July 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

translation into Portuguese
by Vic Cockcroft - CDS 04 Jul '11

04 Jul '11

Hello Marmammers Firstly, I'd encourage you all to look at our new web site www.dugongs.org it details our efforts to conserve what we think is the last viable dugong population in the Western Indian Ocean. We'd welcome your comments. One of the focuses of this work is to provide alternate livelihoods for local fishers, to attempt to wean them from using gill-nets - the major cause of dugong mortality. As this is a major tourist area, one of our approaches is to develop community based tourism, both eco and cultural. But, many of the tourists visiting Mozambique are Portuguese, and we need questionnaires translated into Portuguese. Are there any Portuguese (Brazilian) speaking marine mammalogists out there willing to help and translate for us??? Your suggestions would be welcome also. We'd really appreciate your help. Please contact me if you are. Vic Cockcroft info(a)dugongs.org Centre for Dolphin Studies Dugongs Western Indian Ocean Dr. V.G. Cockcroft P.O. Box 1856, Plettenberg Bay South Africa. 6600. Phone 27 (0)44 532 7954 Fax 27 (0) 865158319 Mobile/Cell: 27 (0)83 655 6902 www.dolphinstudies.org www.dugongs.org SKYPE: C.D.S.1 This message (and any associated files) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom addressed. It may contain information that is confidential or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, please don't disseminate, copy or distribute this message, or associated files. If you have received this message in error, please notify us and delete it from your computer.

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workshop on science and conservation of Hawaiian odontocetes prior to SMM Tampa meeting
by Robin Baird 04 Jul '11

04 Jul '11

There will be a one-day workshop on Science and Conservation of Hawaiian Odontocetes to be held on Saturday November 26, 2011 in Tampa, Florida, prior to the Society for Marine Mammalogy 19th Biennial Conference. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together scientists, managers and other interested parties involved with odontocete research, conservation and management efforts in Hawaiian waters to discuss current findings, planned research, and management strategies. Although focused geographically on Hawai'i, this workshop will be relevant to researchers and managers working in other island ecosystems and to those studying tropical odontocetes throughout the world. Pre-registration can be done through the SMM website at http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… If you are interested in presenting at this workshop, abstracts will be due September 7, 2011. Please submit a 300 word abstract following the SMM abstract guidelines to the workshop organizers (e-mail addresses below), with preference noted for talk or poster. Please note whether the abstract will also be presented at the SMM and in which format (talk or poster). If you have a poster presentations accepted for the SMM it can also be presented at this workshop, although depending on the number of abstracts submitted talks to be presented at the SMM should not be presented at the workshop. There will be a registration fee to cover costs for AV, a continental breakfast, and two coffee breaks. The exact fee has not yet been determined but will not exceed $50/person. This workshop is co-organized by Robin Baird of Cascadia Research Collective and Erin Oleson of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. For more information contact Robin Baird at rwbaird(a)cascadiaresearch.org<mailto:rwbaird@cascadiaresearch.org> or Erin Oleson at Erin.Oleson(a)noaa.gov<mailto:Erin.Oleson@noaa.gov> ============================================================================= Robin W. Baird, Ph.D. Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, WA 98501 USA www.cascadiaresearch.org<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/> Follow Cascadia on facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cascadia-Research-Collective/110495958982184>

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new publication on Cuvier's beaked whale natural marking
by massimiliano rosso 04 Jul '11

04 Jul '11

Please post to MARMAM Dear MARMAM colleagues, The following paper has been published in African Journal of Marine Science: Rosso, M., Ballardini, M., Moulins, A., Wurtz, M., Natural markings of Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris in the Mediterranean Sea. African Journal of Marine Science, 33(1), 45-57. DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2011.572336 ABSTRACT: Errors in analysis using natural marks have been recognised since the early development of mark-recapture techniques. In this nine-year study, the mark types present on Cuvier’s beaked whales Ziphius cavirostris in the Mediterranean Sea were categorised in order to assess the reliability of natural marks for long-term photo-identification studies. Mark prevalence, abundance and gain/loss rates among age/sex classes were investigated. Results showed that Cuvier’s beaked whales were extensively marked (96% of population; mean = 48 marks per individual, range 0–169), with up to 10 different mark types. However, only five mark types should be considered reliable: notch, large scar, back indentation, medium scrape and large stripe. Marks caused by intraspecific interaction were the most abundant and prevalent mark types. In high-quality photographs, 71% of the population was reliably marked, but reliable marks were unevenly distributed within the population and their prevalence appeared to be strongly correlated to age and sex of individuals. The gain rate of scrapes that could be used reliably for identification was six times higher in mature males than females of the same age. This was the case for mature as well as immature males, suggesting that aggressive interaction among males may start early in their life, before reaching maturity. This difference between sexes may cause an over-representation of males in a typical photo-identification database, especially among immature individuals. PDF copy can be downloaded from the journal website: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/1814232X.2011.572336 or you can request a copy by emailing: massimiliano.rosso(a)cimafoundation.org Best Regards, Massimiliano ----------------------------------------------- Massimiliano Rosso, PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow CIMA Research Foundation Savona Campus via Magliotto 2 - 17100 Savona Italy +39 019 230 271

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Marine Mammal and Wildlife Data Coordinator
by Nick Robinson 04 Jul '11

04 Jul '11

The Marine Wildlife Department continues its incredible expansion and increased expertise in this specialist area of our business. It offers a range of services including consultation of methodology and procedures, implementation of monitoring and mitigation measures for a range of industries and countries and comprehensive project reporting service. We are seeking to add to the team numbers and expertise in the following role; MARINE WILDLIFE REPORT AND DATA COORDINATOR Reporting to the Marine Wildlife Business Manager, you will responsible for the collation of data (Marine mammal, seabird other marine Wildlife) relating to fieldwork carried out for particular marine wildlife projects. You will work closely with project managers, wildlife observers and marine scientists to ensure the production and delivery to tight time deadlines of a quality, accurate report to agreed client specifications. Reports are produced in Microsoft Word and PDF formats and also as a hard copy. The ideal candidate must be confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. It would also be beneficial if you have experience of using and understanding Adobe Acrobat, Surfer, ArcGIS and Matlab. Ideally you will be of degree calibre or equivalent, and demonstrate a sound knowledge of the marine environment with both a scientific and commercial awareness. You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to gain and process complex information, present that information clearly and concisely and think logically, critically and decisively. This is an office based position in Great Yarmouth however you may be required to undertake occasional travel around the world. To apply for this role, please send your CV and cover letter to Robert Rae, Group Recruitment and Training Coordinator at recruitment(a)gardline.com<mailto:recruitment@gardline.com> or via the careers section of our website www.gardlinemarinesciences.com<http://www.gardlinemarinesciences.com/> Closing date: 11th July 2011 ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY - This e-mail and any attached files contain information that is confidential and/or may be subject of legal privilege, intended only for use by the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and preserve this confidentiality by deleting the message. No binding contract will result from this e-mail until and unless an officer, on behalf of the sender, signs a written document. Sender accepts no responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. Unless otherwise specifically stated any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the sender Company. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System, on behalf of the Gardline Group of Companies. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Field assistant opportunity: dolphin research in New Zealand, September 2011-April 2012
by Anna Meissner 02 Jul '11

02 Jul '11

KiaOra! Positions are open for volunteers to assist with bottlenose and common dolphin field surveys in the East Coast Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. PROJECT BACKGROUND: Growing interest in observing and swimming with free-ranging cetaceans has contributed to a rapid growth of dolphin-based tourism operations. The present study aims to assess the effects of interacting activities on common and bottlenose dolphin behaviour within the East Coast Bay of Plenty waters. DATES: September 2011-April 2012 LOCATION: Tauranga, East Coast Bay of Plenty, New Zealand FIELD WORK: A dedicated scientific team will be studying the behaviour and distribution of bottlenose and common dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. You can join our crew to learn environmental and behavioural data collection for cetaceans, help with photographic data collection and get basic marine navigation skills. Assistants are also expected to participate in data entry and database/catalogue maintenance duties. Surveys are conducted from a 5.5m research boat and from tourism boats. Surveys are carried out in the coastal waters of the East Coast Bay of Plenty, starting from Tauranga. Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills (GIS, data analysis, photo-ID). PREREQUISITES: · Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means office based work during bad weather and long consecutive days in the field when weather permits. · Be prepared to work long days with early start in a small vessel. · Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude. QUALIFICATIONS: · The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent grads and graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or related field · Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Access) + ArcGIS is required · Previous experience in survey techniques, and especially in marine mammal research is preferred but not required · Participants must be able to swim and should be comfortable working on boats · Boat operation experience is preferred but not required · Participants must be able to live and work well within a team of 3-6 people for extended periods of time. Due to the training required, applicants should be available for a minimum of 2 months, however all applicants will be considered. This is a volunteer position, so there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. However, help will be provided to find accommodation. Assistants will be responsible for travel to Tauranga and their own living expenses. Pick up from Auckland may be possible but will be dependent on arrival time. Applicants should email a letter of interest outlining relevant experience and motivation for participation, as well as a CV and the contacts for referees to Anna Meissner a.m.meissner(a)massey.ac.nz Thank you! Cheers, Anna ----------------------------------------- Anna M. Meissner PhD student Coastal-Marine Research Group Institute of Natural Sciences Massey University Private Bag 102 904 North Shore City, 0745 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: +64 9 414 0800 ext 41520 Cell: +64 22 603 6646 Fax: +64 9 443 9790 Email: a.m.meissner(a)massey.ac.nz Web: http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz -----------------------------------------

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New article on NZ fur seals
by Alastair Baylis 01 Jul '11

01 Jul '11

Dear colleagues, The following article was recently published on-line in Marine Mammal Science: Individual foraging site fidelity in lactating New Zealand fur seals: Continental shelf vs. oceanic habitats Baylis, A.M.M, Page, B., McKenzie, J. and Goldsworthy, S. A copy is available via the journal website, or upon request. Kindest regards Al Baylis al_baylis(a)yahoo.com.au www.falklandsconservation.com Abstract Wide-ranging marine central place foragers often exhibit foraging site fidelity to oceanographic features over differing spatial scales (i.e., localized coastal upwellings and oceanic fronts). Few studies have tested how the degree of site fidelity to foraging areas varies in relation to the type of ocean features used. In order to determine how foraging site fidelity varied between continental shelf and oceanic foraging habitats, 31 lactating New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) were satellite tracked over consecutive foraging trips (14–108 d). Thirty-seven foraging trips were recorded from 11 females that foraged on the continental shelf, in a region associated with a coastal upwelling, while 65 foraging trips were recorded from 20 females that foraged in oceanic waters. There were no significant differences in the mean bearings (to maximum distance) of consecutive foraging trips, suggesting individual fidelity to foraging areas. However, overlap in area and time spent in area varied considerably between continental shelf and oceanic foragers. Females that foraged on the continental shelf had significantly greater overlap in consecutive foraging trips when compared to females that foraged in oceanic waters (overlap in 5 × 5 km grid cells visited on consecutive trips 55.9% ± 20.4% and 13.4% ± 7.6%, respectively). Females that foraged on the continental shelf also spent significantly more time within the same grid cell than females that foraged in oceanic waters (maximum time spent in 5 × 5 km grid cells: 14% ± 5% and 4% ± 2%, respectively). This comparatively high foraging site fidelity may reflect the concentration of productivity associated with a coastal upwelling system, the Bonney Upwelling. Lower foraging site fidelity recorded by seals that foraged in oceanic waters implies a lower density/larger scale habitat, where prey are more dispersed or less predictable at fine scales, when compared to the continental shelf region.

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Recent publication: humpback whale in Sao Tome and Principe
by Inês Carvalho 01 Jul '11

01 Jul '11

Dear colleagues, The following paper has recently been published in African Journal of Marine Science: Carvalho I, Brito C, dos Santos ME, Rosenbaum HC. (2011). Waters of São Tomé: a calving ground for West African humpback whales? African Journal of Marine Science, 33(1): 91-97.doi: 10.2989/1814232X.2011.572353 Abstract: In the Southern Hemisphere, humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae feed in Antarctic waters during the austral summer and migrate to their breeding grounds in subtropical and tropical waters during the winter. Historical whaling records suggest that the Archipelago of São Tomé and Príncipe, located in the Gulf of Guinea, serves as a possible breeding ground. In order to investigate the temporal occurrence and group composition of humpback whales around São Tomé Island, annual surveys were conducted during the breeding season between 2002 and 2006. A total of 186 boat-based surveys took place during this period. Data collected during each sighting included geographical positions, group size, group composition and behavioural classifications. Of the 66 groups encountered, mother-calf pairs made up a large proportion (65.15%), followed by solitary individuals (15.15%). Mother-calf pairs were seen in the region into November and resights of identified animals indicate periods of occupancy that extended over three weeks. Few behaviours typically associated with mating activity were observed. Given the high percentage of mother-calf pairs, sometimes with very young calves, and the low frequency of mating activity, the waters of São Tomé may primarily serve as a calving and nursing or resting area for humpback whales. The article can be obtained from the journal website: http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajms or by contacting: icarvalho(a)amnh.org <https://webmail.amnh.org/src/compose.php?send_to=icarvalho%40amnh.org> Best regards, Inês Inês Carvalho, PhD student Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024-5192 USA http://research.amnh.org/users/gamato/ Associação para as Ciências do Mar Edifício ICAT, Campus da FCUL, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal

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