January 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Video clips and images of dugong etc
by Lui Bell 08 Jan '11

08 Jan '11

Greetings all, Some of you probably know that 2011 is the Pacific Year of the Dugong. One of the materials to be produced for the campaign is a short DVD on dugongs. This is then a request for video clips and images we can use, in particular as follows, but any good image or clip will be welcome: * DUGONG(S) SWIMMING IN THE SEA (both underwater and aerial). * DUGONG EMERGING FROM THE OCEAN TO BREATHE * HANDICRAFT MADE FROM DUGONG (Pacific Islands only) * DUGONG FEEDING + JUST SWIMMING (IN SEAGRASS AREA) * DUGONG WITH CALF * CALF FEEDING ON MOTHER * DUGONG CAUGHT IN GILL NET (preferred still alive). * DEVELOPMENT IMPACTING ON SEAGRASS AREAS * PACIFIC PEOPLE IN FIELD CONSERVING * SIGNS FOR DUGONG CONSERVATION OR MPA, TABU etc) All material to be used will of course be credited. Please reply to me directly using my email address Thank you and best regards Lui ========= Lui A.J. Bell Marine Species Officer Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) PO Box 240 Apia Samoa Tel: +685 21929 Ext 281 or Direct-+685 66281 Fax: +685 20231 Email: LuiB(a)sprep.org website: www.sprep.org [cid:image001.png@01CBAF41.3E95C990]

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Internship Posting
by Meggan Dwyer 07 Jan '11

07 Jan '11

*Blue** Hill Bay** Coastal Monitoring Intern 2011* The Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI), a nonprofit organization based in Blue Hill, Maine, is recruiting to fill a Coastal Monitoring Internship position for the field season 2011. This is a full-time position requiring an 8 month commitment from May through December. MERI is a scientific research and education organization dedicated to understanding the impacts of environmental pollutants on wildlife and human health, and to interpreting this information to a broad audience. Current projects include a marine coastal monitoring initiative and a long-term eco-toxicological investigation of northwestern Atlantic harbor seals. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual working toward a career in coastal marine ecology, natural resource sciences, or conservation biology to gain practical experience in the field and in the lab. The ideal candidate will possess a personal interest in ecosystem monitoring and a commitment to the mission of the organization. *Primary Job Responsibility* This position will involve assisting the Research Department with the implementation of the *Blue Hill Bay Coastal Monitoring Project*. Primary responsibilities will include water quality sampling at fresh and marine water sites, phytoplankton monitoring and identification, laboratory water chemistry analysis, invasive species collection and identification, monitoring pinniped haul out sites and behavior, crewing MERI’s green research vessel, data entry and basic data analysis. Additional duties may include assisting with research outreach activities. *Job Description: * - Conduct in-situ water quality monitoring using a DataSonde multi probe and sample collection at marine and freshwater sites throughout the Blue Hill Bay watershed - Collect biological samples in the field and identify them in the lab - Prepare for each field day by calibrating and maintaining field instruments - Perform lab chemistries and bacterial assays following established standard operating procedures and quality assurance protocols - Monitoring and recording pinniped haul-out sites and behavior - Assist with data entry, updating field logs and lab maintenance - Assist with preparation of result summaries, reports, fact sheets and presentations - Be responsible for the education and training of junior interns and students in monitoring techniques - Articulate and promote the MERI mission to the public - Perform other duties relating to the organization's goals and mission as required *Reports to:** * Monitoring Project Coordinator and Research Staff * * *Qualifications** *** Applicants should possess a BS or MS degree in marine ecology, environmental sciences, marine biology, conservation biology or a related major. Marine field and laboratory experience, and basic boating skills are required. Experience with spectrophotometers and multi-parameter probes and a familiarity with environmental sampling and monitoring methods are preferred. Experience identifying phytoplankton and coastal invasive species is desirable. Applicants must also be able to work outside in a variety of environmental conditions. They must also be comfortable working on a marine research vessel and be available to work occasional nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Knowledge of computer software including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel is required; photography, statistics (SPSS), Microsoft Access, EndNote and graphics experience is desirable. Knowledge of Gulf of Maine marine phytoplankton species is recommended. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Only US citizens should apply. Position requires some physical activity and applicant should be able to lift up to 40 lbs. *Time Requirements:** *May - December (Flexible start) Full-time (40 hours/week); additional hours to be agreed upon by employee and Director. *Compensation: *Stipend and shared housing in Blue Hill, Maine. Housing is within walking distance to Marine Environmental Research Institute. Interns are responsible for all travel expenses and food. *To Apply: *If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a cover letter, CV and three references, via email with the subject line Coastal Monitoring Internship, by April 1st to: Meggan Dwyer, Coastal Monitoring Coordinator at mdwyer(a)meriresearch.org* * Please, no phone calls. Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street Blue Hill, ME 04614 Website: www.meriresearch.org MERI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Photo-id catalogues info
by Marc Fernandez 07 Jan '11

07 Jan '11

Dear collegues, We have started an online photo-id catalogue mostly based on pictures taken by amateurs (see http://azoresphotoid.blogspot.com/<http://webmail.uac.pt/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://azoresphotoid.blogsp…>). The goal is to tap on the increasing number of quality photos taken by tourists, fisherman, etc, and to put them to the service of cetacean research. We would like to know about similar projects elsewhere in the world. If you know about an online catalogue or repository of photo-id images of cetaceans, please let us know. We will post a summary of the replies. Thanks in advance for your help. Best, Marc Fernandez Research Assistant MONICET project CIRN/University of Azores

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Research Assistant required for bottlenose dolphin research in Cardigan Bay
by Gemma Veneruso 07 Jan '11

07 Jan '11

The Sea Watch Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine research, conservation, and public education is seeking applications for the following: RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR IN CARDIGAN BAY 2011 This position is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the running of the “Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project” and coordinating the project volunteers. The project is based in New Quay, West Wales, and takes care of the conservation management of the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal populations of Cardigan Bay, monitoring their abundance, distribution, reproductive success and population structure using a combination of line-transect, photo-identification, land-based and acoustic surveys. Start Date: April 11th 2011 End Date: October 17th 2011 Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project volunteers – in charge of the volunteer house and the volunteer weekly office rota.Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in volunteer basic training of land- and boat based surveys, photo ID studies, Database entry and more.Assisting the Monitoring Officer in all phases of the research.Undertaking a personal research project supervised by the Monitoring Officer – research topic will be chosen according to Sea Watch Foundation requirements and applicants’ interests. Requirements: The successful applicant is expected to have a BSc degree (or more) in biology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, or related field and able to demonstrate previous experience in marine mammal research. A strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are beneficial. The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific experience in Access and/or GIS would be advantageous. The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other researchers but also be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating at least 6 volunteers. They must also be self-motivated with the drive and determination to work independently and responsibly. This post brings the opportunity to submit work for scientific publication. This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses will be covered. To apply: Please send your CV, a cover letter and contact details of two references reporting any relevant experience you have to Daphna Feingold (daphna.feingold(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk) Deadlines: 31st of January 2011. Please specify RESEARCH ASSISTANT/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR into your subject title. Applicants will be notified of the outcomes by the 22nd of February 2011. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a registered marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of West Wales. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Research The purpose of our research here is to monitor the marine mammal populations inhabiting Cardigan Bay, so as to gain information to aid the conservation and long-term well being of these animals and the local marine environment. This is achieved by conducting various projects including: Estimating the abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and grey seals within Cardigan Bay using distance sampling and opportunistic boat surveysMaintaining and updating a catalogue of photographically identified bottlenose dolphins in Wales in order to study their abundance, social structure, movements and life histories.Acoustic monitoring of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises in the Cardigan Bay SAC using automated click detectors (T-PODs) and hydrophones.Setting up a library of underwater sounds in Welsh waters in order to develop bio-acoustic research in the area. We further aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods.

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Request for killer whale tissue samples (Robert Pitman)
by Robert.Pitman 06 Jan '11

06 Jan '11

We are about to embark on a second round of killer whale phylogenetic analyses on a global scale (see Morin et al. 2010. Complete mitochondrial genome analysis of killer whales (/Orcinus orca/) indicates multiple species. Genome Research 20:908-916.), and we want to expand our geographical coverage. To that end, we are interested in obtaining skin biopsy samples from killer whales from just about anywhere around the world but especially from lower latitudes or anywhere in the Indian Ocean. We are primarily interested in soft tissue samples but we can work with teeth samples from poorly represented areas. The soft tissue samples (primarily skin) should be either frozen, or preserved in either alcohol or a DMSO solution (no formalin). If you have, or know of, killer whale tissue samples that could be made available for this project please contact: phil.morin(a)noaa.gov <mailto:phil.morin@noaa.gov> Thank you - Bob Pitman -- ********************* Robert L. Pitman Protected Resources Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive La Jolla, California 92037 858-546-7092 phone 858-546-7003 fax robert.pitman(a)noaa.gov http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd.aspx *********************

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Job Announcement - Ecologist
by Lance.Garrison＠noaa.gov 06 Jan '11

06 Jan '11

Colleagues - The NMFS, Southeast Fisheries Science Center Marine Mammal Program is seeking a PhD level quantitative ecologist to work in our marine mammal assessment program. We are seeking an individual with strong analytical skills in spatial modeling, mark-recapture abundance estimation, line-transect surveys, and other methods used to assess the status of marine mammal stocks throughout the Southeastern United States. The job announcement is below. To apply, please go to www.usajobs.gov. The position is advertised as an interdisciplinary position Research Fishery Biologist, Research Ecologist, and Research Mathematical Statistician. The position is based in Miami, FL and is advertised until 4 January. Thank you - Lance Garrison _____________ This position will serve as a Research Ecologist in the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), located in Miami, FL. The person in this position will conduct research in support of the SEFSC Marine Mammal Research unit within the Protected Resources and Biodiversity Division. Research activities will focus on improving assessments of marine mammal stocks in southeastern U.S. waters with a focus on stocks that are the subject of NMFS Take Reduction Team. Research responsibilities will include: designing, executing, and analyzing surveys for abundance estimation; developing models of population dynamics; improving the statistical estimation of human-caused mortality; characterizing species' spatial distribution and terrestrial/marine habitat use; and predictive modeling for population assessment and recovery efforts. Duties include: designing line-transect and mark-recapture surveys for abundance estimation; analyzing data and developing models to improve marine mammal stock assessments; design and develop studies on aspects of spatial distribution and other elements of marine mammal population ecology; participate in field studies as needed; provide scientific support to NMFS Take Reduction Teams and other management bodies; work with other scientists to product reports and scientific publications on the population assessment of cetaceans; prepare technical reports and publish in the scientific literature.

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ORES - Field training courses 2011
by ORES - Ursula Tscherter 06 Jan '11

06 Jan '11

Thank you very much for posting the message below. Dear Fellow-Marmamers! The Swiss-Canadian non-profit organisation ORES (Ocean Research and Education Society) would like to announce its summer field courses 2011. The two weeks training courses are open to anybody interested in taking an active role in observing whales, collecting data, applying scientific research methods and in learning about the knowledge gained during the past 20 years of research. Courses are offered from July to September 2011. The flyer 2011 can be downloaded at www.ores.org or requested at utscherter(a)ores.org. STUDYING GREAT WHALES IN A MAIN SUMMER FEEDING GROUND Under the permit of Fisheries & Oceans and the Marine Park authorities ORES conducts long-term studies on the distribution, population dynamics, habitat use, breathing and feeding ecology of minke whales not only on a population but also individual level as single animals are easily identifiable. The study area lies within the boundaries of the first Canadian Marine Park, the St. Lawrence – Saguenay Marine Park, just 220km east-northeast of Quebec City. ORES is dedicated to the study of free-living whales and seals of the St. Lawrence Estuary (Quebec) in Eastern Canada. Each summer up to 150 individual minke whales share these highly dynamic and nutrient rich waters with blue, finback, and humpback whales, and harbour porpoises. The most southerly population of beluga whales also lives here year-round. Research results provide highly important knowledge crucial for any conservation and management efforts. Locally and internationally. The agile and highly active minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), which frequent these waters in high numbers daily, profit from unique environmental parameters such as tidal currents and areas of upwellings often concentrating the prey at the surface. This allows the whales to breath and feed at the same time applying a variety of aerial manoeuvres visible to observers to entrap and engulf the prey. Under the supervision of experienced scientists and during daily boat-based surveys in protected waters (no seasickness) course participants receive on-site training in whale observation and data sampling. On land they will learn to process the data collected and learn about a variety of whale and research related topics through comprehensive lectures. A special focus is given to the photo-identification teaching participants to identify individual whales even in the field. ‘Every day when we got back to the harbour, I would think "Wow! What a great day! It can't get any better than this." Then the next day would come and it would be more amazing then the day before. Watching the minkes as they surface feed or when they are moving up the St. Lawrence was great. But when I started learning the history of the individual whales like Loca and Double Scoop, and then when I was able to identify Owl Eyes, I knew I was making a difference.’ (Testimonial Wendy Beltz, USA) Course dates 2011: Group 1: July 3 - 15 Group 2: July 17 - 29 Group 3: July 31 - August 12 Group 4: August 14 - 26 Group 5: August 28 – September 9 The course fee of Swiss francs 1600 (~ € 1300, US$ 1700) includes accommodation, all transportation, trips to local events, safety equipment, certificate of participation, ORES membership, scientific supervision and lectures. For more information and visuals visit www.ores.org or contact utscherter(a)ores.org for any questions you might have. Ursula Tscherter, project director ORES (Ocean Research and Education Society), Switzerland / Canada

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Marine Mammal Response Internship
by Jeff Hall 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

CaliforniaWildlife Center MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RESPONSE INTERNSHIP Summary/Program Description The California Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned and sick native wildlife. CWC fulfills this mission through marine mammal rescue, and treatment of avian and terrestrial wildlife in our rehabilitation hospital. This internship will provide an exciting and challenging educational experience in the marine mammal field, while also allowing for additional hands-on experience with other native California wildlife. The interns will be working closely with the Marine Mammal program staff in all aspects of stranding response, including logistics, assessment, capture/restraint, transport to the marine mammal rehabilitation facility, and public relations. In addition, interns will provide support to CWC Hospital staff in animal husbandry tasks for avian and terrestrial wildlife. Dates: 8-week Internships for 2011 Spring Session: March 14 – May 6 (2 positions available) Summer Session: May 16 – July 8 (2 positions available) There is some flexibility of start dates. Time Commitment: Spring Session – 3 days/week; minimum 24 hours/week Summer Session – 4 days/week; minimum 32 hours/week Company Name: California Wildlife Center Department: Marine Mammal Response Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2022, Malibu, California 90265 Phone: (818)222-2658 Fax: (818)222-2685 URL: http://www.californiawildlifecenter.org Intern Responsibilities Under supervision of Marine Mammal staff, duties will include: · Answering and responding to all calls, pages and messages concerning marine mammals in a timely and courteous manner · Assessing stranded marine mammals · Coordinating and leading responder team in the capture and handling of stranded marine mammals needing medical attention · Coordinating transport of stranded marine mammals to the rehabilitation facility · Completion of NMFS Level A data sheets. Maintaining detailed database records of Malibu strandings, including reports of stranding, human interaction issues, etc. · Assist with marine mammal necropsy and sample collection · Ensuring marine mammal-designated equipment is kept in clean working order · Maintaining good rapport with representatives of various public agencies Intern Qualifications The internship is open to all applicants at least 18 years of age or older. Undergraduate students and non-students alike are encouraged to apply. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, the intern will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Due to the unpredictable nature of marine mammal stranding response, interns may sometimes be required to work beyond their normal scheduled hours. Interns must be able and willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays. Interns will be required to have good physical strength and the ability to lift/carry 50 lbs. Interns need to have the ability to multitask and work in a fast paced environment. Animal care and/or marine mammal experience is a plus but not required. Applicant must demonstrate proof of negative TB test within the past year and a current tetanus vaccination. Housing/Transportation Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. Must have own transportation and current drivers license. Very limited on-sire housing is available (i.e., up to 2 individuals at a time). All individuals selected for on-site housing, regardless of Session, will be required to complete 40 hours/week. Application Process Interested individuals must send the following: · Letter of intent · Resume · Two letters of reference Your letter of intent must state the Session you are applying for and detail interests, experience, housing accommodations and availability. Submit the above items via regular mail or email (preferred) to: California Wildlife Center Attn: Jeff Hall P.O. Box2022 Malibu, California 90265 Email: Jeff(a)californiawildlifecenter.org If you would like to find out more about our Organization, please visit our website at http://www.californiawildlifecenter.org

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AESS 2011 Conference Call for Proposals DEADLINE EXTENDED!
by Wallace, Richard 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Dear Marmam Folks: Please note that we have extended the deadline for submission of session (i.e., symposia, workshop, panel, roundtable discussion) proposals for the 2011 conference of the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences. The conference will be held in Burlington, Vermont on June 23-26. The new deadline is January 23rd and will be followed by the opening of the call for abstracts for individual oral and poster presentations and the opening of registration for the conference. We are also seeking submissions of topics around which we can build sessions at the conference. When the call for abstracts for individual oral and poster presentations opens, it will include a list of topics with which folks may align their abstracts. In this way, we will build sessions by connecting interested individuals who might not otherwise know of each other's common interests. But to do so, we would like to hear from you about the topics you would like represented at the AESS conference. Please scroll down for more information on the conference, and how to submit either a session proposal or a topic idea. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, and apologies for cross-postings. Sincerely, Rich Wallace AESS 2011 Program Chair and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Ursinus College rwallace(a)ursinus.edu<mailto:rwallace@ursinus.edu> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences 2011 Conference "Confronting Complexity" [cid:image001.jpg@01CBACEF.572C66C0]<http://www.aess.info/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=939971&module_id=81727> June 23-26, 2011, Burlington, Vermont Hosted by the University of Vermont We have extended the session proposal deadline to Sunday, January 23rd. This is the new deadline for proposals for Symposia, Panel Sessions, Workshops, and Roundtable Discussions. For more information on the conference or to submit a proposal, visit www.aess.info/2011<http://www.aess.info/2011> We also seek your ideas for sessions topics! In order to best reflect the interests of the environmental studies and sciences community, we invite you to tell us which session topics you'd like to see represented at AESS 2011. Click here<http://www.aess.info/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=939971&module_id=86070> to propose a session topic! The resulting list of session topics will be included in the call for abstracts for individual oral or poster presentations, which will open on Monday, January 31st. Registration for AESS 2011 also opens on Monday, January 31st. The 2011 AESS Conference will Feature Plenary Addresses by Climatologist Heidi Cullen and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (invited) [cid:image002.jpg@01CBACEF.572C66C0] Also on the AESS 2011 Conference agenda: * Exciting Vermont Field Trips! * A Scrumptious "Taste of Vermont" Banquet! * Live Musical Entertainment! * Student Mixers! * A Celebration of the Life and Work of AESS Founder Bill Freudenburg! More on the Conference Theme: AESS recognizes and embraces complexity as the hallmark of our field. Social, physical, biological and ideological factors in environmental problems are intricately linked, and environmental problems are so tightly interconnected that addressing one invariably affects others. This limits our predictive capacity and challenges the assumptions embedded in our models of natural and social phenomena. Engaging in dialogues about complexity presents challenges in both classroom and public sphere. Confronting complexity is critical to our ability to develop effective responses, thus this theme for the AESS 2011 annual meeting. About the Conference Host: The University of Vermont, the state's land grant institution, is one of the top green universities in the United States. It offers numerous environmental majors and is home to 10,000 undergraduates, 1,500 graduate students, and 1,300 faculty. Located in Burlington, Vermont, the campus and green conference venue are perched on a hill and look west across Lake Champlain to the Adirondacks and east to the Green Mountains. Downtown is a short shuttle ride or walk from campus with easy access to shops and restaurants. Burlington is the largest metropolitan area in Vermont and has received high ratings for livability, sustainability, and cultural engagement. To learn more about AESS or to become an AESS member, click here!<http://www.aess.info/> If you have questions, please e-mail: AESS Program Committee Chair Rich Wallace at rwallace(a)ursinus.edu<mailto:rwallace@ursinus.edu> or AESS 2011 Site Host Stephanie Kaza at Stephanie.Kaza(a)uvm.edu<mailto:Stephanie.Kaza@uvm.edu>

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Position Notice - Database and Intern Coordinator, The Whale Center of New England
by Mason Weinrich 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Position Available Database and Intern Coordinator The Whale Center of New England, Gloucester MA The Whale Center of New England, Gloucester, MA, is looking for a permanent, full-time employee to coordinate its data files, photo-identification catalogs, and internship program. Full details on the organization and its programs can be found on our web site at www.whalecenter.org <http://www.whalecenter.org/> . The position is open immediately, and will be filled as quickly as possible by an appropriate candidate. Database manager duties include oversight of the input and storage of all Whale Center data on marine mammals, including data on vessel effort, sightings, behavior, and associated variables. Data are collected off of whale watch vessels, dedicated research vessels, and fast ferries with dedicated observers on board. The Database Manager will insure through QA/QC that data are accurately entered into Microsoft Access and similar data storage files in a timely manner by field observers, and that data are available for analysis by Whale Center staff and other collaborative groups as required. Photo-identification Catalog Curator duties include maintenance and upkeep of photographic catalogs of individually identified humpback, fin, right, and sei whales; oversight of matching process to identify individuals seen on both whale watch and dedicated research cruises; correspondence and collaboration with related regional and oceanic research groups and catalogs for appropriate data sharing. Internship Coordinator duties include programmatic oversight of Whale Center interns. Full details on the internship are provided at http://whalecenter.org/research-whales/whale-center-internships.html. The intern coordinator is responsible for advertising for, recruiting, and selecting interns; training interns in all programmatic aspects of their internship; overseeing their field data collection, refinement, and analysis duties; and holding regular seminar meetings to discuss current literature. Field data collection duties include time aboard both commercial whale watch and dedicated research vessels. Our large whale field season runs from April to October, and includes considerable time observing humpback, fin, and other large whales from both platforms. Duties of the staff person will include supervising data collection from our own research vessel; acting as a naturalist and data collection coordinator aboard whale watch vessels out of Gloucester and Boston, MA; and undertaking collaborative research cruises on an as-needed basis. A North Atlantic right whale shipboard field season runs from mid-October to mid-December. Duties of the staff person will include assistance and/or coordination of cruises according to pre-set protocols for data collection. Other organizational duties of the position include responses to beachcast or stranded marine mammals, attending related professional workshops and conferences, representing The Whale Center on policy-related boards as necessary, contributing articles to our quarterly membership newsletter, and other related duties as needed. The successful candidate should have at least a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Marine Science, or a related discipline; some experience working in the field with cetacean observation and photo-identification; be a self-motivated, independent hard worker; be detail-oriented; and be enthused about mentoring interns starting in the field. The position is full time and comes with a full benefit package and paid vacation. Salary is commensurate with academic training and experience, in the low to mid- $30,000 range. Applicants should submit a letter of interest, C.V., and three references to Mason Weinrich, Executive Director and Chief Scientist, at mason(a)whalecenter.org. A full job description is available upon request. You may also e-mail with any questions about the position that you may have. Mason Weinrich mason(a)whalecenter.org Whale Center of New England www.whalecenter.org

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