September 2013 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Biennial workshop places available at super low fee
by Chris Parsons 28 Sep '13

28 Sep '13

The Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section has sponsored the following Soc. for Marine Mammalogy workshops so that instead of up to $100 admission to the workshop will cost ONLY $10 FOR THE FIRST 30 REGISTRANTS IN EACH !!! <http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl e&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=31> Top twenty research questions of global importance for cetacean conservation* ONLY $10 for first 30 registrants <http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl e&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=46> Cognition and Self-awareness in Cetaceans: A review of ethical implications for conservation laws * ONLY $10 for first 30 registrants I <http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl e&id=591&Itemid=336&workshop=43> ntegrating Marine Mammal Conservation: Human Dimensions and the Practitioner * ONLY $10 for first 30 registrants Don't forget to REGISTER ASAP ! Top twenty research questions of global importance for cetacean conservation Date: Saturday 7the December - Whole Day (lunch included) _____ In 2008/9 an exercise was conducted in the UK to parse a list of 100 urgent research questions that need to be addressed in order to further conservation globally. The results of this exercise were published as an article in Conservation Biology (Sutherland et al. 2009. An assessment of the 100 questions of greatest importance to the conservation of global biodiversity. Conservation Biology 23(3): 557-567), which has since become the journal's most frequently downloaded and cited paper. This paper has also been highly useful for government agencies when prioritizing research and funding. During the exercise over 2000 questions were generated by a select group of academics, NGO representatives and agency officials, which were then ordered by perceived priority during a two-day workshop to identify the final list of 100 questions. In 2011/12 a similar exercise was conducted to produce a list of key research questions for marine conservation-addressing questions on this list will become a key selection criterion for participating in the Society for Conservation Biology's International Marine Conservation Congresses. A few of the questions in the latter exercise are relevant to cetaceans, but none are specific to cetacean conservation. Therefore we propose to hold a two-day workshop to develop a list of questions specifically related to cetaceans to aid agencies, NGOs, and academics prioritize conservation research needs. Relevant questions developed during the previous exercises will be used as a basis for discussion, in addition to new questions proposed by participants. A call-out for questions will be announced prior to the event, and these questions will be compiled by workshop organizers. During the SMM workshop, the list of questions will be discussed, edited and pared down, with a final list prepared on the afternoon of the second day. The top 20 questions will be compiled and submitted as a paper for a relevant journal. A press release will be produced for the results of the exercise, and the subsequent article will be distributed to marine NGOs and agencies. Cognition and Self-awareness in Cetaceans: A review of ethical implications for conservation laws Date: Sunday 8th December Morning Only _____ The ancient Greeks considered dolphins to have human thoughts and undertake human deeds. As a result they were given legal rights equivalent to humans; e.g., killing a dolphin was considered equivalent to killing a person. In contrast, other regions have historically categorized cetaceans as "fish" in terms of welfare and status. In the latter part of the 20th century, much of the world began to think of cetaceans as special; consequently, laws for their protection increased, climaxing in the 1970s. Despite these laws, cetaceans are exposed, sometimes deliberately, to human activities that could cause them stress and trauma, such as captures, exposure to intense noise, and harassment by marine tourism. Recent studies have shown that several species of animal (e.g. great apes and elephants) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) possess sophisticated linguistic capabilities and appear to display levels of self-awareness, using mirror self-recognition tests, equivalent to those of a 4-year-old human. What are the legal implications of this human-level intelligence and awareness of self? Laws and regulations protecting some of these SHILAS (Species of Human Intelligence Level and Awareness of Self) have been enacted in some jurisdictions. Most recently, US federal regulations regarding captive research on chimpanzees mandated larger enclosures and increased social interaction. But for cetaceans, there have been no reviews of legal protections, or of the ethical implications of human activities, since research has indicated unusual levels of cognition and awareness in species such as the bottlenose dolphin. Under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, whales and dolphins are given special protection, but it also allows takes (killing, injuring and harassing) under certain circumstances, including for public display. European law similarly prohibits killing, injuring and harassing of cetaceans , although the Faeroe Islands and Greenland have hunts of cetaceans using methods that have been criticized as inhumane. European states also have regulations for holding cetaceans in captivity. This day-long workshop will have brief presentations highlighting: (i) the current state of knowledge of cetacean cognition; (ii) definitions of ethical treatment and research; (iii) key conservation, research and welfare laws and regulations; and (iv) a comparison with laws for other SHILAs (4 x 20 minutes).There will then be a discussion of the ethical implications of (a) capture and handling methods; (b) regulations for captivity and other tourism activity, notably swim-with-cetacean tourism and provisioning; and (c) invasive studies and experiments (3 hours).Audience: Those interested in cetacean welfare, ethical research , cetacean behavior, conservation and regulation/policy. The proposed product of the workshop will be a series of discussion papers, with the ultimate aim of producing a special issue of an appropriate journal. Integrating Marine Mammal Conservation: Human Dimensions and the Practitioner * Date: Sunday 8th December Afternoon Only _____ Marine mammal conservation is unique because many species are difficult to study due to their pelagic nature, resulting in significant data gaps. All marine mammals are protected in the US under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and some species have additional protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, few species exist only in the US, so conservation plans often must include international cooperation, including First Nations tribes. Marine mammals also frequently interact with industry via competition, by-catch, and critical habitat designation. Many marine mammal species are consumed by subsistence users, and internationally through commercial and scientific whaling exemptions to the IWC. Thus, marine mammal conservation must take a multidisciplinary approach (oceanography, fisheries biology), and integrate priorities of diverse stakeholders (policy makers, industry, subsistence users). This workshop will present the summaries from presentations at the 2013 ICCB symposium that brought together stakeholders in fisheries, indigenous food security, biology, and policy to consider challenges, solutions, and best practices for advancing an integrated approach to marine mammal conservation. A significant outcome of the ICCB symposium was the need for marine mammal biologists and practitioners to understand the human dimensions and implications of their work for local communities. This symposium will include key human dimensions training for biologists and conservation practitioners. The final symposium in this three-part series will occur at the Third International Marine Conservation Congress in 2014. _____

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postdoctoral research fellow position available at the University of Aberdeen
by Lusseau, David 28 Sep '13

28 Sep '13

An exciting opportunity is available for the position of Research Fellow with Dr David Lusseau at the University of Aberdeen to work on prospective analytical techniques to assess the ability marine mammal populations might have to compensate for behavioural disturbances. It will focus on defining the state resilience of behavioural strategies by analysing their transient dynamics. This will provide a framework to inform the propensity for population consequences to emerge from behavioural disturbances, particularly in data poor conditions. In addition, this work will provide new metrics to complement efforts to implement PCoD (Population Consequences of Disturbances inference framework) in situations where data availability is limited. This project is a collaboration between Dr. David Lusseau (University of Aberdeen) and Pr. Daniel Costa (University of California at Santa Cruz). The fellow will use a well-documented and well understood study system, northern elephant seals, to demonstrate the feasibility of these techniques. To apply and for more details go to: https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?amNvZGU9MTM2ODA4MyZ2dF90ZW1w… or go to http://www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs and search for post YBS614R we are looking for the following criteria in candidates: * PhD in ecology, zoology, biomathematics, biostatistics, animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, or psychology (or near completion) * Programming and modelling skills * Experience with ODEs * Solid knowledge of matrix algebra * Good statistical background * Excellent IT and communication skills * Ability to plan, prioritise and complete analysis / models efficiently to a high standard with minimal supervision. Ability to work alone and as part of a team * Excellent oral and written communication skills Email me (d.lusseau(a)abdn.ac.uk<mailto:d.lusseau@abdn.ac.uk>) for any questions. Thanks, David ___________________________________________ Dr. David Lusseau MASTS Senior Lecturer in Marine Top Predator Biology University of Aberdeen School of Biological Sciences Zoology Bldg, Tillydrone Avenue Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK Phone: (0)1224 272843 Website: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/ibes/staff/d.lusseau Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland: http://www.masts.ac.uk Scottish Primatological Research Group: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/psychology/research/sprg/ Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland: http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/794_TheRSEYoungAcademyofScotland.html Royal Statistical Society: http://www.rss.org.uk ____________________________________________ REMEMBER: Populations are full of individuals ____________________________________________ The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

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New publication on fisheries and South American fur seals in Rio de la Plata and adjoining areas
by Damián G. Vales 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

Dear MARMAM members, We are pleased to announce the following publication: Intensive fishing has not forced dietary change in the South American fur seal Arctophoca (=Arctocephalus) australis off Río de la Plata and adjoining areas by Vales DG, F Saporiti, L Cardona, LR Oliveira, RA dos Santos, ER Secchi, A Aguilar, EA Crespo. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. doi: 10.1002/aqc.2397 Abstract is below (English-Spanish-Portuguese) The paper is available online at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aqc.2397/abstract or PDF requests can be sent to vales(a)cenpat.edu.ar Best regards, Damián ABSTRACT South American fur seals (Arctophoca australis) inhabiting the Río de la Plata plume and adjoining areas are known to forage upon a wide range of prey (i.e. pelagic, demersal and benthic species). Since the 1960s, trawlers have operated in the area, targeting primarily demersal and benthic species. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios from 54 adult male fur seals dead stranded along the coast of southern Brazil from 1994 to 2011 were analysed to investigate whether the intensification of fishing in Río de la Plata and adjoining areas since the mid-1990s has reduced the availability of benthic and demersal prey to the growing population of South American fur seals. No significant correlation between 13C or 15N values and stranding year was found, thus revealing that fur seals maintained a steady diet over 17 years. Reconstruction of the isotopic landscape of the study area using potential prey of fur seals showed a spatial segregation, with prey from southern Brazil typically enriched in 13C and depleted in 15N compared with those from northern Argentina. Most adult male fur seals relied mainly on small pelagic fishes and squid captured on the continental shelf, whereas medium pelagic and demersal-benthic prey played a minor role in the diet. It is concluded that South American fur seals rely on pelagic resources (i.e. small pelagic fish and squid) more strongly than previously thought and that their diet does not reflect the varying abundance of demersal-benthic resources in the area. As long as small pelagic fish remain under-exploited in the area, competition between fisheries and fur seals is not expected. However, it is difficult to foresee how changes in the structure and dynamics of the ecosystem caused by fisheries may affect South American fur seal conservation in the long term. RESUMEN El lobo fino sudamericano (Arctophoca australis) que habita frente al Río de la Plata y en áreas adyacentes se alimenta de un amplio rango de presas (pelágicas, demersales y bentónicas). Desde los 60s, barcos arrastreros han operado en el área focalizándose principalmente en especies demersales y bentónicas. Con el fin de investigar si la intensificación de la pesca en el Río de la Plata y áreas adyacentes desde mediado de los 90s ha reducido la disponibilidad de presas bentónicas y demersales para la creciente población de lobo fino sudamericano, se analizó la proporción de isótopos estables de carbono y nitrógeno de 54 lobos finos machos adultos varados muertos a lo largo de la costa del sur de Brasil desde 1994 hasta el 2011. No se halló correlación significativa entre los valores de 13C o 15N y el año de varamiento, revelando que los lobos finos mantuvieron una dieta estable durante 17 años. La reconstrucción del paisaje isotópico utilizando presas potenciales de los lobos finos en el área de estudio mostró una segregación espacial, con las presas del sur de Brasil típicamente enriquecidas en 13C y empobrecidas en 15N en comparación con las presas del norte de Argentina. La dieta de la mayor parte de los machos adultos se basó en peces pelágicos pequeños y calamares capturados en la plataforma continental; mientras que los peces pelágicos medianos y bentónicos demersales desempeñaron un rol menor en la dieta. Se concluye que el lobo fino sudamericano basa su dieta en recursos pelágicos (peces pelágicos pequeños y calamares) con mayor intensidad de lo pensado y que su dieta no refleja la variación en la abundancia de los recursos bentónicos demersales en el área. Mientras la pesca de peces pelágicos pequeños permanezca sub-explotada en el área, no se espera que haya competencia entre las pesquerías y los lobos finos. No obstante, es difícil predecir como los cambios en la estructura y dinámica del ecosistema producidos por las pesquerías puedan afectar la conservación del lobo fino a largo plazo. RESUMO Os lobos-marinhos-sul-americanos (Arctophoca australis) habitam a região da pluma do Rio da Prata e áreas adjacentes e são conhecidos por alimentarem-se de uma ampla gama de presas (ex. espécies pelágicas, demersais e bentônicas). Desde a década de 1960, barcos de arrasto vem operando na área, tendo como alvo principal as espécies demersais e bentônicas. Neste estudo foram analisadas as taxas de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio de 54 machos adultos de lobo-marinho-sul-americano, os quais foram encontrados mortos ao longo da costa sul do Brasil entre 1994 e 2011, a fim de investigar se a intensificação da pesca no Rio da Prata e áreas adjacentes desde meados da década de 1990s chegou a reduzir a disponibilidade de presas demersais para a crescente população destes lobos-marinhos. Não foi encontrada nenhuma correlação entre o ano de encalhe dos animais e a abundância relativa dos isótopos de carbono 13C ou nitrogênio 15N presentes nas amostras estudadas, revelando que os lobos-marinhos-sul-americanos da região mantiveram uma dieta estável por mais de 17 anos. A reconstrução do cenário isotópico da área de estudo através da análise das potencias presas dos lobos-marinhos- sul-americanos demonstrou uma segregação espacial, com as presas do sul do Brasil tipicamente enriquecidas em 13C e empobrecidas em 15N em comparação com as presas do norte da Argentina. A maioria dos machos adultos consumiu principalmente pequenos peixes pelágicos e lulas encontradas na plataforma continental, enquanto que as presas meso-pelágicas e demerso-bentônicas tiveram um papel secundário na sua dieta. Concluiu- se que os lobos-marinhos-sul-americanos na área de estudo dependem mais do que se acreditava do consumo de recursos pelágicos (ex.: pequenos peixes pelágicos e lulas) e que sua dieta não apresentou mudanças na abundância de recursos demerso- bentônicos na região. Enquanto os pequenos peixes pelágicos permanecerem pouco explorados na região, não se espera que ocorra competição entre a pesca e os lobos-marinhos. No entanto, é difícil prever como as mudanças na estrutura e na dinâmica do ecossistema causadas pela pesca poderiam afetar a conservação do lobo-marinho-sul-americano a longo prazo. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Damián G. Vales Lic. en Cs Biológicas Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Boulevard Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn, Argentina Tel: 54 (280) 4451375/4451024 Int 1252 Fax: 54 (280) 4451543 E-mail: vales(a)cenpat.edu.ar --------------------------------------------------------------------

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Introduction to Statistical Modelling Workshop
by Lindesay Scott-Hayward 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

*Introduction to statistical modelling *Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling *21-24 January 2013*, University of St. Andrews The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) at the University of St. Andrews will be running a 4 day ‘Statistical Modelling’ workshop to introduce basic statistical modelling techniques. The workshop will cover Linear Models and Generalized Linear Models to help participants analyse continuous, presence/absence and count data. The course will be heavily data-based and presented using a marine mammal case study and workshop practicals will be based around an impact assessment analysis. The R software package will be used for workshop-based practicals and no prior experience with the R package is assumed. Computer sessions take place in our computer classroom (attached to the seminar room) and participants can use our computers or bring their own laptops. For more information and registration, please visit the webpage: http://www.ruwpa.st-and.ac.uk/workshops/statsmodelling2014/statsmodelling20…

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New book on dolphin cognition
by Justin Gregg 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the publication of a new popular science book on the subject of dolphin cognition: Are Dolphins Really Smart? The Mammal Behind the Myth from Oxford University Press. The book provides a scholarly overview of the past five decades' worth of research into dolphin cognition and behavior in order to determine if dolphins 1) have an unusually large and sophisticated brain that is driving their intelligence, 2) have minds that are unusually complex when it comes to self-awareness, consciousness, and emotions, 3) display unusually sophisticated behavior in the wild and in experimental situations, 4) have a communication system that is as sophisticated as human language, and 5) have unusually complex social lives, and live in peaceful harmony with each other and their environment. It points out where the various scientific perspectives clash when it comes to interpreting results on these complex topics. It also puts the results into perspective by comparing the behavior and cognition of other species. The book concludes that while there is good reason to stake the claim that dolphins are intelligent animals, the science of animal cognition is a lot murkier and harder to interpret than most people realize. For more info, visit <http://aredolphinsreallysmart.com/> http://aredolphinsreallysmart.com/ Are Dolphins Really Smart? was published on September 26th for European markets, and will be available in North America in November. It can be ordered via the following links: Hardcopy version now available from <http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199660452.do#.UURjqzfpqHg> <http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp= 1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> Amazon.co.uk <http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=178 9&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> Amazon.de <http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=178 9&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> Amazon.fr <http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=178 9&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> <http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199660452.do#.UURjqzfpqHg> Oxford University Press in the UK <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=17 89&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> <http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E7S0T2A/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=wa0f7-20&c amp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B00E7S0T2A&adid=0AV2WFYH DWZC3QRXBRF1&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fjustingregg.com%2Fare-dolphins-really- smart%2F> Kindle version also available Pre-order hardcopy version from North American markets <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=17 89&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> Amazon.com (November 1 publication date) <http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199660452.do#.UURjqzfpqHg> <http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=178 9&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> Amazon.ca (October 26 publication date) <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019966045X/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=17 89&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019966045X&linkCode=as2&tag=jgreggblog-20> <http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/LifeSciences/Ecology/AnimalBe havior/?view=usa&ci=9780199660452> Oxford University Press in the US (November 1 publication date) <http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199660452.do#.UURjqzfpqHg> All the best, Justin ____________ Justin Gregg, PhD Research Associate, Dolphin Communication Project <mailto:jgregg@dolphincommunicationproject.org> jgregg(a)dolphincommunicationproject.org <http://www.justingregg.com> http://www.justingregg.com <http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/> http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/

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Independent review of a 2008 mass stranding in Madagascar now available
by Howard Rosenbaum 26 Sep '13

26 Sep '13

Please post at your earliest convenience Independent review of a 2008 mass stranding in Madagascar In 2008, approximately 100 melon-headed whales stranded in the Loza Lagoon system in Madagascar. The response effort was multi-faceted and included local people, government officials, conservation organisations and marine mammal experts. A significant amount of information was collected and, several years later, the IWC facilitated a review of the circumstances of the stranding in conjunction with the US Marine Mammal Commission, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production (Northern Madagascar) Ltd, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Government of Madagascar. An independent scientific review panel (ISRP) of five experts was invited to conduct a formal examination of the available facts. Links to the report, which became available on 25th September 2013 and the associated material considered by them can be found at http://iwc.int/2008-mass-stranding-in-madagascar

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Post for Society for Marine Mammalogy Workshop
by Nina Young - NOAA Federal 26 Sep '13

26 Sep '13

Can you please post the following. I am pleased to announce registration for the Assessing Bycatch in Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region. At the upcoming SMM Biology of Marine Mammals is now open. The full day workshop will be held on Saturday 7th December Dunedin, NZ. Fisheries bycatch is the principal threat to many marine mammals. In some cases, bycatch reduction devices have been shown to mitigate the bycatch of non-target species, but the scale of the problem outpaces progress in finding solutions. In particular, bycatch in coastal gillnet fisheries is one of the most immediate threats facing many marine mammal species worldwide. While most of the research and development of bycatch reduction methods is focused in developed nations and commercial fisheries, some of the most severe coastal gillnet bycatch challenges are likely to be found in artisanal gillnet fisheries in developing nations and small island developing nations. Efforts to address challenges in these coastal regions are stymied by a lack of information on the extent of the bycatch problem and the status of the species affected, as well as by social, cultural and economic factors that can cause artisanal fishing communities to resist implementing mitigation measures. This workshop will begin together scientists currently working on marine mammal or related bycatch issues in the Pacific Islands region (including the larger central, western, and south Pacific). Workshop participants will (1) summarize what is known about marine mammal bycatch in their region; (2) identify key informational needs and initial actions required to reduce marine mammal bycatch in fisheries, (2) identify regions, fisheries, or situations that are unsustainable; (3) identify regions, fisheries, or situations that are ripe for testing mitigation strategies or develop pilot programs to assess and mitigate marine mammal bycatch. If you are interested in presenting at the workshop, please contact me. I will provide you with the format for oral presentations and written submissions. A report of this workshop will be produced based on the written reports from each participant. The deadline for submission of papers is November 11, 2013. There is a workshop fee to cover costs of space, AV equipment, lunch and coffee breaks. To register go to: http://www.marinemammalscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=articl… Please contact me with any questions. Nina M. Young Office of International Affairs National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East West Highway, # 10631 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Email: Nina.Young(a)noaa.gov <luis.leandro(a)noaa.gov> Phone: 301-427-8383

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Post-doc position with BRS/Cascadia Research
by Gretchen Steiger 25 Sep '13

25 Sep '13

Please post--thank you: Cascadia Research Collective (see www.cascadiaresearch.org) a non-profit research organization in Olympia, WA, invites applications for a post-doctoral position starting in the fall of 2013 to join an interdisciplinary research team investigating the behavioral response of cetaceans to anthropogenic sound in Southern California. More information on the project and its objectives can be found here: http://socal-brs.org . Position is anticipated as a two year position with options for continuation (contingent on funding) and an annual salary anticipated being $50-55,000 plus benefits. We seek candidates with a PhD and a strong background in analyzing complex multivariate, time-series data sets and advanced geospatial analyses such as state-space models. Valuable past experience for the candidate to have would include programming with R and Matlab as well as using multi-sensor archival tags to study animal movement and acoustics. Position would be based at Cascadia Research in Olympia, Washington but will involve travel for field work and to work with collaborators in other regions. Position would be under the supervision of John Calambokidis but will involve close collaboration with the BRS research team. Apply by October 15, 2013. Submit a curriculum vitae including a list of publications and contact information for three references to Gretchen Steiger (gsteiger(a)cascadiaresearch.org ) who can also be contacted for any questions regarding the position.

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Common Dolphin NE Atlantic publication
by Sinead Murphy 25 Sep '13

25 Sep '13

Dear Colleagues, The following paper was recently published. Murphy, S., Pinn, E., and Jepson, P. 2013. The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the North-eastern Atlantic: distribution, ecology, management and conservation status. In: Hughes RN, Hughes DJ, Smith IP, eds. CRC Press. Oceanography and Marine Biology Vol 51: 193-280. Abstract and table of contents are below. A PDF is available at http://www.crcnetbase.com/doi/abs/10.1201/b15406-4 http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/books/details/9781466568662/ or PDF requests can be sent to Sinead.Murphy(a)ioz.ac.uk<mailto:Sinead.Murphy@ioz.ac.uk> Kind Regards, Sinéad Murphy ABSTRACT: The common dolphin is the second most abundant cetacean species in the North- East Atlantic, with a wide-ranging distribution and is, potentially, impacted by a wide variety of pressures and threats. To assess the conservation status of common dolphins in this region, it is essential to understand population structure, key drivers of population dynamics, key resources and the effects of stressors. In recent years, a number of studies have assessed population structure, distribution and abundance, life- History parameters, dietary requirements and the effect of stressors—especially those caused by anthropogenic interactions, such as incidental capture (i.e., by-catch) and pollutants. A full review of this work is presented, with particular focus on current and potential pressures and threats. Notwithstanding the recent research, due to the lack of baseline data (i.e., prior to human influence) on abundance and pregnancy rate and on historical direct and incidental capture rates, the actual conservation status of the North-East Atlantic common dolphin population is unknown. Current assessments of conservation status of the species are therefore reliant on recent data. However, these assessments are hindered by the lack of data on contemporary incidental capture rates in some fisheries and limited sampling in other fisheries, as well as large data gaps for other stressors. In addition, the numerous potential ways in which multiple and diverse stressors can interact remain poorly understood. This chapter provides an outline of a management framework and describes methods for future evaluation of conservation status through development of indicators focusing on not only population size and distribution but also mortality and condition. Recommendations for research and conservation actions are described. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction Species Identification North-east Atlantic Population structure in the North Atlantic North-east Atlantic population structure Ecological stocks Distribution and abundance Contemporary seasonal movements Long-term distribution patterns North-Atlantic Oscillation Population abundance Continental shelf waters Offshore waters Life history parameters Size and morphology Population biological parameters Age and sex segregation Feeding ecology Temporal, geographic and seasonal variations in diet Offshore waters Inshore waters Age and sex dietary requirements Health status and causes of death Stranding patterns Mass mortality events Infectious diseases Non-infectious diseases Reproductive failure and abnormalities of the reproductive tract Threats and pressures Overview of past and present threats Fisheries interactions Operational effects Fisheries selectivity of age-sex maturity classes Biological effects Climate change Pollutants Persistent organic pollutants Heavy metals Oil spills Noise Pollution Military activity Seismic surveys Aggregate extraction and dredging Renewable energy Other Impacts Collisions with vessels and shipping noise Whale watching and ecotourism Legislation International conventions United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora The Bonn Convention (CMS) and the Agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS) Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-east Atlantic (OSPAR) The Bern Convention International Whaling Commission European Directive of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora (92/43/EEC) EC Council Regulation 812/2004 (‘the Fisheries Regulation’) Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Good Environmental Status Management of the North-east Atlantic population Management units Population status Summary of main pressures and threats Management framework Management objectives Estimating bycatch limits Conservation status Indicators in support of conservation status assessments Recommended research Recommended conservation actions Acknowledgements References Dr Sinéad Murphy Marie Curie Research Fellow Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park London, UK NW1 4RY Email: Sinead.Murphy(a)ioz.ac.uk The Zoological Society of London is incorporated by Royal Charter Principal Office England. Company Number RC000749 Registered address: Regent's Park, London, England NW1 4RY Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 208728 _________________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been sent in confidence to the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or distribute it in any form, and you are asked to contact the sender immediately. Views or opinions expressed in this communication may not be those of The Zoological Society of London and, therefore, The Zoological Society of London does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. The recipient(s) must be aware that e-mail is not a secure communication medium and that the contents of this mail may have been altered by a third party in transit. If you have any issues regarding this mail please contact: administrator(a)zsl.org. ___________________________________________________________________________ This message has been scanned for viruses by MailControl, a service from BlackSpider Technologies.

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special issue of JASA on marine mammal passive acoustics
by Dave Mellinger 25 Sep '13

25 Sep '13

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) has published a special issue on Methods for Marine Mammal Passive Acoustics. Many papers in this issue came out of the Fifth International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization, and Density Estimation of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics, which was held at Mt. Hood, Oregon in August 2011. As an editor of this special issue, I say "thank you" to all the authors, reviewers, and editors who helped make it happen. You can obtain the papers from the special issue by contacting the authors or, if you have a JASA subscription, downloading them from the JASA website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL ISSUE ON METHODS FOR MARINE MAMMAL PASSIVE ACOUSTICS Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 134(3), September 2013 Introduction to the special issue on methods for marine mammal passive acoustics David K. Mellinger and Sara L. Heimlich pp. 2381-2382 Methods for tracking multiple marine mammals with wide-baseline passive acoustic arrays Eva-Marie Nosal pp. 2383-2392 Effects of different analysis techniques and recording duty cycles on passive acoustic monitoring of killer whales Amalis Riera, John K. Ford, and N. Ross Chapman pp. 2393-2404 A practical weighting function for harbor porpoise underwater sound level measurements John M. Terhune pp. 2405-2408 Effect of towed array stability on instantaneous localization of marine mammals A. M. von Benda-Beckmann, S. P. Beerens, and S. P. van IJsselmuide pp. 2409-2417 A multimodal detection model of dolphins to estimate abundance validated by field experiments Tomonari Akamatsu, Tamaki Ura, Harumi Sugimatsu, Rajendar Bahl, Sandeep Behera, Sudarsan Panda, Muntaz Khan, S. K. Kar, C. S. Kar, Satoko Kimura, and Yukiko Sasaki-Yamamoto pp. 2418-2426 Automatic detection and classification of odontocete whistles Douglas Gillespie, Marjolaine Caillat, Jonathan Gordon, and Paul White pp. 2427-2437 Acoustically derived growth rates of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Kaikoura, New Zealand Brian S. Miller, Abraham Growcott, Elisabeth Slooten, and Stephen M. Dawson pp. 2438-2445 Acoustic tracking of sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska using a two-element vertical array and tags Delphine Mathias, Aaron M. Thode, Jan Straley, and Russel D. Andrews pp. 2446-2461 Determining the detection thresholds for harbor porpoise clicks of autonomous data loggers, the Timing Porpoise Detectors Ursula K. Verfuss, Michael Dahne, Anja Gallus, Martin Jabbusch, and Harald Benke pp. 2462-2468 The effects of acoustic misclassification on cetacean species abundance estimation Marjolaine Caillat, Len Thomas, and Douglas Gillespie pp. 2469-2476 An automatic detection algorithm for extracting the representative frequency of cetacean tonal sounds Tzu-Hao Lin, Lien-Siang Chou, Tomonari Akamatsu, Hsiang-Chih Chan, and Chi-Fang Chen pp. 2477-2485 Trackline and point detection probabilities for acoustic surveys of Cuvier's and Blainville's beaked whales Jay Barlow, Peter L. Tyack, Mark P. Johnson, Robin W. Baird, Gregory S. Schorr, Russel D. Andrews, and Natacha Aguilar de Soto pp. 2486-2496 Passive acoustic monitoring of Cook Inlet beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) Marc O. Lammers, Manuel Castellote, Robert J. Small, Shannon Atkinson, Justin Jenniges, Anne Rosinski, Julie N. Oswald, and Chris Garner pp. 2497-2504 Acoustic detection and long-term monitoring of pygmy blue whales over the continental slope in southwest Australia Alexander N. Gavrilova and Robert D. McCauley pp. 2505-2513 Methodology and results of calibration of tonal click detectors for small odontocetes (C-PODs) Michael Dahne, Ursula Katharina Verfuss, Anja Brandecker, Ursula Siebert, and Harald Benke pp. 2514-2522 Predictions from harbor porpoise habitat association models are confirmed by long-term passive acoustic monitoring Kate L. Brookes, Helen Bailey, and Paul M. Thompson pp. 2523-2533 Underwater passive acoustic localization of Pacific walruses in the northeastern Chukchi Sea Brendan P. Rideout, Stan E. Dosso, and David E. Hannay pp. 2534-2545 Automated segmentation of linear time-frequency representations of marine-mammal sounds Florian Dadouchi, Cedric Gervaise, Cornel Ioana, Julien Huillery, and Jerome I. Mars pp. 2546-2555 Site specific probability of passive acoustic detection of humpback whale calls from single fixed hydrophones Tyler A. Helble, Gerald L. D'Spain, John A. Hildebrand, Gregory S. Campbell, Richard L. Campbell, and Kevin D. Heaney pp. 2556-2570 Calling depths of baleen whales from single sensor data: Development of an autocorrelation method using multipath localization Robert D. Valtierra, R. Glynn Holt, Danielle Cholewiak, and Sofie M. Van Parijs pp. 2571-2581 Source levels of dugong (Dugong dugon) vocalizations recorded in Shark Bay Miles J. G. Parsons, Dave Holley, and Robert D. McCauley pp. 2582-2588 Passive acoustic monitoring using a towed hydrophone array results in identification of a previously unknown beaked whale habitat Tina M. Yack, Jay Barlow, John Calambokidis, Brandon Southall, and Shannon Coates pp. 2589-2595 Acoustic detection probability of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, with static acoustic dataloggers in Cardigan Bay, Wales Hanna K. Nuuttila, Len Thomas, Jan G. Hiddink, Rhiannon Meier, John R. Turner, James D. Bennell, Nick J. C. Tregenza, and Peter G. H. Evans pp. 2596-2609 Range estimation of cetaceans with compact volumetric arrays Walter M. X. Zimmer pp. 2610-2618

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