November 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

2012 Annual Symposium of the EAAM
by Elio Vicente 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

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New Publication: Anthropogenic food patches and association patterns of Tursiops truncatus at Lampedusa island, Italy
by Daniela Silvia Pace 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following paper on bottlenose dolphin social structure: Pace DS, Pulcini M and Triossi F (2011). Anthropogenic food patches and association patterns of Tursiops truncatus at Lampedusa island, Italy. Behavioral Ecology. doi:10.1093/beheco/arr180. It has been made available online in advance via the following link: http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/11/11/beheco.arr180.sho… Abstract Anthropogenic food patches in the marine environment, such as aquaculture farms and active trawlers, may impact on the behavior of marine mammals through modification of habitats, changes in predation pressure, or alterations in food distribution, availability, and predictability, affecting related social interactions and population demographics. This study examined patterns of association of a population of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) around Lampedusa Island (Italy) during 1996–2006 and tested the hypothesis that the trawl fishery and the presence of an aquaculture farm could affect such patterns. Here, we used measures of association between pairs of individuals to assess this impact on social unit composition/cohesion and some analytical techniques to describe the structure of dolphin social networks and temporal stability of associations. Association information for 71 regularly sighted individuals was obtained from photo-identification surveys within groups observed or not at “feeding stations”. We found association patterns between dolphins were nonrandom. The Lampedusa population seems to be arranged into 6 clusters and organized in communities composed of animals that were either never seen in association with feeding stations (N individuals) or those that are (Y individuals), although mixed assemblages were also recorded. Both communities showed long-term preferred companions, with different degrees of social cohesion—as resulted by network measures and temporal analysis. Delineating community structure at Lampedusa Island has offered basic information for further investigations in the area, also providing novel evidences on how disparities in association patterns between bottlenose dolphin individuals may have resulted from a combination of ecological and anthropogenic factors. Cheers, Daniela Silvia Pace ======================== Daniela Silvia Pace President Oceanomare Delphis Onlus www.oceanomaredelphis.org danielasilvia(a)oceanomaredelphis.org Registered office: Corso D’augusto 14, 47921 Rimini (Italy) Operating offices: Via G. Marinuzzi 74, 00124 Roma (Italy) tel&fax +39 06 50910791 Via Zaro 22, 80075 Forio d'Ischia (NA, Italy) tel&fax +39 081 989578

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CITES info session *date change*
by Siri Hakala 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

Change of Date- Due to an unforeseen schedule conflict, the joint NOAA/USFWS information session to answer questions about importing and exporting marine mammal samples from and to the United States under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) will be held on *Tuesday, November 29th* at the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. A representative from NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (providing the perspective of an importer/exporter and applicant for CITES permits) and from the USFWS Division of Management Authority (from the CITES regulatory perspective) will be on hand to answer questions. A representative from NMFS Office of Protected Resources will provide the NMFS Headquarters permit perspective. The session will take place on Tuesday, November 29 from 5:30-7:00pm at the NOAA Booth (either Booth 131 or 132 in the same hall as the posters). Everyone is welcome, especially if you have plans to import/export samples the in future. Some examples of questions we can help answer: What paperwork is required to legally export/import samples to the United States under CITES? Who do I request permits from in my country? Who needs to validate the permit before the samples cross any borders? What will happen to my shipment if it doesn't comply with the CITES regulations? Who do I need to contact if I am expecting an import of marine mammal specimens? We hope to see you there! Siri Hakala (NOAA) Lisa Lierheimer (USFWS) Amy Sloan (NOAA)

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Announcing LAJAM online!
by Daniel Palacios 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

SOLAMAC (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Especialistas en Mamíferos Acuáticos) and SOMEMMA (Sociedad Mexicana de Mastozoología Marina) are pleased to announce that the scientific journal of the two societies, the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM), is now an electronic journal. The journal will operate from its new web site (www.lajamjournal.org) and the web pages of SOLAMAC (solamac.org) and SOMEMMA (www.somemma.org) will provide links to it. Since 2002 LAJAM publishes scientific articles on the biology, management and conservation of the aquatic mammals of Latin America. To date it has published seven volumes and Vol. 8 is currently in press. The latter is a special volume on the biology and conservation of neotropical dolphins of the genus Sotalia. It will be the last printed volume of the journal and the electronic version will appear very soon. In addition, editorial teams are currently at work on a special issue on giant otter and a special volume on Tursiops in the Southwestern Atlantic, scheduled to appear in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In preparation for the transition to an electronic publication, earlier this year LAJAM acquired an electronic ISSN (2236-1057) through the Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia, and a prefix for Digital Object Identifiers (DOI: 10.5597) through CrossRef. As the electronic journal becomes established in the next couple of years LAJAM will seek inclusion in the various indexation services and in the Science Citation Index, which assigns the Impact Factor. The new site for the journal is an implementation of the Open Journal Systems, an initiative of the Public Knowledge Project. As such, LAJAM will be freely available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution License. The new system offers all the services of a modern electronic journal and includes tools like content search, personalization, notifications, social bookmarking, and the option to comment and discuss published articles. The handling of manuscripts from submission to publication will be through the site. Publishing of articles in LAJAM will be free of cost to current members of SOLAMAC and SOMEMMA as a benefit of membership. Everyone is invited to register and create a profile on the site. From its beginning LAJAM has been generously sponsored by Yaqu Pacha (Germany) and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Ministério da Saúde do Brasil). It also has received funding from Cetacean Society International, US Marine Mammal Commission, Wildlife Conservation Society, International Whaling Commission, Instituto Aqualie and Petrobras. LAJAM has relied on the effort of the Associate Editors that have been part of the Editorial Board over the years, and on the many researchers that have served as reviewers for the journal. To all of them, thank you! We look forward to your active participation in this new phase of the journal! Doris Oliva President, SOLAMAC Ma. Concepción García Aguilar President, SOMEMMA Daniel Palacios Editor-in-Chief, LAJAM

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M.S. opportunities in cetacean bioacoustics and cognition
by emiii＠buffalo.edu 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

The Neural & Cognitive Plasticity laboratory at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, in Western New York, is looking for motivated students to undertake research towards an M.S. degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior (http://www.evolutionecologybehavior.buffalo.edu/programs/ms/) in one of the following areas: · Song learning and adaptation by humpback whales · Auditory distance estimation by cetaceans and songbirds · Auditory scene analysis and source localization within song choruses · Auditory perceptual learning in underwater echolocation · Development of biomimetic sound production and reception technologies · Real-time acoustic monitoring and analysis of cetacean vocal behavior Most of these projects require a strong interdisciplinary background in acoustics, psychology, engineering or computer science. Students will be supervised by Dr. Eduardo Mercado, along with other faculty in the UB Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (see http://www.evolutionecologybehavior.buffalo.edu/) Interested applicants should email Dr. Mercado (emiii(a)buffalo.edu) before applying to the program. The program is designed to train researchers, educators, managers and regulators in the study of evolution, ecology and behavior. The subject matter of the program is broad-ranging and encompasses those aspects of the life and environmental sciences that characterize how organisms interact with each other and their environment and how those interactions change over time. Students will be required to complete coursework from multiple departments, including Anthropology, Biological Sciences, and Psychology, and may also take course in other departments such as Neuroscience and Electrical Engineering to fulfill degree requirements. Information about the details of the application process is available at http://www.evolutionecologybehavior.buffalo.edu/programs/applications/

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FW: REQUEST for Data regarding the locations of global hotspots where ghost nets and their effects on Marine Mammals are a particular problem
by Katie Dyke 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

Dear All I am trying to compile data to highlight particular areas in the world that where marine mammals are effected by ghost fishing caused by ghost nets. I am particularly interested in data regarding location; however any information with statistics regarding net types and by catch species would be beneficial. Gratefully Katie Dyke WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation SocietyBrookfield House, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ UK T: (0)1249 449 500 F:(0)1249 449 501 email: katie.dyke(a)wdcs.org http://www.wdcs.org

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new publications on tourism impact on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins
by Andre Steckenreuter 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Dear Marmamers, I am pleased to announce two new publications: Steckenreuter, A., Harcourt, R., Möller, L. (2012). Are Speed Restriction Zones an effective management tool for minimising impacts of boats on dolphins in an Australian marine park? *Marine Policy* 36: 258-264. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X11001023 Abstract The small, genetically distinct population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops aduncus*) in Port Stephens, New South Wales (NSW), is the target of the largest dolphin-watching industry in Australia and falls within the recently created Port Stephens—Great Lakes Marine Park. The effectiveness of Speed Restriction Zones (SRZs) as a management tool in this area was investigated during their second year of implementation by comparing dolphin usage and behaviour to adjacent Control Zones (CZs) of similar habitat. For this purpose, boat-based surveys and focal follows of dolphin groups were carried out in the zones between August 2008 and August 2009. Results showed that SRZs were more intensely used by dolphin-watching boats in summer. There was no change in dolphins’ behaviour and group structure in the presence of dolphin-watching boats in SRZs when compared to dolphin groups within CZs in any season. Dolphin groups including calves used SRZs less during summer. The latter may indicate a shift in area utilisation for those groups during intense boat traffic by dolphin-watching operators. CZs were more important than SRZs as foraging grounds for dolphins in summer. This indicates that SRZs as specified are not effective at minimising boating impacts and that the location of these zones should in time be revised. This is important information for management of dolphin-watching within this marine park and an example of adaptive management in progress. Moreover these results are relevant for conservation of dolphins and the management of dolphin-watching industries elsewhere, particularly new industries, where management strategies may incorporate marine protected areas including zoning plans. Steckenreuter, A., Harcourt, R., Möller, L. (2011). Distance does matter: close approaches by boats impede feeding and resting behaviour of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. *Wildlife Research *38: 455-463. http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/144/paper/WR11048.htm *Abstract* *Context:* Potential impacts of human disturbance on animal populations can be measured as behavioural responses and may affect the survival and fecundity of animals. In areas where human–wildlife interactions occur, conservation management needs to be in place to secure both a viable tourism industry and the sustainability of the targeted species. *Aims:* We sought to evaluate whether different approach distances by boat have effects on the behaviour and group cohesion of dolphins that are targeted by Australia’s largest dolphin-watching industry. *Methods:* The effects of different approach distances of boats on the behavioural states of dolphins, group dispersal and direction of movement were investigated in this area by controlled boat experiments conducted between August 2008 and December 2009. *Key results:* Results showed that there was significantly less feeding when boats approached dolphin groups to a distance of 50 m than when they did to a distance of 150 m, or with controlled approaches. Resting was also observed significantly less when boats approached to a distance of 50 m than when they approached to a distance of 150 m. The dispersal of dolphin groups was significantly tighter (less dispersed) when boats approached to 50 m than that with 150-m-distance or controlled approaches. Furthermore, the dolphins’ direction of movement was less neutral when the experimental boat approaches were carried out at a distance of 50 m than when they were carried out at a distance of 150 m, or with controlled approaches. Similar results were also obtained for dolphin groups including calves. *Conclusions:* On the basis of the results from this study, we recommend that the existing New South Wales regulations, which stipulate that dolphin-watching boats keep a distance of 50 m to groups with adults only and 150 m to groups with calves, are maintained within the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park (PSGLMP). *Implications:* Management plans whose stated goals include both sustainability of a dolphin-watching industry and longer-term viability of a dolphin population may reconcile conflicting objectives and improve their decision making by using these empirical measures rather than best guesses. -- Regards, Andre Steckenreuter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PhD Candidate Marine Mammal Research Group Graduate School of the Environment Macquarie University, 2109 NSW, Australia Ph: 0410862189 Email: andre.steckenreuter(a)mq.edu.au ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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position opening
by Patricia Rosel 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center is seeking a research geneticist to work at its marine mammal molecular genetics laboratory in Lafayette, LA. The person selected for this position will apply molecular genetic and genomic tools to characterize population structure and evolutionary histories to provide information in aid of conservation and management of natural populations of marine mammal species. Primary duties include serving as laboratory manager, inventory and ordering of supplies, running and maintenance of two ABI Genetic Analyzers, and collecting and analyzing molecular genetic data. The job announcement and instructions on how to apply are available at USAjobs.gov under announcement numbers: NMFS-SEFSC-2012-0010 ( MAP Vacancy Announcement number) and NMFS-SEFSC-2012-0009 (DEU Vacancy Announcement number)

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CITES Import/Export information session at the Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial
by Siri Hakala 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

A joint NOAA/USFWS information session designed to answer questions about importing and exporting marine mammal tissue and DNA from and to the United States under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) will be held at the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. A representative from NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center (providing the perspective of an importer/exporter and applicant for CITES permits) and from the USFWS Division of Management Authority (from the CITES regulatory perspective) will be on hand to answer questions. The session will take place on November 30 from 5:30-7:00pm at the NOAA Booth (either Booth 131 or 132 in the same hall as the posters). Everyone is welcome, especially if you have plans to export samples to the US. Some examples of questions we can help answer: What paperwork is required to legally export/import samples to the United States under CITES? Who do I request permits from in my country? Who needs to validate the permit before the samples cross any borders? What will happen to my shipment if it doesn't comply with the CITES regulations? Who do I need to contact if I am expecting an import of marine mammal specimens? We hope to see you there! Siri Hakala (NOAA) Lisa Lierheimer (USFWS)

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Vet advice requested for skin anomaly in bottlenose dolphin
by Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V. 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Dear Colleagues, during autumn 2012 we observed a number of bottlenose dolphins obvious with *skin anomalies / skin diseases *off La Gomera (Canary Islands). While emaciated bottlenose dolphins have become a more or less regular sight during the past, and some anomalies can be explained relatively straight away, at least one case from October 2012 is still *puzzling:* A bottlenose dolphin calf carried *large patches on both flanks*, where its skin looked *atypical in colour and character*, hence appeared as a skin disease. This anomaly didn't look like anything we had observed so far. We were able to shoot some good quality photographic images of the individual, which are represented here: http://www.m-e-e-r.de/index.php?id=511&L=2 If you have *veterinary and/or pathological experience *with cetaceans, we would like to know if you know about the (potential) cause for this anomaly. We will be grateful for any suggestions, which finally will be used for our study *"Anomalies in Cetaceans off La Gomera" *launched in 2010. High resolution images are also available. Best greetings, Fabian -- Fabian Ritter -Vorsitzender/President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T/F: (0)30-644 97 230 e-Mail:ritter@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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