September 2012 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

FYI: FW: RFP for 2012 NMSF Hollings Grants
by Dennis Heinemann 14 Sep '12

14 Sep '12

From: marines(a)lists.cgbd.org<mailto:marines@lists.cgbd.org> [mailto:marines@lists.cgbd.org]<mailto:[mailto:marines@lists.cgbd.org]> On Behalf Of William Hull Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 12:03 PM To: marines(a)lists.cgbd.org<mailto:marines@lists.cgbd.org> Subject: [marines] RFP for 2012 NMSF Hollings Grants Dear friends and colleagues - I am very pleased to be forwarding you the notice for the Request of Proposals for grants under our Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation seeks proposals to increase ocean awareness and promote action for ocean conservation. NMSF is interested in innovative projects that engage the public in compelling ocean stewardship issues and motivate effective and focused action to benefit both humans and the sea. This year, NMSF will award up to $100,000 in grants, between $10,000 and $25,000 each, in subjects including but not limited to: Marine Debris, Human Interaction with Marine Mammals, Non-Point Source Pollution and Runoff, Ocean and Human Health, and Ocean Acidification. As we have done for the last two years, we are once again prioritizing proposals that relate to national marine sanctuaries in a meaningful way. Please refer to the attached RFP itself for specifics. You can find more information on the Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund and grants funded in the past here<http://www.nmsfocean.org/our-grants>. Please pass this along to partners and other interested parties. The deadline for proposal submission is October 26, 2012. Please contact Allison Alexander at Allison(a)nmsfocean.org<mailto:Allison@nmsfocean.org> if you have questions on the grant application process. Thanks, Jason Jason M. Patlis President & Chief Executive Officer National Marine Sanctuary Foundation 8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 501 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 608-3040 x1 (301) 608-3044 (fax) (240) 620-1907 (cell) Connecting you to the best of the American ocean -- our national marine sanctuaries. Learn more at www.NMSFocean.org<http://www.nmsfocean.org/>. Follow us: twitter.com/NMSFocean<http://twitter.com/nmsfocean> | facebook.com/NMSFocean<http://facebook.com/NMSFocean>

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New Publication: Global Coverage of Cetacean Line-Transect Surveys: Status Quo, Data Gaps and Future Challenges
by Nicola Quick 13 Sep '12

13 Sep '12

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper, Kaschner K, Quick NJ, Jewell R, Williams R, Harris CM (2012) Global Coverage of Cetacean Line-Transect Surveys: Status Quo, Data Gaps and Future Challenges. PLoS ONE 7(9): e44075. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0044075 The pdf and data layers are available from http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0044075 Abstract Knowledge of abundance, trends and distribution of cetacean populations is needed to inform marine conservation efforts, ecosystem models and spatial planning. We compiled a geo-spatial database of published data on cetacean abundance from dedicated visual line-transect surveys and encoded >1100 abundance estimates for 47 species from 430 surveys conducted worldwide from 1975-2005. Our subsequent analyses revealed large spatial, temporal and taxonomic variability and gaps in survey coverage. With the exception of Antarctic waters, survey coverage was biased toward the northern hemisphere, especially US and northern European waters. Overall, <25% of the world's ocean surface was surveyed and only 6% had been covered frequently enough (≥5 times) to allow trend estimation. Almost half the global survey effort, defined as total area (km2) covered by all survey study areas across time, was concentrated in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Neither the number of surveys conducted nor the survey effort had increased in recent years. Across species, an average of 10% of a species' predicted range had been covered by at least one survey, but there was considerable variation among species. With the exception of three delphinid species, <1% of all species' ranges had been covered frequently enough for trend analysis. Sperm whales emerged from our analyses as a relatively data-rich species. This is a notoriously difficult species to survey visually, and we use this as an example to illustrate the challenges of using available data from line-transect surveys for the detection of trends or for spatial planning. We propose field and analytical methods to fill in data gaps to improve cetacean conservation efforts. Kind Regards Nicola Dr Nicola Quick Senior Research Scientist Scottish Oceans Institute SMRU Ltd New Technology Centre North Haugh St Andrews Fife KY16 9SR Scotland email: njq(a)smru.co.uk<mailto:fas@smru.co.uk> http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=njq Tel: +44 (0)1334 479100 Fax: +44 (0)1334 477878 www.smru.co.uk http://soi.st-andrews.ac.uk/ P Please consider whether you really need a hard copy of this email before printing it - thank you. NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: This message, and any attachments, are intended solely for the addressee and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you believe that you have received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy this email. Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email and any attachments are free from any virus, we advise that, in keeping with good computing practice, the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. SMRU LIMITED is a limited company registered in Scotland, Registered Number: 296937. Registered Office: 5 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8EJ.

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Proposal to import 18 wild-caught belugas
by Naomi Rose 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

Dear Colleagues: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published a notice of receipt of a permit application to import 18 wild-caught belugas into the United States. The permit applicant is the Georgia Aquarium, in partnership with five other US facilities (the three SeaWorlds and Mystic and Shedd Aquariums). The permit application materials are available at the following: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/georgia_aquarium_belugas.htm I strongly urge those who have an interest in the welfare of captive cetaceans and those who have an interest in the international commercial trade in marine mammals (and all wildlife) to review these materials and consider submitting comments by the deadline, October 29. There will also be a hearing on October 12 in Silver Spring, Maryland at the NOAA headquarters. Humane Society International is opposed to the capture from the wild of cetaceans for public display and will be submitting comments to this effect. I would be happy to send talking points I have developed for this permit application to anyone who requests them. Regards Naomi Rose Naomi A. Rose, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, HSI-Wildlife nrose(a)hsi.org<mailto:nrose@hsi.org> t +1 301.258.3048 f +1 301.258.3082 Humane Society International 700 Professional Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20879 USA hsi.org<http://www.hsi.org/> Join Our Email List<http://www.hsi.org/join> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/hsiglobal> Twitter<http://twitter.com/hsiglobal> [Description: Humane Society International - Celebrating Animals | Confronting Cruelty | Worldwide]<http://www.hsi.org/>

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New Paper: Movements of gray whales between the western and eastern North Pacific
by Dave Weller 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

The following article has recently been published in Endangered Species Research: Weller, D.W., Klimek, A., Bradford, A.L., Calambokidis, J., Lang, A.R., Gisborne, B., Burdin, A.M., Szaniszlo, W., Urbán, J., Gomez-Gallardo Unzueta, A., Swartz, S. and Brownell, R.L., Jr. 2012. Movements of gray whales between the western and eastern North Pacific. 18:193-199 ABSTRACT: The western North Pacific (WNP) population of gray whales *Eschrichtius robustus* is redlisted by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. As part of a long-term study on whales off Sakhalin Island, Russia, photo-catalog comparisons of gray whales in the western and eastern North Pacific (ENP) were undertaken to assess population mixing. These comparisons involved 2 approaches: (1) a systematic comparison of the WNP ‘Sakhalin Catalog’ to an ENP ‘Pacific Northwest Catalog’ that consisted of images from the northwest coast of North America and (2) a non-systematic comparison of the WNP ‘Sakhalin Catalog’ to an ENP ‘Laguna San Ignacio Catalog’ that consisted of images from central Baja California, Mexico. The Sakhalin to Pacific Northwest comparison consisted of 181 and 1064 whales, respectively, and resulted in 6 matches (3 males, 2 females, and 1 whale of unknown sex). All sightings of ‘Sakhalin whales’ in the Pacific Northwest occurred off southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The Sakhalin to Laguna San Ignacio comparison consisted of 181 and 2514 whales, respectively, and resulted in 4 matches (2 males and 2 females). As the Pacific Northwest and Laguna San Ignacio catalogs represent only a small fraction of the total estimated number of individuals in the ENP population (~19000), it is likely that more WNP/ENP exchange has occurred than was detected by these photo-catalog comparisons. Although these matches provide new records of movements between the WNP and ENP, recent observations of gray whales off Japan and China suggest that not all gray whales identified in the WNP share a common wintering ground. A pdf reprint is available on request <dave.weller(a)noaa.gov> or can be freely downloaded from: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n3/ David W. Weller, Ph.D. Protected Resources Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 3333 North Torrey Pines Court La Jolla, CA 92037-1022 USA Tel: 1+858-546-5674 E-mail: dave.weller(a)noaa.gov

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New paper
by Yulia Ivashchenko 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

The following paper has just been published: Ivashchenko, Y.V. & Clapham, P.J. 2012. Soviet catches of bowhead (*Balaena mysticetus*) and right whales (*Eubalaena japonica*) in the North Pacific and Okhotsk Sea. *Endangered Species Research *18: 201-217. ABSTRACT: Both bowhead *Balaena mysticetus* and North Pacific (NP) right whales *Eubalaena japonica* were reduced to low levels by historical whaling. Despite their protected status, it is known that the USSR illegally killed both species in the NP and Okhotsk Sea (OS). Here, we provide revised Soviet catch totals, as well as other new information on the distribution and other details of these catches. Right whale catches were made from 1962 to 1968 in the eastern NP and in 1967 and 1968 in the OS. Our best estimate of total right whale catches is 661, consisting of 529 for the eastern NP (compared to the previously published figure of 372) and 152 for the OS (cf. a previous figure of 136). Catches were distributed in the Bering Sea (BS, 115), eastern Aleutian Islands (28), Gulf of Alaska (GOA, 366), OS (132), and other areas (20). Detailed information on catches of 112 right whales taken in May/June 1963 shows a broad distribution in offshore waters of the GOA, consistent with 19th century historical whaling records. Other major areas in which right whales were caught include south of Kodiak Island, western Bristol Bay (southeastern BS), and the central OS off eastern Sakhalin Island. The best estimate of bowhead whale catches in the OS in 1967 and 1968 is 145 animals, although this is contingent upon certain assumptions regarding species identity. Of these, 79 were killed in the Shantar Islands region and 66 in Shelikhov Bay. The catches of both species primarily involved large mature animals, thus greatly inhibiting recovery of the populations concerned. A pdf reprint is available on request. Yulia V. Ivashchenko National Marine Mammal Laboratory Alaska Fisheries Science Center Seattle, WA 98115 USA School of Environmental Science and Management Southern Cross University Lismore NSW 2480 Australia Email: yulia.ivashchenko(a)noaa.gov

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Field Course in Cetacean Ecology
by Yeater, Prof. Deirdre M. 12 Sep '12

12 Sep '12

Join SHU Faculty member Dr. Deirdre Yeater and DCP's Bimini Research Manager Kelly Melillo Sweeting in Bimini, The Bahamas. Learn more at http://www.sacredheart.edu/ pages/41483_bimini.cfm or email DCP at info(a)dcpmail.org<mailto:info@dcpmail.org>. Where is it located? The field portion of this course will take place on Bimini, a small island in The Bahamas around which groups of wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins frequent. When is the course? The field portion of this course begins on 28 May 2013, in Bimini. Students depart Bimini on 9 June 2013. What does it cost and how do I apply? Applications (online, see above) are due 14 December 2012. With your application, a non-refundable deposit of $466 is due. The remaining balance will be approximately $3804. What is included in the course fee? Tuition - 3 credits (200-level) HTH International Insurance Course instruction 13 days/ 12 nights in Bimini, The Bahamas, shared-rooms 3 meals/day, plus snacks while on boat trips Drinking water 8 wild dolphin surveys, including at least 2 snorkel opportunities 1 wild shark experience Gratuity (hotel & dock staff) Bimini-only airport/hotel transfers Orientation and support at SHU and on Bimini Important Notes Airfare to/from Bimini NOT included Students must be at least 18 years old Valid passports are required Students must take this course for SHU credit; inquire with your home institution about credit transfer A minimum of 10 students are required; maximum of 16 Deirdre Yeater, Ph.D Assistant Professor Sacred Heart University 5151 Park Avenue Fairfield, CT 06825 Phone: 203-365-4870 Fax: 203-371-7998

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Sound Analysis Workshop, April 22-26, 2013
by Liz D. Rowland 10 Sep '12

10 Sep '12

The Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, NY will be running a Sound Analysis Workshop from 22 to 26 April, 2013. The maximum class size is 10, and there are currently 9 places available. Please see here for more details http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/sound-analysis-workshops. The curriculum focuses on sound spectrographic analysis techniques and how they can be applied to biological research. We mainly use Raven<http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/raven/RavenOverview.html>, which is a sound analysis and visualization software tool developed at BRP, for instruction and analysis in this course. The standard fee is $1,300, but there is a discounted rate of $1,040 for registered students (Bachelors, Master or Ph.D.). The fee covers tuition, lunches, and a complimentary 1-yr license for Raven<http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp/raven/RavenOverview.html>. Please contact Liz Rowland, edr6(a)cornell.edu<mailto:edr6@cornell.edu> if you're interested or have questions. Liz Rowland Tel: (607) 254-2127/2136 edr6(a)cornell.edu

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ACS Conference: Early Bird Rates Extended through September!
by Uko Gorter 10 Sep '12

10 Sep '12

Dear MARMAM subscribers, EARLY BIRD RATES EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER! American Cetacean Society 13th International Conference November 9-11, 2012, San Diego, California. http://acsconference2012.eventbrite.com The American Cetacean Society is currently taking registrations for the 13th Biennial International Conference, "Whales and Humans: A Conflicted Relationship," taking place November 9-11, 2012 in San Diego, California. Join ACS and the foremost cetacean researchers and conservationists in the world to understand the historically conflicted relationship between whales and humans, the impacts of this relationship, past and present, and strategies for shaping this relationship in the future. The outstanding lineup so far includes: Kate O’Connell, Cheryl McCormick, Andres Cisneros Montemayor, Deborah Giles, Cara Lachmuth, Stephanie Norman, Brandon Southall, Denise Herzing, Lori Marino, Diana Reiss, Tom White, Flip Nicklin, Frans de Waal (Keynote speaker), Taryn Kiekow, Marla Holt, Peter Ross, Susan Chivers, Ari Friedlaender, Michael Weise, Bruce Mate, Cindy McInnis, Tony Knight, Karen Ristuben. See the full schedule and topics on the event registration site under the ticket items! Make your hotel reservation now to ensure the special conference rate: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/AmericanCetaceanSociety The lovely Hyatt Regency - Mission Bay in San Diego will be our venue for this year’s conference, with a special ACS room rate of $149 per night. Transportation from the airport is easy and quick. Make your reservations now to be sure you receive the special conference rate! If you have questions or need assistance with conference registration, please contact the ACS office at 310-548-6279. Amercian Cetacean Society Protecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and their habitats through public education, research grants, and conservation actions Uko Gorter on behalf of the American Cetacean Society www.acsonline.org

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Orca Aware Campaign - Photo Request
by Samantha Lipman 10 Sep '12

10 Sep '12

I would like to introduce a new UK-based orca awareness campaign sponsored by British Divers Marine Life Rescue called Orca Aware. BDMLR: Orca Aware is a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about wild and captive killer whales found around the world. It is an information campaign which will act as a source-pool for scientific, educational and journalistic material reporting on killer whales. As part of the campaign we are running a blog which addresses different areas of orca biology, research and conservation. A blog that we are working on at the moment is called "Orca of the World" and it is doing exactly that - taking a look at the different orca populations found around the world, with a short profile for each and photographs for illustration. We have already had a lot of support from orca researchers who have been fact-checking our profiles and providing us with photographs to use. The blog is nearly complete now, but I have a final photo request for the following populations: Pacific Northwest Offshore Kamchatka, Russia Punta Norte, Argentina Norway Strait of Gibraltar Crozet West Coast Community of Scotland There is also a request for someone to fact-check the following profiles: Kamchatka, Russia Crozet Strait of Gibraltar Any photos supplied / help provided will be credited as requested! If you are able to help with any of these requests, please contact campaign leader Sam Lipman at samantha.orca(a)gmail.com Many thanks!

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Humpback Whale Field Intensive in Puertio Rico: dates announced
by Mithriel MacKay 09 Sep '12

09 Sep '12

*Humpback Whale Field Intensive Program at MCERC in Puerto Rico: * *1 week “Shorty” programs $900.00USD* The Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center is inviting interested students to participate in the third season for 7 day field intensive focused on cetacean behavioral ecology in Puerto Rico. *No experience is necessary to participate!* Join our research team studying humpback whales *(Megaptera novaeangliae*) wintering off Puerto Rico. *Space is limited to 3 students per 7 day session * for boat and land based research platforms during the field season January 20, 2013- April 27, 2013. We are offering this "shorty" format (by request!) to fill the need for less expensive programs fitting into work and class schedules. This field intensive training program is well suited for students (undergraduate and graduate) of all skill levels interested in cetacean behavioral ecology, and conservation. The program culminates in a certificate acknowledging training including: Research experience in vessel and land based data collection and recording of humpback whale behaviors Photographic techniques in the field (DSL, high resolution wildlife photography) Photo identification methods of individual humpbacks and dolphins Theodolite tracking and computer interface (Pythagoras and Mysticetus software) Passive acoustic sampling and analysis (Ishmael, Adobe Audition, Raven Pro) Assessing environmental factors Permit requirements for marine mammal research involving endangered species An overview of ecology on this island bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Participants are directly involved in data collection and analysis for PhD dissertation related research for humpback whale occupancy, habitat use, and movement off Puerto Rico as well as an examination of reaction to human activity near shore (including boats, divers, surfers, and aircraft). $900.00USD per student includes a week in Puerto Rico: travel between field stations, training program in scientific methods, room and board at the project base station, reference materials related to the project, field methods for data collection and analysis, and a certificate of completion. Fees *do not include* travel to and from Puerto Rico, USA and compulsory insurance. Students must bring a working or collar-type PFD or are required to wear the PFD provided during all boat operations. MCERC has provided documentation of study for students working with their advisers at universities resulting in college credit. Please send us an e-mail in advance of your application if you are considering this option. To participate, simply e-mail MCERC.mail(a)gmail.com. We are transitioning to our new website. Application packets will either be sent to you via e-mail or you will be directed to the link on the new MCERC website when it is available. Be sure to put in a first, second, and third choice of dates to avoid missing out on a spot this season! Once you are selected and dates are matched, you will be notified via e-mail and instructions for submitting the program fee will be included. A waiting list will be created in the event an opening becomes available. Spring break fills especially fast, so if this time interests you we suggest you register as soon as possible. Prior to arrival date, recommended packing list and program information will be sent to your email address. Thank you for supporting humpback whale research and education! Website: www.Marine-Eco.org MCERC.mail(a)gmail.com Please be prepared to select first, second, and third choices for sessions available during the 2013 field season. Session 1 Jan 20-26 Session 2 Jan 27-Feb 2 Session 3 Feb 3- 9 Session 4 Feb 10-16 Session 5 Feb 17-23 Session 6 Feb 24- Mar 2 Session 7 Mar 3-9 Session 8 March 10-16 Session 9 Mar 17-23 Session 10 Mar 24-30 Session 11 Mar 31-Apr 6 Session 12 April 7-13 Session 13 April 14-20 See you in the tropics! WWW.Marine-Eco.org Mithriel MacKay Director of Research and Education Marine and Coastal Ecology Center-PR HC02 Box 6382 Guayanilla, PR 00656 -- *}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> **}-wh^ale> ** }-wh^ale>* Mithriel M. MacKay Ph.D. Candidate Marine Mammal Research Program Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University, Galveston (830) 688-9878 mithriel.mackay(a)gmail.com and Director of Research and Education Marine and Coastal Ecology Research Center HC02 6382 Guayanilla, PR and PO Box 63435 Pipe Creek, Texas 78063 www.Marine-Eco.org <http://www.marine-eco.org/> MCERC.mail(a)gmail.com

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