February 2007 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Conservation on Paper
by bearzi＠tiscali.it 10 Feb '07

10 Feb '07

"... Scientists and conservationists spend much of their life frantically writing documents and recommendations, but little or nothing happens in the real world. Is paper, and then more paper, all that governments really want from us? When will the time for action come? Are we allowing ourselves to be lost in the illusion of doing conservation while in fact we are mostly just producing conservation tools that are rarely used? ..." A recent Conservation Biology editorial expresses the frustration experienced by some of us, based on a personal experience with Mediterranean dolphins. Bearzi G. 2007. Marine conservation on paper. Conservation Biology 21(1):1-3. You can download the article from the Blackwell site at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/cbi/21/1 Or request it to me. _________________________________ Giovanni Bearzi, Ph.D. bearzi(a)inwind.it President, Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy tel. +39 0272001947; fax +39 0286995011 http://www.tethys.org/ http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm _________________________________ Naviga e telefona senza limiti con Tiscali Scopri le promozioni Tiscali adsl: navighi e telefoni senza canone Telecom http://abbonati.tiscali.it/adsl/

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Fwd: Course announcement
by Laurie Johnson 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

> >Shoals Marine Laboratory Director Willy Bemis would like to announce >the following courses: > >FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY OF MARINE ORGANISMS: July 2 - 16, 2007 > >A study of the structure, form, and function of morphological >adaptations in marine plants and animals as examined through a >mechanical and ecological perspective. The course will investigate >the biomechanics of marine organisms through lecture, laboratory >demonstrations, and independent research projects. > >Faculty: >Dr. Frank Fish, West Chester University > > >For application and scholarship information, see the SML web site >at: http://www.sml.cornell.edu >or email SML admissions: LHJ1(a)CORNELL.EDU > > >-- > >Laurie Johnson >Admissions >Shoals Marine Laboratory >G-14 Stimson Hall >Ithaca, NY 14853 >607 255-0743 >607 255-0742 fax >http://www.sml.cornell.edu

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30 days left for 1st Beluga Research Workshop
by investigacion＠oceanografic.org 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

Dear all, this is a reminder for those interested in attending the 1st International Workshop on Beluga Whale Research, Husbandry and Management of Wild and Captive environments. The Workshop will be hosted in L'Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain form 9th till 11th March 2007. Please visit our website to find the program, list of abstracts and parallel meetings (4th till 8th March 2007): http://sitios.cac.es/microsites/belugas_workshop/ See you soon! ____________________________________ Manolo Castellote Coordinador Dpto. Investigación / Research coordinator L'Oceanogràfic. Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències. ____________________________________ e-mail: investigacion(a)oceanografic.org Phone: (+34)961975500 Fax: (+34)961975510 L'Oceanogràfic. Grupo Parques Reunidos Valencia. C/ Junta de Murs i Valls, s/n 46013 Valencia. Spain web: www.cac.es

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A Call for Papers: Tracking Marine Vertebrates for Conservation
by Brendan Godley 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

A Call for Papers: Tracking Marine Vertebrates for Conservation The First Inter-Research Science Symposium, "Tracking Marine Vertebrates for Conservation" will be convened as part of the 27th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium, Myrtle Beach 27th February 2007. Plenary papers (listed below) will form part of a special issue of Inter-Research's fast growing conservation journal, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/. Authors of other relevant papers from all marine and terrestrial taxa are encouraged to submit manuscripts esr-submissions(a)int-res.com or enter into discussion with the Editor-in-Chief b.j.godley(a)exeter.ac.uk as to manuscript suitability. All contributions to this special issue will be published as online open access thus extremely high visibility is guaranteed. Plenary Papers Include: "Using telemetry to understand life-history tradeoffs in resource allocation in seals; A natural history study with conservation implications" Mike Fedak University of St Andrews, UK "Satellite tracking in sea turtles: where, when, how much and, above all, why?" Brendan Godley University of Exeter, UK "Progress in tracking large pelagic fishes" Molly Lutcavage University of New Hampshire, USA "Identifying whale habitat and habits: issues associated with assessing natural variability and anthropogenic impacts?" Bruce Mate Oregon State University, USA "Why we need a good flight recorder for wildlife before anything actually crashes". Rory P Wilson University of Wales Swansea, UK

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cetacean survey training opportunity
by David Smith 09 Feb '07

09 Feb '07

If you want to learn how to conduct systematic surveys of whales and dolphins, there are still a limited number of places left on the Company of Whales and Organisation Cetacea (ORCA) survey training trip between the 22nd and 25th June 2007. With expert guides you will learn survey techniques, which could be of great career value, whilst onboard the cruise-ferry Pride of Bilbao. This training course allows you to learn survey techniques whilst travelling through one of Europes cetacean hot-spots, the Bay of Biscay. There will be talks and training and, with your new-found skills, there could be future opportunities to carry out ORCA surveys in the Bay of Biscay and Norwegian waters. Places are limited (and we have already received a number of bookings) so dont miss this unique training opportunity. Reserve your place by e-mailing David Smith (dave(a)orcaweb.org.uk) with your name, e-mail and postal address. Places are offered on a first come first serve basis. A percentage of every booking goes towards Organisation Cetacea. Go to http://www.orcaweb.org.uk to find out more. The survey training course will run from Friday 22nd June to Monday 25th June 2007. Cost: £235 per person based on two people sharing a two-berth inside cabin. Single supplement £50. Should you wish to upgrade your cabin to a more spacious 2-berth outside cabin there is an upgrade charge of £40 (per cabin, not per person). _________________________________________________________________ Have you tried Windows Live Spaces? Tell us what you think! https://www.msnfeedback.com/perseus/surveys/961278308/6653c632.htm

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3rd International Workshop on Detection and Localization of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics
by Heather Pettis 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

This email serves to announce the 3rd International Workshop on Detection and Localization of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics to be held at the Federal Reserve Building in Boston, Massachusetts July 24-26th, 2007 Preliminary details are included in this email. A website dedicated to the workshop is linked through the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium website at www.rightwhaleweb.org/workshop. Objectives The purpose of the workshop is to present current research on the detection and classification of marine mammals using passive acoustics. Researchers are invited to present their scientific work, to detail the advantages and drawbacks of the methods they use and to show their recent results. Topics will be extended beyond passive acoustics to other relevant areas of research that directly affect the study of marine mammals and the effect of anthropogenic sound on their behavior. Participants The workshop encourages presentations from different fields. Scientific researchers could include specialists in biology, acoustics, signal processing, mathematics, electronics, computer science. Participation may be limited to ensure a dynamic and interactive exchange. The workshop will be open to Masters and PhD Students. Workshop Schedule Time will be allotted for oral presentation of current relevant research. A half-day will be reserved for the comparison of all scientific methods presented using a common data set of recorded odontocete clicks provided by the workshop. The participants who do not work on this specific dataset are also welcome to join the workshop, and present their own work on detection and classification techniques based on passive acoustics or other relevant research as outlined in the topics list. A poster session is also scheduled. Authors will be accepted for presentation or poster session by the scientific committee. A maximum of 20 papers will be accepted for publication in a special edition of the Canadian Journal of Acoustics. Important Dates April 1, 2007: Deadline for abstract submission (300 words max) April 15, 2007: Notification of Acceptance July 24, 2007: Workshop starts July 26, 2007: Workshop ends Call for Papers Oral Presentations/Papers/Poster Sessions Abstracts for oral presentations (300 words max) and Poster Presentations: deadline April 1, 2007 Acceptance information: April 15, 2007 Communications in English are invited as oral presentations, 15 min followed by 5 min for questions and discussion Submission The Scientific Committee is accepting abstracts (300 words max) based on the analysis of the workshop data set (on-line through above link), as well as related research on detection and classification techniques based on passive acoustics and additional listed topics. Indicate in the submission the preferred session (Presentation of analysis of workshop data set with potential for publication, Oral presentation with potential for publication on selected topics, Oral presentation only, Poster session). Details for abstract submission are posted on the website. The abstract will be assigned to an oral presentation or poster session by the scientific committee. Scientific Topics The objective of the workshop it to exchange information that advances general understanding of methods to detect, classify, and monitor marine mammals. Topics for consideration are provided below. Additional topics will be considered. 1. Underwater acoustics 1.1 Acoustics materials 1.2 Theory, model development, and applications of underwater acoustic propagation 1.3 Multi-channel arrays 1.4 High Frequency Sensors (>20 kHz) 2. Detection and Classification 2.1 Passive acoustic methods 2.2. Active acoustic methods 3.2 Alternate methods (IR, laser, hyperspectral, radar) 3. Localization 3.1 Localization 2D - 3D 3.2 Tracking Algorithms 3.3 Bearing Localization 4. Biology of Marine Mammals 5.1 Behavioral studies 5.2 In-situ studies 5.3 Animal dive and vocalization behavior 5.4 Captive studies 5. Density Estimation 5.1 Visual 5.2 Passive/active acoustic 6. Applications 6.1 Real Time Systems 6.2 Predictive Models 6.3 Mitigation Systems Questions regarding the workshop should be directed to David Moretti (d.j.moretti(a)ieee.org ) or Heather Pettis (hpettis(a)neaq.org

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Polar Bear Hearing
by Paul Nachtigall 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

The following article will be published very soon in the Journal of Experimental Biology: Polar bear Ursus maritimus hearing measured with auditory evoked potentials Paul E. Nachtigall1, Alexander Ya. Supin 2, Mats Amundin3, Bengt Röken3 Thorsten Møller 3, T, Aran Mooney1,Kristen A. Taylor1, and Michelle Yuen1,4, 1Marine Mammal research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii.,HI, USA 2Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 3 Kolmården Djurpark, Kolmården, Sweden, 4National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Honolulu, Hawaii. Summary While there has been recent concern about the effects of sound on marine mammals, including polar bears, there are no data available measuring the hearing of any bear. The in-air hearing of three polar bears was measured using evoked auditory potentials obtained while tone pips were played to three individually anaesthetized bears at the Kolmården Djurpark. Hearing was tested in ½ octave steps from 1 to 22.5 kHz. Measurements were not obtainable at 1 kHz and best sensitivity was found in the range from 11.2-22.5 kHz. Considering the tone pips were short and background noise measurements were available, absolute measurements were estimated based on an assumed mammalian integration time of 300 ms. These data show sensitive hearing in the polar bear over a wide frequency range and should cause those concerned with the introduction of anthropogenic noise into the polar bears environment to operate with caution. Paul E. Nachtigall Marine Mammal Research Program Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology 808 247-5297

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Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life
by Arthur Popper 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

>We are pleased to announce an international conference on Effects of >Noise on Aquatic Life to take place in Nyborg, Denmark August 13-17, >2007. This meeting will bring together scientists and others >interested in the effects of anthropogenicc sound on aquatic >organisms to share the latest scientific information and to learn >from one another. Details about the meeting can be found at: >www.NoiseEffects.umd.edu. > >Any questions about the meeting can be addressed to one of the >organizers listed on the web page. Individuals interested in >participating should send an email to >Lidia.Wysocki(a)univie.ac.at. Note, the closing date for expressing >interest in attending has been extended. > >Arthur N. Popper > >**************************************************************** >Arthur N. Popper >Interim Associate Dean, College of Chemical and Life Sciences >Professor, Department of Biology >University of Maryland >College Park, MD 20742 >phone: (301) 405-1940 FAX: (301) 314-9358 >email: apopper(a)umd.edu >web: www.life.umd.edu/biology/popperlab; www.ccebh.umd.edu

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Request for information on cetacean studies done in Trinidad and Tobago, WI
by alesha naranjit 07 Feb '07

07 Feb '07

Hello, My name is Alësha Naranjit from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. I am trying to collect information on studies done and papers written on cetaceans around the islands of Trinidad and Tobago and I would be grateful for any help you can offer in locating any such information. Below is a list of the papers I have collected; if you know of any other papers or projects do let me know and if you can send me a copy or direct me to a one, that would be even better. Thanks. Alësha Documents already collected: 1. Boisseau, O., Carlson, C., Seipt, I. 2002. A Report on Cetacean Research Conducted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) off Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Grenada and Tobago from 12 January to 30th March 2000. 2. Boisseau, O., Leaper, R., Moscrop, A. Observations of Small Cetaceans in the Eastern Caribbean. 3. NOAA. 2000. Cruise Results, Windward Humpback Survey. NOAA ship Gordon Gunter Cruise GU-00-01 (06), 9th Feb-3rd April 2000. 4. Reeves, R.R. 2005. Distribution and Status of Marine Mammals of the Wider Caribbean Region: An Update of UNEP Documents. UNEP, Bridgetown, Barbados, 8 pages. 5. Reeves, R.R., Kahn, J., Olsen, E.M., Swartz, S.L. and Smith, T.D. 2001a. History of whaling in Trinidad and Tobago. J. Cetacean Res. Mgmt 3 (1), 45-54. 6. Reeves, R.R., Swartz, S.L., Wetmore, S.E. & Clapham, P.J. 2001b. Historical occurrence and distribution of humpback whales in the eastern and southern Caribbean Sea based on data from American whaling logbooks. J. Cetacean Res. Mgmt 3 (2), 37-59. 7. Romero, A., Agudo, A.I., Green, S.M., Nortabartolo di Sciara, G. 2001. Cetaceans of Venezuela: Their Distribution and Conservation Status. NOAA Technical Repot. 151: 1-60 8. Romero, A., Baker, R., Cresswell, J.E., Singh, A., McKie, A., Manna, M. 2002.Environmental history of Marine Mammal Exploitation in Trinidad and Tobago, W.I. and its Ecological Impact. Environment and History. 8(3) 255-274. 9. Smith, T.D., Reeves, R.R. 2003. Estimating 19th Century Catches of Humpback Whales in the West Indies and Cape Verde Islands. Journal of Caribbean Science, Vol. 39, No. 3, 286-297. 10. Song of the Whale Team. 2006. Preliminary Report of the IFAW Song of the Whale Caribbean Project, January-April, 2006 11. Swartz, S.L., Martinez, A., Cole, T., Clapham, P.J., McDonald, M.A., Hildebrand, J.A., Olsen, E.M., Burks, C. & Barlow, J. 2001. Visual and acoustic survey of Humpback whales (Megaptera Novaeangliae) in the eastern and southern Caribbean sea. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-456. You must be the change you wish to see in the world.Gandhi "There are two ways to live your life - one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein --------------------------------- Never Miss an Email Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started!

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Stranding Department Internships at The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA
by Erin Brodie 06 Feb '07

06 Feb '07

<<Picture (Metafile)>> STRANDING DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT The Stranding Department of The Marine Mammal Center is seeking applicants for summer and fall 2007 internships working with stranded pinnipeds, cetaceans and sea otters. These positions are unpaid. Program description: The Stranding Department Internship is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are interested in increasing their experience and knowledge of marine mammal behavior and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Interns will be responsible for answering the animal hotline and rotating the after hours on-call pager. Interns will coordinate rescue and triage response throughout The Center's 600-mile rescue range. Interns will have the opportunity to participate in marine mammal rescues and releases. In addition, interns will be required to assist with animal care duties (feed preparations, medical charting, and pen cleaning) for all on-site pinnipeds. Other duties may include: participation in training classes, data entry and tracking, maintaining rescue equipment and assorted miscellaneous tasks. Intern Responsibilities & Qualifications: The internship is open to all applicants 18 years of age or older, with an avid interest in marine biology, zoology, general biology, policy or a related field. If the intern intends to receive university credit for their internship, they are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution. Interns must be able to work for a minimum of 3 months, 5 days a week, at least 40 hours per week. Work schedule must be flexible and may include weekends and holidays. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for obtaining housing and transportation. Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills and have practical computer knowledge with programs such as Word, Access, Excel, and Filemaker Pro. This internship position involves a fair amount of physical activity, such as: lifting, restraining and moving animals up to 600 lbs and other animal husbandry tasks. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a résumé that includes the names of three references, and a cover letter detailing interests, experience, housing accommodations, and availability. Please forward all application materials to the following address: The Marine Mammal Center Marin Headlands 1065 Fort Cronkhite Sausalito, California 94965 Attn: Erin Brodie Or via email to: BrodieE(a)TMMC.org There is some flexibility on the start date of each position, with the earliest start date of May 1 and the last available internship beginning August 15. Internship Period Application Deadline Interviews Notification of acceptance Summer April 13 April 23-27 April 30 Fall June 15 June 25-29 July 2 Celebrating its 31st year in 2006, The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue and release of ill and injured marine mammals, and to research about their health and diseases. Volunteers and staff have treated more than 12,000 California sea lions, elephant seals, porpoises, and other marine life. The Center uniquely combines its rehabilitation program with scientific discovery and education programs to advance the understanding of marine mammal health, ocean health and conservation. www.marinemammalcenter.org Erin Brodie Stranding Coordinator The Marine Mammal Center 1065 Fort Cronkhite Sausalito, Ca 94965 phone: 415-289-7371 fax: 415-289-7376 email: brodiee(a)tmmc.org

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