January 2009 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Environmental Planning Project Manager Vacancy Announcement, Newport RI
by Peimer, ElizabethAnn R CTR NUWC, 1151 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Environmental Planning Project Manager Position: Environmental Planning Project Manager Location: Newport, RI Position Description: Successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of marine biologists and environmental planners to provide technical expertise and project management in support of Navy at-sea environmental planning projects. Candidate will provide overall and day-to-day project management and support in the development of NEPA, MMPA, ESA or other policy driven projects. This includes decisions on project strategy and oversight analysis and execution of approach to technical issues, and preparation and maintenance of project schedules and budgets. Candidate will serve as a primary point of contact with staff scientists and engineers, government personnel and academic researchers, and act as a technical adviser on environmental planning projects. Candidate will provide peer review comments on documents, independently prepare and provide timelines, briefs, and presentations to sponsors, serve as strategic adviser on complex projects, and serve as a technical resource to internal and external customers. Candidate will also travel to and participate in scientific and industry specific conferences. Successful candidate must possess experience in project management and technical analysis associated with environmental planning and NEPA. Preferred candidates will have demonstrated experience leading projects involving assessment of effects to marine species. Required Skills: Minimum 10 years managing and supporting marine science or environmental planning projects. Initiative; proven ability to meet deadlines and adhere to schedules; experience multi-tasking and managing multiple, simultaneous and diverse projects; ability to take ownership and accountability for a project and follow through to ensure completion of projects and tasks; proven ability to lead and mentor less experienced staff. Successful candidate will be motivated and eager to address complex environmental issues involving biological, physical and acoustic oceanography. Efficient computers skills for writing and reviewing documents are required. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are also required. Preferred Skills: Experience applying the NEPA process to Navy environmental planning projects. Experience with ESRI ArcGIS (9.x), EndNote and familiarity with Federal environmental law is highly preferred. Education: Qualified candidates must have a BA/BS or higher degree in environmental planning, environmental science or a related field (M.S. or advanced degree preferred), and must have a minimum of 10 years combined project management and environmental planning support experience. Send resume, writing sample and contact information to for at least 3 professional references. Contact: Send resume, writing sample, and contact information for at least 3 professional/academic references to: McLaughlin Research Corporation 132 Johnnycake Hill Middletown, RI 02842 Email (preferred): JCAMPBELL(a)MRCDS.COM MRC offers a competitive wage and benefit package. Please visit the Human Resources section of our web site (www.mrcds.com) for information on benefits.

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Marine Scientist Vacancy Announcement, Newport RI
by Peimer, ElizabethAnn R CTR NUWC, 1151 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Marine Scientist Vacancy Announcement Position: Marine Scientist Location: Newport, Rhode Island Position Description: Successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of marine biologists and environmental planners to provide technical expertise in support of Navy at-sea environmental planning projects. Candidate will support development of NEPA, MMPA, ESA, or other policy-driven projects. Successful candidate will have a strong background in marine science, with demonstrated experience supporting or leading projects involving assessment of effects to marine species. Candidate will be required to communicate with staff scientists and engineers, government personnel, and academic researchers and independently prepare and provide timelines, briefs, and presentations to sponsors. Candidate will also travel to and participate in scientific and industry-specific conferences. Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible for a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance. Required Skills: Minimum 3 years supporting marine science or environmental planning projects. Initiative; willingness to meet deadlines and adhere to schedules; experience multi-tasking and managing multiple, simultaneous, and diverse projects; ability to take ownership and accountability for a project and follow through to ensure completion of tasks. Successful candidate will be motivated and eager to address complex environmental issues involving biological, physical, and acoustic oceanography. Efficient computer skills for writing and reviewing documents are also necessary. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are absolutely necessary. Preferred Skills: Experience applying the NEPA process to Navy environmental planning projects. Experience with ESRI ArcGIS (9.x), EndNote and familiarity with Federal environmental law is highly preferred. Education: BS/BA (M.S. or advanced degree preferred) in marine science, oceanography, environmental science, biology, or related field. Contact: Send resume, writing sample, and contact information for at least 3 professional/academic references to: McLaughlin Research Corporation 132 Johnnycake Hill Middletown, RI 02842 Email (preferred): JCAMPBELL(a)MRCDS.COM MRC offers a competitive wage and benefit package. Please visit the Human Resources section of our web site (www.mrcds.com) for information on benefits.

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notification of MSC courses in marine science
by Mair, James M 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Dear Sirs, I would be grateful if you could circulate the message below which describes MSc courses that we offer. These are general marine resource science courses (not marine mammal specific) but numerous of our students choose options and Dissertation topics related to marine mammals. -- Dr James M Mair Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology School of Life Sciences John Muir Building Heriot-Watt University EDINBURGH EH14 4AS Scotland, UK Tel:(+ 44) 131 451 3314 Fax:(+ 44) 131 451 3009 J.M.Mair(a)hw.ac.uk -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- An exciting programme of MSc courses on topical issues: Environment, Marine Resources and Climate Change A suite of multi-disciplinary 12-month Masters courses is available at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh from September 2009. www.sls.hw.ac.uk/marinemsc/Index.htm MSc/Postgraduate Diploma Courses SAAS studentships for EU students, and some scholarships for overseas applicants available for the following courses: Marine Resource Development and Protection Run since 1986 (over 500 graduates) plus three NERC studentships also available Marine Biodiversity & Biotechnology Climate Change: Managing the Marine Environment Climate Change: Impacts and Mitigation Company Sponsorship available for the MRes course in: Environmental Analysis and Assessment This programme of courses is constructed from a variety of core and optional taught and practical modules based at the School of Life Sciences with input from other Schools: SEMESTER 1 Marine Resources: Utilisation, Interactions and Control Marine Conservation and Sustainability Diversity of Marine Organisms Climate Change: Causes and Impacts Environmental Sampling and Analysis Practical Environmental Sampling and Analysis Environmental Microbiology Practical Environmental Microbiology Oceanography and Marine Ecology SEMESTER 2 Coastal and Estuarine Science and Management Marine Monitoring and Pollution Control Marine Biotechnology Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Measures Geographical Information Systems Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment Practical Oilfield Chemicals: Nature and Fate in the Marine Environment Environmental Toxicology Practical Environmental Toxicology Shellfish, Fisheries and Bioresource Exploitation Diving Science Advanced Marine Topics The Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation MSc course (being broader in scope) also has a range of optional modules from other Science, Engineering and Management Schools within the University (see website for more details). The MSc course also requires completion of a 5-month research dissertation. Previous dissertations have been carried out in many countries as well as on site (see: http://striweb.si.edu/darwin_initiative/research.html) How to apply and enquire about further details? Follow the links: www.sls.hw.ac.uk/marinemsc/Index.htm or please contact: Mrs Dorothy Haston, Postgraduate Administrator School of Life Sciences John Muir Building Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh EH14 4AS Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 451 3456 Fax: +44 (0)131 451 3009 D.Haston(a)hw.ac.uk -- Heriot-Watt University is a Scottish charity registered under charity number SC000278.

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Killer whale conservation internship
by Katherine Ayres 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals for an unpaid Internship in Killer Whale Conservation Research Program: University of Washington, Center for Conservation Biology Location: San Juan Island, Washington. Duration: 1 month minimum between May 15th, 2009 and October 15th, 2009 (priority will be given to applicants that can commit longer than 1 month). Project Summary The “Southern resident” killer whale (SRKW) community of the Pacific Northwest experienced an unexplained 20.4% decline between 1995-2001, resulting in their listing as an endangered population. The UW- Center for Conservation Biology uses noninvasive hormone measures of stress, nutrition and reproductive condition in feces to investigate three potential threats to the SRKW: 1.) Disturbance from private and commercial whale-watching vessels, 2.) Nutritional deficits associated with decline in SRKW primary prey, Chinook salmon and 3.) Endocrine disruption from toxins such as PCBs, PBDEs and DDT/DDE. We also use specially trained scat detection dogs to help us attain the sample sizes needed for this multivariate study. Use of dogs also allows us to acquire samples at greater distances from the killer whales allowing us to acquire valuable information from the scat while minimizing any potential impact of our research vessel on the whales. Specifications: 1. Minimum of 20 hours/week working for the Center for Conservation Biology either assisting with killer whale scat collections on the boat, data entry, boat/equipment maintenance, scat detection dog care, proposal writing and/or sample processing in the lab. Activities will depend on killer whale presence and the current needs of the project. 2. Minimum of 1 day/week working for our collaborators informing the public about laws pertaining to marine mammals and recording data for various killer whale research projects. Requirements... -The ability to spend long days on a small research vessel. -Arrange for your own housing on San Juan Island, Washington. Katherine (the team leader) will assist in finding the most affordable housing in any way possible. If you are at all interested, contact Katherine ASAP and she can help you apply for housing at Friday Harbor Labs. -Your own transportation to and from the Island as well as to and from the Harbor. -Flexibility is really important as well as a positive attitude and a willingness to learn! Competitive Bonuses that are not required: -Field and/or lab research experience -Experience operating and/or maintaining an outboard motor boat -First aid certification This internship is extremely intensive; however, you will come away with invaluable research experience from 2-3 different killer whale research projects. If interested please send a CV and cover letter to Katherine Ayres at kla5(a)u.washington.edu. Feel free to contact Katherine with any questions!

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Contents: Marine Mammal Science Vol 24(4)
by Jan Herrmann 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

Dear all, Marine Mammal Science Vol 24(4) has the following table of contents. By clicking the following link you are guided to Wiley InterScience, where you can find abstracts and contact information: <http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121476812/issue> Users of the Papyrus Bibliography System (for Mac and DOS/Windows) can download the references with abstracts and contact information from <http://www.cetacea.de/mms>. Please do not contact MARMAM, the MARMAM editors or me for reprints. Thank you. Kindest Regards, Jan Herrmann ------ Marine Mammal Science Vol. 24(4) ------ ARTICLES Kasuya, T. 2008. The Kenneth S. Norris Lifetime Achievement Award Lecture. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 749-773. Wells, R.S. et al. 2008. Consequences of injuries on survival and reproduction of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along the west coast of Florida. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 774-794. Munger, L.M. et al. 2008. North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) seasonal and diel calling patterns from long-term acoustic recordings in the southeastern Bering Sea, 2000-2006. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 795-814. Lagerquist, B.A. et al. 2008. Migratory movements and surfacing rates of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) satellite tagged at Socorro Island, Mexico. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 815-830. Fire, S.E. et al. 2008. Florida red tide and brevetoxins: Association and exposure in live resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, U.S.A. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 831-844. Small, R.J. et al. 2008. Harbor seal population decline in the Aleutian Archipelago. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 845-863. Rugh, D.J. et al. 2008. An assessment of shore-based counts of gray whales. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 864-880. Schwarz, L.K. 2008. Methods and models to determine perinatal status of Florida manatee carcasses. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 881-898. Bejarano, A.C. et al. 2008. Demographics and spatio-temporal signature of the biotoxin domoic acid in California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) stranding records. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 899-912. Tripovich, J.S. et al. 2008. Characterization of Australian fur seal vocalizations during the breeding season. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 913-928. Tosh, C.A., P.J.N.de Bruyn, and M.N. Bester. 2008. Preliminary analysis of the social structure of killer whales, Orcinus orca, at subantarctic Marion Island. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 929-940. NOTES Tripovich, J.S. et al. 2008. Who goes there? Differential responses to neighbor and stranger vocalizations in male Australian fur seals. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 941-948. Thalmann, S. et al. 2008. A new technique for refloating and release of stranded sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 949-955. Carretta, J.V., J. Barlow, and L. Enriquez. 2008. Acoustic pingers eliminate beaked whale bycatch in a gill net fishery. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 956-961. Gill, P.C. et al. 2008. Large group of pygmy right whales seen in a shelf upwelling region off Victoria, Australia. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 962-968. Gravena, W. et al. 2008. Amazon River dolphin love fetishes: From folklore to molecular forensics. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 969-978. Quick, N.J., L.E. Rendell, and V.M. Janik. 2008. A mobile acoustic localization system for the study of free-ranging dolphins during focal follows. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 979-989. Newman, K. and A.M. Springer. 2008. Nocturnal activity by mammal-eating killer whales at a predation hot spot in the Bering Sea. Marine Mammal Science 24(4): 990-999. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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New publications week 42
by Jan Herrmann 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

Dear all, here are some new publications of week 42/ 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 Bejder, L. and D. Lusseau (2008): Valuable lessons from studies evaluating impacts of cetacean watch tourism. Bioacoustics 17(1-3): 158-161. Law, R.J. et al. (2008): A Significant Downturn in Levels of Hexabromocyclododecane in the Blubber of Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Stranded or Bycaught in the UK: An Update to 2006. Environmental Science & Technology 42(24): 9104-9109. Miyazaki, M. et al. (2008): Amphritea japonica sp. nov. and Amphritea balenae sp. nov., isolated from the sediment adjacent to sperm whale carcasses off Kagoshima, Japan. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 58(12): 2815-2820. PINNIPEDIA Routti, H. et al. (2008): Biotransformation of PCBs in Relation to Phase I and II Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities in Ringed Seals (Phoca hispida) from Svalbard and the Baltic Sea. Environmental Science & Technology 42(23): 8952-8958. OTHER MARINE MAMMALS Dyck, M.G. et al. (2008): Reply to response to Dyck et al. (2007) on polar bears and climate change in western Hudson Bay by Stirling et al. (2008). Ecological Complexity 5(4): 289-302. Lemelin, R.H. and E.C. Wiersma (2007): Perceptions of Polar Bear Tourists: A Qualitative Analysis. Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management 12(1): 45-52. -- --> jan.herrmann -at - cetacea.de

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Vessel-Quieting Symposium Report Available
by Brandon Southall 23 Jan '09

23 Jan '09

Colleagues, The final report from NOAA's 2007 international vessel-quieting symposium on quieting is now available at: <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/shipnoise.htm>. The suggested reference for this report is: /Southall, B. L. and A. Scholik-Schlomer. 2008. Final report of the// NOAA International Conference: "Potential Application of Vessel-Quieting Technology on Large Commercial Vessels," 1-2 May, 2007, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.**/ This meeting was instrumental in advancing the discussions and involvement of various industry, scientific, conservation, and other interests, both domestically and internationally. One of the recommendations, calling for engaging the International Maritime Organization on this issue, has come to fruition since the meeting; IMO now includes a formal correspondence group (chaired by the U.S.) on shipping noise and marine mammals. I would like to thank all the participants, speakers, and other contributors to this meeting, as well as the report co-author (Amy Scholik). Your efforts contributed to the success of the symposium, which will be seen as a critical step in the history of the important issue of how we address environmental impacts of incidental noise from large ships. There has been subsequent progress arising from this symposium in a collaborative meeting hosted by our colleagues at Okeanos -- Stiftung für das Meer (Foundation for the Sea), which is refered to within the report; they also assisted in supporting the 2007 symposium. Please let me know if I may provide any further information regarding progress since this meeting, particularly on continuing efforts within IMO. Sincerely, Brandon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brandon L. Southall, Ph.D. Director, NOAA Ocean Acoustics Program National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Science and Technology 1315 East West Hwy, SSMC III #12539 Silver Spring, MD 20910-6233 Brandon.Southall(a)noaa.gov 301-713-2363 x163 (office) 301-713-1875 (FAX) http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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New article: modeling population impacts of bycatch
by Jeffrey Moore 23 Jan '09

23 Jan '09

A new article has been printed in Ecological Applications: "Moore, J. E., and A. J. Read. 2008. A Bayesian uncertainty analysis of cetacean demography and bycatch mortality using age-at-death data. Ecological Applications 18:1914-1931." For those with subscriptions, the article can be accessed here: http://www.esajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1890/07-0862.1 If you cannot access it this way, feel free to write me (jemoore(a)duke.edu) for a pdf. Abstract: Wildlife ecologists and managers are challenged to make the most of sparse information for understanding demography of many species, especially those that are long lived and difficult to observe. For many odontocete (dolphin, porpoise, toothed whale) populations, only fertility and age-at-death data are feasibly obtainable. We describe a Bayesian approach for using fertilities and two types of age-at-death data (i.e., age structure of deaths from all mortality sources and age structure of anthropogenic mortalities only) to estimate rate of increase, mortality rates, and impacts of anthropogenic mortality on those rates for a population assumed to be in a stable age structure. We used strandings data from 1977 to 1993 (n = 96) and observer bycatch data from 1989 to 1993 (n = 233) for the Gulf of Maine, USA, and Bay of Fundy, Canada, harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) population as a case study. Our method combines mortality risk functions to estimate parameters describing age-specific natural and bycatch mortality rates. Separate functions are simultaneously fit to bycatch and strandings data, the latter of which are described as a mixture of natural and bycatch mortalities. Euler-Lotka equations and an estimate of longevity were used to constrain parameter estimates, and we included a parameter to account for unequal probabilities of natural vs. bycatch deaths occurring in a sample. We fit models under two scenarios intended to correct for possible data bias due to indirect bycatch of calves (i.e., death following bycatch mortality of mothers) being underrepresented in the bycatch sample. Results from the two scenarios were “model averaged” by sampling from both Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) chains with uniform probability. The median estimate for potential population growth (rnat) was 0.046 (90% credible interval [CRI] = 0.004–0.116). The median for actual growth (r) was −0.030 (90% CRI = −0.192 to +0.065). The probability of population decline due to added fisheries mortality, prior to management to reduce bycatch, was 0.690. Our approach takes into account multiple sources of uncertainty in data and process, and it provides posterior distributions for a rich set of demographic rate parameters that are unknown for most cetaceans. This method should be easily adaptable to other taxa for which fertility and age-at-death data are available. Thanks for your interest, Jeff ****************************************** Jeffrey Moore, Ph.D. Research Scientist Duke University Marine Laboratory 135 Duke Marine Lab Road Beaufort, NC 28516 Phone: (252) 504-7621 Fax: (252) 504-7689 Email: jemoore(a)duke.edu Web: www.duke.edu/~jemoore *****************************************

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new publication
by Peter Corkeron 23 Jan '09

23 Jan '09

Marmamers I'm pleased to announce a new paper that I've just had published in Biology Letters: Marine mammals' influence on ecosystem processes affecting fisheries in the Barents Sea is trivial. The abstract: Some interpretations of ecosystem-based fishery management include culling marine mammals as an integral component. The current Norwegian policy on marine mammal management is one example. Scientific support for this policy includes the Scenario Barents Sea (SBS) models. These modelled interactions between cod, *Gadus morhua*, herring, *Clupea harengus*, capelin, *Mallotus* *villosus *and northern minke whales, *Balaenoptera acutorostrata*. Adding harp seals *Phoca groenlandica* into this top-down modelling approach resulted in unrealistic model outputs. Another set of models of the Barents Sea fish–fisheries system focused on interactions within and between the three fish populations, fisheries and climate. These model key processes of the system successfully. Continuing calls to support the SBS models despite their failure suggest a belief that marine mammal predation must be a problem for fisheries. The best available scientific evidence provides no justification for marine mammal culls as a primary component of an ecosystem-based approach to managing the fisheries of the Barents Sea. If you have access to Biology Letters, the pdf is available for download at: http://journals.royalsociety.org/content/n510636417643267/ If not, email me at: peter.corkeron(a)gmail.com and I'll send one your way. Peter Corkeron -- website: http://aleakage.blogspot.com/

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MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology
by Lusseau, David 23 Jan '09

23 Jan '09

We are now accepting applications for the postgraduate course in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology at the University of Aberdeen (starting September 2009). The course is a 12-month unique programme offered in partnership with The Scottish Fisheries Research Services leading to a MSc, MRes, or PgDip degree. This interdisciplinary course, taught by both academics and front-line government fisheries scientist, will equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to meet the challenges of the ecosystem-based management paradigm and find new solutions to manage our natural resources. Key features of the programme: * Optional modules over a wide range of disciplines from marine top predator ecology to environmental economics and more * A range of professional practitioners and academic staff are involved in teaching * Develop both your quantitative and biological skills *Added value experiences: gaining a sea survival certification and the possibility of participating in FRS surveys *Interactive teaching: student led debates and presentations are an integrated part of the curriculum The University of Aberdeen, being one of Scotland's oldest academic institutions has been producing excellent students since 1495. Aberdeen is an international university built on serving one of the most dynamic regions of Europe. The latest UK Research Assessment Exercise (2008) judged that 89% of Aberdeen's research activity is of international quality and 55% is world leading or internationally excellent. For more information visit our website at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/fisheco or contact the course coordinators (Beth Scott: b.e.scott(a)abdn.ac.uk or David Lusseau: d.lusseau(a)abdn.ac.uk) ___________________________________________ Dr. David Lusseau Lecturer in Marine Populations University of Aberdeen School of Biological Sciences Zoology Bldg, Tillydrone Avenue Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK Phone: (0)1224 272843 Website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ibes/staff/d.lusseau Find out more about our MSc in Applied Marine and Fisheries Ecology at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/fisheco Ecology theme: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ibes/research/ecology/ The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

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