March 2007 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Library "Cetaceans, sea turtles and sharks of the Adriatic Sea"
by Marco Affronte 14 Mar '07

14 Mar '07

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New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Internships
by Shannon Prendiville 13 Mar '07

13 Mar '07

University of New England, Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center Rehabilitation Internships The University of New England's Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center is currently accepting applications for our summer Marine Animal Rehabilitation Internship Program. We are looking for highly motivated, dynamic candidates who will work closely in a team setting with staff and volunteers to assist with all aspects of veterinary care and husbandry of sick and injured seals, cetaceans and/or sea turtles. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to: Daily care of animals, transport and/or field response to live/dead marine animals, water quality testing, maintenance of daily food and medical records, necropsy, education/docent tours and computer entry of data. These positions are unpaid and interns are required to find their own housing and transportation. Interns should expect to be scheduled to cover weekday shifts, as well as nights, weekends and holidays. The ideal candidate should be mature and motivated, and possess a strong work ethic and excellent observational and communication skills. For general information on the facility, please refer to our website http://www.une.edu/cas/msc/rehab.asp Application requirements: -College Sophomore, Junior or Senior -Minimum GPA 2.5 -Transcript (unofficial copy acceptable) -Two Letters of Recommendation -Proposal, including cover letter (Times New Roman, Size 10, 1.5 Spacing) Proposal Should Include: -Qualities that you will contribute to our program -Your goals and objectives in participating in our program -Three or Four Project Proposals, which will be discussed with staff upon entry into the program** **Successful completion of internship includes presentation of project at the end of internship term. Application Deadline: April 15, 2007 (Summer term May 15- September 15)* *Internship dates are flexible around school schedules and can be discussed upon acceptance to program. Submit applications/ inquiries to: Anne Watson Volunteer/Internship Coordinator Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center University of New England 11 Hills Beach Road Biddeford, Maine 04005 awatson(a)une.edu Review of Applications will begin April 15, 2007. Qualified applicants may be contacted for a phone interview the week of April 30, 2007. Thanks, Shannon Prendiville Animal Care Technician University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center 11 Hills Beach Road Biddeford, ME 04005 sprendiville(a)une.edu 207.602.2750

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Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section Call for Board nominations
by Ellen Hines 13 Mar '07

13 Mar '07

apologies for repeated postings Marine Section Call for Nominations Membership on the Board of Directors, Marine Section, Society for Conservation Biology: The Board of Directors of the Marine Section, Society for Conservation Biology (SCB), seeks nominations for five Board positions in two categories: Category 1: These three positions are new positions based on by-law changes approved by Section members and will be filled as soon as the election process is complete. Persons elected will become voting Board members immediately upon election. The terms of service for these two positions will expire 31 December 2010. Category 2: Two additional positions will become vacant on 31 December 2007. Individuals elected to the two latter positions will serve from 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2010. Persons elected will be welcomed to serve as ex officio Board members prior to 1 January 2008, but will not become voting Board members until 1 January 2008. Self-nominations are welcomed. Nominations are due by 12 April 2007. When submitting nominations, PLEASE SPECIFY FOR WHICH CATEGORY OF POSITION #1 or #2 YOU ARE PROVIDING YOUR NOMINATION. Elections will be held in April/May 2007. The Board enthusiastically encourages nomination of highly motivated energetic individuals with a strong interest in building the Marine Section as a strong component of SCB. We are also planning a Marine Section meeting in Washington DC in early 2009 and welcome your contribution to that major event. We are particularly interested in nomination of candidates who will contribute to the geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity of the Board. With regard to geography, we are particularly interested in the nomination of qualified candidates that reside outside of North America. Please check out our webpage at: http://www.conbio.org/Sections/Marine/ Nominees must be current SCB members in good standing. Nominations should be accompanied by a brief statement of interest with regard to service on the Board (250 words maximum). The statements of interest will appear on the election ballot. Nominations should not be offered without the prior consent of the nominee. Nominations and supporting statements should be sent by email to Ellen Hines at ehines(a)sfsu.edu The current Board of Directors is as follows: President: Ellen Hines, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA. Term of service expires 31 December 2007. Member: John Cigliano, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. Term of service expires 31 December 2007. Member: Phaedra Dukakis, Pew Institute for Ocean Science. Term of service expires 31 December 2008. Member: Amber Himes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Diego, California, USA. Term of service expires 31 December 2008. Member: Anne Salomon, Marine Science Institute, University of California – Santa Barbara, USA. Term of service expires 31 December 2009. Member: Chris Parsons, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA. Term of service expires 31 December 2009. Thanks to all for your participation and interest in the SCB Marine Section! Yours sincerely Ellen Hines Marine Section President Ellen Hines, PhD Visiting Professor Moss Landing Marine Labs Moss Landing, CA (831) 771-4441 ehines(a)mlml.calstate.edu ehines(a)sfsu.edu

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effects of diminishing arctic sea ice on walrus distribution
by Derek Frohbieter 12 Mar '07

12 Mar '07

Hello my name is Derek Frohbieter, I am an undergraduate of Marine Bioology at Alaska Pacific University working on a project for one of my classes. My topic is the effects of the rescent decrease in arctic sea ice cover on the distribution of walrus. I have been unable to find any literature through my extensive literature search through my school library. I am looking for articles, unpublished works, studies, or preliminary reports on the subject or a related subject. I would appreciate any help that I recieve in this matter. My Email address is dfrohbieter(a)alaskapacific.edu, thank you very much.

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Request for pictures to help in Trinidad and Tobago Cetacean Conservation Questionnaires
by alesha naranjit 12 Mar '07

12 Mar '07

Hello, My name is Alësha Naranjit from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean . My group and I are doing some questionnaire surveys that focus mostly on what cetaceans people are seeing locally, where they see them and when (time of day and year). To aid in this questionnaire, I am putting together a species id sheet to help the interviewees (mainly fishermen, water taxies, yachties and recreational boat owners) identify the animals they may have seen while out on the water. I am looking for pictures depicting whole bodies, flukes, dorsal views, side views, heads and any other pictures that show important features that can help to identify the animals. I am looking for animals in the water (not stranded) and preferably not obviously in a captive setting. If anyone has any pictures of the following species (see table below) and would be willing to give permission for them to be used as part of the species id sheets that supplement these interview questionnaires, please send them to me as soon as you can. These pictures will be used on printed sheets to be carried around to aid in the questionnaire (no publication involved) and of course, they will be referenced. I would especially love any pictures you have of the Cuviers and Gervais beaked whales, the pygmy and dwarf sperm whale and the pygmy killer whale. Your pictures will allow my group to get a more accurate idea of what our interviewees may be seeing in Trinidad and Tobago s waters. If you do not have the pictures I am looking for or do not have ownership of pictures that you feel may be useful but know someone that I could contact please let me know. Looking forward your support and amazing pictures:) Alësha Species recorded in the waters of Trinidad and Tobago Species Common name Mysticeti Balaenopterus physalus Fin whale Balaenopterus borealis Sei whale Balaenopterus edeni Brydes whale Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale Odontoceti Physeter macrocephalus Sperm whale Kogia breviceps Pygmy sperm whale Kogia sima Dwarf sperm whale Ziphius cavirostris Cuviers beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus Gervais beaked whale Orcinus orca Killer whale Feresa attenuata Pygmy killer whale Pseudorca crassidens False killer whale Globicephala macrorhynchus Sort-finned pilot whale Stenella attenuata Pan-tropical spotted dolphin Stenella frenatus Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella longirostris Spinner dolphin Stenella clymene Clymene dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba Striped dolphin Delphinus delphis Common dolphin Tursiops truncatus Bottlenose dolphin Grampus griseus Rissos dolphin Steno bredanensis Rough-toothed dolphin Sotalis fluviatilis Tucuxi 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 again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out.

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Dept. of Fisheries protects Irrawaddy dolphins and castnet fishermen in Myanmar
by Tint Tun 12 Mar '07

12 Mar '07

IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS AND CASTNET FISHERMEN HAVE BEEN PROTECTED BY DEPARTMENT OF FISHEREIS IN MYANMAR. In the Chapter V, Protected Wildlife and Wild Plants, Article 15 of The Protection of Wildlife and Protected Areas Law (The State Law and Restoration Council Law No. 6/94), it is described that - The Director General (*of Forest Department*) shall, with the approval of the Minister – (a) declare according to the following categories of wildlife species which are to be protected from extinction; (i) completely protected wildlife species; (ii) protected wildlife species (iii) seasonally protected wildlife species; According to the above Article 15, Forest Department declared a list of to be protected animals by Notification No. 583/94 on 26th. October 1994 and Irrawaddy dolphins are listed in the "Completely Protected Animals" category. In order to safeguard and prevent the extinction of Irrawaddy dolphins, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Department of Fisheries (DoF), issued Notification No. 11/2005 on 28th. December 2005. The Notification No. 11/2005 prohibits the catching fish with using with the – (1) gillnet obstructed in waterway; (2) gillnet stretched from bank to bank of the river; (3) drift net longer than 300 feet; and (4) fishing implements and fishing methods that prohibited by the DoF from time to time between Kyaukmyaung and Mingun segment of the Ayeyawady river (formerly known as Irrawaddy river). The Notification also stipulated that the catching or killing of Irrawaddy dolphins and trade in whole or parts of them is also prohibited, and in the case of accidentally caught by fishing net, fishermen shall release them alive without delay. This prohibited area is also the virtual protected area of the Department of Fisheries for Irrawaddy dolphins and castnet fishermen. Castnet fishing with the help of Irrawaddy dolphin is a unique of Myanmar and it has been practicing for centuries in upper reaches of the Ayeyawady river. Cooperative fishing with Irrawaddy dolphins can be observed in the above Kyaukmyaung to Mingun segment of the river. In order to perpetuate the cooperative fishing practice with Irrawaddy dolphins and to enhance the conservation of the dolphins, DoF also issues special ID to the castnet fishermen who fish with the help of Irrawaddy dolphins within the area. In collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), DoF has opened an office in Mandalay to monitor and patrol the above mentioned virtual protected area regularly. According to the Protection of Wildlife and Protected Areas Law (The State Law and Restoration Council Law No. 6/94), Minister for Forestry, with the approval of the Government, can designate a Protected Area by issuing notification. No notification for Irrawaddy dolphin Protected Area has been issued so far. Therefore, though official Protected Area for Irrawaddy dolphins has not been established yet, the above mentioned virtual protected area for Irrawaddy dolphins and castnet fishermen has been established by DoF in Myanmar by prohibiting some fishing gears, prohibiting the catching, killing and trading Irrawaddy dolphins, notifying instructions for dolphin accidental catch and, regular monitoring and patrolling in the area. Tint Tun Marine Biologist Union of Myanmar email: tinttun(a)gmail.com cetaceanmm(a)mail4u.com.mm

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Bottlenose Dolphin Research in Sardinia - Volunteers needed for dolphin research
by Bruno Diaz 10 Mar '07

10 Mar '07

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI - www.thebdri.com) is a small private center for research, education, and training in bottlenose dolphins ecology and behaviour. BDRI's researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long-term study about the ecology and behaviour of a Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin population (Tursiops truncatus). No specific experience is required to work as a volunteer with the BDRI. Volunteers are involved in all aspects of the research, and will receive full training in survey techniques. Volunteers will help measure different aspects of the dolphins behaviour by using a variety of instruments, to identify individuals, record behaviours and sounds. Conditions: a.. Minimum age of 18; b.. A lot of motivation and interest in dolphin research c.. The ability to work a flexible, full-time schedule; d.. Enthusiasm, and the open-mindedness to work, live and communicate with other people of mixed nationality and background. Benefits: Get involved in bottlenose dolphin research Gain fieldwork experience Learn to use different research instruments: GPS, Hydrophone, Secchi disk, digital camera, sonar, camcorder, anemometer, etc. Help advance our knowledge of bottlenose dolphins to improve their conservation Enjoy the outdoors of the beautiful Emerald Coast Meet interesting people Enjoy the culinary talents of BDRI's researchers and express your own. The volunteer costs stated below include training and all associated field costs during your stay with us, accommodations, three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the research station where interns and research staff live together and are responsible for cooking and cleaning duties. Rooms are shared. Cost does not include transportation to and from the research camp on Golfo Aranci (Sardinia Island), personal items, or special dietary requirements. Prices and dates for 2007 Volunteer Opportunities are as follows: April Price - 55 per day - 50 per day* May Price - 60 per day - 55 per day* June Price - 70 per day - 60 per day* July Price - 75 per day - 65 per day* August Price - 80 per day - 70 per day* September Price - 70 per day - 65 per day* October Price - 65 per day - 60 per day* * Special Fee participating for a mimimun of 14 days. Further information, fees and how to apply can be found on our website (www.thebdri.com) by phoning BDRI on +39 346081541 or by e-mailing me at info(a)thebdri.com Bruno Díaz López Research Biologist The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute Via Diaz 4, Golfo Aranci 07020, Italy www.thebdri.com tel: 00 39 346 0815414 --------------------------------- Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games.

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Marine Ecosystem-based Management Funding Opportunity
by Daniel Dunn 09 Mar '07

09 Mar '07

The Marine Ecosystem-based Management Tool Innovation Fund Request for Letters of Intent The Marine Ecosystem-based Management Tool Innovation Fund is now accepting Letters of Intent to submit grant applications. The Fund is a two year initiative supported by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation to stimulate the development and dissemination of creative software tools for Marine Ecosystem-Based Management (MEBM). We seek to expand the network of MEBM tool developers through the establishment of targeted small grants and an associated technical support program. The program will grant approximately $500,000 a year for two years in small competitive grants to a broad range of organizations and developers. The initiative will aggressively provide detailed tool development guidelines, technical support, training workshops and assistance in tool development to the grantees for the duration of the fund. The primary deliverable products will be the innovative, interoperable and freely disseminated tools developed by the grantees. We encourage all applicants (there are currently no restrictions on who may apply) to submit letters of intent. To apply: please visit our website (http://mgel.env.duke.edu/mebm) and read the instructions under "Grant Application Process". Letters of Intent along with a 1-page letter of introduction are due by March 30th. If possible, please submit via email. Letters of Intent will be reviewed and full application packages sent to all relevant projects by April 10th. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact our project manager at daniel.dunn(a)duke.edu. Sincerely, Patrick N. Halpin Gabel Associate Professor of the Practice of Marine Geospatial Ecology, and Director Geospatial Analysis Program Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University Corresponding Contact: Daniel Dunn Research Associate Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University Daniel.dunn(a)duke.edu Daniel C. Dunn Associate in Research Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab The Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University Daniel.Dunn(a)Duke.edu

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Re-posting Internship Behavioral Ecology of Bottlenose Dolphins in Florida Keys
by Jennifer Lewis 09 Mar '07

09 Mar '07

Re-posting of Internship: Behavioral Ecology of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Florida Keys Period of Service: Mid April-Mid May 2007 Details of Position: Work will involve assisting doctoral student with field research on bottlenose dolphins in the Lower Florida Keys. Responsibilities will include assisting in collection of dolphin behavior and environmental data, and help with fish sampling. Off water duties will include data entry, management and analysis in addition to equipment maintenance. Interns will receive training in field and lab techniques used in cetacean research. Requirements: Must be upper division undergraduate or recent graduate from a scientific discipline. Prefer students with an interest in continuing education beyond Bachelors. Previous field experience a plus. Must be able to handle long hours (8+ per day) under extreme heat (up to 37 degrees Celsius). Positions are voluntary. All work conducted will be done under a Letter of Confirmation for Level B Harassment (MMPA 1972). For further information please contact Jennifer Lewis by March 15 at: jennifer.lewis1(a)fiu.edu Jennifer Lewis Doctoral Candidate Florida International University Department of Biological Sciences 11200 SW 8th St. Miami, Florida 33199 (305) 348-7429

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Second Announcement: 3rd International Workshop on Detection and Classification of Marine Mammals Using Passive Acoustics
by Heather Pettis 09 Mar '07

09 Mar '07

SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT This email serves to announce the 3rd International Workshop on Detection and Classification of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics to be held at the Federal Reserve Building in Boston, Massachusetts July 24-26th, 2007. A website dedicated to the workshop is linked through the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium website at www.rightwhaleweb.org/workshop <http://www.rightwhaleweb.org/workshop/> /. A great deal of information has been and will continue to be added to this weblink, so please check back often for updated workshop details. 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. Attendance at the workshop is encouraged and there is not a requirement to present to attend. 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. This data set can be accessed through the workshop link above and contains sounds from the following: 1. Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville's beaked whale) 2. Grampus griseus (Risso's dolphin) 3. Globicephala macrorhynchus (Short finned pilot whale) 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 . Oral presentations will be 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 2.3 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 4.1 Behavioral studies 4.2 In-situ studies 4.3 Animal dive and vocalization behavior 4.4 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) Heather Pettis Secretary, North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Right Whale Research New England Aquarium Central Wharf Boston, MA 02110

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