November 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New paper on the effects of boat disturbance on dolphin foraging activity
by Enrico Pirotta 28 Nov '14

28 Nov '14

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce that the following paper has been published online: Enrico Pirotta, Nathan D. Merchant, Paul M. Thompson, Tim R. Barton, David Lusseau (2015). Quantifying the effect of boat disturbance on bottlenose dolphin foraging activity. Biological Conservation 181: 82–89. Abstract: Assessments of anthropogenic impacts on marine wildlife often concentrate on large-scale displacement. However, changes in the activity patterns of animals that do not flee could also affect their energy balance. Increasing boat traffic raises concerns for exposed marine mammals. Understanding risk perception is critical for effective mitigation and management, but it is hard to disentangle the effect of noise, physical presence of boats, and context. We used passive acoustic techniques to quantify how boat disturbance affected bottlenose dolphin foraging activity, and characterized the conditions influencing responses. To account for potential masking effects of boat noise on foraging vocalizations (buzzes), we developed a novel procedure to estimate the relationship between buzz detection probability and noise levels in particular 1/3 octave bands. Bayesian hierarchical modeling was then used to assess the effect of boat presence on buzz occurrence, as well as potential interactions with noise level, location, year, day, hour, dolphin group size, and boat type and number. Our results indicate that boat presence was associated with a short-term 49% reduction in foraging activity, but there was no relationship with noise level. Differences between sites and between years suggested a variable susceptibility depending on foraging conditions. This effect increased for increasing number of boats and depended on boat type. This is the first study conclusively showing that boat physical presence, and not just noise, plays a large role in disturbance. KEY WORDS: Behavioral response; Bayesian hierarchical model; Feeding buzz; Noise masking; Passive acoustic data; Vessel traffic A PDF copy of the work can be downloaded for free (until 17/01/2015) from: http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Q6X41R~dwRRe Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question regarding our work. Best Regards, Enrico Pirotta

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Research Internships Opportunities - Sea Watch Foundation
by Kathy James 28 Nov '14

28 Nov '14

Sea Watch Foundation 2015 VOLUNTEER Research Internships Opportunities for Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, New Quay, Wales Field season: 13th of April 2015 - 18th of October 2015 Application deadline: 31st of January 2015 On behalf of Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) staff (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> ), I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting internship applications for our field season 2015. SWF is a registered marine environmental research charity whose mission is to achieve a better understanding and conservation of the marine mammal populations in the seas around Britain and Ireland. Led by Director Prof. Evans since 1991, the Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, provides invaluable scientific information about the natural history, distribution, habitats and short and long term conservation threats of marine mammal populations (bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal), through continuous research and education. SWF Director, received the European Cetacean Society Award for his research in 2012 and SWF was the recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award in 2009. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund. We work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council, and have the support numerous volunteers in the office and in the field. The project offers the participants the opportunity to learn and practice techniques used in scientific data collection and the study of marine mammal populations (e.g. land observations, boat-based surveys, photo-identification, line-transects, theodolite, cybertracker and acoustic monitoring). The interns responsibilities will be to support the SWF staff by taking part in the following tasks: · Daily land-based surveys · Daily two hours boat-based surveys conducted with the support and generosity of Dolphins Spotting Boat Trips · Weekly boat based dedicated surveys, including line-transect (weather dependent) · Photo-identification studies · Acoustic monitoring · Theodolite and digiscope surveys · Data entry · Awareness raising · Education initiatives · Assist with and participate in training courses and public talks. Research interns can expect to gain a solid foundation in collecting scientific data to be used by our staff in peer reviewed publications. This is an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into the work conducted by marine mammal scientists. SWF staff is committed with the importance of giving the participants of our internship programme the knowledge and experience necessary in their continuation towards higher education or a future job in the field of marine mammals research. The field season will be split into four separate periods of seven weeks each (the first period will consist of six weeks). Preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period. Accommodation will be provided in the interns house at a rate of approximately £60/week. Interns will be responsible for their own travel expenses, visa requirements and living expenses. Due to the touristic back-ground of New Quay, part-time paid work it is generally easy to find if required by the intern. Interns will generally have two days off per week, although not necessarily consecutive days and usually just one during each weekend. Intern periods for summer 2015: Period 1 13/04 24/05, Period 2 25/05 12/7, Period 3 13/07 30/08, Period 4 31/08 18/10 Essential requirements: · background in Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science or similar · willingness to work long hours outdoors sometimes in harsh weather conditions · strong commitment to volunteer work · self-motivated with the drive and determination to work responsibly and independently · an ability to get on well with others in a shared office and home To apply: -Download the research internship application form from our web page www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/ -Send your application together with a cover letter and CV to Dr. Dussán-Duque- salome.dussan-duque(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk Please specify NEW QUAY INTERN APPLICATION 2015 into your subject title. ONLY successful applicants will be notified of the results of their application by the end of February 2015. Kathy James Sightings Officer Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

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Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity - Sea Watch Foundation
by Kathy James 28 Nov '14

28 Nov '14

Sea Watch Foundation Voluntary Education and Awareness Assistant opportunity in Cardigan Bay for the 2015 summer season The Sea Watch Foundation <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> is seeking an education and awareness assistant for the 2015 season. This position will suit a volunteer who has a strong interest in marine conservation and recognises the importance of educating and raising awareness by involving the public. The assistant will be responsible in aiding the Sightings Officer with the following duties: · Promoting and organising the National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2015 event (25thJuly to 2nd August) · Participating in presentations and creating activities to take to local schools · Researching and writing articles · Creating educational/promotional materials (posters, displays, flyers) · Assisting in the organisation of training courses · Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, website) · Raising Sea Watch Foundation profile within the New Quay community (organising events, manning the Sea Watch stand on the pier at weekends etc.) · Representing Sea Watch at public events around the UK · Liaising with the Adopt a Dolphin Coordinator for the promotion of Sea Watch Foundation and Adopt a Dolphin The education and awareness assistant will also have some opportunity to be involved in the field work aspects of the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/cardigan-bay-monitoring-project/> (land-based and boat-based surveys). This project manages the conservation of a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, the largest in the UK. Monitoring of harbour porpoise and grey seal populations is also part of the project. The field season will run from April to October 2015 and has been split into one period of 6 weeks followed by three periods of 7 weeks. One assistant is required for each period however preference will be given to those who can stay for more than one period, including the whole seven month field season. The assistant will be based in New Quay, West Wales. Accommodation is provided at a rate of approximately £60/week in a house sharing with the research interns. The assistant is responsible for their own travel and living expenses, but it is generally quite easy to obtain part-time paid work in the area if required. Intern periods for summer 2015: Period 1: 13/04 24/05, Period 2: 25/05 12/7, Period 3: 13/07 30/8, Period 4: 31/08 18/10 Important skills/qualifications Essential: * a strong interest in marine conservation and education * confidence to interact with the public * excellent verbal and writing skills * must have initiative and bring their own ideas and personality to the position * strong commitment to volunteering work * an ability to work in an organised and reliable manner and to manage a variable workload * an ability to get on well with others in a small team and shared accommodation Desirable: * a background in marine biology/environmental science or similar * a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans * good IT skills (Office package) * prior experience in public speaking * prior experience in boat-based survey work * willingness to work long hours outdoors in often very changeable Welsh weather To apply: Please send your CV, covering letter reporting any relevant experience you have and specifying the period(s) you would prefer to volunteer for and contact details of two referees, to Kathy James (kathy.james(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk) Deadline: 4th January 2015. Please specify EDUCATION ASSISTANT APPLICATION into your subject title. Applicants must be available for interview via Skype during the week commencing 12th January and will be notified of the outcomes by the 30th January 2015. 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 Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and Environment Wales; and we work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council. Public awareness We aim to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the local marine wildlife and the habitats supporting them, to encourage respect and conservation of the area and its wildlife for future generations. We also run training courses for the public in cetacean identification and survey methods. A list of recent of recent awareness and education achievements is given below: · Sea Watch Director, Peter Evans, received the European Cetacean Society Conservation Award, 2012 · Sea Watch Foundation was recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award, 2009 · Sea Watch Foundation was voted best UK animal adoption scheme by BBC Wildlife, December 2008 Kathy James Sightings Officer Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

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Research Assistant and Intern Coordinator Opportunity - Sea Watch Foundation
by Kathy James 28 Nov '14

28 Nov '14

Sea Watch Foundation 2015 ONE VOLUNTEER Research Assistant and Intern Coordinator Opportunity for Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, New Quay, Wales Field season: 6th of April 2015 - 18th of October 2015 Application deadline: 10th of January 2015 On behalf Sea Watch Foundation (SWF) staff (www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk <http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/> ), I am pleased to announce that we are currently accepting applications for our Research Assistant 2015 position. SWF is a registered marine environmental research charity which mission is to achieve a better understanding and conservation of the marine mammal populations in the seas around Britain and Ireland. Led by Director Prof. Evans since 1991, the Cardigan Bay Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, provides invaluable scientific information about the natural history, distribution, habitats and short and long term conservation threats of marine mammal populations (bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and grey seal), through continuous research and education. SWF Director, received the European Cetacean Society Award for his research in 2012 and SWF was the recipient of the UNEP/ASCOBANS Outreach and Education Award in 2009. Our work is funded by the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Heritage Lottery Fund. We work closely with the local management authority, Ceredigion County Council, and have the support numerous volunteers in the office and in the field. The Research Assistant is responsible for assisting the Monitoring Officer in the running of the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project and coordinating the project interns. The project offers the participants the opportunity to learn and practice techniques used in scientific data collection and the study of marine mammal populations (e.g. land observations, boat-based surveys, photo-identification, line-transects, theodolite, cybertracker and acoustic monitoring). The Research Assistant can expect to gain a solid foundation in collecting marine mammal scientific data to be used by themselves and/or our staff in peer reviewed publications. SWF staff are committed to the Research Assistant gaining scientific knowledge through training and in situ experience. We highly support the continuation of the Research Assistant in higher education or a future job in the field of marine mammal research. Daily responsibilities will include but are not limited to: · Coordinate between the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer and the project interns · Organising the interns weekly schedules as well as the rotations for dedicated surveys · Supervising the interns in the laboratory and interns house · Dealing with IT staff to set up the computers in the laboratory · Maintenance and validation of all databases (vessel and land-based watches, effort, photo-ID, acoustics) · Assisting the Monitoring Officer in training the interns in the use of field equipment such as: theodolite, digiscope, GPS, hydrophone, Cybertracker, and cameras · Assisting the Monitoring Officer/Sightings Officer in basic training of land- and boat based surveys, data entry and more · Assisting the Monitoring Officer in the matching and cataloguing of bottlenose dolphins and maintenance of the photo-ID database Requirements: · Minimum BSc degree or higher in Biology, Marine Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science or similar · Previous experience in marine mammal research and a strong interest and knowledge of British cetaceans and boating experience are desirable · The applicant must be proficient with database and word processing software and be willing to learn new software applications. Specific experience in Access and/or GIS would be advantageous · The preferred candidate should have a proven track record as a team player as the project will involve working closely with other researchers but also must be able to supervise small groups of people as they will be coordinating at least 6 interns per period · Self-motivated with the drive and determination to work responsibly and independently This position is unpaid but accommodation expenses through the whole period will be covered at the interns house. The Research Assistant will be responsible for their own travel expenses, visa requirements and living expenses. Due to the touristic back-ground of New Quay, part-time paid work is generally easy to find if required by the applicant. The Research Assistant will have one day of every weekend free and a week vacation between the end of the second research interns period (12/07/2015) and beginning of the third one (13/07/2015). Dates for this week could be previously agreed if inconvenient for the Research Assistant. To apply: -Download the Research Assistant application form from our web page http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/internships/ -Send your application together with a cover letter and CV to Dr. Dussán-Duque- salome.dussan-duque(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk Please specify NEW QUAY RESEARCH ASSISTANT APPLICATION 2015 in your subject title. ONLY successful applicants will be contacted to arrange a Skype interview by the end January 2015. The interviews will be conducted between the second and the sixth of February 2015. Dr Salomé Dussán-Duque Marine Mammal Ecologist Monitoring Officer Sea Watch Foundation Cardigan Bay, Wales UK Kathy James Sightings Officer Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

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ESR: a friend to marine mammals
by Godley, Brendan 27 Nov '14

27 Nov '14

Dear All The Journal ESR (Endangered Species Research) has been a good friend to marine mammals. An updated list of close to 100 papers is listed below (including hotlinks). We have created a facebook page to help promote the journal (post open access articles as they come out etc) and we would be grateful if you would “like” it and promote it widely within your networks. Here’s looking forward to the 200th ESR marmam paper! http://www.facebook.com/EndangeredSpeciesResearch Best Brendan ESR articles - Marine Mammals Baker JD, Littnan CL, Johnston DW. 2006. Potential effects of sea level rise on the terrestrial habitats of endangered and endemic megafauna in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ESR 2:21-30<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v2/p21-30/> Michaud J, Taggart CT. 2007. Lipid and gross energy content of North Atlantic right whale food,Calanus finmarchicus, in the Bay of Fundy ESR 3:77-94<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n1/p77-94/> Slooten E. 2007. Conservation management in the face of uncertainty: effectiveness of four options for managing Hector’s dolphin bycatch ESR 3:169-179<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n2/p169-179/> Johnston DW, Chapla ME, Williams LE, Mattila DK. 2007. Identification of humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae wintering habitat in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands using spatial habitat modeling ESR 3:249-257<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p249-257/> Calleson CS, Frohlich RK. 2007. REVIEW: Slower boat speeds reduce risks to manatees ESR 3:295-304<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p295-304/> Middleton DAJ, Starr PJ, Gilbert DJ. 2007. COMMENT: Modelling the impact of fisheries bycatch on Hector’s dolphin: comment on Slooten (2007) ESR 3:331-334<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p331-334/> Slooten E. 2007. REPLY COMMENT: Criticism is unfounded: reply to Middleton et al. (2007) ESR 3:335-339<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v3/n3/p335-339/> Tougaard J, Teilmann J, Tougaard S. 2008. Harbour seal spatial distribution estimated from Argos satellite telemetry: overcoming positioning errors ESR 4:113-122<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n1-2/p113-122/> Insley SJ, Robson BW, Yack T, Ream RR, Burgess W. 2008. Acoustic determination of activity and flipper stroke rate in foraging northern fur seal females ESR 4:147-155<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n1-2/p147-155/> Thomton JD, Mellish JAE, Hennen DR, Horning M. 2008. Juvenile Steller sea lion dive behavior following temporary captivity ESR 4:195-203<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n1-2/p195-203/> Steiger GH, Calambokidis J, Straley JM, Herman LM, Cerchio S, Salden DR, Urbán-R J, Jacobsen JK, von Ziegesar O, Balcomb KC, Gabriele CM, Dahlheim ME, Uchida S, Ford JKB, Ladrón de Guevara-P P, Yamaguchi M, Barlow J. 2008. Geographic variation in killer whale attacks on humpback whales in the North Pacific: implications for predation pressure ESR 4:247-256<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p247-256/> Vanderlaan ASM, Taggart CT, Serdynska AR, Kenney RD, Brown MW. 2008. Reducing the risk of lethal encounters: vessels and right whales in the Bay of Fundy and on the Scotian Shelf ESR 4:283-297<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p283-297/> Parrish FA, Marshall GJ, Buhleier B, Antonelis GA. 2008. Foraging interaction between monk seals and large predatory fish in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ESR 4:299-308<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p299-308/> Cañadas A, Hammond PS. 2008. Abundance and habitat preferences of the short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis in the southwestern Mediterranean: implications for conservation ESR 4:309-331<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v4/n3/p309-331/> Bearzi G, Agazzi S, Gonzalvo J, Costa M, Bonizzoni S, Politi E, Piroddi C, Reeves RR. 2008. Overfishing and the disappearance of short-beaked common dolphins from western Greece ESR 5:1-12<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n1/p1-12/> Baker JD. 2008. Variation in the relationship between offspring size and survival provides insight into causes of mortality in Hawaiian monk seals ESR 5:55-64<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n1/p55-64/> Chilvers BL. 2008. New Zealand sea lions Phocarctos hookeri and squid trawl fisheries: bycatch problems and management options ESR 5:193-204<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p193-204/> Karamanlidis AA, Androukaki E, Adamantopoulou S, Chatzispyrou A, Johnson WM, Kotomatas S, Papadopoulos A, Paravas V, Paximadis G, Pires R, Tounta E, Dendrinos P. 2008. Assessing accidental entanglement as a threat to the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus ESR 5:205-213<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p205-213/> Scheidat M, Gilles A, Kock KH, Siebert U. 2008. Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena abundance in the southwestern Baltic Sea ESR 5:215-223<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p215-223/> Brotons JM, Munilla Z, Grau AM, Rendell L. 2008. Do pingers reduce interactions between bottlenose dolphins and nets around the Balearic Islands? ESR 5:301-308<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p301-308/> Campbell R, Holley D, Christianopolous D, Caputi N, Gales NG. 2008. Mitigation of incidental mortality of Australian sea lions in the west coast rock lobster fishery ESR 5:345-358<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v5/n2-3/p345-358/> Bradford AL, Weller DW, Wade PR, Burdin AM, Brownell RL Jr. 2008. Population abundance and growth rate of western gray whales Eschrichtius robustus ESR 6:1-14<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n1/p1-14/> Fonnesbeck CJ, Garrison LP, Ward-Geiger LI, Baumstark RD. 2008. Bayesian hierarchichal model for evaluating the risk of vessel strikes on North Atlantic right whales in the SE United States ESR 6:87-94<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n1/p87-94/> Freeman MMR. 2008. Challenges of assessing cetacean population recovery and conservation status ESR 6:173-184<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n2/p173-184/> Williams R, Bain DE, Smith JC, Lusseau D. 2008. Effects of vessels on behaviour patterns of individual southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca ESR 6:199-209<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p199-209/> Lusseau D , Bain DE , Williams R, Smith JC. 2008. Vessel traffic disrupts the foraging behavior of southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca ESR 6:211-221<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p211-221/> Swaim ZT, Westgate AJ, Koopman HN, Rolland RM, Kraus SD. 2008. Metabolism of ingested lipids by North Atlantic right whales ESR 6:259-271<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p259-271/> Vanderlaan ASM, Corbett JJ, Green SL, Callahan JA, Wang C, Kenney RD, Taggart CT, Firestone J. 2008. Probability and mitigation of vessel encounters with North Atlantic right whales ESR 6:273-285<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v6/n3/p273-285/> Reynolds JE III , Marsh H, Ragen TJ. 2009. AS WE SEE IT: Marine mammal conservation ESR 7:23-28<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v7/n1/p23-28/> MacLeod CD. 2009. REVIEW: Global climate change, range changes and potential implications for the conservation of marine cetaceans: a review and synthesis ESR 7:125-136<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v7/n2/p125-136/> Noren DP, Johnson AH, Rehder D, Larson A. 2009. Close approaches by vessels elicit surface active behaviors by southern resident killer whales ESR 8:179-192<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v8/n3/p179-192/> Gonzalez-Socoloske D, Olivera-Gomez LD, Ford RE Detection of free-ranging West Indian manatees Trichechus manatus using side-scan sonar ESR 8:249-257<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v8/n3/p249-257/> Scolardi KM, Schwacke LH, Koelsch JK, Reynolds JE III, Kessenich TJ, Sprinkel JM, Gannon JG Trends in counts of manatees Trichechus manatus latirostris from 1987 to 2006 in waters of Sarasota County, Florida, USA ESR 9:1-11<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v9/n1/p1-11/> McDonald MA, Hildebrand JA, Mesnick S Worldwide decline in tonal frequencies of blue whale songs ESR 9:13-21<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v9/n1/p13-21/> Andersen LW, Born EW, Doidge DW, Gjertz I, Wiig Ø, Waples RS Genetic signals of historic and recent migration between sub-populations of Atlantic walrus Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus west and east of Greenland ESR 9:197-211<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v9/n3/p197-211/> Hart KM, Hyrenbach KD REVIEW: Satellite telemetry of marine megavertebrates: the coming of age of an experimental science ESR 10:9-20<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p9-20/> Skinner JP, Norberg SE, Andrews RD Head striking during fish capture attempts by Steller sea lions and the potential for using head surge acceleration to predict feeding behavior ESR 10:61-69<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p61-69/> Andrews-Goff V, Hindell MA, Field IC, Wheatley KE, Charrassin JB Factors influencing the winter haulout behaviour of Weddell seals: consequences for satellite telemetry ESR 10:83-92<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p83-92/> Bailey H, Mate BR, Palacios DM, Irvine L, Bograd SJ, Costa DP Behavioural estimation of blue whale movements in the Northeast Pacific from state-space model analysis of satellite tracks ESR 10:93-106<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p93-106/> Baird RW, Schorr GS, Webster DL, McSweeney DJ, Hanson MB, Andrews RD Movements and habitat use of satellite-tagged false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands ESR 10:107-121<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p107-121/> Horning M, Mellish JAE Spatially explicit detection of predation on individual pinnipeds from implanted post-mortem satellite data transmitters ESR 10:135-143<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p135-143/> Lander ME, Loughlin TR, Logsdon MG, VanBlaricom GR, Fadely BS Foraging effort of juvenile Steller sea lions Eumetopias jubatus with respect to heterogeneity of sea surface temperature ESR 10:145-158<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p145-158/> Mazzaro LM, Dunn JL Descriptive account of long-term health and behavior of two satellite-tagged captive harbor seals Phoca vitulina ESR 10:159-163<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p159-163/> Schorr GS, Baird RW, Hanson MB, Webster DL, McSweeney DJ, Andrews RD Movements of satellite-tagged Blainville’s beaked whales off the island of Hawai‘i ESR 10:203-213<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p203-213/> Simmons SE, Crocker DE, Hassrick JL, Kuhn CE, Robinson PW, Tremblay Y, Costa DP Climate-scale hydrographic features related to foraging success in a capital breeder, the northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris ESR 10:233-243<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p233-243/> Cronin MA, Zuur AF, Rogan E, McConnell BJ Using mobile phone telemetry to investigate the haul-out behaviour of harbour seals Phoca vitulina vitulina ESR 10:255-267<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p255-267/> Gucu AC Preliminary study on the effects of photo traps used to monitor Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus ESR 10:281-285<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p281-285/> Holland KN, Meyer CG, Dagorn LC Inter-animal telemetry: results from first deployment of acoustic ‘business card’ tags ESR 10:287-293<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p287-293/> Rayment W, Dawson S, Slooten L Use of T-PODs for acoustic monitoring of Cephalorhynchus dolphins: a case study with Hector’s dolphins in a marine protected area ESR 10:333-339<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v10/p333-339/> Salvadeo CJ, Lluch-Belda D, Gómez-Gallardo A, Urbán-Ramírez J, MacLeod CD Climate change and a poleward shift in the distribution of the Pacific white-sided dolphin in the northeastern Pacific ESR 11:13-19<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v11/n1/p13-19/> Hanson MB, Baird RW, Ford JKB, Hempelmann-Halos J, Van Doornik DM, Candy JR, Emmons CK, Schorr GS, Gisborne B, Ayres KL, Wasser SK, Balcomb KC, Balcomb-Bartok K, Sneva JG, Ford MJ Species and stock identification of prey consumed by endangered southern resident killer whales in their summer range ESR 11:69-82<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v11/n1/p69-82/> Rowe LE, Currey RJC, Dawson SM, Johnson D Assessment of epidermal condition and calf size of Fiordland bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus populations using dorsal fin photographs and photogrammetry ESR 11:83-89<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v11/n1/p83-89/> Christiansen F, Lusseau D, Stensland E, Berggren P Effects of tourist boats on the behaviour of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins off the south coast of Zanzibar ESR 11:91-99<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v11/n1/p91-99/> Johanos TC, Becker BL, Baker JD, Ragen TJ, Gilmartin WG, Gerrodette T Impacts of sex ratio reduction on male aggression in the Critically Endangered Hawaiian monk seal Monachus schauinslandi ESR 11:123-132<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v11/n2/p123-132/> Andriolo A, Kinas PG, Engel MH, Albuquerque Martins CC, Rufino AM Humpback whales within the Brazilian breeding ground: distribution and population size estimate ESR 11:233-243<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v11/n3/p233-243/> Rugh DJ, Shelden KEW, Hobbs RC Range contraction in a beluga whale population ESR 12:69-75<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v12/n1/p69-75/> Kuhn CE, Tremblay Y, Ream RR, Gelatt TS Coupling GPS tracking with dive behavior to examine the relationship between foraging strategy and fine-scale movements of northern fur seals ESR 12:125-139<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v12/n2/p125-139/> Samaran F, Adam O, Guinet C Discovery of a mid-latitude sympatric area for two Southern Hemisphere blue whale subspecies ESR 12:157-165<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v12/n2/p157-165/> Cotté C, Guinet C, Taupier-Letage I, Petiau E Habitat use and abundance of striped dolphins in the western Mediterranean Sea prior to the morbillivirus epizootic resurgence ESR 12:203-214<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v12/n3/p203-214/> Rajamani L, Marsh H Using parallel regional- and local-scale initiatives to inform conservation management of rare wildlife: a case study of the dugong Dugong dugon in Sabah, Malaysia ESR 13:17-23<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n1/p17-23/> Heide-Jørgensen MP, Laidre KL, Wiig Ø, Postma L, Dueck L, Bachmann L NOTE: Large-scale sexual segregation of bowhead whales ESR 13:73-78<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n1/p73-78/> Shaughnessy PD, Goldsworthy SD, Hamer DJ, Page B, McIntosh RR Australian sea lions Neophoca cinerea at colonies in South Australia: distribution and abundance, 2004 to 2008 ESR 13:87-98<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n2/p87-98/> Wade PR, De Robertis A, Hough KR, Booth R, Kennedy A, LeDuc RG, Munger L, Napp J, Shelden KEW, Rankin S, Vasquez O, Wilson C Rare detections of North Pacific right whales in the Gulf of Alaska, with observations of their potential prey ESR 13:99-109<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n2/p99-109/> Robbins J, Dalla Rosa L, Allen JM, Mattila DK, Secchi ER, Friedlaender AS, Stevick PT, Nowacek DP, Steel D NOTE: Return movement of a humpback whale between the Antarctic Peninsula and American Samoa: a seasonal migration record ESR 13:117-121<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n2/p117-121/> Marques TA, Munger L, Thomas L, Wiggins S, Hildebrand JA Estimating North Pacific right whale Eubalaena japonica density using passive acoustic cue counting ESR 13:163-172<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n3/p163-172/> Fearnbach H, Durban JW, Ellifrit DK, Balcomb KC III Size and long-term growth trends of Endangered fish-eating killer whales ESR 13:173-180<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n3/p173-180/> Hatfield BB, Ames JA, Estes JA, Tinker MT, Johnson AB, Staedler MM, Harris MD Sea otter mortality in fish and shellfish traps: estimating potential impacts and exploring possible solutions ESR 13:219-229<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v13/n3/p219-229/> Frasier TR, Koroscil SM, White BN, Darling JD Assessment of population substructure in relation to summer feeding ground use in the eastern North Pacific gray whale ESR 14:39-48<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v14/n1/p39-48/> Lagueux KM, Zani MA, Knowlton AR, Kraus SD  Response by vessel operators to protection measures for right whales Eubalaena glacialis in the southeast US calving ground ESR 14:69-77<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v14/n1/p69-77/> Gobush KS, Baker JD, Gulland FMD  Effectiveness of an antihelminthic treatment in improving the body condition and survival of Hawaiian monk seals ESR 15:29-37<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n1/p29-37/> Corkeron PJ, Minton G, Collins T, Findlay K, Willson A, Baldwin R  Spatial models of sparse data to inform cetacean conservation planning: an example from Oman ESR 15:39-52<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n1/p39-52/> Parks SE, Searby A, Célérier A, Johnson MP, Nowacek DP, Tyack PL  Sound production behavior of individual North Atlantic right whales: implications for passive acoustic monitoring ESR 15:63-76<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n1/p63-76/> Gerrodette T, Eguchi T  Precautionary design of a marine protected area based on a habitat model ESR 15:159-166<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n2/p159-166/> Pomerleau C, Patterson TA, Luque S, Lesage V, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Dueck LL, Ferguson SH  Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus diving and movement patterns in the eastern Canadian Arctic: implications for foraging ecology ESR 15:167-177<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n2/p167-177/> Michaud J, Taggart CT Spatial variation in right whale food, Calanus finmarchicus, in the Bay of Fundy ESR 15:179-194<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n3/p179-194/> Lambert E, MacLeod CD, Hall K, Brereton T, Dunn TE, Wall D, Jepson PD, Deaville R, Pierce GJ  Quantifying likely cetacean range shifts in response to global climatic change: implications for conservation strategies in a changing world ESR 15:205-222<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n3/p205-222/> Gregr EJ  Insights into North Pacific right whale Eubalaena japonica habitat from historic whaling records ESR 15:223-239<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n3/p223-239/> Gulesserian M, Slip D, Heller G, Harcourt R  Modelling the behaviour state of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in response to vessel presence off Sydney, Australia ESR 15:255-264<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v15/n3/p255-264/> Becker EA, Foley DG, Forney KA, Barlow J, Redfern JV, Gentemann CL Forecasting cetacean abundance patterns to enhance management decisions ESR 16:97-112<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v16/n2/p97-112/> Forney KA, Ferguson MC, Becker EA, Fiedler PC, Redfern JV, Barlow J, Vilchis IL, Ballance LT  Habitat-based spatial models of cetacean density in the eastern Pacific Ocean ESR 16:113-133<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v16/n2/p113-133/> Goetz KT, Montgomery RA, Ver Hoef JM, Hobbs RC, Johnson DS  Identifying essential summer habitat of the endangered beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas in Cook Inlet, Alaska ESR 16:135-147<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v16/n2/p135-147/> Murphy S, Spradlin TR, Mackey B, McVee J, Androukaki E, Tounta E, Karamanlidis AA, Dendrinos P, Joseph E, Lockyer C, Matthiopoulos J  Age estimation, growth and age-related mortality of Mediterranean monk seals Monachus monachus ESR 16:149-163<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v16/n2/p149-163/> Wheeler B, Gilbert M, Rowe S Definition of critical summer and fall habitat for bowhead whales in the eastern Canadian Arctic ESR 17:1-16<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n1/p1-16/> Mussoline SE, Risch D, Hatch LT, Weinrich MT, Wiley DN, Thompson MA, Corkeron PJ, Van Parijs SM  Seasonal and diel variation in North Atlantic right whale up-calls: implications for management and conservation in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean ESR 17:17-26<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n1/p17-26/> Bailleul F, Lesage V, Power M, Doidge DW, Hammill MO  Differences in diving and movement patterns of two groups of beluga whales in a changing Arctic environment reveal discrete populations ESR 17:27-41<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n1/p27-41/> Pereira CM, Booth DT, Limpus CJ  Swimming performance and metabolic rate of flatback Natator depressus and loggerhead Caretta caretta sea turtle hatchlings during the swimming frenzy ESR 17:43-51<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n1/p43-51/> Kittinger JN, Bambico TM, Watson TK, Glazier EW  Sociocultural significance of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and the human dimensions of conservation planning ESR 17:139-156<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n2/p139-156/> Braulik GT, Bhatti ZI, Ehsan T, Hussain B, Khan AR, Khan A, Khan U, Kundi KU, Rajput R, Reichert AP, Northridge SP, Bhagat HB, Garstang R  Robust abundance estimate for endangered river dolphin subspecies in South Asia ESR 17:201-215<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n3/p201-215/> Silber GK, Adams JD, Bettridge S  Vessel operator response to a voluntary measure for reducing collisions with whales ESR 17:245-254<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n3/p245-254/> Doniol-Valcroze T, Lesage V, Giard J, Michaud R  Challenges in marine mammal habitat modelling: evidence of multiple foraging habitats from the identification of feeding events in blue whales ESR 17:255-268<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n3/p255-268/> Blasi MF, Boitani L  Modelling fine-scale distribution of the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus using physiographic features on Filicudi (southern Thyrrenian Sea, Italy) ESR 17:269-288<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v17/n3/p269-288/> Best BD, Halpin PN, Read AJ, Fujioka E, Good CP, LaBrecque EA, Schick RS, Roberts JJ, Hazen LJ, Qian SS, Palka DL, Garrison LP, McLellan WA Online cetacean habitat modeling system for the US east coast and Gulf of Mexico ESR 18:1-15<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n1/p1-15/> Baird RW, Hanson MB, Schorr GS, Webster DL, McSweeney DJ, Gorgone AM, Mahaffy SD, Holzer DM, Oleson EM, Andrews RD  Range and primary habitats of Hawaiian insular false killer whales: informing determination of critical habitat ESR 18:47-61<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n1/p47-61/> Johnston DW, Friedlaender AS, Read AJ, Nowacek DP  Initial density estimates of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the inshore waters of the western Antarctic Peninsula during the late autumn ESR 18:63-71<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n1/p63-71/> Keller CA, Garrison L, Baumstark R, Ward-Geiger LI, Hines E  Application of a habitat model to define calving habitat of the North Atlantic right whale in the southeastern United States ESR 18:73-87<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n1/p73-87/> Stafford KM, Moore SE, Berchok CL, Wiig Ø, Lydersen C, Hansen E, FEATURE ARTICLE - Kalmbach D, Kovacs KM Spitsbergen’s endangered bowhead whales sing through the polar night ESR 18:95-103<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p95-103/> Ramírez-Macías D, Vázquez-Haikin A, Vázquez-Juárez R  Whale shark Rhincodon typus populations along the west coast of the Gulf of California and implications for management ESR 18:115-128<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p115-128/> Castelblanco-Martínez DN, Nourisson C, Quintana-Rizzo E, Padilla-Saldivar J, Schmitter-Soto JJ  Potential effects of human pressure and habitat fragmentation on population viability of the Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus manatus: a predictive model ESR 18:129-145<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p129-145/> Pendleton DE, Sullivan PJ, Brown MW, Cole TVN, Good CP, Mayo CA, Monger BC, Phillips S, Record NR, Pershing AJ  Weekly predictions of North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis habitat reveal influence of prey abundance and seasonality of habitat preferences ESR 18:147-161<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p147-161/> LeDuc RG, Taylor BL, Martien KK, Robertson KM, Pitman RL, Salinas JC, Burdin AM, Kennedy AS, Wade PR, Clapham PJ, Brownell RL Jr  NOTE: Genetic analysis of right whales in the eastern North Pacific confirms severe extirpation risk ESR 18:163-167<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p163-167/> Rioux È, Lesage V, Postma L, Pelletier É, Turgeon J, Stewart REA, Stern G, Hammill MO  Use of stable isotopes and trace elements to determine harvest composition and wintering assemblages of belugas at a contemporary ecological scale ESR 18:179-191<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n2/p179-191/> FEATURE ARTICLE - Weller DW, Klimek A, Bradford AL, Calambokidis J, Lang AR, Gisborne B, Burdin AM, Szaniszlo W, Urbán J, Gomez-Gallardo Unzueta A, Swartz S, Brownell RL Jr Movements of gray whales between the western and eastern North Pacific ESR 18:193-199<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n3/p193-199/> Ivashchenko YV, Clapham PJ Soviet catches of right whales Eubalaena japonica and bowhead whales Balaena mysticetus in the North Pacific Ocean and the Okhotsk Sea ESR 18:201-217<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n3/p201-217/> Gallus A, Dähne M, Verfuß UK, Bräger S, Adler S, Siebert U, Benke H  Use of static passive acoustic monitoring to assess the status of the ‘Critically Endangered’ Baltic harbour porpoise in German waters ESR 18:265-278<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v18/n3/p265-278/> Oremus M, Hamner RM, Stanley M, Brown P, Baker CS, Constantine R Distribution, group characteristics and movements of the Critically Endangered Maui’s dolphin Cephalorhynchus hectori maui ESR 19:1-10<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v19/n1/p1-10/> Stimpert AK, Mattila D, Nosal EM, Au WWL  NOTE: Tagging young humpback whale calves: methodology and diving behavior ESR 19:11-17<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v19/n1/p11-17/> Whitehead H, Hooker SK  REVIEW: Uncertain status of the northern bottlenose whale Hyperoodon ampullatus: population fragmentation, legacy of whaling and current threats ESR 19:47-61<http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v19/n1/p47-61/> You may be interested in our recent you Tube videos: Darwin Initiative (Peru) (English) http://youtu.be/OhtVmUJ6hkY (Spanish) http://youtu.be/jyQinupAqVw Kenya Field Course (MSc) http://youtu.be/IkBmIehMZ9Q Prof. Brendan J. Godley Chair in Conservation Science Centre for Ecology & Conservation University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus TR10 9EZ, UK Tel: +44 1326 371 861 http://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/index.php?web_id=brendan_godley http://www.linkedin.com/in/brendangodley http://www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/ Editor-in-Chief, Endangered Species Research http://www.int-res.com/journals/esr/

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New publication on neuron number in Delphinid brain
by Nina Eriksen 27 Nov '14

27 Nov '14

Dear all. The following paper is now available at Frontiers of Neuroanatomy: Mortensen HS, Pakkenberg B, Dam M, Dietz R, Sonne C, Mikkelsen B, Eriksen N (2014). Quantitative relationship in Delphinid neocortex Abstract Possessing large brains and complex behavioral patterns, cetaceans are believed to be highly intelligent. Their brains, which are the largest in the Animal Kingdom and have enormous gyrification compared with terrestrial mammals, have long been of scientific interest. Few studies, however, report total number of brain cells in cetaceans, and even fewer have used unbiased counting methods. In this study, using stereological methods, we estimated the total number of cells in the neocortex of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) brain. For the first time, we show that a species of dolphin has more neocortical neurons than any mammal studied to date including humans. These cell numbers are compared across various mammals with different brain sizes, and the function of possessing many neurons is discussed. We found that the long-finned pilot whale neocortex has approximately 37.2 × 109 neurons, which is almost twice as many as humans, and 127 × 109 glial cells. Thus, the absolute number of neurons in the human neocortex is not correlated with the superior cognitive abilities of humans (at least compared to cetaceans) as has previously been hypothesized. However, as neuron density in long-finned pilot whales is lower than that in humans, their higher cell number appears to be due to their larger brain. Accordingly, our findings make an important contribution to the ongoing debate over quantitative relationships in the mammalian brain. The paper can be downloaded here: http://journal.frontiersin.org/…/…/fnana.2014.00132/abstract <http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnana.2014.00132/abstract> Cheers, Nina Eriksen

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Career Opportunity - Offshore Environmental Specialist - Virginia Beach
by O'Neill (HR), Maureen I. 26 Nov '14

26 Nov '14

Offshore Environmental Specialist: Ecology and Environment, Inc. is a fully integrated environmental consulting firm committed to supporting sustainable development through responsible environmental stewardship. We are seeking an Offshore Environmental Specialist for our Virginia Beach office to support project managers with a variety of offshore, energy, restoration, DOD, and other environmental projects. This position will be responsible for coordinating environmental and permitting documents, interacting with client and regulatory agencies, and coordinating staff work assignments. Our successful candidate must have strong technical research and writing skills with educational emphasis and experience in marine species biology and policy. Please view our website at www.ene.com to see the full posting and to apply online. Thank you! Maureen O'Neill, PHR Corporate Recruiter Ecology and Environment, Inc. 368 Pleasant View Drive, Lancaster, NY 14086 Phone: 716-684-8060 Ext: 2310 | Fax: 716-684-4832 moneill(a)ene.com | www.ene.com

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NZ DOC qualified MMOs and PAM Ops
by OSC NZ Recruitment Department 26 Nov '14

26 Nov '14

Dear MMOs and PAM Operators, We invite applications from MMOs and PAM Operators who are classified as qualified under the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) seismic code of conduct. At this particular time, applicants must have 12 weeks experience in NZ waters. Applicants with the 12 weeks NZ experience, but without DOC accreditation are still encouraged to apply, as Ocean Science Consulting NZ (Asia-Pacific) Ltd (www.osc-nz.co.nz <http://www.osc-nz.co.nz>) is an approved DOC training provider for both MMOs and PAM Operators. Due to the volume of recruitment mail, we are unable to respond to all applicants, sorry, so please do not expect an acknowledgement. Please apply by email only to recruitment(a)osc-nz.co.nz <mailto:recruitment@osc-nz.co.nz>; recruitment enquiries to other OSC email addresses will be deleted. Please feel free to circulate this email amongst colleagues looking for work. If the applicant is not already on our database, we will require a CV (Word format) that includes, inter alia, MMO/PAM qualifications and experience, and a current phone number, with copies (ideally JPEGs) of offshore survival and medical certs including any vaccinations (all of which should be listed on CVs along with expiry details for quick reference), passport, any resident permit(s), any visa(s), driver's licence(s), and degree certs. Note that only a CV is required in the first instant for short-listing candidates, so the rest is optional. Clients are increasingly requesting evidence of any science/engineering degrees (e.g. marine biology, oceanography, acoustics, signal processing), so be prepared to follow up with necessary documents. If you have provided documents previously, rest assured they are already on file and you should not resend them; be aware that when the same applicants regularly bombard us with the same attached documents, we have no choice but to delete their emails as they otherwise clog up our inbox/server; however, we do encourage all applicants to send us updated CVs or replacement scans for expired offshore survival/medical certs, or simply contact us to provide an update on availability. Thanks and kind regards, -- Recruitment Department OSC NZ Ltd PO Box 106767 Auckland City 1143 New Zealand T: +64 9 927 7614 W: www.osc-nz.co.nz

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Marine mammal behaviour publications of terminology
by Monica Arancibia 24 Nov '14

24 Nov '14

Hello, I am looking for recommended papers or books on terms for more complex marine mammal behaviour. Direction to a website with a list of scientifically acceptable terms for marine mammal ethology would also be acceptable. I am attempting to describe properly behaviours that go beyond "tail slap" or "breaching" but are not extremely complex. I have just not found a resource that lists these behaviours and their definitions. Any help with this matter is greatly appreciated. Regards, M. Arancibia

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new paper on seasonal migrations of minke whales based on PAM
by Denise Risch 24 Nov '14

24 Nov '14

Dear All, We are happy to announce that the following paper is now available from the Journal of Movement Ecology: Denise Risch, Manuel Castellote, Christopher W Clark, Genevieve E Davis, Peter J Dugan, Lynne EW Hodge, Anurag Kumar, Klaus Lucke, David K Mellinger, Sharon L Nieukirk, Marian Popescu, Christian Ramp, Andrew J Read, Aaron N Rice, Monica A Silva, Ursula Siebert, Kate Stafford, Sofie M Van Parijs (2014): Seasonal migrations of North Atlantic minke whales: Novel insights from large-scale passive acoustic monitoring networks Abstract Background Little is known about migration patterns and seasonal distribution away from coastal summer feeding habitats of many pelagic baleen whales. Recently, large-scale passive acoustic monitoring networks have become available to explore migration patterns and identify critical habitats of these species. North Atlantic minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) perform seasonal migrations between high latitude summer feeding and low latitude winter breeding grounds. While the distribution and abundance of the species has been studied across their summer range, data on migration and winter habitat are virtually missing. Acoustic recordings, from 16 different sites from across the North Atlantic, were analyzed to examine the seasonal and geographic variation in minke whale pulse train occurrence, infer information about migration routes and timing, and to identify possible winter habitats. Results Acoustic detections show that minke whales leave their winter grounds south of 30? N from March through early April. On their southward migration in autumn, minke whales leave waters north of 40? N from mid-October through early November. In the western North Atlantic spring migrants appear to track the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream along the continental shelf, while whales travel farther offshore in autumn. Abundant detections were found off the southeastern US and the Caribbean during winter. Minke whale pulse trains showed evidence of geographic variation, with longer pulse trains recorded south of 40? N. Very few pulse trains were recorded during summer in any of the datasets. Conclusion This study highlights the feasibility of using acoustic monitoring networks to explore migration patterns of pelagic marine mammals. Results confirm the presence of minke whales off the southeastern US and the Caribbean during winter months. The absence of pulse train detections during summer suggests either that minke whales switch their vocal behaviour at this time of year, are absent from available recording sites or that variation in signal structure influenced automated detection. Alternatively, if pulse trains are produced in a reproductive context by males, these data may indicate their absence from the selected recording sites. Evidence of geographic variation in pulse train duration suggests different behavioural functions or use of these calls at different latitudes. The paper is open-access and can either be downloaded here: http://www.movementecologyjournal.com/content/2/1/24/abstract or just email for a copy (denise.risch(a)sams.ac.uk) All the best, Denise

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