February 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Heads Up Alert re: Upcoming Job Announcement for NOAA/NMFS Chief of the Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Conservation Division
by Trevor Spradlin 18 Feb '11

18 Feb '11

Dear MARMAM Subscribers -- Following is "Heads Up" Alert regarding a job announcement that will be posting very soon for the Division Chief of the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division at the NOAA/NMFS Office of Protected Resources in Silver Spring, MD. *Please follow the links for additional information and please direct any inquiries you have to the Agency Contact Personnel who will be listed in the actual job announcement.* ********************************************************************** The NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/) will soon be advertising for a Division Chief (Pay Band V or GS-15 equivalent) for the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, the position recently vacated by David Cottingham. This division implements the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. We are seeking a broad range of qualified applicants and, therefore, are providing prior notice about this impending job announcement. We anticipate that the job will post on USAJobs (*http://www.usajobs.gov/*) late in the week of February 21, 2011. Due to new requirements from the Office of Personnel Management, the open period for this position will be relatively short. In addition, all responses to the Occupational Questionnaire contained in the announcement must be well supported by the applicant's resume. Another notice will be posted to this list serve when the job has been posted on USAJobs. /Only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply for this position./ ********************************************************************** *Please do not respond to this MARMAM posting and please direct any inquiries you have to the Agency Contact Personnel who will be listed in the actual job announcement.*

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Research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Iceland; volunteering research assistants needed
by Sandra M Granquist 18 Feb '11

18 Feb '11

Research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Iceland; volunteering research assistants needed The Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi, North West Iceland is at the moment accepting applications for volunteering research assistants for the summer of 2011. The volunteers will assist in different research projects regarding harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). The tasks will for example consist of behavioral observations of harbor seals, monitoring and recording haul-out sites, collecting biological samples and identifying them in the lab, assisting with data entry and with some preparation of results. This is an excellent opportunity for students and individuals interested in getting more experience in the marine mammal research field. Applicants need to have finished at least a B.Sc degree in biology and preferably have some experience of marine mammal research. Driver’s license is necessary. The volunteers have to be available from end of May/beginning of June to the end of August and are expected to work 8 hour shifts (mostly during day time), five days a week. Accommodation is covered by the Icelandic Seal Center, but the positions are unpaid and the volunteers are required to cover their own transportation. If you are interested in working with us, please send your application, CV and cover letter, where you describe previous experience and education to sandra(a)veidimal.is<mailto:sandra@veidimal.is> before March 15, 2011. For further information, please visit www.selasetur.is<http://www.selasetur.is/> and www.thewildnorth.org<http://www.thewildnorth.org/>

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New publication on dolphin occupancy during flood events
by Christine Fury 16 Feb '11

16 Feb '11

Hi all, I pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Marine Mammal Science on the impact of floods on dolphins inhabiting estuaries in Australia. Christine A. Fury and Peter L. Harrison. Impact of flood events on dolphin occupancy patterns Marine Mammal Science. Article first published online: 7 FEB 2011 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00447.x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00447.x/abstract Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess potential impacts of water quality changes associated with floods on the occupancy of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in two subtropical estuaries inAustralia.Boat-based surveyswere conducted in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuaries (RR) over 3 yr. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that when the dolphins were absent from the estuaries, three water quality components were extracted in the CR and two components in the RR. The PCA1 component included high loadings for salinity, turbidity, and pH for the CR (46%); and salinity, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) for theRR(51%). Randomization tests showed that dolphins abandoned both estuaries at times of lower salinity, and during periods of higher turbidity and of lower levels of pH and dissolved oxygen in the RR that were associated with floods. The time until dolphins returned to the estuary postflood depended on the length and severity of the flood, but generally dolphins were observed in waters with salinity levels above 29. Their delayed return postflood could be for their physiological health, or because their prey returned to the estuaries under these higher salinity conditions, or more likely a combination of both factors. Pdf copies can be obtained from cfury10(a)gmail.com Note my new email address. Regards Christine Fury Christine Fury, PhD Marine Ecologist Mobile 0408-264-330 Webpage: http://scu-au.academia.edu/ChristineFury/About http://www.scu.edu.au/research/whales/index.php/30/ cfury10(a)gmail.com

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF UK MARINE MAMMAL JOB OPPORTUNITY
by Gemma Veneruso 16 Feb '11

16 Feb '11

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UK MARINE MAMMAL JOB SEA WATCH FOUNDATION **SIGHTINGS OFFICER** The main task of the post holder will be to facilitate public education and awareness through the regular dissemination of environmental information, and to help develop Sea Watch’s research and monitoring programmes. Duties include: Recruitment of new observers, and feedback of information and advice to current contributors of sightings. Assistance with verifying & inputting sightings records. Regular support & liaison with Regional Coordinators, with occasional visits to coastal regions to support local efforts to develop monitoring, information exchange, and local fund-raising. Review with regional co-ordinators the best approaches for strengthening the observer network Co-ordination of a National Whale & Dolphin Watch event (in 2011, to be held between the 5th and 7th August). Maintenance of an active web site to serve as a prime medium of communication to observers, initiating regular dissemination of new information, and recruiting new observers. Regular updating with news items, recent sightings, etc. Participation in training courses to teach regional co-ordinators and observers techniques of quantitative monitoring, species identification, and photo-ID. These may be tiered from beginners to advanced observers, so as to improve skills at different levels of experience Distribution of training aids (identification guide, slide pack and CD/video) to observers Preparation and editing of news sheets every two months, and writing occasional reports and other material of public/educational interest, in liaison with other staff Preparation of news releases for the media on major stories of environmental interest, and writing articles for specialist magazines Take part in educational and outreach events, and school visits and provide supervision and support for the Education/Awareness Assistant Assistance with supervising students and other volunteers in New Quay, and supporting Monitoring Officer on some survey trips Participation and development of cetacean field projects as appropriate Attending meetings and giving public lectures on behalf of Sea Watch Participation in fundraising activities and promotion of Adopt a Dolphin campaign Answering correspondence & telephone queries from interested parties Data record entry organization and administration of national sightings database including acquisition of third party data and transformation for compatibility with SWF database, writing of forms and queries within MS Access and production of maps, spatial analyses, graphs and reports. We are looking for a person with a strong knowledge of UK cetaceans and marine environmental issues, as well as research experience preferably in marine mammals. He or she should have an ability to interact well with people of varied backgrounds (research scientists, government officials, conservationists, naturalists, fishermen, members of the oil and gas industry, shipping, etc). The candidate will need to be computer literate (MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and at least basic statistical programs and working knowledge of ArcView would be of use). Good writing and organizational skills are important as well as having a good discipline for detail and accuracy when working with data. Candidates with a good working knowledge of research analytical techniques and/or web editing are encouraged to apply. The post is initially for a period of six months but with potential extension beyond that subject to funding. It will be based at Sea Watch's office (Paragon House) in New Quay, Ceredigion, West Wales. Salary is £18,000 per annum, starting in April 2011. Those interested should send a letter of application, a copy of your CV, and the e-mail contact details of two referees to Gemma Veneruso at gemma.veneruso(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk by 1st March 2011. …………………………………………….. Sea Watch Foundation is a national marine environmental charity concerned with monitoring whales and dolphins around the British Isles, and the conservation threats they face. The national sightings database is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It has a number of research projects including surveys and photo-ID studies of bottlenose dolphins and baleen whales, and also harbour porpoises in West Wales, minke whale studies of foraging ecology and population genetics in West Scotland, and spatial analytical studies of cetacean distribution and habitat preferences of cetaceans throughout the British Isles, using a variety of modelling approaches. Sea Watch also focuses on education, providing a number of training aids, educational visits and is winner of the third “ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award”. There is also a Dolphin Adoption scheme, aimed particularly at children, focusing upon the bottlenose dolphins of Cardigan Bay which was voted the best UK animal adoption scheme by BBC Wildlife. Further details and a list of publications can be found on its web site – www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk. The charity has four staff based in New Quay (West Wales), North Wales and the London area, a further four-five working remotely on a contractual basis, and a large number of volunteers scattered around the coasts of the British Isles. Its Director is Dr Peter Evans based at the School of Ocean Sciences, University of Bangor.

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Job announcement REVISED- NMFS Alaska Steller sea lion population abundance and survival project, closes March 1, 2011
by kathryn chumbley 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Biological Technician position (May 16-Aug. 8, 2011) NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fishery Science Center National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Seattle, WA Alaska Ecosystem Program/Steller sea lion field camps Aquatic Farms (Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii), a contractor for The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fishery Science Center, is soliciting cover letters and resumes for the upcoming 2011 field season to study the western stock of endangered Steller sea lions (/Eumetopias jubatus/) in Alaska. This work is part of a long-term annual population abundance and survival monitoring program. Duties include conducting counts, identifying individual sea lions by tags, brands, and natural markings, and monitoring reproduction and survival at remote field sites in Alaska. For general information about the program, visit this website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/alaska/ Employment will be from May 16-Aug 8, 2011. Between 1 and 6 new biological technicians will be contracted for the 2011 field season. Compensation is provided (both regular and overtime rates). Application information is listed below. The first week of employment (May 16-21, 2011) is spent in Seattle training. Attendance is mandatory and successful completion of training is required for all field team members each season. Food and lodging in Seattle are not provided. Transportation from Seattle to and from Alaska and the field site, food, and lodging in the field are provided. Field teams are typically in Alaska for 8-10 weeks. Employment period ends at the end of the field season and there is no additional work. Field work is conducted by 2-4 member teams in remote camps located at either Ugamak Island (eastern Aleutian Islands) or Marmot Island (central Gulf of Alaska). All personnel are expected to perform daily research duties as well as camp maintenance (chopping wood, hauling water, cooking, and compost toilet maintenance, etc.). Participants are required to stay for the duration of the field season and there are no crew changes. Field stations are remote, there are no other residents on the islands, and outside communication is limited (no cell phone coverage and no email). Researchers live in small shelters at the various sites with no running water or electricity. Field stations are accessible only by ship or helicopter. Each camp is staffed with one field camp leader and 1-2 assistants. The camp leader serves as the senior person in the camp and generally has previous experience on this project. Field camp leaders are responsible for field camp logistics and maintenance, ensuring that research goals are met and that safety protocols are followed, ensuring that all data is entered and edited during the season, the return of field equipment and supplies, and producing an annual report at end of field season. Under the guidance of a field camp leader, field camp assistants help with camp preparation, data collection, data entry and editing, and field gear inventory and packing. All team members maintain a safe working environment for field personnel, participate in daily camp maintenance and operation, and assist with the return of field equipment and supplies at the end of the season. _Research Duties_: Research is conducted outdoors 7 days per week, often in inclement weather. Temperatures at field sites can range from 35 to 85 degrees. Fog, wind, and rain are common, with occasional snow early in the season. Candidates should be prepared to hike (> 5 miles) with a large, heavy daypack, over rough and uneven terrain, steep slopes, rocky ledges, and have no fear of heights or flying in helicopters. Observation stations are located on the edge of cliffs or overlooks above the sea lions. Observers will be expected to use binoculars and spotting scopes for long periods of time and be able to recognize markings or brands on sea lions. /There is generally no animal handling during field camp operations./ Sea lions should be unaware of the presence of biologists. Candidates should be in excellent physical condition with no pre-existing health problems such as heart disease, severe allergies, depression, debilitating asthma or other ailments that will compromise their health, the health and safety of others in the camp, or the completion of research duties. _Minimum Qualifications_: Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have an education in a biological science. A Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field with previous field experience is highly recommended. Field work, employment, or life experience in very remote settings particularly in Alaska or other cold, wet climate regions is preferred. The ability to work well in a team and independently, with good communication and problem-solving skills is mandatory. Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions and data protocols is mandatory. Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and relational database programs such as Access is highly recommended. Current First Aid and CPR certification is required. Wilderness First Aid is highly recommended and candidates will be given extra consideration with this certification. _Application Deadline_: March 1, 2011 Please submit a cover letter and resume with employment history, education history, and the names and contact information (email and phone numbers) of three work-related references to both contacts listed below. Applicants not meeting qualification criteria or who submit incomplete applications will not be considered. Please contact Aquatic Farms (employer) with questions regarding eligibility and compensation. Calinda "Cal" Goo Aquatic Farms, Ltd. 49-139 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI. 96744 (808) 239-2929 FAX: (808) 239-8436 officeafl(a)hawaii.rr.com <mailto:officeafl@hawaii.rr.com> With cc to: Kathryn.Chumbley(a)noaa.gov

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Master in Marine Mammal Science - entry September 2011
by Sonja Heinrich 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

Master in Marine Mammal Science - entry September 2011 We are currently accepting applications for the 2011/12 entry to the Master of Research (MRes) in Marine Mammal Science based at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, UK. This is an intense, one-year Master's level course intended to prepare students for professional careers in marine mammal research and conservation. The programme is tailored to address the scientific challenges of marine mammal ecology, behaviour and population biology with strong components of analytical methodology, laboratory work, and field study. The course is being taught by members of the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), the School of Biology and the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) which are part of the Scottish Oceans Institute at the University of St Andrews. For detailed information about this unique programme, entry requirements and how to apply please refer to the MRes MMS website: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/mms/. Applications for the upcoming academic year (starting September 2011) must be received by Friday, 08 April 2011, and should be submitted online via the St Andrews postgraduate admission portal. Please get in touch if you have further questions: via email: mresbiology(a)st-andrews.ac.uk <mailto:mresmammals@st-andrews.ac.uk> or write to: MRes Marine Mammal Science, School of Biology Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK You may wish to consult the following websites for more details about the course, the staff, and the University. MRes Marine Mammal Science: http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/mms/ SMRU: http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk/ St Andrews School of Biology: http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Scottish Oceans Institute: http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk/default.aspx University of St Andrews: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/ CREEM: http://creem2.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Some of this year's MRes Marine Mammal Science students are currently en route to Antarctica as part of an optional module in polar ecology. You can follow our expedition via the students' blog (pictures will go live on Tuesday): http://www.smru.st-andrews.ac.uk/antarctic Best wishes from World's end Ushuaia, Sonja Dr Sonja Heinrich MRes MMS Programme Director The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No SC013532

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Wild Bottlenose Dolphin Research Internship
by Katie McHugh 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

*Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Internships* The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), a partnership led by the Chicago Zoological Society and based at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, conducts the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population. The program’s goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations of small cetaceans, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors that impact them. The SDRP uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach in conducting studies of bottlenose dolphins within Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters. For more information about the SDRP, please visit: www.sarasotadolphin.org. The SDRP is in the process of selecting volunteer interns for our Summer 2011 internship program (a minimum of 10 weeks of participation during 23 May – 23 September). The successful candidates will participate in at least two research projects: 1) *Dolphin population monitoring project* (approx 80% time) This study will continue to monitor the resident bottlenose dolphin community in Sarasota Bay. Duties in the field will include assisting with boat-based photographic identification surveys for dolphin groups. Behavioral, location, individual, and environmental data will be recorded for each dolphin group. While in the lab, work will generally involve photo-identification of dolphins, computer data entry, dolphin dorsal fin identification catalog maintenance, equipment maintenance and other duties. 2) *Dolphin prey and habitat use project* (approx. 20% time) This study will use the Sarasota dolphin community and fish populations to study predator-prey interactions and energetics, specifically helping us to understand relationships between distributions of dolphins and their prey and factors that affect fish community ecology, such as red tide. While in the field, work will involve sampling of fish communities through purse seining techniques, collections of prey fish for energetic and stable isotope analysis, and collection of other environmental data. There is no compensation for these internship positions, and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the time of the internship. Shared housing opportunities near Mote Marine Laboratory may be available (cost: $85/week). A few scholarships are available from Mote Marine Laboratory through a competitive application process (US citizens only). Applicants would ideally have the following qualifications: • Minimum of 18 years of age and engaged in or recently completed undergraduate studies; • A background or degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or a related field; • Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel and Access); • Some field research experience preferred but not required; • Must be able to swim; • Enthusiasm and desire to learn a variety of field and lab based research methods; • A willingness to spend a minimum of 2-3 months working full time with our program. To apply for a Sarasota Dolphin Research Program internship, interested persons should: 1) Fill out an application form at Mote Marine Laboratory’s website (www.mote.org/interns) Be sure to select “Sarasota Dolphin Research Program” as your first choice; 2) Complete and provide to Mote’s intern office all other application materials including: a statement of interest, current college transcript, letter of recommendation, and curriculum vitae; 3) Send a brief email to the SDRP’s Intern Coordinator (Katie McHugh, kmchugh(a)mote.org) stating your name, contact information, exact dates and duration of availability and that you have provided all of your application materials to the Mote intern office, as detailed above. All applications will be reviewed; those received by March 15th will be given first priority. We are seeking 4-6 interns for the summer of 2011, depending on scheduling. These are competitive positions - we typically receive many more applications than we can accept. Applicants may contact Katie McHugh (941-388-4441 ext. 450, kmchugh(a)mote.org) in the SDRP with any questions.

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new publication on humpback whale song
by Adam Pack 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

Aloha Colleagues: On behalf of my co-authors, I pleased to announce the publication of the following paper on humpback whale song. "Green, S. R., Mercado, E. III, Pack, A. A, & Herman, L. M. (2011). Recurring patterns in the songs of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Behavioural Processes, 86, 284-294. The abstract is presented below: Humpback whales, unlike most mammalian species, learn new songs as adults. Populations of singers progressively and collectively change the sounds and patterns within their songs throughout their lives and across generations. In this study, humpback whale songs recorded in Hawaii from 1985 to 1995 were analyzed using self-organizing maps (SOMs) to classify the sounds within songs, and to identify sound patterns that were present across multiple years. These analyses supported the hypothesis that recurring, persistent patterns exist within whale songs, and that these patterns are deﬁned at least in part by acoustic relationships between adjacent sounds within songs. Sound classiﬁcation based on acoustic differences between adjacent sounds yielded patterns within songs that were more consistent from year to year than classiﬁcations based on the properties of single sounds. Maintenance of ﬁxed ratios of acoustic modulation across sounds, despite large variations in individual sounds, suggests intrinsic constraints on how sounds change within songs. Such acoustically invariant cues may enable whales to recognize and assess variations in songs despite propagation-related distortion of individual sounds and yearly changes in songs. Pdfs copies can be obtained from the lead author Sean Green at srgreenub(a)yahoo.com Best regards, Adam Pack ------------------------------------------------------------ Adam A. Pack, Ph.D. Associate Professor Psychology & Biology University of Hawaii at Hilo Mailing Address: Psychology Department University of Hawaii at Hilo 200 West Kawili St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Voice: 808-375-7892 email: pack(a)hawaii.edu

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Volunteers needed for fin/sperm whale research in the Strait of Gibraltar
by Pauline Gauffier 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

The research group CIRCE (http://www.circe.biz) is seeking applications from volunteers to help with fieldwork on fin and sperm whales in the Strait of Gibraltar. Fieldwork will take place from 29 May to 24 July 2010. Project: The fin whales observed in the Strait of Gibraltar are in migration between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea while sperm whales’ sightings are mainly foraging activities. Both species are still recovering from years of hunting. Due to the high and increasing maritime traffic in the Strait, at least 2 ship strikes have been observed with fin whales since 1999 and 3 with sperm whales, probably more remaining unknown. Therefore, we need to assess for this population the risk of collision with tankers or ferries. We will use theodolite tracking from a land station to find the main routes for the fin/sperm whales as well as any behavioural changes in relation to boat movements. Volunteers should be prepared to long working days under the sun (9-21h) and data entry when bad weather. Volunteers should be available at least for 2 weeks (see http://www.circe.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid… for last year blog of the project) but long period availability is possible. You will be responsible for your transport to and from the main centre, but once there, we will provide accommodation and transport to the land stations. Food will be at your own expenses but group shopping will keep the expenses low. Successful applicants will: - have a mature attitude towards marine mammal research - be autonomous and quickly operational - be able to live and work constructively with others in a team - speak fluently English and/or Spanish Preference will be given to those who: - have previous experience in theodolite handling, including whale tracking - have previous relevant marine mammal field experience Applicants should me send a short email introducing themselves. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, your qualifications and previous experience. Please also attach a brief CV. Please download the registration form from http://www.circe.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid… (also available in Spanish and French). Applications will be accepted until 6 March although early application is recommended as applications will be examined weekly. All the best Pauline ------------------------- Pauline GAUFFIER CIRCE - Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans - SPAIN http://www.circe.info Mobile: (+34) 658 199 045 -------------------------

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Job announcement - NMFS Alaska Steller sea lion population abundance and survival project, closes March 1, 2011
by kathryn chumbley 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

Biological Technician positions (May 16-Aug. 8, 2011) NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fishery Science Center National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Seattle, WA Alaska Ecosystem Program/Steller sea lion field camps Aquatic Farms (Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii), a contractor for The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fishery Science Center, is soliciting cover letters and resumes for the upcoming 2011 field season to study the western stock of endangered Steller sea lions (/Eumetopias jubatus/) in Alaska. This work is part of a long-term annual population abundance and survival monitoring program. Duties include conducting counts, identifying individual sea lions by tags, brands, and natural markings, and monitoring reproduction and survival at remote field sites in Alaska. For general information about the program, visit this website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/alaska/ Employment will be from May 16-Aug 8, 2011. Between 1 and 6 new biological technicians will be contracted for the 2011 field season. Application information is listed below. The first week of employment (May 16-21, 2011) is spent in Seattle training. Attendance is mandatory and successful completion of training is required for all field team members each season. Food and lodging in Seattle are not provided. Transportation from Seattle to and from Alaska and the field site, food, and lodging in the field are provided. Field teams are typically in Alaska for 8-10 weeks. Field work is conducted by 2-4 member teams in remote camps located at either Ugamak Island (eastern Aleutian Islands) or Marmot Island (central Gulf of Alaska). All personnel are expected to perform daily research duties as well as camp maintenance (chopping wood, hauling water, cooking, and compost toilet maintenance, etc.). Participants are required to stay for the duration of the field season and there are no crew changes. Field stations are remote, there are no other residents on the islands, and outside communication is limited (no cell phone coverage and no email). Researchers live in small shelters at the various sites with no running water or electricity. Field stations are accessible only by ship or helicopter. Each camp is staffed with one field camp leader and 1-2 assistants. The camp leader serves as the senior person in the camp and generally has previous experience on this project. Field camp leaders are responsible for field camp logistics and maintenance, ensuring that research goals are met and that safety protocols are followed, ensuring that all data is entered and edited during the season, the return of field equipment and supplies, and producing an annual report at end of field season. Under the guidance of a field camp leader, field camp assistants help with camp preparation, data collection, data entry and editing, and field gear inventory and packing. All team members maintain a safe working environment for field personnel, participate in daily camp maintenance and operation, and assist with the return of field equipment and supplies at the end of the season. _Research Duties_: Research is conducted outdoors 7 days per week, often in inclement weather. Temperatures at field sites can range from 35 to 85 degrees. Fog, wind, and rain are common, with occasional snow early in the season. Candidates should be prepared to hike (> 5 miles) with a large, heavy daypack, over rough and uneven terrain, steep slopes, rocky ledges, and have no fear of heights or flying in helicopters. Observation stations are located on the edge of cliffs or overlooks above the sea lions. Observers will be expected to use binoculars and spotting scopes for long periods of time and be able to recognize markings or brands on sea lions. /There is generally no animal handling during field camp operations./ Sea lions should be unaware of the presence of biologists. Candidates should be in excellent physical condition with no pre-existing health problems such as heart disease, severe allergies, depression, debilitating asthma or other ailments that will compromise their health, the health and safety of others in the camp, or the completion of research duties. _Minimum Qualifications_: Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have an education in a biological science. A Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field with previous field experience is highly recommended. Field work, employment, or life experience in very remote settings particularly in Alaska or other cold, wet climate regions is preferred. The ability to work well in a team and independently, with good communication and problem-solving skills is mandatory. Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions and data protocols is mandatory. Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and relational database programs such as Access is highly recommended. Current First Aid and CPR certification is required. Wilderness First Aid is highly recommended and candidates will be given extra consideration with this certification. _Application Deadline_: March 1, 2011 Please submit a cover letter and resume with employment history, education history, and the names and contact information (email and phone numbers) of three work-related references to both contacts listed below. Applicants not meeting qualification criteria or who submit incomplete applications will not be considered. Calinda "Cal" Goo Aquatic Farms, Ltd. 49-139 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, HI. 96744 (808) 239-2929 FAX: (808) 239-8436 officeafl(a)hawaii.rr.com <mailto:officeafl@hawaii.rr.com> And Kathryn Chumbley: Kathryn.Chumbley(a)noaa.gov

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