April 2010 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Announcement: Beach Watch Manager Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association
by Bob Wilson 16 Apr '10

16 Apr '10

FMSA has a job opening for Beach Watch Manager. Bob Wilson Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association The Presidio • P.O. Box 29386 • San Francisco• California • 94129 Tel. 415-561-6625 • Fax 415-561-6616 • www.farallones.org JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Beach Watch Manager Background The Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association is a non-profit, cooperating association supporting the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. We collaborate closely with Sanctuary staff and coordinate and sponsor programming and initiatives that meet the Sanctuary’s mission. Our collaboration with the Sanctuary involves education, interpretation, outreach, research and monitoring as a supporting partner. Goal To provide volunteer coordination, data management and data analysis to support the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary’s Beach Watch program and Conservation Science objectives. Responsibilities Managerial: • Supervise Research Associate, Data Manager, contractors and interns of the Beach Watch program. • Develop annual operating plan and manage $150k annual budget. Manage contract and grant deliverables. Assist in state, federal and foundation grant and proposal writing. Volunteer Coordination and Development: • Coordinate and supervise over 100 Beach Watch volunteers in data collection of bird and marine mammal species abundance, human activity, and oil/tarball deposition on 41 beaches between Bodega Head and Año Nuevo. • Coordinate all aspects of Beach Watch training including advanced training and enrichment sessions. Recruit and train volunteers in data collection and species identification. Develop and update Beach Watch manuals and training materials. • Conduct Beach Watch surveys, including accompanying and reviewing volunteers in the field. Supervise data collection and monitoring techniques. Provide ongoing support and skill development for volunteers. • Communicate with volunteers including production of monthly e-newsletter. Respond to inquiries about Beach Watch from the public, media, and other organizations. • Increase awareness of the Beach Watch program and facilitate information exchange. Foster collaboration with other organizations and researchers. • Maintain Beach Watch volunteer records including volunteer database, schedules and directories. Track and report volunteer hours and statistics. • Assist with organization and planning of annual volunteer appreciation event and other outreach events. Data Management and Analysis: • Coordinate data tracking, data entry, and maintenance of the Beach Watch database. Manage and evolve the online data entry and online data query systems. Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association The Presidio • P.O. Box 29386 • San Francisco• California • 94129 Tel. 415-561-6625 • Fax 415-561-6616 • www.farallones.org • Conduct statistical analyses of Beach Watch data and summarize findings. Generate summary statistics and create graphical representations of the results. Work with GIS Specialist on preparation of data for GIS uses, including conducting geospatial analyses. • Create new uses of data by formulation of research questions in collaboration with Sanctuary Conservation Scientist. Analyze data and provide ecosystem interpretive reports to the Sanctuary Superintendent for management application. • Provide status, trends and geospatial data, analysis and interpretation of resources at risk from human perturbations, e.g. disturbance, pollution, entanglement. • Disseminate Beach Watch data through the production of publications such as annual reports, peer-reviewed papers and presenting at conferences. • Facilitate data requests from partners and researchers and collaborate with other researchers and resource management agencies. Emergency Response: • Participate in the planning and training for oil spill response and natural resource damage assessment. Provide support for Sanctuary Resource Protection staff. • Attend mandatory trainings and gain required certifications to enable full participation in emergency response and damage assessment efforts in support of the Sanctuary. • Conduct field sampling during oil spills, vessel groundings, and mortality events. Mobilize and coordinate surveyors during emergency events. • Run analyses and provide natural resource data during emergency events. Field Monitoring: • Provide logistical and planning support to multiple research and monitoring programs to include: planning and mobilizing research cruises, organizing wildlife monitoring for large scale public events such as Maverick’s Surf Contest, coordinating harbor seal census surveys, and other contracted duties. • Conduct field sampling to support Conservation Science objectives, including limited participation in multi-agency research cruises. Qualifications • B.S. or M.S. degree in Physical, Environmental or Biological Sciences; Marine Science degree preferred. • Minimum three years work experience in related field. Work experience in staff management, volunteer coordination, data analysis and report writing required. Experience working for non-profit and government agencies preferred. • Ability to supervise and lead small staff and large number of volunteers. Ability to work independently and initiate projects. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities within budgets and deadlines. • Knowledgeable about Central California marine environment, seabird and shorebird identification and natural history, marine mammal identification and natural history. • Knowledge of the basic principles of marine ecology and biology. Knowledge of field techniques and methods to carry out long-term monitoring projects. • Ability to provide logistical and planning support to multiple research and monitoring programs. Ability to conduct field sampling including day trips aboard research vessels; applicant should not be prone to seasickness. Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association The Presidio • P.O. Box 29386 • San Francisco• California • 94129 Tel. 415-561-6625 • Fax 415-561-6616 • www.farallones.org • Skill in organizational and administrative duties; Knowledge of computer operation to perform word processing and data manipulation, management, and analysis, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, ArcGIS, ArcView and statistical and graphical packages. • Skill in data analysis and presentation to prepare report, manuscript, oral presentation and poster preparation. • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Experience preparing clear, well-organized written reports on research or monitoring topics, and experience making oral presentations summarizing research projects and results. Must be able to communicate scientific concepts to a wide variety of audiences ranging from scientists to the general public. • Ability to interact and work with a diverse cross section of people in a professional and positive manner. Ability to comfortably interact and communicate with the public. Ability to engage adults in effective science monitoring activities. Ability to deliver educational presentations. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player. • Strong interest in acquiring additional skills such as detailed morphology of beached birds and mammals, emergency response and damage assessment skills. • Valid Driver’s License and good driving record (report will be ordered). • Applicant must pass criminal records check. Work Environment This is a full-time exempt position based in San Francisco; work is expected to approximate a forty-hour (40) week. Work includes some weekends and evenings. The position will involve mostly office-based administrative and supervisory work with occasional fieldwork. The offices are located on Crissy Field in the Presidio of San Francisco; offices are a casual attire workplace. Occasional travel will be required to attend meetings and training; overnight travel will also occur. This staff position will have access to a government vehicle for work-related purposes, but on occasion will need to provide own vehicle for transportation with mileage reimbursement. The applicant must have the strength and agility to work in the field, lift heavy objects (50 lbs.), negotiate uneven and slippery shoreline, and work on board vessels at sea. Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association is an equal opportunity employer. Salary and Benefits: $39,000 annually, with employer paid health (HDHP/HSA) plan, dental, vision plans. 403B participation. Free parking provided at work site. Generous vacation and sick time plan. No relocation or interview costs are provided. To Apply Mail or e-mail a cover letter, resume, scientific writing sample and three references with current contact information. Ensure that application has all requested items, or it will not be considered. Beach Watch Job Search Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association The Presidio P.O. Box 29386 San Francisco, CA 94129 Email: jobsearch(a)farallones.org. Deadline to Apply is Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 5 pm PST.

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Marine Mammal Workshop for Adults
by Summer at BMSC 16 Apr '10

16 Apr '10

Marine Mammal Workshop Marine biology program for adults Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre http://www.bms.bc.ca/pubed.html Dates: July 20th to 24th, 2010 About the workshop: This program is designed for adults with interests in marine mammals, though no prior experience in this field is necessary. The workshop will focus on marine mammal research techniques, both through classroom activities and boat excursions with real marine mammal scientists working in Barkley Sound. Possible species you may encounter include: grey whales, humpback whales, orca whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises, and sea otters. How to register: E-mail our Public Education Program at summer(a)bms.bc.ca or call 250 728 3301 ext. 226 with your name, contact information and number of people planning on attending. Cost: The program cost is $800 Note: This program runs in conjunction with a program for youth (grade 11 and 12 students) and some activities will be shared. -- Public Education Programs Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre 100 Pachena Road Bamfield, V0R-1B0 Canada Phone: 250 728 3301 ext 226 Fax: 250 728 3452

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New paper published: Whales and fisheries
by Lyne Morissette 16 Apr '10

16 Apr '10

Dear colleagues, The following article has just been published in this month's issue of Marine Ecology Progress Series (MEPS): Ecosystem models clarify the trophic role of whales off Northwest Africa ABSTRACT: There is global concern about the interaction between whales and fisheries, and in some countries, great whales are viewed as a threat to fisheries by potentially eating fish species that could be exploited for human consumption. We developed an ecosystem model to explore the trophic interactions between cetaceans and fisheries off Northwest Africa and to examine the potential impact of a reduction in the abundance of baleen whales on fishery yields. This allowed us to characterize the structure and function of the ecosystem in terms of biomass, mortalities, consumption rates, food habits, and fisheries. Faced with sparse data for our study area, we explicitly accounted for uncertainty in ecosystem structure, model accuracy, and input data and conducted an extensive sensitivity analysis. We tested model performance with time series of biomass and catches for important species of the system. Our results indicate that the overlap between prey species consumed by cetaceans and species targeted in fisheries is low. Furthermore, for a wide range of assumptions about whale abundances, diet composition, and food consumption in breeding areas, we found that whale consumption is several orders of magnitude lower than total fishery catches and 2 orders of magnitude lower than the amounts taken by other trophic groups. Finally, simulations of substantial reductions of whale populations did not influence the biomass of commercially important fish, nor any other species of the foodweb. These results suggest that fisheries yields would not benefit from the removal of whales in this area. The article can be downloaded from MEPS website (http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v404/p289-302/ ) or you can contact the first author for PDF copies (lyne.morissette(a)globetrotter.net ) Lyne Morissette, Ph.D. Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (UQAR-ISMER) email: lyne.morissette(a)globetrotter.net Tél. 418-723-1986 #1981 | Sans-fil 418-750-5685

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Wild Bottlenose Dolphin Research Internship
by kmchugh＠mote.org 16 Apr '10

16 Apr '10

Dolphin Research and Conservation Institute Internships The Chicago Zoological Societys Dolphin Research and Conservation Institute (DRCI), based at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, conducts the worlds longest-running study of a wild dolphin population. The programs goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that impact them. The DRCI uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters. For more information about the DRCI and the individual projects listed below, please visit: www.sarasotadolphin.org. The DRCI is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for the fall 2010 internship program (27 September - 17 December). Positions are available within our dolphin population monitoring project, which will continue to monitor the resident bottlenose dolphin population in Sarasota Bay. This internship will consist of approximately fifty percent field and fifty percent laboratory duties. While in the field, work will generally involve boat based surveys for dolphin groups along survey routes. Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data will be recorded for each dolphin group. While in the lab, work will generally involve photo-identification of dolphins sighted, data entry, dolphin ID catalog maintenance, equipment maintenance and other duties. There is no compensation for these internship positions, and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available (cost: $85/week). A few scholarships are available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US citizens only). Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications: Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies; A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or a related field; Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel and Access); Some field research experience preferred but not required; Must be able to swim; Enthusiasm and desire to learn a variety of field and lab based research methods; A willingness to spend a minimum of 2-3 months working full time with our program. To apply for a Sarasota Dolphin Research Program internship, interested persons should: 1) Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratorys website (www.mote.org/interns) Be sure to select Dolphin Research and Conservation Institute as your first choice; 2) Complete and provide to Motes intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and curriculum vitae; 3) Send a brief email to the DRCIs Intern Coordinator (Katie McHugh, kmchugh(a)mote.org) stating your name, contact information, exact dates available and that you have provided all of your application materials to the Mote intern office, as detailed above. All applications will be reviewed; those received by June 15th will be given first priority. We are seeking 1-2 interns for the fall of 2010, depending on scheduling. Applicants may contact Katie McHugh (941-388-4441 ext. 375, kmchugh(a)mote.org) in the DRCI with any questions.

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Red Sea Cetacean Behaviour
by Nick Easton 16 Apr '10

16 Apr '10

Hi, As part of research for a new television documentary series, the BBC Natural History Unit would like to hear of any cetacean behavioural studies on the African side of the Red Sea - can you help? Reliable anecdotal accounts would also be useful if anyone has recent experience of cetaceans in the region. Please reply to: nick.easton(a)bbc.co.uk Many thanks. Nick Easton Africa | BBC Natural History Unit Office: +44 (0)117 97 47654 Mobile: +44 (0)7971 608326 Email: Nick.Easton(a)bbc.co.uk NPC B3.03 | Broadcasting House | Whiteladies Road | Bristol | BS8 2LR | UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/ This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the BBC monitors e-mails sent or received. Further communication will signify your consent to this.

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Searchable Bibliography Launched (Sirenia & Desmostylia)
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 16 Apr '10

16 Apr '10

Posted on behalf of Daryl P. Domning (ddomning(a)howard.edu) Sirenian Bibliography Now Online. – The Bibliography and Index of the Sirenia and Desmostylia by Daryl P. Domning, first published in hard- copy form by the Smithsonian Institution in 1996, is finally available in fully interactive and searchable digital form at http://www.sirenian.org/biblio/ . This long-sought goal has been accomplished with the help of Caryn Self-Sullivan and Sirenian International, who provided a home for the database in cyberspace and recruited Michael Bragg (Compendium Software Systems, LLC) to do the essential database programming and create the outstanding user interface. We all owe them a huge vote of thanks for making this research tool more readily available to the sirenian research and conservation community. As you will see, the interface is very straightforward, user-friendly, attractive, and easy to navigate. The front material from the 1996 edition is reproduced (with updates) under the link “Introduction”; separate links give access to the Appendices; and the Bibliography and Index are each accessed by a “Browse” function. To provide cross- referencing by author within the Bibliography, hot links from all authors’ names yield lists of all works by each author. A “Search” function allows searching the entire Bibliography, including titles and annotations of works, for any name or word. A “Detail” utility brings up, for any main entry, all the associated Index entries for that work, providing more information about the work’s content beyond what can be gleaned from the title and annotation. As for content, the database now covers the literature from 1494 to 2010. For the last several years of literature, however, I have not had the time to do exhaustive searches of other databases, so coverage of the literature since about 2003 is likely to be spotty. Users are encouraged to report to me (ddomning(a)howard.edu) any missing references that should be included, or errors needing correction. We are also working on a way for authors to input their own publications and make corrections on their own publications in the future. I plan to continue administering the database for at least the time being, and incorporating new references as I become aware of them; but in the future I expect to focus mainly on paleontological literature, so updating of this bibliography will increasingly depend on others. If indeed our community considers this task worthwhile, it will require significant commitment by one or more dedicated and conscientious volunteers to whom I can eventually pass the torch. I respectfully request my colleagues, acting through our existing organs such as the IUCN/SSC Sirenia Specialist Group, Sirenian International, Inc., and/or the Save the Manatee Club, to undertake serious deliberations on whether this information-retrieval project should continue and, if so, who should undertake it. If it is decided that this activity is to be continued, a further decision will need to be made concerning the level of detail to be provided in the database. I envision at least six options: 1. Inclusion of only simple literature citations (author- date-title-place of publication), machine-searchable but without any indexing. 2. Annotations of works also. (Abstracts could be substituted here.) 3. General indexing only (indexing each work under a few subject headings, say one to five, mostly derivable from the title alone or from keywords provided in the work). 4. Detailed indexing (under each noteworthy subject mentioned in the text). 5. More detailed indexing (with page references and/or annotations in the index entries). 6. Linking citations to searchable full texts of works, accessible online. My original concept, partly achieved in the 1996 printed edition, included all options through #5. During the past year or so, when I had to catch up on a large backlog of new literature, I could do no better in most cases than #3. Going forward, I think #5 (the most labor-intensive) will be increasingly impractical given the flood of new literature. #4 will be difficult as well, though very desirable. #3 should be the minimum acceptable level of indexing. However, given that the entire text of the Bibliography is searchable, including annotations (and abstracts if these are included), it may be felt that this ability makes an index superfluous – although I caution strongly against naïve optimism in this regard! The ultimate ideal, of course, would be #6; but for most sources it lies well in the future of technology, and even that kind of brute-force information retrieval will miss information provided by a really good index. The decision is up to you, the future users of this database. – Daryl Domning

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Proposed Management Plan for Grey Whales posted on the SARA Public Registry
by Li, Michelle 15 Apr '10

15 Apr '10

The Proposed Management Plan for the Eastern Pacific Grey Whale has been posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry for its 60-day comment period. Please note that the comment period ends on June 14, 2010. The proposed management plan and the online comment form can be found here: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=1948 Michelle Li A/Species at Risk Program Development Officer Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Ocêans Canada 200-401 Burrard St / 200-401 rue Burrard Vancouver BC, V6C 3S4 / Vancouver (C.-B) V6C 3S4 T: (604) 666-2792 / F: (604) 666-3341 Michelle.Li(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Dolphin Skin Affliction
by Barbara Ann Saberton 15 Apr '10

15 Apr '10

Hi, Can you please post this: We have a Mother/Calf Bottlenose dolphin pair who are both suffering a new skin affliction, and do not know the cause. We are seeking to know of from anyone who can assist, whether they have seen anything this severe and or similar to take appropriate directional action. Possible cause, noting that stranding (therefore sunburn) not likely, and fresh water exposure not likely. Photos below are of the two dolphins 5 days apart to show progress of skin affliction to assist. Larger photos are available on request. Please contact Barbara Saberton at sabertob(a)optusnet.com.au Thank you Barbara Saberton

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Gray Whale Internships - June 2010
by UVIC WhaleLab Gmail 14 Apr '10

14 Apr '10

SEACR WHALE RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS – SUMMER 2010 ** There are still a few spots left!! ** The Society for Ecological and Coastal Research - SEACR - is a non- profit organization, established in 1998, dedicated to scientific research on the ecology of near-shore marine systems. SEACR is sponsoring several long-term ongoing research projects on gray whale ecology in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, Canada. The projects are organized and run by the Whale Research Lab of the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (http://www.geog.uvic.ca/whalelab/ ). INTERNSHIPS Enthusiastic individuals with a keen interest in nature and science are invited to discover the challenges of marine field research along Canada's coastal rainforest through SEACR's Marine Research Intern Program! MRIP is a volunteer program where Research Interns assist experienced and dedicated marine biologists and ecologists with their field research. Through MRIP, Research Interns will live and work at a remote research field-station in the coastal rainforest of Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, to aid researchers with ongoing field research related to coastal and marine ecology. Internships are offered on a competitive basis, at cost and provide invaluable exposure to boat based field work, the Pacific coastal ocean environment, marine mammal research, intensive training and mentoring in marine ecology, and encouragement to work and play hard! We are offering 2 or 4 week Marine Research Internships for June 2010. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first serve basis and spaces are quite limited. QUALIFICATIONS This internship is an excellent opportunity for an individual working toward a career in marine science to gain practical experience in the field. Ideal candidates possess a personal interest in marine ecology and a commitment to conservation research. Marine research is difficult and challenging work, so being a Research Intern is not for everyone! Those who wish to participate in MRIP must be in good physical health, especially free of back and leg injuries, as the field hours (in the boat and in the lab) can be long - though very satisfying! This is not a program that certifies individuals in field research. It is, however, an experience that delivers a unique opportunity for education, development of field ecology research skills, travel, and enjoyment of wildlife. THE RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT Flores Island is the home of the Ahousaht First Nations peoples and is nestled in world-famous Clayoquot Sound, in the Pacific Coast rainforest. Flores is an excellent place to learn about marine ecology and the study of nature. Along with learning field and technical skills during the course of work, when the opportunity arises Research Interns may engage in informal talks with graduate students, take hikes along the Wild Side Trail, have beach campfires, and interact with the Ahousaht First Nations peoples. Professors from the University of Victoria, local scientists and previous MRIP researchers will be frequent visitors to the field research station. Flores Island's natural beauty, sandy beaches, and abundant wildlife will keep you enthralled. Being here is the experience of a lifetime. APPLICATION PROCESS & COSTS To qualify as a candidate for the MRIP, see the preaplication process on our website: http://www.geog.uvic.ca/whalelab/seacr-application.html Unlike many other volunteer internship opportunities, SEACR provides and organizes the room and board for our interns at cost. The internship package includes basic accommodations and three meals per day at the research station. Interns and research staff live together and are responsible for cooking and cleaning duties. Rooms are shared with at least one other person. The internship costs do not include transportation to and from the research camp on Flores Island, personal items, or special dietary requirements. A non-refundable $500 deposit is required upon acceptance to MRIP. Two week Internship - $ 2200 Cdn Four week Internship - $ 3400 Cdn If you are interested in applying for a position, please see the details of our application process on our website http://www.geog.uvic.ca/whalelab/seacr-application.html Questions regarding the MRIP application or internships can be directed by email to: UVICwhalelab(a)gmail.com **************************** Society for Ecological and Coastal Research P.O. Box 35052 Victoria, British Columbia CANADA V8T 5G2 UVICwhalelab(a)gmail.com

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RFP Posting for review of survey methods associated with seismic survey programs
by james.hall＠exxonmobil.com 14 Apr '10

14 Apr '10

Dear MARMAM, I am an environmental scientist with Imperial Oil and the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) chair for an ESRF funded study that will review potential survey methods associated with seismic survey programs. Could you please post the following message. "The Environmental Studies Research Funds (ESRF) require the services of a Contractor to review potential whale survey methods associated with seismic survey work in the Beaufort Sea and to conduct a workshop on recommended whale survey techniques for future seismic operations. The closing date for the RFP is Apill22. The actual RFP document must be downloaded from the MERX website. In order to download the document, you must have a MERX account. The link to MERX website is: http://www.merx.com/English/SUPPLIER_Menu.asp?WCE=Show&TAB=1&PORTAL=MERX&St… " thanks, James Hall, Ph.D. Imperial Oil Resources Room 16025 237 Fourth Street Calgary, AB Canada, T2P 3M9 Calgary office: 403 237 2632 cell - 403 815 6418

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