December 2008 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Vessel observations of snubfin dolphins using electric engines
by Alvaro Berg Soto 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

Dear Colleagues, My name is Alvaro Berg Soto and I'm finalizing my PhD fieldwork in Cleveland Bay, Port of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. One of my dolphin subjects is the newly classified Snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni), an Australian endemic cetacean, from which very little is known. My study involves both surface and acoustic observations of their behaviour. However, they do not collaborate and evade our vessel, regardless of the precautions taken when approaching them. Among some of the possible solutions is the use of an electric engine to approach them, but the potential high frequency noise emitted by this device may either deter them from staying close, or perhaps affect their acoustic behaviour in some other way. As a result I'm reaching out to the cetologist community, to obtain feedback on the use of electric engines for boat approaches in the study of cetacean surface and acoustic behaviour, specially with snubfin dolphins. Any suggestion and advice would be extremely appreciated. You can reply to alvaro.bergsoto(a)jcu.edu.au. Thank you very much for your collaboration. Kind regards, Alvaro Berg Soto

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An introduction and invitation to www.bycatch.org
by Erika Zollett 05 Dec '08

05 Dec '08

Hello Marmamers, I am writing to introduce to you to a database on bycatch reduction techniques that can be found at www.bycatch.org. This database was created by The Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction at the New England Aquarium to improve the accessibility and exchange of information about studies undertaken to evaluate bycatch reduction methods. The database includes citations for bycatch studies with summaries of their main findings. The bycatch reduction techniques referred to in these studies are defined in an accompanying glossary, as are descriptions of commercial fishing methods. Users can conduct searches of these studies by year, gear type, reduction techniques, or non-target wildlife group. Where available, links to the complete studies and contact information for authors are included. We are inviting scientists to review the literature available through the www.bycatch.org website and to add your own studies on bycatch reduction devices. Given that the field is dynamic and involves people from around the world, we realize that it is extremely challenging to produce and maintain the most up-to-date compendium of studies. If you have done any work on bycatch mitigation, please take a few minutes to see if your research has been included in the www.bycatch.org database and if not, please take this opportunity to share your results with researchers around the world and add your studies to the database. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Werner at twerner(a)neaq.org. Cheers. Erika Zollett -- Erika Zollett, Ph.D.Research Assistant Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction

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ECS 2009 web page update
by Simone Panigada 05 Dec '08

05 Dec '08

Dear Colleagues, the ECS 2009 Conference web page (http://www.tudav.org/ecs2009/) has been updated with details on the planned workshops. The accommodation page has also been updated, with a new deadline for hotel bookings - postponed till 31 December 2008. However, if rooms will still be available after that date, it will be possible to book hotels after the deadline through Oasis to get the current rates advertised on the web page. Looking forward to seeing you in Istanbul in March, I send my best regards, Simone Panigada Chair, ECS

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Cetaceans in the Pacific Islands Region
by Cara Miller 03 Dec '08

03 Dec '08

Dear MARMAM, I am currently in the process of updating diversity, threat and status information for cetaceans in the Pacific Islands Region (PIR). This area is the region where the Convention of Migratory Species Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of Cetaceans and their Habitats in the PIR operates, and can be geographically defined as "the marine areas under the jurisdiction of each Country or Territory of the PIR, and extends to the area defined by the Noumea Convention, i.e., between the Tropic of Cancer and 60°S South latitude, and between 130°S East longitude and 120°S West longitude". Any contributions relating to research surveys, sighting or stranding information (recent and historical), and threats for this region would be much appreciated. A copy of my previous report can be downloaded from http://www.wdcs.org/publications.php <http://www.wdcs.org/publications.php> (under Science). Many thanks, Cara Miller (cara.miller(a)wdcs.org) Dr. Cara Miller Pacific Islands Programme, WDCS International c/o P.O. Box 228 Suva, Fiji m: + 679 918 7614 o: + 679 323 2151 f: + 679 323 1531 e: cara.miller(a)wdcs.org <blocked::mailto:cara.miller@wdcs.org> w: www.wdcs.org <blocked::http://www.wdcs.org/> <http://www.wdcs.org/> WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises. We Sail for the Whale. Help us win the race. Sign for the Whale. Your voice counts. Please sign our petition <http://www.wdcs.org/wesailforthewhale/en/petition.php> calling for safe homes for whales and dolphins. This e-mail's contents are confidential to the intended recipient(s) at the e-mail address to which it has been sent. It may not be disclosed, copied to, circulated or used by anyone other than the intended addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or have received this transmission in error please telephone the originator immediately. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WDCS. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society ("WDCS"): Registered in England and Wales No. 2737421 WDCS, Brookfield House, 38 St. Paul street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN5 1LJ. Registered Charity No. 1014705. Tel: 01249 449500 Fax: 01249449501. WDCS Shop is a trading name of WDCS (Trading) Limited (Registered in England No. 2593116) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (Charity No. 1014705) and gift aids all post tax profits to the charity. WDCS Wildlife Centre: Spey Bay, Moray, IV32 7PJ. Tel: 01343 820339 Fax: 01343 829065. WDCS Australasia: WDCS, PO Box 720, Port Adelaide Business Centre, South Australia, Australia 5015. Tel: 1300 360 442 Fax: 08 8242 1595. WDCS Deutschland: WDCS, Altostraße 43, D-81245, München. Tel: 089 6100 2393 Fax: 089 6100 2394 WDCS (North America): 7 Nelson Street, Plymouth, MA 02360-4044 Tel: 1.888.MYWHALE (1.888.699.4253) WDCS (South America): Francisco Beuri 3731, 1636 - Olivos, Buenos Aires. Tel: +5411 4790 6870.

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IFLPP
by Chris Hedley 03 Dec '08

03 Dec '08

Dear Colleagues For those of you interested in legal, policy, management and regulatory aspects of marine mammal conservation you may like to know of a new series of (largely free) resources being published within a site called the International Fisheries Law and Policy Portal (IFLPP) - www.intfish.net <http://www.intfish.net/> . IFLPP includes the following resources: - an updated version of the Internet Guide to International Fisheries Law (IGIFL), which some of you may already be familiar with (this is a free 8000 page/document resource providing documents, information and reviews of international law and policy documents and materials) - an interactive Research Centre, as a forum for information and knowledge exchange on international and national fisheries events and materials, including library materials (with synergies to the FAO OneFish database) and - a free monthly newsletter - IFLPP Updater - providing a round up current legal and policy developments The website also provides access to online versions of various other publications but these are not free access. The scope of all of the resources includes all marine mammals (although fisheries is the predominant topic). We plan to develop the extent of information and resources on marine mammals during 2009, with specific thematic knowledge groups being set up on various relevant issues. Further, some of the new IFLPP resources will be interactive (designed to be developed by website users), so we hope some of you will be able to contribute. The version currently available at www.intfish.net <http://www.intfish.net/> is a "Preview Version" which does not host all content (this will not be available until next year) but does closely reflect the format of the final version. Once launched, the resources will continually be developed and are expected to become major resources in international fisheries law, policy and management and, like predecessor versions, will be used by fisheries practitioners of all disciplines. Further details, and a downloadable guide, are available at www.intfish.net/about. I am also happy to receive queries or feedback about the new website, including comments on what issues you would like to see included and where you think there are information gaps concerning online information on marine mammal regulation. Kind regards Chris Hedley (Director/Editor) _______________________________ Christopher Hedley LLB PgDPLS Director, Ocean Law ICS; Barrister Editor, IFLPP and IFLPR 145/157 St John Street London EC1V 4PY UK T +44 203 070 2461 F +44 203 292 1739 E <mailto:info@oceanlaw.net> info(a)oceanlaw.net W <http://www.oceanlaw.net/> www.oceanlaw.net Ocean Law is pleased to announce the launch of a new series of publications on international fisheries law, policy and management. For more information, visit our new websites: <http://www.oceanlawpublishing.com> www.oceanlawpublishing.com and www.intfish.net <http://www.intfish.net/>

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Impact of channel dredging on marine mammals: request for literature
by Marc Oremus 02 Dec '08

02 Dec '08

Dear colleagues, A large factory for nickel processing is under construction in New Caledonia. This project involves the creation of a wharf and the dredging of a channel in the lagoon to allow for the transit of large ships. Two barges are used to dredge the channel; one works by suction of loose sediments and one uses a large mechanical digger. We are currently assessing the status of marine mammal (dolphins and dugongs mainly) and turtle populations in the area in order to detect any impact related to the building of the factory. We are looking for any reports and articles dealing with the potential disturbances resulting from these kinds of human activities (noise disturbance, boat traffic, increased turbidity...) and we would greatly appreciate the help of the list members with this. Please contact me by email (m.oremus(a)auckland.ac.nz) if you are aware of any previous work that could be of help. Many thanks in advance Marc -- Marc Oremus - PhD Honorary Research Fellow The University of Auckland & Opération Cétacés E-mail: m.oremus(a)auckland.ac.nz Current address: 28 rue Soeur Martine - Appt6 Vallée des Colons 98800 Nouméa New Caledonia

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Marine Mammal Management Course (CZMT-0636-DE1) Reminder
by J&B 02 Dec '08

02 Dec '08

MARINE MAMMAL MANAGEMENT COURSE (CZMT-0636-DE1) REMINDER WELCOME- all those interested in marine mammals. This is a reminder that Registration is now open for the most recent edition of the Oceanographic Center of Nova Southeastern University's Global Distance Education Course in Marine Mammal Management (MMM). This Course is offered to anyone, anywhere in the world through Distance Learning. Registration for the winter term closes on January 9th, 2009. MMM runs from JANUARY 5 TO MARCH 27, 2009, and covers a range of pertinent topics. For more information about the course content, please visit the website at: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/marmam/marmam.html You may take this course: a) for graduate credit (3 credits): $745/credit hour. 3 credit course = $2235. b) at undergraduate level: $950 c) for a general interest diploma, which will be awarded all successful candidates: $1117.50 d) towards a 4-course distance Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies: - contact the coordinator at douganj(a)nova.edu <mailto:douganj@nova.edu>. Those taking credit versions of the course must complete two written essay assignments, and take part in e-mail interactions. For more information on the Oceanographic Center’s distance learning courses and programs, including registration details and costs, please visit the website at http://www.nova.edu/ocean/disted.html For registration: http://www.nova.edu/ocean/distedregform.html Registration inquiries may be made at any time. If you have any questions, please first contact Professor Jane Dougan - douganj(a)nova.edu <mailto:douganj@nova.edu> Professor Keith Ronald and Barra L. Gots Instructors for the Marine Mammal Management Distance Education course. For further information, please reply to Barra Gots: gots(a)nova.edu <mailto:gots@nova.edu>

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Statistical modelling workshop, Univ. of St. Andrews Scotland 20-23 January 2009
by Eric Rexstad 02 Dec '08

02 Dec '08

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting a *Statistical Modelling* workshop 20-23 January 2009 in our purpose-built facilities at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. The aim of this workshop is to train participants in regression modelling methods, including Generalised Linear Models (GLMs). The 4-day workshop is set at an introductory level, and will cover the basics of statistical modelling including: · parameter estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests, /t/-tests, ANOVA · linear models, generalized least squares models (to fit models which allow non-independence and/or non-constant error variance) · Generalised Linear Models for presence/absence data or proportions: model specification, selection, diagnostics, interpretation · GLMs for count data: model specification, selection, diagnostics, interpretation · Overdispersed GLM models will also be covered. The workshop will be taught using a marine mammal case study and workshop practicals will be based on an impact assessment example. Participants will learn to use the R software package, and no previous experience is necessary. Computer sessions take place in our modern computer classroom (attached to the seminar room); participants can use our computers or bring their own laptop computers. For further information or registration, please contact Dr. Monique Mackenzie (monique(a)mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk <mailto:monique@mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk>) or Rhona Rodger (rhona(a)mcs.st-and.ac.uk <mailto:rhona@mcs.st-and.ac.uk>). -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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Job Announcement - NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (MARINE RESOURCES)
by Mazzuca, Lori L CIV NAVFAC Pacific, EV2 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

NATURAL RESOURCES MGMT SPEC (MARINE RESOURCES) GS 12 This position functions as a Marine Biologist in the Natural Resources Branch of the Environmental Planning Division of the environmental Business Line (EBL) Core at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Incumbent's primary responsibility is to serve as a marine biologist in support of Commander, US Pacific Fleet, (COMPACFLT) training around the world. The incumbent will provide direct support to the NAVFAC Marine Resources Support Group (MRSG). The MRSG, headquartered at NAVFAC Atlantic and established in 2004, is a group of Navy biologists, scientists, and planners who have particular expertise or experience in environmental planning and regulatory compliance in the marine environment. The MRSG fully supports the US Navy's Fleets to ensure consistent application of marine resources technical support to Navy commands throughout the world. The purpose of the MRSG is to support the Fleet's environmental planning and compliance needs for at-sea training, operations, and activities. MRSG also provides assistance in review and promulgation of at-sea policies, and in providing support for data needs after marine species stranding events. The incumbent will serve as a liaison with US Fleet Command (USFF) and COMPACFLT on all marine resources related issues. The incumbent will prepare and review marine related documentation including marine resources assessments, density reports, endangered species and marine mammal consultations, Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)/Overseas EISs (OEISs), Environmental Assements (EAs)/Overseas EAs (OEAs), Categorical Exclusions (Cat Ex) and related special environmental studies assessing the environmental impacts of proposed COMPACFLT operations, training and homeporting/home basing actions. Position will be located at Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Pacific, Pearl Harbor, HI Open to All U.S. citizens CLOSES 12/15/2008 TO APPLY: Apply online: https://chart.donhr.navy.mil/ Vacancy Announcement: NW8-0401-12-4B119012-DE <javascript:MM_openBrWindow('https://chart.donhr.navy.mil/JobSearch/jobd etailE.asp?strView=0&vid=87687','smallwindow','menubar=yes,toolbar=yes,l eft=20,top=20,resizable=yes,width=750,height=600,scrollbars=yes');> PLEASE DO NOT SEND RESUMES TO THE PERSON WHO POSTED THIS MESSAGE.

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Ideas sought for a landmark new BBC Natural History series about cetaceans.
by Caitlin Arden 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

Ideas sought for a landmark new BBC Natural History series about cetaceans. This series is to be filmed in cinematic High Definition and aims to give an unprecedented treatment of whales and dolphins in a way that will really capture the public imagination. It will take three years to film and should broadcast in 2011/12. We are looking for newly discovered, spectacular or interesting cetacean behaviours - in particular those which have never before been filmed, or which could be filmed in a new light using the latest aerial, high speed and underwater technology. All ideas are very welcome. Please do contact me on caitlin.arden [AT] bbc.co.uk ! Caitlin Arden OCEAN GIANTS Room 13, 19 TPR | BBC Natural History Unit | Broadcasting House| Whiteladies Road | Bristol BS8 2LR | UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/ This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the BBC monitors e-mails sent or received. Further communication will signify your consent to this.

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