December 2010 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New book on cetacean conservation in the Mediterranean and Black Seas
by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara 14 Dec '10

14 Dec '10

Dear MARMAMers, A new book on the conservation of cetaceans in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, authored by myself and Alexei Birkun and with a foreword by H.S.H. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, has been recently published by ACCOBAMS in the occasion of the fourth meeting of its Parties. The book presents an update on the presence and status of cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS area, including details about the occurrences of all recorded species, and how the threats to cetaceans in the region are evolving. The book also contains a discussion of the most needed measures to improve the conservation status of the region's cetaceans. We conclude recommending that a strategic update be undertaken by the Parties to the Agreement, stimulated by renewed political vigour, if the continued existence of cetaceans in the region is to be assured. Citation: Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Birkun A., Jr. 2010. Conserving whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Mediterranean and Black Seas: an ACCOBAMS status report, 2010. ACCOBAMS, Monaco. A pdf version of the book can be downloaded from: http://www.disciara.net/documents/NotarbartolodiSciara_Birkun_2010.pdf Best regards, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara Tethys Research Institute, Milano, Italy giuseppe(a)disciara.net, www.disciara.net

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announcement: Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation Workshop, Aug. 2011
by Dave Mellinger 13 Dec '10

13 Dec '10

Fifth International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation Aug. 22-25, 2011 and associated seminars on Detection and Classification and Density Estimation Aug. 21, 2011 Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge Oregon, USA You are invited to attend the fifth workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation (DCLDE), which will be held next August 22-25. On Aug. 21, the day preceding the workshop, two seminars will be presented in parallel. One, on density estimation, will be led by Len Thomas, and the other, on detection, classification, and localization, by Dave Mellinger, Marie Roch, Eva-Marie Nosal, and Holger Klinck. Two datasets for the workshop have been prepared, one for detection and classification and one for localization. These are for training DCL algorithms. As in past years, a challenge dataset will be presented later with which attendees can test and compare algorithms. Information about the venue, the workshop, and the tutorials, as well as a link to the datasets, are available on the conference web site: http://www.bioacoustics.us/dcl.html Abstract submission guidelines will also be presented shortly, as will registration procedures. The workshop is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (Michael Weise), the Navy's Environmental Readiness Division (Frank Stone), and the Acoustical Society of America.

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National Marine Educators Association annual meeting: Call for Papers
by Kara Johnson 13 Dec '10

13 Dec '10

Call For Papers: National Marine Educators Association Annual Conference June 29 – July 3, 2011 Boston, MA Cape to Cape in the Hub of Marine Education Hosted by Massachusetts Marine Educators Calling all educators, scientists, swimmers, and all who love to learn and teach about the world of water! Come share your experiences, information, and ideas for lessons at the 2011 National Marine Educators Association Annual conference in Boston, MA. Please see strand topics listed below and note that each session must relate to one of the Ocean literacy principles. Email the completed form to: patharcourt@charter,net . Contact Pat Harcourt for more information 508 215-9641 See you in the Hub! Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 18, 2011. Strand themes for NMEA 2011 Audiences - Focus is on cultivating a global community of water conservationists. Presenters are invited to share strategies and programs that focus on connecting to underrepresented audiences. Breakthroughs - Focus is on scientific research and new technologies that enable us to better understand the ocean, including the role of freshwater is it applies to inland waterways and it so impact on the ocean. Partnerships - Focus is on successful partnerships and collaborations among educators, researchers, diverse audiences and communities as well as opportunities for teacher training, grants, awards and classroom funding. Research - Focus is on behavioral patterns of students and educators in schools, and other organ-izations as they relate to ocean literacy. Presenters are invited to share their specific projects. STEM - Focus is on combining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in order to provide inquiry opportunities to enhance students’ understandings of aquatic ecosystems. Sustainability - Focus is on conservation issues as they pertain to the well-being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources. Specific topics may include global climate change, policy initiatives and local success stories. Teaching – Focus is on successful classroom experiences using aquatic and marine themes. Presenters are invited to share their best practices. Traditional Knowledge – Focus is on the long standing traditions, practices and cultures of regional, indigenous and local communities as they relate to freshwater and marine environments. Traditional ecological knowledge is cultural practice based on generations of place-based observations and empirical, experiential information. Presenters are invited to share perspectives, programs and strategies that embrace, support and celebration traditional knowledge.

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Requesting Books and Reprints on Marine Mammals
by Sclymene＠aol.com 10 Dec '10

10 Dec '10

Requesting Books and Reprints on Marine Mammals ¡VIVA Vaquita! is seeking donations or sales of books, reprints, and scientific journals on marine mammals. Our intent is to collect literature that may not be in use anymore, and distribute it to colleagues who can most effectively put it to use. The money raised from this effort will be used directly in research, conservation, and public awareness efforts directed at the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), seen by most as the World’s most endangered marine mammal species. ¡VIVA Vaquita! < http://www.vivavaquita.org > is a collaboration of concerned researchers and educators from three nonprofit organizations: Cetos Research Organization, Save The Whales, and the American Cetacean Society. Our goals and mission are to generate awareness of the vaquita and to promote a healthy Upper Gulf of California ecosystem. Ultimately, we aim to help save the vaquita from extinction, and to do so in a way that also provides long-term benefits to the fisherman and other residents of Baja California, Mexico. If you have any books or other literature that you might be willing to donate or sell to us, please contact us so that we may discuss arrangements. Donations are tax-deductible. Thank you in advance. ********************************************************************* Thomas A. Jefferson, Ph.D. ¡VIVA Vaquita! 5495 Camino Playa Malaga San Diego, CA 92124 Tel. (858) 278-4240 Email: sclymene(a)aol.com Web: http://www.vivavaquita.org *********************************************************************

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M.E.E.R. field course, springtime 2011
by Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V. 10 Dec '10

10 Dec '10

Dear Fellow-Marmamers! The non-profit association M.E.E.R. would like to announce it's next field course in behavioural biology in the Canary Islands: "Field research of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera" from 01-15 May 2011 The project M.E.E.R. La Gomera is conducting a study on the interactions between cetaceans and whale watching boats since many years. The participants of these 2-weeks practical courses will get an insight into the behavioural research conducted from whale watching boats operating off the island of La Gomera. In this area, 21 cetaceans species could be identified during the last years, representing one of the highest known species diversities in the world. A list of publications that resulted from this project is given below. The course includes a full training program: the theory and practice of behavioural research will be learned and profound background information on whale watching will be given. Research experience that will be gained includes sighting data recording, behavioural sampling, photo identification, data handling and more. The course is fully accepted for the study of Biology at the Humboldt-Universitaet Berlin (Germany) and the University of Vienna (Austria). Moreover, the research is embedded in conservation efforts aiming at the preservation and promotion of whale watching as a sustainable use of cetaceans and the establishment of a marine sanctuary in the waters off La Gomera. M.E.E.R. La Gomera was honoured in 2001 with the international environmental award "Tourismus und Umwelt" by the German Association of Travel Agencies and Travel Operators (DRV). As was said during the bestowal, the project "realises new ways of co-operation of research and tourism in an exemplary and innovative way". For further information (including downloads of a detailed brochure and a booking form) please visit http://m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=208&L=2 The price is 899.- € including 7 whale watching research excursions, accommodation, full training program, scientific supervision, donation to M.E.E.R. e.V., written working material, certificate of attendance and one year MEER e.V. membership. (The journey to and from La Gomera is not included in the price.) Early bookings are accepted until 31 January 2011 at a price of 849.- € For further information, booking, etc., please send an e-mail to info(a)m-e-e-r.de _____________________________________ The non-profit association M.E.E.R. is registred and based in Berlin. The objectives of the association are conservation, research and education in order to protect cetaceans in their natural habitats. Our work aims at increasing the public awareness for the oceans and to present ways how humans can deal with nature in a responsible way. Our co-operation partners are the "Deutsche Umwelthilfe" (Radolfzell/Germany) "Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine" (Munich/Germany), and "Oceano Gomera" (whale watching operator/La Gomera). _____________________________________________ Publications in conjunction with the work of the project M.E.E.R. La Gomera: Ritter, F. & Ladner, U.A. 1996. Whale Watch Research on La Gomera: A new Interdisciplinary Approach. European Research on Cetaceans 9. Proc. 9th Ann. Conf. ECS, Lisbon 1996, 48ff. Ritter, F. 1996. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Cetaceans off La Gomera (Canary Islands) and Their Interaction with Whale Watching-Boats and Swimmers. Diploma Thesis to the University of Bremen, Faculty of Biology. 114pp. Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1998. First Report of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) Frequenting the Canary Island Waters. European Research on Cetaceans 12. Proc. 12th Ann. Conf. ECS, Monaco, 20-24th January 1998, 95-98. Ritter, F. & Brederlau, B. 1999. Abundance, Distribution and Behaviour of Dense Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) and their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS, 25.2, 55-61. Ritter, F. 2001. Twenty-one Cetacean Species off La Gomera (Canary Islands): Possible Reasons for an extraordinary Species Diversity. Poster presented at the 11th Annual Conference of the ECS, 5-7 May 2001, Rome, Italy. Ritter, F. 2002. Behavioural Observations of Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) off La Gomera (Canary Islands) with a special Reference to their Interactions with Humans. AQUATIC MAMMALS 28.1, 46-59. Smit, V., Ritter, F. & Neumann, K. 2003. Feasibility study: Land-based observations of cetaceans off La Gomera. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran Canaria, Spain. Ritter, F. 2003. Boat-Related behaviours as a tool for the development of species-specific whale watching guidelines. Abstr. 14 Ann. Conf. ECS, Gran Canaria, Spain. Ritter, F. 2003. Interactions of Cetaceans with Whale Watching Boats - Implications for the Management of Whale Watching Tourism. M.E.E.R. e.V., Berlin, Germany, 91 pp. Mayr, I. & Ritter, F.: PHOTO-IDENTIFICATION OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS OFF LA GOMERA (CANARY ISLANDS) WITH NEW INSIGHTS INTO SOCIAL ORGANISATION. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the ECS, La Rochelle, France, April 2005. Ritter, F. & Neumann, K. (2006): The Year of the Whale - Extraorbinary occurrence of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) off La Gomera (Canary Islands). Poster presented at the 20th Annual Conference of the ECS in Gdynia, April 2006. Ritter, F. (2007): BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS TO A DEAD NEWBORN CALF. Marine Mammal Science, 23(2): 429-433 Carrillo, M. & Ritter, F. (2008). Increasing Numbers of Ship Strikes in the Canary Islands: Proposals for Immediate Action to Reduce Risk of Vessel-Whale Collisions. IWC Document SC/60/BC6. Smit, V.; Ritter, F., Ernert, A. & Strüh, N. (2010): Habitat partitioning by cetaceans in a multi-species ecosystem around the oceanic island of La Gomera (Canary Islands). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the ECS, Stralsund, Germany, March 2010 -- Fabian Ritter -Vorsitzender,President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin NEUE RUFNUMMER/NEW NUMBER!- T/F: +49-(0)30-644 97 230 www.m-e-e-r.org __ The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and there were no major answers they wished to know the questions to... (After Douglas Adams)

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Photographs of False killer whales
by Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V. 09 Dec '10

09 Dec '10

Dear colleagues, for the completion of a whale and dolphin identification guide I still need some images showing the following species: False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) Northern Right whale (Balaena mysticetus) Photographs showing ID features would be most appreciated. I wonder if someone could help me out? I cannot pay a fee but will be willing to provide free samples of the ID guide as soon as it is printed. Best, Fabian -- Fabian Ritter -President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T/F: (0)30-644 97 230 e-Mail: ritter+AEA-m-e-e-r.de www.m-e-e-r.org --- The dolphins were having a great relaxed time and there were no major answers they wished to know the questions to... (After Douglas Adams)

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Whale Watching Regulations and Guidelines for Beaked Whales
by P Emerald 08 Dec '10

08 Dec '10

Hello, I am working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on a project related to tourism and whale watching in the Gully Marine Protected Area, located in the offshore waters of Nova Scotia. In particular, I am looking for whale watching guidelines, protocols, or regulations from other countries that apply to bottlenose or other beaked whales. I am wondering if there are related articles or specific studies concerning behavioural reponses of bottlenose and beaked whales around whale watching boats. In Nova Scotia, we have a population of Northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon Ampullatus) that are found year round in several canyons. There may be growing interest from tour operators to bring visitors to this area to view these whales. In addition, I am looking for information on commercial whale watching practices that occur in open ocean environments/offshore areas (12nm and beyond). Any information that you can provide would be great! Thanks, Mairi Edgar pmairiedgar(a)hotmail.com

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First announcement for a symposium and workshop - Living whales in the southern ocean: advances in methods for non-lethal cetacean research [Sec=Unclassified]
by Simon Childerhouse 07 Dec '10

07 Dec '10

Dear Colleagues, Please find below the first announcement for a symposium and workshop scheduled for September 2011 in Chile. This is a collaboration developed by the Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP); a working group of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission. While the focus of the symposium and workshop will be on application of existing and novel non-lethal research techniques to cetaceans in the Southern Ocean, it will provide an excellent forum for a more general discussion on advances in non-lethal research techniques for cetaceans. We welcome expressions of interest from those in the marine mammal research community interested in presenting papers or potentially convening sessions, supporting the symposium through financial support, or with suggestions about associated workshops. Please reply to sorp(a)aad.gov.au. More information is available at http://www.marinemammals.gov.au/sorp/living-whales-symposium. Regards Simon Childerhouse Coordinator of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Australian Antarctic Division Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 203 Channel Highway, Kingston 7050, Tasmania, Australia Ph. +61-3-6232-3146 Mob. +61-439-317-605 Email. simon.childerhouse(a)aad.gov.au Web. www.marinemammals.gov.au; www.aad.gov.au ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT FOR A SYMPOSIUM AND WORKSHOP LIVING WHALES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN: ADVANCES IN METHODS FOR NON-LETHAL CETACEAN RESEARCH Objectives. The focus of the symposium and accompanying workshop is to review the strengths and weaknesses of current and new methods for studying living whales in the Southern Ocean. Specifically, the objectives are to advance the synergies of non-lethal methods for investigations addressing three broad themes: 1) Population dynamics, health status and life history parameters of recovering whale species 2) Ecological linkages, functional roles and relationships of whales in their ecosystem(s) 3) The response of whales to climate change and anthropogenic impacts Presentations will focus on methodological, analytical or technological advances in non-lethal methodology, including those that are still under development. There will be a focus on presentations that integrate methods. The symposium and workshop are part of the work of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership. Key audience. The target audience for the workshop is scientists and managers interested in the application of new and developing non-lethal methods for understanding whales in the Southern Hemisphere and elsewhere. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of the symposium and workshop, it will have widespread appeal. Structure. A one-day symposium will be followed by a two-day workshop. Symposium. The symposium will have keynote speakers from a range of disciplines who will highlight advances in non-lethal research techniques. There will be presentations on specific research fields and also results from large-scale, multi-national programmes (e.g. IDCR/SOWER, SPLASH, SCANs, TOPP). In brief: * Keynote address (45 mins) - a presentation by an eminent scientist of non-lethal research providing an historical context for the development of non-lethal research, with a particular reference to Southern Hemisphere examples * Presentations of state of the art non-lethal research techniques (30 mins each) - summarising the latest developments and describing the applications to southern hemisphere whales * Selected case studies (45 mins each) - providing detailed description of methods and analyses Depending on interest, we may run concurrent sessions or possibly extend the symposium to 1.5 or 2 days to cover more material. Workshop. A two-day workshop will follow the symposium and will focus on presentations by experts with significant time for discussion of new and evolving techniques and their application to the themes of the workshop. Proposed location. To be confirmed but likely to be either Valparaiso or La Serena, Chile. Proposed dates. To be confirmed but likely to be September 2011. Steering Group. Scott Baker, Bob Brownell, Simon Childerhouse, Barbara Galletti, Ari Friedlander, and Nick Gales. Costs. A small registration fee will apply but there will be reduced fees for students and researchers from developing nations. Contact information: Living Whales Symposium, c/o Australian Marine Mammal Centre, Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, AUSTRALIA. Email. sorp(a)aad.gov.au. Web. www.marinemammals.gov.au/sorp Programme The following research areas will be used to guide the development of the symposium and workshop programme: 1) Photo-identification (e.g. catalogue curation, automated matching, applications (e.g. estimation of survival and reproductive rates, social structure) 2) Genetic markers (e.g. species and subspecies id, genetic differentiation and population assignment, genotyping for individual identification and capture-recapture, genomics) 3) Eco-markers (e.g. stable isotopes, lipid profile) 4) Life history markers (e.g. ageing, pregnancy, health assessment, photogrammetry) 5) Telemetry for habitat use and migration (e.g. satellite, GPS, short term archival tags, critter cam) 6) Analytical techniques for animal movements 7) Acoustics (e.g. species identification, density and direction, stationary and towed arrays) 8) Distance surveys for abundance and habitat use (e.g. vessel-, aerial-, shore-based) 9) Lessons from large-scale studies (e.g. IDCR/SOWER, SPLASH, YONAH, TOPP) 10) Remote vehicles (e.g. gliders, drifters, balloons/blimps, UAVs) 11) Analyses of behaviour and social structure (e.g. observation approaches, analytical methods) 12) Population modelling 13) Ecological modelling ___________________________________________________________________________ Australian Antarctic Division - Commonwealth of Australia IMPORTANT: This transmission is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited by Commonwealth law. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephoning +61 3 6232 3209 and DELETE the message. Visit our web site at http://www.antarctica.gov.au/ ___________________________________________________________________________

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LAST CALL for Abstracts: EAAM's 2011 Annual Symposium (Barcelona - Spain)
by Elio Vicente 07 Dec '10

07 Dec '10

Dear Colleagues, As per request of Dr. Jesus Fernandez, President-Elect of the EAAM - European Association for Aquatic Mammals (www.eaam.org) and Chair of the Scientific Committee of the EAAM's 2011 Annual Symposium, please find attached the "Call for Presentations" for the upcoming meeting, which will take place in Barcelona (Spain), between March 11-14, 2011. As you may know, this event will be hosted by Barcelona Zoo! As one can read in the "Call for Presentations", "All topics related to marine mammal science and husbandries (including conservation, education, veterinarian medicine, operant conditioning, et cetera) are acceptable. For the 39th Annual Symposium, the EAAM will especially encourage presentations dedicated to any fields of work related to the conservation of wild populations of marine mammals. Students are particularly encouraged to submit presentations, apply for sponsorships and enroll on the Award for the Best Student Presentation". For further information (including the relevant forms: "Call for Presentations" and "Registration"), you can check the following websites: - www.eaambarcelona2011.net/ - www.zoobarcelona.cat - www.eaam.org We sincerely look forward to see you, again, in fantastic Barcelona! Kind regards, E. Vicente

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South Georgia Weddell Seal Photo ID Catalogue
by Jon Ashburner 07 Dec '10

07 Dec '10

Dear Marmamers, I have recently been given a comprehensive photo ID catalogue for the weddell seal population based in Larsen Harbour, South Georgia. This is the most northerly breeding weddell seal colony, and the only weddell seals known to breed on land as opposed to ice.. The catalogue was compiled by Kicki Erikson, of the yacht Wanderer 3 which has been on South Georgia for 2 years, and conducted a census of the Larsen Harbour weddell seals during the 2010 breeding season. The catalogue includes 29 individuals, with 20 females and 9 males. Kicki has asked me if I know anyone who may be interested in the catalogue but no one springs to mind, so I thought I would post it on MARMAM. If anyone would like a copy of the catalogue (or knows of someone that might), please email me at jonashburner(a)gmail.com with a postal address and I will send a disc of the images to you (since it is too large to be sent electronically. Kind regards, Jon -- Jonathan Ashburner Zoological Field Assistant British Antarctic Survey King Edward Point South Georgia jonashburner(a)gmail.com

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