November 2007 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

North Atlantic Right Whale Resource Matrix
by Regina Asmutis-Silvia 30 Nov '07

30 Nov '07

The North Atlantic Right Whale Education Committee is pleased to announce that the NA right whale matrix is ready for review. The matrix is a web-based tool that aims to bring together all existing and conceptual resources on NA right whales. At present, we have a total of 106 entries in 11 categories, and hope that with your help, we can add to this existing pool of data. We welcome your suggestions and ask you to please email your comments and additions to regina.asmutis-silvia(a)wdcs.org by Dec. 31, 2007. You can access the matrix on the following website: http://us.wdcs.org/RightWhales/RWObjects/ShowRWObjectsTablePage.aspx Thanks very much for your help. Regina Asmutis-Silvia

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Re: [MARMAM] Behavioral Response Study (BRS) -- 2007 cruise report summary
by Brandon Southall 29 Nov '07

29 Nov '07

MARMAM, I am re-sending this because it has not yet posted on MARMAM since I sent it a week ago and I am leaving the country for 10 days. I'd like to make sure it gets posted, so I am re-sending before I go. Our team appreciates you making this information available to MARMAM subscribers. Brandon Southall Brandon Southall wrote: > All, > > This summer, a series of experiments to study deep-diving cetaceans > was conducted in the Tongue of the Ocean, just off Andros Island in > the Bahamas. In addition to extensive photo-identification efforts, > specialized archival tags ("D-tags" from Woods Hole Oceanographic > Institution) were deployed on both Blainville's beaked whales > (Mesoplodon densirostris) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala > macrorhynchus) to determine baseline diving, foraging, and social > behavior. Using careful protocols and monitoring, controlled sound > exposures were used in two occassions to obtain detailed information > regarding the behavioral reactions of these species to both natural > and artificial sounds in the mid-frequency (1-10 kHz) band. The > initial results, while admittedly limited in several regards, > demonstrate that these kinds of established procedures can be applied > safely to deep-diving cetaceans using mid-frequency sounds and yield > detailed information about behavioral responses. > > The BRS scientific team has prepared a short cruise report summary for > BRS-07 that is now publically available at: > <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/brs-07.htm> Please note that > this is not a peer-reviewed document and is not intended for > citation. It is simply a summary of the results of the first phase of > BRS at a relatively early stage of analysis. Additional analyses are > underway and results will be subjected to the scientific peer-review > process in due course. A complete cruise report will be available, on > request, at a later point. Anyone interested in the initial results > should contact the contributing scientists on the BRS team for > permission and direction regarding appropriate referencing of > information in the interim. > > Regards, > Brandon Southall (principal investigator) > on behalf of the BRS core science team: > Ian Boyd > Christopher Clark > Peter Tyack > Diane Claridge > > >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Brandon L. Southall, Ph.D. >Director, NOAA Ocean Acoustics Program >National Marine Fisheries Service >Office of Science and Technology >1315 East West Hwy, SSMC III #12539 >Silver Spring, MD 20910-6233 >Brandon.Southall(a)noaa.gov >301-713-2363 x163 (office) >301-713-1875 (FAX) >http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/ >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brandon L. Southall, Ph.D. Director, NOAA Ocean Acoustics Program National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Science and Technology 1315 East West Hwy, SSMC III #12539 Silver Spring, MD 20910-6233 Brandon.Southall(a)noaa.gov 301-713-2363 x163 (office) 301-713-1875 (FAX) http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Please Post- Thanks
by Tuttle, Allison 29 Nov '07

29 Nov '07

VETERINARY INTERNSHIP / RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN AQUATIC ANIMAL MEDICINE AT MYSTIC AQUARIUM With the assistance of both external and in-house funding, the Department of Animal Health of Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, is sponsoring a one-year internship/research opportunity in aquatic animal medicine. Applicants for the internship should be graduates of an AVMA accredited veterinary college or ECFVG certified. Preference will be given to applicants with graduate degrees and/or postgraduate clinical experience in a practice or internship setting. Entry level familiarity with ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy systems is expected. The stipend for the position is expected to be > $26,000 per annum plus benefits. The successful applicant will assist the veterinary, research, and husbandry staffs in the diagnosis and treatment of medical cases from the Aquarium's extensive collection of invertebrates, fresh and saltwater fishes, reptiles, amphibians, penguins, seals, sea lions, and beluga whales. In addition the intern will participate in our rescue, rehabilitation, and release program for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Collateral opportunities at cooperating area academic, government, and private industry laboratories are possible and encouraged. The intern may have an opportunity to develop teaching skills by his/her involvement in the Aquarium's veterinary externship program and at informal seminars. The intern will be expected to pursue one or more clinical or research interests and to prepare the results for presentation to our staff and at an appropriate professional meeting as well as for publication in the peer reviewed literature. Past interns have gone on to acceptance into well-recognized graduate/residency programs or employment in the field of aquatic, comparative, or zoological medicine. Applicants should submit the following material to: DR. ALLISON D. TUTTLE STAFF VETERINARIAN MYSTIC AQUARIUM 55 COOGAN BLVD. MYSTIC, CT 06355 1. A current transcript from the veterinary school and any post baccalaureate program which he/she has attended. 2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic performance and his/her potential in the clinical and research arenas. 3. A statement reflecting the applicant's goals in the area of aquatic animal medicine and research. 4. A current curriculum vitae or resume. Potential applicants who will be in the southern New England area are encouraged to contact us for a tour of our facilities and a chance to meet with our staff. All application materials must be received prior to 01 January 2008. The successful applicant will be chosen and notified by 10 Jan 2008 and must commit to the position within 72 hours. The internship period will extend ~ from 1 June 2008 through ~15 June 2009. With prior agreement by both parties an additional year in the program may be possible. Additional information may be obtained by calling Dr. Tuttle at 860-572-5955, or by e-mail at <Atuttle(a)MYSTICAQUARIUM.ORG>. A general orientation to our facility and programs can be obtained by viewing our web page http://www.mysticaquarium.org <http://www.mysticaquarium.org/> . Mystic Aquarium is an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer.

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University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine Upcoming Educational Programs
by Iske Larkin 29 Nov '07

29 Nov '07

Mark Your Calendar for the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine Upcoming Educational Programs. . . Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference III April 22 - 25, 2008 - The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience Marineland, Florida - AND - St. Augustine Beach, Florida http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/marinemammal Scientists, veterinarians, managers, policy makers, planners and partners who are actively involved in and/or affected by all aspects of marine mammal health and welfare will interact in an interdisciplinary setting to summarize and review state-of-the-art science, healthcare, and management activities, and to formulate goals and strategies for improvements. Call for Abstracts: You are invited to submit abstracts on all topics relevant to marine mammal health and we encourage you to share your results and experiences. Abstracts are due no later than January 10, 2008 and must be submitted electronically via the online submission form posted on the conference web site. For conference information or to submit an abstract, visit us at: www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/marinemammal - AND - Aquatic Medical Education (AME) * Specialized Training for the Aquatic Health Practitioner AME offers four courses providing veterinary professionals and students with specialized training in health care, management and husbandry of aquatic species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals. Diseases of Warmwater Fish - Two week course providing in-depth instruction in the methodology of diagnosis and treatment of parasitic, bacterial, viral, nutritional and environmental diseases of warmwater fish and aquarium species. Advanced Fish Medicine - Six-day course offering intensive hands-on training in the latest techniques including anesthesia, hematology, nutritional therapy, imaging, histopathology and surgery. Only those with prior education and experience in fish diagnostics and health management are accepted into the course. SeaVet I - Two-week course providing an introduction to marine mammal biology, natural history and captive husbandry. SeaVet II - Six-day course, providing advanced instruction in management of Florida's megavertebrates. Only those with prior education and experience with marine mammals are accepted into this course. For more information about AME, visit our web site today at: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame *AME courses are offered in UFs Aquatic Animal Health (AAH) Program, which is a multidisciplinary specialty incorporating aspects of medical, biological and environmental sciences. Course credit may be earned. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) If you are a licensed veterinarian or if you maintain a professional license issued by a society, an association, an occupational licensing board or a department of professional regulation within your state, you may be eligible to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for your participation in these programs. Iske L. Vandevelde Larkin, Ph.D. Assistant Scientist Education Coordinator Aquatic Animal Health Program Large Animal Clinical Sciences & Dept. of Zoology University of Florida 2015 SW 16th Ave. CVM - PO Box 100136 Gainesville, Fl 32610 (Ship to zip - 32608) USA ***NOTE New Phone # and E-mail Phone (352) 392-2212 ext 5168 Cell (352) 494-1742 Fax (352) 846-1171 e-mail: Larkini(a)vetmed.ufl.edu

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Deadline for abstract submission ECS 2008 conference
by Jan Willem Broekema 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

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morbillivirus infection sardinia Italy
by Simonetta Appino 28 Nov '07

28 Nov '07

Dear all, we would like to inform that in july 2007 we perform a necropsy on a striped dolphin stranded at Asinara island (Sardinia). Gross pathology showed diffuse ulceration on the whole body, absence of significant lesions in other organs. Histopathology showed mild demyelination in CNS and microglial activation. IHC revealed positivity for morbillivirus antigen in CNS. Other lesion were rappresented by mild non suppurative pneumonitis and diffuse hepatic edema. Simonetta Appino DVM, PhD Associate Professor Veterinary Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Sassari University Italy simonetta.appino(a)unito.it

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job opportunity for marine mammal researcher
by Katrin Iken 25 Nov '07

25 Nov '07

Hello, I am not a member of MARMAM but our institution (University of Alaska Fairbanks) offers a job opportunity for a marine mammal researcher. I hope to distribute the ad widely among the interested scientific community. I was having a hard time finding the main webpage of MARMAM and I hope that sending this e-mail will allow the job ad to be posted. Best regards Katrin Iken ________________________________________________ Katrin Iken, PhD Associate Professor in Marine Biology Institute of Marine Science School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences 227 O’Neill Bldg. University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220 Phone: (907) 474-5192 e-mail: iken(a)ims.uaf.edu

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Bottlenose Dolphin Research Courses - 2008 Winter Season
by Bruno Diaz 25 Nov '07

25 Nov '07

Please see the announcement below. There are still places available. Please note: further information can be viewed and printed out from the following website: www.thebdri.com The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute - BDRI - www.thebdri.com offers comprehensive and intensive Bottlenose Dolphin Research Courses (BDRC) during the 2008 Winter Season for motivated individuals, who are seeking thorough training in approaches to the study of free ranging wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We invite you to join our ongoing study of the behaviour, habitat use and social lives of these amazing dolphins on the Emerald Coast, Sardinia Island (Italy). These intensive educational courses provide experience in specialized non-invasive research techniques, consisting of field sessions and lectures. The courses will last 6 or 13 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during 4 or 8 of these days respectively. Although our project focuses primarily on bottlenose dolphins, you will also experience the complex Mediterranean coastal ecosystem in which we live and work. BDRI field courses provide invaluable exposure to boat based field work, marine mammals research, intensive training and mentoring in marine ecology, and encouragement to work hard, have fun, and learn from the dolphins and each other. Learning, at its best, should be an active process, one in which the students are challenged on a daily basis with responsibilities that play a large part in the outcome of the research projects. Working with us and our staff, you will rotate between tasks on land and sea. Onboard our research vessel (Spartana) you will work together with our team in search of cetaceans. To refine details of bottlenose dolphin population biology and responses to human activities at sea, we will take identification photos, observe behaviour, and monitor vocalizations using a hydrophone. Research courses can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but students are solely responsible for making all arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of completing the training course. BDRI's courses give an insight into the workings of a research team, and provide experience in a wide range of areas including scientific data collection, analysis and presentation; giving public talks and much more. To be successful participants in this project,students should have open minds, flexibility in changing situations, and a desire to help and to learn. All classes will be in a form of both (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brainstorming on the specific topic, as well as (b) instructions with handon practical component, especially when it involves field techniques. Course 1. Bottlenose dolphin: Field methods in the wild (1st Team: 28 January; 2nd Team: 24 March) Course 2. Study of bottlenose dolphin behaviour (11 February) Course 3. Bottlenose dolphins Photo-identification & Social structure course (1st Team: 25 february; 2nd Team: 31 March) Course 4. Bioacoustics of bottlenose dolphins in the wild (10 March) Further information, fees and how to apply can be found on our website (www.thebdri.com) or by e-mail at info(a)thebdri.com Recent selected scientific publications by BDRI: 1. Díaz López B. and Shirai, J.A., In press. Marine aquaculture and bottlenose dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology. 2. Díaz López B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., In press. Marine aquaculture off Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated through a trophic mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling. 3. Díaz López, B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & Méndez Fernández, P., In press. Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K. 3. Díaz López B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presence and incidental capture in a marine fish farm on the noth-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy)" Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K, 87, 113-117. 4. Díaz López, B. and Shirai, J.A., 2007. "Human activities and bottlenose dolphin's social structure". 21st Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, San Sebastián, Spain, 2007. 5. Underhill, K., Díaz López, B., and Shirai, J.A., 2007."Boat traffic effects on the diving behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sardinia, Italy". 21st Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, San Sebastián, Spain, 2007. 6. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Predation on a Marine Fin Fish Farm: Some Underwater Observations". Aquatic Mammals 32(3): 305 - 310 pp. 7. Díaz López, B. & Bernal Shirai, J.A., 2006. "Estudio multiescalar de la influencia de la acuicultura en la presencia de delfines mulares Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821)". CIVA, 2006: 282 - 290pp. 8. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia". ICES Journal of Marine Science 63: 944-951 pp. 9. Díaz López, B. & Bernal Shirai, J.A., 2006. Diurnal & Nocturnal behaviour of bottlenose dolphin groups with emphasis on foraging activity on the northeastern coast of Sardinia (Italy). 20th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society 2006 Gdynia, Polonia. 10. Bernal Shirai, J. A., Díaz López, B., Méndez Fernández, P., Bilbao Prieto, A. & Díaz da Silva, J.I., 2006. "Analysis of diving behaviour of a solitary male bottlenose dolphin in the inshore waters of Galicia (Spain)" 20th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society 2006 Gdynia, Polonia. Bruno Díaz López Research Biologist / Marine Zoologist Chief Researcher The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy http://www.thebdri.com info(a)thebdri.com Tel: + (39) 346 0815414

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Re: [MARMAM] MARMAM Digest, Vol 28, Issue 17
by Manell ZAKHARIA 23 Nov '07

23 Nov '07

OUR APOLOGIES FOR ANY DUPLICATE MAIL, OVERSIGHT, OR CIRCULATION ERROR PLEASE DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS MAIL You may also be contacted (if note done yet) by session organizers Dear colleagues, As you probably already know, the conference Acoustics'08 Paris organized by the ASA, the EAA and the SFA, will take place in Paris (France) from June 29 to July 4, 2008. It integrates two major European conferences: euronoise (noise control) and ecua (underwater acoustics) Marine Mammals are concerned by several sessions During this meeting the 60th anniversary of the SFA as well as the 50th anniversary of the NURC (NATO Undersea, Research Center) The conference website is open since two weeks for abstract submission and registration http://www.acoustics08-paris.org/ Please feel free to disseminate the information around you and be our Ambassadors in order to make this joint meeting a transatlantic success. ATTENTION The deadline for abstract submission is January 10, 2008 Due to the size of the event, it will be reinforced. Please remember to send your abstract before leaving on Christmas Holiday, your participation will be our Christmas present. Complimentary and updated information is detailed on the website PS: in case of problem, please do not reply to this mail directly, contact the conference secretariat: acoustics08(a)laposte.net The Organizing Committee

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Morbillivirus in the Ligurian Sea
by Fulvio Garibaldi 22 Nov '07

22 Nov '07

Dear all, this is just to inform you about the presence of morbillivirus epizootic in the Ligurian Sea. During the last 3 months, along about 12 miles coastline, near the French borderline, we recovered 6 stranded striped dolphins (the average number of stranding events in the last 10 years was about 5 specimens/year) All dead specimens were in good conditions, so we were able to perform necropsies at the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Imperia, with the veterinary support of Dott. Mignone, dott. Caroggio and dott. Ballardini. It was immediately clear the presence of pathologies typically associated to morbillivirus infections, with mainly at nervous central system and respiratory system. Tissue samples were also examined by prof. Elena Bozzetta (IZS Turin) and prof. Giovanni Di Guardo (University of Teramo). So far, 3 specimens of 4 were confirmed positive to the morbillivirus, not only at serological, but also at tissue level. Two more specimens, stranded during November, presented about the same pathological aspects at necropsy: we are waiting for histological and immunoistochemical results. They could be only a few, isolated cases, but we dont know exactly what the situation in the entire Mediterranean is. If you have some news from other areas, please let us know. Regards Fulvio Fulvio Garibaldi, Ph.D DIP.TE.RIS. Università di Genova C.so Europa, 26 16132 Genova - Italy e-mail: largepel(a)unige.it Pers. e-mail: garibaldi.f(a)libero.it Phone fax: +39 010 357 888

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