o Jennifer Jakush P.O. Box 621 Portland, ME 04104 3. Fax: 207-541-1936 The application submission deadline is March 15th and selection of applicants will be complete by March 31st. If you have any further questions, contact Jennifer Jakush at (207) 773-7377, Ext. 413 or email at jjakush(a)stranding.org If you would like to learn more about the Marine Animal Lifeline, visit our website at www.stranding.org Jennifer Jakush Veterinary Technician Marine Animal Lifeline P.O. Box 621 Portland, ME 04104 Phone: (207) 773-7377, Ext. 413 Fax: (207) 541-1936 jjakush(a)stranding.org www.stranding.org

1 1

correction to web link for Peponocephala report
by MARMAM Editors 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

The web link for the Southall et al. 2006 Hawaiian melon-headed whale mass stranding event report is: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/event2004jul.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- -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

1 0

Hawaii Peponocephala stranding report available
by MARMAM Editors 29 Apr '06

29 Apr '06

Southall, B.L., R. Braun, F.M.D. Gulland, A.D. Heard, R.W. Baird, S.M. Wilkin and T.K. Rowles. 2006. Hawaiian melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra) mass stranding event of July 3-4, 2004. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-31. 73 pp. Available from http://www.nmfs.gov/pr/health/mmume/event2004jul.htm Executive Summary On July 3-4, 2004, between 150-200 melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) occupied the shallow waters of Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawai'i for over 28 hours. Attendees of a canoe blessing observed the animals entering the Bay in a single wave formation at 0700 hrs* (local time) on July 3, 2004. The animals were observed moving back into shore from the mouth of the Bay at 0900 hrs. The usually pelagic animals milled in the shallow confined bay and were returned to deeper water with human assistance. The animals were herded out of the Bay with the help of members of the community, the Hanalei Canoe Club, local and federal employees, and volunteers/staff with the Hawaiian Islands Stranding Response Group beginning at 0930 on July 4, 2004 and were out of visual sight by 1030 hrs. Only one animal, a calf, was known to have died (on July 5, 2004) following this event. The animal was noted alive and alone in the Bay on the afternoon of July 4, 2004 and was found dead in the Bay the morning of July 5, 2004. On July 7, 2004, a full necropsy, magnetic resonance imaging, and computerized tomography examination were performed on the calf to determine the manner and cause of death. The combination of imaging, necropsy and histological analyses found no evidence of infectious, internal traumatic, congenital, or toxic factors. Although cause of death could not be definitively determined, it is likely that maternal separation, poor nutritional condition, and dehydration contributed to the final demise of the animal. Although we do not know when the calf was separated from the female, the movement into the Bay, the milling and re-grouping may have contributed to the separation or lack of nursing especially if the maternal bond was weak or this was a primiparous calf. Environmental factors, abiotic and biotic, were analyzed for any anomalous occurrences that would have contributed to the animals entering and remaining in Hanalei Bay. The bathymetry is similar to many other sites within the Hawaiian Island chain and dissimilar to that which has been associated with mass strandings in other parts of the U.S. The weather conditions appear to be normal for this time of year with no fronts or other significant features noted. There was no evidence for unusual distribution or occurrence of predator or prey species, or unusual harmful algal blooms. Weather patterns and bathymetry that have been associated with mass strandings elsewhere were not found to occur in this instance. This event was spatially and temporally correlated with Rim of the Pacific Exercises (RIMPAC) which is a biennial, sea control/power projection fleet exercise that has been conducted since 1968 and involves U.S. forces and forces from various Rim-of-the-Pacific nations. Official sonar training and tracking exercises in the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) warning area did not commence until approximately 0800 hrs (local time) on July 3 and were thus ruled out as a possible trigger for the initial movement into the Bay. However, the six naval surface vessels transiting to the operational area on July 2 intermittently transmitted active sonar [for ~9 hours total from 1315 to 0030] as they approached from the south. The potential for these transmissions to have triggered the whales' movement into Hanalei Bay was investigated. Analyses with the information available indicated that animals to the south and east of Kaua'i could likely have detected active sonar transmissions on July 2, and reached Hanalei Bay on or before 0700 on July 3, 2004. However, data limitations regarding the position of the whales prior to their arrival in the Bay, the magnitude of sonar exposure, behavioral responses of melon-headed whales to acoustic stimuli, and other possible relevant factors preclude a conclusive finding regarding the role of sonar in triggering this event. Propagation modeling suggest that transmissions from sonar use during the July 3 exercise in the PMRF warning area may have been detectable at the mouth of the Bay. If the animals responded negatively to these signals, it may have contributed to their continued presence in the Bay. The U.S. Navy ceased all active sonar transmissions during exercises in this range on the afternoon of July 3, 2004. Subsequent to the cessation of sonar use, the animals were herded out of the Bay. While causation of this stranding event may never be unequivocally determined, we consider the active sonar transmissions of July 2-3, 2004, a plausible, if not likely, contributing factor in what may have been a confluence of events. This conclusion is based on: (1) the evidently anomalous nature of the stranding; (2) its close spatiotemporal correlation with wide-scale, sustained use of sonar systems previously associated with stranding of deep-diving marine mammals; (3) the directed movement of two groups of transmitting vessels toward the southeast and southwest coast of Kaua'i; (4) the results of acoustic propagation modeling and an analysis of possible animal transit times to the Bay; and (5) the absence of any other compelling causative explanation. The initiation and persistence of this event may have resulted from an interaction of biological and physical factors. The biological factors may have included the presence of an apparently uncommon, deep-diving cetacean species (and possibly an offshore, non-resident group), social interactions among the animals before or after they entered the Bay, and/or unknown predator or prey conditions. The physical factors may have included the presence of nearby deep water, multiple vessels transiting in a directed manner while transmitting active sonar over a sustained period, the presence of surface sound ducting conditions, and/or intermittent and random human interactions while the animals were in the Bay. ------------------------------------------------------------------- -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. -To subscribe to MARMAM, go to lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam -To contact the MARMAM editors, write to: marmamed(a)uvic.ca

1 0

Sirenews No. 45 Online
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 28 Apr '06

28 Apr '06

Sirenews is the official newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Sirenia Specialist Group. Sirenews (ISSN 1017-3439) appears twice a year in April and October and is edited by James A. Powell and Cynthia R. Taylor, Wildlife Trust, 1601 3rd Street S., Suite F, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA. It is supported by the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission and Sea World, Inc. Submission deadlines are April 1 and October 1. Material may be submitted by e-mail to: Cynthia Taylor (taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org) or by fax to 1-352-368-3895 (USA). The latest issue of Sirenews is available in PDF format online at http://www.sirenian.org/sirenews/45APR2006.pdf. The Sirenews archive (http://www.sirenian.org/sirenews.html) includes issues 1 through 45 (1984-2006) in either PDF or HTML format. Free Online access to this archive is supported by Sirenian International, Inc. IMPORTANT NOTE: Sirenews is an informal forum, not to be considered citable, formally-published literature; it is NOT "peer-reviewed", and contributions to it should not be quoted without the written permission of the author. The opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of IUCN or other organizations.

1 0

publication on by-catch in trawler fisheries
by Zeeberg, JaapJan 28 Apr '06

28 Apr '06

Bycatch rates observed during more than 1400 trawl sets off Mauritania, Northwest Africa, are shown to have been considerable during the past 4 years, with high animal abundance in Summer when the Northwest African shelf is occupied by subtropical water. We demonstrate the urgency for bycatch reduction and evaluate the use of species-selective gear, a conservation method immediately available and immediately effective in waters fished through international access agreements. A modification tested in commercial trawls during the observer program guides pelagic megafauna deflected by a filter to an escape tunnel along the bottom of the trawl. This "excluder" reduces bycatch mortality of the most vulnerable megafauna species by at least 40-100% (Fisheries Research 78 [2006] 186-195). For downloads please visit http://www.xs4all.nl/~jzeebe1/z-publ.htm _______________ J.J. Zeeberg Wageningen Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies (Imares) B.V. Haringkade 1, P.O. Box 68 1970 AB IJmuiden, The Netherlands Tel: +31 255 564 709 or 564 646 Fax: +31 255 564 644 _______________ This message is intended exclusively for the addressee. It may contain information that is confidential. Any use or publication of this e-mail message without permission of RIVO is not allowed. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us and delete this message.

1 0

Pinnipeds and reactions to light
by lchilvers＠doc.govt.nz 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

Hi New Zealand sea lions are currently caught in high numbers (150 animals in the 2005/06 fishing season) in squid trawl nets in the NZ sub-Antarctic. SLEDs (sea lion exclusion devices) are used within this fishery - however there is currently no effective underwater monitoring mechanisms in place to determine strike or escape rate. A video capable of filming at low light is currently being investigated - as are light sources - white, red and infra-red light. None of these light sources have been tested on NZ sea lions to determine their degree of attraction / avoidance or neutrality. This email is to ask for information / ideas on wild seal/sea lion behavioural experiments that have tested reactions of animals to light sources both on land and in water and how to measure "reactions". Preferably not captive / feeding trials as there are no captive NZ sea lions in the world, however if you think it will help to design a study please send them through. Thank you Louise Dr. B. Louise Chilvers Marine Mammal Scientist Marine Conservation Unit Department of Conservation P.O. Box 10-420 Wellington Ph 04 4713073 Fax 04 4713041 Email lchilvers(a)doc.govt.nz ############################################## This e-mail (and attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. ##############################################

1 0

NRC post-doctoral position in Pacific Grove, CA
by Daniel Palacios 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

The National Research Council and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration are seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Award tenable at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Grove, CA. The National Research Council (NRC) will offer a competitive award for postdoctoral research to be conducted in residence at the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Environmental Research Division, on Monterey Bay, CA. The incumbent will investigate pelagic habitat utilization by apex marine predators in the North Pacific, with a focus on the oceanographic description of biological hot spots derived from multi-speices electronic tag data and remote sensing. This effort is being conducted as part of the Tagging of Pacific Pelagics (TOPP) program. Duration of the award is one year with potential for extension. Support is provided for relocation and limited professional travel, and a health insurance program is offered. Prospective applicants should contact Dr. Steven Bograd for more specific information regarding this research opportunity. Applicants will receive guidance in the formulation of a short (4-page) research proposal that is necessary for application. Dr. Steven Bograd NOAA, Southwest Fisheries Science Center Environmental Research Division 1352 Lighthouse Avenue Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Tel: 831-648-8314 Fax: 831-648-8440 E-mail: steven.bograd(a)noaa.gov http://www.pfeg.noaa.gov/ Applications must be submitted directly to the NRC. Postmark deadline for applications is August 1, 2006. Complete information about the award process and application materials may be obtained from the NRC web site at: http://www4.nationalacademies.org/pga/rap.nsf. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Steven Bograd NOAA/NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center Environmental Research Division 1352 Lighthouse Avenue Pacific Grove, CA 93950-2097 e-mail: steven.bograd(a)noaa.gov ph: 831-648-8314 fax: 831-648-8440 http://www.pfeg.noaa.gov/

1 0

Navy Seeks Permit to Use Sonar During RIMPAC Exercises
by Jeremy Firestone 27 Apr '06

27 Apr '06

Navy Seeks Permit to Use Sonar During RIMPAC Exercises WASHINGTON, DC, April 26, 2006 (ENS) - NOAA Fisheries Service is seeking public comments on the U.S. Navy's proposal to conduct Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) anti-submarine arfare exercises around the Main Hawaiian Islands using tactical mid-frequency sonar. The mid-frequency sound generated by the tactical sonar used in the exercises has the potential to disrupt the behavior of individual marine mammals in close proximity to the exercises. Up to 22 species of marine mammals inhabit this area of the Pacific. The Navy is requesting an authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. RIMPAC is a multi-national training exercise that has been conducted every other year since 1968. This year, RIMPAC is scheduled to occur June 26 through July 28, with exercises using sonar planned on 21 days. In their application for an Incidental Harassment Authorization, the Navy proposed several standard protective measures to be implemented during the RIMPAC exercises. NOAA Fisheries Service has worked closely with the Navy to develop a suite of additional mitigation and monitoring measures designed to reduce the likelihood of harassment. These additional measures would be required during RIMPAC. "Our scientists believe these measures, if fully implemented, will avoid the potential for serious injury or mortality to marine mammals," said Dr. Bill Hogarth, NOAA Fisheries Service director. "These mitigation measures will significantly reduce the number of marine mammals exposed to levels of sound likely to cause a behavioral disruption. These safeguards are a result of the high level of cooperation that we have had with the Navy." During the RIMPAC exercises, the Navy will implement safety zones around all vessels using active sonar, and will reduce power or shut down sonar operations if marine mammals are seen within the zones. At night or low visibility times, the Navy will use infrared or passive acoustics. If marine mammals cannot be fully detected out to the prescribed safety zone, sonar will be powered down as if a marine mammal were present immediately beyond their visual range. During the RIMPAC exercises, with the exception of three closely monitored choke-point exercises, mid-frequency sonar will not be operated in canyon-like areas, in constricted channels, or within certain distances around the islands. Choke-point exercises involve vessels moving through constricted channels, sweeping the area with sonar, similar to operational situations where they would anticipate submarine ambushes. During the choke-point exercises, the Navy will use additional dedicated shipboard marine mammal observers; use additional dedicated aerial and vessel-bound observers, and land-based observers; and contract with experienced cetacean researchers to monitor the behavior of marine mammals in the vicinity of the exercises. NOAA Fisheries Service will accept comments on the application and proposed authorization through May 24. Comments should be addressed to: Steve Leathery, Chief of the Permits, Conservation, and Education Division; Office of Protected Resources, NMFS; 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments may be sent by e-mail to PR1.011806L(a)noaa.gov. A copy of the application and federal register notice may be obtained by contacting the same office.

1 0

Call for Marine Mammal Photos
by Sclymene＠aol.com 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Dear Colleagues, Tom Jefferson, Marc Webber, and Bob Pitman are preparing a comprehensive marine mammal identification guide, which will include detailed species accounts, multiple illustrations by artist Brett Jarrett, illustrated keys, and a large collection of full-color photos. We are aiming to produce the most comprehensive and authoritative identification guide to marine mammals. It will be published by Academic Press/Elsevier in late 2007. We have assembled an impressive collection of photos, covering nearly every species of marine mammal. The following species are ones that we still need help with: Sei whale (Baleanoptera borealis) Pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (Kogia spp.) Arnoux’s beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii) Mesoplodonts (Mesoplodon spp.) Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus – Japanese forms) Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) Hourglass dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger) Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris – dwarf subspecies) Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis – Black Sea form) Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis) Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) Caspian seal (Pusa caspica) Japanese sea lion (Zalophus californianus) Southern fur seals (Arctocephalus spp.) However, we would be very interested in seeing any photos of other species that you might want us to consider as well. Unfortunately, we cannot pay photographers for use of photos. However, if we use your photos, we may be able to offer you a free copy of the book (which we expect to cost about US$40-55). This would be for one-time use, and there would be no restrictions on further use by the photographer. We would need good quality slides or digital images (the highest possible resolution, which if too big to be emailed, can be sent on a CD). Please send queries about pinniped photos to Marc Webber < marcwebber(a)sbcglobal.net>. Queries about photos of any other species of marine mammals should be sent to Thomas Jefferson <sclymene(a)aol.com >. We appreciate your help with this request, and look forward to hearing from you. ***************************************************************** Thomas A. Jefferson, Ph.D. Marine Mammal Biologist Southwest Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, CA 92037-1508 USA Tel: 1 (858) 278-4240 FAX: 1 (858) 278-3473 Email: sclymene(a)aol.com Web: http://swfsc.nmfs.noaa.gov/PRD/prdfiles/tomjeffpubs.html *****************************************************************

1 0

New publications week 15
by Jan Herrmann 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 15 / 2006, which haven't been announced on MARMAM earlier AFAIK. By clicking the following link you are guided to a website, where the following references are linked to their according journal homepages. There you can find abstracts and contact information: http://www.mmbib.com/news.html Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Castellini, M. et al. (2006): Blood rheology of Weddell seals and bowhead whales. Biorheology 43(1): 57-69. Redfern, J.V. et al. (2006): Techniques for cetacean-habitat modeling. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310(): 271-295. Kemp, K.M. et al. (2006): Consumption of large bathyal food fall, a six month study in the NE Atlantic. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310(): 65-76. PINNIPEDIA Dagleish, M.P. et al. (2006): Polioencephalomalacia in a juvenile hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). The Veterinary Record 158(15): 516-518. Nollens, H.H. et al. (2006): Seroepidemiology of parapoxvirus infections in captive and free-ranging California sea lions Zalophus californianus. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 69(2-3): 153-161. Hamer, D.J. and S.D. Goldsworthy (2006): Seal-fishery operational interactions: Identifying the environmental and operational aspects of a trawl fishery that contribute to by-catch and mortality of Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). Biological Conservation 130(4): 517-529. Lea, M.-A. et al. (2006): Impacts of climatic anomalies on provisioning strategies of a Southern Ocean predator. Marine Ecology Progress Series 310(): 77-94. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

1 0