March 2009 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Northwest SMM Student Chapter updates
by Amanda Bradford 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Hi all - Recently an email was sent announcing the upcoming annual meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM) that is being held on 2 May 2009 at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. The NWSSMM serves the community of marine mammal graduate and undergraduate students in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia. More information about our meeting can be found at: <http://www.marinemammalogy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id…> We also wanted to let you know that the NWSSMM has a listserv, which you can join if you are interested in events of the NWSSMM and other local activities. Information about the upcoming NWSSMM annual meeting will only be posted on the listserv from now on, so please do join if you're planning to attend. Instructions for joining the listserv can be found here: <http://www.marinemammalogy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id…> Thanks, Amanda Bradford NWSSMM member

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Course Announcement - Dolphin Research Center
by Emily Guarino 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Dolphin Research Center, a not-for-profit research and educational organization, would like to announce a summer course in Cognitive and Behavioral Marine Mammal Research. The program is a seven-day, in-depth, hands-on immersion into the field of marine mammal science. The course material surveys a wide-range of knowledge, theories and ongoing research concerning dolphins. By working with staff on DRC research studies, students gain a greater understanding of dolphins' cognitive abilities and social behavior, as well as deeper insight into research concepts and methodology. Seminar Topics & Focused Activities Include: Review of Dolphin Anatomy & Physiology, Physiological Research, Research Project Design, DRC's Current Research, Marine Mammal Cognition, Research Law Requirements, Behavior & Ecology, and Research in Acoustics & Communication. Hands-On Activities Include: Assisting research staff in conducting current cognitive research sessions, learning and conducting observation sessions, participating in additional research activities. Cost: The cost of the course is $1700.00 (US). Tuition includes all seminars, activities, meals and lodging Dates: 6/20/09 - 6/26/09 or 8/22/09 - 8/28/09 For more information please visit http://www.dolphins.org/dolphin_lab_campAdult_careerFocused.php <http://www.dolphins.org/dolphin_lab_course_dates.php> , or contact us at 305/289-1121 x 225 or <mailto:education@dolphins.org> education(a)dolphins.org. DRC Publications: Jaakkola, K., Fellner, W., Erb, L., Rodriguez, A. M., & Guarino, E. (2005). Understanding the concept of numerically "less" by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology.

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Florida Manatee Photo-identification Internship
by Johnson, Jennifer 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Manatee Photo-identification Internship The manatee photo-identification program is based in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). FWRI is the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a state agency of Florida. For more information about FWRI, please visit: http://Research.MyFWC.com. FWRI's manatee photo-identification research focuses on the long-term monitoring of Florida manatees in southwest Florida. The primary goal of our program is to document individual manatees. These capture histories are used to estimate annual adult survival rates and to model population dynamics for state and federal assessments of Florida manatee status and recovery. Photo-identification data also provide insight regarding manatee movements, site fidelity, habitat use, behavior, intra- and inter- specific associations, and reproductive parameters such as calving intervals and length of calf dependency. Interns will primarily assist staff members with photographing manatees and collecting behavioral and environmental data at sites around Tampa Bay. Interns will also be responsible for a number of lab-based photo-identification tasks, such as downloading images, database entry, and matching images to known animals. Interns often collect data independently in the field, thus responsible, detail oriented applicants are encouraged to apply. Most field work is land-based, however during the winter session opportunities are available to assist with boat-based manatee photo-identification. Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, data entry, special projects, and outreach activities. This internship provides a great opportunity to gain valuable field and lab experience at a government agency. We have one position available this year for the fall (August-November). Start and end dates are flexible. There is no compensation for these internship positions and successful applicants will be responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the Institute. Positions are open until filled. Qualifications: * Basic computer proficiency; Microsoft Access literacy preferred; * Working knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters, and lenses preferred, but not required; * The ability to lift approximately 50 pounds of equipment; * A valid U.S. Driver's License; * Enthusiasm and willingness to learn field and lab based research methods; * A willingness to spend a minimum of three months working four days per week with our program. Application process: Please submit your cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial are sufficient), and the contact information for three references via hardcopy to FWRI's Intern Coordinator, Dr. William Arnold, at the address listed below. Alternatively, application materials may be submitted via email to ManateeInterns(a)MyFWC.com. Please indicate in your cover letter the position for which you are applying and the dates you are available. Dr. William S. Arnold - Internship Coordinator Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 8th Avenue SE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Applicants may contact FWRI's Manatee Photo-identification Project Manager, Kari Rood, (Kari.Rood(a)MyFWC.com, 727-896-8626 x1912) with questions regarding the internship.

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New Feature in Aquatic Mammals-Historical Perspectives-written articles and DVD interviews of key marine mammalogists
by Jeanette Thomas 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

To celebrate 35 years of publication and to acknowledge the contributions of key contributors to the field of marine mammal science, *Aquatic Mammals *has a new feature called *Historical Perspectives. * This feature includes written histories and companion high-definition video interviews of key people in marine mammal science. The work is funded by the Marine Mammal Commission and the video interviews and editing are performed by John Anderson of Terramar Productions. The feature kick-off was an outstanding article and video-interview by Dr. Victor Scheffer, written on his 100th birthday!!! In 2008 (vol 34 issue 4), Drs. Sam Ridgway and William E. Evans provided written histories and video interviews related to research and veterinary care of dolphins in the US Navy. The first issue for 2009 (35.1) features a written history by Ian Boyd highlighting his research and Robert Hofman on the Legacy of the Marine Mammal Commission. Also in 2009, Historical Perspective articles will be published by Bob Gisiner on the history of marine mammal studies by the Office of Naval Research, by William Perrin on the history of the conflicts between the tuna purse seine fishery and dolphin by-catch, and by Gerald Kooyman on a history of marine mammal studies in Antarctica. Dudok Van Heel will publish an article on the history of the EAAM. Interviews have been conducted or are scheduled to be conducted this year with several key marine mammalogists Karen Pryor, Ken Balcomb, Bruce Mate, Randy Wells, John Reynolds, Dan Odell, Roger Gentry, Ronald Schusterman, Whitlow Au, Paul Nachtigall, Louis Herman, Bill Tavolga, and Bernd Wursig. Their written articles will follow in the journal. Copies of the DVDs and articles (as a .pdf or hard copy) are available at the Aquatic Mammals website. Please see the URL below. Proceeds from these sales will support graduate student assistants for the journal. Sincerely, Jeanette Thomas and Kathleen Dudzinski -- Dr. Jeanette Thomas Department of Biological Sciences Western Illinois University-Quad Cities 3561 60th St. Moline, IL 61265 E-mail: aquaticmammals(a)gmail.com and Editor of Aquatic Mammals same address See Aquatic Mammals website at: http://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/ Manuscript Fast Track website at: http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php Because I teach at two locations, email is the best method of communication

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Defining how many pups you need to be classified as an otariid breeding colony
by Louise Chilvers 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

Hello I am looking for definitions of how many pups (and/or breeding females) need to be born at a site over how many years (with or without a specific underlying age structure) for it to be defined as a breeding site or colony or rookery (i.e. as classified by IUCN or a species or countries own classification system). I am specifically looking for published references for Otariid breeding areas. If anyone can help please contact me - lchilvers(a)doc.govt.nz Thank you Louise Dr. B. Louise Chilvers Marine Mammal Scientist Aquatic & Threats Unit Department of Conservation P.O. Box 10-420 Wellington Ph 04 4713073 Fax 04 3813057 Email lchilvers(a)doc.govt.nz ############################################## This e-mail (and attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. ##############################################

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Job Posting at the Alaska SeaLife Center - Chief Scientist
by Jenelle Gilding 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

The Alaska SeaLife Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, rehabilitation, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the following: Chief Scientist The Alaska SeaLife Center is entering its second decade of operations. We are expanding our marine research and education programs to meet the ever increasing need for better scientific information to underpin marine policy and to help Alaskan communities manage the State's vast marine resources sustainably. The Alaska SeaLife Center plays a leading role in marine science research in partnership with the University of Alaska, Alaska Pacific University, fishing, tourism, transportation and oil and gas industries, local, State and federal government agencies, foundations, community groups, education institutions and non-profit organizations. We are seeking a visionary and proven science leader to broaden our marine research horizons - someone who is capable of leading studies of the key issues confronting the North Pacific ecosystem such as endangered species recovery, ocean acidification, marine diseases and arctic resource management. We expect to attract a talented scientist who can both lead highly skilled multidisciplinary teams and communicate results to the public with equal skill. We have a strong preference to recruit a scientist with experience working on marine projects in Alaska. Summary: This position will be responsible for overall Alaska SeaLife Center scientific leadership, reporting to the President and CEO. Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): * Lead in the development and coordination of research at the Center; generate funding for research. * Provide catalytic leadership to all scientific programs and staff, even when there is no supervisory relationship. * Make recommendations to the Center's President and CEO, the Scientific Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors regarding overall scientific direction and opportunities for enhancing the Center's scientific program. * Provide scientific oversight of all research/science conducted at the Center, with a focus on the applicability of research to conservation issues and the quality of science. * Play a key mentorship role to all scientific staff, especially PIs. * Serve as the external scientific lead, promoting the scientific program at the Center. * Establish, develop and manage the scientific partnerships and agency relationships of the Center. * Develop a personal research program at the Center. * Provide scientific guidance to the Education and Visitor programs at the Center, as requested. Requirements: Ph.D. degree in ecology, zoology, wildlife or conservation biology, marine science, oceanography, fisheries, engineering or a related field, and 10 years experience in field or laboratory marine research, including project budgeting and management, with 7 years at a supervisory level preferred. Open until filled. This is a full-time position. The SeaLife Center offers a competitive wage (DOE) with great benefits, in a beautiful setting. Full position description is available at our website. Send CV to President and CEO Dr. Ian Dutton ian_dutton(a)alaskasealife.org <mailto:ian_dutton@alaskasealife.org> . Call Dr. Dutton or Dr. Tara Riemer Jones for more information (907) 224-6349. Seward is a tourist destination, located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, boasting incredible recreation opportunities. Imagine partaking in world-class halibut and salmon fishing, rafting, and kayaking in Resurrection Bay and on the Kenai River. Experience icebergs calving from glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park. Hike the 200 miles of trail in the Chugach National Forest, viewing wildlife like moose, black and brown bears, bald eagles, and Dall sheep. www.alaskasealife.org The ASLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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FW: New ESR Article: Marine mammal conservation
by Godley, Brendan 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Please see article of interest below. The hotlink should take you straight through to it Best Brendan Dr. Brendan J. Godley Senior Lecturer in Conservation Biology Centre for Ecology & Conservation School of Biosciences University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus TR10 9EZ, UK Tel: +44 1326 371 861 Homepage: http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ Editor-in-Chief, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/ A new article has been published in ESR Vol. 7, No. 1<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v7/n1/>: Reynolds JE III , Marsh H, Ragen TJ AS WE SEE IT: Marine mammal conservation ESR 7:23-28<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v7/n1/p23-28/> | Full text in pdf format<http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2009/7/n007p023.pdf> A new article has also been published in the forthcoming ESR Special<http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-specials/>, Bats: Status, Threats and Conservation Successes<http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/esr-specials/bats-status-threats-and-co…> Ruffell J, Parsons S Assessment of the short-term success of a translocation of lesser short-tailed bats Mystacina tuberculata ESR:Bats_pp8<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/bats/pp8/> | Full text in pdf format<http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2008/theme/bats/batspp8.pdf>

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BIOACOUSTICS2009 conference Loughborough 31st March - 2nd April
by Paul Lepper 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Dear All, A notice about the Fifth International Conference on Bio-Acoustics, to be held at Holywell Park, Loughborough University, UK on the 31st March - 2nd April 2009. The conference has over 50 scheduled presentations and posters covering a extremely diverse series of topics on bioacoustics including sessions on Insects and Amphibians, Fish, Noise and Hearing, Birds, Detection and Assessment, Classification, Bio-inspired and Marine Mammal Behaviour. Keynote presentations include: Layered biosonar images with unified spatial dimensions in bat echolocation J A Simmons, Brown University Automatically identifying animal species from their vocalizations I Agranat, Wildlife Acoustics, Inc and Robot models of cricket auditory behaviour B Webb, University of Edinburgh Registration for attendance is now open. Details of the registration and programme can be found on the conference website at : http://bioacoustics2009.lboro.ac.uk/ Hope you can make it, Best regards, Paul Paul Lepper, PhD Senior Research Fellow, Underwater Acoustics Research, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK On behalf of the bioacoustics2009 organizing committee

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Steller sea lion entanglement video available for viewing
by Raum-suryan, Kim 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Dear colleagues, The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Sea Gypsy Research teamed up with Moore and Moore Films and Marni Productions to produce this 11-minute educational video that introduces the problem of Steller sea lion entanglement in marine debris. The video describes how sea lions become entangled, the most common sources of entangling debris, and what one could do to help reduce the number of entanglements. Title: Entanglement of Steller Sea Lions in Marine Debris: Identifying Causes and Finding Solutions Watch the Video - WMV format (requires Windows Media Player**) http://www.multimedia.adfg.alaska.gov/ If you are interested in a DVD of the video, please contact Lauri.jemison(a)alaska.gov. We have a LIMITED number available. Another short video (3 min) was produced by "Assignment Earth" using footage and information from the entanglement video above. If interested in viewing, see: http://news.yahoo.com/video/2714 <http://news.yahoo.com/video/2714> Thank you, Kim Raum-Suryan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kim Raum-Suryan Pinniped Ecology Applied Research Lab (PEARL) Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center 2030 S.E. Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365 Phone 541-867-0393 / Fax 541-867-0128 Kim.Raum-Suryan(a)oregonstate.edu http://mmi.oregonstate.edu/pearl

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REQUEST FOR ARTICLES - SIRENEWS
by Cynthia Taylor 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

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 APRIL 1, 2009. Please submit articles to <BLOCKED::mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org> taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org. Thank you - Cynthia Taylor, Director - Aquatic Conservation Program, Wildlife Trust, 941-232-4587, <mailto:taylor@wildlifetrust.org> taylor(a)wildlifetrust.org, <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), <mailto:jpowell@sea2shore.org> jpowell(a)sea2shore.org, <http://www.sea2shore.org> www.sea2shore.org

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