March 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

6th Triennial Conference on Secondary Adaptation of Tetrapods to Life in Water San Diego June 6-10, 2011
by Annalisa Berta 18 Apr '11

18 Apr '11

This email serves as a second notice and reminder for the Sixth Triennial Conference on Secondary Adaptation of Tetrapods to Life in Water, June 6-10, 2011, San Diego, CA. If you have registered all ready, you should have received an email confirmation, and you can disregard this message. Please note that the early registration, abstract submission, and on-campus (dormitory) lodging accommodation deadline is April 1, 2011 (two weeks from this Friday). Be aware that you must register for the meeting in order to reserve on-campus lodging accommodations. If you plan to stay on the San Diego State University campus, please sign-up for those accommodations at the same time that you register (you will be asked to pay for a second registration if you return at a later date). Registration and abstract submission for the conference is at the following web address (register online): http://www.sdnhm.org/satlw/ The conference is open to all scientists (student and non-student alike) who are engaged in research on tetrapods that are secondarily adapted to life in the water. At the conference website (http://www.sdnhm.org/satlw/) you will be able to register for the conference, reserve on-campus (dormitory) lodging accommodations, and submit an abstract (for either an oral or poster presentation). The deadline for each of those activities is April 1, 2011 (the registration fee increases after that date). Information for off-campus lodging options can be found on the website, as well, but those arrangements must be made on your own. Additional information will be sent to registrants as the conference approaches. If you have questions or require more information, please contact a member of the San Diego host committee – Annalisa Berta (aberta(a)sunstroke.sdsu.edu) Tom Deméré (tdemere(a)sdnhm.org) and Eric Ekdale (eekdale(a)sdnhm.org) We all look forward to seeing you in June! Sincerely, Eric G. Ekdale Postdoctoral Research Fellow Department of Paleontology San Diego Natural History Museum "Your Nature Connection" Phone: 619.255.0301 Website: http://www.sdnhm.org Email: eekdale(a)sdnhm.org Mailing Address: P.O. Box 121390, San Diego, CA 92112-1390, USA Street Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

1 1

Seabirds as marine mammal food
by Trevor Haynes 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

Seabirds as prey… A few years ago I posted on the MARMAM listserv inquiring whether people had any sightings to share of incidental or targeted take of seabirds by marine mammals. The response was extremely interesting and insightful. There was a concurrent conversation on the Pacific Seabird Listserv discussing this same topic. People on that listserv were very interested and surprised to hear how often seabirds, considered by most to be “top predators”, ended up as prey for marine mammals. Discussions ranged from humpback whales incidentally ingesting seabirds while feeding on fish to killer whales targeting rafts of seabirds. The PSG listserv even ventured into stories of seabirds being taken by predatory fishes and there was even the odd story about a squid and also an octopus targeting unwary seabirds. Based on the interest on the topic generated on both listservs, we are trying to compile these anecdotes, as well as the limited published data, and document them in a manuscript. Once compiled, we can share these accounts with those who are interested. I would be grateful to hear more anecdotes for those who have them so please share your stories! Detailed accounts (location, date, photo, sample collected? etc.) are excellent but less detail oriented stories are also welcome as they often contain leads to more detailed accounts, and are just plain interesting! Thank you to those who have shared their notes and stories already! Cheers, Trevor Trevor Haynes School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220 Phone: 907-474-2486 http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/people/profile.php?uid=2780

1 0

Dr. Paul C. Etter teaching Underwater Acoustics 201
by Val Travers 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

Featured Course: Underwater Acoustics 201, April 25-26, 2011 (Laurel, MD) http://www.aticourses.com/underwater_acoustics_201.htm Register here: https://aticou.sslcert19.com/pre-registration.asp You are receiving this email at the suggestion of Dr. Paul C. Etter, who believes you may be interested in this course. Summary: This two-day course explains how to translate our physical understanding of sound in the sea into mathematical formulas solvable by computers. It provides a comprehensive treatment of all types of underwater acoustic models including environmental, propagation, noise, reverberation and sonar performance models. Specific examples of each type of model are discussed to illustrate model formulations, assumptions and algorithm efficiency. Guidelines for selecting and using available propagation, noise and reverberation models are highlighted. Demonstrations illustrate the proper execution and interpretation of PC-based sonar models. Each student will receive a copy of Underwater Acoustic Modeling and Simulation by Paul C. Etter, in addition to a complete set of lecture notes. Instructor: Paul C. Etter has worked in the fields of ocean-atmosphere physics and environmental acoustics for the past thirty-five years supporting federal and state agencies, academia and private industry. He received his BS degree in Physics and his MS degree in Oceanography at Texas A&M University. Mr. Etter served on active duty in the U.S. Navy as an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Officer aboard frigates. He is the author or co-author of more than 180 technical reports and professional papers addressing environmental measurement technology, underwater acoustics and physical oceanography. Mr. Etter is the author of the textbook Underwater Acoustic Modeling and Simulation (3rd edition). Why ATI? Applied Technology Institute (ATI) specializes in short course professional development seminars in space, communications, defense, sonar, radar, and signal processing. Since 1984, ATI has provided leading-edge public courses and on-site technical training to defense and NASA facilities, as well as DOD and aerospace contractors. ATI courses provide a clear understanding of the fundamental principles and a working knowledge of current technology and applications. World-class design experts lead courses. To register call toll free 1-(888) 501-2100, locally (410) 956-8805, or click on this registration link https://aticou.sslcert19.com/pre-registration.asp Val Travers Applied Technology Institute, Course Coordinator ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ www.ATIcourses.com Phone: 410-956-8805 / 888-501-2100 Fax: 410-956-5785 CLICK BELOW To Receive ATI's FREE Monthly Newsletter! http://www.aticourses.com/email_signup_page.html E-mail sign up: http://www.aticourses.com/email_signup_page.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 0

DCL 2011 Workshop reminder
by sara.heimlich 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Abstract submission deadline is April 18, for the 5th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics, 22-25 August 2011 at Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood, near Portland, Oregon, USA. Immediately preceding the workshop, on Aug. 21, will be two tutorials presented in parallel: Introduction to Detection, Classification, and Localization (DCL) and Introduction to Density Estimation (DE). The last day (Aug. 25) will be a session on acoustic line- and point-transect density estimation (Distance Sampling), organized by Jay Barlow. For more details, see http://www.bioacoustics.us/dcl.html We encourage you to submit relevant abstracts for poster and oral presentation. See on-line instructions for submitting abstracts. We also encourage you to register soon and take advantage of early registration rates, which end on June 22, 2011. -- Sara Heimlich CIMRS/OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Newport, OR. 97365 (541) 867-0328 office (541) 961-1737 cell

1 0

Density Estimation at Acoustic DCL Meeting
by Dave Mellinger 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

This is forwarded from Jay Barlow <Jay.Barlow(a)noaa.gov>: I am coordinating a session on acoustic line- and point-transect density estimation (Distance Sampling) at the upcoming workshop on Acoustic Detection, Classification, and Localization at Mt. Hood, Oregon. The meeting is 22-25 Aug. The last day (Aug. 25) will be dedicated to presentations specific to density estimation, the use of acoustic data to estimate population density. For more details, see http://www.bioacoustics.us/dcl.html I encourage you to submit relevant abstracts for posterand oral presentation by the deadline date (April 18). See on-line instructions for submitting abstracts. Jay

1 0

New website on ship strikes
by Fabian Ritter, MEER e.V. 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Dear fellow marmamers! A New website on ship strikes on M-E-E-R.org went online today It is well known that the number of ship-whale collisions ("*ship strikes*") is increasing worldwide. Several whale populations are threatened by extinction due to the high numbers of animals being killed by ship strikes. But collisions pose a *serious risk to both cetaceans and humans*. Now, a new website (category) is available at www.m-e-e-r.org <http://www.m-e-e-r.org>is dedicated to the issue of ship strikes. Detailed background information about the topic is presented, including latest scientific results and recommendations. How do collisions occur? Which types of ships and which cetacean species are involved? How can ship strikes be avoided? These *questions shall be answered*, as far as scientific evidence and current knowledge allows it. The special case of the Canary Islands (where sperm whales are hit regularly) will be highlighted, and also the case of collisions between sailing vessels and cetaceans. We want to give an overview of the issue, highlight possible solutions and present recommended procedures to decision-makers. Finally, you can find information on the sources used, which will enable you to further investigate the topic. We hope that this new information pool will be helpful to scientists as well as authoriteies and all others interested in this pressing topic. Please follow this link to visit the website: http://m-e-e-r.de/news.0.html?&L=2 <http://m-e-e-r.de/news.0.html?&L=2> Best greetings, Fabian Ritter Best greetings, Fabian Ritter -- Fabian Ritter -President- M.E.E.R. e.V. Bundesallee 123 D-12161 Berlin T/F: (0)30-644 97 230 e-Mail: info(a)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)

1 0

Information request regarding bubble use during prey capture by false killer whales or bottlenose dolphins‏
by jochen zaeschmar 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Dear all, During a recent encounter with a mixed species group of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, we observed the use of bubbles to coral a school of fish into a 'bait ball'. While we are aware of the use of bubbles by bottlenose dolphins in a social context, a preliminary literature search revealed only one case of bubble use during prey capture for the species (Fertl & Wilson 1997). Additionally, we have not been able to find any reference to the use of bubbles during prey capture by false killer whales. We are looking for any missed publications or observational records for such behaviour by either of the two species. Furthermore, any unpublished records or additional information would be greatly appreciated and appropriately cited and acknowledged. Please forward all responses directly to Jochen Zaeschmar at jzaeschmar(a)hotmail.com Kind regards in advance for any assistance you can offer. Jochen Zaeschmar MSc Candidate Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore City 0745 Auckland New Zealand Tel: +64 (0) 9 414 0800 EXT 41520 Mob: +64 (0) 274 592154 Fax: +64 (9) 443 9790 Email: jzaeschmar(a)hotmail.com http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz

1 0

Competitive Grants from the Oiled Wildlife Care Network
by Emily Whitmer 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN), a collaborative program between the CA Department of Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) and the Wildlife Health Center at the University of California at Davis¹ School of Veterinary Medicine, is currently seeking research proposals from wildlife professionals interested in furthering OWCN goals for the 2011 2012 funding period. In particular, proposals investigating the direct and indirect effects of oil on wildlife, baseline biomedical studies and improvements to oiled rehabilitation techniques are strongly encouraged. > > A maximum of $250,000 is available for proposals and projects may be > multi-year in nature; however, annual application, provision of complete and > timely progress reports, and competitive review are required. For projects > requesting $10,000 or less for a single year, the pre-proposal will suffice as > the complete application. For investigators requesting greater than $10,000 > or for multiple years of support, should the pre-proposal be favorably > reviewed, a full proposal will be required. > > Parties interested in seeking funding should submit a pre-proposal to the > Wildlife Health Center by post or e-mail no later than 5:00 pm (PST) on 6 May > 2011 (Pre-Proposals) or 29 July 2011 (Small Grant Proposals) (Note: this is > not a postmark deadline). Late pre-proposals, or pre-proposals not adhering to > this format, will not be reviewed. > For a detailed description of grant guidelines, proposal format and the review process, please visit the OWCN's website athttp://www.owcn.org/research/competitive-grants-program. If you have questions, please contact call Lavonne Hull at lwhull(a)ucdavis.edu or at (530) 752-3854.

1 0

Dolphin Research Internship, Charleston, SC
by Todd Speakman 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

NOAA's Cooperative Center for Marine Animal Health (CCMAH) is recruiting to fill two dolphin photo-identification internship positions for the fall of 2011. The positions are at the NOAA National Ocean Service Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina and will involve a commitment of 20 hours per week extending over a 15 week period from September 12, 2011 to December 16, 2011. There is some flexibility in these start and end dates. The CCMAH will be conducting boat-based photo-identification (id) and remote biopsy surveys of Western North Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in estuaries and near-shore waters of South Carolina to investigate relationships between stress/reproductive hormones and environmental factors.Interns will assist with laboratory activities such as data entry and photo-analysis and will participate in boat-based fieldwork. The internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in photo-id methodology and analysis under the mentorship of experienced dolphin researchers. There is no compensation for this position, and interns will be responsible for their own living expenses and transportation to and from the laboratory. There may be travel involved for some components of the fieldwork, which will be paid for by the laboratory. Ideal applicants will be advanced undergraduates or recent graduates of a scientifically-oriented university program in marine science, biology or a related field. Preference will be given to applicants with well-developed computer skills and boat-based field experience. The internship application consists of a letter of interest, transcripts of university coursework and two letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors who are familiar with applicant's scholarship, research skills and work habits. Interested applicants should first correspond with Todd Speakman by email (Todd.Speakman(a)noaa.gov <mailto:Todd.Speakman@noaa.gov>) before preparing and submitting application materials. We anticipate filling this internship position by the first week of June, 2011.

1 0

Summer classes developing careers working with marine mammals
by Jenifer Zeligs 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

I would be grateful if you could make the following class posting available to your subscribers. With gratitude, Jenifer Zeligs, Ph.D. California State University Monterey Bay and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories *http://slewths.mlml.calstate.edu/*<http://slewths.mlml.calstate.edu/>offer one-week intensive *summer classes* open to any individuals interested animal training or in pursuing careers in the marine mammal field. In addition, *hands-on internships** *for people of all ages and levels of experience are also available at the lab working with marine mammals. The successful completion of both courses and a five-day internship will earn a *Certificate of Completion in Beginning Marine Mammalogy. *The classes' instructor, Dr. Jenifer Zeligs has over 30 years of terrestrial and aquatic animal training experience, across diverse disciplines including research, public display, and studio and film work. For further information on class content and registration please contact: jzeligs(a)mlml.calstate.edu <jhurley(a)mlml.calstate.edu> and see below. For help with internships and housing please contact: sskrovan(a)mlml.calstate.edu. *Classes: **TECHNIQUES AND THEORIES OF ANIMAL TRAINING: Bio 348 *(July 11-17, 2011) CRN 30146, Section 01 *: *This 3 credit interactive course provides students an in-depth understanding of the discipline of animal training across many different types of terrestrial and aquatic animals and techniques. It provides an exceptional background in relevant animal behavior and psychological principles related to the practical goal of modifying animal behavior. These techniques will be demonstrated daily using trained sea lions at Moss Landing Marine Labs where the course is taught. Horses, birds, and other animals will also be used to demonstrate these techniques. Students will intern at least one day at the lab assisting in the care and training of research-trained sea lions. Topics covered will include:* *Captivity, Why Train? Communication, Motivation, Desensitization, Aggression, and Practical Training. Tuition: $585 + $39 campus fee per semester is payable to CSUMB-EE. An additional $50 lab fee is payable to MLML on the first day of class. *WORKING WITH MARINE MAMMALS: Bio 347 *(July 25-31, 2011) CRN 30145, Section 01*: *This 3 credit course is designed to assist people who are interested in developing a career in marine mammalogy. It will provide practical information about marine mammals and working with them, drawing on the rich background of marine mammal work in the Monterey Bay area. The course will include live experiences with the marine mammals at Moss Landing Marine Labs. This class will instruct students in captive marine mammal husbandry (care and maintenance), training, basic physiology, an overview of common research topics and techniques, as well as public display, education, and current issues in marine mammalogy. Students will intern at least one day at the lab assisting in the care of research-trained California sea lions. They will also gain experience in developing a resume, job interviews, and public presentations. Tuition: $585 + $39 campus fee per semester is payable to CSUMB-EE. An additional $50 lab fee is payable to MLML on the first day of class. (If you book both classes- you will pay the $39 campus fee only once). *Registration: *For registration, enrollment and other logistical information please contact Cal State Monterey Bay *http://extended.csumb.edu/*<http://extended.csumb.edu/>or call them at 831-582-4500. Attached you will find a registration form which can be mailed in asap to guarantee your space and enrollment (instructions are on the form). *Enrollment details and housing*: *Enrollment for each class limited to 17*. *Summer registration for open enrollment begins May 2, 2011*, but you can send in your enrollment form early to reserve your space. The classes are open for enrollment to *any high school graduate* regardless of age and there are no prerequisites, however no transportation or housing is included in the enrollment price. International students are welcome. For help with housing and *to schedule an internship* please contact sskrovan(a)mlml.calstate.edu <sskrvoan(a)mlml.calstate.edu>. Courses will be taught at Moss Landing Marine Labs in Moss Landing, CA. -- Jenifer Zeligs, Ph.D. Science and Environmental Policy, California State University Monterey Bay Director of SLEWTHS Science Learning and Exploration With The Help of Sea lions Moss Landing Marine Laboratories 8272 Moss Landing Road Moss Landing, CA 95039 v: (831)-771-4191 fax:(831)-632-4403 http://slewths.mlml.calstate.edu/ http://www.animaltraining.us/

1 0