October 2008 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publications Cetaceans in the Venezuelan Red Data Book 3rd ed
by Sociedad Ecológica SEA VIDA 30 Oct '08

30 Oct '08

Dear Marmamers: I am glad to let you know that Provita and Shell Venezuela have just published the 3rd edition of the "Venezuelan Wildlife Red Data Book". This edition includes only species considered under some level of threat/danger according to IUCN criteria. PDFs of the next entries are available upon request. Please forward your request to: megapterax(a)yahoo.com Bolaños-Jiménez, J. & A. J. Villarroel-Marín. 2008. Rorcual del norte Balaenoptera borealis Lesson 1828. pp. 109 En: Rodríguez, J. P. & F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.). Libro Rojo de la Fauna Venezolana. Provita y Shell Venezuela S.A., Caracas, Venezuela, 332 pp. Bolaños-Jiménez, J. & A. J. Villarroel-Marín. 2008. Rorcual común Balaenoptera physalus Linnaeus 1758. pp. 110 En: Rodríguez, J. P. & F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.). Libro Rojo de la Fauna Venezolana. Provita y Shell Venezuela S.A., Caracas, Venezuela, 332 pp. Bolaños-Jiménez, J., D. Pirela, J. Rojas & T. León. 2008. Bufeo negro Sotalia guianensis van Bénéden 1864. pp. 112 En: Rodríguez, J. P. & F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.). Libro Rojo de la Fauna Venezolana. Provita y Shell Venezuela S.A., Caracas, Venezuela, 332 pp. Bolaños-Jiménez, J., O.J. Linares, M. Portocarrero & F. Trujillo. 2008. Tonina del Orinoco Inia geoffrensis Blainville 1817. pp. 113 En: Rodríguez, J. P. & F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.). Libro Rojo de la Fauna Venezolana. Provita y Shell Venezuela S.A., Caracas, Venezuela, 332 pp. Bolaños-Jiménez, J. & A. Villarroel-Marín. 2008. Cachalote Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus 1758. pp. 114 En: Rodríguez, J. P. & F. Rojas-Suárez (eds.). Libro Rojo de la Fauna Venezolana. Provita y Shell Venezuela S.A., Caracas, Venezuela, 332 pp. With warm regards, Jaime

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Looking for photos for book
by Christoph Richter 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

Dear marmamers, two friends, Shoshona Jacobs and Sebastian Arrebola, are currently in the last stages of completing an extensive book on the Antarctic and are looking for photos of some marine mammals. The Working title of the book is Antarctica - the place, the locals, the visitors, and they are planning to cover a physical, geological, oceanographic and climatic description of the continent, and introduction to the wildlife, and a history of human exploration. For the middle section, they are looking for photos of the following species: - Long finned pilot whales -Sei whales -Blue whales -Fin whales -Ross seals Contributors will be given full photographic credit below the photograph, a mention in the photographic credits, and a copy of the publication in either English or Spanish. Please contact Sebastian Arrebola at ernenek2002(a)yahoo.com Cheers, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Christoph Richter, Ph.D. Adjunct Associate Professor Dep. of Biology Queen's University Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6 Canada T.: 613-533-6000 ext. 77266 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Call for the conservation of one of the last strongholds of the endangered Mediterranean common dolphin
by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

Short beaked common dolphins /Delphinus delphis/ in the Mediterranean Sea are listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. Intensive research conducted in one of their few remaining strongholds in the Mediterranean - an EU Natura 2000 area in the eastern Ionian Sea - documented ecosystem damage caused by overfishing, which also resulted in the dramatic decline of formerly abundant common dolphins. Thirteen local, regional and international NGOs have joined forces to advocate fisheries management action to protect biodiversity and preserve fish stocks, which would allow for the long-term survival of artisanal fisheries and common dolphins. An urgent CALL FOR ACTION was recently issued, where the necessary management actions are identified: http://www.cetaceanalliance.org/call/ We would be grateful if list members can disseminate this Call and contribute to the ongoing efforts to ensure the recovery of one of the last common dolphin communities living in the Mediterranean. -- Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara giuseppe(a)disciara.net http://www.disciara.net

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Mediterranean Bottlenose Dolphin Internships/Thesis - Winter 2009
by Bruno Diaz 29 Oct '08

29 Oct '08

Hi everyone, on behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI (www.thebdri.com) I am pleased to announce that we are seeking 4 Bottlenose Dolphin Internships for our 2009 Winter season (a minimum of 7 weeks of participation between January - April) in Sardinia Island, Italy. BDRI is a marine mammal science and education center located at Golfo Aranci in Sardinia Island, Italy. Sardinia Island is a marine biologist's paradise and the dolphin behaviour you will witness is unsurpassed. BDRI's researchers are engaged in the conduction of a long term study about the ecology and behaviour of wild bottlenose dolphins and the potential effects of human activities (fisheries, aquaculture and tourism) in their distribution and behaviour. An internship period with the BDRI offers an 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. Undergraduate and postgraduate students can present their BDRI's personal research project as their Thesis. Internships 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 internship. Interns can expect to participate in and learn a variety of facets of marine mammal research as research assistants in three diverse research projects: 1. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins societies project: We will take and analyse identification photos, study group structure and composition to refine details of dolphin societies and responses to human activities at sea. Volunteers assist with data collection onboard helping to locate, photograph and keep track of bottlenose dolphin groups. Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies, analyse photos and transcribe data collected. 2. Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin communication project: We will record and monitor vocalizations to refine details of dolphins acoustic behaviour and responses to human activities at sea. Students will actively participate in data collection onboard and monitor dolphins vocalizations. Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies, analyse and transcribe acoustical data collected. 3. Trial of acoustic deterrents for prevention of bottlenose dolphin bycatch: We will test a new type of acoustic deterrent devices and study the interactions between bottlenose dolphins and aquaculture. Students will actively participate in acoustical and behavioural data collection onboard. Back at the lab volunteers restock field supplies, analyse and transcribe data collected. Internships will stay in an apartment on Golfo Aranci. There is an internships cost of 25€/day and BDRI will provide housing and all associated field costs during the internships period (training, use of materials, electricity, gas, boat trips, etc). The apartment has a full kitchen and a full set of cooking utensils. Foods of all kinds are available at the local supermarkets within walking distance at your own expense. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research camp on Golfo Aranci (Sardinia, Italy). There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early! Start and end dates are flexible. Positions are open until filled. Send cover letter or inquiries by email to the Research Chief, Bruno Diaz Lopez, at info(a)thebdri.com. Please indicate in your cover letter the dates you are available. Recent selected scientific publications by BDRI: 1. Diaz Lopez B. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture and bottlenose dolphins social structure. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 62(6):887-894. 2. Diaz Lopez B., Bunke, M. and Shirai, J.A., 2008. Marine aquaculture off Sardinia Island (Italy): ecosystem effects evaluated through a trophic mass-balance model. Ecological Modelling 212:292-303. 3. Diaz Lopez B., Shirai, J.A.; Bilbao Prieto, A. & Méndez Fernández, P., 2008. Diving activity of a solitary wild free ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Marine Biological Association U.K 88(6):1153-1157. 4. Diaz Lopez 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. 5. 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. 6. Díaz López, B., 2006. "Interactions between Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and gillnets off Sardinia". ICES Journal of Marine Science 63: 944-951 pp. Bruno Diaz Lopez 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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When swordfish conservation biologists eat swordfish
by Giovanni Bearzi 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

Dear list members the editorial below is scheduled to appear in Conservation Biology. While it does not deal with cetaceans in particular, I would like to share it ahead of print with the marine mammal science community to which I belong. When swordfish conservation biologists eat swordfish Conservation Biology, in press http://www.tethys.org/download/pdf/Bearzi_ConsBiol_InPress.pdf (84 Kb) (...) As conservation biologists, we often expect others to modify their behaviors or quit a job based on evidence that it has negative impacts on the environment. Nevertheless, we are rarely willing to change our own habits, even when we are fully aware of the detrimental effects of our actions. (...) _______________________________________ Giovanni Bearzi, Ph.D. President, Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy http://www.tethys.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm http://www.tethys.org/ http://www.cetaceanalliance.org/ _______________________________________

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Message for Posting: NAVFAC NW Natural Resources Vacancy Announcement (2 positions)
by Burt, Amy E CIV NAVFAC NW, EV1 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

A recruitment announcement for two GS-12 Natural Resources Specialist vacancies at Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest in Silverdale, Washington is opening today (GS-0401-12 or GS-1301-12.) If you are interested in a position here, recommend you follow and apply directly via the below link for this announcement. Job Announcement Number: NW8-XXXX-12-QK077628-DE Job Announcement Title: https://chart.donhr.navy.mil/jobsearch/jobdetailE.asp?vid=86644 Please ensure your resume includes sufficient information to demonstrates your experience, knowledge, skills, training, and/or education in the following: 1. Knowledge of environmental/natural resource legislation such as the Federal Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, or Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). (Describe your experience researching, providing guidance, or interpreting environmental or natural resource legislation for project planning studies, documents or reports, or customers.) 2. Ability to write environmental planning or natural resource documents. (Describe your experience writing or preparing documents such as Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), natural resources management plans, or Biological Evaluations.) 3. Knowledge of facilities' construction and planning requirements. (Describe your experience with facilities, industrial, or community planning construction projects evaluating planning criteria, siting studies, or statements of work to assess environmental impact and/or compliance with environmental or natural resource legislation and regulations.) We are looking for applicants with a variety of experience and knowledge to fill these positions. The new hires will work on various types of projects throughout the Northwest region. These vacancies are open to the public, applicants DO NOT have to be current federal employees. Generally, for our vacancies, a longer resume that fully addresses all specialized experience elements is highly recommended over a short resume. Any questions, please contact Amy Burt, NAVFAC NW Environmental Planner, at amy.burt(a)navy.mil.

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marine mammal and sea turtle stranding position
by Nelio Barros 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY CENTER FOR MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE RESEARCH STRANDING INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM STAFF SCIENTIST Qualifications: An M.Sc./Ph.D. or equivalent degree in natural science or other field relevant to marine science (e.g., D.Sc., D.V.M., D.Eng., and M.D). Expertise in marine mammal and/or sea turtle biology is required; preferred scientific disciplines include life history (age determination and/or reproductive biology), natural history (e.g., feeding ecology), pathology, functional anatomy, or physiology. At least five-years experience with strandings and necropsies of either group of animals is desired. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to produce peer-reviewed scientific publications and to acquire extramural funding. Duties and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will (a) conceive of sound basic and applied research questions, and (b) design and execute all phases of research including proposal preparation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The candidate is expected to produce significant peer-reviewed professional publications (at least two each year); participate in professional organizations and meetings; and interact with other scientists and research programs at MML and elsewhere. He/she will seek grants, contracts, and other extramural funds in support of his/her salary and the research and staff expenses for the program, including indirect costs, with the expectation of securing full funding for the program within two years. The candidate must have a working knowledge of funding sources and programs, and a record of successful proposals. Demonstrated experience in managing other research personnel is expected, including interviewing and hiring; training of staff for work-place safety, quality assurance, and other institutional policies and programs; technical training of staff; daily supervision; delegation of field or laboratory duties; evaluation of staff performance; and resolution of personnel problems. The successful candidate may also be responsible for overseeing work of visiting scientists, postdoctoral scientists, student interns, or volunteers. Partial coverage of a 24/7 stranding pager is expected. The successful candidate will oversee a recently refurbished necropsy laboratory, and the maintenance of response equipment (4x4 truck, two personal watercrafts and one all-terrain vehicle). An extensive marine mammal osteological collection, a wide range of archived tissues and a multi-decadal database are also available. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and have working knowledge of computer databases. Familiarity with Access and GIS is encouraged. The position involves physical activity such as lifting and moving heavy animals under challenging environmental conditions. Boating experience and the ability to swim are required. U.S. citizenship or foreign citizens U.S. work permit appropriate for the work is required. All employees must comply with the requirements outlined in the MML Employee Policy Manual. Salary: $45,000-$55,000/yr, with full fringe benefits Application: The Search Committee will accept applications up to mid November 2008, or until the position is filled. MML would like to have the successful applicant start work as soon as possible. Applications should include a letter of intent, curriculum vitae and three letters of reference. Please submit application materials to Dr. Nélio Barros (nbarros(a)mote.org) NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE. Mote Marine Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer.

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Abstract - Overlapping and matching in sperm whale codas
by Luke Rendell 28 Oct '08

28 Oct '08

Folks, The following paper is now available online at Animal Behaviour; full text is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.07.032, or by emailing me (ler4(a)st-andrews.ac.uk) Overlapping and matching of codas in vocal interactions between sperm whales: insights into communication function Tyler M. Schulz, Hal Whitehead, Shane Gero & Luke Rendell Abstract: Many animals engage in dyadic vocal exchanges. Studying the patterns of vocal output and spatial arrangement of individuals in these interactions can often reveal information concerning their function. Sperm whales, Physeter macrocephalus, frequently exchange short sequences of clicks, termed codas, in social contexts. We analysed the coda vocalizations of sperm whale social units encountered in two different oceans to test hypotheses about how coda exchanges are organized. We also used a dynamic recording array to estimate the spatial scale of these vocal interactions. Coda production was influenced by the timing and types of codas produced by other unit members, resulting in the production of duet-like sequences of coda exchanges between pairs of whales. Codas were more likely to be made within 2 s of another coda than expected by chance, and whales were more likely to match previously produced codas than expected by chance, although matching appeared to be largely a result of the matching of one particular coda type within each social unit. Patterns of overlapping and matching exchanges did not seem to be correlated with relatedness or social affiliation. These exchanges occurred over a range of spatial scales, and are thus likely to be functional both between whales that are near and between those that are comparatively far from one another. The context of these exchanges, reciprocity in coda overlapping, and the sequencing of exchanges into duet-like chains all suggest that coda overlapping and matching function to reinforce social bonds between whales. -- Dr. Luke Rendell Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Tel: (44)(0)1334 463499 E-mail: ler4(a)st-andrews.ac.uk WWW: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ler4.htm School of Biology, University of St. Andrews Bute Medical Building, Queen's Terrace St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9TS U.K. Social Learning Strategies Tournament - 10,000 Euro prize: http://www.intercult.su.se/cultaptation/tournament.php The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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ECS web page
by Simone Panigada 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

Dear colleagues, I am proud to announce that the new European Cetacean Society web page is now on-line after some major revisions at: <http://www.EuropeanCetaceanSociety.EU/>www.EuropeanCetaceanSociety.EU. The new template was presented last your during the 2008 Annual meeting of the ECS and amongst the new facilities there is now an on-line interface to register for the annual Conference, to renew the annual membership and to submit abstracts. We are also implementing on-line abstract review, which will be operative soon. The site has been designed and implemented by Luke Verburgt, who I wish to thank for all his work and help during this process. On behalf of the whole ECS Council, I would also like to take this opportunity for publicly warmly thanking Jan Willem Broekema for all his work, dedication and commitment within the ECS web page and all computer-related issues since its birth in 1987. The following text comes from the ECS web page and briefly explains some of the tasks that Jan Willem has covered throughout the years. From 1987 until 1993, the European Cetacean Society had a working group, chaired by Jan Willem Broekema, on computer-related issues associated with the exchange of strandings and sightings data. This Computer Working Group may seem superfluous today but it wasn't at the time. The ECS was introduced to internet by the European Union in the pre-web days of 1992, shortly before the web (HTML) concept and the browser (Mosaic) were invented in 1993. At the time the European Cetacean Society was a Special Interest Group (SIG) within a major EUreka project, introducing international scholars to internet usage. Our ECS mailing lists have existed ever since those days. The working group was dissolved and the role of web editor was introduced in 1993, when the first ECS pages were set up. The original site was designed to be very fast and light and available to any browser anywhere, and easy to maintain. Frames were introduced in 2003 and a major overhaul created a new set of mailing lists, of which ECS-Talk is the most prominent. In 2003 Jan Willem shortened the site's address to <http://www.broekemaweb.nl/ecs>www.broekemaweb.nl/ecs and in 2006 introduced and registered the domain name <http://www.EuropeanCetaceanSociety.EU/>www.EuropeanCetaceanSociety.EU. I look forward to seeing many of you at the next annual meeting of the ECS in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 2-4 2009 (http://www.tudav.org/ecs2009/) With my best regards, Simone Panigada ECS, Chair

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Update on stranding of pilot whales in Utila, Honduras
by Edita Magileviciute 27 Oct '08

27 Oct '08

Details of Short-Finned Pilot Whales found beached at New Airport Beach, Utila 6 October 2008 The following information was collated by staff and volunteers of the Utila Centre for Marine Ecology. In the early hours of October 6th, 5 pilot whales were found stranded on the shores of Utila, near the new airport. All of the whales were dead when found. It is not known why pods of whales do this, but pilot whales are known to strand more often than most others. The whales were all facing the ocean and appeared to have regurgitated large chunks of squid which could be found in abundance around the area where the whales were. Of the five, only the largest was male and it was he who appeared to show any outward sign of illness or disease. His body was covered in white lesions that looked like they could have been some kind of skin infection, virus or disease. Scientists and volunteers from the Utila Centre for Marine Ecology took photos of the abrasions and have since sent them off to some of Europes leading Marine Mammal pathologists and posted them on various on line forums in hopes that someone will be able to identify the illness in question. DNA and blubber samples were taken by the Utila Whale Shark Research Project and those samples will be taken to be tested in the states. The day after the stranding, staff from the Iguana Station, the Whale Shark Oceanic Research Centre and the Environmental Officer of the Municipality attempted to cut open one of the whales to identify if there had been any plausible cause of death visible from the stomach contents. They found squid and a small piece of plastic. Because the corpses had already been on the beach over 24 hours when they cut the animal open, they did not take any samples and just made observations. The team stripped the carcass of as much flesh as possible and buried the bones on the one animal. A larger lesson and an urgent need for a coordinated response. With no current protocol nor legislation in place for such events the Utila Centre for Marine Ecology had no authority to prevent the following chain of events from happening and as an organization is frustrated both by the lack of respect for these animals and for any relevant response at a local or national level. There is an urgent need for a central organization to coordinate stranding events and for a chain of data collection, use and dissemination to be clearly thought out. Below are examples of events that followed the stranding that UCME was powerless to intercede with: As there was no one directly in control of the stranding, people were free to do as they wished many people came out to the beach to see the whales and some individuals were seen cutting the teeth out from the whales mouths.; touching, mounting and even carving their names into the whales. An additional whale was cut open by a resident who wanted to collect the skull of the animal. He found an almost intact squid that was about 2 feet in length and barely chewed at all in the mouth of the animal and more squid in the stomach. He cut off the head and now has it submerged at his dock until the decomposition is complete after which point he will add it to his personal collection of skulls. The rest of the open carcass was left on the beach. Of the 3 remaining whales, 2 were towed out to sea by one of the local dive shops and tied to a mooring buoy. The idea was that one would be picked up by Anthonys Key Resort on the neighbouring island of Roatán and the other would be sunk a local dive site as an attraction for divers. Efforts were made by the Municipalitys Environmental Officer to have one of the whales picked up by the staff of Anthonys Key Resort to be examined and eventually to have the skeleton put on display at their Roatan Institute of Marine Science, but they were not able to get a boat over to pick one up. The whale that was to be sunk was weighted down with cinder blocks but the whales body would not sink. Staff from a local dive shop thinking it could be due to decomposition gases decided to shoot the carcass in an attempt to release the gases but to no avail. Eventually, the corpse did sink to the bottom and shortly there after efforts were made to remove the cinder blocks and lay the whale out in a sandy patch where it would continue to decompose until there was only a skeleton left. Finally, the remaining carcasses; one whole, one decapitated were cleaned of their flesh by a team of experts from the Museum of Natural History in Tegucigalpa. The skeletons of some of the whales will hopefully be preserved so that they can be put on display in Utila and Tegucigalpa. A decree was released by the Municipality Environmental Officer proclaiming that the buried carcasses were the property of the Municipality and that they would be in the control of The Iguana Station until they are ready to be reassembled. Due to the lack of communication, collaboration and protocol throughout this event, it has been suggested by all of the organizations involved that a proper protocol and procedure be laid out for the future clearly stating who will be in charge of handling further strandings in Utila and what should be done in that case. Utila Centre for marine Ecology currently collects cetacean distribution and behavioral data from direct observation and through sightings reported by fishermen and dive shops. There is an urgent need for a Honduran Cetacean Unit which UCME is happy to spearhead in support of the local authorities, but currently lacks the funding for such an initiative. Island wide cetacean education is also a high priority.

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