September 2008 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

2nd Annual WEZAM Marine Mammal Conference- Abstract Deadline Extended
by Ewan D.S. Wolff 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

The poster abstract submission deadline for the 2nd Annual WEZAM Marine Mammal Conference at UW-Madison has been extended through September 30th. All abstracts should be submitted via the conference abstract form to ewolff(a)wisc.edu. We look forward to your submissions; we have already gotten some great contributions! The five best student posters as judged by the conference speakers will receive free registration to the conference and the top student poster will receive an award. Cheers, Ewan Wolff ----------------------- Ewan D.S. Wolff, PhD Dept of Pathobiological Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine 2015 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706

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Indian marine mammal network
by Kumaran Sathasivam 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Dear marmammers, We are pleased to invite you to www.marinemammals.in, the Web site of the Marine Mammal Conservation Network of India. This site has been created to provide information about the marine mammals of the seas around India. In this site you will also find details on how to help stranded animals and on how to collect valuable data. It has a searchable database of records to which anyone can contribute their observations and findings. Closely linked to the site is the electronic group marinemammalsofIndia. Please join this group. You will find details of how to do so on the site. Together the site and the discussion group aim to network all persons with an interest in the marine mammals of the Indian region. We look forward to your participation. Yours sincerely Kumaran Sathasivam K.S. Natarajan Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/invite/

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Job Posting for Sr. Scientist with the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies
by Sherry Crockett 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

SENIOR SCIENTIST - Marine Mammal Research and Conservation The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) is seeking a Senior Scientist in the field of marine mammal research and conservation. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and undertaking research to advance the mission of PCCS. In addition, s/he will be responsible for overseeing the Center's well-established right whale aerial survey program. This is a state-funded program to monitor North Atlantic right whales in Massachusetts state waters. Qualifications include a Ph.D. in a relevant field and at least 10 years of research experience, including a strong record of grant writing, project management and scientific publication. PCCS is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to research, conservation, and education for over 35 years. To learn more about PCCS research programs and the right whale aerial survey program, visit www.coastalstudies.org Compensation commensurate with qualifications including a full benefits package. Interview process to begin this month. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and references as soon as possible to: Sherry Crockett, Human Resources and Administrative Coordinator Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies 115 Bradford Street Provincetown, MA 02657 scrockett(a)coastalstudies.org

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ACS Conference - Nov 13-17, Monterey, CA
by Diane Alps (ACS) 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Whales in a Changing World American Cetacean Society's 11th International Conference November 13-16, 2008 Monterey Bay, CA **With a Gray Whale and Climate Change Symposium following on Monday, November 17** We're pleased to announce that the 11th International ACS Conference will be held November 13-16, 2008, in Monterey Bay, California. American Cetacean Society conferences have a long tradition of presenting the latest findings and news about whales and other marine life. We also work to promote discussion and thought about the role and conservation of whales in an ever-changing world, and leave attendees motivated to work together for the good of the whales. American Cetacean Society conferences are open to everyone - you don't need to be "in the field" to participate. So come, be informed and inspired, and immerse yourself in the world of "Whales in a Changing World". For more information see the event press release below and visit the ACS website at <www.acsonline.org <http://www.acsonline.org/> >. The Program Whales in a Changing World will look at how whales, dolphins, and porpoises are currently adapting to rapid environmental changes and altered ecosystems. Human uses of the ocean have irrevocably changed the ecosystem where whales have thrived, including the overfishing of whales and many other marine species. As roads become more crowded, we look to the ocean for increased levels of transport of both people and goods. As energy gets more scarce, we look to the ocean as a source of power (from such things as wind energy and the potentially disastrous return to offshore oil drilling); and to build shipping terminals that had previously been associated with ports of call (e.g. offshore LNG terminals). Further, the changes that we have brought to the global climate will also likely affect oceans and their ecosystem, potentially in serious ways. Join us as we take a look at the Whales in a Changing World from a wide range of views: Orcas in a Changing World Orcas and prey succession - Paul Wade (NMML Seattle) Orcas off Monterey - Nancy Black (Monterey Bay) SPLASH: Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance, and Status of Humpbacks Program overview & results from photo ID - John Calambokidis (Cascadia Research, WA) Entanglements - Dave Mattila (NOAA, HI) Genetic findings - Scott Baker (OSU, OR) Whaling in a Changing World The politics of humpback and fin whale scientific hunts The U.S. effort to stop whaling - D.J. Schubert (Whales Need US, PEW) Efforts to stop whaling - Jon Stern (SFSU) Whale Conservation in a Changing World Extinction of the Baiji: What could we have done? Vaquita - A species at the latest minute? Right Whale Conservation: Tangled in a web of politics - Sharon Young (Boston) Whales in a Changing World Sea Ice and Climate Change - Sue Moore (Seattle) Bowhead whales and climate change Sea ice, polar bears, and seals The environment and the current political climate Climate change and politics: what can we do? And no ACS conference would be complete without our ever-popular Art Show and Silent Auction! Gray Whales and Climate Change: Sentinels of the North Pacific/Arctic Ecosystems You are invited to a workshop on gray whales and their apparent responses to changes in their environment on Monday 17 November 2008. The workshop will bring together a group of marine scientists with broad research interests to review and discuss gray whale population dynamics and behavior change in the context of environmental changes that are being observed throughout the gray whales' North Pacific and Arctic range. Specific topics will include observed changes in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography of the North Pacific and Arctic and the time scales of those changes, and the history and current status of the gray whale population including shifts in distribution, phenology, population dynamics, and behavior throughout their range. All of this information will be discussed in the context of how well gray whales serve as indicators of environmental change, and how they serve as "sentinels of the North Pacific/Arctic ecosystems". This workshop will contribute to the development of a qualitative framework for integrating gray whales and other marine mammals into ecosystem and climate change studies. This workshop will follow the Biennial Conference of the American Cetacean Society's Biennial Conference in Monterey, California 15-16 November 2008. The gray whale workshop will be from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday 17 November 2008 at the same venue as the American Cetacean Society Biennial, and is sponsored by the Pacific Life Foundation. Call for Abstracts Researchers, Educators, Conservationists, and Students are invited to submit abstracts for poster presentations at the ACS conference, Whales in a Changing World. The poster session is a great way to share cutting edge research, new methods or concepts in education, and new issues in conservation of cetaceans. Students (undergraduate, Masters, or Ph.D.) can also enter their poster into the student poster contest to be held during the poster session. Student posters will be judged by a panel of attending scientists in the field and cash prizes will be awarded. The deadline for abstract submission is October 1st, 2008. Prospective authors may direct questions and submit abstracts via email to Kate Sardi at sardika(a)hotmail.com (please cc all submissions to lasol(a)verizon.net) or by regular mail to: American Cetacean Society Attn: Kate Sardi PO Box 1391 San Pedro, CA 90733-1391 Abstracts must be no longer than 300 words and written in a clear and concise manner. Students wishing to be entered into the student poster contest should indicate so clearly on their submission, as well as list the school attending and degree sought. Please visit the ACS website (www.acsonline.org) for details on abstract submission. Fantastic Field Trips Join fellow whale lovers aboard the "Sea Wolf II" for a natural history trip in world-famous Monterey Bay. Blue whales often linger into November and humpback whales are still a good possibility. The first gray whales can be expected on their southward migration. Many species of dolphins are regular in the bay, including Pacific white-sided, Northern right whale, long-beaked and short-beaked common, Risso's and bottlenose as well as harbor porpoise. We did have killer whales on the conference field trip in 2000, and they are spotted regularly in Monterey Bay. Many other species are possible. Enter the Photo Contest We invite amateur photographers to participate in the "Whales in a Changing World" photo contest. The winning entries will be displayed during the conference Monterey Bay, CA, on November 13 - 16, 2008. Entries must be received by October 31, 2008. For entry form and guidelines, please visit www.acsonline.org Submit Your Video for the Video Reception We invite cinematographers to submit your entries for the "Whales in a Changing World" video night. Accepted entries will be displayed during the Friday night reception. Entries must be received by October 15, 2008. For entry form and guidelines, please visit www.acsonline.org Conference Venue Embassy Suites - Special rate of just $169/night for a suite! Please note that all reservations made at the Embassy Suites help keep our costs, and therefore, YOUR registration costs, down! Please make your overnight accommodations at the Embassy Suites - be sure to mention ACS to get the great rate of just $169 night! You must make your reservation before the October 31st deadline. We look forward to seeing you there. **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************** Researchers to Discuss Whale Conservation Issues at International Conference in Monterey Bay, CA American Cetacean Society to host Whales in a Changing World The 11th Annual International American Cetacean Society (ACS) Conference will be held on November 13-16, 2008 in Monterey Bay, California. The conference will provide ACS members, and the general public, with the opportunity to participate in discussions with leading experts in whale conservation biology from around the world. The theme of the conference is Whales in a Changing World. This is an important issue since most large whale species migrate thousands of miles, crossing international boundaries, between their breeding and feeding grounds. Whales in a Changing World's program is designed to look at how whales, dolphins, and porpoises are currently handling and will be prepared to deal with an environment, and an ecosystem, that is changing at a rapid rate. Human uses of the ocean have irrevocably changed the ecosystem that whales live in during the last century, by over-fishing both the whales themselves and many other marine species. Now we are looking to the ocean for increased levels of transport of both people and goods as roads become more crowded; as energy gets scarcer we are looking to the ocean as a source of power (from such things as wind energy and the potentially disastrous return to offshore oil drilling); and to build shipping terminals that had previously been associated with ports of call (e.g. offshore LNG terminals). Further, the changes that we have brought to the global climate will also likely affect oceans and their ecosystem, potentially in serious ways. The 11th International ACS Whales in a Changing World Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Monterey Bay, CA November 13-16, 2008 and will include a photography contest, silent auction, poster presentations, and a whale watch in Monterey Bay. Abstracts are being accepted for the poster session until October 1, 2008 and the photography contest entries are being accepted through October 31, 2008. For more information about conference registration contact the American Cetacean Society at (310) 548 6279 or www.acsonline.org <http://www.acsonline.org/> . The American Cetacean Society protects whales, dolphins, porpoises, and their habitats through public education, research grants, and conservation actions. Founded in 1967, the American Cetacean Society (ACS) is the oldest whale conservation group in the world. ACS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with an office in San Pedro, California and chapters in Los Angeles, Orange County, Puget Sound (Seattle), Monterey, San Francisco, and the Channel Islands (Santa Barbara). ACS members live throughout the United States and in more than 20 countries. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Diane Alps ACS Conference Co-Chair and Event Coordinator dianealps(a)acsonline.org (310) 500-8485 Sign up now! The ACS Conference is Nov. 13-16 in Monterey Bay. More details are available at www.acsonline.org

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Publication available on evidence of maternal teaching behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins
by Wild Dolphin Project 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Please post this message to all the List Members. Thank you and kind regards, Courtney E. Bender Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991 courtbender(a)yahoo.com Subject: Publication available on evidence of maternal teaching behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins Dear MARMAM subscribers, I would like to announce the recent publication of a study as a part of ongoing research at The Wild Dolphin Project, which provides evidence of maternal teaching behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins is now available. The article will be published in Animal Cognition and is available with supplementary videos from the study depicting the possible teaching behavior through an early online version at the following link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/d34432212317u643/? p=af0dd7af6a7140cf83bdbf04d7f773f4&pi=14 The citation is: Bender, C. E., Herzing, D. L., & Bjorklund, D. F. (2008). Evidence of Teaching In Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) by Mother Dolphins Foraging in the Presence of their Calves. Animal Cognition, [Epub ahead of print]. Published Online: July 29, 2008 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-008-0169-9 If you have any questions or comments about the article, feel free to the authors at the contact information below. Thank you, Courtney E. Bender, Denise Herzing, David Bjorklund Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991 courtbender(a)yahoo.com dherzing(a)wilddolphinproject.org Dr. Denise Herzing Research Director/Founder The Wild Dolphin Project www.wilddolphinproject.org info(a)wilddolphinproject.org

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REQUEST FOR ARTICLES - SIRENEWS
by Cynthia Taylor 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

The editors of Sirenews, the newsletter of the IUCN Sirenia Specialist Group, would like to request articles for the upcoming edition. Updates on manatee and dugong research, management, education, and conservation activities from around the world are encouraged. The deadline for submissions is OCTOBER 1, 2008. Please submit articles to HYPERLINK "BLOCKED::mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org. Thank you - Cynthia Taylor, Director - Aquatic Conservation Program, Wildlife Trust, 941-232-4587, HYPERLINK "mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org"taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org, HYPERLINK "http://www.wildlifetrust.org"www.wildlifetrust.org James A. Powell Ph.D., Director, Sea to Shore Alliance, 941-322-8809 (office), 941-661-2941 (cell), HYPERLINK "mailto:jpowell@sea2shore.org"jpowell(a)sea2shore.org, HYPERLINK "http://www.sea2shore.org"www.sea2shore.org No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1665 - Release Date: 9/10/2008 7:00 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1665 - Release Date: 9/10/2008 7:00 PM

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New publications week 30
by Jan Herrmann 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 30/ 2008, which haven't been announced on MARMAM earlier AFAIK. By clicking the following link you are guided to a website, where the following references are linked to their according journal homepages. There you can find abstracts and contact information: <http://www.mmbib.com/news.php> Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Thanks to all of you who sent in reprints to be included in the weekly announcements. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann CETACEA Chen, H. et al. (2008): A preliminary investigation on genetic diversity of Sousa chinensis in the Pearl River Estuary and Xiamen of Chinese waters. Journal of Genetics and Genomics 35(8): 491-497. Stockin, K.A. et al. (2008): Use of radiography to determine age class and assist with the post-mortem diagnostics of a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei). New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 42(3): 307-313. Stokstad, E. (2008): Whales to Receive Protection. Science 321(5893): 1145. PINNIPEDIA David, J. and L. Van Sittert (2008): A reconstruction of the Cape (South African) fur seal harvest 1653-1899 and a comparison with the 20th-century harvest. South African Journal of Science 104(3-4): 107-110. Freitas, C. et al. (2008): Predicting habitat use by ringed seals in a warming Arctic. Ecological Modelling 217(1-2): 19-32. Härkönen, T. et al. (2008): Pup Production and Breeding Distribution of the Caspian Seal (Phoca caspica) in Relation to Human Impacts. Ambio 37(5): 356-361. Lake, S. et al. (2008): Annual reproductive rates of Weddell seals in eastern Antarctica from 1973 to 2000. Marine Ecology Progress Series 366(): 259-270. Meynier, L. et al. (2008): Temporal and sex differences in the blubber fatty acid profiles of the New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri. Marine Ecology Progress Series 366(): 271-279. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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New laminated marine mammal field guides
by Uko Gorter 10 Sep '08

10 Sep '08

Dear MARMAM-ers, I'm pleased to announce the publication of a few new laminated ID field guides of marine mammals, illustrated by yours truly. These laminated single sheet (7"x11") field guides are produced on recycled high quality print stock using UV resistant vegetable based inks. NEW. Florida Field Guide: marine mammals and sea turtles. Depicting 25 marine mammal species and 5 sea turtle species that may be encountered in Floridian waters. NEW. Panama Field Guide: marine mammals. Depicting 31 marine mammal species occurring in Panamanian waters. Common names ames are given in English and Spanish, as well as their scientific names. UPDATED. Hawai'i Field Guide. marine mammals. Showing 25 species of marine mammals occurring (or recorded) in Hawaiian waters. My thanks and gratitude to Robin Baird (http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/robin/hawaii.htm) for his help and advice on this guide. Remaining errors are mine. These guides will be available for purchase online: www.rainforestpublications.com Prices are $5.95 per guide. Any future feedback is always appreciated. We are making every effort to keep these guides accurate and up-to-date. If you have any questions, let me know. Possible future guides will include Chile and Antarctica. Stay tuned! Uko Uko Gorter Natural History Illustrations 12712 NE 91st Lane Kirkland, WA 98033 www.ukogorter.com uko(a)ukogorter.com (425) 827-3437

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Paper rebutting Manger hypothesis is now online
by Lori Marino 10 Sep '08

10 Sep '08

Dear MARMAM subscribers, In 2006 neuroanatomist Paul Manger put forth what has come to be known as the 'thermogenesis hypothesis' of cetacean brain evolution. In 2007 we published a response to Manger's general argument in PLos Biology. Today, I wish to announce the online publication of a more extensive and detailed rebuttal to Manger's points in our new paper in Biological Reviews. It is attached and you may also find it on the journal's Early View at the following link: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119878059/issue The citation is: A claim in search of evidence: reply to Manger's thermogenesis hypothesis of cetacean brain structure Lori Marino, Camilla Butti, Richard C. Connor, R. Ewan Fordyce, Louis M. Herman, Patrick R. Hof, Louis Lefebvre, David Lusseau, Brenda McCowan, Esther A. Nimchinsky, Adam A. Pack, Joy S. Reidenberg, Diana Reiss, Luke Rendell, Mark D. Uhen, Estelle Van der Gucht, Hal Whitehead Published Online: Sep 9 2008 2:28PM DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185X.2008.00049.x Thank you. My contact information is below. Sincerely, Lori Marino Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program 1462 Clifton Road, Suite 304 Emory University Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (404) 727-7582 Fax: (404) 727-7471

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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Marine Planner - The Nature Conservancy in Alaska
by Stephen MacLean 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

The Nature Conservancy in Alaska is currently hiring for the position of Marine Conservation Planner in the Anchorage, Alaska office. POSITION SUMMARY: The Marine Conservation Planner will support The Nature Conservancy in Alaska's marine conservation programs, focusing on the coastal, estuarine, and continental shelf habitats of the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas. S/He will be instrumental in developing science-based conservation plans for these regions through regional planning, data acquisition, development, analysis, and mapping, and through conservation approaches including protected-area designation, and market-based strategies. Please email Shelly Morgan at smorgan(a)tnc.org for a full position description for more information. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please consider the environment before printing this email ________________________________ Steve A. MacLean Bering Sea Program Director smaclean(a)tnc.org (907) 276-3133 Ext. 101 (Phone) (907) 276-2584 (Fax) nature.org <http://nature.org/> The Nature Conservancy Alaska Field Office 715 L Street Suite 100 Anchorage, AK 99501

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