October 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

The Sixth International Sirenian Symposium-Abstract Submission Extended
by Nicole Adimey 17 Oct '13

17 Oct '13

*The Sixth International Sirenian Symposium* The Sixth International Sirenian Symposium will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013 in conjunction with the 20th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Dunedin, New Zealand. This symposium will be kindly sponsored by the Secretariat of the Dugong MOU*, Convention on Migratory Species Office - Abu Dhabi. The aim of this full-day symposium, in collaboration with the IUCN Sirenian Specialists Group, is to foster communication between researchers, managers, and policy makers. Scientists and managers representing countries from all over the globe are invited to present new information on Sirenian conservation and management, stranding response and medical assessment, monitoring applications, and general biology and research. A special session will be devoted to Dugong conservation efforts in the Indo-Pacific. The symposium will include presentations, a poster session, and a Q & A session. Sirenian items will be available for purchase to raise funds for future student travel scholarships. The cost of this workshop is $10.00. Space is limited, so please register at: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… . If you would like to submit a presentation or poster please send an electronic copy of your abstract (300 word limit) to Nicole Adimey (* nicoleadimey(a)gmail.com*) by *October 31, 2013*. *MOU: "The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their Habitats throughout their Range"

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Workshop: Species Distribution Modeling with MGET, following the SMM Biennial Conference, 14 December, Dunedin, NZ
by Jason Roberts 16 Oct '13

16 Oct '13

We cordially invite you to attend a 1-day workshop on species distribution modeling (SDM) with Marine Geospatial Ecology Tools (MGET), on Saturday, 14 December in Dunedin, New Zealand, following the conclusion of the Society for Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference. MGET is a free, open source geoprocessing toolbox that plugs into ArcGIS and contains over 250 tools that are useful in a variety of research and spatial planning problems. MGET can help you with scenarios as simple as easily acquiring oceanographic data in GIS-compatible formats, to more complicated problems such as simulating the dispersal of larvae by ocean currents. To learn more about MGET, please go to http://mgel.env.duke.edu/mget. The workshop will be a mixture of presentations and practical exercises. Attendees will be seated at ArcGIS workstations provided by the University of Otago and over the course of the day we will work though the steps of an SDM example. Starting with records of sightings of a marine animal, we will build up a geoprocessing workflow that links the sightings to oceanographic observations, explores statistical properties of the data, fits a multivariate statistical model relating the animal's distribution to oceanographic covariates, evaluates the model's performance, and predicts the animal's distribution across the seascape using remote sensing imagery. This example will take heavy advantage the interoperation MGET establishes between ArcGIS and the popular statistics program R, which will be used to perform the statistical operations. The specific model we will build depends on attendee interests, but likely to be either models of cetacean habitat suitability and density from line transect survey data (using distance sampling techniques), models of fish habitat suitability and CPUE from fishery catch data, or a model of seabird habitat use or possibly behavior from telemetry data. Regardless of which example we select, the overall workflow will cover many of the steps needed for all of them, and we'll discuss important difference between them. The cost will be NZ$25-35 per person (we are still working out the exact amount), plus lunch unless you bring your own. Space is limited. To register, or if you have any questions, please contact Judy Rodda (hamrodda(a)yahoo.com) and myself. We hope to see you there. Best regards, Jason Roberts jason.roberts(a)duke.edu Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University http://mgel.env.duke.edu

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FW: Passive Acoustic Monitoring training course by Seiche Measurements Ltd
by Sarah Hancock 16 Oct '13

16 Oct '13

The Seiche Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) course provides comprehensive training for personnel new to the offshore industry who are interested in passive acoustic monitoring. The 3 day course is aimed at delegates with a scientific background, preferably in biology and marine sciences who have completed the JNCC marine mammal observer course. There are 2 days of classroom sessions with lectures on sound in water, marine mammal evolutionary biology and sound production, anthropogenic noise sources and their effect on marine mammals. PAM principles and the role of the PAM operator, Seiche PAM hardware with deployment and operations, PAM software and an introduction to PAMguard. There are hands on sessions in the classroom to reinforce the lectures and encourage the delegates to get to grips with the system, its set up and operation and troubleshooting. The final classroom session is an interactive PAMguard workshop where delegates work with the instructor to build a functioning PAMguard data model. Simulated sources and recordings are used to show how the effective use of detectors enables PAM operators to detect and localise vocalising marine mammals. Day 3 is a practical session on a vessel where delegates use what they have learned to take an active role in set up, deployment and operation of the Seiche PAM system at sea and run through troubleshooting scenarios. We do encourage all delegates to bring their own laptops to the course. Lunch is provided within the course costs for the 2 days you are in the classroom, however not for the practical day on board the boat. Travel and accommodation are not provided in the course fee. The next courses will take place at Plymouth Aquarium on the 10 12th February 2014 Cost £450 To find out more about this course or to book this course please contact: Sarah Hancock <mailto:sarah@seiche.eu.com> sarah(a)seiche.eu.com Sarah Hancock Training Co-Ordinator Description: cid:3383135004_1047591 Seiche Measurements Limited Bradworthy Industrial Estate, Langdon Road, Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7SF, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1409 404050 Fax: +44 (0)1409 240276 Mob: +44 7825544436 http://www.seiche.eu.com Registered in England & Wales No. 3475558, Registered Office: The Custom House, The Strand, Barnstaple, Devon

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New paper on killer whales of the Bahamas
by Charlotte Dunn 16 Oct '13

16 Oct '13

All the following paper was recently published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK Killer whale (Orcinus orca) occurrence and predation in the Bahamas by, Charlotte Dunn and Diane Claridge Abstract: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) have a cosmopolitan distribution, yet little is known about populations that inhabit tropical waters. We compiled 34 sightings of killer whales in the Bahamas, recorded from 1913 to 2011. Group sizes were generally small (mean 4.2, range 1–12, SD 2.6). Thirteen sightings were documented with photographs and/or video of sufficient quality to allow individual photo-identification analysis. Of the 45 whales photographed, 14 unique individual killer whales were identified, eight of which were re-sighted between two and nine times. An adult female (Oo6) and a now-adult male (Oo4), were first seen together in 1995, and have been re-sighted together eight times over a 16-yr period. To date, killer whales in the Bahamas have only been observed preying on marine mammals, including Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei), pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima), all of which are previously unrecorded prey species for Orcinus orca. Full citation details: Charlotte Dunn and Diane Claridge. Killer whale (Orcinus orca) occurrence and predation in the Bahamas. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, available on CJO2013. doi:10.1017/S0025315413000908. it is available here: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=89… or pdf requests can be made to myself cdunn(a)bahamaswhales.org kind regards Charlotte Charlotte Dunn Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation www.bahamaswhales.org http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=cw246 +1 242 366 4155 +1 242 577 0655 (cell) +44 7789 097029 (UK cell)

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Masters Degree: Marine Mammal Science (UM/RSMAS)
by Mps Rsmas 15 Oct '13

15 Oct '13

Hello! The Master of Professional Science degree, offered at University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, is intended for students who want to generate innovative solutions to marine, coastal and climate related issues. Our students are exposed to a unique, multidisciplinary and applied curriculum, including science theory, field and laboratory training, legal and regulatory knowledge, communication and media training, and the development of business savvy. We prepare our students for science careers in industry, government, and non-profit organizations, where employment demands are growing. The curriculum is structured to allow students to complete their degree in as little as 12 months, with the training and real-world experience necessary to prepare them for careers in today’s professional science job market. With growing access to marine mammals in the wild and at managed care facilities, the need for animal care and management staff is increasing. As the potential for employment grows, there is a greater focus on employees with strong educational and applied backgrounds. Advancements in the care and conservation of marine mammals have progressed dramatically over the last decade with the development of a greater understanding of marine mammal biology, behavior, and physiology, as well as improved diagnostic and assessment tools and techniques. Students in this degree track will be part of one of the select programs in the nation designed to prepare them for employment in marine mammal management (including associated ecosystems) and care. Coursework will integrate topics such as marine mammal medicine and pathology, medical diagnostics and laboratory analysis, population assessment and management, state and federal regulations, research, education, and applied behavior analysis. Students will have the opportunity to interact with medical, training, and research experts in our community, as well as conduct an internship at one of many marine mammal rehab, managed care, or research facilities. As part of the practical training incorporated into the Marine Mammal Science curriculum, most students will participate in mark-recapture surveys, public education, wild health assessments, behavior analysis and modification studies, learning field techniques, animal care, necropsies, and regional and national conferences. Other degree programs offered in Fall 2014 include: *Marine & Coastal Science* * Aquaculture * Coastal Sustainability – with a semester abroad in the Bahamas! * Coastal Zone Management * Exploration Science * Fisheries Management and Conservation * Marine Conservation * Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management * Joint JD/MPS *Meteorology and Climate Science* * Broadcast Meteorology * Computational Meteorology and Oceanography * Weather, Climate and Society * Weather Forecasting Applications for fall 2014 will be accepted starting February 1st, 2014 and will be evaluated on a rolling basis until June 1st, 2014. *For more information regarding coursework, pre-requisites and much more, *please visit the program website - http://mps.rsmas.miami.edu/<https://exchange.rsmas.miami.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QrxD_AzYB0GLUCkcEx-Keu0J5…>, visit us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/Rosenstiel.ScienceMasters<https://exchange.rsmas.miami.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=QrxD_AzYB0GLUCkcEx-Keu0J5…> , and download the attachment.

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New publication: Use of the Robust Design to estimate abundance and demographic parameters for a coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population
by Lars Bejder 14 Oct '13

14 Oct '13

Dear MARMAM readers, We are pleased to announce a recent publication in PLoS ONE entitled: Title: Use of the Robust Design to estimate abundance and demographic parameters for a coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population Authors: Smith, H.C., Pollock, K., Waples, K., Bradley, S. and Bejder, L. Abstract: As delphinid populations become increasingly exposed to human activities we rely on our capacity to produce accurate abundance estimates upon which to base management decisions. This study applied mark-recapture methods following the Robust Design to estimate abundance, demographic parameters, and temporary emigration rates of an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population off Bunbury, Western Australia. Boat-based photo-identification surveys were conducted year-round over three consecutive years along pre-determined transect lines to create a consistent sampling effort throughout the study period and area. The best fitting capture-recapture model showed a population with a seasonal Markovian temporary emigration with time varying survival and capture probabilities. Abundance estimates were seasonally dependent with consistently lower numbers obtained during winter and higher during summer and autumn across the three-year study period. Specifically, abundance estimates for all adults and juveniles (combined) varied from a low of 63 (95% CI 59 to 73) in winter of 2007 to a high of 139 (95% CI 134 to148) in autumn of 2009. Temporary emigration rates (γ') for animals absent in the previous period ranged from 0.34 to 0.97 (mean = 0.54; ±SE 0.11) with a peak during spring. Temporary emigration rates for animals present during the previous period (γ'') were lower, ranging from 0.00 to 0.29, with a mean of 0.16 (± SE 0.04). This model yielded a mean apparent survival estimate for juveniles and adults (combined) of 0.95 (± SE 0.02) and a capture probability from 0.07 to 0.51 with a mean of 0.30 (± SE 0.04). This study demonstrates the importance of incorporating temporary emigration to accurately estimate abundance of coastal delphinids. Temporary emigration rates were high in this study, despite the large area surveyed, indicating the challenges of sampling highly mobile animals which range over large spatial areas. Full citation details: Smith HC, Pollock K, Waples K, Bradley S, Bejder L (2013). Use of the Robust Design to Estimate Seasonal Abundance and Demographic Parameters of a Coastal Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) Population. PLoS ONE 8(10): e76574. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076574. The paper is freely downloadable from PLoS ONE: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0076574;… **Please note: Unfortunately, the journal has duplicated Figure 1 in the compiled PDF version and therefore Figure 2 is missing in the PDF. However, the online HTML version of Figure 2 is correct. We are hoping the journal will rectify this soon. If you have any questions, please contact Holly Raudino (h.smith(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:h.smith@murdoch.edu.au>) or Lars Bejder (l.bejder(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:l.bejder@murdoch.edu.au>). Kind regards, Lars Bejder Head, Cetacean Research Unit School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University South Street Murdoch WA 6150 Website: www.mucru.org<http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/mucru/lars_bejder.html>

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Course Announcement: An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology - Glasgow, UK, 22-24 January 2014
by Colin D. MacLeod 14 Oct '13

14 Oct '13

Course Announcement: An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology GIS In Ecology will be holding an introductory training course on using GIS for marine biological research in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 22nd to 24th of January 2014. It will be taught by Dr. Colin D. MacLeod, the author of ‘An Introduction To Using GIS In Marine Biology’ (Pictish Beast Publications). It is aimed at those just starting to use GIS in their research and who have little or no existing knowledge of this subject area. More information about this course can be found at: http://www.gisinecology.com/Training_Course_Glasgow_January_2014.htm. All the practical exercises will be done using a standard data set so you do not need to have your own data to do this course. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 12 people. The course will cost £395 per person (£300 for students, the unwaged and those working for registered charities). To book a place, or for more information, contact: info(a)GISinEcology.com. At the end of the course, all attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and completion. Each certificate is embossed with the GIS In Ecology official stamp to prevent its fraudulent reproduction. In addition, each certificate has its own unique identification number that we will record, along with your name, meaning that we can verify the authenticity of the certificates we issue (and the course you have completed) on request. To attend this course, you must bring your own laptop computer and have a fully licensed copy of ArcGIS 9.3, 10, 10.1, 10.2 software (ArcGIS 10.2 is the preferred software), and a licence for the ArGIS Spatial Analyst extension pre-installed on it. You can find information about how to get this software package by clicking here. It addition, you will also need to have spreadsheet software, such as Excel, on your computer. Glasgow has great transport links and is within half a days travel by car or by fast train links from most cities in the UK. For example, it can be reached in as little as 4h 30mins from London by train. It can also be reached by direct flights from many European cities and the flight time is generally under four hours. The course will be held in central Glasgow at the IET Glasgow Teacher Building (14 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, G1 4DB, UK). Attendees will be responsible for their own accommodation. However, Glasgow provides a wide range of accommodation options to fit most budgets. Information on hotels and hostels in Glasgow can be found by visiting the webpage for the course. This course will be followed by a second course running from the 27 – 28th January at the same venue titled ‘An Introduction To Species Distribution Modelling In The Marine Environment’. For more information on this course, visit http://www.gisinecology.com/Training_Course_SDM_January_2014.htm. All the best, Colin ================================================================================== GIS IN ECOLOGY - Providing Training, Advice And Consultancy On The Use Of GIS In Ecology To help the environment, please do not print out this email unless it is unavoidable. ==================================================================================

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Oct 29: Interactive Q&A on Marine Mammals and Debris Entanglement — Scott Landry, Lauri Jemison, and Sue Goodglick Will Answer Your Questions.
by John Davis 13 Oct '13

13 Oct '13

*Interactive Q&A on Marine Mammals and Debris Entanglement — Scott Landry, Lauri Jemison, and Sue Goodglick Will Answer Your Questions* Hosted by MarineDebris.Info *Date: *Tues, Oct 29, 2013 *Time:* 1 pm US EDT / 10 am US PDT / 5 pm GMT To join the chat on Oct 29: http://marinedebris.info/events/interactive-qa-marine-mammals-and-debris-en… In this interactive “Office Hour” chat, three experts on marine mammal entanglement and disentanglement will take your questions: * Scott Landry is director of the Marine Animal Entanglement Response team at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies in Massachusetts. Over the past 30 years, the Center has freed more than 100 large whales from life-threatening entanglements, as well as dozens of smaller cetaceans, seals, and other marine animals. * Lauri Jemison is a biologist who has studied pinnipeds in Alaska for the past 25 years, and worked since 1997 with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s Marine Mammal Program. She has studied sea lion entanglement in marine debris and ingestion of fishing gear for the past decade. Packing bands, used in the shipping and fishing industries, and large rubber bands, used for many purposes including holding crab pots closed, are two of the most common neck-entangling materials. * Sue Goodglick is a biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Steller sea lion research program and member of the multi-agency Pinniped Entanglement Group. As part of her job, she helps develop and disseminate outreach materials for the group's “Lose the Loop!” campaign, an effort to help reduce animal entanglements in marine debris. *About the Office Hour format:* This Office Hour will take place at www.marinedebris.info, the knowledge-sharing forum for marine debris researchers, managers, and activists. The event will be a live interactive chat conducted by typing and reading text - there is no audio component. Office Hour chats provide an opportunity for audience members to ask questions to our guests; audience members may also share their own experiences and insights with the guests and other participants. All participants are able (and encouraged) to post, and all participants are able to view all posts. Inappropriate or off-topic content will be controlled. You do not need to be logged into the MarineDebris.Info site to participate in the chat, but you are encouraged to create a user account and log in so you do not need to type your name in every post. To join the chat on Oct 29: http://marinedebris.info/events/interactive-qa-marine-mammals-and-debris-en… _______________ John B. Davis, President MARE (Marine Affairs Research and Education) Woodinville, WA 98077 USA +1 425 788 8185 jdavis(a)marineaffairs.org marineaffairs.org / openchannels.org / mpanews.org / meam.net / marinedebris.info

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Bottlenose dolphins of North Patagonia
by Els Vermeulen 13 Oct '13

13 Oct '13

Dear colleagues, Between 2006 and 2012 I have been researching a population of bottlenose dolphins in North Patagonia, Argentina. After years of data gathering and analysis, I am currently finishing up my PhD at the University of Liège, Belgium, and publishing the final results of these years of investigation. The most important outcome of this research is that there is an increasing concern on the conservation status of these dolphins in Argentina. It is therefore that I have the aim to share results of my research as much as possible, especially with the local communities in Argentina, to increase the awareness around this population and highlight its vulnerability. Hence with the help of two professionals of Argentina, I have written a children’s book with the title *“Las Toninas de la Bahia, Descubriendo a los Delfines de Patagonia Norte”*. Free translation of this title is *“The bottlenose dolphins of the Bay, Discovering the Dolphins of North Patagonia”*. In this book we offer general information on cetaceans, on the various dolphin species of North Patagonia and especially on the studied population of bottlenose dolphins. Several pages are dedicated to the most important research results, the possible threats this population faces locally and suggestions on why and how to improve their conservation in this region. For the distribution of this book we are organizing an educational project in Patagonia during which we will offer 3000 printed copies to the local schools. Furthermore, I created a facebook group where a pdf version of the book is free to download, and through which I aim to further increase the interest of the people to learn about bottlenose dolphins and their conservation issues, to share their experiences and to create a platform where they are free to ask questions to each other and professionals. Up to now the book is only available in Spanish, but the facebook group will function both in Spanish and English as we are convinced that the use of social networking is essential in the increasing awareness of environmental issues (https://www.facebook.com/groups/157084411154762) For questions or further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards, Els Els Vermeulen, MSc Doctorandus Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Research Centre University of Liege, Belgium www2.ulg.ac.be/oceanbio

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Dolphin research Internship and Masters opportunities
by Bruno Diaz Lopez 13 Oct '13

13 Oct '13

Could you please post the following. Hi everyone, On behalf of the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI), I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting internship applications for Winter-Spring term 2014 (a minimum of 60 days of participation from March 2014) for our new research project along the North-western coast of the Iberian Pensinsula (Galician waters, Spain). The BDRI offers the interns the chance to work during many steps of the research. Your participation means that you will not only be observing the studied animals at sea, but you will also be collecting different types of data, using various scientific methods, and helping on board the research vessel in general. When back in the lab, you will participate in the transcription of the collected data, with the database work, you will use various software’s, perform photo-identification analysis, use of GIS and more. As an internship, you will be encouraged to work hard and gain an insight of what it is actually like to work as a marine mammal researcher. An academic background in biology or natural science, coupled with motivation, willingness to work hard and interest in marine mammal’s research make the most qualified individuals. Undergraduate and postgraduate students could, as a part of one of BDRI’s projects, present a personal research project as their thesis work. In order to do so, this is requested within your internship application. The BDRI is a private and self-funded centre, hence, there is no compensation for the internship positions. This means that in order for you to come and take a part of the project you will have to pay for a part of the expenses that are derived from your participation (the internship fee). The fee includes the accommodation, and a small part of other expenses derived of your participation (use of equipment, use of boats). Successful applicants will be responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the research centre (O Grove, Galicia, Spain). There is no deadline to apply. However, approved applications are accepted on a first-come, first serve basis. Apply early! Start and end dates are flexible. Positions are open until filled. Prior field research experience is recommended but not required. Please download the internships general information and application form at: www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/internships.pdf www.thebdri.com/resources/downloads/applicationinternships.doc Send the application form, resume, recommendation letters, and cover letter by email to the email: info(a)thebdri.com. See you on site! Bruno Diaz Lopez Chief Biologist & Director The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI Via A. Diaz 4. Golfo Aranci 07020, Sardinia, Italy www.thebdri.com tel. 0039 3460815414 Recent scientific articles by the BDRI: 1. Diaz Lopez B., 2012. Bottlenose dolphins and aquaculture: interaction and site fidelity on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia (Italy). Marine Biology, DOI 10.1007/s00227-012-2002-x 2. Diaz Lopez B. Mariño, F., 2011. A trial of acoustic harassment device efficacy on free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Sardinia, Italy. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 2011, pp 44(4):197-208. 3. Diaz Lopez B., 2011. Aquaculture systems. In: Handbook of Models used in Ecosystem and Environmental Management, Sven Erik Jørgensen (Ed.), CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, FL.pp 241-256. 4. Diaz Lopez B., 2011. Whistle characteristics in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Mediterranean Sea: influence of behaviour. Mammalian Biology 76: 180-189.

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