September 2006 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Greece survey 2006
by Oceanus onlus 05 Sep '06

05 Sep '06

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS ON MARINE MAMMAL CENSUS Volunteer assistants wanted for a marine mammal census starting from Athens, and will carry out in the Greek seas. The project will take place in October 2006, and is coordinated by the Cetacean Research Group of the University of Thessaly, the Zoology and Marine Biology Department of the University of Athens and OCEANUS onlus (no profit organization; www.oceanus.it) . The aim of the trip is to collect visual and acoustic data as well as skin samples for a population genetic structure research and toxicology analysis The trip consists of 3 legs: . Athens to Chania (Crete), (3 October - 13 October); . Chania to Patra, (13 October - 23October); . Patra to Athens, (23October - 3November). Research assistants may participate to at least one leg. The research will take place onboard a 14.5 m research sailing catamaran equipped with all necessary navigation safety and research instrument (GPSs, plotters, echo-sounders, underwater digital video and still cameras, binoculars etc) as well as a dual frequency hydrophone and DAT recorder. The most important requirements for participants are enthusiasm, and the ability and willingness to work under often difficult, but rewarding field conditions. The duties of the participants require involvement to all the activities onboard including: Navigation and sailing (taking shifts with the trained crew and acquiring experience). Research (visual scan, use of the hydrophone, filling in forms, preliminary analysis of effort/distribution and Photo-id data, maintenance of equipment). Support activities (maintenance and cleaning of the vessel, cooking etc). Preference will be given to those who: 1. have previous marine mammal field experience particularly with visual and acoustic surveys 2. have some sailing experience On board accommodation will be provided. However research assistants will be expected to contribute to food provisioning and the running costs of the survey, and arrange their own travel itinerary / flights to the arrival/departure ports. The cost for participation to any one leg, 10 days, is 600 euros. APPLICATIONS Interested persons should email at the address below providing a brief resume with their background, personal details and interests. Please also remember to include your preferred dates for participation. Contact Email: info(a)oceanus.it ; greecesurvey(a)oceanus.it; oceanus(a)oceanus.it

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New publications week 35
by Jan Herrmann 05 Sep '06

05 Sep '06

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 35 / 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 Adam, O. (2006): The use of the Hilbert-Huang transform to analyze transient signals emitted by sperm whales. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1134-1143. Adam, O. et al. (2006): Overview of the 2005 workshop on detection and localization of marine mammals using passive acoustics. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1061-1070. Ainley, D.G., G. Ballard, and K.M. Dugger (2006): Competition among penguins and cetaceans reveals trophic cascades in the western Ross Sea, Antarctica. Ecology 87(8): 2080-2093. Cardellicchio, N. et al. (2006): Optimization of microwave digestion for mercury determination in marine biological samples by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. Annali di Chimica 96(4): 159-165. Desharnais, F. et al. (2006): A generalized beamformer for localization of marine mammals. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1213-1225. Filatova, O.A. et al. (2006): Using a mobile hydrophone stereo system for real-time acoustic localization of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1243-1248. Giraudet, P. and H. Glotin (2006): Real-time 3D tracking of whales by echo-robust precise TDOA estimates with a widely-spaced hydrophone array. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1106-1117. Howard, R.S., J.J. Finneran, and S.H. Ridgway (2006): Bispectral Index Monitoring of Unihemispheric Effects in Dolphins. Anesthesia & Analgesia 103(): 626-632. Kandia, V. and Y. Stylianou (2006): Detection of sperm whale clicks based on the Teager-Kaiser energy operator. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1144-1163. Lopatka, M. et al. (2006): Sperm whale click analysis using a recursive time-variant lattice filter. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1118-1133. Mellinger, D.K. and C.W. Clark (2006): MobySound: A reference archive for studying automatic recognition of marine mammal sounds. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1226-1242. Morrissey, R.P. et al. (2006): Passive acoustic detection and localization of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the tongue of the ocean. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1091-1105. Nielsen, B.K. and B. Møhl (2006): Hull-mounted hydrophones for passive acoustic detection and tracking of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1175-1186. Nosal, E.-M. and L.N. Frazer (2006): Track of a sperm whale from delays between direct and surface-reflected clicks. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1187-1201. Ridgway, S.H. et al. (2006): Dolphin continuous auditory vigilance for five days. Journal of Experimental Biology 209(18): 3621-3628. Skarsoulis, E.K. and M.A. Kalogerakis (2006): Two-hydrophone localization of a click source in the presence of refraction. Applied Acoustics 67(11-12): 1202-1212. Tamaki, N., T. Morisaka, and M. Taki (2006): Does body contact contribute towards repairing relationships? The association between flipper-rubbing and aggressive behavior in captive bottlenose dolphins. Behavioral Processes 73(2): 209-215. PINNIPEDIA Breed, G.A. et al. (2006): Sexual segregation of seasonal foraging habitats in a non-migratory marine mammal. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 273(1599): 2319-2326. Butler, J.R.A. et al. (2006): Modelling the impacts of removing seal predation from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, rivers in Scotland: a tool for targeting conflict resolution. Fisheries Management and Ecology 13(5): 285-291. Hille, P., G. Dehnhardt, and B. Mauck (2006): An analysis of visual oddity concept learning in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Learning & Behavior 34(2): 144-153. Zhao, L., M.A. Castellini, and D.M. Schell (2006): Metabolic Adjustments to Varying Protein Intake in Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina): Evidence from Serum Free Amino Acids. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 79(5): 965-976. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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HELICOPTERS AND LARGE RORQUALS
by Peter Gill 04 Sep '06

04 Sep '06

Dear all, I am looking for information on the effects of helicopters on large baleen whales; specifically, on blue whales in a feeding area. The only relevant reference I can find so far is Patenaude et. al. (2002) AIRCRAFT SOUND AND DISTURBANCE TO BOWHEAD AND BELUGA WHALES DURING SPRING MIGRATION IN THE ALASKAN BEAUFORT SEA. Marine Mammal Science 18(2): 309-335. Helicopters are banned from whale watching in Tonga: are there any other jurisdictions which ban the use of helicopters for whale watching? If so, is there any supporting data? Any relevant references or reports of experience with helicopters and large rorquals would be welcome. Cheers, Peter Dr Peter Gill Blue Whale Study Australocetus Research Australia petegill(a)bigpond.com

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FW: Marine Mammal Workshop
by georgiabeachwalk 04 Sep '06

04 Sep '06

_____ From: georgiabeachwalk [mailto:georgiabeachwalk@bellsouth.net] Sent: Monday, September 04, 2006 7:29 PM To: 'marmamed(a)lists.uvic.ca' Subject: Marine Mammal Workshop Hello, I am planning a workshop for teachers along the Georgia Coast on November 17. The focus of the workshop is on biology and management of North Atlantic Right Whales, Dolphin and Manatees. So far, teachers will receive two curriculum resources, plus the Whales and Dolphin poster. I would like to provide them with any additional resources available, such as posters, brochures, activities, key chains, magnets, bookmarks, etc. Please contact me if you have any of these materials available for educational purposes or if you have a contact. Thank you! Georgia Graves Naturalist, St. Simons Island GA Teacher Workshop Coordinator Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve 912 638 2898 912 266 2473 georgiabeachwalk(a)bellsouth.net

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Job Announcement - Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers
by Cynthia Taylor 03 Sep '06

03 Sep '06

Wildlife Trust Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers Job Announcement Wildlife Trust, a non-profit international research and conservation organization, is seeking temporary aerial marine mammal observers for the period November 15, 2006 through April 15, 2007, and additional observers for the period December 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007. These observer positions are in anticipation of research activities in the southeast United States, specifically coastal Georgia and South Carolina. Anticipated research would require observers to fly up to five days per week, up to eight hours per day in a small, twin engine, high wing aircraft primarily to locate North Atlantic right whales in the Southeast U.S. calving ground. Surveys will be flown every day, weather permitting, and observers must be willing to work weekends and holidays during the survey period. Observers will be required to participate in aviation and marine safety and survival training. This is a temporary, 40 hour/week position at a salary rate of $14/hr. Health benefits are not provided with this position but worker's compensation coverage will be provided. Housing will be provided at no cost to the observers for the duration of the project. These positions are contingent upon funding. Qualifications: Applicants must be experienced in database entry and word processing and preferably other computer applications. The ability to live and work well in a team environment and withstand up to 8 hours per day in a small aircraft is required. Previous aerial or marine mammal survey experience and experience in photo-identification of large cetaceans is strongly desired. Application Process: Please send cover letter, resume, and three references by September 15, 2006. Email: <mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org> taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org Right Whale Observer Positions ATTN: Cyndi Taylor Wildlife Trust 522 SE 12th St. Ocala, FL 34471

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Submissions to The Monachus Guardian, November 2006
by William M. Johnson 02 Sep '06

02 Sep '06

Dear Colleagues, This is to let you know that we are now inviting submissions for the November 2006 issue of The Monachus Guardian. With only very limited funding for the journal having been secured, we are again able to produce only an abbreviated issue, along the lines of Vol. 9 (1) published in June. Sections will consist only of the most urgent International / Mediterranean / Hawaiian / and Caribbean news, Letters to the Editor, a listing of Recent Publications, and contributions of PDF papers, reports etc. to the Monk Seal Library. The Monachus Guardian should receive news items no later than 15 October. Please contact the editor in the event of urgent news beyond this deadline. Any leads on possible funding avenues that might keep The Monachus Guardian alive and kicking would, of course, be gratefully received. A document detailing sponsorship opportunities and benefits is available to potential supporters -- please contact us for further information. Due in no small part to the network of correspondents who have submitted news, opinion, scientific papers etc over the years, The Monachus Guardian has built up a real readership base of at least 30,000 people -- including students, teachers, researchers, journalists etc. Realising the significance of this achievement, we are doing whatever we can to continue publishing, and we take this opportunity of thanking all of you who have voiced support for the project. We look forward to hearing from you. William M. Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org The Monachus Guardian, Library and Network can be accessed at the following address: <http://www.monachus-guardian.org> _______________________________________ William M Johnson editor(a)monachus-guardian.org http://www.monachus-guardian.org http://www.iridescent-publishing.com _______________________________________

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Dolphin Research Internships
by Emily 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

> Dolphin Research Internships > > Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is currently accepting applications for > Research Interns for the Winter/Spring term. DRC is a not-for-profit > education and research facility, home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose > dolphins and California sea lions. DRC is located on Grassy Key, in the > heart of the Florida Keys. > > Internships at DRC are an exciting way to develop career skills as well as > an opportunity to get "behind the scenes" to see how a marine mammal > facility operates. Research interns participate in DRC's ongoing research > projects, giving them broad exposure to a variety of research > methodologies. Interns receive extensive on-the-job training in observing > marine mammal behavior, collecting observational data, working with > research equipment, and assisting with behavioral research sessions. In > addition, educational opportunities are available such as informal journal > article reviews and the development of personal learning objectives. > > Specific job duties include: > * Collecting observational data > * Preparing stimuli for behavioral research sessions > * Equipment responsibilities for behavioral research sessions > * Operating video equipment > * Entering data into the computer for analysis > * General support of the facility through participation in the > volunteer resource pool (facility maintenance, bird care, assisting with > public programs, guest interactions, etc.) > > Research studies can vary widely in nature and availability. For > information on past or current research projects at DRC, please visit our > website, at www.dolphins.org <http://www.dolphins.org > . > > Publications: > Jaakkola, K., Fellner, W., Erb, L., Rodriguez, A. M., & Guarino, E. > (2005). Understanding the concept of numerically "less" by bottlenose > dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology. > > Internships require a minimum of a 16-week commitment, 40 hours per week. > The internship is unpaid, and interns are responsible for providing their > own housing. DRC will provide assistance in locating housing and/or > matching up interns and volunteers desiring roommates. Successful > candidates will be ready and willing to learn, self-motivated, and > flexible. Prior research experience is recommended but not required. > > The deadline to apply is October 1st. Further information and application > materials can be found on our website at www.dolphins.org > <http://www.dolphins.org > . > > -------------------------------- > Emily Guarino > Research Coordinator > emily(a)dolphins.org > Dolphin Research Center > 58901 Overseas Hwy. > Grassy Key, FL 33050 > www.dolphins.org >

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