July 2006 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

First International Workshop on beluga whale research: call for abstracts
by Investigación 20 Jul '06

20 Jul '06

L'Oceanografic of Valencia is pleased to announce the "First International Workshop on beluga whale research, husbandry and management in wild and captive environments", that will be held in Valencia, Spain. The workshop is scheduled for 9-11 March 2007. With numerous aquaria around the world displaying beluga whales and six polar countries managing beluga populations, there is a need for information sharing on research, husbandry and management practices. A number of aquaria and researchers have expressed an interest in fostering better collaboration between their respective communities. This workshop will bring together researchers, veterinarians, husbandry staff, educators and managers to build relationships and promote communication and collaboration. We strongly encourage all scientists, veterinarians, trainers, educators, managers and students working with beluga whales to make plans for attending and participating in this important event. Please see the following website for details: http://www.cac.es/microsites/belugas_workshop/index.html 1st CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: Contributed papers on beluga whale research, husbandry and management in wild and captive environments or related topics or species are encouraged. Abstract submission deadline is NOVEMBER 1st 2006. We hope to see you in Valencia in March 2007! __________________________________________________________________ Manuel Castellote Research Coordinator. L'Oceanogràfic. Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències. __________________________________________________________________ Phone: (+ 34) 96 1975500 Fax: (+34) 96 1975510 L'Oceanogràfic. Grupo Parques Reunidos Valencia. C/. Junta de Murs i Valls, s/n. 46013. Valencia. Spain e-mai: investigacion(a)oceanografic.org web: www.cac.es

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Center for Oceanic Research and Education Fall Internship Last Call for Applications
by core＠coreresearch.org 17 Jul '06

17 Jul '06

Last Call for Applications for the Center for Oceanic Research and Education Fall Internship Program - Deadline is June 24th, 2006 The Center for Oceanic Research and Education (CORE), based in Essex, MA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of cetaceans. Cetaceans are whales, dolphins and porpoises. CORE's mission is to promote stewardship and conservation of cetaceans and their marine environment. Our research focuses primarily upon the populations of fin and humpback whales found in the inshore waters of New England. We are currently working on several projects including: hierarchy among social/feeding groups of humpback whales. novel feeding behavior (the use of bubbles) in fin whales. shifts in distribution of whale species over time on-going research includes photo-identification studies of humpback whales, fin whales, sperm whales, Northern right whales, minke whales and pilot whales. CORE conducts whale watch education programs, school presentations and public outreach activities throughout the year as part of our endeavor to educate people about endangered whales and their fragile marine environment. We collect much of our data aboard commercial whale watching vessels that operate out of Gloucester, MA. Interns are aboard each trip as research assistants, and are primarily responsible for data collection. The types of data recorded on each trip include physical information ¬ such as climate and sea conditions, number and species of each cetacean, as well as behavioral information and identification photographs of focus animals. Other duties aboard the boats include answering passenger questions, assisting with fund raising efforts and helping crew on deck. A paid "education mate" position aboard the whale watching boat in Gloucester is included - interns will rotate day-to-day through the week as research assistants and education mates. There are also paid galley positions available to interns which provide another daily avenue for raising personal funds. Founded in 1996, CORE earned our non-profit status in 1999. Though we have no publications currently in print, we are currently analyzing data on several on-going research projects with the goal of developing papers on such varied subjects as novel feeding behavior in fin whales, to observations of Sowerbys and Cuviers beaked whales in offshore submarine canyons. Interns can expect to participate in and learn a variety of facets of research including: Data collection; data entry; archiving and cataloging photographs and negatives; general office work. Data analysis methods; individual identification of whales through photo analysis; data submission to educational on-line program, WhaleNet. Public speaking; fund raising; correspondence with other organizations, researchers and students. Interns are also assigned a specific on-going research project and will be expected to complete an extensive reading list to gain important background knowledge. Basics of navigation; boat handling; use of marine electronics including GPS, LORAN, radar and echolocation; handling lines; and knowledge of vessel safety and emergency protocol. CORE offers year-round internship opportunities to qualified college students or graduates. We require a two-month minimum stay. These are strictly unpaid, volunteer positions. However, interns will be paid for their duties as Education Mates, as well as galley positions, aboard the commercial whale watching vessels out of Gloucester. We do not provide room or board, but will assist interns in any way in finding housing and transportation. We also offer flexible hours, so that interns can obtain part-time jobs, if needed. Interns are also encouraged to receive either undergraduate or graduate credits for their internships with CORE. We will help students design and implement a project through their school or with two local schools with whom we are affiliated (Endicott College, Beverly, MA and Wheelock College, Boston, MA). Application deadline for the summer internship session is March 24th, with interviews being conducted during the first week of April. The deadline for the fall internship session is July 24th, with interviews immediately thereafter. We also accept limited applicants for spring. To apply for an internship, please complete an application and send your resume or CV, a letter of interest identifying your reason for applying, and two letters of recommendation. To expedite the process, application materials may be sent via email to core(a)coreresearch.org or faxed to 978-745-0997. The Center for Oceanic Research and Education internship applications can be found on our website at: www.coreresearch.org/intern form.htm. You may then use your browser's print function to print it out, send it by email or fax. We will contact applicants to schedule an interview as soon as we receive the above materials. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at core(a)coreresearch.org or 978-768-4560. Lisa Fox Director Center for Oceanic Research and Education 245 Western Ave, Box 8, Essex, MA 01929 www.coreresearch.org 978-768-4560 -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .

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Grants for the Rescue and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals
by michael.belanger＠utoronto.ca 17 Jul '06

17 Jul '06

The Oceanographic Environmental Research Society (OERS) is pleased to announce a granting system to financially assist various groups who are rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals from environmental or man-made disasters (oilspills/strandings/fishing gear/etc.). These grants are meant to offset the direct costs of treating and rehabilitating marine species mostly within North America. Due to Canadian laws dealing with charities certain stipulations must be followed (ie a representative from OERS must be on site, the applying group must be a Canadian Marine Animal Rescue Network member, etc). Please note there are NO application deadlines as these incidents are unpredictable and therefore these grants are meant to be flexible and responsive. For further information and application forms, please go to our website: oers.ca and click on the Canadian Marine Animal Rescue Network button (top right hand corner) and go to emergency grants or send an email to getus(a)oers.ca with rescue grants in the subject header. We hope that this granting system will promote greater co-operation between groups with the same interests and lower the number of tragic outcomes from these tragic circumstances. Mike Belanger President/Director Oceanographic Environmental Research Society

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Aerial and acoustic marine mammal detection and localization on Navy ranges
by Joseph Mobley 14 Jul '06

14 Jul '06

Tiemann, C., Martin, S. and Mobley, Jr., J.R. (2006). Aerial and acoustic marine mammal detection and localization on Navy ranges. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, 31(1):107-119. Available from: http://socrates.uhwo.hawaii.edu/SocialSci/jmobley/Tiemann.pdf Abstract: Acoustic monitoring and aerial visual surveys of marine mammal activity were conducted simultaneously at the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility near Kauai, HI, during times of both high- and low-whale density from February 2002 to March 2003. Specifically, recordings from the range’s 24 broadband hydrophones were made during 11 of 16 “in-season” and during six of ten “off-season” aerial surveys. Basic acoustic detections consisted primarily of humpback whale calls and sperm-whale clicks, and those two species were also reported in the visual surveys. The relative number of acoustic detections roughly corresponded with the visual survey results throughout the year. The same acoustic data were also provided to a passive-acoustic-localization algorithm based on acoustic propagation models which generated estimates of sperm-whale movement through the range. The acoustic localizations are in close proximity in space and time to the visual observations of sperm whales. Verification of the model-based localization algorithm’s accuracy was demonstrated in a controlled-source experiment at the Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) range in the Bahamas where the recordings of sperm-whale clicks were broadcast and successfully tracked. The localization accuracy of the model-based technique and traditional hyperbolic techniques is compared. These results raise the possibility of using existing Navy assets to detect and track marine mammals, particularly during times when visual sighting conditions are not favorable, in efforts to minimize their exposure to underwater sound.

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New publication - relatedness estimates, humpback whales
by Cristina Pomilla 12 Jul '06

12 Jul '06

Dear Marmamers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: CRISTINA POMILLA, HOWARD C. ROSENBAUM (2006) "Estimates of relatedness in groups of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on two wintering grounds of the Southern Hemisphere" Molecular Ecology 15 (9), 2541-2555 doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.02943.x ABSTRACT: Group formation in humpback whales has been described in relation to different components of the migratory cycle, yet it is debated whether such groups represent real social bonding or ephemeral aggregations. Cooperative behaviours are exhibited during feeding activities, and it has been suggested that males may cooperate during competition for mates. Since most cooperative behaviours are expected to originate among kin, genetic relatedness represents a critical variable in the understanding of any social phenomenon, especially when cooperation cannot be confirmed unequivocally. Using an approach combining multi-locus microsatellite genotyping and several genetic relatedness estimators, we analyzed whale associations for two different wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere. The analyses included 648 whales sampled from 292 groups off the coast of Gabon and Northeast Madagascar, and screened for eleven microsatellite loci. Through simulations, we assessed the performance of three pairwise relatedness estimators. The individuals were molecularly sexed and their associations were investigated in the context of sex and group type. No significant association among relatives was found with the exception of mother–offspring pairs, supporting previous indications of extended maternal care. The analysis from the Gabon population also suggests that related males may avoid each other during competitive activities. Our results demonstrate that if cooperative behaviours occur on wintering grounds they are not favoured by kin selection. The paper is available via the Molecular Ecology website (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/mec) or reprints can be requested from: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- Cristina Pomilla, PhD Institute for Comparative Genomics and Center for Conservation Genetics American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 Cetaceans Conservation and Research Program, WCS/AMNH Phone: (212) 3137946 Fax: (212) 7695277 Email: cpomilla(a)amnh.org; cristina.pomilla(a)nyu.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------- Cristina Pomilla, PhD Cetaceans Conservation and Research Program, WCS/AMNH Institute for Comparative Genomics and Center for Conservation Genetics American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 Phone: (212) 3137946 Fax: (212) 7695277 Email: cpomilla(a)amnh.org; cristina.pomilla(a)nyu.edu

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New publications week 26
by Jan Herrmann 11 Jul '06

11 Jul '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 26 / 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 Au, W.W.L. et al. (2006): Acoustic radiation from the head of echolocating harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Experimental Biology 209(14): 2726-2733. Ford, J.K.B. and G.M. Ellis (2006): Selective foraging by fish-eating killer whales Orcinus orca in British Columbia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 316(): 185-199. Hall, A.J. et al. (2006): Individual-based model framework to assess population consequences of polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in bottlenose dolphins. Environmental Health Perspectives 114(S 1): 60-64. Konishi, K. (2006): Characteristics of blubber distribution and body condition indicators for Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis). Mammal Study 31(1): 15-22. Plön, S. and R.T.F. Bernard (2006): A review of spermatozoan morphology in Cetacea with new data for the genus Kogia. Journal of Zoology 269(4): 466-473. Kaschner, K. et al. (2006): Mapping world-wide distributions of marine mammal species using a relative environmental suitability (RES) model. Marine Ecology Progress Series 316(): 285-310. PINNIPEDIA Ando-Mizobata, N., M. Sakai, and Y. Sakurai (2006): Trace-element analysis of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) teeth using a scanning X-ray analytical microscope. Mammal Study 31(1): 65-68. Hall, B.L. et al. (2006): Holocene elephant seal distribution implies warmer-than-present climate in the Ross Sea. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103(27): 10213-10217. Pang, D.S.J. et al. (2006): Use of end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide to predict arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide in harp seals during isoflurane-induced anesthesia. American Journal of Veterinary Research 67(7): 1131-1135. Jenssen, B.M. (2006): Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Climate Change: A Worst-Case Combination for Arctic Marine Mammals and Seabirds? Environmental Health Perspectives 114(S1): 76. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS Monnett, C. and J.S. Gleason (2006): Observations of mortality associated with extended open-water swimming by polar bears in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Polar Biology 29(8): 681-687. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Static Acoustic Monitoring Workshop Announcement
by Verfuss Ursula 11 Jul '06

11 Jul '06

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT I am happy to announce a workshop held on Monday, 4th September 2006 in Stralsund, Germany entitled: STATIC ACOUSTIC MONITORING (SAM) AS A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES WITH EMPHASIS ON OFFSHORE WIND FARM CONSTRUCTIONS The subject of this one-day workshop is the application of static passive acoustic monitoring devices like the T-POD (Chelonia Ltd, Long Rock, UK), a self-contained submersible data-logger for porpoises and dolphins, in environmental impact studies (EIS) with emphasis on offshore wind farms. Aim of the workshop is to develop common recommendations for the application and analysis of static acoustic monitoring in EIS, to assess problems and discuss solutions. Emphasis will be laid on the experimental design and analysis methods as well as on the comparability and interpretability of data. Participants are asked to contribute their knowledge and experience. Case studies will be presented as basis for a general discussion on the topics named above. Please send your applications to <ursula.verfuss(a)meeresmuseum.de>, including a few words on your work and the experience with static acoustic monitoring systems. Suggestions for presentations or topics for discussion are welcomed! The workshop will be held in the frame of the cooperation project MINOS+ (www.minos-info.org) at the German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund, Germany and is organized in association with the MINOS+ status seminar, held on 5th to 6th September, 2006 in Stralsund. Participants of the workshop are welcome to join the status seminar. The language of the workshop will be English, whilst the language of the status seminar will be mainly German with English contributions. Application deadline for the workshop is July, 23rd, 2006. A registration fee of 20,- € will be charged. Best wishes, Ursula Verfuß ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deutsches Meeresmuseum German Oceanographic Museum Ursula Verfuß Katharinenberg 14/20 18439 Stralsund GERMANY phone: +49 (0)3831-2650-390 fax: +49 (0)3831-2650-249 email: ursula.verfuss(a)meeresmuseum.de ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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1st Announcement - Workshop
by Jeremy KISZKA 10 Jul '06

10 Jul '06

Dear all, I am pleased to announce the first regional workshop on the Incidental Catches of non-targeted Marine Species in the Western Indian Ocean, with a focus on by-catch of marine mammals and sea turtles in this region. Incidental catch of non-targeted marine species: Problems and mitigation measures, 13-15 November 2006, Mayotte (France) INCIDENTAL CATCH OF NON-TARGETED MARINE SPECIES: PROBLEMS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Catch of non-target species in fishing gears is known to occur throughout the Western Indian Ocean region, and there is an urgent need to address this problem. This workshop will aim to: - Bring together relevant marine mammal and turtle sicentists, conservationists and managers in the region to share ideas and exchange information. - Review the level of threat from fisheries, both coastal and pelagic, in the WIO region. - Discuss and resolve common issues relating to by-catch. - Discuss and resolve common issues relating to data collection and analysis, survey techniques and specific threats (other than by-catch) such as eco-tourism, pollution, habitat destruction/disturbance and boat collisions. - Produce recommendations for research and management, fund-raising and future regional and international collaboration. - Give particpants the opportunity to observe and partake in practical field research and conservation activitites. This workshop will be organized by the Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (French Wildlife Service), which is actively involved in marine mammal research programmes around Mayotte. Sea Sense, a NGO based in Tanzania will be one of the co-organizers. Sea Sense works hand in hand with local communities to protect endangered marine life in Tanzania, with a special focus on dungongs and turtles, through conservation, research and education. The workshop is funded by WIOMSA through MASMA. To download the 1st Announcement, please go to the following link: http://www.wiomsa.org/default.asp?groupid=2004121143411905&pageid=200676143…

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Contents of LAJAM 4:2 (2005) and subscription information
by Eduardo Secchi 08 Jul '06

08 Jul '06

Dear Marmamers, On behalf of our Editorial Board, I would like to inform you that the issue of the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM 4:2) is available. This issue includes the following articles: CONTENTS A southern bottlenose whale examined in the Antarctic ........................ 83 Robert Clarke Record of a specimen of Shepherds beaked whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi) from the coast of Santa Cruz, Argentina, with notes on age determination .................................................................................. 97 M. Florencia Grandi, Alejandro D. Buren, Enrique A. Crespo, Néstor A. García, Guillermo M. Svendsen and Silvana L. Dans An Andrews beaked whale Mesoplodon bowdoini (Cetacea, Ziphiidae) stranded on the Atlantic Coast of Uruguay ........................................101 Paula Laporta, Ricardo Praderi, Virginia Little and Alfredo Le Bas Biological data on two Hector´s beaked whales, Mesoplodon hectori, stranded in Buenos Aires province, Argentina ...................................113 Humberto Luis Cappozzo, María Fernanda Negri, Bettina Mahler, Verónica V. Lía, Pablo Martínez, Adriana Gianggiobe and Alejandro Saubidet A Trues beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) on the coast of Brazil: adding a new beaked whale species to the western Tropical Atlantic and South America ......................................................................................... 129 Shirley P. de Souza, Salvatore Siciliano, Sandra Cuenca and Bianca de Sanctis Record of the Layard´s beaked whale, Mesoplodon layardii (Gray, 1856), in northeastern Brazil .......................................................................... 137 Rodrigo Maia-Nogueira and José de Anchieta C. da C. Nunes Oceanographic conditions off coastal South America in relation to the distribution of Burmeisters porpoise, Phocoena spinipinnis ................141 Daniza Molina-Schiller, Sergio A. Rosales and Thales R. O. de Freitas Sightings of southern right whales, Eubalaena Australis, off Uruguay ................................. 157 Paula Costa, Ricardo Praderi, Mariana Piedra and Paula Franco-Fraguas Composition and seasonal variation in the diet of the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) from Quequén, Argentina ..............................163 Amalia A. Suarez, Daniela Sanfelice, Marcelo H. Cassini and Humberto Luis Cappozzo Natural and human disturbance in a rookery of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus californianus) in the Gulf of California, Mexico..............................................................................................175 Vanessa Labrada-Martagón, David Aurioles-Gamboa and Sergio Francisco Martínez-Díaz Rescue, handling and release of a melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra, stranded in Ceará, NE Brazil................................................ 187 Monica Regina Alves Motta and Cristine Pereira Negrão Silva Dry and rainy season estimations of giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, home range in the Yasuní National Park, Ecuador..................................191 Victor Utreras B., Esteban Suárez R., Galo Zapata-Ríos, Geovanna Lasso and Luis Pinos First records of elephant seals on the Guayaquil Gulf, Ecuador: on the ocurrence of either a Mirounga leonina or M. angustirostris ............ 195 Juan José Alava and Raúl Carvajal For non-members of SOLAMAC, subscriptions to LAJAM can be made by check (or money order), in U.S. dollars, payable to "LAJAM". Please send payment to LAJAM/SOLAMAC c/o Nélio Barros, P.O. Box 3184, Sarasota, FL 34230-3184 USA. LAJAM's subscription rates for 2005 and 2006 are (in US dollars): REGULAR PRICE * Students $30.00 Non-students $50.00 Libraries or other institutions $60.00 * Add US $10.00 for subscriptions from North America, Europe, Japan and Australia/New Zealand * Add US $5.00 for subscriptions from Africa, Asia and other Australasian countries Both students and non-students from developing countries (outside Latin-America) may be exempted of mailing costs upon a duly supported request, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Issues 1(1) and 2(1) are currently out of print. A very limited number of issues 2:2 and 3:1 are available. Other recent issues 3:2, 4:1 and 4:2 are available at a cost of $25 each. Any further information can be obtained from the editors (LAJAM(a)infolink.com.br) Best regards, Eduardo Secchi Editor-in-chief, LAJAM ************************************ Eduardo R. Secchi, Ph.D Lab. Mamíferos Marinhos Museu Oceanográfico Prof. E.C. Rios - FURG Cx.P. 379 Rio Grande-RS, 96200-970, Brasil MOBILE: ++53-9241-0300 Phone (work): ++53-3232-9107 or 3231-3496 Phone (home): ++53-3236-2937 FAX: ++53-3232-9633 e.mail: edu.secchi(a)furg.br Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com

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new Society for Marine Mammalogy newsletter
by MARMAM Editors 08 Jul '06

08 Jul '06

From: SMM Administrative Assistant [members(a)marinemammalogy.org] The June, 2006 issue of the Society for Marine Mammalogy Newsletter is now available on the SMM website, www.marinemammalogy.org. The direct link is: http://www.marinemammalogy.org/news/news142.pdf --------------------- This Issue *_ _* * Election results * Changing of the guard * Origin of the Society for Marine Mammalogy * Marine Mammal Science goes to libraries abroad * Report from research supported by the SMM Small Grants-in-Aid Program * Upcoming meeting * Reviews of recent publications Jason Schreer, Editor ------------------------------------------------------------------- -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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