July 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Comments to NOAA requested to help save North Atlantic right whales
by William Rossiter 26 Jul '13

26 Jul '13

There are approximately 509 North Atlantic right whales alive today, and two significant causes of mortality that continue to significantly affect the species' recovery: entanglements and ship strikes. Considerable effort has been made to solve these and other issues, but the current Rule affecting ship strikes by requiring 10kt speeds under certain conditions is due to end in December. This is a request that you consider commenting directly to NOAA, the U.S. agency currently considering making permanent this ship strike Rule. Comments must be received no later than 6 August. Please spread this message by any means available. The NOAA website at http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2013/20130605_rightwhale.html gives the background, and says: "The existing rules, which reduce an ocean-going vessel's speed to 10 knots or less during certain times and locations along the East Coast from Maine to Florida, have reduced the number of whales struck by ships since 2008, when the speed limits began. No right whale ship strike deaths have occurred in Seasonal Management Areas since the rule went into place. Modeling studies indicate the measures have reduced the probability of fatal ship strikes of right whales by 80 to 90 percent." The current rule will end stop in December, unless made permanent as proposed. Your comment to NOAA is especially important to confront the opposition to making this rule permanent, which consists of commercial shipping and other marine users that assert their operations are impacted economically by the increased transit time. On the other hand, the best available science asserts that the loss of one reproductive female may precipitate the species' extinction, and several die from anthropogenic impacts every year. You may submit public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov <http://www.regulations.gov/> or by visiting the comment page on the Office of Protected Resources website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/comment.htm <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/comment.htm>. NOAA's Fisheries Service will also accept written comments mailed by August 6th to: Office of Protected Resources, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; or faxed to 301-713-4060. Direct link for your comment: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012-0058-0001 * Note that the proposed rule PDF itself may be downloaded from the comment page. Thank you, William W. Rossiter President Cetacean Society International 65 Redding Road-0953 Georgetown, CT 06829-0953 t/c: 203.770.8615, f: 860.561.0187 rossiter(a)csiwhalesalive.org www.csiwhalesalive.org

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Seeking assistants for research on tropical dolphins in Bunbury, Western Australia.
by Randal Counihan 25 Jul '13

25 Jul '13

Seeking assistants for research on tropical dolphins in Bunbury, Western Australia. Dates: commences 31 August 2013 for several months (ends early 2014). Project title: South West Marine Research Program long term monitoring project. Institution: Cetacean Research Unit, Murdoch University - www.mucru.org Overview: I am seeking experienced field assistants to assist with boat-based photo-ID and behaviour analysis in south-west Australia from 31 August 2013. This is a long term project, 7 years so far, with the current phase extending into 2014. A minimum commitment of 5 weeks is expected, though longer stays are preferred. The South West Marine Research Program is a long-term, multifaceted project on the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins of South West Australia. This program is based in Bunbury (south of Perth) and is a collaboration between Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit and numerous industry and non-profit partners. The research, of PhD and masters students, focuses on dolphin population dynamics, abundance, social structure and behaviour, habitat use, conservation genetics and foraging ecology. Long-term data will be collected and used to investigate population dynamics and habitat use, in order to aid in future conservation and management efforts. Benthic habitat mapping and photo identification fieldwork is conducted from Busselton to Binningyup within a 540km2 area consisting of coastal beaches, inshore bays, estuarine inlets and a river. http://mucru.org/research-projects/south-west-marine-researchprogram/ This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to a project with a high conservation and management value. Location: Bunbury is a small city, approx. 1 hour South of Perth. The project will be based in the Dolphin Discovery Centre, where Murdoch have office facilities. Duties: Field work will involve searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos, making and recording field observations, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance. Fieldwork is highly weather dependent and will vary between weekdays and weekends. When weather permits days on the water could be long and on consecutive days. There will be a fair amount of office work involved including data entry, fin matching and project organisation. Computer programs used for data are: FinBase, ACDSee, Logger, Microsoft Access, Excel and Word. Prerequisites: Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field.Previous field experience with wildlife (field data collection, photo identification, boat handling skills). Experience with research on small cetaceans is desirable but not essential. Be enthusiastic, team oriented and have a positive attitude as well as a genuine interest in wildlife science. Expenses: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide monetary compensation or living provisions and research assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Western Australia and living expenses. Please note, the Bunbury backpackers provide good discounts for assistants of the Dolphin Discovery Centre. If you are interested in volunteering, please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details of two relevant referees to randalcounihan(a)gmail.com by Friday 2nd August 2013. Randal Counihan randalcounihan(a)gmail.com Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch WA 6150

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Request for Photos of Targeted Marine Mammals
by Khor Chee Hou 24 Jul '13

24 Jul '13

Dear Marine Mammal Researchers, REQUEST FOR PHOTOS OF TARGETED MARINE MAMMALS I am assisting Dr. Leela Rajamani in her projects. We will be having a Workshop on Local Community Awareness and Participation in Marine Mammal Conservation in Penang Island, Malaysia on the 11th and 12th September 2013 in CEMACS,USM. The main purpose of this workshop is to increase awareness in the local community and encourage their participation in the marine mammal conservation effort in Penang. Thus, the photos of marine mammals species listed below are needed to be used for the workshop. Targeted marine mammal species: 1. Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) 2. Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) 3. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) 4. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) 5. Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) 6. Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) We hope that you can help us by sharing and sending us the targeted marine mammal photos and full photo credit will be given to the owner of the photo. In conjunction with we are also preparing a manual for species identification,best practice and dolphin watching In Penang. Thank you for your attention and I hope to hearing from you soon. Invite letters for the workshop will be sent to Malaysian and affiliated researchers soon. We sincerely appreciate your supports and sharing. C.H.Khor (KHOR CHEE HOU) Project assistant, Public awareness of the Conservation of Newly Described Populations of Cetaceans in North and West Penang, Cente for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

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Seal Pup Internship Vacancy
by Island Wildlife 23 Jul '13

23 Jul '13

Two Harbour Seal Internship Vacancies Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a registered not-for-profit marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility operating under permits from the Department of Fisheries & Oceans, the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada. Located in the Pacific Northwest, on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada, Island Wildlife specializes in the care of up to 100 seal pups (and occasionally other species of marine mammals) each year. We also provide rescue services and temporary emergency care for other species of indigenous wildlife (avian and terrestrial mammals). We have two internships left to fill. The dates of the internships areAugust 21 thru October 31 andSeptember 1 thru October 31. Internships are voluntary positions and candidates are responsible for their own transportation to and from British Columbia and for their own expenses during their internship (i.e. travel, food, entertainment). We provide shared sleeping cabins (including bedding), and a communal kitchen (including all cooking utensils) and bathrooms, as well as wireless internet and use of a shared vehicle. There is no cost for accommodation. Interns will work directly under our marine mammal specialists and can expect to learn or improve skills in the following: - Safe handling and restraint of Harbour Seal pups - Assisting in stabilizing critical patients and new arrivals - Food preparation through all stages of rehabilitation - Gavage (tube) feeding, force feeding and hand feeding techniques - Proper hygiene and isolation protocols to prevent the spread of disease - Administration of oral medications - Behavioral and medical observation and proper record keeping - Assisting with the rescue hotline, transporting patients and public interface - Interns may also take part in rescues and releases may assist with diagnostic work such as x-rays and microscopic exams - General care of many other indigenous avian and mammalian species Interns are accepted internationally. Internships are open to students and non-students with an educational background in the animal sciences or veterinary medicine (including vet techs and AHTs). Candidates must be able to work well in a team, possess a strong work ethic and be willing to work long hours during our busiest months (a work day can be up to 10 hours during peak “pupping” season). To apply please e-mail your resume to <iwncc(a)aol.com> For more information on Island Wildlife go to www.sealrescue.org andwww.Facebook.com/sealrescue

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DISCOVERY: A Photo-Identification Data-Management System
by Glenn Gailey 22 Jul '13

22 Jul '13

Dear MARMAMers, We are pleased to announce the general release of our DISCOVERY Photo-Identification software. DISCOVERY was designed to be a comprehensive data-management system to process, store, manage, visualize and analyze all photo-identification information and associated/unassociated data for single or multi-study site and/or species application. DISCOVERY assists at all processing/data entry levels from filtering of raw photographic data, filenaming routines, incoming/group matching, catalog individual-ID matching, GPS data extraction, sighting information with environmental, geographic, and numerous user-defined parameters as well as host of any other user-defined datasheets. DISCOVERY also provides GIS displays of sighting/individual/effort data and basic analyses of the data with export options to other tools, such as MARK, SOCPROG, etc. We believe DISCOVERY is adaptable to any species of marine mammals (or non-marine mammal) and particularly useful for maintaining a single database for research projects collecting data at large geographical scales and between multiple research teams working on different databases. DISCOVERY can also easily facilitate integration of existing data collected and stored by other means, such as Microsoft Access/Excel. We believe there are a number of dynamic capabilities in DISCOVERY to meet a multitude of project-specific requirements and user-specific needs. DISCOVERY is a freely-available software. To find out more about DISCOVERY's capabilities and/or to download the software. Please visit the software website at: <http://www.biosch.hku.hk/ecology/staffhp/lk/Discovery> http://www.biosch.hku.hk/ecology/staffhp/lk/Discovery The DISCOVERY development team will attempt their best to address any questions or issues users may have with the software. We ask that you place any inquires on the forum provided on the website. Best wishes on your research endeavors, Glenn Gailey Leszek Karczmarski __________________________________ Cetacean Ecology Lab The Swire Institute of Marine Science The University of Hong Kong Cape d'Aguilar, Shek O, Hong Kong Website: http://www.hku-cetacean-ecology.net

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Volunteer field assistant oportunity - Right Whales in Southern Brazil
by silvana bottini 22 Jul '13

22 Jul '13

*Field assistants needed for research on right whales in Torres, South Brazil* *Overview: *We are seeking experienced field assistants to help students during winter/ spring season with land-based technique of behavioral observations on right whales, in Torres, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. *Project title:* “Habitat use and fine-scale movement patterns of southern-right-whale, *Eubalaena australis,* (Desmoulins, 1822) in Torres, southern Brazil”. *Fieldwork dates: *Volunteers are needed from 1st August to 30th September. *Project aim:* provide baseline information on the ecology, habitat use and social structure of right whales in Torres, in South Brazil. This research is part of a master study, lead by Ecology and Systematics of Sea Birds and Marine Mammals Lab at the Biological Sciences Institute, of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. *Duties: *Searching for whales, theodolite operating, recording field observations, equipment cleaning and data entry. *Expectations: *Field assistants need to be adaptable and patient as weather is highly dependent. We will be committed to go sampling everyday whenever weather allows us. If not, we’ll be working in data entry. *Prerequisites:* - Experience of field research on land-based technique (highly desirable); - Possess basic computer skills including MS Excel; - Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field (desirable); - Be team-oriented, patient, and have an enthusiastic attitude to hard work and collecting data on the natural environment (essential); This is an opportunity to gain experience in land based techniques research and contribute to a project with high conservation and management value. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide monetary compensation. Assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Porto Alegre, South Brazil, and will have to pay for their own accommodation and food (around US$ 200,00/ month). We’ll share house duties including cooking and cleaning. ** Commitment to the full duration of this time will be highly favoured.* *Interested please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details. This information must be sent in an e-mail with the subject ‘Field assistant’ before 25th July 2013 to ** silbottini(a)gmail.com* <silbottini(a)gmail.com>*.*

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Dolphin Research Internship, Charleston, SC
by Todd Speakman - NOAA Affiliate 19 Jul '13

19 Jul '13

NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory’s Marine Animal Health Program is recruiting to fill two dolphin photo-identification internship positions for the fall of 2013. The positions are at the NOAA National Ocean Service Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina and will involve a commitment of 20 hours per week extending over a 14 week period from September 9 to December 13, 2013. There is some flexibility in these start and end dates. Interns will primarily assist with laboratory activities such as data entry, photo-analysis, and stranding response, in addition to participating in a limited amount of fieldwork. Building on existing data from long-term monitoring which has spanned 15+ years, boat-based photo-identification (id) surveys will be conducted for Western North Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in estuaries and near-shore waters of South Carolina as well as remote biopsy surveys near Jacksonville, FL. Specific research questions focus on relationships between contaminants and environmental factors. The internship offers an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated individuals to obtain field and laboratory training in photo-id methodology and analysis under the mentorship of experienced dolphin researchers. There is no compensation for this position, and interns will be responsible for their own living expenses and transportation to and from the laboratory. There may be travel involved for some components of the fieldwork, which will be paid for by the laboratory. Ideal applicants will be advanced undergraduates or recent graduates of a scientifically-oriented university program in marine science, biology or a related field. Preference will be given to applicants with well-developed computer skills and boat-based field experience. The internship application consists of a letter of interest, transcripts of university coursework and two letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors who are familiar with applicant’s scholarship, research skills and work habits relevant to the internship. Interested applicants should first correspond with Todd Speakman by email ( Todd.Speakman(a)noaa.gov) before preparing and submitting application materials. We anticipate filling this internship position by the August 15, 2013. -- Todd Speakman, Biologist JHT Inc. Contractor Hollings Marine Laboratory 331 Fort Johnson Road Charleston, SC 29412 Ph/ 843.762.8820 Fx/ 843.762.8737 Todd.Speakman(a)noaa.go <Todd.Speakman(a)noaa.gov>v

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Killer Whale Post Doc
by Emma Foster 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

Hi All, We have an exciting opportunity at the University of Exeter, U.K. for a 3 year NERC funded Post Doc studying the Social Behaviour and Life history Evolution in Killer Whales. If you are interest in applying please see the full advert here https://jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACAN… Thanks! Emma

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Seeking experienced field assistants for research on tropical dolphins in north-west Australia
by Alexander Brown 17 Jul '13

17 Jul '13

Seeking experienced field assistants for research on tropical dolphins in north-west Australia Dates: commences 31 August 2013 for 10-12 weeks (ends mid-November). Project title: Abundance estimation, residency and genetic connectivity of snubfin and humpback dolphins in the Kimberley region, Western Australia. Institution: Cetacean Research Unit, Murdoch University - www.mucru.org Overview: I am seeking experienced field assistants to assist with boat-based photo-ID and biopsy sampling in north-west Australia for approximately 10-12 weeks from 31 August 2013. * Commitment to the full duration of the project is preferred, but a minimum commitment of the first/second ~5 weeks may also be considered * This project<http://mucru.org/research-projects/snubfin-and-humpback-dolphins-in-the-kim…> aims to collect baseline data on the local abundance, residency and genetic connectivity of Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in northern Western Australia. This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to a project with a high conservation and management value. Location: We meet in the town of Broome, then visit two different sites on the adjacent Dampier Peninsula. Approximately 5 weeks are spent at each location. These are typically remote locations with a tropical climate and limited amenities. Accommodation will comprise shared basic cabins or tents, with camp kitchen and bathroom facilities. Duties: Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos, making and recording field observations, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data entry, a fair share in communal cooking and housekeeping duties, and generally working hard and having a great time. Expect early starts, hot weather, up to 11 hours on the water for multiple consecutive days, and up to a week between days off. Prerequisites: Experience of working on and driving a small boat (essential); experience of photo-ID survey techniques (essential); no history of debilitating seasickness (essential); be team-oriented, patient, have a good sense of humour, and an enthusiastic attitude to hard work, long hours and collecting data on the natural environment (essential); experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable). Expenses: This is an unpaid position. However, food and accommodation at field sites are provided at no cost to assistants. Assistants are responsible for their own travel costs to/from Broome (direct flights available from Perth). Please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, and contact details of two relevant referees to alex.brown(a)murdoch.edu.au by Friday 26 July 2013. Alex Brown alex.brown(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:*j.tyne@murdoch.edu.au> PhD Candidate, Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch WA 6150 Blogs from previous trips: http://mucru.org/blogs/a-productive-month-on-the-dampier-peninsula/ http://mucru.org/blogs/snubfin-season/

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Job Opportunity - Sea Watch Foundation - Wales, UK
by Danielle Gibas 16 Jul '13

16 Jul '13

Job Title: Wales Development Officer Salary: £18.000 per annum Contract type: Fixed term (12 months) Role description: The Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) is seeking an enthusiastic and pro‐active professional to lead the Welsh SeaWatchers project. The Wales Development Officer will be in charge of recruiting, training and providing support for a team of Welsh volunteers. These volunteers will be invited to become involved in three areas of SWF’s work: data collection, education and outreach. They will work under the supervision of the Sightings Officer. The position is home-based but candidates should be resident in Wales, and will be expected to attend regular meetings at the New Quay Sea Watch office. Responsibilities: · Development of a network of volunteers involved in three main areas: o Cetacean monitoring: organisation of land-watches, boat-based observations, collecting cetacean sightings data for all Welsh waters o Outreach and public awareness: raising public awareness of the wealth of cetaceans living in Welsh waters, and the conservation threats they face, holding stands at public events, online communication o Education: visiting schools around Wales in order to present educational activities themed around UK cetaceans and their conservation · Advertisement of volunteer roles and recruitment · Organisation and management of induction and training sessions for volunteers involved in all three areas · Organising and attending public events with a view to involving the general public in cetacean monitoring and raising public awareness of cetaceans in Welsh waters · Organising and conducting educational visits to schools across Wales · Setting up and maintaining regular land watches and collection of offshore observations · Providing regular feedback to volunteers · Identifying new opportunities to promote the SWF and its mission Requirements Essential: · Degree in marine biology, conservation or other relevant topic · Computer skills (Microsoft Office package) · Demonstrated oral and written communications skills · Enjoys interacting with the public · Demonstrated ability to network · Experience of project management · Personal computer and access to internet Desirable: · Working knowledge of Welsh language · Field work experience · Experience of working with children · DBS check · Two years professional experience in conservation, marine biology, communications or education · Knowledge of Welsh cetaceans · Driving licence (+access to a car) · Ability to work with minimal supervision and take initiatives To apply please email your CV, cover letter and contact details of two referees to: Danielle Gibas ( <mailto:danielle.gibas@seawatchfoundation.org.uk> danielle.gibas(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk) with “Wales Development Officer” in the subject line. Closing date for applications is 2nd August 2013. The Sea Watch Foundation The Sea Watch Foundation is a national marine environmental research charity that aims to achieve better conservation of whales and dolphins in the seas around Britain and Ireland, by involving the public in scientific monitoring of populations and the threats they face. It is the longest-running research charity in UK focusing upon cetaceans around the British Isles, and maintains a national sightings database, the largest in Europe. It works closely with all the UK statutory conservation agencies, and advises UK government, the UNEP Regional intergovernmental Conservation Agreement - ASCOBANS, the European Commission, as well as the major conservation charities and marine industries operating in the UK. At Sea Watch Wales, we are dedicated to raising awareness, knowledge and conservation of the marine wildlife of the region. Our work is funded by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Natural Resources Wales, Defra, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and Environment Wales; and we work closely with the local management authority, Natural Resources Wales. Our aims: To monitor cetaceans in order to understand the state of our marine environment: Since 2001, SWF has monitored the Cardigan Bay bottlenose dolphins. These animals require special protection under the EU Habitats Directive and through Natural Resources Wales, SWF will alert the Welsh Government to any problems, prompting practical measures to help protect the species. To involve the public in scientific monitoring: SWF works with a network of volunteer observers from around UK who record all sightings of cetaceans. The information gathered by this network has been the primary source of knowledge about the relative status and distribution of cetaceans around UK. To raise awareness and understanding of cetaceans and the threats they face: SWF staff and volunteers work tirelessly to raise understanding of these issues by presenting at events, organising training courses and field trips, and giving lectures. To educate, inform and advise for better environmental protection: SWF provides accessible information and training materials ranging from fun educational activities for children to adult training manuals and government advisory documents. Danielle Gibas Sightings Officer See them… Report them… Save them… Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/>

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