June 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Join a research survey in the Scottish Hebrides
by Gemma Cave 07 Jun '11

07 Jun '11

JOIN A RESEARCH SURVEY IN THE SCOTTISH HEBRIDES ***************************Exclusive opportunity*************************** The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust (HWDT) are recruiting participants to join a boat based research expedition off the west coast of Scotland, between the 27th June and 6th July @ just £500pp Itinerary Rendezvous location is Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. You will spend 10 days onboard, with 8 full days at sea on survey effort. Full training in survey methods will be provided before and during the research survey. The area surveyed will depend largely on recent sightings, weather and at the Skippers discretion. Departure from the vessel will also be from Tobermory. Research Aims The data collected by HWDT is vital for the effective monitoring of marine life within the survey area. Research methodology involves systematic line-transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring using a towed hydrophone. The data that HWDT gathers is used to estimate relative abundance, describe fine-scale spatial and temporal distribution, identify high-use habitats and monitor anthropogenic impacts. The visual and acoustic data collected during the research survey contributes to HWDT’s extensive dataset. HWDT works closely with conservation and management agencies to identify species and their habitats that are suitable for protection. Research Area A combination of complex water mixing and varied seabed topography, as well as the influence of the Gulf Stream, has resulted in the Hebrides being one of the most productive areas in Europe . However, despite the diversity of cetacean species in the region, management strategies allowing for the conservation of priority species have yet to be implemented. There are resident populations of bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and a small, unique pod of orca which frequent the area. Commonly sighted species are minke whales, common dolphins and basking sharks. Other wildlife regularly encountered includes grey and common seals, otters and numerous sea bird species. White-sided and white-beaked dolphins, Risso's dolphins and humpback whales have also been sighted from onboard Silurian. The Vessel Silurian, HWDT’s research vessel, has been owned and operated by HWDT since 2001, and was previously used in the filming of The Blue Planet. Large and sturdy, this is the perfect vessel for conducting scientific surveys in the Hebrides . She is 16 metres long and can sleep 10 people comfortably. There are three participant cabins in the forward section of the vessel. Each of these contains two berths and a small amount of storage space for personal belongings. There are two bathrooms onboard, crew quarters, a galley and a saloon. Participant Requirements and Duties This is an excellent opportunity for those who wish to gain experience in the field; invaluable if you wish to pursue a career studying cetaceans. Past experience isn’t a prerequisite, although would be favourable. Good eyesight and hearing is required to run an efficient survey, as is a good pair of sea legs. Participants will gain experience in marine mammal and seabird identification, visual and acoustic data collection including software use (Logger, PAMGUARD and Rainbow Click), photo identification training and the skills acquired from living and working aboard a yacht. The research expedition will involve early starts and late finishes, optimising the daylight hours available. Participant tasks are rotated on an hourly basis. All participants are required to help out with the day to day running of the vessel, sharing cooking and cleaning duties. Evenings will be spent anchored in a remote bay, where you may have the opportunity to venture ashore. In the event of foul weather, contingency activities will be provided. Date The survey will run from Monday 27th June – Wednesday 6th July. Cost Unfortunately the budget of this project is very limited so there is a fee of £500 to participate, strictly to cover boat expenses. This is a very exclusive offer, with the cost of participating usually a minimum of £1,000. Costs include accommodation (onboard Silurian), insurance while onboard the vessel and food. For more information, please contact Morven Summers: volunteercoordinator(a)hwdt.org or 01688 302620

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Provide input to U.S. National Ocean Policy, deadline July 2nd
by Jonathan Shannon 07 Jun '11

07 Jun '11

Good Morning MARMAM list serve Members, The National Ocean Council announced that the public will have until July 2nd to comment on the strategic action plan outlines <http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/sap/> for each of the nine objectives in the National Ocean Policy. Writing teams composed of representatives from the National Ocean Council agencies developed these outlines to provide an initial view as to how federal agencies might address the priority objectives. They are preliminary documents that serve as an early and valuable point in the plan development process for focusing public and stakeholder input. We encourage you to submit comments <http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/sap/comments> and ideas by the *deadline--July 2, 2011*. In addition to submitting comments online, you may participate in one of the *regional listening sessions* on the strategic action plan outlines. Those sessions are as follows: * *DATE, LOCATION, VENUE* * *June 9, 6:00pm-8:30pm* Washington, DC, Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery * *June 9, 4:00pm-9:00pm* Barrow, AK, North Slope Borough Offices * *June 10, *4:00pm-9:00pm** Anchorage, AK, Wilda Marston Theatre, Z. J. Loussac Library * *June 13, 1*:00pm-5:00pm** Chicago, IL, U.S. EPA Regional Headquarters * *June 15, 5:00pm-9:00pm* Jacksonville, FL, University of North Florida * *June 16, 1:00pm-4:00pm* Honolulu, HI, The Neal Blaisdell Center * *June 27, 11:30am-3:00pm* Exeter, NH, Exeter High School * *June 27, 5:00pm-8:30pm* Galveston, TX, Galveston Convention Center * *June 27, 8:30am-5:00pm* Ocean Shores, WA, Quinault Beach Resort and Casino * *June 30, 1:00pm-5:00pm* San Francisco Bay Area, CA, TBD/ / * *June 30, 10:00am-5:00pm* West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University * *July 1, Time TBD * Portland, OR, Portland State University We appreciate your support and participation in this process. -- Jonathan Shannon -- Jonathan Shannon NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr Outreach Specialist jonathan.shannon(a)noaa.gov

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Inter-species calf kidnapping/adoption in marine mammals
by Jeremy KISZKA 06 Jun '11

06 Jun '11

Dear colleagues, I am looking for published or unpublished records of inter-species calf kidnapping or adoption in marine mammals. I have a particular interest in associations between calf and adults of different species in delphinids. Indeed, several cases of spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) calf kidnapping or adoption were perpetrated by a Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin female in the lagoon of Mayotte (Mozambique Channel). I would be interested to know if other similar cases have been documented/observed in other areas, involving same or different species. Many thanks. Please contact me (jeremy.kiszka(a)wanadoo.fr) for any feedback. Jeremy Kiszka Jeremy Kiszka (PhD) Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) IRD-UMR 212 EME (Exploited Marine Ecosystems)& Université de La Rochelle. Lab. LIENSS (Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés). UMR 6250 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle. Institut du Littoral et de l'Environnement. 2 rue Olympe de Gouge. 17000 La Rochelle. Tel.: +33 (0)5.46.50.76.48; GSM: +33 (0)6.81.43.20.09. Skype: jeremy.kiszka

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Passive Acoustic Technician Training Workshop - Registration now open
by Julie Oswald 03 Jun '11

03 Jun '11

Bio-Waves, Inc. is pleased to announce that registration is now open for our Passive Acoustic Technician Training Workshop. The workshop combines theoretical instruction with hands-on demonstrations and training to give participants a working knowledge of passive acoustic monitoring hardware, software and data management. The goal of this training workshop is to provide individuals with the necessary tools and basic skills to prepare them for work as bio-acoustic field technicians. This five day workshop will be held at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, La Jolla, California from September 6 - September 10, 2011. To register or obtain more information, plase visit http://www.bio-waves.net/upcoming.html. Space is limited so we encourage participants to register early. This workshop provides information, materials and practical training related to the following subjects: -the physics of underwater sound -the uses and limitations of passive acoustic monitoring -instruction on the set-up, troubleshooting and repair of towed hydrophone arrays -software used to detect, localize and classify sounds produced by marine mammals -guidelines for effective acoustic data collection and management. At the conclusion of this intensive, hands-on workshop, participants will have gained a working knowledge of practical aspects of towed hydrophone array system design, maintenance and operations. Please contact education(a)bio-waves.net with any questions.

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Upcoming Large Whale Team Lead Position
by Michael Simpkins 01 Jun '11

01 Jun '11

The Protected Species Branch of NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA, will be recruiting a Research Ecologist/Zoologist ZPIV (equal to a GS-13 to 14), full-time permanent position to lead its Large Whale Team. The Large Whale Team Lead's primary role will be to lead NOAA’s North Atlantic large whale ecological research program. This research will focus on the population dynamics and ecology of large whales to better define critical habitat for whale species in the Northwest Atlantic and to provide guidance for NOAA managers on conservation topics such as designing protective measures to reduce gear interactions and ship strikes. The incumbent will design and direct studies of right whale ecology. The incumbent will also lead a number of other cooperative research projects, including our continuing research with the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary on right and humpback whales. A secondary responsibility of this position will be to assist in the development and implementation of short to long-term extramural research on large whale ecology in New England. The individual should have at least a MS in Biological Sciences (PhD preferred), experience leading small research teams, and experience publishing and presenting. Large whale or marine mammal experience is not a requirement. The formal announcement will be posted on USAJOBS (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov) in the next few weeks. The announcement, however, will likely be open only for 14 days or so, given NOAA's new expedited hiring schedule. This serves as advance notice of the upcoming opportunity, with the goal of providing interested candidates additional time to prepare application materials within USAJOBS. If you are interested in applying, consider entering your education and experience into the USAJOBS resume builder now, and gather your academic transcripts.

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Bryde’s whale relationship with ENSO and prey availability
by christian salvadeo 31 May '11

31 May '11

Hito all, The followingpaper just being published in English and Spanish, this paper shows evidence of the indirect effects of ENSO on cetaceans in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Make all requests to: chsalvadeo(a)yahoo.com.mx CJ Salvadeo, S Flores-Ramírez, A Gómez-Gallardo U, C MacLeod, D Lluch-Belda,S Jaume-Schinkel, J Urbán R.2011. Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the southwestern Gulf of California: Relationship with ENSO variability and prey availability. Ciencias Marinas, 37(2): 215–225 ABSTRACT. Interannual changes in the occurrence of Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) have been observed in La Paz Bay (southwestern Gulf of California, Mexico) over the last 20 years. We suggest that these changes could be driven by natural fluctuations in food resources that are related to climate variability. We compared monthly Bryde’s whale occurrence in La Paz Bay from 1988 to 2006 to climate variability at seasonal and interannual time scales and its effect on prey availability. The results showed that Bryde’s whales do not have a well-defined pattern of seasonal occurrence; however, large numbers of whales were consistently recorded during La Niña conditions when the Gulf of California sardine population is distributed further south within the gulf. In contrast, fewer whales were recorded during El Niño and neutral conditions. This indicates that changes in the occurrence of Bryde’s whales at La Paz Bay are driven by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation interannual variability and are probably mediated by their prey availability. Key words: climate variability, Pacific sardine, sardine distribution, cetacean occurrence.

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