January 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Volunteers Needed in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
by Katie 28 Jan '14

28 Jan '14

Volunteers Needed in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand Wanted: Volunteers for March, April and May 2014 Enthusiastic and reliable volunteers are required to assist me in the field as I continue my study on marine mammal use of Admiralty Bay, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. This project is being conducted through the Cawthron Institute of Nelson, New Zealand. This would benefit anyone who wants experience in working with small boats, theodolites, photo-ID work and marine mammal observation. Ideally however, the volunteers will have had some experience in some of these areas already in addition to a background in marine biology. Duties will include assistance in the field for data collection, data entry/processing and logistical support, in addition to sharing of cooking and cleaning duties. The coming field season is 13 weeks from approximately 3rd March - 1st June and I currently require either 2 volunteers who can commit to the whole time (preferable), or a series of volunteers to cover this timeframe. Preference will be given to those who can commit to longer periods. For more information on the Admiralty Bay/French Pass area go to http://www.frenchpass.com/. Provided: Food and board in Admiralty Bay, Marlborough Sounds will be provided in exchange for your assistance. Please note that this is volunteer work and you will not be paid, but you will gain valuable work experience in the above areas. What you need to provide: Your own transport at least as far as Nelson, Picton or Blenheim, New Zealand. Your own clothes and field gear e.g. wet-weather gear, warm clothing, sturdy shoes. Reliable assistance and a positive attitude while enduring long hours in the field. Essential Skills: Volunteers must- -Be able to commit to a minimum period of 4 weeks on the project -Work well with others -Be able to live in close quarters with others in a small, isolated community -Be enthusiastic, hard-working, motivated and willing to work and learn -Be committed to working long hours for several days in a row -Be physically fit and able to work in outdoor conditions -Possess fluent English language skills -Be safety conscious -Be a non-smoker What’s involved: This project involves data collection both by boat and theodolite work. Boat trips will only be day-trips (not overnight) on a 4.5m rigid hull inflatable boat and involve working along transect lines recording the locations of any observed marine mammal groups, taking photographs for identification of individual dolphins and limited behaviour work. Theodolite data will be recorded from a hilltop near the shoreline, and will require spending the day on an exposed cliff top scanning the bay with binoculars for dolphin groups and recording data with the theodolite and laptop computer. Applications For more information on the project or to apply, please contact Katie Halliday via email at khal250(a)aucklanduni.ac.nz In your application you must include a current CV with relevant experience stating whether you have experience in marine mammal observation and boat and/or theodolite work, references or contact details for referees and details of your availability during the above time period. Due to time constraints, a shortlist of applicants will be compiled within the next fortnight, so if you are interested please apply ASAP. Thank you for your interest.

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New paper: Synchrony and interspecific aggression
by CUSICK, JESSICA 28 Jan '14

28 Jan '14

Dear colleagues We are pleased to announce the recent publication of the following research paper in Ethology: Cusick, J. A., Herzing, D. L. (2014), The Dynamic of Aggression: How Individual and Group Factors Affect the Long-Term Interspecific Aggression Between Two Sympatric Species of Dolphin. Ethology. 120, 287-303 doi: 10.1111/eth.12204 Abstract: Interspecific aggression, similar to intergroup conspecific aggression, has been observed in a variety of taxa. The dominant group or individual is determined by multiple aggressive events and can be influenced by the size, age, or group size of the participating individuals. Interspecific aggression between Atlantic bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and spotted (Stenella frontalis) dolphins, both resident and sympatric to Little Bahama Bank, the Bahamas has been consistently observed for over two decades. However, it is unclear whether one species is more dominant and little is known about the factors that influence the progression of aggression. For this study, underwater video recordings of 32 aggressive encounters composed of 451 aggressive behavioural events were analysed over a 12-yr period (1993–2004). These were used to describe the interspecific aggression observed and quantify which factors (the species and age class of the participants or the group size and behaviour of spotted dolphin groups) had the strongest impact on the progression and outcome of aggression. Over the long term, interspecific aggression was bidirectional with neither species being more dominant. During a single encounter, spotted dolphin group synchrony had the strongest impact on the dynamic of aggression, specifically impacting which group (1) initiated aggression, (2) the direction of aggression and (3) the occurrence of dynamic shifts or dominance reversals. This is the first study to quantify the dynamic of aggression for this population, to document bidirectional aggression and dynamic shifts during long-term interspecific aggression in free-ranging delphinids, and this study quantifies the role of synchrony during interspecific aggression using underwater observations. A pdf copy of this paper can be obtained through the following link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eth.12204/abstract Reprint requests can be sent to Jessica Cusick: jcusick(a)fsu.edu Best Jessica A. Cusick and Denise L. Herzing __ Jessica A. Cusick Department of Biological Science Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32306

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New publication: Haul-out behaviour of the world's northernmost population of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) throughout the year
by Charmain Hamilton 28 Jan '14

28 Jan '14

Hello, We would like to bring to your attention the following paper recently published in PLoS ONE. Title: Haul-out behaviour of the world's northernmost population of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) throughout the year Authors: Charmain D. Hamilton, Christian Lydersen, Rolf A. Ims, Kit M. Kovacs Abstract: The harbour seal population in Svalbard occurs at the northernmost limit of the species' range. It experiences environmental extremes far beyond the norm for this species, including an extended period of polar night and extensive sea ice cover. In 2009 and 2010, 60 harbour seals (30 pups + 30 immature/mature seals) from this population were equipped with Satellite-Relay Data Loggers (SRDLs) to study their haul-out behaviour, with a special focus on the winter period. Using a combination of Generalized Additive Mixed Models and Cox Proportional Hazard models, the influences of sex, maturity, temporal, spatial and environmental factors on haul-out behaviour were explored. All of the seals continued to haul out even through the coldest periods during the polar night, though clear seasonality in the time spent hauled out daily was displayed by both immature and mature seals. Time spent hauled out daily decreased from ,5.2 hrs in September to ,1.2 hrs in February in these age groups, while pups displayed less seasonality (,2.4 hrs/day throughout most of the year). The average at-sea period also exhibited seasonality, increasing to a maximum of ,1.6 days in February (monthly maxima for individual animals ranged from 7 to 19 days). The seals showed a strong preference to haul out at low tide when hauling out on land but not when using sea ice as a haul-out platform. A diel rhythm in haul-out behaviour was present during the months with day-night cycling and midnight sun but not during the polar night. Haul-out behaviour was impacted to a greater extent by air pressure, through its effect on wind speed, than by absolute temperature values. The extreme environment in Svalbard likely causes some physiological challenges that might impact survival rates negatively, particularly among pups. Climate warming is likely to have positive effects on Svalbard's harbour seal population. Citation: Hamilton CD, Lydersen C, Ims RA, Kovacs KM (2014) Haul-Out Behaviour of the World's Northernmost Population of Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina) throughout the Year. PLoS ONE 9(1): e86055. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0086055 The paper can be downloaded at PLoS ONE: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0086055 Best regards, Charmain ------------------------------------------------------------ Charmain Hamilton PhD Candidate Norwegian Polar Institute 9296 Tromsø Norway

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PhD positions available (genomics, dolphins, Shark Bay - University of Zurich)
by Simon Allen 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

G'day folks, Apologies for any cross-postings, but please see the notification below: Two 3-year PhD positions on dolphin genomics available at the University of Zurich Overview: I am seeking two highly motivated PhD students for my recently funded project “Male career moves – the genomics of cooperative behaviour and alliance formation in male bottlenose dolphins” at the Evolutionary Genetics Groups of the Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland (https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/anthro/Research/egg-3.html) My group has broad interests in evolutionary genetics and genomics of primates and delphinids. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Richard Connor at the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, Simon Allen of Murdoch University, Australia, and Prof. Bill Sherwin at the University of New South Wales, Australia. The work will entail a combination of genomic laboratory work at UZH and fieldwork in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Both positions are for 3 years. Remuneration is according to Swiss PhD salary scales (CHF 48’540 p.a. plus employer social security contributions). Both candidates are expected to spend at least 4 months/year in the field. Start date will be 1st May 2014. Background: Helping, defined as actions or traits that will benefit other individuals, provides one of the most fascinating conundrums in evolutionary biology. Cooperation is not uncommon in nature. It occurs on all levels of biological organization, from organelles and cells, to individuals or groups of the same species, and even between individuals of different species. Yet, how can helping evolve and be maintained when it seems to be prone to exploitation by either free-riding or defecting individuals? Ever since Hamilton’s seminal work on kin selection, genetic relatedness has been recognized as a critical variable necessary for the full understanding of the evolutionary basis of any social phenomenon. Relatedness is important, because individuals can increase their ‘inclusive’ fitness by assisting their relatives’ reproduction thereby increasing the transmission success of the individual’s own alleles by descent. One of the most striking examples of cooperation is found in the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins of Shark Bay, Western Australia, where male dolphins cooperate in pairs and trios (’1st order alliances’) to form ‘consortships’ with individual females for the purpose of gaining exclusive mating access. This research will capitalize on an extremely well-studied, cooperative society, consisting of long-term behavioural, genetic and spatial datasets. We will employ a large-scale RAD-tag approach in order to characterise and score tens of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each dolphin. Based on the SNP data, relatedness will be estimated and pedigrees will be reconstructed to unprecedented levels of precision and accuracy. Y-chromosomal markers, using next-generation sequencing techniques, will be developed in order to increase our ability to find paternal relatives. This research will enable far-reaching inferences about genetic factors in the formation and maintenance of one of the most complex mammalian societies known. Knowledge of any genetic correlates of these behaviours will offer powerful comparative data for our own species and others, opening many further fields of research. The potential convergence with human alliances and implications for the social complexity hypothesis means that the results will be of great interest to a diverse audience of biologists, cognitive psychologists, anthropologists, and political scientists. Requirements: Successful candidates will have a Diploma/Masters degree in a relevant discipline, strong bioinformatic, genomic and genetic skills, some background in evolutionary genetics and experience with fieldwork on marine mammals or primates. For field work, a valid driver’s licence and a restricted coxswains ticket are essential (the latter can be obtained in a one-week course in Perth prior to fieldwork). The ideal candidates will have strong oral and written communication skills in English and the ability to work and share ideas in a collaborative environment. Knowledge of German language is not essential, but may help with everyday life whilst in Zurich. The students will work in a dynamic research environment and have access to cutting edge next generation sequencing techniques, a behavioural database spanning 30+ years and biopsy samples from over 700 individuals. The Anthropological Institute and others at UZH host several seminar series with high-calibre international speakers. The two PhD positions will be embedded in the Zurich Life Science Graduate School's program in Evolutionary Biology (http://www.lifescience-graduateschool.ch/) Applications: Interested students should send their application package to michael.kruetzen(a)aim.uzh.ch<mailto:michael.kruetzen@aim.uzh.ch> before 28th February 2014. The package must include, in one PDF file: 1. A cover letter expressing research interests relevant to the position, 2. A complete CV, and, 3. Reference letters of two academic referees. Please also attach low-resolution copies of your official academic transcripts and degrees, as well as copies of any publications and Diploma/MSc theses. Informal enquiries can be addressed to: Dr Michael Krützen Anthropological Institute & Museum University of Zurich Winterthurerstr. 190 CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland Email: michael.kruetzen(a)aim.uzh.ch<mailto:michael.kruetzen@aim.uzh.ch>

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Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Summer Field Camp positions: CLOSING DATE EXTENDED to February 3, 2014
by Lizabeth Kashinsky - NOAA Affiliate 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) works closely with The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center through a cooperative agreement with the University of Hawaii and will be accepting applications for a possible 2014 field research season to study the endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This work is part of a long-term annual Hawaiian monk seal population monitoring and conservation program by NMFS which includes: conducting trend counts; tagging seals; identifying individual seals by tags, scars, natural markings, and applied bleach marks; monitoring reproduction, survival, injuries, entanglements, migration, performing necropsies; collecting scat & spew samples for food habitat, parasite load, and hormonal analysis; collecting tissue samples for DNA analysis; collecting & removing debris capable of entangling seals and other wildlife. Behavior data are also collected at some sites. In addition, researchers at some sites may participate in shark mitigation activities. For general information about the program, visit this website: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/hawaiian_monk_seal/ The 2014 field season dates are not yet finalized, and there is a possibility the field season could be cancelled, but there is currently greater certainty that the season will be held. The current tentative cruise departure date will be in early June, with the position begin date around mid to late May. The tentative cruise return date will be in mid to late September, with the end employment date in late September or early October. Field season deployment will last approximately 4 months. In addition to the field deployment, the employment period will include about 1-3 weeks training and packing in Honolulu. Once the field season is over, an additional 1-2 weeks of employment will take place in Honolulu to clean up gear and summarize data. Employment dates will be finalized as soon as possible, and hopefully no later than mid- April. Travel to and from Honolulu and food, lodging, and transportation while in Honolulu are not provided; a listing of potential housing options is available. Transportation between Honolulu and field sites, and food and lodging in the field are provided. Due to unforeseen circumstances, departure delays could result in longer periods in Honolulu that may result in additional uncompensated living expenses. The number of positions and/or continuation of the program are subject to funding. These positions will be for all or a subset of the 6 major monk seal sub-populations in the NWHI. Fieldwork is accomplished by 2-4 member teams in remote camps. Researchers live in either wall tents or buildings at the various sites. All sites are accessible by ship (2-8 day travel; 830-2,300 km from Honolulu), and one is accessible by plane. Few supply opportunities exist and outside communication is limited. Employment will be provided by JIMAR, which hires its program and scientific staff through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH). Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien, and must be able to meet both the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements to access the work location, and also the health requirements to board a NOAA vessel. To search and apply for RCUH positions, refer to the following website: http://www.rcuh.com/ *CLOSING DATE February 3, 2014 (must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. HST)* ****************************IMPORTANT**************************: Please specify in your cover letter: 1) The period you are available 2) Your remote field experience 3) Your animal handling experience 4) Your boating skills 5) Any other skills that are mentioned in the position descriptions or you feel make you a strong candidate for these jobs The job postings for the JIMAR PIFSC Biological Research Assistant recruitment (for Field Camp Assistant) and JIMAR PIFSC Biological Technician recruitment (for Field Camp Leader) are below. Each position needs to be applied for separately. Please apply directly to RCUH Human Resources following the methods stated in the posting by the appropriate closing date. Bulletin Board Posting: 01/13/14 RCUH Website: 01/13/14 J*IMAR PIFSC BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT – ID# 14019.* Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research. (10) Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR), located at the National Marine Fisheries (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) in Honolulu,Hawaii. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. *MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY:* $1,730/Mon. *DUTIES:* Under guidance of field camp leader and/or NMFS personnel, assists in camp preparations, daily maintenance and operation of field camp, and collection of census and life history data on Hawaiian monk seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands or on remote shorelines in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Conducts boating operations at multiple-island atolls. Assists with return, repair, and clean-up of field equipment and supplies at the end of camp and with the processing of field data. *PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING:* High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. *EXPERIENCE:* One to three (1-3) years of field experience, including experience working within small groups in remote settings. Experience with handling of wildlife. *ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS:* Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Must be able to meet the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements to access work location. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien. Good communication and team skills. Ability to perform data entry. For positions requiring travel between multiple-island atolls, must be NOAA certified for small boat operations (having completed Motorboat Operators Certification Course (MOCC) and NOAA small boat component training). Post Offer/Employment Conditions: Must meet the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration security requirements for working in a federal facility which includes being fingerprinted and having a federal background check performed. Must be able to pass pre-deployment training requirements including field medical training before being deployed to remote islands. *PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:* Ability to swim. Ability to work in remote locations for extended periods of time. Must be able to work long hours in the sun. Must be able to walk long distances (up to seven (7) miles) in the sand carrying twenty-five to thirty-five (25-35) pounds of field gear. Must be able to manually restrain immature seals (up to two hundred (200) pounds). Must be able to obtain medical clearance for embarking/working on NOAA research vessels or other appropriate vessels which includes providing proof of required immunizations and/or obtaining the necessary immunizations as required by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations.*POLICY **AND/OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:* As a condition of employment, incumbent will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies and procedures and as applicable subject to University of Hawaii's and/or business entity's policies and procedures. Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.). *SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:* Prior field experience in a Hawaiian monk seal field camp. Previous experience in field or laboratory studies of marine mammals, previous experience handling marine mammals, previous data entry experience. Prefer applicants interested in pursuing career in marine mammology or related field. For positions requiring travel between multiple-island atolls, possess prior experience operating small boats and/or the ability to conduct routine maintenance on small boats.* INQUIRIES: Nicole Wakazuru-Yoza 808-956-5018 <808-956-5018> (Oahu). APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:* Please go to www.rcuh.com, click on “Employment”; select “Apply” and navigate to “See Job Announcements and/or Apply for a Job.” You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Salary History, 4) Supervisory References, 5) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuhhr(a)rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call(808)956-8344. *CLOSING DATE: February 3, 2014.* EEO/AA Employer. Bulletin Board Posting: 01/13/14 RCUH Website: 01/13/14 *JIMAR PIFSC BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH TECHNICIAN – ID# 14018.* Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research. (6) Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR), located at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIFSC) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. *MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY:* $1,871/Mon. *DUTIES:* Performs daily maintenance and operation of field camp in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands or on remote shorelines in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Collects census and life history data on Hawaiian monk seals. Conducts boating operations at multiple-island atolls. Required to lead other field personnel. Responsible for returning and storing all field equipment and supplies at the end of camp. Collaborates with scientists within NMFS to conduct and analyze field studies on the Hawaiian monk seal.*PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING:* Associate's Degree from an accredited community college in Marine Biology, Biology, Fisheries Oceanography, or other related field. *EXPERIENCE:* One to three (1-3) years of field experience, including experience working within small groups in remote settings. Experience conducting research on Hawaiian monk seals. Experience handling monk seals. *ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS:* Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Must be able to meet the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements to access work location. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien. Good communications skills (both written and oral). Leadership and decision-making skills. Ability to perform data entry. For positions requiring travel between multiple-island atolls, must be NOAA certified for small boat operations (having completed Motorboat Operators Certification Course (MOCC) and NOAA small boat component training). Post Offer/Employment Conditions: Must meet the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration security requirements for working in a federal facility which includes being fingerprinted and having a federal background check performed. Must be able to pass pre-deployment training requirements including field medical training before being deployed to remote island. *PHYSICAL/MEDICAL **REQUIREMENTS:* Ability to swim. Ability to work in remote locations for extended periods of time. Must be able to work long hours in the sun. Must be able to walk long distances (up to seven (7) miles) in the sand carrying twenty-five to thirty five (25-35) pounds of field gear. Must be able to obtain medical clearance for embarking/working on NOAA research vessels or other appropriate vessels which includes providing proof of required immunizations and/or obtaining the necessary immunizations as required by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations. *POLICY AND/OR **REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:* As a condition of employment, incumbent will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies and procedures and as applicable subject to University of Hawaii's and/or business entity's policies and procedures. Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).*SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:* Prior field experience in a Hawaiian monk seal field camp. Previous experience in field or laboratory studies of marine mammals, previous experience handling marine mammals, previous data entry experience. Prefer applicants interested in pursuing career in marine mammology or related field. Ability to perform basic data analysis. For positions requiring travel between multiple-island atolls, possess the ability to conduct routine maintenance on small boats. *INQUIRIES: Nicole Wakazuru-Yoza 808-956-5018 <808-956-5018> (Oahu). APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: *Please go to www.rcuh.com, click on “Employment”; select “Apply” and navigate to “See Job Announcements and/or Apply for a Job.” You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Salary History, 4) Supervisory References, 5) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuhhr(a)rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-8344. *CLOSING DATE: February 3, 2014.* EEO/AA Employer. -- Lizabeth Kashinsky JIMAR/Veterinary Program Senior Supervisor Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1000 Honolulu, HI 96814 (808) 944-2119

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Upcoming Vacancy Announcement--USGS Post-doctoral position--Pacific Walrus Resource Selection
by Oakley, Karen 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

U.S. Citizens Only U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK, USA, will be recruiting for a post-doctoral researcher to lead analyses of Pacific walrus habitat use. The position will be advertised as a GS-12 Research Wildlife Biologist, term position, on USAJOBS on or about February 24, 2014. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Karen Oakley, Branch Chief, at koakley(a)usgs.gov or Chad Jay, Walrus Project Leader, at cjay(a)usgs.gov to learn more about the position. This research is part of the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/interdisciplinary_science/cae/marine_ecosyst… -- Karen Oakley Branch Chief, Marine & Freshwater Ecology U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center 4210 University Dr. Anchorage, AK 99508 907-786-7076 koakley(a)usgs.gov

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Symposium - Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Risk Assessment and the Best Available Science
by Gina K. Himes Boor 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

DANIEL GOODMAN MEMORIAL SYMPOSIUM DECISION-MAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY: RISK ASSESSMENT AND THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE 20-21 MARCH 2014 MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOZEMAN, MONTANA You are cordially invited to attend the Daniel Goodman Memorial Symposium, Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Risk Assessment and the Best Available Science. We have a fantastic group of speakers lined up to discuss this theme as it applies to marine mammal and fisheries management, Endangered Species Act policy and management, ecosystem modeling, Bayesian statistics, and environmental risk assessment. The symposium was inspired by the work of the late Dr. Daniel Goodman, much of whose applied work was focused on marine mammal and fisheries conservation, and has been designed to honor his contributions to these topics and to explore how his work and ideas might be used to improve natural resource decision-making and the science of conservation biology. This symposium will be relevant to anyone working on environmental or natural resource management and policy issues. The symposium will take place at the Museum of the Rockies on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman, MT, March 20-21, 2014. To register for the symposium and to find a detailed symposium agenda, information about discounted hotel rooms, and other travel details, visit our website (http://www.montana.edu/lettersandscience/Goodman/index.html) Thanks to our generous sponsors, there will be no charge to attend the symposium or the Thursday-evening reception; we only ask that you register so we know how many people to expect. If you are a student or know of any students who may be interested in the topics covered in the symposium, we have four travel grants available to help cover or defray the cost of attending the symposium. (Post-docs may also apply, but will be given lower priority than students.) See the Student Travel Grant page on our website for more details. Travel grant applications will be due February 5th. We hope to see you there. http://www.montana.edu/lettersandscience/Goodman _______________________________________________________ "Uncertainty is pervasive in natural resource management; attainment of the management goals often depends both on present quantities that cannot be measured accurately and on future environmental disturbances that cannot be predicted accurately. When we make management decisions under such circumstances, we recognize that the outcome may be quite different from our intentions, and we perceive this possibility as risk. But, decisions must be made all the same, so we attempt to take the uncertainty, and hence the risk, into account in our decision, through bet hedging and setting margins of safety..[T]he decision process can still be, in its own way, an exact science, notwithstanding the uncertainty. Given that we cannot eradicate uncertainty, the sense in which decision making under uncertainty can be an exact science is a matter of coping with the uncertainty in a way that is recognizably optimal." -Dr. Daniel Goodman, 1945-2012 (Goodman 2002) Goodman, D. 2002. Uncertainty, risk, and decision: the PVA example. In J.M. Berkson L.L. Kline, and D.J. Orth, editors, Incorporating uncertainty into fishery models. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

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New Publication
by Chris Marshall 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

Dear Colleagues, I¹d like to bring your attention to a new publication in PLOS ONE: Marshall, C.D., Marsh A., Wieskotten, S., Kot, B., Hanke W., Hanke, F., Dehndardt, G. 2014. Feeding kinematics, suction, and hydraulic jetting capabilities in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). PloS ONE, Published January 24, 2014, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086710. A PDF of the article can be found at: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0086710; jsessionid=404BD518BF26B01C3A1F325957EE4B42 Abstract: The feeding kinematics, suction and hydraulic jetting capabilities of captive harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) were characterized during controlled feeding trials. Feeding trials were conducted using a feeding apparatus that allowed a choice between biting and suction, but also presented food that could be ingested only by suction. Subambient pressure exerted during suction feeding behaviors was directly measured using pressure transducers. The mean feeding cycle duration for suction-feeding events was significantly shorter (0.15±0.09 s; P<0.01) than biting feeding events (0.18±0.08 s). Subjects feeding in-water used both a suction and a biting feeding mode. Suction was the favored feeding mode (84% of all feeding events) compared to biting, but biting comprised 16% of feeding events. In addition, seals occasionally alternated suction with hydraulic jetting, or used hydraulic jetting independently, to remove fish from the apparatus. Suction and biting feeding modes were kinematically distinct regardless of feeding location (in-water vs. on-land). Suction was characterized by a significantly smaller gape (1.3±0.23 cm; P<0.001) and gape angle (12.9±2.02°), pursing of the rostral lips to form a circular aperture, and pursing of the lateral lips to occlude lateral gape. Biting was characterized by a large gape (3.63±0.21 cm) and gape angle (28.8±1.80°; P<0.001) and lip curling to expose teeth. The maximum subambient pressure recorded was 48.8 kPa. In addition, harbor seals were able to jet water at food items using suprambient pressure, also known as hydraulic jetting. The maximum hydraulic jetting force recorded was 53.9 kPa. Suction and hydraulic jetting where employed 90.5% and 9.5%, respectively, during underwater feeding events. Harbor seals displayed a wide repertoire of behaviorally flexible feeding strategies to ingest fish from the feeding apparatus. Such flexibility of feeding strategies and biomechanics likely forms the basis of their opportunistic, generalized feeding ecology and concomitant breadth of diet. Thank you, Christopher Marshall ----------------------------- Christopher D. Marshall, Ph.D.Associate Professor Department of Marine Biology, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences 200 Seawolf Parkway Building 3029, Room 253 Texas A&M University Galveston, Texas 77553 Phone: (409) 740-4884 Fax: (409) 740-5001 Email: marshalc(a)tamug.edu (please note the difference in the spelling of my last name) Website:www.tamug.edu/marshall -- Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. - Vincent van Gogh

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recordings of signature whistles?
by Aguasonic Acoustics 25 Jan '14

25 Jan '14

Dear MARMAM, I have developed what I believe to be a process for better resolution images of the whistles made by many dolphins. An example of which may be seen at: http://tinyurl.com/la7ypok from a recording of the whistles made by Common dolphins on the Monterey Bay. I am interested in investigating what this high-resolution process could reveal concerning the structure of 'signature whistles', and would like to know if anyone has examples of these kinds of whistles they could share for that purpose. Any images created from such examples will, of course, be shared with those making such recordings available. Sincerely, Mark Fischer ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://aguasonic.com/

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Call for abstracts for the 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress OPEN
by Katheryn Patterson 25 Jan '14

25 Jan '14

The Call for abstracts for the 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress is now open. The 3rd International Marine Conservation Congress will be held from 14-18 August 2014 at the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. We are now accepting abstracts for oral (spoken), speed (short spoken), and poster presentations. All abstracts must be submitted online by 5pm (GMT) on 8 March 2014. Decisions will be made by 22 March 2014. Complete instructions for submitting proposals are available at the meeting website: www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014. The selection process is highly competitive. The overall theme of the congress is Making Marine Science Matter. For marine conservation to be effective, marine conservation science must matter to stakeholders, policy makers, and practitioners. To accomplish this, the congress will be organized around specific topics of interest for marine conservation in general, as well as for the local area. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but merely a guide for proposers. Other topics of interest are welcomed. • Food security and the oceans (e.g., sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and livelihoods) • Marine renewable and non-renewable energy • Climate, ocean acidification, and the changing oceans • Advancing marine conservation through international agreements • Effective conservation planning (including EBM and MPAs, cumulative impacts) • Communicating marine conservation (marine conservation awareness and outreach, social media) • Participation in marine conservation science (e.g. citizen and indigenous science) • Marine tourism • Estuary restoration In addition, the SCB Marine Section developed a list of 71 research questions critical to the advancement of marine conservation (http://www.conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2014/registration-participation/71-qu…) We encourage proposals that address one or more of these questions but welcome all abstracts related to marine conservation science and practice. For additional information contact the program committee at IMCCprogram(a)conbio.org. Apologies for cross-posting. Katheryn W. Patterson Ph.D. Candidate Environmental Science and Public Policy George Mason University Fairfax, VA

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