July 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Survey: Rate Ecosystem Health Research Priorities for Aleutian Islands
by Rachael Wadsworth 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Dear MarMam community, This email is being sent to people that may have an interest in the marine ecosystem of the Aleutian Islands in southwest Alaska. We apologize if you have already received this email through another email distribution list. This is an opportunity to rate ocean research priorities for Ecosystem Health in the Aleutian Island Region. Research priorities were suggested by stakeholders in an initial scoping process for an Aleutian Island Regional Marine Research Plan. Now, as the project is finalized, researchers are requesting participation from a broad range of interest groups to help assign importance scores to research categories and specific research/information projects. Your survey participation provides valuable feedback that could be used as a foundation for future ecosystem-based management plans. Please respond by *July 29, 2011*. Follow the link below, or copy/past the URL into your browser (please allow for approximately 30 minutes to complete this survey): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Ecosystem_Health Please contact the researchers below if you have questions regarding this project. Sincerely, Rachael Wadsworth (Fisheries Graduate Student, University of Alaska Fairbanks Fisheries Division, rwadsworth(a)alaska.edu) Dr. Keith Criddle (Ted Stevens Distinguished Professor of Marine Policy, University of Alaska Fairbanks Fisheries Division, kcriddle(a)sfos.uaf.edu)

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Darwin Initiatve: Films/Funding Opportunity
by Godley, Brendan 19 Jul '11

19 Jul '11

Dear MARMAM We have recently completed the a short film (in two languages) to publicize the Darwin Sustainable Artisinal Fisheries Initiative in Peru; a highly collaborative project lead by NGO Prodelphinus. English: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1/0/OhtVmUJ6hkY Spanish: http://www.youtube.com/universityofexeter#p/c/868210A42F3C27E1/11/jyQinupAq… Participatory work will quantify levels of bycatch of marine vertebrates (mammals, turtles and birds) and seek mitigation strategies within the extensive small scale fisheries in the country. The films details what I think is a near ideal "Darwin Initiative" project as well as outlining the salient features of the funding initiative. For those working in countries "Rich in biodiversity and poor in resources", the UK Government's Darwin Initiative constitutes a sizeable source of funding for medium sized projects that should be investigated (£80 million on 728 projects since 1992). For more information see http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/ All the best B Dr. Brendan J. Godley Associate Professor in Conservation Biology Centre for Ecology & Conservation University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus TR10 9EZ, UK Tel: +44 1326 371 861 http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/cec/ http://uk.linkedin.com/in/brendangodley http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ Editor-in-Chief, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/

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Job Posting
by Weise, Michael CIV ONR 322 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

Below is an announcement for two position at ONR within the Ocean, Atmosphere and Space Research Division. This position is for an Interdisciplinary (Mathematician/Physicist). One position will be Ocean Acoustics (OA), and the other will be shared with the Marine Mammal & Biology Program (MMB) - see website for program details: http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Progr… Therefore, please disseminate this announcement to qualified individuals that also have bioacoustics background and could support the MMB program. http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=100391664&JobTitle=Interdiscip… REMINDER: CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (Release authorized and approved by Margaret J. Mitchell, Director, Civilian Personnel Programs) Applications for the following position will be accepted thru 07/27/11 under the Merit Promotion (MP) hiring authority and Delegated Examining (DE). Position: Mathematician/Physicist, NP-1520/1310-IV (2 Positions) Salary: $103,536 - $155,550 per annum Location: Office of Naval Research, Ocean, Atmosphere and Space (OAS) Department, OAS, Sensing and Systems Division, Ocean Acoustics (Code 32), Arlington, VA Area of Consideration for MP: Current Permanent Federal Civilian Employees serving under Career or Career Conditional Appointment in Competitive Service, Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Reinstatement and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles Area of Consideration for DE: US Citizens and Non-Citizens Announcement # for MP: NE1-XXXX-04-4915304H059636 Announcement # for DE: NE1-XXXX-04-JB493312-DM DUTIES: The incumbent plans, evaluates, initiates, organizes, encourages, directs and coordinates basic and applied research, exploratory development, and advanced development projects which are essential to the Department of the Navy (DON) and Department of Defense in the broad areas of ocean acoustics. Specific technical and programmatic fields or applications include, but are not limited to mathematical modeling of acoustic propagation in a variety of ocean environments, design, planning, and execution of ocean acoustic field experiments, space-time array processing of variety of ocean acoustic data, and source localization/environmental parameter estimation using advanced acoustic data inversion techniques. The incumbent establishes goals, conceives, organizes, directs, and defends integrated science and technology programs designed to provide new and powerful capabilities for or to improve the performance of Navy and Marine Corps. The incumbent is expected to recognize promisi ng new scientific and technological concepts and findings in their infancy and to evaluate their feasibility for and applicability to DON missions. The incumbent explores and establishes the probable value of new technologies and identifies the most fruitful approaches for understanding costly and high-risk developmental efforts. As part of the planning process, the incumbent will be expected to participate in group endeavors involving many interested parties and perspectives in order to help establish future DON S&T needs and opportunities. QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the qualification requirements for the 1520 or 1310 occupational series in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Operating Manual. Selective Placement Factor: Knowledge and experience in the fundamental theories, concepts and current state-of-the-art research and/or technology development in fields related to ocean acoustics (e.g., mathematical modeling of acoustic propagation in a variety of ocean environments, design, planning, and execution of ocean acoustic field experiments, space-time array processing of ocean acoustic data, and source localization/environmental parameter estimation using advanced acoustic data inversion techniques). Failure to possess this factor will result in an ineligible rating. HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates should apply to this vacancy announcement at http://usajobs.gov. For additional assistance, you may contact Ms. Effie Neal, servicing HR Specialist by e-mail at effie.neal(a)navy.mil or by phone @ 703-696-0749. The Department of the Navy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. Michael J. Weise Marine Mammals & Biological Oceanography Program Office of Naval Research - Code 32 875 N. Randolph St. Arlington, VA 22203-1995 703.696.4533 office michael.j.weise(a)navy.mil http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Departments/Code-32/All-Progr…

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Protected Species Observer Positions Open
by Mary Jo Barkaszi 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

Protected Species Observers needed within the week. ***NOTE: This is a re-post with a corrected email address*** Location: Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA. Dredging project. Alternating day and night 12-hour shifts. Eight days on/Four days off. Day rate of 175.00-185.00 per day depending on experience and ability to write professional reports. Expected project time length: 70 days. Must be US citizen. Must have TWIC card. Lodging provided. Meals not provided when not on dredge. Daily transportation to and from hotel & work site required. Please send pdf or MS WORD resume with a list of observation experience, email addresses for 3 references and TWIC card number to: office(a)ecoes.com <employment(a)ecoesinc.com>

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acoustician job posting
by Jobs.Ocean.Associates 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

Ocean Associates, Inc. is seeking candidates for a Marine Mammal Acoustician to work with the Cetacean Research Program at NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. This position is a full-time one year contract with the possibility of renewal based on job performance and availability of funding. Limited funds for travel to conferences, workshops, or field work are available. This position may include field work, including travel away from home for up to 2 months per year. The successful candidate will assist staff of the Cetacean Research Program with analysis of existing long-term autonomous datasets and with development and analysis of data from the new acoustic glider program. Opportunities for involvement with other passive acoustics projects, including towed array and fisheries monitoring, may also be possible. Job duties: 1. Analyze existing and incoming long-term acoustic datasets collected from the central and western pacific for baleen whale and odontocete occurrence and seasonality. Previous experience with classification, detection, or localization software is required. 2. Assist in maintenance and deployment of autonomous recorders, including instrument preparation, breakdown, and quality control of incoming datasets. 3. Assist in development of the acoustic glider program, including development of acoustic sampling protocols and analysis of collected acoustic and oceanographic data for assessment of cetacean occurrence, habitat, and abundance 4. Maintenance of acoustic datasets, including documentation of acoustic data quality, analysis effort, and archiving of data and analysis products. Minimum qualifications: * Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution * Two years experience with bioacoustic instrumentation, data processing, and analysis * The position requires access to Federal office buildings or ships and communication networks. Applicants must have US citizenship or right to work documents that do not expire during the contract period, combined with two years of US residency before the start of employment. * Able to pass government background security check, required for working within a government facility. Preferred qualifications: * Master's or PhD in oceanography, marine science, biology, or similar field * Five or more years experience in analysis of large volume, long-term datasets, evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed journals. Excellent employee benefits are provided including paid medical insurance, and holiday, vacation and sick leave. A complete application package includes recent CV detailing qualifications and experience with marine mammal acoustic datasets, and names and contact information for at least two professional references. Review of candidates will begin on August 1, 2011 and preference will be given to applicants that submit a full application prior to that date. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please email your resume to Jobs *at* OceanAssoc.com Use "5030 Acoustician" as the subject line. Include your name in any filenames. For your benefit, format documents as PDFs.

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Comprehensive list of Marine Mammal Environmental Education programs
by sahawks 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

> Dear colleagues, > > For the 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals > in Florida this year, there will be workshop offered which will > focus on marine mammal environmental education programs and the > effectiveness of the conservation information that is given to > audiences, participants and students. The all day workshop, Marine > Mammal Education and Conservation: Facts, Tools and Assessing > Impacts, will be a dynamic and informative program. > > One goal of the workshop is to provide a comprehensive list of all > the organizations worldwide that offer some level of marine mammal > environmental education. Below you will find a very preliminary > list of these organizations . If your organization offers marine > mammal programs, has a conservation message and is not listed > below, please let us know if you would like to be included. Also, > if you prefer not to be listed and are, please let us know that > too. The final list will be organized by country and include > websites and contact information. > > Please respond to Cyndee McInnis at cyndebierman(a)gmail.com > > > Kind regards, > > Jen Kennedy > Executive Director > Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation > 143 Pleasant Street > Portsmouth, NH 03801 > (603) 431-0260 > www.blueoceansociety.org > > > > Stefanie Hawks-Johnson > Executive Director > Marine Mammal Connection Society > marinemammalconnection.org > > > Cynde McInnis > Education Coordinator > Cape Ann Whale Watch > www.SeeTheWhales.com > > > > · East Coast > > · Blue Ocean Society- NH > > · Carolina Costal Discovery Marine Education Program- NC > > · MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium- FL > > · Dolphin Plus- FL > > · Western Suffolk Marine Education Program- NY > > · The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and > Preservation-NY > > · Atlantis Marine World- NY > > · Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation at Aquarium of > Nicaragua- NY > > · Marine Education Center and Aquarium- Georgia > > · Oceanic Society- MA > > · Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies- MA > > · Ocean Alliance- MA > > · Cape Anna Whale Watch- MA > > · Marine Sea Grant- ME > > · Marine Environmental Research Institute- ME > > · NOAA > > · Dolphin World > > · > > · West Coast > > · Alaska Sea Life Center- AK > > · Hatfield Marine Science Center- Oregon > > · Pacific Marine Mammal Center- CA > > · Aquarium of the Pacific- CA > > · Killer Whlae Tales > > · Save Our Shores- CA > > · California Coastal Commission Public Education Program- CA > > · Marine Education in Urban Settings- NOAA- CA > > · Marine Mammal Connection Society > > · The Marine Mammal Center- CA > > · Orca Network > > · The Whale Museum- WA > > · Middle > > · Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network- TX > > · Hawaii > > · Maui Ocean Center > > · Ocean Mammal Institute > > · Pacific Whale Foundation > > · The Dolphin Institute > > · Canada > > · Pacific Wildlife Foundation > > · Dolphins Plus > > · Pacific Marine Mammal Center > > · New England Aquarium > > · Mystic Aquarium > > · Brookfield Zoo > > · Discovery Cove > > · Disney’s Animal Programs at The Seas > > · The Dolphin Connection > > · Dolphin Quest Hawaii > > · Dolphin Quest Oahu > > · Dolphin Research Center > > · Georgia Aquarium > > · Shedd Aquarium > > · African Conservation Experience: Dolphin and Whale Research > Centre > > · Africa’s Ocean Safari’s > > · IFAW > > · Cetacean Alliance > > · Academic Treks > > · WESSA > > · Maraqua > > · DolphinCareAfrica > > · Whales Alive > > · WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society) > > >

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DCLDE workshop updates
by sara.heimlich 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

A PDF of abstracts and a description of the one-day tutorials are now online for the 5th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics. Unfortunately, early registration rates are no longer available. Current rates are as listed below. Registration will remain open, and late-comers can register on site during the workshop. *1-day tutorial (21 Aug.)*: $375 *DCLDE workshop (22-25 Aug.)*: $525 *DCLDE workshop single day (22-25 Aug)*: $265 *1-day tutorial and DCLDE (21-25 Aug.)*: $850 *Included in full registration fee*: * Breakfast, lunch and dinner for tutorial attendees, 21 Aug. * Breakfast, lunch and dinner, 22-24 Aug. * Breakfast and lunch 25 Aug. * Beverages during all breaks, 21-25 Aug. * Printed program * Online abstract book * Certificate of attendance; materials for instructional tutorial * Free wireless internet in the main lobby and main meeting rooms * Free parking * *Lodging and transportation are not included in registration fee!* For complete information, go to http://bioacoustics.us/dcl.html _*Don't forget to check on any VISA requirements you might have, if you are planning to attend!*_ -- Sara Heimlich CIMRS/OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Newport, OR. 97365 (541) 867-0328 office (541) 961-1737 cell

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Protected Species Observer Positions Open Immediately
by Mary Jo Barkaszi 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Protected Species Observers needed within the week. Location: Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA. Dredging project. Alternating day and night 12-hour shifts. Eight days on/Four days off. Day rate of 175.00-185.00 per day depending on experience and ability to write professional reports. Expected project time length: 70 days. Must be US citizen. Must have TWIC card. Lodging provided. Meals not provided when not on dredge. Daily transportation to and from hotel & work site required. Please send pdf or MS WORD resume with a list of observation experience, email addresses for 3 references and TWIC card number to: employment(a)ecoesinc.com

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SMM Biennial Workshop: How Modern Marine Mammals Evolved—Revelations from the Confluence of Genetics and Climate Change
by Susan Crockford 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

An afternoon workshop on How Modern Marine Mammals Evolved—Revelations from the Confluence of Genetics and Climate Change on Saturday November 26th, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. Cost US$26.00 per person (to cover cost of coffee, snacks & equipment rental), payable in advance via US/Canadian cheque or Visa/Mastercard. Aim to register by Oct. 15th (deadline for advanced registration and accepted presenters) but if space is available, we can accommodate late-comers until Nov. 15th or so. For details on agenda and payment & to express interest/receive workshop updates, contact Susan Crockford (sjcrock(a)shaw.ca) Registration is at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… A full description of the workshop is below, contact organizers (above) for detailed agenda available shortly. How Modern Marine Mammals Evolved—Revelations from the Confluence of Genetics and Climate Change Date and Time: Saturday November 26, 2011 1-5 PM How, when, and where did the modern assemblages of marine mammals come to be? Bringing together representatives from diverse disciplines and focusing on profound correlations between the studies, we begin to achieve a greater understanding of the timing and drivers of the radiation and speciation of marine mammals. For example: taking the coarse genetic timing of the emergence of the three right whale species (that is, the relative distance and order of emergence of the different forms), then using the known fossil evidence to establish presence in the different ocean basins, one overlays the Pleistocene climate oscillations and geophysical conditions to identify when and where the archaic forms of right whales moved into different ocean basins and began evolving into distinct forms. This approach is both timely and relevant: extreme climate changes in the Pleistocene and Holocene presented immense challenges to marine mammals around the world, yet defined the modern species assemblage. These challenges not only fundamentally changed the distribution of many marine mammal species, but also initiated the emergence of new species and geographical variations. Understanding how the cumulative effects of climatic and ecological changes during the Pleistocene climate fluctuations impacted marine mammal genera will help us better understand modern challenges and place those challenges in an adaptive, evolutionary context. This session will appeal to all researchers studying species diversity, radiation, and distribution from differing viewpoints including genetics, morphology, behavior, and paleontology, as well as those whose interests focus on habitat change, climate change, and/or evolution in general. We have put together a diverse panel representing recent and new studies regarding origins, speciation, diversity, radiation, and paleozoogeography of the right whale, bowhead whale, killer whale (orca), oceanic dolphins in general, Antarctic seals, Arctic ringed seal, northern fur seal, Steller's sea cow, sea otter, and polar bear. The presenters will cover topics in the fields of geology/geomorphology, paleontology, phylogenetics, mitogenomics, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, zoogeography, and archaeozoology. A panel discussion will follow and consider ways to explore other concepts and approaches, including (but not restricted to): 1) What can the correlations between molecular clocks and the magnitude and rate of climate change tell us about species emergence? 2) How do we fit morphological and behavioral diversity (including ecotypes) into genetic-based models of speciation and adaptation over time? 3) What other genera provide tempting opportunities to explore this notion in greater detail (Arctocephalus, Lagenhorhynchus, and Stenella, for example)? The panel will also discuss output the group might like to consider, such as a themed journal issue. Susan J. Crockford, Ph.D. (Zoology/Evolutionary Biology/Archaeozoology) Adjunct Professor (Anthropology/Graduate Studies) email: scrock(a)uvic.ca University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada AND Pacific Identifications Inc. (www.pacificid.com) 6011 Oldfield Rd., RR 3 Victoria BC V9E 2J4 phone (250) 721-7296 fax (250) 721-6215 email: sjcrock(a)shaw.ca **see my book website www.rhythmsoflife.ca **

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MSc opportunity - pinniped nutrition and bioenergetics
by rosen＠zoology.ubc.ca 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

We are seeking an outstanding, motivated MSc student to investigate aspects of nutrition and bioenergetics in pinnipeds. The student will enter the MSc program at the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia (in association with the Dept of Zoology). Their project will investigate the nutritional value of different prey items in captive Steller sea lions and northern fur seals (see http://www.marinemammal.org/research/nutstres.php) at the Marine Mammal Energetics and Nutrition Lab. The successful applicant will commence in Janaury 2012 and be supervised by Dr. David Rosen (primary) and Dr. Andrew Trites. Student support is available for the first year of studies, and we are looking for students who are likely able to secure independent support for their second year. Please contact Dave Rosen (rosen(a)zoology.ubc.ca) with a curriculum vitae, cover letter and an (unofficial) copy of your undergraduate transcript.

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