January 2012 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Allied Whale Intern/ Research Assistant Positions: 3 month and 5 month
by Tanya Lubansky 23 Jan '12

23 Jan '12

Allied Whale, the marine mammal research lab of College of the Atlantic located in Bar Harbor, Maine, seeks 4 intern/research assistants for the 2012 summer field season. These are entry-level research positions designed to offer experience for individuals seeking to develop their professional careers in marine mammal research. Two three-month positions (June-August) and two five-month positions (June-October) are available. *Overview of position:* This is a unique internship program in that the selected individuals will have the opportunity to participate and receive training in a wide range of marine mammal research activities while receiving a small income. Allied Whale currently supports multiple field projects in the behavioral ecology and distributions of humpback and fin whales, the ongoing housing and maintenance of the North Atlantic humpback and fin whale photo ID catalogs, an active stranding response program, and a continued relationship with the local whale watch company. In addition, Allied Whale maintains and conducts research from Mount Desert Rock, a remote offshore island. The interns play a critical role in the success of the field season and serve as support to all aspects of summer activities within Allied Whale. *Description of duties:* Once the season is in swing, interns will rotate through time on land and offshore. While on land, interns will take shifts of working as a Research Assistant (RA)/Deckhand for the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. and being on call for boat-based cetacean surveys on our research vessel. *On land:* Research responsibilities on the whale watch tours include searching for whales, photo-identification of whales and data collection/entry. Deckhand responsibilities include line handling, vessel cleaning, helping seasick passengers and passenger safety. RAs are also responsible for assisting the naturalist in promoting education and conservation programs on each trip. While on board our research vessel, interns will be responsible to participate in cetacean surveys along transect lines, computer data entry, photo identification of whales, and biopsy sample collection. While not on the water, interns may freely structure their time to complete office work, assist with/develop other projects...or explore Acadia National Park! *Offshore*: Interns will have multiple shifts (at least a week in length) at our offshore research station Mount Desert Rock. While on the island, interns will participate in land-based whale monitoring from the lighthouse tower (with use of a theodolite), opportunistic small boat photo-identification data collection of whales, seal counts, and maintenance/construction projects at the station. *Pay/Housing**:* Those accepted to the program are able to earn income by their work on the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. Deckhands are paid $50 a trip (at the height of summer, there are 3 trips running a day) plus considerable tips. Interns also receive free First Aid Certification. Housing in Bar Harbor is provided and mandatory for a fee. Rent is $300 a month during the summer when all four interns are present and increases to $500 a month Sept-October for the two five month interns. While at Mount Desert Rock, food is provided for free. *Qualifications*: Applicants should have a college background in biology and/or marine sciences. Previous experience in a research setting and knowledge of marine mammals are great advantages. Experience offshore and skills in small boat handling are also assets. Unfortunately, because of employment through the whale watch company, all interns must also be U.S. citizens. Most importantly, applicants must be positive in attitude, flexible to quickly changing schedules, able to work independently, and comfortable working on boats. Because of the community living situation both in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Island, applicants must get along well with others and be able to handle working in a team setting. These positions begin June 1st and applicants must be able to work through with no other commitments (excluding COA students). Please specify which position you are interested in (three of five month). Deadline of application is March 1st. Please send a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying, a resume, and two letters of recommendation to: Tanya Lubansky (tlubansky(a)gmail.com <alliedwhale(a)coa.edu>) with subject title “AW Interns 2012”

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Dolphin Research Internship Charleston, SC
by Todd Speakman 23 Jan '12

23 Jan '12

NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory’s Marine Animal Health Program is recruiting to fill two dolphin photo-identification internship positions for the summer of 2012.The positions are at the NOAA National Ocean Service Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina and will involve a commitment of 20 hours per week extending overa 15 week period from May 14, 2012 to August 27, 2012. There is some flexibility in these start and end dates. Building on existing data from long-term monitoring which has spanned 15+ years, boat-based photo-identification (id) and remote biopsy surveys will be conducted for Western North Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in estuaries and near-shore waters of South Carolina. Specific research questions focus on relationships between stress/reproductive hormones and environmental factors. Interns will assist with laboratory activities such as data entry and photo-analysis and will participate in boat-basedfieldwork. The internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in photo-id methodology and analysis under the mentorship of experienced dolphin researchers. There is no compensation for this position, and interns will be responsible for their own living expenses and transportation to and from the laboratory. There may be travel involved for some components of the fieldwork, which will be paid for by the laboratory. Ideal applicants will be advanced undergraduates or recent graduates of a scientifically-oriented university program in marine science, biology or a related field. Preference will be given to applicants with well-developed computer skills and boat-based field experience. The internship application consists of a letter of interest, transcripts of university coursework and two letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors who are familiar with applicant’s scholarship, research skills and work habits relevant to the internship. Interested applicants should first correspond with Todd Speakman by email ( Todd.Speakman(a)noaa.gov) before preparing and submitting application materials. We anticipate filling this internship position by the April 6, 2012. -- Todd Speakman, Biologist JHT Inc. Contractor Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research 219 Fort Johnson Road Charleston, SC 29412 Ph/ 843.762.8553 Fx/ 843.762.8700 Todd.Speakman(a)noaa.gov

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Field assistant needed for a behavioural ecology and demography project in spring 2012!
by Kristine Meise 23 Jan '12

23 Jan '12

Field assistant needed for a behavioural ecology and demography project in spring 2012! We are currently looking for a highly motivated field assistant to participate in our international field project on behavioural ecology and demography of Galápagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki). The field site is situated on a small (500m diameter), uninhabited islet off Santa Cruz. To investigate growth rates, suckling behaviour, reproductive success and social structure we run a regular recapture and resighting program. The field assistant will participate in all aspects of this program. Field work will be demanding. Participants have to live in tents the entire field season and share in all camp duties (cooking, cleaning, daily data entry, etc.). No sanitary facilities are available and we provide sweet water only for drinking and cooking. All gear needs to be transported to the islet via a difficult landing and camp conditions are primitive, including mostly tinned food. Due to the long stay in this rough situation volunteers need to be physically capable. Prior field work experience is required and preferences will be given to those candidates who have worked with pinnipeds before (please specify your experiences in the application). Field assistants are expected to stay for the entire field season (beginning of March until the end of April). We cover travel costs and living expenses. The language at the camp will be English and Spanish. If you are interested, please send an application in English (including a letter of motivation, a reference and your curriculum vitae) until 03.02.2012 to the following address: kristine.meise(a)uni-bielefeld.de Kristine Meise Galápagos Sea Lion Project University of Bielefeld Department of Behavioural Biology

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Marine Mammals and Marine Birds of New Zealand
by Bernd Wursig 22 Jan '12

22 Jan '12

Dear MARMAM Colleagues, A course in New Zealand Marine Mammal and Seabird Behavioral Ecology will be held in Kaikoura, New Zealand, 22 May - 3 June, 2012. Kaikoura is located on the South Island of New Zealand, and is renowned for its abundance and diversity of marine mammals. Bernd Würsig and his graduate students have been studying dusky dolphin foraging and social strategies in this area since 1984. Kaikoura also plays host to many marine birds, including the largest species of petrel and several species of albatross. It is touted as the "Albatross Capital of the World". Blue penguins and Hutton's shearwaters nest in the area. In short, if you'd enjoy being absolutely immersed in local marine mammal and seabird ecology for 13 days, this is the course for you. PERSONNEL: This course is team taught by a cadre of international and local experts, and is limited to 15 participants, preferably of undergraduate or graduate student status. While you do not need to be enrolled in university during the course, we prefer general student status, or working towards it (or thinking about it, smiles). DATES: Course dates are 22 May - 3 June, with arrival in Kaikoura on 21 May (if coming from North America or Europe, add one day due to the dateline, i.e. you need to leave home no later than 19 May). CREDIT: Course credit is 4 units (in the US, equal to a one-semester lecture course with lab). Please coordinate with your respective university if you wish credit, and the course leaders will give you a grade on performance, and a full evaluation as per your specific school's requisites. COURSE STRUCTURE: This course consists of 1) lectures, discussions, group activities and extensive in situ immersion in the world of dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, sperm whales and seabirds;2) practical field experience in marine mammal and seabird behavioral research including boat-based focal follows, photographic identification, theodolite tracking from a shore station and assessment of dolphin activities from a dolphin watching tour vessel; 3) a chartered boat tour to observe and study albatross, petrels and shearwaters at close range; and 4) a local indigenous Maori appreciation of nature and natural resources, with a special Maori-led tour through the native forest. Participants also have the opportunity to conduct their own Directed Studies Project during these two weeks, and to use this work towards student accreditation for their respective universities. COST: Course cost is $3,000 US. This includes the above key components of the course, accommodation in a field research station overlooking the sea and the mountains, transportation costs while in Kaikoura, and food and meals. Evening meals will be prepared for us from locally sourced ingredients by our own kiwi chef. Vegetarians and other dietary preferences can easily be accommodated with prior notice. Not included in the course cost is airfare to Christchurch and transportation to and from Kaikoura, and your international trip and medical insurances. INTERESTED? Please contact the course coordinator, Texas A&M Regents Professor Bernd Würsig (but this is not a Texas A&M run course), by Friday Feb. 17 with your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you would like to participate in this course, at <wuersig(a)sbcglobal.net>. Würsig will get back to you within one week. Apply earlier if possible: first come, first considered. A 50% deposit is due by Friday March 9; 100% by Friday April 6, 2012. You will learn much about New Zealand marine mammal and bird research! For further information on our work, go to www.tamug.edu/mmbeg; or contact <wuersig(a)sbcglobal.net> for a full syllabus and pdf description of the course, with photos.

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Announcement: Workshop on the future of Whale & Dolphin Watching
by Dylan Walker 21 Jan '12

21 Jan '12

*Workshop on the future of Whale & Dolphin Watching* *Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland, 9.00 – 17.30 Saturday 24th March 2012* *Organised by Planet Whale to coincide with the ECS Conference (please note that this is a fee paying workshop being run independently of the ECS)* Current cetacean research is highly dependent on the whale and dolphin watching industry. Indeed some organisations run tours in order to fund their research and ongoing conservation efforts. Yet this same research is increasingly implicating the whale watching industry as having a potential detrimental effect on cetaceans. Planet Whale is pleased to announce the second in a series of workshops that bring together scientists, conservationists, and whale watch operators to discuss new techniques to raise the standards of whale and dolphin watching so that it is increasingly beneficial as a tool for scientific research, conservation, and educational outreach. A workshop focussed on ethics During the workshop we will look closely at five critical aspects of whale and dolphin watching as a tool for scientific research, conservation, and educational outreach. Planet Whale has recently launched the world’s first review system that asks customers to rate and review trips based on these five critical aspects. They are: 1. Emphasis on the trip operator’s own research or support for conservation? 2. How well did the trip publicise and use guidelines for safe approach to whales / dolphins? 3. How valuable was the trip as a learning experience? 4. How well did the trip meet your expectations? 5. How well did the trip minimise its impact on the marine environment? Workshop itinerary 9.00 Welcome and coffee 9.30 Introduction. Dylan Walker and Ian Rowlands introduce the Planet Whale rating and review scheme and a new strategy for the sustainable and economic development of the whale and dolphin watching industry. 10.30 – 12.00 Market leaders We reveal how five whale and dolphin watch operators have developed methods that have led to improved standards. 12.00 – 13.00 Break for lunch 13.00 – 15.30 Workshop Activity The workshop will be devoted to interpreting feedback from the Planet Whale review system, sharing experiences, and benefitting from the knowledge of colleagues in order to build strategies that will raise the standards of whale and dolphin watching. 15.30 – 16.00 Coffee break 16.00 – 17.00 Summary Workshop groups summarise shared knowledge on best-practice in key areas. 17.00 – 17.30 Discussion Discussion on how whale and dolphin watch operators can best benefit from being ‘market leaders’ in sustainable whale watching, including options for developing closer links with the scientific community. 17.30 End How to join the workshop The workshop fee is €95 per person, €45 for students. To reserve your place on the workshop contact Dylan Walker on email: dylan(a)planetwhale.com or telephone +44 (0)1273 355011. Your email or phone booking will enable us to hold your place for ten working days while payment is made. Once we receive payment we will confirm your booking in writing. Payments should be sent by direct bank transfer to: Bank: HSBC Account name: Planet Whale Ltd Sort code: 40-14-03 Account no: 32364948 IBAN: GB81MIDL40140332364948 SWIFT CODE: MIDLGB2111V Alternatively, if you are in the UK you can pay by cheque made payable to ‘Planet Whale Ltd’ and sent to Planet Whale, 2a Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FL. Date and location The event will be held between 9.00 – 17.30 at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland, on Saturday 24th March 2012, the day before the opening of the European Cetacean Society Conference at the same location. Capacity for the venue is 35 people so we recommend that you book early to guarantee your place. Access and Accommodation Further information on the venue and room location will be provided to attendees closer to the event. *SUSTAINABLE WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING: A tour to see wild whales or dolphins by a commercial operator who accepts a responsibility to preserve and protect the animals and ecosystems they interact with. Sustainable whale and dolphin watch operators invest, where possible, in local conservation efforts and offer the best learning experiences for passengers. They act according to codes of conduct which put the welfare of whales and dolphins first. Regards, Dylan Walker Co-Founder www.planetwhale.com Office: +44 (0)1273 355011 Planet Whale, 2a Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FL, UK Planet Whale is the global community that will change the way we view whales and dolphins forever. By harnessing the passion and ideas of individuals, we will achieve more to protect and defend our oceans than ever before.

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Draft U.S. National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy released, comments due by Mar 5
by Jonathan Shannon 20 Jan '12

20 Jan '12

Good Afternoon MARMAM, In partnership with state, tribal, and federal agency partners, the Obama Administration today released the first draft national strategy to help decision makers and resource managers prepare for and help reduce the impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, and the people and economies that depend on them. The draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy, available for public review and comment through March 5, 2012, can be found on the web at www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov The first online webinar to learn more about the initiative and provide initial comments is scheduled for Jan 26th, 1-2:30pm EST. Register, or find out more information about the public workshops, by visiting: http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-workshops.php Best Regards, Jonathan Shannon NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov Outreach Specialist 301.427.8431 jonathan.shannon(a)noaa.gov

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OpEd on Ocean Acoustics and Marine Mammals
by Brandon Southall 20 Jan '12

20 Jan '12

MARMAM, Dr. Chris Clark and I would like to bring to your attention a recent opinion piece that ran on the CNN website. Our purpose with this piece was to make the points within the popular media about (1) the importance of considering chronic/cumulative as well as acute aspects of anthropogenic noise impacts on the marine environment, (2) more emphasis on quieting technologies, and (3) the need for sustained and strategic acoustic monitoring. You can find the article at <http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/19/opinion/clark-southall-marine/> and the full text is copied below. Thanks, Brandon Southall Turn down the volume in the ocean By *Christopher Clark* and *Brandon Southall*, Special to CNN For many millions of years, the oceans have been filled with the sounds of a geologically and biologically active planet: waves, rain, earthquakes and the songs of life from snapping shrimp to great whales. Before the age of engine-driven ships, the resounding voices of the great whales could be heard across an ocean. Today, in much of the Northern Hemisphere, commercial shipping clouds the marine acoustic environment with fog banks of noise, and the near continuous pounding of seismic airguns in search of fossil fuels beneath the seafloor thunder throughout the waters. In the ocean's very quietest moments, blue whales singing off the Grand Banks of Canada can sometimes be heard more than 1,500 miles away off the coast of Puerto Rico. But on most days, that distance is a mere 50 to 100 miles. So why should we care? Over the past decade, scientists who study noise in the ocean have tried to understand how loud, man-made sounds disturb or injure whales and other marine mammals, even driving some to strand on beaches and die. It is time for us to focus on the more pernicious influence of chronic, large-scale noise on marine life. Whales, dolphins and seals use sounds to communicate, navigate, find food and detect predators. The rising level of cumulative noise from energy exploration, offshore development and commercial shipping is a constant disruption on their social networks. For life in today's ocean, the basic activities that we depend on for our lives on land are being eroded by the increasing amount of human noise beneath the waves. These stark realities are worrying. But emerging technologies for quantifying and visualizing the effects of noise pollution can help drive a paradigm shift in how we perceive, monitor, manage and mitigate human sounds in the ocean. Ocean noise is a global problem, but the U.S. should step up and lead the way. First, we must extend fledgling efforts to fully comprehend the acoustic footprint of our offshore and coastal activities. As a nation, we are failing the oceans by lacking a sufficiently effective program for listening to them. The U.S. should develop and maintain dedicated undersea acoustic monitoring networks as integral parts of ocean observing systems. This would be lead by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and enabled through private and academic partnerships. Such a plan has been developed; now it should be implemented. Second, we should encourage and accelerate the development of noise-reduction technologies. Thanks to proactive collaborations among industries, scientists, environmentalists and government officials, efforts are underway within the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization to develop quieting technologies for the most pervasive global noise source: large commercial ships. These and related technologies for reducing noise in oil exploration and marine construction should be standardized. Finally, federal regulation on ocean noise must be changed. For decades, regulators have focused entirely on the short-term effects of one action at a time. A more holistic and biologically relevant risk assessment system, centered on the concepts of ocean acoustic habitats and ecosystems, is sorely needed. Emerging trends in marine spatial planning are encouraging signs, as is NOAA's support of two groups that are developing geospatial tools for mapping underwater noise and marine mammal distributions in U.S. waters. The loss of acoustic habitats for marine species that rely on sound to live and prosper is increasing. Solutions are available. The question is whether we humans value and will invest in a healthy ocean ecosystem that supports life, and in doing so, sustain our own health and future. Brandon L. Southall, Ph.D. President, Senior Scientist, SEA, Inc. Research Associate, University of California, Santa Cruz 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 8, Aptos, CA 95003, USA 831.332.8744 (mobile); 831.661.5177 (office); 831.661.5178 (fax) Brandon.Southall(a)sea-inc.net; www.sea-inc.net

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Summer research internship
by Jamie Klaus 20 Jan '12

20 Jan '12

Summer Research Internship Program Description The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) Research Internship Program is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine mammal science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research and will participate in other current research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine mammal research. Principle Duties and Requirements Interns must: * Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. * Be available to work Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 4 PM and must be available for all boat trips. * Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes. * Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills. * Principle Duties include: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), and boat based field research. * Secondary Duties involve: Working with animal care staff, attending marine mammal and sea turtle necropsies, responding to strandings, assisting with educational tours. * Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 ˚F in summer to 30 ˚F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur once or twice a week. May include overnight trips. To Apply Please visit our website at <http://imms.org/internship.php> http://imms.org/internship.php Jamie Klaus Research Assistant Institute for Marine Mammal Studies P.O. Box 207 Gulfport, MS 39502 Phone: (228) 701-1761 Fax: (228) 896-9183 Email: <mailto:jamie@imms.org> jamie(a)imms.org Skype: imms.dolphin <http://www.imms.org/> http://www.imms.org

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New publication on delphinid phylogeny
by Haydee Cunha 20 Jan '12

20 Jan '12

Dear marmammers, I'm pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Cunha HA, Moraes LC, Medeiros BV, Lailson-Brito JJr, da Silva VMF, Solé-Cava AM, Schrago CG (2011). Phylogenetic Status and Timescale for the Diversification of Steno and Sotalia Dolphins. Plos One, v. 6, p. e28297-e28297. The pdf is available at the journal site: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0028297. Alternatively, address pdf requests to haydeecunha(a)ufrj.br. Cheers, Haydée Abstract Molecular data have provided many insights into cetacean evolution but some unsettled issues still remain. We estimated the topology and timing of cetacean evolutionary relationships using Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of complete mitochondrial genomes. In order to clarify the phylogenetic placement of Sotalia and Steno within the Delphinidae, we sequenced three new delphinid mitogenomes. Our analyses support three delphinid clades: one joining Steno and Sotalia (supporting the revised subfamily Stenoninae); another placing Sousa within the Delphininae; and a third, the Globicephalinae, which includes Globicephala, Feresa, Pseudorca, Peponocephala and Grampus. We also conclude that Orcinus does not belong in the Globicephalinae, but Orcaella may be part of that subfamily. Divergence dates were estimated using the relaxed molecular clock calibrated with fossil data. We hypothesise that the timing of separation of the marine and Amazonian Sotalia species (2.3 Ma) coincided with the establishment of the modern Amazon River basin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Haydée A. Cunha, PhD Laboratório de Biodiversidade Molecular (UFRJ)/ MAQUA - Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (UERJ) Dept. de Genética, Inst. de Biologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ CCS, Bloco A, Sl. A2-098. Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil. +55 21 2562-6389/2334-0065/9981-8382

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Tethys 2012 field courses
by Simo Pani 20 Jan '12

20 Jan '12

Dear friends, The TETHYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE announces its 2012 courses on cetacean research and conservation, held in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Western Ligurian Sea), Italy. Founded in 1986, Tethys is a private non-profit organisation specialising in cetacean research. Over 26 years, Tethys has generated one of the largest datasets on Mediterranean cetaceans and contributed over 300 scientific publications. Tethys aims to protect the Mediterranean biodiversity by promoting the adoption of a precautionary approach for the management of natural resources. Public outreach and conservation activities, coupled with education and capacity building, find their strength in a robust scientific background. The work carried out by Tethys, funded partially by the support received by participants to our field courses, strives to prevent the decline of marine species and to encourage sustainable use of the marine environment. These courses are ideal for anyone with an interest in wildlife, wishing to observe cetaceans in their natural environment and contribute towards their conservation. The 6-day courses take place between May-September at a cost of 860.00 - 960.00 Euros. Fees include room&board, insurance, taxes. Discounts for students are available. For further details, including a full list of available dates and prices, or to download detailed information and application forms, please visit: http://www.tethys.org/expeditions/index.htm or contact the office by mail: tethys(a)tethys.org working hours: 9.30 am - 12.30 pm (GMT+1) Best regards, Adriana Geraci _________________________________ Tethys Research Institute Viale G.B. Gadio 2, 20121 Milano, Italy tel. +39 0272001947 / 0272013943 fax +39 0286995011 tethys(a)tethys.org _________________________________

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