December 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Assistant positions for a cetacean study in the Mediterranean (Barcelona)
by Lara Delgado 11 Dec '14

11 Dec '14

Dear all, Positions are open for assisting with a cetacean survey in the Mediterranean Sea (Barcelona-Mallorca), Spain. Dates from 22nd of July to 30th of July 2011. DESCRIPTION: The EDMAKTUB association for the study and disclosure of aquatic environments, specially focused in the study of cetaceans; offer positions for volunteers for one of the trips of the summer campaign of the project “Cetacean population study of the Mediterranean Sea area: Barcelona-Balearic Islands, BCNCET 2010-2011”. The aim of the project is to study the cetacean species present in the Mediterranean Sea (Balearic Sea). The association catamaran will set sail to Mallorca, from the Barcelona port the 22nd of July and be back to Barcelona the 30th of July, both days included. Visual and acoustical surveys will be conducted from early morning to evening during the 9 days in the boat, studying the distribution, behaviour, and sound production of the sighted species. The assistants would be able to learn: species identification, environmental and behavioural data collection, sound collection, and basic marine navigating skills. Accommodation and food is offered in the catamaran during the 9 days, but assistants are required to pay 400€ for food and accommodation expenses. No previous experience is required, as the scientist present in the campaign will provide species identification information and teach assistants. If you are interested or want more information, please contact us to: edmaktub(a)edmaktub.com Thanks! EDMAKTUB association for the study and disclosure of the aquatic environment. www.edmaktub.com

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computer assisted dorsal fin matching software programs
by Marthajane Caldwell 03 Apr '12

03 Apr '12

Greetings List Members, I am interested in computer assisted dorsal fin matching software programs. Any information regarding the efficacy as well as pros and cons of such programs would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me directly at marthajane_c(a)yahoo.com rather than replying to MARMAM. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request, Mj Caldwell ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marthajane Caldwell, Ph.D., Marine Mammal Behavioral Ecology Studies, Inc. 8429 Cresthill Avenue Savannah, GA 31406 marthajane_c(a)yahoo.com 912-655-1765 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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MARINE WILDLIFE FIELD TEAM COORDINATOR VACANCY
by Nick Robinson 08 Feb '12

08 Feb '12

The Marine Wildlife Department continues its incredible expansion and increased expertise in this specialist area of our business. It offers a range of services including consultation of methodology and procedures, implementation of monitoring and mitigation measures for a range of industries and countries and comprehensive project reporting service. We are seeking to add to the team numbers and expertise in the following role; MARINE WILDLIFE FIELD TEAM COORDINATOR Reporting to the Marine Wildlife Business Manager, you will be responsible for the line-management of field personnel involved in marine mammal and bird surveys and mitigation work. You will also be responsible for co-ordinating the supply of field personnel for projects undertaking marine mammal and seabird survey and mitigation work on Gardline Marine Sciences Ltd and third-party vessels and to act as contact point for all operations concerning Marine Wildlife Department personnel requirements. You will work closely with the Marine Wildlife Department Manager and Marine Wildlife Department Project Team Manager on all offshore issues and with the Marine Wildlife Department Technician on all equipment issues within the department and with the applicable personnel within Gardline Environmental Ltd and Gardline Marine Sciences Ltd. Ideally you will be of degree calibre or equivalent, and demonstrate a sound knowledge of the marine mammals, seabirds and the marine environment with both a scientific and commercial awareness. You will possess previous managerial skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to gain and process complex information, present that information clearly and concisely and think logically, critically and decisively. This is an office based position in Great Yarmouth however you may be required to undertake occasional travel around the world. To apply for this role, please send your CV and cover letter to Robert Rae, Group Recruitment Officer at robert.rae(a)gardline.co.uk<mailto:robert.rae@gardline.co.uk> or via the careers section of our website www.gardlinemarinesciences.com<http://www.gardlinemarinesciences.com/> Closing date: 16th December 2011 ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY - This e-mail and any attached files contain information that is confidential and/or may be subject of legal privilege, intended only for use by the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and preserve this confidentiality by deleting the message. No binding contract will result from this e-mail until and unless an officer, on behalf of the sender, signs a written document. Sender accepts no responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. Unless otherwise specifically stated any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the sender Company. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System, on behalf of the Gardline Group of Companies. For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Research assistants are needed on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Striat
by aylin akkaya 17 Jan '12

17 Jan '12

Dear Marmam readers, This is a second call for a behavioural project in the Istanbul Strait. I am seeking enthusiastic research assistants to help a PhD thesis on a behavioural study of dolphins in the Istanbul Strait. This is a project under the Istanbul University-Turkey. The project aims to determine the critical habitats and investigate the interactions between cetaceans and marine traffic. In the Istanbul Strait, there are three different species of dolphins which are common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise. The strait is one of the narrowest straits in the world and has a vital importance on the international marine transportation (around 50.000 transit ships uses this passage annually). During the project, theodolite will be used for the purpose of determining the travel speed and diving interval as well as the distance between the dolphins and vessels. Moreover we will collect various behavioural data. Computer based photo-id studies will also be carried out. The research assistants will have the opportunity to take part in data collection during the land and boat based fieldwork in the Istanbul Strait. Research assistants should be prepared to long working days in the field under the hot and cold weathers. And of course there will be days that we see no dolphins around so patient personality is needed. The field work will take 2-3 days in a week and office work will take a day. So you will have heaps of time for seeing around in Turkey as well. Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Istanbul-Turkey. I know most of the students are short of money but applicants should contribute 400$ to the project. Commitment is required for a period of 2 months. Successful applicants will: - be able to live and work with others in a team - be available for at least 2 months -and most important should have a strong desire to work with marine mammals under the difficult conditions. This project provides an excellent opportunity for students and individuals interested in getting more experience in the field of marine mammal research. Applicants should send a short email introducing themselves to akkayaaylin(a)yahoo.com. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project. Please also attach a brief CV. There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Start and end dates are flexible. All the best, Aylin AKKAYA

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New publication on Soviet whaling
by Yulia Ivashchenko 30 Dec '11

30 Dec '11

The following paper has just been published: Ivashchenko, Y.V., Clapham, P.J. & Brownell, R.L. Jr. 2011. Soviet illegal whaling: the Devil and the details. Marine Fisheries Review 73: 1-19. ABSTRACT - In 1948, the USSR began a global campaign of illegal whaling that lasted for three decades and, together with the poorly managed “legal” whaling of other nations, seriously depleted whale populations. Although the general story of this whaling has been told and the catch record largely corrected for the Southern Hemisphere, major gaps remain in the North Pacific. Furthermore, little attention has been paid to the details of this system or its economic context. Using interviews with former Soviet whalers and biologists as well as previously unavailable reports and other material in Russian, our objective is to describe how the Soviet whaling industry was structured and how it worked, from the largest scale of state industrial planning down to the daily details of the ways in which whales were caught and processed, and how data sent to the Bureau of International Whaling Statistics were falsified. Soviet whaling began with the factory ship Aleut in 1933, but by 1963 the industry had a truly global reach, with seven factory fleets (some very large). Catches were driven by a state planning system that set annual production targets. The system gave bonuses and honors only when these were met or exceeded, and it invariably increased the following year’s targets to match the previous year’s production; scientific estimates of the sustainability of the resource were largely ignored. Inevitably, this system led to whale populations being rapidly reduced. Furthermore, productivity was measured in gross output (weights of whales caught), regardless of whether carcasses were sound or rotten, or whether much of the animal was unutilized. Whaling fleets employed numerous people, including women (in one case as the captain of a catcher boat). Because of relatively high salaries and the potential for bonuses, positions in the whaling industry were much sought-after. Catching and processing of whales was highly mechanized and became increasingly efficient as the industry gained more experience. In a single day, the largest factory ships could process up to 200 small sperm whales, 100 humpback whales or 30-35 pygmy blue whales. However, processing of many animals involving nothing more than stripping the carcass of blubber and then discarding the rest. From 1933 until 1952, the main product was whale oil; only later was baleen whale meat regularly utilized. Falsified data on catches were routinely submitted to the Bureau of International Whaling Statistics, but the true catch and biological data were preserved for research and administrative purposes. National inspectors were present at most times, but with occasional exceptions they worked primarily to assist fulfillment of plan targets and routinely ignored the illegal nature of many catches. In all, during 40 years of whaling in the Antarctic the USSR reported 185,778 whales taken but at least 338,336 were actually killed. Data for the North Pacific are currently incomplete, but from provisional data we estimate that at least 30,000 whales were killed illegally in this ocean. Overall, we judge that, worldwide, the USSR killed approximately 180,000 whales illegally and caused a number of population crashes. Finally, we note that Soviet illegal catches continued after 1972 despite the presence of international observers on factory fleets. Reprints are available free of charge at http://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/mfr733/mfr7331.pdf Yulia V. Ivashchenko National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle WA, USA Whale Research Centre, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW, Australia *yulia.ivashchenko(a)noaa.gov*

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[MAMAM] CETACEAN RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY IN ICELAND: CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF WHALES AND DOLPHINS IN FAXAFLÓI AND SKJÁLFANDI BAYS
by chiara bertulli 30 Dec '11

30 Dec '11

CETACEAN RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY IN ICELAND: CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF WHALES AND DOLPHINS IN FAXAFLÓI AND SKJÁLFANDIBAYS WHAT: Volunteers and assistants in Iceland are needed for the year 2012 to assist in Ph.D. dissertation research focusing on common minke whales and white-beaked dolphins occurring off Reykjavik and Húsavík. This is a research project being conducted along the southwest (Reykjavík area) and northeast (Húsavík area) coasts of Iceland in collaboration with the Faxaflói Cetacean Research project (www.faxa-cetacean.org) Elding whale-watching (www.elding.is) North Sailing (www.northsailing.is) and the University of Iceland (www.hi.is) Reykjavík area: One research assistant and two volunteers (per research period*) are requested to partake in a project aiming to investigate abundance, patterns of residency, social structure, health status and behavioural budget of whales and dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay, southwest Iceland. An intensive photo-identification study will be used to estimate number of individual whales/dolphins and their site fidelity (seasonal and annual) in the coastal waters of FaxaflóiBay during spring, summer and autumn months. Data on common minke whales and humpback whales have been collected since 2007, since 2002 on white-beaked dolphins. The existing ID-Catalogue already counts over 400 common minke whales, 300 white-beaked dolphins, 50 humpback whales and 8 orcas. Most frequently sighted species: common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Other species: humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae), orcas (Orcinus orca), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) andbasking sharks(Cetorhinus maximus) Húsavík area: Two volunteers (per research period*) are needed for a project aiming to investigate abundance, patterns of residency, social structure, health status and behavioural budget of whales and dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of SkjálfandiBay, northeast Iceland. An intensive photo-identification study will be used to estimate number of individual whales/dolphins and their site fidelity (seasonal and annual) in the coastal waters of SkjálfandiBay during spring, summer and autumn months. Data on common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales have been collected since 2001; since 2010 on fin whales. The existing ID-Catalogue already counts over 70 common minke whales, 200 white-beaked dolphins, 200 humpback whales and 5 fin whales. Most frequently sighted species: humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae), common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Other species: blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), orcas (Orcinus orca), sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis), bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus) WHERE: FaxaflóiBayis a bay facing Reykjavík city where both whale-watching and whaling are currently taking place. Daily whale-watching tours are arranged from Reykjavik to spot feeding common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and orcas. Elding whale-watching has been running whale-watching trips since 1998, with special interest in all whales visiting the bay. The company is member of Green Globe 21 and tries to fulfil environmental standards as well as certain whale-watching guidelines. SkjálfandiBayis a bay facing Húsavík city where daily whale-watching tours are arranged to spot feeding humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, fin and blue whales and harbour porpoises. North Sailing is one of the two whale-watching companies running tours since 1995. Since 2007, Elding and North Sailing have been collaborating with the Faxaflói Cetacean Research project aiming to: - determine the abundance of common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and orcas in the coastal waters of Faxaflói Bay - examining patters of residency using multiple photo-identification efforts - establishing sex ratio estimates via biological sampling - analyse the feeding behaviour of common minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales and data collected on associated bird species - determining population structure of the resident population of white-beaked dolphins occurring in the coastal waters of FaxaflóiBay - assess cutaneous disorders on common minke whales and white-beaked dolphins during photo-identification surveys WHEN: Reykjavikarea research period*: 1st April to 30th May 2012 1st June to 30th July 2012 1st August to 30th September 2012 1st October to 30th November 2012 1st December to 30th January 2013 1st February to 30th March 2013 Húsavík area research period*: 7th April to 30th May 2012 1st June to 30th July 2012 1st August to 30th September 2012 CONDITIONS: In both Reykjavík and Húsavík, several whale-watching motor vessels will be used as research platform, for boat based work. In Reykjavik, living space for the boat based people is located on a former fishing boat in the old harbour, with 4 single rooms, bathroom, kitchen, living room and internet access (25 square metres); 10 min walking distance to the city centre. Internet access is also provided. Because of the training required, applicants must be willing to commit to the project a minimum of two months (longer stay could be discussed). Because of the training provided participants must be able to join the project one week prior to the research period starting date. Unfortunately, these positions are not paid and the successful candidates have to contribute with 350 Euros per month covering training program in scientific methods, scientific supervision, and reference materials related to the project including a certificate of completion (this price will cover accommodation expenses in Húsavík). 100% of fees support this research project and associated lectures. Candidates also must be able to cover their own travel expenses, travel insurance, food and other personal expenses. Accommodation and food during working hours (mainly lunch) will be provided in Reykjavik. In Húsavík accommodation is not provided but participants will be helped in finding a place for a cheap/moderate price (a communal house to rent might be available for all volunteers). There are possibilities for students to develop their own academic projects using data collected during their stay (please contact Chiara G. Bertulli for more information). DUTIES: Applicants should be ready to work long hours (07:00 to 17.00 or to 21.00 hours depending on weather conditions) and be expected to participate in the following duties: - data collection (behavioural data, photo-id images, environmental parameters, ect.) - data entry under the supervision of the PI - recognition of feeding manoeuvres (engulfment and entrapment) - identification of species and behaviour of associated avian species (e.g. auks, gulls, gannets, arctic terns, skuas, fulmars and shearwaters) - identification of skin marks (infectious, parasitic, anthropogenic and antagonistic) - use of photo-ID matching softwares (Darwin) Above this, cleaning, painting and other maintenance tasks is part of staying at the fishing boat in the old harbour as a gratitude to the free accommodation provided by Elding. At the beginning and end of each whale-watching trip, we also help the boat crew out by assisting passengers with life jackets, warm blankets etc. QUALIFICATIONS: - have a strong background in Marine biology/Oceanography, with knowledge and experience of marine mammal behaviour and/or sea birds - have previous wildlife field experience and ability to stand long working days, sometimes in rough sea conditions (seasick people should not apply for these positions!) - have previous cetacean photo-identification and/or wildlife photography skills - be computer literate with a working knowledge PC operating system and proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel. Familiarity with software including MS Access and Photoshop is very helpful. Possibility to bring your own Laptop is much preferred - be enthusiastic, hard-working, team oriented, able to share small living space on board - be adaptable, flexible and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent - have good English language skills - bring your own digital reflex camera and zoom lens: 70-300mm, 70-200mm and/or 80-400mm zoom lenses preferred (Nikon compatible) HOW TO APPLY: CV or resume should include the following: - details of your availability - contact details of two referees - a brief description of yourself including your interest in marine mammals and what you hope to gain from this experience - specify if you have any preference for the ‘Reykjavík’ project or the ‘Húsavík’ project. - any dietary requirements (i.e. vegetarian, vegan, etc.) Send applications to both Chiara Giulia Bertulli and Marianne Helen Rasmussen: Chiara G. Bertulli (Ph.D. student) University of Iceland Biology Department Náttúrfræðahús/Askja Sturlugata 7 101 Reykjavik Iceland E-mail: cgb1(a)hi.is / ciarabertulli(a)yahoo.it Mobile: +354-8618307 Skype: chiara.giulia.bertulli Website: www.faxa-cetacean.org Marianne Helene Rasmussen (Ph.D.) Director of Húsavík Research Centre, University of Iceland Garðarsbraut 19 640 Húsavík, Iceland E-mail: mhr(a)hi.is Mobile: +354-6958846 Website: www.dolphinresearch.dk www.stofnanir.hi.is/nordausturland/

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Request for Lagenorhynchus cruciger information – working paper
by María Constanza Marchesi 29 Dec '11

29 Dec '11

I would appreciate if you could add this message in a future issue. Thank you very much Subject: Request for Lagenorhynchus cruciger information – working paper. My name is María Constanza Marchesi, I am an undergraduate biology student from Argentina. Right now I am working on my thesis work on the biomechanical properties of the vertebral column of two dolphin species belonging to the genus *Lagenorhynchus. *I am also working with Dr. RNP Goodall on a new paper about the osteology of the hourglass dolphin *Lagenorhynchus cruciger.* This is a circumpolar species and there is not much information available so we are looking for any information about this species for the period 1997 - 2011: sightings, specimens found (collected or not collected) but specially information regarding the osteology of this species (cranial measurements based on Perrin 1987 when possible but especially vertebral counts and post cranial measurements and meristics based on Perrin 1987) We are also asking for a particular publication: Miyazaki N; Shikano C (1997) Preliminary study on comparative skull morphology and vertebral formula among the six species of the genus Lagenorhynchus (Cetacea : Delphinidae). Mammalia, vol. 61, no4, pp. 573-587. We have written to the first author but apparently there is a failure with the email address. Any help would be a huge help! Please contact me: marchesimc(a)gmail.com. Thank you Best Regards -- *María Constanza Marchesi Museo Acatushún de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos (AMMA) Tierra del Fuego, Argentina*

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New paper on population dynamics of Guiana dolphins
by Mauricio Cantor 29 Dec '11

29 Dec '11

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a recent publication on the population dynamics of Guiana dolphins: Cantor M, Wedekin LL, Daura-Jorge FG, Rossi-Santos MR, Simões-Lopes PC. 2012. Assessing population parameters and trends of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis): An eight-year mark-recapture study. Marine Mammal Science 28(1): 63–83. DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00456.x Abstract This study represents the first attempt to study the population dynamics of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis), by evaluating a set of demographic parameters. The population of the Caravelas River Estuary, eastern Brazil, was systematically monitored through a long-term mark-recapture experiment (2002-2009). Abundance estimates revealed a small population (57 to 124 dolphins), comprised of resident dolphins and individuals that temporarily leave or pass through the study area. Temporary emigration from the Estuary to adjacencies (γ”=0.33±0.07 SE) and return rate (1-γ’=0.67) were moderate and constant, indicating that some dolphins use larger areas. Survival rate (φ=0.88±0.07 SE) and abundance were constant throughout the study period. Power analysis showed that the current monitoring effort have high probability of detecting abrupt population declines (1-β=0.9). Although the monitoring is not yet sensitive to subtle population trends, sufficient time to identify them is feasible (additional three years). Despite such apparent stability, this population, as many others, inhabits waters exposed to multiple human-related threats. Open and closed population modeling applied to photo identification data provides a robust baseline for estimating several demographic parameters and can be applied to other populations to allow further comparisons. Such synergistic efforts will allow a reliable definition of conservation status of this species. Key words: population dynamics, mark-recapture models, temporary emigration, survival, abundance, population trends, robust design, Sotalia guianensis, Abrolhos Bank. Pdf copies are available upon request to m.cantor(a)ymail.com Best regards, Mauricio Cantor Laboratorio de Mamiferos Aquáticos (LAMAq) Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Instituto Baleia Jubarte Brasil

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Marine mammal biology, behaviour & welfare seminar
by Sabrina Brando 27 Dec '11

27 Dec '11

Dear colleagues, Apologies for cross-posting. We are happy to announce a 3-day seminar hosted by the Harderwijk Dolfinarium on marine mammal biology, behaviour & welfare. The main theme and aim of this seminar is to discuss and investigate together: "How do we translate and use the information from wild animals and their environments, and the knowledge we gained through science to improve captive marine mammal welfare?" We have a variety of international speakers and many different topics. We are still working on the program but you can find some info already by clicking the link. http://www.animalconcepts.eu/AnimalConcepts/Events/Entries/2012/3/19_Marine… Thank you for helping us advertise this seminar by sending it to people you think will be interested. Happy holidays and a great & healthy 2012! Sabrina Brando AnimalConcepts Sabrina Brando www.animalconcepts.eu sbrando(a)animalconcepts.eu +31633008373 "Do something wonderful, people may imitate it" - Albert Schweitzer CHANGE HABITS, NOT HABITATS

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New publication on the foraging ecology of the Blainville´s beaked whales
by Patty Arranz 27 Dec '11

27 Dec '11

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that a new publication on the foraging ecology of the Blainville´s beaked whales is now available with open access in PLOS ONE at http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0028353. Citation: Arranz P, Aguilar de Soto N, Madsen PT, Brito A, Bordes F, Johnson M (2011). Following a Foraging Fish-Finder: Diel Habitat Use of Blainville's Beaked Whales Revealed by Echolocation. PLoS ONE 6(12): e28353. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028353 *Abstract* Simultaneous high resolution sampling of predator behavior and habitat characteristics is often difficult to achieve despite its importance in understanding the foraging decisions and habitat use of predators. Here we tap into the biosonar system of Blainville's beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris, using sound and orientation recording tags to uncover prey-finding cues available to echolocating predators in the deep-sea. Echolocation sounds indicate where whales search and encounter prey, as well as the altitude of whales above the sea-floor and the density of organisms around them, providing a link between foraging activity and the bio-physical environment. Tagged whales (n = 9) hunted exclusively at depth, investing most of their search time either in the lower part of the deep scattering layer (DSL) or near the sea-floor with little diel change. At least 43% (420/974) of recorded prey-capture attempts were performed within the benthic boundary layer despite a wide range of dive depths, and many dives included both meso- and bentho-pelagic foraging. Blainville's beaked whales only initiate searching when already deep in the descent and encounter prey suitable for capture within 2 min of the start of echolocation, suggesting that these whales are accessing prey in reliable vertical strata. Moreover, these prey resources are sufficiently dense to feed the animals in what is effectively four hours of hunting per day enabling a strategy in which long dives to exploit numerous deep-prey with low nutritional value require protracted recovery periods (average 1.5 h) between dives. This apparent searching efficiency maybe aided by inhabiting steep undersea slopes with access to both the DSL and the sea-floor over small spatial scales. Aggregations of prey in these biotopes are located using biosonar-derived landmarks and represent stable and abundant resources for Blainville's beaked whales in the otherwise food-limited deep-ocean. Patricia Arranz, PhD Student, Department of Animal Biology, University of La Laguna. 38206 La Laguna - Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain. Email:arranz@ull.es Website: http://webpages.ull.es/users/cetaceos/

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