December 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Black dorsal fins on sei whales- request for biopsy/ sighting information
by Siri Hakala 12 Dec '11

12 Dec '11

Dear colleagues, We are investigating the occurrence of a skin anomaly (blackened area with white border) on the dorsal fins of sei whales; please see the below link for photos. We are looking for anyone with a biopsy sample of a fin with this anomaly, or records of similar sightings of sei, or other, whales. https://docs.google.com/a/noaa.gov/present/edit?id=0AQTg4dMY4DE3ZGNjcDk5a3N… (if link doesn't work initially, please copy and paste the whole link directly into your browser) Thank you in advance, Siri Hakala -- Siri Hakala Protected Resources Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service/ NOAA 3333 N. Torrey Pines Ct. La Jolla, CA 92037 USA phone: 858-546-7166 fax: 858-546-7003 e-mail: Siri.Hakala(a)noaa.gov website: http://swfsc.noaa.gov/prd/

1 0

New Right Whale publication
by Edward Gregr 12 Dec '11

12 Dec '11

Hello everyone - I am so very pleased to finally announce the publication of my modelling work on North Pacific right whale distributions. The article provides (I hope!) insights into right whale habitat use in the NP, and shows how models at different scales can help elucidate ecological processes. Technically, the work combines historic data with contemporary oceanographic model output using the MaxEnt presence-only modelling framework. I hope some of you find this of interest. Abstract below, full text available at: http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr_oa/n015p223.pdf Best regards, ed. Gregr, Edward J. 2011. Insights into North Pacific right whale /Eubalaena japonica/ habitat from historic whaling records. Endangered Species Research, 15:223-239. Whaling records from the mid-1800s provide the largest set of observations with which to conduct a basin-scale analysis of potential North Pacific right whale /Eubalaena japonica/ habitat. Since these data lack the concurrent oceanographic data necessary to investigate the species' habitat characteristics I used ocean climate from a 20th century circulation model to create a suitable set of habitat predictors. My goals were to (1) identify regions of suitable habitat and (2) investigate the processes underlying the species--habitat relationship by (3) examining model performance at different spatial and temporal scales. The results show 2 non-overlapping habitat regions in the subarctic North Pacific, supporting the notion of 2 distinct subpopulations. The analysis also implicates surface temperature and temperature variability as strong indicators of potential right whale habitat. Tests of model performance at different scales strongly suggest that at the basin-scale, right whales use regions of cold water with low inter-annual variability and high within-season variability (i.e. areas where high frontal activity occurs predictably from year to year). The significance of these indicators decreased at the regional scale emphasising the coupling of scale and process, and thus the need for different predictors at different scales. Comparisons of models built using different subsets of the dependent data showed how hypotheses can be tested and potential biases in observational data can be explored. Analyses of rare species' habitat such as this can provide guidance for more directed survey efforts and help identify areas and processes of potential biological importance.

1 0

New Zealand sea lion bycatch management: new proposal for consultation (open until 23rd Dec)
by Amélie Augé 12 Dec '11

12 Dec '11

The New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries has recently published its new Initial Position Paper (IPP) on the management of bycatch of New Zealand sea lions in squid fishery around the Auckland Islands. This is a proposal that will be given to the Minister for approval. As this is a proposal, there is now a chance for consultation. I would like to encourage international people who have relevant expertise to check out this document so that they can write a submission if they would like to. The main changes to the current management is that mortality of sea lions in squid fishery will now be considered nil due to the use of SLEDs (sea lion exclusion devices). Therefore, the Ministry of Fisheries argues that fishing has no or little impact on the decline of the New Zealand sea lion pup production and it advocates for the removal of fishing-related mortality limits (FRML) to the squid fishery. The written submissions made will be published online on the Ministry of Fisheries website. They are due on the 23rd Dec. The IPP can be downloaded here and has the contact details to make submissions on it: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/Squid+fishery+around+the+Auckla… Regards, Dr Amélie Augé, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

1 0

Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Internship
by Shauna Mcbride 12 Dec '11

12 Dec '11

An internship position has recently become available in the Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory at the University of Southern Mississippi for Spring 2012. College juniors, seniors and recent graduates are eligible to apply. Interns work on research projects being conducted by faculty members and graduate students, and will gain experience in both behavioral and acoustic data collection and analyses. Specific experiences depend on the research projects that are ongoing at the time of the internship. Spring 2012 Internship: The primary research being conducted at this time involves field surveys and photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins in Mississippi Sound and Louisiana marsh. Anticipated start date is mid to late January and will last until mid to late May. This internship is an unpaid voluntary position, and interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation and housing. Interns are also required to receive college credit for the internship; enrollment may be with The University of Southern Mississippi or an academic institution of their choice. Students interested in applying for the internship are required to send: •Completed application (available at http://www.usm.edu/psy-kuczaj/Internships.html) •CV •Personal statement describing your career goals, reason(s) for wanting the internship, and what you expect to contribute to and gain from the internship •Unofficial or official copy of your transcripts •At least one letter of recommendation (preferably from those who can attest to your academic and scientific abilities) *International applicants have a more intensive application process and are required to obtain a visa if selected. Please contact the intern coordinator for more information. Application materials must be sent by January 10, 2012. For more information, please refer to our website at http://www.usm.edu/psy-kuczaj/index.html or contact the intern coordinator. All application materials should be sent via email to the intern coordinator: Shauna McBride shauna.mcbride(a)eagles.usm.edu -- Shauna McBride MA/PhD Student,Internship Coordinator Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Laboratory Department of Psychology The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive, # 5025 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5025

1 0

2012 Belize Field Course!
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 11 Dec '11

11 Dec '11

8th Annual Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of Manatees & Dolphins: A Unique Field Course in the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon System Want to be a Conservation Biologist, Behavioral Ecologist or Marine Mammalogist? Here's your chance to join our research team for two intense weeks of total immersion into the world of animal behavior, ecology & conservation, Antillean manatees, bottlenose dolphins, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds in Belize! Website: http://www.sirenian.org/2012FieldCourse.html Dates for 2012: Session I ~26 May - 8 June | Session II ~16 June - 29 June | Session III ~7 July - 20 July Lead Instructor & Principal Investigator: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University, Sirenian International Co-PI: Katie LaCommare, Ph.D., Lansing Community College Course Overview: This is an experiential learning field course where you will live, work, and study from a marine science field station on a pristine, private island off the coast of Belize. Additionally, you will visit one or more Community Conservation Sites in Belize. Data collected during the course will contribute to our long-term manatee/ dolphin research project. You will learn through a variety of learning activities, literature review and discussion, independent research projects, and actual field research. Be prepared to rise with the sun and spend 8-10 hours outdoors, including 3-4 hours on the water each day learning about the tropical Caribbean environment as we explore a maze of mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral patches searching for elusive manatees and charismatic dolphins. Location: Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center at Hugh Parkey's Belize Adventure Lodge, http://belizeadventurelodge.com/ and Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation & Development, http://sartenejaconservation.org/ . Passport required, immunizations as recommended by CDC Your Share of the Costs: US$2995 includes housing, meals, ground & water transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT include airfare, books, tips, and credit hours. Optional Credit Hours: The course provides 100 experiential learning and lecture hours in the field, plus approximately 35 hours of pre- field reading, research, and preparation; at least 50 of the 135 total hours include direct instruction by faculty. This is comparable to a 3 credit hour university course and meets the US DOE criteria in 34 CFR, SS600.2. You must make arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH your advising faculty and Dr. Self-Sullivan for credit to be earned through your home university. Credit hour fees must be paid directly to your school and you must fulfill any study abroad requirements of your school. This course is divided into 4 major components: lectures and learning activities (~1 hour per day), independent reading and assignments (~2 hour per day), data collection in the field (~3 hours per day), project development & implementation (~2 hours per day), presentation of pre-field research (~1 hour per day), and debate/group discussion of reading materials (~1 hour per day). Deadlines: Early registration & and deposit due February 1st, 2012; regular registration & deposit due March 1st, 2012; balance due at least 60 days prior to field dates. Late payments and late registrations (if space available) incur a $100 late fee. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Contact: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D. | cselfsullivan at sirenian dot org | +1.540.287.8207 Visit our Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370432825564 Registration Form: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeRegistration.pdf Detailed Syllabus: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeSyllabus.pdf Policy & Liability Form: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizePolicy.pdf Recruit a Friend: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeFlyer.pdf Field Course Expedition Briefing (14MB): http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeBriefing.pdf Posted by: Caryn Self-Sullivan, PhD, KPA CTP President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Consultant: Animal Behavior & Wildlife Conservation Email: cselfsullivan(a)sirenian.org Phone: +1.540.287.8207 Website: http://sirenian.org Blog: http://mermaidsandmermen.blogspot.com/ The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration. Please remember us when budgeting for your charitable donations. Donate online at http://sirenian.org.

1 0

New note on the North Pacific right whale
by Amy Kennedy 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

I am pleased to announce the publication of the following note detailing the first high- to low-latitude North Pacific right whale photo-ID match: Kennedy, A. S., Salden, D. R. and Clapham, P. J. (2011), First high- to low-latitude match of an eastern North Pacific right whale (*Eubalaena japonica*). Marine Mammal Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00539.x *ABSTRACT:* The North Pacific right whale (NPRW, *Eubalaena japonica) *was hunted nearly to extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the eastern population of the species is now estimated at only about 30 animals. The location of right whale breeding grounds in the North Pacific has been hypothesized, but remains entirely unknown. Most of the recent observations of eastern North Pacific right whales (including sightings, whaling records, acoustic detections and telemetry tracks) have occurred in the southeastern Bering Sea, but a few low-latitude sightings have been recorded off Baja California, California and Hawai’i. A photographic match between a North Pacific right whale seen in Hawai’i on 02 April 1996 and resighted in the Bering Sea on 30 July of that same year represents the first documented movement of an individual between low and high latitudes. While this match alone cannot confirm a species-wide annual high to low latitude migration, we use this sighting and others to speculate on the behavior and habitat use of this endangered and elusive remnant population. ** A pdf of this note can be downloaded from the Marine Mammal Science website http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00539.x/abstract Cheers, Amy Kennedy

2 1

Crustaceans ectoparasities and epibionts of humpback whales in the Colombian Pacifi
by Isabel Cristina Avila 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

Please, find below a new contribution about crustaceans ectoparasities and epibionts of humpback whales in the Colombian Pacific. If you would like an electronic pdf copy, please contact me (isabel_c_avila(a)yahoo.com) Abstract: We recorded three species of crustacean ectoparasites and epibionts in two calves and four adults of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that in the breeding season 2010 visited PNN Gorgona and Bahía Málaga, Colombian Pacific: the amphipod Cyamus boopis and the barnacles Coronula diadema and Conchoderma auritum. These crustaceans adhere to calves and adults and are present in the caudal fin, dorsal fin, back of the body (near the blowhole) and ventral side of the lower jaw. Ectoparasites and epibionts recorded here may influence the movement, feeding and behavior of whales. We found a calf of no more than three months of age with epibionts: epibionts seem to attach to whales in tropical waters, most likely in Colombian waters. Avila I.C., L.M. Cuellar & J.R. Cantera. 2011. Crustaceans ectoparasites and epibionts of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea: Balaenopteridae), in the Colombian Pacific. UNED Research Journal / Cuadernos de Investigación UNED 3 (2): 177-185. Isabel Cristina Avila Jiménez Biologist MSc. Cali, Colombia, South America E-mail: isabel_c_avila(a)yahoo.com

1 0

Earthwatch RFP - change of deadline and now on website
by Debbie Winton 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

Hi all, Sorry for the confusion but the deadline for Earthwatch Requests for Proposals has been brought forward to Friday, 27th January. If you are interested in submitting but are worried about meeting the deadline, contact myself at dwinton(a)earthwatch.org.uk or Samantha Burgess at sburgess(a)earthwatch.org.uk The RFPs are also now posted on our website here: http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/get_involved/research_grants/ Thanks, Debbie Debbie Winton Senior Research Officer Earthwatch Institute | Mayfield House | 256 Banbury Road | Oxford | OX2 7DE | UK Tel: 00 44 (0)1865 318805 | www.earthwatch.org

1 0

UK Regional Student Chapter of the SMM Annual Meeting 2012
by UK Regional Student Chapter for the Society of Marine Mammals 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

*2012 Annual Meeting of the UK Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy: University of St Andrews, 1st-3rd February 2012* We would like to announce that the annual meeting of the UK Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy will be held at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews from the 1st to the 3rd of February 2012. An Icebreaker will be held on the evening of the 31st of January. We encourage all students registered in Universities across the UK and Ireland that are interested in marine mammal research to attend. The atmosphere of the conference is relatively informal, giving students a platform to discuss their research with other students and researchers. Postgraduate students are invited to submit abstracts for oral presentations. For planning purposes, we have divided presentations into 5-10 minute and 15-20 minute slots. We encourage new postgraduate students to talk about their future research plans using the 5-10 minute slots and for those further along in their studies to present for 15-20 minutes. Undergraduates with an interest in the field are also welcome to attend. The talks traditionally vary in content: from talks by new students discussing their future plans or the basis of their project, to students whose Ph.D.’s are near completion. Our guest speakers include Dr Luke Rendell (EU Postdoctoral Research Fellow at St Andrews University) and Dr Gordon Hastie (Senior Research Scientist at SMRU Ltd and the Scottish Oceans Institute), and the subject of a workshop will be announced nearer the time. Please visit our website for updates ( www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~ukrscgrp/ <http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/%7Eukrscgrp/>). The final deadline for presentation abstracts (max 300 words) will be the 5th of January 2012. There is no registration fee and you don’t need to be an existing member of the Chapter – you can register for the Chapter at the same time as registering for the conference. Registration forms can be downloaded from our website at www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~ukrscgrp/.<http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/%7Eukrscgrp/> Please submit your registration form by e-mail attachment to ukrsc(a)st-andrews.ac.uk before the 5th of January 2012. For those members traveling to St Andrews, we will provide a list of accommodation options before the Christmas holidays, and directions to St Andrews will be available on our website soon. If you have any further questions regarding the meeting, please don't hesitate to get in touch (ukrsc(a)st-andrews.ac.uk) Hope to see you all in St Andrews in Feburary, With best wishes, The committee of the UK Regional Student Chapter for the Society for Marine Mammalogy -- UKRSC Chapter Contact c/o Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute East Sands St Andrews Fife KY16 8LB Scotland, UK http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~ukrscgrp/

1 0

Marine Research Scientist Positions
by Dortche, Mary 08 Dec '11

08 Dec '11

Good morning, Could you please post the position below on your listing? If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you so much, Sincerely, Mary Dortche Human Resources 860.572.5955 x311 www.searesearch.org<http://www.searesearch.org/> [Description: Description: Description: MA_Email] [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: FBicon]<http://www.facebook.com/mysticaquarium>[Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: twitterlogo]<http://twitter.com/mysticaquarium>[Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image007.png@01CBE934.31FFF3E0]<http://www.youtube.com/user/MysticAquarium> [cid:image005.png@01CCB594.C92D53C0]

1 0