December 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Duke University Marine Laboratory Marine Conservation Summer Institute- Global Fellowship Announcement 2014
by Heather Heenehan 18 Dec '13

18 Dec '13

*Duke University Marine Laboratory Marine Conservation Summer Institute-Global Fellowships Summer 2014* *Application Deadline: February 1, 2014* The Duke University Marine Laboratory is offering an unparalleled educational opportunity from July 7 to August 8, 2014. Duke’s Marine Conservation Summer Institute focuses on principles necessary for the conservation and preservation of coastal and ocean environments during an intensive 5-week summer session. The focus is on interdisciplinary problem solving using biophysical and social science to address real world environmental problems. This program is an opportunity for students and professionals at any level to think about conservation biology and policy in an environment full of students, faculty and practitioners grappling with the same issues. The five-week core class, ENVIRON746A Marine Conservation Summer Institute consists of three weeks of plenary lectures, field trips and activities, and two intensive week-long modules intertwined in weeks two and four and led by experts in the field. Plenary weeks and modules will be focused on hands-on, team-based, experiential learning with meaningful faculty-student engagement that are hallmarks of the educational environment at the Marine Laboratory. Students will be in the field and at the discussion table, learning the basic tools of conservation biology and policy in the plenary weeks and delving deeply into special topics with experts during the module weeks. Modules for 2014 are: 1) Deep Sea Conservation (Van Dover<http://nicholas-staging.oit.duke.edu/people/faculty/van-dover>) & International Oceans Law (Kraska<http://fds.duke.edu/db/Nicholas/msc/faculty/jck39>) (Taught during Week 2) 2) Conservation of Marine Mammals & Sea Turtles (Read<http://nicholas-staging.oit.duke.edu/people/faculty/read>) & Domestic Oceans Law (Roady<http://nicholas-staging.oit.duke.edu/people/faculty/roady>) (Taught during Week 4) Global Fellowships in Marine Conservation will be awarded on a competitive basis. The Fellowship fully covers travel expenses, room and board, and tuition. The Global Fellowship application deadline for summer, 2014, is *February 1, 2014*. *Eligibility* The Global Fellowships are available to any international applicant with a good working knowledge of English who has an interest in marine conservation biology and policy, ideally with the intent to apply this interest to the practice of coastal and marine conservation. The course does not have specific prerequisites, but Global Fellows must have a BA or BS degree in hand and be enrolled in a graduate program, or currently working in the field of marine conservation. *To Apply for Global Fellowships: * It is our preference to receive applications via email (rachel.lopiccolo(a)duke.edu) or by fax (252)504-7648. If sent by postal mail, application materials should be directed to: Duke Marine Lab Global Fellows Program c/o Rachel Lo Piccolo 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd Beaufort NC 28516, USA *Application Materials* In addition to the enrollment form, each Global Fellowship applicant is required to submit the following credentials: (*Please include last name and title on all printed and electronic documents) · Duke University Marine Lab summer course enrollment form- please print and send completed form via email or postal mail · A brief essay - please limit this to one page - describing the applicant’s background, education, research, and work experience. Please note a Curriculum Vitae does not take the place of this essay · A brief statement of purpose - please limit this to one page - i.e., describing the applicant's reason for applying for the Fellowship, how the applicant will be able to apply the training in his/her home country; and the applicant's future goals. · A letter of recommendation from academic faculty or employer addressed to Dr. Doug Nowacek. We do not offer guidelines about the information to be included in your reference letter. These letters typically include how the referee knows you, his/her opinions of your work together in the past, and thoughts about whether he/she feels you'd be well suited to this program. · A Complete Curriculum Vitae. · A copy of your transcript is preferred. It may be an unofficial version. The transcript can be emailed to rachel.lopiccolo(a)duke.edu or faxed to (252) 504-7638 to the attention of Rachel Lo Piccolo. A non-certified translation of the transcript is fine. If sending a transcript is impossible, then please send a copy of your degree. If a traditional transcript is available, documentation certifying your courses, grades and official notes taken in each course during university studies in addition to a copy of your diploma will be required. *Due Date* Global Fellowship applications materials must be received no later than *February, 1st 2014,* by Rachel Lo Piccolo (rachel.lopiccolo(a)duke.edu) All applicants will be notified of their award status soon after the deadline date. We appreciate your interest in our Global Fellows program. If you have any questions you may contact Rachel Lo Piccolo at rachel.lopiccolo(a)duke.edu. http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/summeraid#globalfellows http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/enrollment_forms/summerapp http://nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/global-fellowships-marine-conservation

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Marine Mammal Rehabilitation in Europe - Graduation thesis - University of Liege, Belgium
by Graïc Jean-Marie 18 Dec '13

18 Dec '13

Dear MARMAMers, I am a student in Veterinary Medicine in the University of Liège, Belgium, and within the framwork of my graduation thesis about Marine Mammal Rehabilitation in Europe, I an trying to charaterize the status, operation and resources of European rehabilitation centers. This work is realized under the tutelage of Dr Catherine Delguste, who wrote a communication at the end of this email, and under the European convention of work for graduation. To achieve this, I need to contact a maximum of rehabilitation centers in Europe. So if you know or work in a rehabilitation center in Europe, and think you could help me contact them, please inform me, or forward the rest of this e-mail. Thank you very much! PS : If any marine mammal rehabilitation center elsewhere in the world was interested to figure in my work, I would be glad to read their answers as well, as a point of comparison. Jean-Marie Graïc GMV3 en Médecine Vétérinaire - ULg 31 rue du Gui 4100 Boncelles, Belgique GSM : +33 683 00 33 32 jm.graic(a)student.ulg.ac.be jm.graic(a)gmail.com jm.graic(a)me.com original e-mail ————————————————————————————————— Hello, I am a student in Veterinary Medicine in the University of Liège, Belgium, and within the framwork of my graduation thesis about Marine Mammal Rehabilitation in Europe, I an trying to charaterize the status, operation and resources of European rehabilitation centers. To gather a maximum of information in a minimum time and inconvenience, I prepared a survey to be fulfilled by your team. It is an Adobe Formulary PDF, to be preferably opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free), so you can type your answers to the questions directly on the document and send it back by email easily. It is also possible to print the document and send it fulfilled by post at the adress specified at the end of this e-mail. If fulfilling this formulary was still too tedious to do, it is absolutely possible to agree on a telephonic interview or a videoconference (Skype), where I'll type myself your answers. I personally commit myself to not reveal nominatively any information gathered, but to treat it anonymously in order to have a global picture of all the centers in Europe. I hope you will find the time to answer my survey, which is a part of not only the making of this work, but also part of a greater, long term project. I thank you in advance for your time, and stay at your entire disposition for any additional information. with my best regards, Jean-Marie Graïc GMV3 en Médecine Vétérinaire - ULg 31 rue du Gui 4100 Boncelles, Belgique GSM : +33 683 00 33 32 identifiant Skype : jmgraic jm.graic(a)student.ulg.ac.be jm.graic(a)gmail.com jm.graic(a)me.com ———————————————————————————————————————— Bonjour, je suis étudiant en dernière année de Médecine Vétérinaire à l'Université de Liège, et dans le cadre de mon Travail de Fin d'Etudes concernant la Réhabilitation des Mammifères Marins en Europe, je cherche à caractériser l'état, le fonctionnement et les ressources des centres de réhabilitation des mammifères marins européens. Je vous ai joint à la fin de cet e-mail une communication de ma tutrice pour ce travail, le Dr. Catherine Delguste. Dans le but de récolter un maximum d'information dans un minimum de temps et de dérangement, j'ai préparé un questionnaire à remplir par votre équipe. C'est un formulaire PDF à ouvrir de préférence avec Adobe Acrobat Reader, pour pouvoir taper les réponses aux questions directement sur le document et le renvoyer par e-mail facilement. Il est aussi possible d'imprimer le document et de l'envoyer rempli par la poste à l'adresse spécifiée à la fin de cet email. Dans le cas où remplir ce formulaire était trop fastidieux, il est tout à fait possible de convenir d'un rendez-vous téléphonique ou d'une vidéo conférence (Skype), où je taperais moi-même vos réponses. Je m'engage personnellement à ce que la totalité des informations communiquées ne soient pas révélées nominativement, mais traitées statistiquement anonymement. J'espère que vous pourrez trouver le temps de répondre à ce questionnaire, qui s'inscrit non seulement dans la réalisation de ce travail, mais aussi dans un projet à plus long terme. D'avance merci beaucoup pour votre temps, je reste à votre entière disposition pour toute information complémentaire, bien cordialement, Jean-Marie Graïc GMV3 en Médecine Vétérinaire - ULg 31 rue du Gui 4100 Boncelles, Belgique GSM : +33 683 00 33 32 identifiant Skype : jmgraic jm.graic(a)student.ulg.ac.be jm.graic(a)gmail.com jm.graic(a)me.com ————————————————————————————————————— Madame, Monsieur, Dans le cadre de son travail de fin d'études de docteur en médecine vétérinaire, dont je suis la tutrice, Mr Graïc a élaboré un questionnaire destiné aux centres de réhabilitation des mammifères marins. C'est dans ce cadre qu'il vous sollicite aujourd'hui, sous ma tutelle, afin de tenter de récolter un maximum d'informations lui permettant d'établir un certain état des lieux de la situation et du fonctionnement de ces centres en Europe. Les données que vous aurez la gentillesse de lui communiquer seront traitées anonymement, et si vous le souhaitez, de façon confidentielle. Je vous remercie d'avance de l'accueil que vous lui réserverez. Bien à vous, Dr Catherine Delguste, DVM, PhD, dipl. ECEIM 1ère assistante, Services Généraux Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Liège Belgique ————————————————————————————————————— Mrs, Mr, Within the frame of his graduate thesis in Veterinary Medicine, of which I am the tutelar, Mr Graïc elaborated a survey designed for marine mammal rehabilitation centers. It is in this aim that he sollicitates your views today, under my tutelage, in order to gather a maximum of information, allowing him to appraise the actual situation and function of these centers in Europe. The data you may be kind enough to give him will be treated anonymously, and if you wish, confidentially. I thank you in advance for the welcome you will reserve him. Bien à vous, Dr Catherine Delguste, DVM, PhD, dipl. ECEIM 1ère assistante, Services Généraux Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Liège Belgique ————————————————————————————————————————— Both versions of the survey are accessible via links below : French : https://www.dropbox.com/s/2nun2fa9iigp0oa/Rehabilitation_questionnaireFR.pdf English : https://www.dropbox.com/s/uo3yw62gfweaqeh/Rehabilitation_surveyEN.pdf Jean-Marie Graïc GMV3 in Veterinary Medicine - ULg, Liege, Belgium 31 rue du Gui 4100 Boncelles, Belgium GSM : +33 683 00 33 32 jm.graic(a)student.ulg.ac.be jm.graic(a)gmail.com jm.graic(a)me.com

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The Eighth International Conference “Marine Mammals of the Holarctic” St. Petersburg, Russia during 22-27 September 2014. The first announcement.
by Dmitri Glazov 18 Dec '13

18 Dec '13

*The Eighth International Conference* MARINE MAMMALS OF THE HOLARCTIC *St. Petersburg, Russia 22-27 September 2014* 36 Nachimovskiy av. 117851 Moscow, Russia Tel/fax: +7 (499) 1247579 *http://conf2014.2mn.org <http://conf2014.2mn.org> * email: conf2014(a)2mn.org Россия, 117851 Москва, Нахимовский просп. 36 тел/факс: +7 (499) 1247579 ANNOUNCEMENT 1 *(December 15, 2013)* Following the decision of the Seventh International Conference "Marine Mammals of the Holarctic" (Suzdal, Russia, September 2012) the Marine Mammal Council (Russia) is organizing the Eighth International Conference "Marine Mammals of the Holarctic". The conference is planned to be held on the base of SUE <<Vodokanal of St. Petersburg>>, St. Petersburg, Russia during *22-27 September 2014*. The purpose of the Conference is to discuss results and prospects for study, conservation and use of marine mammals of the northern Hemisphere. Although all topics concerning cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea otters, and polar bears are welcome, the following topics will be emphasized: - Population structure of marine mammals - Assessment and monitoring of population (stock) abundance of marine mammals - Ecology (feeding, distribution, habitats, migrations, etc.) of marine mammals - Behavior and acoustics in marine mammals - Physiology, health, toxicology, and impacts of pollution on marine mammals - Research methods - Protection and management of marine mammal populations (legislative, protection measures, etc.) - Rehabilitation and captivity of marine mammals. During the Conference the following special events are planned to be organized: - Summing up results of the National contest of kids' drawings of marine mammals (organized by MMC and The Biodiversity Conservation Center (BCC)); - Exhibition of photos presented by the Conference participants. The organizing committee of the conference welcomes ideas/proposals on workshops and sessions to be held during the conference. Please send your proposals to conf2014(a)2mn.org. Registration details and a guide detailing the format for submitting conference materials will be presented by the next Announcement. Online information regarding the conference is available at *http://conf2014.2mn.org <http://conf2014.2mn.org> * We are also seeking the assistance of parties and organizations willing to provide financial support for organizing and conducting the conference and for preparing the conference proceedings. Organizing Committee of the Eighth International Conference "Marine Mammals of the Holarctic"

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New Publication: Stomach contents of Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins
by Guido Parra 18 Dec '13

18 Dec '13

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following paper: Parra, G. J. and Jedensjö, M. (2013), Stomach contents of Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). Marine Mammal Science. doi: 10.1111/mms.12088 Abstract Little information exists on the feeding habits of Australian Snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). In this study, we provide quantitative analyses of the diet of both dolphin species in Queensland waters, Australia, based on the examination of stomach contents (14 snubfins and 9 humpbacks) collected from stranded and by-caught animals between 1970 and 2008. Our results suggest that snubfin and humpback dolphins are opportunistic-generalist feeders, eating a wide variety of fish and cephalopods associated with coastal-estuarine waters. The most important prey in numerical terms for snubfin dolphins was the cardinal fish (Apogon sp.), followed by the cuttlefish (Sepia sp.), the squid Uroteuthis (Photololigo) sp. and the toothpony fish (Gazza sp.). Grunts (Pomadasys sp.), cardinal fishes (Apogon sp.) and smelt-whitings (Sillago spp.) were the most important fish prey by number for humpback dolphins. Partial dietary overlap in their fish diet reflects the similar coastal-estuarine waters in which both species forage. Interspecific differences in consumption of cephalopods are likely explained by differences in facial morphology. Dolphin's prey items included taxa that are targeted by net and trawling fisheries in Queensland. Interactions with coastal fisheries are expected, particularly in areas where fishing operations overlap with dolphins' high use areas. A PDF copy of the paper in press can be accessed via : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12088/abstract or via email requests to: guido.parra(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:guido.parra@flinders.edu.au> Merry Christmas and happy new year! All the best, Guido ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Guido J. Parra, PhD Research Leader, Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) School of Biological Sciences Flinders University Sturt Road, Bedford Park|South Australia|5042 GPO Box 2100|Adelaide| South Australia|5001 Lab website: www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au/> My Flinders Staff Page<http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/guido.parra> Cetacean Ecologist Threatened, Endangered & Protected Species (TEPS) Marine Environment & Ecology Science Program Area South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI) - Aquatic Sciences Phone: (+61 8) 8201-3565|Mobile: 0437630843|FAX: (+61 8) 8201-3015 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CRICOS Registered Provider. The Flinders University of South Australia|CRICOS provider Number: 00114A

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International Marine Mammal Veterinary In-Residence Training at The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, California USA
by Claire Simeone 17 Dec '13

17 Dec '13

The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in Sausalito, California has begun to develop a new International Veterinary Training Initiative, designed to train marine mammal veterinarians, biologists, and animal care professionals, with an emphasis on those from countries with little infrastructure, support, or training for marine mammal science, husbandry, and conservation. The initiative includes: 1) A Veterinary In-Residence Training program, where international veterinarians can come to train at TMMC for up to 3 months, learning aspects of medicine, rehabilitation, and participating in collaborative conservation research; 2) An Animal Care Internship program, where rehabilitation professionals can come to train at TMMC for up to 2 months, learning aspects of rescue, rehabilitation, and stranding management; 3) Online training courses for marine mammal rehabilitation, animal husbandry, necropsies, etc; 4) A series of in-country trainings and workshops in stranding coordination and response; and 5) Collaborative research on subjects found both at the Center’s headquarters and abroad. Applications are now being accepted for the first aspect of this program, the Veterinary In-Residence Training program. Details can be found below, or at our website: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/Get-Involved/volunteer/internship-opportu… _____________________________________________________________________________ INTERNATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL VETERINARY IN-RESIDENCE TRAINING The Marine Mammal Center International Veterinary In-Residence Training provides marine mammal veterinarians across the globe an opportunity to gain experience in marine mammal medicine and rehabilitation. This program is part of a larger capacity-building program that provides training materials and assistance to rehabilitation facilities in a variety of countries. It is expected that successful applicants will return to their pre-existing programs prepared to implement training programs of their own. This position requires a veterinary medical degree and previous marine mammal or wildlife experience. Preference will be given to veterinarians that are currently employed with a rehabilitation program or non-profit equivalent. This is an unpaid position. Round trip airfare to San Francisco, CA and shared housing at the TMMC Guest House located within the Marin Headlands will be provided as part of the program. The house is shared during the busy season with other students, researchers, externs and the veterinary intern. This position will be available during the busy season for up to three months at a time from between April and September. The applicant is responsible for completing all required visa paperwork. The Marine Mammal Center veterinary staff includes full and part time veterinarians, three veterinary technicians, a medical technologist, and research staff. Goals of the training include assisting the veterinary medical staff in providing medical management of a large number of stranded marine mammals (mostly pinnipeds); performing post mortem examinations, sample collection for various research projects, and record keeping. Collaborative research is highly valued at TMMC, and development of a research project will be facilitated if the applicant shows interest. If qualified, applicants should submit the following materials: 1. A cover letter/statement outlining the applicant's goals and interests in the area of aquatic animal medicine. 2. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and/or clinical performance. 3. A current curriculum vitae, limited to 4 pages. 4. Selection of preferred dates (applicants will only be selected during the busy season (April-September), but slight flexibility in scheduling will be accommodated on a case-by- case basis Please submit your application via e-mail if possible to: vetsciadmin(a)tmmc.org<mailto:vetsciadmin@tmmc.org> with a subject line of: 2014 International Veterinary Training Program Dr. Shawn P. Johnson Director of Veterinary Science The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite Sausalito, CA 94965-2619 Applications are due by Friday, January 17, 2014. A selection will be made by mid February 2014. _____________________________________________ Dr. Claire Simeone – Conservation Medicine Veterinarian The Marine Mammal Center | 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite | Sausalito, CA 94965 T: 415.480.9665 | simeonec(a)tmmc.org<mailto:simeonec@tmmc.org>

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Input requested: Humane treatment of captive cetaceans
by David Rosen 17 Dec '13

17 Dec '13

The Government of Ontario (Canada) has convened a Committee to provide research-based options and recommendations regarding how best to ensure the most humane treatment of captive cetaceans. The Committee is seeking advice from the scientific community to highlight areas of scientific information on potential benefits or detrimental effects of keeping cetaceans in captivity in non-research institutions. This includes (but is not limited to) published, peer-reviewed studies of animal health, both physical and behavioural, as well as published studies on the potential educational benefits of display animals. To that end, individuals or organizations may provide a 2-page [maximum] submission to the Committee. Please note that this is not an invitation to provide opinions, but to ensure the Committee has taken into consideration and has access to all of the relevant science-based evidence. Those individuals making submissions my be subsequently contacted for further information or input. Also, please be aware that all submissions may potentially be included in the Committee’s final report to the Government of Ontario. Submissions (and related inquiries) may be made by email to: ontario.cetaceans(a)gmail.com by no later than January 31, 2014. Regards, David Rosen, PhD.

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Jobs: Lead National Fisheries Data Collectors
by Katherine McClellan 17 Dec '13

17 Dec '13

Consultancy Opportunity [English Version] Lead National Fisheries Data Collectors International Marine Mammal Bycatch Assessment Project Summary The New England Aquarium is seeking to hire three National Lead Data Collectors for a project that is assessing marine mammal bycatch in three countries: Ecuador, Chile, and Thailand. Bycatch is the principal and most immediate threat to many species and populations of marine mammals. In many parts of the world, especially in countries with large artisanal fishing sectors, the extent of this bycatch is largely undocumented. This project will take the initial step of understanding the bycatch associated with particular fisheries—industrial and small-scale—in three target countries, so that bycatch reduction programs can be directed at the fisheries where they are most needed. In each of the three countries, the Lead Data Collector’s responsibilities will be to: (1) Recruit and supervise four national data collectors who will administer questionnaires and conduct interviews with fishing communities (2) Collect information on commercial and small-scale non-industrial fisheries in-country using published references, government records, and other information sources (3) Assist the Project Social Scientist in the design of questionnaires and interview protocols for collecting information directly from fishermen (4) Coordinate research and community surveys with the Project Social Scientist and the Project Coordinator (5) Coordinate and participate in the administration of questionnaires and interviews within fishing communities (6) Brief local and national leaders about the project, as needed (7) Participate in a training workshop for data collection run by the Social Scientist (8) Produce a final Country Report on marine mammal bycatch that incorporates information from written sources and community surveys The total period of the consultancy is approximately 35 work days spread over a one-year period. The Lead Data Collector will be required to travel in country and attend one one national and one international planning workshop in one of the three countries (probably Ecuador). The consultancy pays a competitive fee for services. Expertise Required · Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English and in the national language where the project is being carried out · An advanced degree in the biological, fisheries, or social sciences · Excellent knowledge of fisheries or fisheries bycatch · Leadership skills for managing a national team of data collectors · Excellent analytical skills with fisheries and social science information · Flexibility and sensitivity when working within different cultures and societies Expertise Preferred · Previous work with fishing communities and marine conservation issues · In depth knowledge of threatened species bycatch Starting Date February, 2014 Application Interested applicants should indicate for which country they are applying (Chile, Ecuador or Thailand) and Email a CV and expression of interest to: bycatch(a)neaq.org <mailto:bycatch@neaq.org> Project Administrator This project is being administered by the Marine Conservation Engineering Program, based in the John H. Prescott Marine Laboratory at the New England Aquarium. For more information on this program, please visit www.bycatch.org <http://www.bycatch.org> . Oportunidad de Consultoría [La versión en español] Líder Colector Nacional de Datos de Pesquerias (International Marine Mammal Bycatch Assessment Project) Resumen El New England Aquarium (Boston, USA) busca contratar a tres Lideres Colectores Nacionales de Datos para un proyecto que evalúa la captura incidental de mamíferos marinos en tres países : Ecuador, Chile y Tailandia. La captura incidental es la principal amenaza para varias especies y poblaciones de mamíferos marinos. En muchas partes del mundo, especialmente en aquellos países donde la pesca artesanal se desarrollada ampliamente, la captura incidental no está documentada en gran medida. Este proyecto tendrá la iniciativa de entender la captura incidental asociada a una determinada pesquería artesanal y de pequeña escala en los tres países. De esta forma programas de reducción de la captura incidental podrán dirigirse hacia las pesquerías que más lo necesitan. En cada uno de los tres países las responsabilidades del Líder Colector Nacional de Datos serán: (1) Contratar y supervisar cuatro Colectores Nacionales de Datos que administrarán cuestionarios y realizaran entrevistas con las comunidades pesqueras. (2) Reunir información sobre las pesquerías comerciales, no industriales comerciales y de pequeña escala en su país, utilizando referencias bibliográficas, informes del gobierno y otras fuentes de información. (3) Asistir al Cientifico Social en el diseño de cuestionarios y protocolos de entrevistas para colectar información directamente de los pescadores. (4) Coordinar las campañas de investigación y dentro de la comunidad con el científico social del Proyecto y el Coordinador General del Proyecto. (5) Coordinar y participar en la administración de cuestionarios y entrevistas en las comunidades pesqueras, junto con los cuatro Colectores Nacionales de Datos. (6) Informar a las autoridades locales sobre el projecto todas las veces que sea necesario. (7) Participar en un taller de capacitación coordinado por el científico social (8) Producir un informe nacional final sobre la captura incidental de mamíferos marinos, que incorpora información de fuentes escritas y encuestas comunitarias La duración total de la consultoría es de aproximadamente 35 días, repartidas en un período de un año. El Líder Colector Nacional de Datos estará obligado/a a viajar por el país y asistir a un Taller Nacional y otro Internacional de planificación en uno de los tres países (probablemente Ecuador). La consultoría paga un salario competitivo por los servicios prestados. Requisitos · Excepcional habilidad de comunicación verbal y escrita en inglés y en el idioma nativo del país en el que el proyecto se lleva a cabo. · Grado avanzado en ciencias biológicas, pesqueras, o en ciencias sociales · Excelente conocimiento de las pesquerías o conocimiento previo de pesquerías con captura incidental · Capacidad de liderazgo para la gestión de un equipo nacional de colectores de datos · Excelente capacidad de análisis con información pesquería y de las ciencias sociales · Flexibilidad y sensibilidad al trabajar dentro de diferentes culturas y comunidades Experiencia valorada · Trabajo previo con comunidades pesqueras y problemas de conservación marina · Conocimiento profundo de la captura incidental de especies amenazada Fecha de inicio Febrero de 2014 Aplicación Los interesados deberán señalar en qué país intentan aplicar (Chile , Ecuador y Tailandia) y enviar un CV y carta de interés en ingles a: bycatch(a)neaq.org Administrador del Proyecto Este proyecto será administrado por el Marine Conservation Engineering Program, con base en el laboratorio marino John H. Prescott del New England Aquarium (Boston, EE.UU). Para obtener más información sobre este programa visite www.bycatch.org. Assistant Scientist Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction John H. Prescott Marine Laboratory New England Aquarium Central Wharf, Boston MA 02110 617.226.2217 www.bycatch.org twitter: bycatchorg

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Orca Project Sri Lanka (OPSL): Re-sightings and observations of possible predation of Mesoplodon densirostris
by Georgie Gemmell 17 Dec '13

17 Dec '13

Dear MarMamers Here are a few key updates for Orca Project Sri Lanka (OPSL), more details can be found in the monthly-updated sightings log and PDF, see links at bottom of post. Since the beginning of the 2013/14 field season, there have been five sightings of a pair of Killer whales off Mirissa on the South Coast. (November 18th, 25th, 26th, 27th and 29th). Photographs and video footage from the 25th and 26th, submitted to OPSL, show the individuals to be OM001 and OK008. It is likely that the ‘male and female’ reported from the other 3 dates were also this pair. These two whales are the most frequently re-sighted in the OPSL catalougue. It is believed they return each year as well as travel all around the island, having been sighted in Kalpitya (Northwest), Mirissa (South) and Trincomalee (Northeast) *Observations of predation* Images from the 25th of November were shared with OPSL by observers Paul Bateson and Andrew Webb. Observation details include the orcas feeding on an unidentified object. In two of the images, a beak or rostrum can be seen with a patchy brown/green colouration to the surrounding skin. OPSL contacted Josh McInnes, who specializes in the study of mammal-eating (transient) killer whales of the Pacific Northwest, to offer his opinion on the ID. After looking at the photos, Josh concluded that the beak shape and brown/green colouration (caused by diatoms) appears to be consistent with that of a juvenile Blainville’s beaked whale *Mesoplodon densirostris.* OPSL in collaboration with Josh McInnes, are currently preparing a small paper on this finding, which will be released in the coming week. We would be very interested to hear of any observations of Killer whale predation on M. densirostris, as well as any other accounts of prey species taken in the Northern Indian Ocean. Please contact us at georgina.wildoceans(a)gmail.com Links PDF https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzRJAIq7VT1Ia3VJdm5wS3p5OGs/edit?usp=sharin… Sightings Log https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzRJAIq7VT1Id0VmbUhZb2pqdTA/edit?pli=1 All the best Georgie -- *Georgina Gemmell* Lead Administrator, Orca Project Sri Lanka

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New publication: Diet items of manatee Trichechus manatus manatus
by Lavinia Flores Cascante 16 Dec '13

16 Dec '13

We are glad of share with you this new paper about items in the caribbean manatee diet. We have attached the summary. Diet items of manatee Trichechus manatus manatus in three priority sites for the species in Mexico and Belize ABSTRACT Manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) are herbivorous mammals with opportunistic habits that feed on approximately 60 species of plants. The focus of this paper was to identify diet elements of the manatee by fecal analysis in two sites in Mexico (Jonuta, Tabasco and Bahía de la Ascensión, Quintana Roo) and one site in Belize (Southern Lagoon). Samples were obtained from wild manatees and captive manatees temporarily captured for health assessment and sampling during 2004-2006. A total of 24 samples were analyzed. Diet components were assessed by microhistological analysis of feces. Items were separated and compared with bibliography and histological collections. Samples were also analyzed to detect invertebra-tes. Vegetal species found included Thalassia testudinum, Rhizophora mangle, Halodule wrightii, Ruppia sp. and Panicum sp., the latter confirmed for the first time for Mexico. No evidence of invertebrates was found in the samples. Relative importance of vegetal species consumed by manatees coincides with the findings reported for other areas in the Americas. Further systematic sampling efforts are needed in areas where manatee diet items are unknown. Keywords: Manatee, diet, feces, microhistological analysis. If you want a pdf copy, send me an email ---- Biol. Mar. Lavinia F. Cascante M.C. en Manejo de Recursos Marinos lfloresca(a)ipn.mx biol.lcascante(a)gmail.com Skype: Bio.Lavinia ________________________________ La información de este correo así como la contenida en los documentos que se adjuntan, pueden ser objeto de solicitudes de acceso a la información. Visítanos: http://www.ipn.mx

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new publication on the gray whale sighting in the Laptev Sea
by Olga Shpak 16 Dec '13

16 Dec '13

Hello everyone, the following paper has been recently published as a short communication: O. V. Shpak, D. M. Kuznetsova, and V. V. Rozhnov. 2013.Observation of the Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) in the Laptev Sea. *Biology Bulletin*, 2013, Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 797–800 Abstract: In the fall of 2011, two gray whales (*Eschrichtius robustus*) were observed to the west of the Novosibirskiye Islands archipelago during a scientific expedition on the Research Vessel “Mikhail Somov”. This is the first scientifically confirmed sighting of gray whales in the Laptev Sea. The range of the presence of this species in the Arctic shelf seas is extended more than 500 km to the west. In the near future, an areal expansion due to the climate changes in the Arctic is suggested. The paper can be accessed here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1062359013090100<http://www.springer.com/alert/urltracking.do?id=L41f8ac0Mdcb1a3Sac07d88> Please contact me at ovshpak(a)gmail.com if you can't get access to the paper. Best regards, Olga Olga Shpak, PhD Research Associate The White Whale Program A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution 33, Leninsky prospect, Moscow 119071 Russia

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