February 2012 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine mammal sightings cornwall UK
by rayner piper 20 Feb '12

20 Feb '12

Dear all, I am hoping to gather information on the cetaceans and pinnipeds of cornwall. Information I have gathered includes JNCC cetacean Atlas 2003. Marine Conservation Society (MCSUK) basking shark sightings 2008, Wavehub reports http://www.wavehub.co.uk/information-for-developers/environmental-impacts/ and strandings data http://www.cwtstrandings.org/strandings.htm I would be grateful for any further information that you could bring to my attention. With thanks in advance, Rayner

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Inclusion of cetaceans in the Scottish MPA network
by Sarah Dolman 20 Feb '12

20 Feb '12

Dear MARMAM colleagues The Scottish Government is currently going through a lengthy scientific process to designate a coherent network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Scotland's waters, from 0 - 200 nm. The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) welcomes this process and has been working hard to collate and contribute existing scientific data on cetacean critical habitat to feed into the process. You can find out more about the developing Scottish MPA network at this website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork. Minke whales, Risso's dolphins and white-beaked dolphins have been determined as nationally important species that could benefit from MPAs and as a result selected by the government as key species to drive the MPA process forward. Until this week we were hopeful that these cetacean species would be an important driving component of the network, and that other species such as bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises would later benefit from site designation. However, the Scottish Government is now suggesting that cetaceans might not be included in the network at the current time, or could be dropped from the MPA network all together. The decision to exclude cetaceans from the Scottish MPA network has not yet been made, so it's not too late to influence this. But the decision will be made in coming weeks, so your help could make a difference as to whether cetaceans are included in the MPA network here. We therefore ask if you would please sign on to the following statement (we only need your name, affiliation and country): "The following scientists and MPA practitioners, managers and experts believe that MPAs can be an effective tool for cetacean conservation and wholly support the timely inclusion of cetaceans and cetacean habitat in the Scottish MPA network by the end of 2012." [please give] Name Affiliation Country Please email me these details if you would like to be added to the list that will be presented to the Scottish Government. Thank you for your urgent consideration! All the best, Sarah Dolman WDCS Head of Policy for Scotland Sarah.dolman(a)wdcs.org<mailto:Sarah.dolman@wdcs.org> **

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volunteers needed for seal studies, protection acts and rehabilitation center, in baie of the Somme - FRANCE
by Laetitia DUPUIS 20 Feb '12

20 Feb '12

Hello, The association Picardie Nature is looking for volunteers in the baie of the Somme, in France. Volunteers will assist with fieldwork (counts, photo-id...), they will protect the sandbanks where seals are resting during low tide by speaking with all kinds of people pratising activities (kayak, walkers...), they will propose information to people by holding observation points, guiding tours, exhibitions.... Volunteers will also assist with taking care of animals in our rehabilitation seal center. Volunteers usually have lots of contacts with local professionals, tourists, inhabitants... so they must speaks French. All information are available on the web site: http://www.picardie-nature.org/spip.php?article1142 To apply, please fill in the form on the internet web site before the 29th of February http://ecovolontaires.picardie-nature.org/ Many Thanks, Laëtitia DUPUIS -- <http://www.fne.asso.fr/fr/l-appel-des-3000-pour-un-contrat-environnemental.…> *Laëtitia DUPUIS* *Chargée de mission mammifères marins* PICARDIE NATURE *Tél : 06 08 83 44 99* *laetitia.dupuis(a)picardie-nature.org* <mailto:laetitia.dupuis@picardie-nature.org> *http://www.picardie-nature.org* <http://www.picardie-nature.org/> *BP 70010 - 80097 Amiens Cedex 3*

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Job Opening - Veterinary Intern
by Siu Lum 19 Feb '12

19 Feb '12

To MARMAM members, The Vancouver Aquarium has an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Intern to work in our Animal Health Department. This position is scheduled to start approximately July and will last for one year. This position requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent and previous marine mammal or wildlife experience is a plus. Individuals must be eligible for licensing in the Province of British Columbia. Preference will be given to individuals that possess at least one year of clinical veterinary experience. The Vancouver Aquarium's veterinary staff includes a board-certified veterinarian and two veterinary technicians. In addition, the Veterinary Intern will work very closely with the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue staff. The Veterinary Intern's responsibilities include assisting the veterinary medical staff in providing medical management of a large captive display collection that includes marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and a large variety of native and tropical fish. Approximately 120 live-stranded marine mammals (mostly harbour seals) are cared for by the Vancouver Aquarium. The Intern will be expected to participate in post mortem examinations of stranded marine mammals under the supervision of a board-certified veterinary pathologist at the provincial Animal Health Centre. The Intern will be responsible for treatments of hospital cases, sample-taking for various research projects, and record-keeping. A research paper or case report will be completed during the internship. If qualified, please apply online at: http://www.vanaqua.org/join/careers. Please include a letter of intent and three professional letters of reference with your application. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2012. Warm Regards, Siu Lum Human Resource Coordinator Vancouver Aquarium mail: PO Box 3232, Vancouver BC V6B 3X8 courier: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver BC V6G 3E2 p. 604.659.3505 f. 604.659.3513 e. Siu.Lum(a)vanaqua.org<mailto:siu.lum@vanaqua.org> [cid:image001.jpg@01CCEEFE.C8F89560] P Please consider the environment before printing this email The Vancouver Aquarium is a global leader in connecting people to our natural world, and a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation, education, research, and direct action. Learn more at www.vanaqua.org<http://www.vanaqua.org/> ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING - THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE ADDRESSEE, IT MAY CONTAIN PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. ANY UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY SO THAT WE MAY CORRECT OUR INTERNAL RECORDS. PLEASE THEN DELETE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE. THANK YOU

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Second Call: Marine Mammals and Marine Birds of New Zealand
by Bernd Wursig 19 Feb '12

19 Feb '12

Dear MARMAM Colleagues, We still have openings in this course, and are extending our call for applications by two weeks, to Friday, March 2, 2012! 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? Contact the course coordinator, Texas A&M Regents Professor Bernd Würsig (but this is not a Texas A&M run course), by Friday March 2 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 16; 100% by Friday April 13, 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. Bernd Würsig, Ph.D. Regents Professor Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University at Galveston 200 SeaWolf Pkwy., Bldg. 3029, Rm. #243 Galveston, TX 77551 Tel: 1-409-740-4413; Fax:1-409-740-4717 Web: http://www.tamug.edu/mmrp/index.html

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ANNOUNCEMENT: World Whale Conference, Brighton, UK, 25-26th October 2012
by Dylan Walker 17 Feb '12

17 Feb '12

Dear colleagues, Planet Whale is pleased to announce that the first World Whale Conference will take place in Brighton, UK, on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th October 2012. On the 30th anniversary of the decision to ban whaling, which took place at the Brighton Hilton Metropole, near London, UK, the world’s whale and dolphin charities are returning to the same location to join forces on behalf of whales and dolphins again! The World Whale Conference will be the largest gathering of whale and dolphin charities and individuals working to protect these animals that there has ever been. A two day conference running from Thursday 25th to Friday 26th October 2012, it will discuss and agree actions in the following areas: • Planet Whale and a new direction for whale and dolphin conservation • The formation of a new global partnership – how will it work? • Workshops to set goals for the partnership and discuss the major threats to cetaceans • Unique opportunity to participate in a new global campaign to save whales and dolphins. • Press launch of the new global campaign to save whales and dolphins. In 2010, Planet Whale published a report that identified almost 200 charities and other non-profit organisations across the world working to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises. The World Whale Conference will provide these organisations with the opportunity to meet and work together for the first time. For further information go to: http://www.planetwhale.com/World-Whale-Conference It’s a tremendous opportunity. Together we can make the most of it. Regards, *Dylan Walker & Ian Rowlands* ***______________________ **Co-Founders [image: PW logo new.jpg] <http://planetwhale.com%20/> * *WhaleFest 2012 <http://www.planetwhale.com/WhaleFest>* *World Whale Conference <http://www.planetwhale.com/World-Whale-Conference>* *World Whale & Dolphin Watch Operators Conference<http://www.planetwhale.com/Whale-and-Dolphin-Watch-Operators-Conference> * * * Office: +44 (0)1273 355011 Planet Whale, 2a Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2FL, UK [image: logo_facebook_1.jpg]<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Planet-Whale/117831261593017?v=wall>[image: twitter-logo.jpg] <http://twitter.com/planetwhale> Planet Whale is the global community that will change the way we view whales and dolphins forever. Together we will: · Give the people control so they can use it to help whales and dolphins. · Inspire change through a new global partnership. · Make whale watching more sustainable – and successful – than ever before! · Reach out to the world with colossal festivals for whales and dolphins. · Create innovative campaigns that harness the power of the web’s global community. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The company accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. Registered Office: Woodridge House, Earlsbrook, Bacton, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 4UA, UK. Company No. 06971130 Please consider the environment - think before you print.

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new publication on gray whale body condition
by Amanda Bradford 16 Feb '12

16 Feb '12

Hi all - My coauthors and I are pleased to make available a new publication on western gray whale body condition: Bradford, A.L., D.W. Weller, A.E. Punt, Y.V. Ivashchenko, A.M. Burdin, G.R. VanBlaricom, and R.L. Brownell, Jr. 2012. Leaner leviathans: body condition variation in a critically endangered whale population. Journal of Mammalogy 93:251-266. ABSTRACT: The role of environmental limitation and density-dependent regulation in shaping populations is debated in ecology. Populations at low densities may offer an unobstructed view of basic environmental and physiological interactions that impact individual fitness and thus population productivity. The energy reserves of an organism are reflected in its body condition, a measure linking individual fitness and the environment. From 1997 to 2007, we monitored the critically endangered western gray whale (*Eschrichtius robustus*) population on its primary summer feeding ground off the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island, Russia. This effort resulted in a large data set of photo-identification images from 5,007 sightings of 168 individual whales that we used to visually assess western gray whale body condition. We quantified temporal variation in the resulting 1,539 monthly body condition determinations with respect to observations of reproductive status and sex. Western gray whale body condition varied annually, and we identified years of significantly better (2004) and worse (1999, 2006, and 2007) body condition. This study is the 1st to track the within-season body condition of individual whales. Body condition improved significantly as the summer progressed, although results suggest that not all whales replenish their energy stores by the end of the season. The body condition of lactating females was significantly worse than that of other whales at all times and was most often determined to be compromised. The body condition of their weaning calves exhibited no temporal variation and was consistently good. It is possible lactating females provide an energetic buffer to their offspring at the expense of their own body condition and future reproductive success. Findings from the analysis establish a foundation for quantifying links between western gray whale body condition, demographic parameters, and environmental conditions; and provide a baseline for monitoring individual and population condition of an ecosystem sentinel species in a changing environment. Overall, this study highlights the presence of density-independent environmental and physiological mechanisms that affect the abundance and growth of populations. Please email me <alb992(a)u.washington.edu> if you would like a PDF. Kind regards, amanda -- *Amanda L. Bradford, Ph.D.* Research Ecologist, Cetacean Research Program Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, NOAA 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1000 Honolulu, HI 96814, USA +1.808.944.2114 (Tel) +1.808.941.0307 (Fax)

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3rd Föhrer Wildtier-Symposium
by Michael Bakker Paiva 16 Feb '12

16 Feb '12

3rd Föhrer Wildtier-Symposium. On the 21st till the 23rd of September 2012 there will be held the 3rd Föhrer Wildtier-Symposium. The symposium will be held in Wyk on the island Föhr in the northwest of Germany. At the symposium there will be held workshops and speakers telling more about Marine Mammals and Seals in the North Sea and worldwide Conservation, Behaviour, Environment, Rehabilitation, Disease and Treatment. About the Symposium The Föhrer Wildlife animal Symposiums is taking place as an event for veterinarians, animal keepers, biologists and all people who are working with this kind of animals and are interested in their behavior, environment and conservation also than working in the wildlife rehabilitation. It should be a possibility to exchange ideas and experience of the work. Focal Point Marine mammals in the North Sea and world wide. Behaviour, rehabilitation, conservation, diseases and treatment. · Diseases and treatments of seals · Motherless pubs in rehabcenters-criterias of release · Veterinarian biological treatment possibilities · Learning from the wildlife behavior to optimize the handling of marine mammals in rehabilitation Speakers · Dr. Jörg Zinke (vet. Med. Germany) Marine mammals and biological medicine treatment · Dr. Peter Klaver (vet. Med. The Netherlands) Rehabilitation of European Otters in the Netherlands · André van Gemmert (Zoo and Wildlife management) Learning from the wildlife behaviour to optimize the handling in rehabilitation · Janine Bahr (vet. med. Germany) Lungworms and other diseases and problems of seals in the Dutch and German North Sea area We are looking to get more presentation abstracts, if you are interested please contact Janine Bahr, the e-mail address can be found at the end of this message. Post Workshops For vets and vet-students: · Anaesthesia in Pinnipeds (Dr. Geraldine Lavace, Belgium) · Distance immobilization (Dr. Peter Klaver, the Netherlands) For animals keepers, vet techs(veterinarian assistants) , etc. · Seals in Rehabilitation The right care from the incoming procedure to release (André van Gemmert, the Netherlands and Janine Bahr, Germany) Expenses: €200,- for the 3 day symposium. For students it will be €130,-. Early bird registration will be €170,-. Hotel references and applications can be found on the website. For more information please contact: Janine Bahr, Janine_insel(a)hotmail.com or visit the website: http://www.robbenzentrum-foehr.de/start.php#anchor Kind regards, Michael Bakker Paiva. PDF file of the symposium: http://www.robbenzentrum-foehr.de/Information-Symposium-2012.pdf Registration form: http://www.robbenzentrum-foehr.de/anmelden.php

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New paper on seascape genetics of the short-beaked common dolphin
by Ana Rita Amaral 16 Feb '12

16 Feb '12

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Amaral AR, Beheregaray LB, Bilgmann K, Boutov D, Freitas L, Robertson KM, Sequeira M, Stockin KA, Coelho MM, Möller LM (2012) Seascape genetics of a globally distributed, highly mobile marine mammal: the short-beaked common dolphin (genus Delphinus). PLoS ONE 7(2): e31482. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031482. Abstract Identifying which factors shape the distribution of intraspecific genetic diversity is central in evolutionary and conservation biology. In the marine realm, the absence of obvious barriers to dispersal can make this task more difficult. Nevertheless, recent studies have provided valuable insights into which factors may be shaping genetic structure in the world's oceans. These studies were, however, generally conducted on marine organisms with larval dispersal. Here, using a seascape genetics approach, we show that marine productivity and sea surface temperature are correlated with genetic structure in a highly mobile, widely distributed marine mammal species, the short-beaked common dolphin. Isolation by distance also appears to influence population divergence over larger geographical scales (i.e. across different ocean basins). We suggest that the relationship between environmental variables and population structure may be caused by prey behaviour, which is believed to determine common dolphins' movement patterns and preferred associations with certain oceanographic conditions. Our study highlights the role of oceanography in shaping genetic structure of a highly mobile and widely distributed top marine predator. Thus, seascape genetic studies can potentially track the biological effects of ongoing climate-change at oceanographic interfaces and also inform marine reserve design in relation to the distribution and genetic connectivity of charismatic and ecologically important megafauna. The article is available online at: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0031482 Best Regards, Ana Rita Amaral .. Ana Rita Amaral, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher Centre for Environmental Biology Faculty of Sciences University of Lisbon Campo Grande 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 USA E-mail: aramaral(a)fc.ul.pt ..

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New publication: humpback whale breeding habitat in the GBR
by Josh Smith 15 Feb '12

15 Feb '12

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to inform you of the following new publication in Marine Ecology Progress Series. Smith JN, Grantham HS, Gales N, Double MC, Noad MJ, Paton D (2012) Identification of humpback whale breeding habitat in the Great Barrier Reef. Marine Ecology Progress Series 447:259-272 Abstract: During the winter months, from June to September, humpback whales /Megaptera novaeangliae/ breed and calve in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) after migrating north from Antarctic waters. Clearly defined wintering areas for breeding and calving comparable to those identified in other parts of the world have not yet been identified for humpback whales in the GBR Marine Park (GBRMP), mainly because of its large size, which prohibits broad-scale surveys. To identify important wintering areas in the GBRMP, we developed a predictive spatial habitat model using the Maxent modelling method and presence-only sighting data from non-dedicated aerial surveys. The model was further validated using a small independent satellite tag data set of 12 whales migrating north into the GBR. The model identified restricted ranges in water depth (30 to 58 m, highest probability 49 m) and sea surface temperature (21 to 23°C, highest probability 21.8°C) and identified 2 core areas of higher probability of whale occurrence in the GBRMP, which correspond well with the movements of satellite tagged whales. We propose that one of the identified core areas is a potentially important wintering area for humpback whales and the other a migration route. With an estimated increase in port and coastal development and shipping activity in the GBRMP and a rapidly increasing population of whales recovering from whaling off the east Australian coast, the rate of human interactions with whales is likely to increase. Identifying important areas for breeding and calving is essential for the future management of human interactions with breeding humpback whales. For pdf reprints please contact Josh Smith (joshua.smith(a)uqconnect.edu.au <mailto:Joshua.smith@uqconnect.edu.au> ) cheers Josh -- *Joshua Smith, PhD* Postdoctoral researcher, Murdoch University, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Western Australia Office: 08 9360 2524 | Mobile: 0404 802 278 | Email: joshua.smith(a)uqconnect.edu.au

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