August 2008 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

looking for information on fin whale and sperm whale behaviour
by delphine.gambaiani 05 Aug '08

05 Aug '08

In the framework of the development of an anti-collision system, I am currently looking for information and scientific papers on fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and sperm whale (Physeter catodon) behaviour. This would help us to anticipate the displacement of these animals and to graphically represent their potential area of presence over a short period of time (for how long an individual is likely to stay in the same area ). Any information on time budgets (time spent feeding, resting, breeding, diving, socializing, etc.) and on the associated displacements (direction, speed, geographical area of presence, etc.) of these animals (fin and sperm whales) would be most appreciated. For instance, the following questions would eventually help us to estimate how long animals would stay on a feeding zone: What is usually the utilized geographical area of sperm whales while feeding (the entire canyon or only a portion of it?)? What is usually the size of North-western Mediterranean schools of krill? It would also be interesting to know the influence of seasonal variations as well as time of the day on these animals behaviour. Although this study concerns Mediterranean cetaceans, behaviour studies (on both species) carried out worldwide would be appreciated. Thank you very much for your time and consideration Best regards Delphine Gambaiani

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2nd International Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Conference - Muc Mhara - Ireland's Smallest Whale
by Faith Wilson 05 Aug '08

05 Aug '08

Dear colleagues Apologies for any cross-posting. I am writing to you on behalf of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to inform you of our 2nd International Whale Conference which this year will focus on the harbour porpoise; 'Muc Mhara - Ireland's Smallest Whale'. The conference will be held on the 19th - 21st September 2008 at Fitzpatricks Castle Hotel, Kiliney, Co. Dublin, Ireland. The conference will present the latest research findings from Ireland on this elusive and little known cetacean. International speakers include Dr Andy Read, one of the world's experts on the harbour porpoise, Signe Sveegaard who will present on satellite tracking studies conducted in Denmark and Dr Ben Wilson who will look at potential impacts of offshore and marine renewable energy devices on small cetaceans. Further details including an online booking form are available on http://www.iwdg.ie/mucmhara2008/ Please circulate this e-mail amongst your colleagues and any other interested parties. I hope you can join us in September for what promises to be a stimulating and enjoyable conference. Best wishes Faith Faith Wilson Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Hilltop Cottage Kilcandra Glenealy Co. Wicklow Ireland Mobile: 087 637 7328 E-mail: faith.wilson(a)iwdg.ie www.iwdg.ie

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Results of Andy Schiro book sale
by Dagmar Fertl 04 Aug '08

04 Aug '08

I wanted to take the time to provide the results of the Andy Schiro book sale (announced a few months ago on Marmam) - proceeds to benefit the John Twiss Fund at the Society for Marine Mammalogy. The book sale netted $911.79. Thank you to everyone who inquired about books, and especially those of you who purchased. A special note of appreciation goes to Dr. Bernd Wursig at Texas A&M University's Marine Mammal Research Program (where Andy donated his time and various types of expertise) - Bernd kindly made sure that at the end of the official sale, not one book went unpurchased, thereby ensuring greater success of the sale in Andy's name. I would also like to thank Drs. John Reynolds, Bill Perrin, and Steve Swartz, as well as Terry Odell, who helped at various stages of this process. I've been contacted by a few folks in regards to their checks not yet having cleared the bank. The Society appreciates your patience - the last check was received by me yesterday and were sent to the Society's Treasurer. The checks should be finally deposited next week. Apologies for messing up people's checkbooks during this process. Again, thank you so much. I think I speak on Andy's behalf that he would be so happy to know that his books have continued life and that they have also helped - in a small way - conservation efforts for marine mammals. With warmest regards,Dagmar Fertl Ziphius EcoServices8112 Springmoss DrivePlano, TX 75025 USAhttp://www.ziphiusecoservices.com _________________________________________________________________ Got Game? Win Prizes in the Windows Live Hotmail Mobile Summer Games Trivia Contest http://www.gowindowslive.com/summergames?ocid=TXT_TAGHM

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[ECS-TALK] & MARMAM Summary of Cetacean news week 30/31 (July 24 - August 3, 2008)
by Catharina Clausen 03 Aug '08

03 Aug '08

Dear ECS List and MARMAM subscribers, in the following please find a summary of Cetacean news: (July 24, 2008) Faroe whales show new pollutant spreads worldwide - http://www.ecodiario.es/noticias/noticias/672511/07/08/Faroe-whales- show-new-pollutant-spreads-worldwide.html (July 24, 2008) Whale playground offers glimpse into Russia's melting Arctic - http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gcbhig5HcQGJqWp_1eI- CogcXgiQ (July 27, 2008) Whale whisperer releases mammoth mammals from fishing nets - http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html? id=2e580dd1-adbd-41b0-89ec-77503f6e5c8e (July 28, 2008) Survey reveals that dolphin watching is top Scottish holiday - http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var. 2410634.0.Survey_reveals_that_dolphin_watching_is_top_Scottish_holiday.p hp (July 29, 2008) Stranded whale freed from river - http:// news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7530148.stm (July 29, 2008) Whales’ Lower-Pitch Sound Has Experts Guessing - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/science/29whale.html?ref=science (July 30, 2008) Navy sonar suspected in Hawaii whale death - http:// www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/07/30/ Navy_sonar_suspected_in_Hawaii_whale_death/UPI-71351217430508/ (July 30, 2008) Humpback whale seen in German seas, experts stunned - http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL09865820080730 (July 31, 2008) Delegation introduces bills to protect whaling rights of Alaska Natives - http://thearcticsounder.com/news/show/2897 (July 31, 2008) Beached whale believed dead - http:// www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/beached-whale-believed- dead-20080731-3nqq.html (July 31, 2008) Porpoise latest marine stranding - http:// news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7534635.stm (August 1, 2008) Wild Dolphin Project Contributes to Understanding of Atlantic Spotted and Bottlenose Dolphins - http://www.solutions- site.org/artman/publish/article_404.shtml (August 1, 2008) Dolphin find may make marine history - http:// www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24110275-5006789,00.html (August 1, 2008) Whale strandings: factbox - http:// www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2484063/Whale-strandings-factbox.html (August 1, 2008) Baby humpback search continues - http:// www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=88446 (August 1, 2008) Surfers get close encounter with whale - http:// 3news.co.nz/News/InternationalNews/Surfersgetcloseencounterwithwhale/ tabid/417/articleID/65314/cat/61/Default.aspx in pictures: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/ article-1040153/Pictured-Surfers-swim-whale-calf-spotted-frolicking- metres-Bondi-Beach.html (August 2, 2008) Navy May Do Away With Live Bomb Tests - http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1506940/ navy_may_do_away_with_live_bomb_tests/ (August 2, 2008) 2 new whale calves thriving at SeaWorld in Texas - http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/02/america/NA-US-Sea-World- Whale-Calves.php (August 2, 2008) Whale stranded on British beach is put to sleep - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23524666-details/Whale +stranded+on+British+beach+is+put+to+sleep/article.do (August 2, 2008) Fish shortage driving dolphins to seek food in nets - http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=40660&cat_id=1 (August 2, 2008) Rare dolphins caught on camera - http:// multimedia.asiaone.com/Multimedia/News/Story/ A1Multimedia20080802-4082.html (August 3, 2008) Porpoise deaths unexplained off California waters - http://www.ecodiario.es/noticias/noticias/686948/08/08/Porpoise- deaths-unexplained-off-California-waters.html (August 3, 2008) Malta dolphin park listed among 'cruellest' destinations - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080803/ local/malta-dolphin-park-listed-among-cruellest-destinations (August 3, 2008) Hi-tech 'pinger' to save dolphins from fishing nets - http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/hitech-pinger-to- save-dolphins-from-fishing-nets-883764.html All best, Catharina Clausen ************************************************************************ ** baiji.org foundation Kanzleistrasse 127 CH-8004 Zurich Switzerland tel. (+41) 43 317 10 00 fax (+41) 43 317 10 09 mobil (+41) 79 281 18 65 catharina(a)baiji.org ************************************************************************ **

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