October 2012 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

new paper - static acoustic monitoring of baltic harbour porpoises
by Gallus Anja 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

Dear all, the following paper has just been published in Endangered Species Research Volume 18 (3) and is free to download from the journal website (see link): Use of static passive acoustic monitoring to assess the status of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Baltic harbour porpoise in German waters Anja Gallus, Michael Dähne, Ursula Katharina Verfuß, Stefan Bräger, Sven Adler, Ursula Siebert, Harald Benke http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n3/ ABSTRACT: Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena abundance in the Baltic Proper (BP) is at a level where measures for improving the status of this genetically and morphologically discrete population are urgently needed. Without knowledge on seasonal and geographical distribution, a common basis for conservation efforts has been lacking for the past decades. We deployed 22 porpoise detectors from March 2005 until August 2007 in the eastern German Baltic Sea to study seasonal migrations and abiotic factors associated with porpoise presence/absence patterns. Two years of continuous monitoring resulted in 11 890 recording days from 21 stations within the BP, with only 207 porpoise-positive days (ppd—a day with verified porpoise detection), equaling 1.86% ppd per month and station over the study period. Data were analysed using generalized additive models to find significantly influencing factors. Detection rates in the BP peaked twice seasonally: once associated with the summer occurrence of animals from the population living mostly in the Belt Sea and once correlated with (1) cold air temperatures and (2) air temperatures lower than water surface temperatures. The latter suggests that porpoises from the BP migrate towards mostly ice-free waters in winter to avoid suffocation. In order to reduce harmful set-netting, conservation measures must be seasonally regulated, at least, or less harmful fishing methods must be implemented. These findings should help to improve the current European anti-bycatch legislation, e.g. regulation EC 812/2004, which is currently under review. KEY WORDS: Phocoena phocoena, Temporal and spatial distribution, Baltic Sea, Generalized additive modeling, Click detector, T-POD On behalf of the authors and with kind regards of the German Oceanographic Museum Anja Gallus Scientist German Oceanographic Museum Museum for Oceanography and Fishing ∙ Aquarium Foundation under private law Katharinenberg 14 - 20 18439 Stralsund Germany Phone: +49 (0) 3831 26 50 393 Fax: +49 (0) 3831 26 50 309 anja.gallus(a)meeresmuseum.de<mailto:anja.gallus@meeresmuseum.de> www.meeresmuseum.de<http://www.meeresmuseum.de/> www.ozeaneum.de<http://www.ozeaneum.de/> Director Dr. Harald Benke VAT ID no.: DE 162 772 269 Tax no.: 082/141/02545

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Announcement: Student tickets now available for World Whale Conference & Whale Watch Conference
by Dylan Walker 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

Dear Marmamers, I am pleased to announce that student discount tickets to the World Whale Conference and Whale Watch Conference are now available at £135 per person (standard tickets £195). Both conferences will take place on 25-26 October immediately after the 20th ASCOBANS meeting and at the same venue, Hilton Brighton Metropole, UK. WORLD WHALE CONFERENCE *Everybody should have a say in how we manage our oceans, including important decisions that affect whales and dolphins, right? And whales and dolphins desperately need us to speak with one voice if we are to protect them and their ocean habitats before it is too late, don’t you think?* The World Whale Conference will discuss the need to map the places where whales and dolphins most need our help by using simple online mapping software linked to social media that will enable us to support change in these places in large numbers as a voice for change. Can that really work? It already has! And at the World Whale Conference we will show you who achieved it before and how together we can make a plan to do it again! If you would like to be part of a new global voice to protect cetaceans and help us create positive solutions that will involve the many and not just the few, join us at the World Whale Conference. Further info on the conference is available at: http://www.whale-fest.com/?page_id=185 Student tickets are available at: http://shop.whale-fest.com/store/c/86-World-Whale-Conference.aspx WHALE WATCH CONFERENCE It’s time to give the global whale and dolphin watching industry a voice – starting with the first ever World Whale Watch Conference. The Conference welcomes whale watching companies, government agencies, whale watchers, and NGO’s focussed on whale watching, as we launch the first industry to industry report on responsible whale watching, vote for the very first winner of the Responsible Whale Watch Awards, and discuss the future sustainable development and continued scientific and educational work of the industry. Further info on the conference is available at: http://www.whale-fest.com/?page_id=187/ Student tickets are available at: http://shop.whale-fest.com/store/c/87-World-Whale-Watch-Conference.aspx If you require further info or help please contact me. Regards, Dylan Walker dylan(a)planetwhale.com www.planewhale.com www.whale-fest.com

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PhD student required - University of Auckland, New Zealand
by Rochelle Constantine 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

PhD STUDENT REQUIRED - UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Beate Schuler Doctoral Scholarship in Marine Science http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/cs-search-for-scholarships-and-awards?form=de… Research Project: Hauraki Gulf Megafauna: Uncovering the Abundance, Role & Distribution of Bryde's Whales Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) are found in northern New Zealand waters year-round but their primary habitat is the Hauraki Gulf. They are listed as nationally critical in NZ waters due to their small population size and mortality from vessel-strike. Little is known about Bryde's whale ecology in this region. Aerial and boat-based surveys have documented whales foraging both in, and away from, large multi-species prey aggregations but nothing is known about what drives their distribution in this dynamic ecosystem. We have initiated a research project to understand the population size of Bryde's whales and their role within the Hauraki Gulf ecosystem. Specifically we aim to conduct aerial surveys to: 1) determine an abundance estimate for Bryde's whales in the Hauraki Gulf using distance sampling methodology that accounts for environmental heterogeneity; 2) locate and quantify biological aggregations (i.e., whales, dolphins, birds, sharks and prey) to determine patch dynamics within the gulf; 3) create predictive habitat models of whale distribution based on environmental variability and the distribution of prey aggregations. The research will be led by Dr Rochelle Constantine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland; Dr Leigh Torres, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington; Assoc. Prof. Rachel Fewster, Department of Statistics, University of Auckland and Dr Cameron Walker, School of Engineering, University of Auckland. Requirements: We require a motivated, hard-working student with excellent spoken and written English and an excellent academic record. Skills in ArcGIS, MATLAB and/or experience with distance sampling methods are preferred. The successful candidate will be based at the University of Auckland, New Zealand for the 3-year duration of the project. The research is planned to start in March 2013. As you will see on the website, there are two scholarships on offer from a total of eight projects. The best candidates will be chosen and their preferred project will receive the scholarship. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at: r.constantine(a)auckland.ac.nz<mailto:r.constantine@auckland.ac.nz> All the best Rochelle Constantine Rochelle Constantine, PhD Senior Lecturer School of Biological Sciences University of Auckland Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand ++64-9-373 7599 x85093

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