July 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Mammal Research Internship in Hawaii
by Robert Rankin 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

We are seeking performance-driven individuals for 4-6 month internships, during Fall 2011 & Winter 2012. Interns will work 35 hrs per week on a fixed schedule. The internship position is self-funded and will be based on Maui, Hawaii. Responsibilities include supporting a variety of research projects focusing on marine mammals. Primary responsibility will be office work and data entry to support data analysis efforts and publications. Each intern will be assigned to a specific project (with ancillary duties supporting field projects) according to skill set and availability. There will be some field work required as well. Some of the projects include: - Matching individual whales and to a large photo-ID catalogue of Hawaii and Australia whales, - Organizing and summarizing long-term marine mammals datasets, - Assisting in data analysis of ecological and oceanographic data, - Staffing a shore-based observation station to study whale behaviour, - Occasionally, interns will also assist the staff in other field projects as the need arises. Qualifications: a BS degree with experience in marine-related topics.Possess a mixture of experience in both field work and data-handling. Willingness to learn, be punctual, spend long hours in front of the computer. Willingness to spend long hours outdoors in the sun and wind. Superior organizational skills, self-direction and an eye for details. Excellent knowledge of MS Office software and data entry skills. Willingness to live on Maui at own expense for a period of time (housing is not provided, but interns may have the option of living in shared-dormitory quarters for an affordable price). A car while on the island is highly recommended as public transportation is unreliable. Applicants with little biology or marine expertise, but who possess outstanding skills in programming, statistical analysis, Geographic Information Systems, and databases will also be welcomed. Closing Date: 15 Aug 2011 Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and the names of three references to Dr. Daniela Maldini, at researchdirector(a)pacificwhale.org Mahalo! -- Robert Rankin Research Analyst Pacific Whale Foundation 300 Maalaea Road, Suite 211 Wailuku , HI 96793 Tel: (800) 942-5311 Local: (808) 249-8977 robertrankin(a)pacificwhale.org "Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it." - Brian Kernighan

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Vacany Announcement--Research Wildlife Biologist (Polar Bears)
by Karen L Oakley 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

The U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, is seeking applicants for a Research Wildlife Biologist position to lead a broad program of integrated research on the polar bear within the context of a rapidly changing arctic marine ecosystem. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in wildife ecology or a related field; experience as a Principal Investigator or Co-PI for wildlife ecology field studies; ability to analyze data in a modeling framework using statistical programming languages such as Matlab, SAS and/or R; and expertise in the biology and ecology of marine mammals, bears and/or polar bears. The position requires U.S. citizenship. This is a permanent position (subject to a one-year probation period for new federal employees) to be filled at the GS-13 ($83,472 - $108,512/year plus a 10.56% Cost of Living Allowance,) or GS-14 ($98,638-$128,227 year plus a 10.56% Cost of Living Allowance) level, with promotion potential to the GS-15 level. The position will be formally advertised on USAJOBS July 25-August 29, 2011. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Karen Oakley, USGS Alaska Science Center, Branch Chief, Marine & Freshwater Ecology, 907-786-7076, koakley(a)usgs.gov for information about the position and the application process. Thanks! KO ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Karen Oakley U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center Marine & Freshwater Ecology, Branch Chief 4210 University Dr. Anchorage, AK 99508 907-786-7076 907-786-7150 fax koakley(a)usgs.gov +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-id Fall Internship Position
by Jessica Weiss 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID Internship Position for Fall 2011 The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research (OBXCDR) is currently accepting applications for the 2011 fall/winter season. One volunteer internship position is available. The research season is October 9 – January 14. Successful applicants must be able to commit for the majority of the season. The Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the Outer Banks, NC. Our goal is to gain an understanding of the population size, movement patterns, and behavioral ecology of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the sounds and coastal waters near the Outer Banks. The OBXCDR currently conducts a photo-identification monitoring study of bottlenose dolphins in Roanoke, Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. Data is collected via dedicated small boat surveys as well as opportunistically from a local dolphin watch. This study is a continuation of the long-term study initiated in 1997. Information from the current long-term study will provide a basis for initiation of studies involving habitat utilization, social associations, and anthropogenic effects on the dolphins. Interns will gain experience in field data collection and photo-identification of dolphins in the field and lab. For more information about the OBXCDR, please visit: obxdolphins.org The internship position will consist of field research and photo analysis of bottlenose dolphin fin photos. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individual bottlenose dolphins based on dorsal fin characteristics, and the use of MS Access databases for archiving field data. Responsibilities include: • Photo-identification of dolphins in the lab, including photo sorting, grading, and matching, sighting data entry, assist in maintenance of long-term photo-id catalog using the MS Access database FinBase (75% of the time) • Assisting with boat-based photo-identification surveys of bottlenose dolphins, including operating small outboard vessel during surveys, collecting environmental, location, and behavioral data for dolphin groups, conducting focal follows to study habitat utilization and social associations (25% of the time) There is no compensation for this internship position and successful applicants will be responsible for their own living and transportation expenses during the internship. Although housing is not provided, we will assist you in finding housing accommodations in the Outer Banks. This internship requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week. The successful applicant would ideally have the following qualifications: • Minimum of 18 years of age and currently or recently enrolled in a college-level program in marine biology, biology, zoology, or related field • Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation • Ability to swim • Basic computer proficiency in MS Office Access • Enthusiasm, attention to detail, responsible, and works well on a team • Field research/small boat operation/boat trailering experience preferred but not required • First AID/CPR certification preferred but not required Application Process: Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references via email to:obxcdr@hotmail.com Use “Dolphin photo-id internship” in the subject line of the email. All applications will be reviewed; those received by August 1st will be given priority. Jessica Weiss Taylor Principal Investigator/Scientific Advisor Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research 7517 Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head, NC 27959

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Melon-headed whale paper published
by Phoebe Woodworth 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

A paper was published online today in the journal Marine Mammal Science documenting the use of offshore eddies by melon-headed whales. Satellite telemetry data retrieved from 10 melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands were examined in relation to ocean currents and mesoscale features obtained from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model Hawai‘i regional model. Statistical analysis showed that the majority of these whales that moved away from coastal Hawaiian waters moved into the convergence areas associated with both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, presumably for foraging purposes. A non-eddy-associated habitat southwest of the Hawaiian island of Ni‘ihau was also identified. This study provides a first look at melon-headed whales’ offshore habitat use and provides insight into possible pelagic foraging habitats for other cetaceans as well. This project was a collaborative study between researchers from Cascadia Research Collective, NOAA Fisheries Service, the Wild Whale Research Foundation, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and is part of a long-term study of the toothed whales and dolphins around the main Hawaiian Islands. A copy of the paper can be downloaded at www.cascadiaresearch.org or from the journal’s web site at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1748-7692/earlyview The authors of the paper are Phoebe Woodworth, Brad Hanson and Jeff Polovina from NOAA Fisheries Service, Greg Schorr, Robin Baird and Daniel Webster from Cascadia Research Collective, Dan McSweeney from the Wild Whale Research Foundation and Russ Andrews from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska SeaLife Center. The citation is: Woodworth, P.A., G.S. Schorr, R.W. Baird, D.L. Webster, D.J. McSweeney, M.B. Hanson, R.D. Andrews and J.J. Polovina. 2011. Eddies as offshore foraging grounds for melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). Marine Mammal Science doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00509.x. For more information on melon-headed whales in Hawaii see www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii/melonheadedwhale.htm For information on the study contact Phoebe Woodworth at phoebe.woodworth(a)noaa.gov or Robin Baird at rwbaird(a)cascadiaresearch.org

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ACS Whalewatcher Journal (Vol. 40, No. 1) KILLER WHALE: THE TOP, TOP PREDATOR
by Uko Gorter 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Whalewatcher Journal Killer Whale Issue Dear Marmam subscribers, The American Cetacean Society is proud to announce the full-color special killer whale issue of our ACS Whalewatcher journal (2011, Volume 40, No. 1). This issue is completely dedicated to killer whales. It is a thorough summary of the history of modern killer whale research, descriptions of the most significant findings unearthed along the way, and recent updates on what is currently known about killer whales. Richly illustrated with some never-before published photos, this issue also introduces two new common names for killer whale ecotypes for the first time. All of us at ACS are extremely grateful for Robert Pitman, who graciously accepted our invitation to serve as our guest editor. We also like to thank all authors, photographers, and illustrators who have contributed to this magnificent publication. Whalewatcher, journal of the American Cetacean Society, Volume 40, No. 1. Killer Whale: The Top, Top Predator In this issue: - An Introduction to the World’s Premier Predator - by R. L. Pitman - How Do We Study Killer Whales? – by J. Durban and V. Deecke - Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest Coast: From Pest to Paragon – J. K. B. Ford - Killer Whales in Alaskan Waters – by C. Matkin and J. Durban - North Atlantic Killer Whales – by A. Foote - Crozet Killer Whales: A Remote but Changing Environment – by C. Guinet and P. Tixier - Centerfold Plate of known Killer Whales Ecotypes and Forms – illustrated by U. Gorter - Antarctic Killer Whales: Top of the Food Chain at the Bottom of the World – by R. L. Pitman - Killer Whales of California – by A. Schulman-Janiger, N. Black, and R. Ternullo - Killer Whale Evolution: Ecotypes, Species, Oh My! – L. Barrett-Lennard - Predators, Prey, and Play: Killer Whales and Other Marine Mammals – by R. W. Baird - Killer Whale Conservation: The Perils of Life at the Top of the Food Chain – by L. Barrett-Lennard and K. Heise And more… To order you copy: Contact Kaye Reznick, American Cetacean Society, business manager. Email: acsoffice(a)acsonline.org Call: (310) 548-6279 Price: $ 11.00 within the U.S. $18 International (includes shipping & handling) Have your credit card number ready if you're calling. Or better yet, become an ACS member today! Note: We still have copies of our beaked whale, Phocoenid, and Cetaceans & Climate Change issues, available at $ 6.00 within the U.S. $11 International (incl. shipping & handling). Regards, Uko Gorter and Kaye Reznick (co-editors) American Cetacean Society P.O. Box 1391 San Pedro, CA 90733-1391 (310) 548-6279 www.acsonline.org Cheryl McCormick, Ph.D., Executive Director

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Workshop registration is now open-- 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Tampa, Florida)
by Cheryl Bonnes 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

*Workshop registration is now open-- 19th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals (Tampa, Florida) * *A total of 29 workshops will be convened on Saturday, 27 November 2011 and Sunday, 27 November 2011. Check the list on the conference website: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/workshops Space is limited, save your space by submitting a workshop registration form(s). Workshop registration fees (if applicable) are not included in conference registration and will be collected directly by each workshop organizer. For questions, please e-mail workshops(a)marinemammalscience.org. *Posted by Cheryl Bonnes (cheryl.bonnes(a)noaa.gov <mailto:cheryl.bonnes@noaa.gov>)

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Stranded whales - plastic ingestion
by Jo Ruxton 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Dear List Members I am producing a documentary film about plastic waste in the oceans, how it is affecting marine wildlife, entering the food chain and ultimately effecting human health. It is a challenge telling a story about plastic pollution and making it interesting for a wide audience so one of the ways we are doing this is to tell the story through some of the oceans' most charismatic wildlife. We have already filmed Blue whales off the southern coast of Sri Lanka and are heading to the Med next week to do more filming of cetaceans, working with the scientists there. One of the sequences we wish to film, and one that would drive the point home more than any narrative, would be filming a stranded whale that has ingested plastic. We keep hearing about them and indeed there was one in Normandy this week, but we need to be able to mobilise a cameraman in time. We do have access to crews around the world and it is highly likely we could have someone there in time to film the process and witness the very obvious cause of death. Would it be possible, through this network, to be contacted when a standing first happens? The film, Plastic Oceans - working title - will be shown in cinemas in early 2013 and after that on global TV networks . We are making it for the Plastic Oceans Foundation, which is a UK registered charity, all of the royalties etc will go to the Foundation and be used to fund further research, education and public awareness. If you are interested, please see our website www.plasticoceans.org I can be contacted by email joruxton(a)gmail.com or by phone on +44 7818 000863. Thanks very much for any help you can offer us. Jo Jo Ruxton Director Future Planet Foilms Producer Plastic Oceans (Working Titiel) +44 7818 000863

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Urgent: From USFWS re Proposed Manatee Protection
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Begin forwarded message: From: Chuck_Underwood(a)fws.gov Date: July 11, 2011 10:43:03 AM EDT To: Chuck_Underwood(a)fws.gov Subject: Public Comment submission re: Proposed Kings Bay manatee Refuge This e-mail serves as a courtesy reminder that, as noted in the Federal Register notice published June 22, 2011, public comments submitted via e-mail or fax will not be accepted.. You may submit comments on and/or information related to the Service's proposed designation of all of Kings Bay in Citrus County, FL as a year-round manatee refuge and the draft environmental assessment (EA) by one of the following methods: Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Enter Keyword or ID box, enter FWS-R4-ES-2010-0079, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the Search panel at the top of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the box next to Proposed Rules to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on "Submit Comments" U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2010-0079; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all information received on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide to us. If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire submission - including any personal identifying information - will be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this personal identifying information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov. Please note that comments submitted to this Web site are not immediately viewable. When you submit a comment, the system receives it immediately. However, the comment will not be publicly viewable until we post it, which might not occur until several days after submission. Copies of the Federal Register notice outlining our proposal and the draft EA are also available on our web site at http://www.fws.gov/northflorida Please make your comments as specific as possible and explain the basis for them. In addition, please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you reference or provide. In particular, the Service seeks comments concerning the following: The reasons why this area should or should not be designated as a manatee refuge, including information that supports the need for any changes; * Current or planned activities in the subject area and their possible effects on manatees; * Any foreseeable economic or other impacts resulting from the proposed designation; * Any substantive information on real or potential effects of the proposed manatee refuge on manatees; and, * Any actions that could be considered in lieu of, or in conjunction with, the proposed designation that would provide equivalent protection to the manatee against the threat of take. Please note that submissions merely stating support for or opposition to the proposed rule without providing supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in making a final decision, as the ESA and the Service's implementing regulations direct decisions be made "solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available." ******* Chuck Underwood Public Information Officer North Florida Ecological Services Office U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200 Jacksonville, FL 32256-7517 http:/www.fws.gov/northflorida

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Announcement: Establishment of the Australian Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammology
by Kylie Owen 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Announcement: Establishment of the Australian Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammology We are pleased to announce the establishment of the 1st Australian student chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy. A link to our website can be found on the SMM website. The objective of the chapter is to organise annual conferences where students from all over Australia can come to meet and network. It will give students an opportunity to present and discuss their research in a relaxed environment. Students can also join our facebook group where they can share ideas, start discussions and keep in touch. This year the chapter will be run by students from the Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory at the University of Queensland (Kylie Owen and Ailbhe Kavanagh) and Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (Kate Sprogis and Krista Nicholson) with the support of Professional Sponsor Dr. Rebecca Dunlop (University of Queensland). We are currently in the process of organising the 1st annual meeting of the SMM Australian student chapter to be held in Queensland in mid-2012. Please check our website for details coming soon. We would be keen to get expressions of interest from anyone who may wish to attend the conference. If you have any questions please contact: - Ailbhe Kavanagh (a.kavanagh1(a)uq.edu.au) - Kylie Owen (kylie.owen(a)uqconnect.edu.au) - Kate Sprogis (k.sprogis(a)murdoch.edu.au) - Krista Nicholson (K.Nicholson(a)murdoch.edu.au)

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SMM Biennial Workshop
by Moore, Katie 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

We would like to announce a workshop on Mass Stranding Response and research to be held at the Biennial this fall in Tampa, FL. Title: Cetacean Mass Stranding Response- protocols, data collection, and outcomes Many locations throughout the world experience mass strandings of cetaceans with varying frequency. Response goals, protocols, and outcomes are often dependant upon the species involved, existing stranding response infrastructure, and resources available. The goal of this workshop is to bring together mass stranding responders and researchers in order to share information that is otherwise available only anecdotally. A portion of the morning will be dedicated to selected speakers presenting on their agency's and/or group's response protocols, outcomes, and mass stranding-related research. In the afternoon, we will switch to a discussion format to allow greater networking and information sharing between attendees. Specific topic areas will include health assessment/ disposition decision-making, specialized equipment, post-release monitoring, and maximizing the science of stranding response. We will invite selected speakers, but any attendees wishing to present may contact the organizers with a proposed topic. The output of this workshop will be threefold: 1) establish relationships between mass stranding responders around the world to facilitate ongoing data sharing and support, 2) compile existing response protocols and related results (for those willing to share) into a reference document/field manual and 3) potentially develop working groups to address some of the more pressing or complex problems faced by mass stranding responders. If you are interested in attending please register online at: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=art icle&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=19 If you are interested in presenting your data, protocols, or innovative equipment designs, please email me at: kmoore(a)ifaw.org Kind regards, Katie Katie Moore | Manager | Marine Mammal Rescue and Research ___________________________________________________________ IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters 290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 tel. 1.508.744.2276 email. kmoore(a)ifaw.org mobile. 774.836.6167 stranding hotline. 1.508.743.9548 Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org <http://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

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