September 2011 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New article about dolphins and acoustic deterrent devices
by Bruno Diaz 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to inform you of my last publication on bottlenose dolphins and acoustic deterrent devices. The following paper is now available online which describes the first practical attempt to assess the influence of an AHD on the behaviour of common bottlenose dolphins in association with a marine fin fish farm. Article title: A trial of acoustic harassment device efficacy on free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Sardinia, Italy Journal title: Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology Authorr: Mr. Bruno Diaz Lopez & Fernando MariñoDOI:10.1080/10236244.2011.618216 Abstract Acoustic harassment devices (AHDs) have been deployed to reduce the interaction between different marine mammals and fisheries in many areas. Despite field studies on some marine mammal species, there is a lack of information about their effectiveness on common bottlenose dolphins. The controlled exposure experiment described here is the first practical attempt to assess the influence of an AHD on the behaviour of free-ranging common bottlenose dolphins in association with a marine fin-fish farm. A total of 90.7 h were spent in direct observation of 55 groups of bottlenose dolphins along the north-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy). Activation of the AHD did not have a significant and immediate effect on bottlenose dolphins’ presence, distance from the AHD, group size or time spent in the fish farm area. The AHD alone did not effectively deter bottlenose dolphins, particularly when other motivating factors, such as food, were present. Thus, prior to further employment of AHDs, additional research in their effects on the marine environment is essential for coastal conservation and aquaculture management. If you are interested in a reprint, please email Bruno Diaz Lopez at bruno(a)thebdri.com This article is now published online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10236244.2011.618216 Best regards, Bruno Diaz Lopez Chief Researcher / Marine Zoologist Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI V.Armando Diaz Nº4 07020 Golfo Aranci (SS) Italy www.thebdri.com info(a)thebdri.com tel.+ 39 346 081 5414tel. + 0789 183 11978

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PhD Studentship - immunology of California sea lions
by Karina Acevedo 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Ontogeny of the immune system in the California sea lion (CONACYT funded project) The California sea lion is an ideal model to address issues on ontogeny and evolutionary ecology of the immune system. The species displays high polygyny and marked sexual dimorphism once reaching sexual maturity. Furthermore, mortality and growth rates vary between sexes. In this sense, they allow testing hypotheses on early immune tradeoffs and differential maternal investment. We recently found that Galapagos sea lion pups are significantly affected by living close to urban settlements in terms of their immune activity, and that this in turn has an impact on their survival (Brock et al. in prep). As part of a wider project on Ecoimmunology of California sea lions, this doctoral project will describe the ontogeny of the immune system in the California sea lion, a species closely related to the Galapagos sea lion, but whose sexual dimorphism is more marked and has higher differential growth rates and is subjected to distinct pathogenic pressures. This PhD project will rely on molecular genetic and ecoimmunology techniques to describe the changes and maturation of pup and juvenile immune respones as well as the cost of its activation with respect to growth and steroidogenesis. Together with other parts of the larger project, this study will help identify key components of early immunity. In a broader sense, this project will add to our understanding of evolutionary ecology of vertebrate immunity. The candidate should have a solid background in biological or biomedical sciences, a good level of english and spanish, some field experience and a good physical condition as the work will involve several periods working in harsh conditions in the Gulf of California. In order to be successful, the candidate must also fulfil the requirements for the Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences of the Autonomous University of Queretaro (UAQ, Mexico) (http://www.uaq.mx/FCN/fcn_DCB.html<https://owa.zsl.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.uaq.mx/FCN/fcn_DCB…> ) Applicants should send their CV, three academic letters of recommendation and a letter explaining their interest in the project before 15 November 2011. Selected candidates will be contacted by email and interviewed end of November. The doctoral position will start anytime after February 2012. Please send complete application to Dr. Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse ( karina.acevedo.whitehouse(a)uaq.mx)

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The Environmental History of Cetaceans in Portugal
by Escola de Mar - Cristina Brito 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Dear all, I would like to draw your attention to the recently published paper: Brito C, Sousa A (2011) The Environmental History of Cetaceans in Portugal: Ten Centuries of Whale and Dolphin Records. PLoS ONE 6(9): e23951. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023951 It was published under the HMAP Collection. The History of Marine Animal Populations is a global research initiative to study the past ocean life and human interaction with the sea, and is part of the global Census of Marine Life. The HMAP Collection draws together representative examples of the results of this initiative. Follow the link: http://www.ploscollections.org/article/browseIssue.action?issue=info%3Adoi%… If you have any comments or questions, feel free to get in touch with me. Regards from sunny Lisbon, Cristina Brito. -- Escola de Mar Edifício ICAT - Campus da FCUL Campo Grande 1749-016 Lisboa Portugal +351966552928

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Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitor Observer course in South Africa - Cape Town - October 2011
by Yvonne Miles - Scanning Ocean Sectors 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

Hi All Scanning Ocean Sectors are holding an MMO and PAMO course in South Africa at the: Training Location Atlantic Beach Hotel Melkbosstrand, Cape Town Contact Details Cnr of Commaille Rd & 13Th Avenue Melkbosstrand PO BOX 780, Melkbosstrand 7441 South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 21 553 1800 Fax: +27 (0) 21 553 1822 Email: <mailto:atlanticbeach@africanskyhotels.com> atlanticbeach(a)africanskyhotels.com <http://www.africanskyhotels.com/hotels/the-atlantic-beach-hotel> http://www.africanskyhotels.com/hotels/the-atlantic-beach-hotel The dates for the MMO Course 17th to 19th October 2011 The dates for the PAMO Course 20th October 2011 Please register at the Scanning Ocean Sectors website http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/training-courses/mmo-register/ For MMO http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/training-courses/pam-register/ For PAMO Scanning Ocean Sectors - Is a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training company and Joint Nature Conservation Committee - JNCC, recognised course for industry and research for UKCS area. We have years of research behind the EFFECTIVE training of MMOs with courses adapted to the requirements of the clients, and taught by professionals in their specialised fields. With fully trained and experienced MMOs facilitating. Our training is to ensure INDUSTRY gets the MMOs they require, that they are PROFESSIONALLY trained, EFFICENT and EFFECTIVE in the job, and are prepared for all necessary actions. Each student is graded in their certificates to ensure the quality standard of the MMO industry is gaining. Yvonne Miles Managing Director Scanning Ocean Sectors E: yvonne(a)scanningoceansectors.org W: www.scanningoceansectors.org <http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/> W: www.marinemammaljobs.com <http://www.marinemammaljobs.com/> <http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/> Description: scanning-ocean-sectors-logo-email-signature

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Marine Mammal Observer Course - JNCC approved - October - Poole Dorset UK
by Yvonne Miles - Scanning Ocean Sectors 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

Hi All Scanning Ocean Sectors are holding an MMO course in Poole Dorset UK at the The RNLI Lifeboat College West Quay Road Poole Dorset BH15 1HZ England Tel: 0870 833 2000 The dates for the MMO Course 3rd to 5th October 2011 Please register at the Scanning Ocean Sectors website <http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/training-courses/mmo-register/> http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/training-courses/mmo-register/ immediately if you wish to attend the course, the registration is open at standard payment rate for a period of one week and places are limited We look forward to seeing you on this course in POOLE, Dorset, UK Scanning Ocean Sectors - Is a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training company and Joint Nature Conservation Committee - JNCC, recognised course for industry and research. We have years of research behind the EFFECTIVE training of MMOs with courses adapted to the requirements of the clients, and taught by professionals in their specialised fields. With fully trained and experienced MMOs facilitating. Our training is to ensure INDUSTRY gets the MMOs they require, that they are PROFESSIONALLY trained, EFFICENT and EFFECTIVE in the job, and are prepared for all necessary actions. Each student is graded in their certificates to ensure the quality standard of the MMO industry is gaining. Yvonne Miles Managing Director Scanning Ocean Sectors E: yvonne(a)scanningoceansectors.org W: www.scanningoceansectors.org <http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/> W: www.marinemammaljobs.com <http://www.marinemammaljobs.com/> <http://www.scanningoceansectors.org/> Description: scanning-ocean-sectors-logo-email-signature

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Workshop Announcement: Discovery: Photo-Identification Data Management System Workshop
by Glenn Gailey 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Workshop: Discovery: Photo-Identification Data Management Software System Date: Sunday, 27 Nov. 2011 Location: Tampa Bay Convention Center, Tampa, Florida (Room #20) Registration Fee: $50 US Register <http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl e&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=23> A software system, named DISCOVERY, was developed to provide a comprehensive approach to processing, storage, management, and variety of analyzes of photo-identification data and other associated information. As there are many non-standard data types of information being collected across a variety of projects, discovery was designed to be extremely customizable and dynamic in its ability to store all information for a any photo-identification project. Photo-Identification processing tools allows users to filter and manipulate their "incoming" data efficiently and provides within-group matching tools to identify the best representative image to be matched to the catalog of previously identified individuals. Matching to the catalog can be filtered by user-defined categories, sub-categories, and descriptors to narrow the list of potential matches in the defined catalog of individuals. Forms to store standard as well as user-defined sighting parameters are provided along with survey effort and GPS waypoint and track storage capabilities. GIS components allow visualization of individual, group sighting, and survey information. Discovery also provides import/export of ESRI shapefiles of geographic information to/from other GIS software tools. Analytical tools were developed to provide summary information, such as discovery curves, sighting/re-sighting histories, group size frequencies, behavioral frequencies, etc. Existing data can be easily imported into Discovery due to a dynamic import tool and data stored in Discovery's Access database can be exported into Excel, Access, SocProg, Mark, and GIS software for further processing and analyses of photo-identification information. We believe that Discovery provides a dynamic tool that facilitates easy integration of all collected photo-identification and sighting data; a tool that efficiently stores, visualizes, processes, and maintains these data and allows export to and from other tools. The system can be particularly useful for maintaining a centralized database for research projects that maintain multiple-species data on a large geographic scale with multiple research teams working with different databases and species. The flexible capabilities of Discovery allows the system to be adaptable to suit project-specific requirements and user-specific needs. This workshop will provide an introduction to DISCOVERY and will point out the system's primary components and the dynamic nature of the software, from the initial download of survey images to storing associated information, processing data, to the visualization and analyses of the data. All workshop participants will be provided with the software prior to the workshop and a hands-on component of the workshop will provide a means to illustrate the adaptability of the software for each participant's project. If you would like to participate in the workshop, please Register <http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl e&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=23> here (or email Discovery.smm.2011(a)gmail.com) With kind regards and be well, Glenn Gailey Institute of Marine Life Sciences Marine Mammal Research Program Texas A&M University, Galveston and Leszek Karczmarski The Swire Institute of Marine Science School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong

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Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers - Job Announcement
by Cynthia Taylor 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Sea to Shore Alliance Right Whale Aerial Survey Observers Job Announcement Sea to Shore Alliance, a non-profit international research and conservation organization, is seeking temporary, seasonal aerial observers for marine mammal surveys from December 2010 through March 2011. These positions are in anticipation of research activities to be conducted in the southeastern United States, contingent upon funding. Responsibilities will include participating in aerial flights up to four days per week, data processing, and photo analysis. Observers are required to complete an aviation and marine safety/survival training course. Housing is provided. Qualifications: Previous aerial or marine mammal survey experience, as well as experience in photo-identification of large cetaceans, is strongly desired. Applicants should be skilled in database entry and other computer applications including photo processing software. The ability to live and work well in a team environment and withstand up to eight hours per day in a small aircraft is required. We are currently accepting applications from U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Please submit cover letter, resume, and three references to ctaylor(a)sea2shore.org by October 7, 2011. Cynthia R. Taylor Research Scientist Sea to Shore Alliance ctaylor(a)sea2shore.org 941-232-4587 www.sea2shore.org

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Postdoctoral fellowship opportunities in the Netherlands for marine mammal population/evolutionary/conservation genetics
by Per J Palsboll 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

I would like to draw recent and soon-to-graduate PhDs' attention to the Rubicon Postdoctoral Programme under the Dutch National Research Funding Agency. We would be more than delighted to host an imaginative and self-driven post doctorate in our lab under this programme. The fellowship is open to all nationalities and awarded based upon research excellence. The proposal is relatively short. For more information see: http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOP_6H2G7R_ENG. The next (and possibly last deadline for this program is December 1st, 2011) Our main focus area is the application of genetic methods to study the ecology and evolution of marine mammals. We are currently (in collaboration with UC Santa Cruz as well as UC San Francisco) sequencing the genome of the humpback whale and the harbor porpoise but we have also large collections of samples from many marine mammal species and populations, and plenty of data awaiting analysis. If you are interested please write to Per Palsboll (p.j.palsboll(a)rug.nl) and Martine Berube (m.berube(a)rug.nl) Cheers, -- Per J. Palsboll, Professor Marine Evolution and Conservation Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies University of Groningen Nijenborgh 7 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Office phone: +31 50 363 9882 Mobile +31 64 870 3295 Mail address: PO Box 11103 9700 CC Groningen The Netherlands

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Survey regarding the Searchable Online Sirenian Bibliography
by caryns＠sirenian.org 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Dear Marmam Subscribers,If you do any work with manatees or dugongs, you are hereby invited to participate in this survey regarding the Searchable Online Bibliography of the Sirenia and Desmostylia, which came online in April 2010. You can view this resource at <a href="http://sirenian.org/biblio">http://sirenian.org/biblio</a>Your feedback is important and will be used to make decisions regarding the future of this searchable online bibliography at the 5th International Sirenian Workshop in Tampa just prior to the SMM Biennial Meetings.Please click the link below to begin the survey.  Thanks, Caryn Self-Sullivan, Daryl P. Domning, and Michael Bragg <a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2KXZNAPD9ZF">http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2KXZNAPD9ZF</a> <hr>OPT OUT | <a href="http://markettools.force.com/articles/KB_Article/308">Learn More</a> If you do not wish to receive further survey invitations from this sender, click the link below. Zoomerang will permanently remove you from this sender's survey invitation mailing list. <a href="http://app.zoomerang.com/Home/OptOut.aspx?p=U2KXZNAPD9ZF">I do not want to receive any more Zoomerang survey invitations from this sender. </a>

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New publication - Experimental test of pinniped personality
by TWISS S.D. 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Dear colleagues, The following article was recently published in Marine Mammal Science Online: Twiss, S. D., Culloch, R. and Pomeroy, P. P. (2011), An in-field experimental test of pinniped behavioral types. Marine Mammal Science. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00523.x http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2011.00523.x/abstract Abstract There has been extensive recent interest in the concepts of behavioral types, behavioral syndromes, and personalities in nonhuman animal species. Evidence for behavioral types now exists from a wide range of taxa, from mollusks to mammals. However, marine mammals are poorly represented in this literature. Here, we describe an in-field experimental test of behavioral types in breeding gray seals, using a remotely controlled vehicle to deliver a standardized test stimulus to target individuals. We report on the design and implementation of this test and on the behavioral responses of individuals. Analysis of behavioral responses from both males and females revealed consistent individual differences across tests, suggesting that this is a practical and viable technique for determining individual variation in behavioral type in the field. Despite extensive literature on behavioral types, studies of behavioral types in wild populations remain rare. It is, therefore, important to develop ways to identify and quantify the existence of behavioral types in natural populations, because only by doing this, can we hope to ascertain the ecological and evolutionary relevance of behavioral types. A copy is available via the journal website or upon request. Best wishes, Sean _________________________________ Dr. Sean Twiss, Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology, Zoology Degree Route Coordinator, School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, South Road, The University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK. E-mail: s.d.twiss(a)durham.ac.uk Web-site: http://www.dur.ac.uk/s.d.twiss/ <http://www.dur.ac.uk/s.d.twiss/> Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1350 (office) Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1247 (lab) Fax: +44 (0)191 334 1201 _________________________________

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