March 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New Paper: Assessing the Risk of Ships Striking Large Whales in Marine Spatial Planning
by Jessica Redfern 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce publication of the following paper: Redfern, J. V., M. F. McKenna, T. J. Moore, J. Calambokidis, M. L. DeAngelis, E. A. Becker, J. Barlow, K. A. Forney, P. C. Fiedler, and S. J. Chivers. 2013. Assessing the risk of ships striking large whales in marine spatial planning. Conservation Biology 27:292-302. The abstract appears below. Please contact me (Jessica.Redfern(a)noaa.gov) if you would like a copy of the PDF. Sincerely, Jessica *Abstract* Marine spatial planning provides a comprehensive framework for managing multiple uses of the marine environment and has the potential to minimize environmental impacts and reduce conflicts among users.Spatially explicit assessments of the risks to key marine species from human activities are a requirement of marine spatial planning.We assessed the risk of ships striking humpback (/Megaptera novaeangliae/), blue (/Balaenoptera musculus/), and fin (/B. physalus/) whales in alternative shipping routes derived from patterns of shipping traffic off Southern California (U.S.A.).Specifically, we developed whale-habitat models and assumed ship-strike risk for the alternative shipping routes was proportional to the number of whales predicted by the models to occur within each route.This definition of risk assumes all ships travel within a single route.We also calculated risk assuming ships travel via multiple routes.We estimated the potential for conflict between shipping and other uses (military training and fishing) due to overlap with the routes.We also estimated the overlap between shipping routes and protected areas.The route with the lowest risk for humpback whales had the highest risk for fin whales and vice versa.Risk to both species may be ameliorated by creating a new route south of the northern Channel Islands and spreading traffic between this new route and the existing route in the Santa Barbara Channel.Creating a longer route may reduce the overlap between shipping and other uses by concentrating shipping traffic.Blue whales are distributed more evenly across our study area than humpback and fin whales; thus, risk could not be ameliorated by concentrating shipping traffic in any of the routes we considered.Reducing ship-strike risk for blue whales may be necessary because our assessment of the potential number of strikes suggests that they are likely to exceed allowable levels of anthropogenic impacts established under U.S. laws. -- o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o Jessica V. Redfern, Ph.D. Ecosystem Studies Program Leader Marine Mammal and Turtle Division Southwest Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr. La Jolla, California 92037 phone: 858-546-7117 fax: 858-546-7003 o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o~~~o

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NEW PAPER: harbour porpoise habitat preferences & distribution - west of Scotland
by Cormac Booth 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

Hello, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in MEPS: Booth CG, Embling C, Gordon J, Calderan SV, Hammond PS (2013) Habitat preferences and distribution of the harbour porpoisePhocoena phocoena west of Scotland. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 478:273-285 ABSTRACT: The west coast of Scotland is comprised of complex coastlines and topography, and a range of physical processes influence its coastal marine environment. The region is host to one of the highest densities of harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena in Europe. The aim of this study was to identify habitat preferences driving the distribution of harbour porpoise, to gain a better understanding of the spatial distribution of the species in the region, as well as to assess the consistency of such patterns across time and space. Visual and acoustic line-transect surveys were conducted between 2003 and 2010. Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) with Generalised Estimating Equations (GEEs) were used to robustly determine relationships between the relative density of harbour porpoises and temporally and spatially variable oceanographic covariates. Predictive models showed that depth, slope, spring tidal range and distance to land were consistently important in explaining porpoise distribution. Consistent preferences for water depths between 50 and 150 m and highly sloped regions were observed across the temporal models. Predicted distributions revealed a consistent inshore presence for the species throughout the west coast of Scotland and confirmed that predictable oceanographic features could help inform the establishment of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the species. Please download from http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v478/p273-285/ or contact Cormac Booth on cgb(a)smru.co.uk<mailto:cgb@smru.co.uk> Best regard, Cormac Booth Dr Cormac Booth Principal Scientist SMRU Ltd Scottish Oceans Institute New Technology Centre North Haugh St Andrews Fife KY16 9SR Scotland email: cgb(a)smru.co.uk<mailto:cgb@smru.co.uk> http://www.smru.co.uk/staff/dr-cormac-booth-%28research-scientist%29.aspx Tel: +44 (0)1334 479100 Fax: +44 (0)1334 477878 www.smru.co.uk<http://www.smru.co.uk/>

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North Atlantic Right Whale Publication
by Amy Whitt 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce a recent publication on North Atlantic right whales in the Mid-Atlantic. Whitt AD, Dudzinski K, and Laliberté JR. 2013. North Atlantic right whale distribution and seasonal occurrence in nearshore waters off New Jersey, USA, and implications for management. Endangered Species Research 20:59-69. ABSTRACT: The presence of endangered North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis in the mid-Atlantic region of the USA is not well understood. Adequate protection of right whales in the face of plans to develop offshore renewable energy requires more information about this species' distribution and occurrence in this region. We present findings from the first year-round study dedicated to marine mammals in New Jersey's nearshore waters using line transect surveys and passive acoustic monitoring. Four groups of right whales, including a cow-calf pair, were sighted. Right whales were detected acoustically during all seasons. Sightings of females and subsequent confirmations of these same individuals in the calving grounds a month or less later illustrate that these waters are part of this species' migratory corridor. Observations of skim-feeding behavior suggest that feeding may also occur in areas farther south than the main feeding grounds. Based on the year-round occurrence of right whales off New Jersey, we recommend that presumed seasonal migratory patterns not be used alone to determine the timing of construction activities or monitoring/mitigation efforts for offshore development. Our results also provide support for the expansion of existing critical habitat to include nearshore waters of the mid-Atlantic. The paper is available online http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v20/n1/p59-69/ Or via email request to adwhitt(a)gmail.com<mailto:adwhitt@gmail.com> Cheers, Amy Amy D. Whitt, M.E.M. Senior Marine Scientist Protected Resources Geo-Marine, Inc. www.geo-marine.com<http://www.geo-marine.com/>

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WOW Cetacean, Seabird and Seal accredited courses 2013
by Powell Strong 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

WOW Short course 2013. New for this year is the WOW Whales and Dolphins for Beginners. The old favourites include: WOW Cetaceans and WOW Seals. WOW Seabird Monitoring and WOW Seabirds for Beginners are also running again. All carry UK nationally recognised qualifications. For all WOW short courses and more detail see http://coast.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/wow/ Pembrokeshire College and SeaTrust have been running WOW (Wildlife Observer Wales) short courses since 2007. The general structure of a 3 day WOW course is to provide an introduction to identification, biology , sampling theory and field recording. The Cetacean course includes the option of boat survey. Seabirds courses will hopefully include a Skomer Island visit. The Seabird Monitoring course will be led by former RSPB Ramsey Island Warden, Ian Bullock. Courses are based on the Pembrokeshire coast, West Wales, UK, with approximately half the course spent in the class room and half in the field Courses cost range from £105-140 per person. These are not MMO courses, but do compliment a typical MMO course, by placing much greater emphasis on species identification and recording. Courses include the option of boat work and island visits at an additional cost. * WOW Whale & Dolphin Observing 2 days, £100, 11-12 May * WOW Seabird Observing, 2 days, £100, 7-8 May * WOW Seabird Monitoring, 3 days, £150, 18-20 June * WOW Cetaceans, 3 days, £130, 16-18 July, 23-25 Oct * WOW Seashore Life, 1 day, £50, 21 Aug * WOW Seals, 3 days, £130, 1-3 Oct Funding may be available for persons employed in an associated field and based in the Wales area. More details on request. For more information see http://coast.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/wow/ or contact Powell Strong 01437 753 166 or p.strong(a)pembrokeshire.ac.uk<mailto:p.strong@pembrokeshire.ac.uk> To book on a course, contact admission(a)pembrokeshire.ac.uk<mailto:admission@pembrokeshire.ac.uk> Powell Strong Coastal Zone & Marine Environment Research Unit Pembrokeshire College Haverfordwest, Wales SA61 1SZ 00 44 1437 753 166/ 00 44 7917752207 http://coast.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/wow/ p.strong(a)pembrokeshire.ac.uk<mailto:p.strong@pembrokeshire.ac.uk> ________________________________ Mae'r e-bost hwn ac unrhyw ffeiliau atodedig yn gyfrinachol ac at sylw'r unigolyn neu'r sefydliad a enwir uchod. Bydd unrhyw farn neu sylwadau a fynegir yn perthyn i'r awdur yn unig ac ni chynrychiolant o anghenraid farn Coleg Sir Benfro. Os ydych chi wedi derbyn yr e-bost hwn ar gam, rhowch sylw i'r gweinyddwr ar y cyfeiriad canlynol: postmaster(a)pembrokeshire.ac.uk<mailto:postmaster@pembrokeshire.ac.uk> Cysidrwch yr amgylchedd - a oes wir angen argraffu'r ebost hwn? This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Pembrokeshire College. If you have received this email in error please notify the administrator on the following address: postmaster(a)pembrokeshire.ac.uk<mailto:postmaster@pembrokeshire.ac.uk> Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?

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NMFS releases Supplemental Draft EIS on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean
by Candace Nachman - NOAA Federal 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

All, The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is pleased to announce the availability of the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Supplemental DEIS). The Supplemental DEIS is now available on the project website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/arctic.htm. The purpose of the EIS is to evaluate, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the alternative approaches for authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to oil and gas exploration activities in the Arctic Ocean pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is a cooperating agency on this EIS, and as such, this EIS also evaluates the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the alternative approaches for authorizing geological and geophysical surveys and ancillary activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in the Arctic Ocean. The North Slope Borough is also a cooperating agency on this EIS. After releasing the initial draft environmental impact statement for public comment in December 2011, NNMFS and BOEM broadened the scope of analysis in light of comments from stakeholders. The initial EIS analyzed the effects of up to two exploratory drilling programs per year in both the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. The supplemental draft EIS analyzes the effects of up to four drilling programs per year in each area. The revised draft also expands discussion of mitigation measures designed to reduce the effects of offshore oil and gas activities on marine mammals and marine mammal subsistence users. NMFS approved the Supplemental DEIS for public review, and the Notice of Availability (NOA) will be published in the Federal Register on March 29, 2013. Once published, a link to the NOA can be found on the project website listed above. *Public Comment Period:* Comments on the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean Supplemental DEIS will be accepted during the public comment period until May 28, 2013. Comments on the EIS should be identified by NOAA-NMFS-2013-0054 and can be submitted by any of the following methods: - Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal, enter NOAA-NMFS-2013-0054 in the keyword search. Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and click on the "Comment Now" icon on the right of that line. (Please note that this method for commenting will not be available until the Notice of Availability publishes in the Federal Register on Friday, March 29).<arcticeis.comments(a)noaa.gov> - Mail: Director, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 - Fax: (301) 713-0376 attn: Candace Nachman We request that you include background documents to support your comments as appropriate. *THE DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING COMMENTS IS MAY 28, 2013.* The Supplemental DEIS may be viewed online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/arctic.htm. To obtain a paper copy of the Supplemental DEIS, please send a written request to Candace Nachman at Candace.Nachman(a)noaa.gov with your physical address. The document will be provided within 10 days of processing the request. To read the press release about this DEIS go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mediacenter/2013/03/03_nmfs_arctic_drilling_eis.ht… Thank you for your interest and participation in the Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean EIS. -- Candace Nachman Fishery Biologist NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources Permits and Conservation Division 1315 East West Highway, Rm 13115 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Ph: (301) 427-8429 Fax: (301) 713-0376 Web: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ <first.last(a)noaa.gov> <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/>

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SEEKING EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS for research on tropical dolphins around Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
by Tim Hunt 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

SEEKING EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS for research on tropical dolphins around Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia Fieldwork dates: Commences 13 May 2013 for 5-6 months (ends late October 2013). Application deadline: Monday 8th April 2013 Project title: Population size, habitat use and social structure of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) around the North West Cape, Western Australia. Institution: Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab; Flinders University; South Australia www.cebel.org.au<http://www.cebel.org.au> Overview: I am seeking experienced field assistants to assist with boat-based photo-ID and (some) biopsy sampling of humpback (and bottlenose) dolphins around the North West Cape in north-western Australia for 5-6 months from 13 May 2013. * Commitment to the full duration of the project is of course preferred, however a minimum commitment of 2-3 months will certainly be considered * This project aims to collect baseline information on the abundance, habitat use and social structure of humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) around the North West Cape to improve the scientific basis for their conservation and management. The project is funded by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre and our research is in collaboration with the Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit. This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research and contribute to a project with very high conservation and management value. Furthermore, it provides assistants the opportunity to conduct research in a unique natural setting along the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Coast, home to one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world, Ningaloo Reef. The region is abundant with marine life, including seasonal visits from whale sharks (April-July) and humpback whales (July-November). A spectacular research setting! Location: We will be based in the town of Exmouth on the tropical North West Cape of Western Australia. We will be staying in shared villa/unit/house-style accommodation within walking distance of the Exmouth town centre. Duties: Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos, making and recording field observations, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data entry (incl. fin matching), a fair share in communal cooking and housekeeping duties, and generally working hard and having a great time in a beautiful and unique part of the Australian coastline. Expectations: Field assistants need to be available full-time, including weekends, and be prepared for early morning departures (6-7AM), long days (6-8 hours) on the water for multiple consecutive days, and lengthy days transcribing data. Expect up to a week between days off. Expect to spend sometimes several days stranded on land. If the weather isn't right we won't be conducting the surveys and will have to wait it out. So bring a book or two and lots of movies to watch. Expect to see dolphins, dugongs... and turtles....and sharks...... and maybe a whale or few. Most of all, expect to learn a lot while having an awesome time. Prerequisites: * Experience of working on and driving a small boat (essential); * Experience of photo-ID survey techniques (highly desirable); * Experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable); * No history of debilitating seasickness (essential); * Be team-oriented, patient, clean, and have an enthusiastic attitude to hard work, long hours and collecting data on the natural environment (essential); * Fluent in English (highly desirable). Expenses: This is an unpaid position. However, food and accommodation in Exmouth are provided at no cost to assistants. Assistants are responsible for their own travel costs to/from Exmouth (direct flights available from Perth). If however assistants can commit from the beginning of the fieldwork season there will be seats available in the car travelling Perth to Exmouth on 13 May. Please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details of two relevant referees to tim.hunt(a)flinders.edu.au<mailto:tim.hunt@flinders.edu.au> by Monday 8th April 2013. Tim Hunt PhD Candidate Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab (CEBEL) School of Biological Sciences Flinders University of South Australia [cid:image003.jpg@01CE2991.9A3E3D50]<http://www.cebel.org.au/>

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Programme for Cetacean Spatial Management Workshop, Setúbal , Portugal, 7 April 2013
by Peter G.H. Evans 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING Dear MARMAM list members, The following workshop entitled THE CHALLENGE OF SPATIALLY MANAGING CETACEANS - A HIGHLY MOBILE ANIMAL GROUP, sponsored by the regional conservation agreements ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS, will be held at the upcoming Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society at Fórum Luísa Todi in the Luísa Todi Avenue in Setúbal, Portugal, on Sunday 7th April. The workshop will start at 09:30 and finish at 18.00. There will be a charge of ¤25 per person. If you would like to participate and have not yet registered, please contact <peter.evans(a)bangor.ac.uk> as soon as possible. PROGRAMME 09:15-09:30. Registration 09:30-09:40. Introductory Remarks Regional Frameworks 09:40-10:00. Heidrun Frisch: Protecting Mobile Species: Reflections on recent efforts by OSPAR, HELCOM & the European Commission 10:00-10:20. Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara: Protecting Mobile Species in the Mediterranean Sea 10:20-10:40. Jeff Ardron: CBD & other approaches 10:40-11:00. Discussion 11:00-11:30. Tea/Coffee Break Impacts on Cetaceans in a Spatial Context 11:30-11:50. Christopher Clark: Noise 11:50-12:10. Ana Tejedor:Shipping 12:10-12:30. Enrico Pirotta: Recreation 12:30-12:50. David Mattila (presented by Brad Barr): Fisheries 13:00-14:00. Lunch 14:00-14:30. Discussion Case Studies 14:30-14:50. Mike Tetley: Addressing ecological coherence in MPA networks and MSP: principles of best practice 14:50-15:10. Brad Barr: Management of large areas: experiences from Stellwagen Bank, USA 15:10-15:30. Christina Geijer: Marine Spatial Planning for fin whales 15:30-16:00. Tea/Coffee Break 16:00-16:20. Peter Evans: Evidence-based management recommendations for bottlenose dolphins in the Irish Sea 16:20-16:40. Signe Sveegaard: From research to management: harbour porpoise conservation in Danish waters 16:40-17:00. Ricardo Sagarminaga: Managing activities in the Alborán Sea 17:00-17:20. Natacha Aguilar, Ana Cañadas, Alexandros Frantzis, and Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara: A moratorium on naval sonar: from the Canary Islands success to the Mediterranean 17:20-17:50. Discussion 17:50-18:00. Erich Hoyt: Concluding Remarks Organising Committee Peter Evans Erich Hoyt Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara Heidrun Frisch Camille Montiglio Marie-Christine Grillo-Compulsione Michael Tetley BACKGROUND During its history, the European Cetacean Society has held two workshops on Marine Protected Areas, the first entitled "Protected Areas for Cetaceans" was held in Valencia, Spain in April 1999, and the second "Selection Criteria for Protected Areas for Cetaceans" in San Sebastian, Spain in April 2007, in conjunction with the international conservation agreements, ASCOBANS and ACCOBAMS. These workshops introduced the concept of marine protected areas for cetaceans, the various functions they can serve, and recommended criteria for use in their selection. The main piece of legislation catering for MPAs in Europe has been the EU Habitats Directive with the Natura 2000 network of Special Areas of Conservation for Annex I habitats and Annex II species. However, the Natura 2000 network has been of limited benefit for marine mammals in general. First, amongst cetaceans, only harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin are considered for SAC designation, and offshore foraging areas for seals have scarcely been considered. Second, many countries have been slow to propose cetacean SACs and where they have done, they often comprise only small areas covering a minor portion of the range of the population they were established to protect. Thirdly, even once an SAC has been designated for a marine mammal species, managing threats to that species remains a challenge. The concept of marine spatial planning and the zoning of areas for different activities and with different levels of protection has become incorporated in the new EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Beyond the European Union, countries throughout Europe and adjacent seas are looking to ways to establish wider marine protected areas, although focus remains upon the coastal zone where potential conflict with human activities is greatest. This inevitably presents many challenges, particularly for highly mobile marine species such as cetaceans. In addition, the work undertaken through OSPAR and the Barcelona Convention on the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas, and the development of representative networks of MPAs including not only national waters but also the high seas, is of particular relevance for cetacean conservation. This workshop proposes to examine best ways to spatially manage threats to marine mammals in Europe and adjacent seas both within and beyond MPAs. Attention will be paid to the areas covered by the two Regional Agreements, including the area of overlap. The intention is to draw upon the direct experiences of policy makers, managers and scientists using case studies where appropriate from Europe and beyond; and to examine possible approaches to improve MPA management so that it can deal with the wide range of threats that impact marine mammal populations throughout their range. Emphasis should be placed upon consideration of large zoned MPAs and the incorporation of multiple species across marine taxa as well as more general ecosystem considerations. -- Dr Peter G.H. Evans Director Sea Watch Foundation, Ewyn y Don, Bull Bay, Amlwch, Isle of Anglesey Wales LL68 9SD Hon. Senior Lecturer School of Ocean Sciences, University of Bangor, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales LL59 5AB Tel: 01407-832892 Mobile: 0776-556-6102 E-mail: peter.evans(a)bangor.ac.uk> -- Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig / Registered Charity No. 1141565 Gall y neges e-bost hon, ac unrhyw atodiadau a anfonwyd gyda hi, gynnwys deunydd cyfrinachol ac wedi eu bwriadu i'w defnyddio'n unig gan y sawl y cawsant eu cyfeirio ato (atynt). Os ydych wedi derbyn y neges e-bost hon trwy gamgymeriad, rhowch wybod i'r anfonwr ar unwaith a dilëwch y neges. Os na fwriadwyd anfon y neges atoch chi, rhaid i chi beidio â defnyddio, cadw neu ddatgelu unrhyw wybodaeth a gynhwysir ynddi. Mae unrhyw farn neu safbwynt yn eiddo i'r sawl a'i hanfonodd yn unig ac nid yw o anghenraid yn cynrychioli barn Prifysgol Bangor. Nid yw Prifysgol Bangor yn gwarantu bod y neges e-bost hon neu unrhyw atodiadau yn rhydd rhag firysau neu 100% yn ddiogel. Oni bai fod hyn wedi ei ddatgan yn uniongyrchol yn nhestun yr e-bost, nid bwriad y neges e-bost hon yw ffurfio contract rhwymol - mae rhestr o lofnodwyr awdurdodedig ar gael o Swyddfa Cyllid Prifysgol Bangor. www.bangor.ac.uk This email and any attachments may contain confidential material and is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email. If you are not the intended recipient(s), you must not use, retain or disclose any information contained in this email. Any views or opinions are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily represent those of Bangor University. Bangor University does not guarantee that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or 100% secure. Unless expressly stated in the body of the text of the email, this email is not intended to form a binding contract - a list of authorised signatories is available from the Bangor University Finance Office. www.bangor.ac.uk

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Grey seal Halichoerus grypus in the Black Sea
by Elena Gladilina 23 Mar '13

23 Mar '13

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following paper: E.V. Gladilina, O.A. Kovtun, A.A. Kondakov, A.M. Syomik, K.K. Pronin and P.E. Gol’din. (2013). Grey seal *Halichoerus grypus* in the Black Sea: the first case of long-term survival of an exotic pinniped. *Marine Biodiversity Records* 6,1-6. doi:10.1017/S1755267213000018 Abstract A grey seal (*Halichoerus grypus*), representative of the North Atlantic species, has been recorded in the north-east Black Sea. It is the first documented case of successful long-term survival of an exotic pinniped. We have been receiving data about regular sightings of the seal identified as the observed individual since 2001. It is a 160–170 cm long adult female. The seal used an underwater cave as a shelter. The most likely way of introduction of the grey seal to the Black Sea is escape from captivity. According to available data (body size and moulting seasonality), we tentatively identify it as a representative of the Baltic subspecies. The biotope requirements of the grey seal and monk seal are similar: both species use coastal karst caves and grottos. In addition, the seal’s presence in this region is a marker of the lack of anthropogenic disturbance. Thus, the survival of a seal in this region indicates the possibility of successful re-colonization of the Black Sea by monk seals. The paper is available online at: http://journals.cambridge.org/repo_A88bDSqd Or you can contact me at: el.gladilina(a)gmail.com Best wishes, Elena Gladilina -- Lena Gladilina, Department of Zoology, V.I. Vernadsky Taurida National University, Simferopol, Ukraine

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Job opportunity : bottlenose dolphin photo-ID
by Hélène Labach 23 Mar '13

23 Mar '13

*Position overview:* The GECEM is a nonprofit organization, studying for 20 years the Mediterranean cetaceans and in particular Risso’s and bottlenose’s dolphins by photo-identification. The GECEM is looking a project manager to organize bottlenose dolphins photo-identification campaigns as part of a multi-disciplinary and collaborative project on Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins leaded by the GIS3M and to help in the other association’s projects and activities. The position is for one year and could be renewed if given satisfaction. The successful candidate will be expected to work independently under the supervision of the association’s board, organizing field trip, supervising volunteers, collecting and analyzing photo-ID datas, writing reports and publications and help in the association’s Life and activities. For longer-term employment potential, the successful candidate will be expected to assist in raising project funds. *Experience: *The successful applicant is expected to have a MSC in marine biology and/or conservation. A minimum knowledge on cetacean biology and ecology is required, as well as previous experience in cetacean field study and preferentially in photo-identification. Applicant should have experience in conducting scientific study, collecting and analyzing data and writing report and publications. Fluent spoken and written French is essential This is a Fixed-term renewable Contract for 12 Months Location: Marseille, France More details at www.gecem.org *To apply*, send CV and letter of interest to contact(a)gecem.org before the 5 th of April Hélène LABACH GECEM - Groupe d’Étude des Cétacés de Méditerranée. Siège social : Clinique vétérinaire du Redon, 13 boulevard du Redon, 13009 Marseille, France *http://www.gecem.org/* <hlgis3m(a)gmail.com> Contact : Mob :+33 (0)6.36.50.03.03 courriel : *labach(a)gecem.org * <hlgis3m(a)gmail.com>

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Summer Alaskan Field Course/Internship
by Michelle Cortez 23 Mar '13

23 Mar '13

ALASKA FIELD EXPERIENCE THROUGH TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON Summer 2013 Course Name: COASTAL MARINE BIOLOGY OF ALASKA Course Number: MARB/MARS 415, MARB/MARS 615 or as an INTERNSHIP WITHOUT UNIVERSITY CREDIT Session dates: June 3-14; June 17-June 28; July 1-July 12; July 15-26; July 29-Aug 9. INSTRUCTOR: DR. RANDALL DAVIS Please contact Dr. Davis at (281) 250-7839 (davisr(a)tamug.edu) for more information. Travel to south-central Alaska for this three credit hour field course or internship. For 12 days, students will live and study at the remote Alice Cove Research Station located along the shores of Prince William Sound. Students will learn about the marine biology of this area and conduct research on a chosen sea otter behavioral ecology or fisheries project. They will then analyze and present their results from their chosen project to the class. An overland day trip will be made to explore the Copper River Delta and visit Sheridan Glacier. There are no prerequisites. Field course fee is $2,150 (airfare to Anchorage and Cordova not included). You do not need to be a student at Texas A&M University to register for an internship.

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