March 2012 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

new commentary - Cetaceans and MPAs should go hand in hand: A case study in Santa Monica Bay, California
by Maddalena Bearzi 12 Mar '12

12 Mar '12

I am pleased to announce the publication of the following commentary: Bearzi, M. 2012. Cetaceans and MPAs should go hand in hand: A case study in Santa Monica Bay, California. Ocean & Coastal Management 60: 56-59. The commentary is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569111002237. Sincerely, Maddalena Bearzi Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D. Ocean Conservation Society, President PO Box 12860, Marina del Rey, CA 90295 - USA ph.310.8225205, mbearzi(a)earthlink.net http://www.oceanconservation.org <http://www.oceanconservation.org/> <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-Conservation-Society/154982037883141> <http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Minds-Parallel-Lives-Dolphins/dp/067402781 7>

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Gardline Pro-MMO Training Course Announcement for April 2012
by Nick Robinson 12 Mar '12

12 Mar '12

Pro-MMO Training Courses Gardline Environmental Ltd.s' Marine Wildlife Department provides a field taught training course for new and current Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs), in preparation for the working environment of offshore industries, whilst giving the opportunity to expand marine mammal identification skills. The Pro-MMO course trains applicants to become fully qualified, JNCC approved, professional MMOs who gain exceptional field experience during their training. The next available dates for this field-based course will be 17th - 19th April 2012. Prices will vary upon number of applicants, however, the price of the course will include all teaching materials, experienced staff, accommodation (during the course) and support afterwards. The course will take place on a vessel passing through the Bay of Biscay. Application forms and information for the course can be obtained from nick.robinson(a)gardline.com<mailto:nick.robinson@gardline.com>. Deadline for the applications is on 6th April 2012. Future courses are envisaged and dates are expected to be 24th - 26th July and 11th - 13th September (to be confirmed). Best Wishes, Nick Robinson ________________________________ 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.symanteccloud.com _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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New Manuscript on Assessing Effects of Noise on Marine Mammals in the Arctic
by Brandon Southall 12 Mar '12

12 Mar '12

MARMAM readers. We would like to call your attention to a paper recently published in BioScience that considers modern approaches to assessing the effects of noise on marine mammals in the Arctic. The full citation and abstract are given below; .pdf copies are available on request. Thank you, Brandon Southall on behalf of Sue Moore and co-authors Randy Reeves, Tim Ragen, Robert Suydam, and Christopher Clark. --------------------------- Moore, S.E., Reeves, R.R., Southall, B.L., Ragen, T.J., Suydam^R.S., and Clark^C.W.(2012).Marine mammals and anthropogenic sound in a rapidly changing Arctic.BioScience 62, 289-295. The recent loss of Arctic sea ice provides humans unprecedented access to the region. Marine mammals rely on sound as a primary sensory modality, and the noise associated with increasing human activities offshore can interfere with vital life functions. Many coastal communities rely on marine mammals for food and cultural identity, and subsistence hunters have expressed strong concerns that underwater sound from human activities negatively affects both the animals and hunting success. Federal regulations require scientists and oil and gas operators to acquire inci- dental harassment authorizations for activities that may disturb marine mammals. Currently, authorization requests are focused on the impacts of sound from activities considered in isolation of one another, and this precludes any possibility of a meaningful analysis of the cumulative impacts from multiple sources. We propose a new assessment framework that is based on the acoustic habitats that constitute the aggregate sound field from multiple sources, compiled at spatial and temporal scales consistent with the ecology of Arctic marine mammals. -- PLEASE NOTE: New mailing address and office/FAX #s for SEA, Inc. 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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2012 Australian Acoustical Society Conference abstracts due March 26th
by Chandra Salgado Kent 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

Dear MARMAM subscribers, A reminder that abstracts for the Australian Acoustical Society 2012 Conference (to be held Nov 21st-23rd) are due on March 26th (2012) for those working/interested in the area of marine mammal acoustics/bioacoustics. There will also be a workshop on Underwater passive Acoustic Monitoring and the Impacts of Underwater Noise on Marine Fauna that may be of interest. The Conference webpage and locations where abstracts can be submitted is at: http://www.acoustics.asn.au/joomla/acoustics-2012.html. Best wishes, Chandra Chandra P. Salgado Kent Centre for Marine Science and Technology Dept. of Imaging and Applied Physics | Faculty of Science and Engineering Web | http://cmst.curtin.edu.au [Description: Description: Description: email_logo.png] Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology. CRICOS Provider Code 00301J (WA), 02637B (NSW)

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2012 Summer Field Course in Belize
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of Manatees & Dolphins: A Unique Field Course in the Belize Barrier Reef Lagoon System Session I: 16 - 29 June Session II: 4 - 17 August Lead Instructor & Principal Investigator: Caryn Self-Sullivan, Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University & Sirenian International Want to be a Conservation Biologist, Behavioral Ecologist or Marine Mammalogist? Here's your chance to join our research team for two intense weeks of total immersion into the world of animal behavior, ecology & conservation, Antillean manatees, bottlenose dolphins, coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds in Belize! Course Overview: This is an experiential learning field course where you will live, work, and study from a marine science field station on a pristine, private island off the coast of Belize. Additionally, you will visit one or more Community Conservation Sites in Belize. Data collected during the course will contribute to our long-term manatee/ dolphin research project. You will learn through a variety of learning activities, literature review and discussion, independent research projects, and actual field research. Be prepared to rise with the sun and spend 8-10 hours outdoors, including 3-4 hours on the water each day learning about the tropical Caribbean environment as we explore a maze of mangrove islands, seagrass beds, and coral patches searching for elusive manatees and charismatic dolphins. Location: Spanish Bay Conservation & Research Center at Hugh Parkey's Belize Adventure Lodge, http://belizeadventurelodge.com/ and Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation & Development, http://sartenejaconservation.org/ . Passport required, immunizations as recommended by CDC Your Share of the Costs: US$2995 includes housing, meals, ground & water transfer fees, research & materials fees; DOES NOT include airfare, books, tips, and credit hours. Optional Credit Hours: The course provides 100 experiential learning and lecture hours in the field, plus approximately 35 hours of pre- field reading, research, and preparation; at least 50 of the 135 total hours include direct instruction by faculty. This is comparable to a 3 credit hour university course and meets the US DOE criteria in 34 CFR, SS600.2. You must make arrangements IN ADVANCE with BOTH your advising faculty and Dr. Self-Sullivan for credit to be earned through your home university. Credit hour fees must be paid directly to your school and you must fulfill any study abroad requirements of your school. This course is divided into 4 major components: lectures and learning activities (~1 hour per day), independent reading and assignments (~2 hour per day), data collection in the field (~3 hours per day), project development & implementation (~2 hours per day), presentation of pre-field research (~1 hour per day), and debate/group discussion of reading materials (~1 hour per day). Deadlines: Registration & $500 deposit due 2 April 2012 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Main Website: http://www.sirenian.org/2012FieldCourse.html Visit our Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370432825564 Downloadable Forms Registration Form: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeRegistration.pdf Detailed Syllabus: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeSyllabus.pdf Policy & Liability Form: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizePolicy.pdf Recruit a Friend: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeFlyer.pdf Field Course Expedition Briefing: http://sirenian.org/2012BelizeBriefing.pdf Note this file is 14MB and takes a while to load! Caryn Self-Sullivan, PhD, KPA CTP President & Co-founder, Sirenian International, Inc. Consultant: Animal Behavior & Wildlife Conservation Email: cselfsullivan(a)sirenian.org Phone: +1.540.287.8207 Website: http://sirenian.org Blog: http://mermaidsandmermen.blogspot.com/ The mission of Sirenian International is to promote the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong populations around the world through research, education, and inter-cultural collaboration. Please remember us when budgeting for your charitable donations. Donate online at http://sirenian.org.

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I3S Manta and I3S Contour
by Angela Szesciorka 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

Has anyone used I3S Manta or I3S Contour for photo-ID assistance, specifically with humpback whales? It appears to have worked successfully with whale sharks and manta rays. I am interested in using it and/or testing it out, but I was wondering if anyone out there had any previous experience with it. If so, I'd like to hear how it went for you. Thanks, Angie -- Angela Szesciorka Vertebrate Ecology Laboratory Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Moss Landing, CA 95039 aszesciorka(a)mlml.calstate.edu

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mosquito-borne viral diseases in cetaceans
by Courtney Vail 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

Dear colleagues: We seek your assistance in obtaining any data relating to the incidence of mosquito-borne viral diseases in wild cetacean or other marine mammal populations. Two specific diseases of particular interest include West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis. We are looking for any data associated with possible exposure to such viruses based on climate, species and environment (e.g. coastal species and tropical environments). We would appreciate any data and insights, which can be directed to courtney.vail(a)wdcs.org<mailto:courtney.vail@wdcs.org> Sincere regards, Courtney Vail WDCS Dr. John Jett Stetson University Dr. Jeff Ventre University of New Orleans

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Vacancy - Policy Analyst
by Cathy Jones 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

The Marine Mammal Commission has a vacancy for a policy analyst. The Commission would like to post this vacancy with Marman. The vacancy is listed on USA Jobs at the link below. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you. http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/310712500 Cathy Jones Marine Mammal Commission 301-504-00878

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Gordon Research Seminar and Conference on Oceans and Human Health
by Leslie Hart 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

Please see below for information about the 2012 Gordon Research Seminar and Gordon Research Conference on Oceans and Human Health: *Gordon Research Seminar on Oceans and Human Health (for Graduate Students, Post-docs, etc.): * *(June 2-3, 2012, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA)* * * The Gordon Research Seminar on Oceans & Human Health is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas. The effects of global climate change, coastal development, emergent pathogenic microorganisms, and anthropogenic pollutants present tremendous challenges to the fragile balance between humans and aquatic ecosystems. The Oceans and Human Health Initiative highlights the “One Health” approach to aquatic conservation by recognizing the consequences of human activities on marine and freshwater ecosystems, and how our actions impact the use of aquatic habitats as a source of recreation, sustenance, and economic well being. The Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) seeks to attract new Oceans & Human Health (OHH) scientists from diverse scientific backgrounds who are at a critical juncture in their career development. Students and post-docs attending the GRS on Oceans & Human Health will participate in a two day conference that provides a relaxed forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with recognized leaders in the field of Oceans & Human Health. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, algal and microbial biology, epidemiology and public health, marine natural products, seafood production, molecular biology, oceanography, and toxicology. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rita Colwell Applications for this meeting must be submitted by *May 5, 2012*. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline. *GRS Speaker Abstract Deadline:* *May 5, 2012*. Submit online at: http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2012&program=grs_oceans *Gordon Research Conference on Oceans and Human Health: * *(June 3-8, 2012, **University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA**)* Oceans interact with humans in both positive and negative ways and this interaction has become the foundation for an emerging "metadiscipline" called Oceans and Human Health. The 2012 Gordon Research Conference on Oceans and Human Health (OHH) will address several of the many disciplines comprising OHH that include oceanography, waterborne and seafood borne diseases, harmful algal blooms, epidemiology, comparative animal physiology, natural products and synthetic organic chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, social sciences, engineering, and other ocean-related areas. This conference will feature sessions on seafood, aquaculture, omics, natural disasters, climate change, forecasting, changes in fecal indicator detection, marine human pathogens, emerging chemicals of concern and communications, all as they relate to human health. It will have a session on the Deepwater Horizon to update the conferees on what research and restoration has transpired since the April 2010 oil blowout in Macondo Canyon. And finally, there will be discussions on a developing OHH initiative by the European Science Foundation’s Marine Board and the future of OHH in the U.S. As is the case with all GRCs, this conference will assemble experts in the several session areas who will present current information to junior scientists and graduate students in a very relaxed atmosphere. In addition to the formal presentations, poster presentations will provide opportunities for "one-on-one" discussions about OHH topics. Applications for this meeting must be submitted by *May 6, 2012*. Please apply early, as some meetings become oversubscribed (full) before this deadline. Website: http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2012&program=oceans * * -- Leslie Burdett Hart, PhD Jardon and Howard Technologies, Inc. (JHT) NOAA/NOS/NCCOS Hollings Marine Laboratory 331 Ft. Johnson Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 Phone: 843-725-4831 Fax: 843-762-8737 Email: Leslie.Burdett(a)noaa.gov

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Posting: Special Issue New Zealand J Zool Call for Papers
by Forcada, Jaume 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

Jaume Forcada jfor(a)bas.ac.uk Of interest for researchers on marine mammals and wind energy generation: Call for papers for a special issue of the New Zealand Journal of Zoology on: Wind Energy and Wildlife. The use of wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, has increased worldwide in recent years. It currently accounts for some 4.2% of NZ energy generation, predicted to rise to 20% by 2030. However, some research has shown negative effects of wind turbines on both bats and birds. It is timely to consider the evidence for wider impacts of the burgeoning wind energy industry. In this special issue we seek NZ and international contributions that will encourage a better dialogue and understanding of how wind energy developments affect wildlife. The New Zealand Journal of Zoology is pleased to issue this call for papers for an upcoming special issue focussing on this topic. We welcome papers on any aspect of wind energy and wildlife, including: * Effects on birds, particularly migratory and predatory species * Effects on bats * Effects on other animals * Modelling * Mitigation Submissions of manuscripts up to 5,000 words can be made directly to our ScholarOne online portal at: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/nzjz The deadline for submissions is 1 July 2012. Please see our Information for Authors for full details of how to prepare submissions: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?journalCode=tnzz20&page=… Please direct any enquiries to Dr Stuart Parsons: s.parsons(a)auckland.ac.nz Dr Jaume Forcada British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council High Cross, Madingley Road,Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK ph: 44-(0)1223-221326 fax: 44-(0)1223-221259 Email: jfor(a)bas.ac.uk Web: http://www.bas.ac.uk/profile/jforcada/ -- This message (and any attachments) is for the recipient only. NERC is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the contents of this email and any reply you make may be disclosed by NERC unless it is exempt from release under the Act. Any material supplied to NERC may be stored in an electronic records management system.

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