June 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Unique Eco- volunteering opportunity with Adriatic Dolphin Project
by tihana vučur 25 Jun '13

25 Jun '13

Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation has been running the Adriatic Dolphin Project for over 25 years with a base on the Island Lošinj, the main goal of this project is to research and conserve the bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic Sea. During the summer months Blue World Institute offers an unique opportunity for people interested in marine mammals and nature to join the research team for 12 days participating in an Eco- volunteering program. The program offers an opportunity to experience encounters with wild dolphins in their natural surroundings actively participating in the research. This includes boat - based surveying, gaining knowledge in data collection at sea, data entry and participation in preliminary analysis of collected data. The Eco - volunteers are also invited to participate in various lectures on dolphin research and marine biology offered by the research team. There are places available from May until September, with a price discount of 10% to students. More information you may find on Blue World Institute web site: http://www.blue-world.org/en/about-us/ http://www.blue-world.org/en/get-involved/volunteer/ http://www.blue-world.org/en/science/publications/ For further details and any question please contact us at info(a)blue-world.org or adp.losinj(a)gmail.com On behalf of Blue World Research team: Tihana Vučur Adriatic Dolphin Project Lošinj, assistant researcher

1 0

Post-doctoral position available - Incorporating risk into the cumulative assessment of large marine development projects on marine mammals in Canada
by Lawson, Jack 24 Jun '13

24 Jun '13

I wish to post the following message to interested candidates: Incorporating risk into the cumulative assessment of large marine development projects on marine mammals in Canada A post-doctoral candidate is sought to undertake a project to develop a national quantitative and standardized risk-based framework for assessing cumulative impacts of marine development projects (MDPs), including shipping and oil and gas exploration, on marine mammals. Context: The number of large MDPs has increased dramatically in number and scope in Canada, and this trend is expected to continue or be exacerbated in the near future with numerous natural resource exploitation projects and associated shipping and port development planned, especially in the Arctic. While MDP have the potential to affect marine features, regulatory assessments of their impacts are currently made on a case-by-case basis, without a context of effective thresholds relating the activities to species or ecosystem productivity, and without consideration of cumulative impacts. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has a need to develop a national framework and minimum standards for assessing impacts of MDP, particularly for marine mammals. This framework will include effective thresholds for assessing impacts against population productivity in the context of population sustainability. The successful candidate would expand upon this initial framework to include uncertainty in input parameters, and to facilitate assessment of cumulative impacts from multiple projects and for multiple components of the affected ecosystem. As a regulatory agency, DFO also requires clear guidance as to the information required from proponents to assess impacts adequately, the criteria to determine probability and magnitude of impacts, and ways to cumulate impacts at the population and regional levels. The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing a quantitative electronic assessment tool for managers, the Industry and scientists. Additional duties may include occasional contributions to marine mammal field research programmes, and attending workshops or conferences as relevant. The candidate: A suitable candidate should possess (or should soon possess) an internationally-recognised doctoral degree from an accredited institution. The candidate should be self-motivated, and able to work within a team framework. He/she should have ecological training and a proven ability in statistical and/or mathematical analysis, including modelling, as well as some background in acoustics. Abilities in ecosystem modelling approaches and programming in R, Matlab, C++ languages or other common interpreted or compiled programming languages is also desirable. Time frame: We seek a candidate to begin work in November 2013 (or earlier) and to continue until 31 March 2015. Salary will be on the order of $47,000 CAD/year. All or a portion (up to a cap) of moving expenses will be covered. This is a Visiting Fellowship in Canadian Government Laboratory, which is managed via the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). http://www.nserc.gc.ca/sf_e.asp?nav=sfnav&lbi=3a. The position will be based at the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. However, the project will involve significant collaboration with colleagues in multiple regions, and under co-supervision of Dr. Lesage at the Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, Mont-Joli, Québec. An ability to write and communicate efficiently in English is essential for the position. For further information about this significant project, please contact Drs. Jack Lawson, (jack.lawson(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca) or Veronique Lesage (veronique.lesage(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca) Dr. Jack Lawson Research Scientist / Chercheur scientifique Marine Mammals Section / Section de mammiféres marins Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada NAFC, 80 East White Hills Rd. St. John's, NL / Terre-Neuve et Labrador Canada A1C 5X1 (709) 772-2285 (709) 772-4105 (FAX) jack.lawson(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca

1 0

Definitions of residency / site fidelity for cetaceans
by Áine O'Shea 23 Jun '13

23 Jun '13

I am currently undertaking a dolphin research internship & I am helping with some residency and site fidelity studies / research at the moment. I am however finding it difficult to obtain an accurate definition of what ‘residency’ and ‘site-fidelity’ actually represent in a particular area. I have read through some papers and articles relating to residency of a particular species; I have purely been looking at cetacean based studies. My understanding is, it is a relatively vague definition, and from what I can gather, it varies from one study to the next, and also varies in the differing regions of study. Would I be correct in assuming; to define residency of a particular species in a particular area, would be at the discretion of the people conducting the study? For example; residency patterns or site-fidelity of Orca’s in the South-west Atlantic in the Falklands / Malvinas archipelago can vary significantly from that of a residency study of Orca’s just off Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Both of these studies appeared to differ in: · Study area size · Frequency of visits by particular individuals · The amount of individuals surveyed I understand these are after all, studies which are conducted in the Ocean, which in itself is an enormous expanse of water, for which these or any mammals can go wherever they may choose. What I am searching for is a more clear understanding or explanation as to what residency and site fidelity essentially consist of. If anyone could shed some light on this, I would be very appreciative! Many Thanks, Áine – Cetacean enthusiast

1 0

American Cetacean Society/Puget Sound Chapter: (two) Student Travel Grants to 2013 SMM biennial
by Uko Gorter 23 Jun '13

23 Jun '13

Dear MARMAM subscribers, -important update: On may 22 we posted our announcement of a Student Travel Grant of $500 to the SMM's biennial conference in New Zealand. Since then, we have been very fortunate to receive additional funds raised by Frances Robertson (UBC, Canada) by means of her half-marathon run on San Juan Island, WA. This has made it possible to secure two (2) grants for $750 each (instead of the one $500). Those of you who have already submitted your application will now be eligible for this larger grant amount. So, to update our announcement: The American Cetacean Society –Puget Sound Chapter would like to encourage student participation at the 20th Biennial conference (Dunedin, New Zealand) by awarding TWO travel grants to a current ACS Student Member selected by lottery from eligible applicants. During the conference, network with other fellow students and participate in the Student Affairs Workshop where you can meet with professionals in various disciplines. You will also be eligible to win awards for outstanding presentations in various categories. The student travel grant application period closes Friday, 5 July 2013 (11:59pm). Two student travel grants of $750 (each) will be selected by a lottery system from all applications received by the submission deadline. To qualify for this grant, you need to: 1) Make sure you are a current ACS member at the time of submission, (http://acsonline.org/support-acs/become-member/) 2) Be currently enrolled as a student at a recognized academic institution, 3) Be first author on an accepted oral or poster presentation about or related to cetaceans in the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska) 4) Register for the conference by the early registration deadline (1 August 2013). As an awardee, you will be asked to present your poster or presentation at a future ACS/PS general meeting, or in the event the recipient is unable to travel to Seattle, a write-up of their presentation for submission and posting to the ACS/PS website. Notification of the student travel grant awards will be made by Wednesday, 18 July 2013. If you are granted an award, you will need to ensure you register for the conference by the end of the early registration period (1 August, 2013) or your award will be given to another individual. Please submit your abstract and a brief bio electronically to acspsgrants(a)yahoo.com ------------------------------- Kind Regards, Uko Gorter, President Dr. Stephanie Norman DVM, Grants Chair Uko Gorter, president 425-827-3437 uko(a)ukogorter.com ---------------------------- American Cetacean Society/Puget Sound Chapter P.O. Box 2341 Kirkland, WA 98083-2341 acspsinfo(a)acspugetsound.org www.acspugetsound.org

1 0

Aquatic Mammals Impact Factor Available
by Kathleen M. Dudzinski 23 Jun '13

23 Jun '13

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce that Aquatic Mammals Journal's 2012 Impact Factor has been published by Journal Citation Reports (from Thomas Reuters). This is the journal's first Impact Factor and it is 0.702. If you have any questions about Aquatic Mammals or our rating, please let me know. Have great day! Cheers Kathleen Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D. Editor, Aquatic Mammals Journal aquaticmammals(a)gmail.com www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org to submit a manuscript, visit our: Manuscript Fast track web site at http://am.expressacademic.org/actions/author.php P.O. Box 711, Old Mystic, CT 06372-0711

1 0

Call for papers: MEPS Theme Section on Marine Mammals and Ecosystem Functioning
by Peter Corkeron - NOAA Federal 21 Jun '13

21 Jun '13

Fellow MARMAMers I'm pleased to announce the call for papers for a Theme Section in Marine Ecology Progress Series on a topic that will be of interest to some. --------------- Marine Mammals and Ecosystem Functioning What roles do marine mammals play in marine ecosystems? How have anthropogenic perturbations to marine systems affected these roles? We seek contributions for a MEPS Theme Section exploring ideas on “Marine Mammals and Ecosystem Functioning”. Contributions could be reviews or data papers. They could explore top-down processes: e.g., iron or nitrogen fertilization; cultivation grazing; trophic cascades, or bottom-up – the influence of oceanographic processes (at whatever spatiotemporal scale) on marine mammals' ecology. We are also interested in marine mammals' roles in non-lethal ecosystem-level effects of predation threat - their roles as predators, prey, or both. Given historical and ongoing anthropogenic influences on marine mammals' ecology, papers could address the relationships (top-down, bottom-up or both) between marine mammals, marine ecosystem function, and human activities. These could include, for example, the influence of fisheries as food provisioning on marine mammals' behavioral ecology and/or population biology; relationships between system simplification and resilience; or the role of refugia. Inference could be drawn from modeling, experiment, “natural experiment”, observation, scholarship or any combination of these. Be aware that our review process will be strict, with a likely rejection rate in line with that of most MEPS submissions (>50%). Please realize, too, that our focus is on multi-species, large-scale, long-term datasets having general ecological relevance and that we're really not looking for single-species, single season, single location foraging studies. In order to facilitate the review process, we're asking people to send a 300-word abstract of intended papers to Peter Corkeron (peter.corkeron(a)noaa.gov) Our aim is to have papers out to review by late this year. Marine Ecology Progress Series already publishes substantive work on the ecosystem role of marine mammals. The aim of this Theme Section is to unite a coherent body of work summarizing the current state of this area of science, so that we, as practitioners, can understand where we are, and where we need to go. Peter Corkeron: peter.corkeron(a)noaa.gov Lyne Morissette: lyne.morissette(a)globetrotter.net and Doug Nowacek: dpn3(a)duke.edu ---------------- sincerely Peter Corkeron -- Leader, Large Whale Team Protected Species Branch NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center 166 Water St Woods Hole MA 02543 phone: 508-495-2191

1 0

new paper on ringed seal diet in relation to environment
by Magaly Chambellant 21 Jun '13

21 Jun '13

Good Day, I am glad to announce the publication of a new paper on ringed diet in relation to environment: Chambellant M, Stirling I, Ferguson SH (2013) Temporal variation in western Hudson Bay ringed seal Phoca hispida diet in relation to environment. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 481:269-287 ABSTRACT: We present the first study of ringed seal Phoca hispida feeding habits in western Hudson Bay (WHB) using stomach content analysis and stable isotope analysis (SIA). Ringed seals were sampled during 9 Inuit subsistence harvests in Arviat, Nunavut, Canada, over the period 1991 to 2006. During the open-water season in summer and fall, ringed seals fed mostly on sand lance Ammodytes spp. In the spring, when annual sea ice was still present, Arctic cod Boreogadus saida and capelin Mallotus villosus were also important in the diet, and consumption of invertebrates was higher than in the open-water period. From SIA, adult ringed seals exploited slightly more benthic habitats than immature individuals. Sand lances were the main prey consumed throughout the study period, but strong interannual variation occurred. When break-up of the sea ice in spring was relatively late, as in the early 1990s, ringed seal consumption of sand lance and total energy input was lower than in subsequent years of the study, despite a higher importance of sculpins (Cottidae) in the diet. The consumption of other fish species changed in the 2000s: Arctic cod declined whereas capelin increased in importance. Our results suggest that ringed seals in WHB are sand lance specialists, and their population dynamics are, at times, strongly regulated by bottom-up processes. http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v481/p269-287/ Cheers, Magaly

1 0

Penn State Marine Bioacoustics Course
by Jennifer Miksis-Olds 20 Jun '13

20 Jun '13

The Penn State Graduate Program in Acoustics is pleased to over ACS 597C Marine Bioacoustics as a Distance Education class this fall semester (Fall 2013). This course covers multiple topics within the area of marine bioacoustics and includes 1-2 lectures from visiting researchers over the semester. This course is offered 2-3 years. Previous students have come from other universities, regulatory and management agencies, military, and private industry. Details of the course are below, and registration details are found at http://www.acs.psu.edu/DistanceEducation/default.aspx. ACS 597C, Marine Bioacoustics . Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Miksis-Olds . Class Time: Monday and Wednesday 2:30 PM -3:45 PM (EST) . Credits: 3 . Tuition: $2325.00 . Prerequisite: Undergraduate physics, calculus, knowledge of differential equations is helpful but not required . Course Material: This course will provide an introduction to the role of acoustics in aquatic biological systems and how acoustics is used to study biological processes and ecosystem dynamics. Topics include: marine animal hearing; sound production; behavior; echolocation; remote sensing; and the impacts of sounds on marine animals. Course grades will be based on homework assignments (written critiques, problem solving, signal processing, acoustic modeling), mid-term exam, final exam, and final project. The final project entails writing and presenting a NSF style research proposal on a marine bioacoustics topic of your choice (this can not be a thesis or dissertation proposal topic). Recommended Texts: Marine Mammals and Noise, Richardson, Greene, Malme and Thompson, 1998, (Academic Press) Fisheries Acoustics: Theory and Practice, Simmonds and MacLennan, 2nd edition, 2006, (Wiley-Blackwell Jennifer L. Miksis-Olds, PhD Senior Research Associate, The Applied Research Laboratory Associate Professor, Graduate Program in Acoustics The Pennsylvania State University PO Box 30, Mailstop 3510D State College, PA 16804 (814) 865-9318 jlm91(a)psu.edu www.personal.psu.edu/jlm91/

1 0

New publication on Wildlife reservoirs of brucellosis: Brucella in aquatic environments
by Gaby Hernandez 19 Jun '13

19 Jun '13

Dear colleagues We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: *Wildlife reservoirs of brucellosis: Brucella in aquatic environments* G. Hernandez-Mora, J.D. Palacios-Alfaro & R. Gonzalez-Barrientos. *ABSTRACT*** Neurobrucellosis and osteomyelitis are common pathologies of humans and cetaceans infected with *Brucella ceti* or *B. pinnipedialis*. Currently, 53 species of marine mammal are known to show seropositivity for brucellae, and *B. ceti* or *B. pinnipedialis* have been isolated or identified in polymerase chain reaction assays in 18 of these species. Brucellae have also been isolated from fish and identified in lungworm parasites of pinnipeds and cetaceans. Despite these circumstances, there are no local or global requirements for monitoring brucellosis in marine mammals handled for multiple purposes such as capture, therapy, rehabilitation, investigation, slaughter or consumption. Since brucellosis is a zoonosis and may be a source of infection to other animals, international standards for Brucella in potentially infected marine mammals are necessary. The article is available at the Scientific and Technical Review journal site of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) “Brucellosis: recent developments towards ‘One Health’ concept Scientific and Technical Review 32 (1). ( http://web.oie.int/boutique/index.php?page=ficprod&id_produit=1184&lang=en&… ) Address for pdf requests : gabbytica(a)gmail.com Cheers, Gabriela Gabriela Hernández Mora, D.V.M, MS.c - Veterinary Microbiology National Service of Animal Health (SENASA)- Costa Rica -Keto Foundation (www.fundacionketo.org) *+506 25 87 16 00 ext 1796* +506 88 93 76 09

1 0

re Posting: 2013 ACS-SF Bay chapter "Call for Student Research Grant applications for SF Bay ACS Research Grant Awards"
by Lynette Koftinow 19 Jun '13

19 Jun '13

Dear colleagues, The American Cetacean Society-San Francisco Bay chapter (ACS-SF Bay) would like to encourage students to apply for our upcoming 2013 Student Research Grants. ACS - SF BAY Guidelines for Student Research Grant: The San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter Grants-in-Aid of Research fund offers small research grants for direct costs of scientific, field-based projects focusing on cetaceans. The Society invites proposals from all cetacean-related disciplines, including the social sciences, which focus on cetaceans and/or their habitats. SF Bay ACS chapter particularly welcomes applications from early-career researchers such as graduate students and researchers with less than 10 years’ post-doctoral experience, and researchers whose work focuses on small cetaceans in Northern California, with emphasis in the Bay Area. The SF Bay American Cetacean Society chapter has a long-standing commitment to providing young scientists with ‘seed money’ for research projects in cetacean-related disciplines. Currently, SF Bay ACS chapter grant awards range from $100 to $1,000; the Society highly encourages funds to be used in a ‘match’ program to maximize funding potential. Funding is available to applicants who are themselves active (dues-paying) SF Bay ACS chapter members or whose faculty advisers are active members. SF Bay ACS chapter funds are intended to strengthen conservation efforts through applied field-based research and opportunities outside of the laboratory. Funds may not be used for salaries, stipends, honoraria, or other compensatory expenses. The National American Cetacean Society and other chapters of ACS also participate in grant-making initiatives and will also submit Request For Proposals (RFPs) coincident with their funding cycles. For information about specific chapters and their grant-making programs, please visit the Chapter page of the National American Cetacean Society website: www. acsonline.org. Proposals should include: 1. Application cover sheet, with title of proposal, field research group, contact information (email, phone and departmental contacts) for the faculty lead or principle investigator (PI), second PI (if applicable) and any proposed graduate student participant list (with contact information). 2. A brief narrative (1-2 pages, single-spaced) describing the research program, overall purpose, specific research objectives/questions, study timeline and benchmarks, significance of the research in advancing our understanding the biology and conservation of cetaceans and/or their habitats, and how the research can or does advance conservation efforts aimed at a particular taxa, species, or habitat. 3. An itemized, one-year budget, including estimated costs for supplies,equipment, travel, etc. Costs should be kept reasonable. A budget justification should be included. Budget should not exceed requested funding amount; however, details of additional funding sources supporting the research and how those funds will be used are helpful in evaluating applications. 4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for each principle investigator. The application deadline for the 2013 San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter Small Grants-in-Aid of Research Program is Monday, July 29th, 2013, and will cover proposed field work to be undertaken through fall of 2013. Funding is limited and proposals will be peer-reviewed for scientific rigor, conservation benefit and cost effectiveness. Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Septmeber 3rd, 2013. Applications should be sent by email to Lynette R. Koftinow, President San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter @ acs.sfbay(a)gmail.com. Questions regarding the program may also be directed to her. Respectfully, Lynette R. Koftinow President San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society (415) 937-0641 (office) acs.sfbay(a)gmail.com

1 0