December 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Internships Available: Cascadia Research Collective: Olympia, Washington
by Kiirsten Flynn 03 Dec '14

03 Dec '14

Cascadia Research Collective is looking for interns for Winter and Spring 2015! We are seeking interns to help with our research! Interns with Cascadia most often are assisting staff on our long-term photo-ID studies of humpback, blue, and gray whales off the US West Coast and the inside waters of Washington state, or a variety of odontocetes species (rough-tooth dolphins, melon-headed whales) from our work in Hawai'i. In this capacity, interns will be expected to spend a large portion of their time comparing photographs to our existing catalogs, and may additionally be involved in digital image processing, data entry, and tasks related to historical catalog maintenance. The positions are largely office-based (in Olympia, WA), although there may be some opportunities to assist staff in field data collection. In addition, interns will assist staff in stranding response in Washington state as they come up. This includes participation in beach surveys, data and specimen collection, data entry, and assisting in necropsies of both pinnipeds and cetaceans. Responses may involve hiking into remote areas and carrying heavy loads, and participants should be comfortable with the sight of blood, and strong, unpleasant odors. Cascadia gives priority to those seeking internships for college/university credit as well as to those who can commit full time (40 hours a week). We prefer those students who are considered a junior or senior in college with some science classes in their background or those seeking to go to or are in graduate school in a marine science field. These positions are unpaid and at this time we are not able to house anyone. The internships are generally three months in length and Cascadia is currently filling positions for winter and spring of 2015 (Jan-March and mid-March through mid-June). International applicants will be considered, but is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation. If you are interested, please check out our web site and send a resume to our intern coordinator (Kiirsten Flynn) and a letter of interest that describes why you are applying for the position and how the experience will help you be successful in meeting long-term goals. http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/interns.htm For more information about Cascadia Research Collective and our research please visit: www.cascadiaresearch.org<http://www.cascadiaresearch.org> Kiirsten Flynn Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, Washington 98501 Office: 360-943-7325 www.cascadiaresearch.org

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY for the UKRSC Conference in Bangor 2015
by UK Regional Student Chapter for the Society of Marine Mammals 02 Dec '14

02 Dec '14

Dear all, The abstract registration deadline for the UK Regional Student Chapter Conference in Bangor next year is *THIS FRIDAY*!! The conference will be held at Bangor University between the *21st and the 23rd of January*. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Interdisciplinary Research’, and two workshops will take place as part of the conference. Firstly, *Gemma Veneruso*, who works for SEACAMS, will hold a workshop on marine mammals and marine renewables. The workshop will cover a number of topics including particular species and industries of importance, environmental impact assessments, conflicts of interest and mitigation measures, among others. Secondly, *Joseph Onofriou*, who works at the Sea Mammal Research Unit, will hold a workshop on the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaborations between institutions with varying fields of expertise using the ‘cork screw seals’ problem around the UK as a case study. In addition, keynote speakers working in marine sciences are also invited to the conference. This year, we have arranged three guest lectures from *Dr. Peter Evans* (Director of SeaWatch), *Dr. Thomas Stringell* (Natural Resources Wales) and *Dr. Line Cordes* (University of Bangor) who will talk about their work in marine conservation. For more information please visit our website : http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/ukrsc/meetings/ Best wishes, The committee of the UK Regional Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy

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Call for Nominations for the ECS Mandy McMath Conservation Award
by Andrew Wright 02 Dec '14

02 Dec '14

Dear Colleagues, Apologies for cross-posting. We are now accepting nominations for the ECS Conservation Award, which will be given for the fifth time during the 29th ECS conference in St. Julian’s, Malta (23rd-25th March, 2015). The award is for an outstanding contribution to the field of marine mammal conservation and/or welfare, with particular emphasis on contributions to environmental education and/or to conservation in practice (e.g. leading to improved legislation or management). This award is particularly noteworthy this year given the inclusion of policy-related presentations in line with the theme of the conference. The award will be judged on the basis of a proposal made using the format given below and related material as described. It will be decided upon by consensus, or a majority vote of the ECS Conservation Award Committee. The winner of the award will be announced during the ECS Conference. Self-nominations are strongly discouraged. The Committee reserves the right not to present the award if no appropriate nominations are received. The ECS Award Committee comprises: Andrew Wright (Chair) Aviad Scheinin Thierry Jauniaux Hanna Nuuttila Ayaka Öztürk Mark Simmonds Simon Berrow Nominations should conform to the following format: Name(s) of person(s)/institution/body nominated for award Address and contact details Description of the work/body of work proposed for the award (maximum length of proposal 250 words) Note that the award can be given for a single conservation-education tool (such as a book or for an entire body of work - i.e. a series of linked contributions) in the sphere of education relating to marine mammal conservation and or welfare. Full references for the material identified above and any relevant web-links. Name of nominator(s) Address and contact details The nomination, and any supporting material if deemed necessary, should be sent to the Chair of the Award Committee by 27th February, 2015. Andrew J. Wright, Ph.D. ECS Conservation Award Chair Email: marinebrit(a)gmail.com

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Job Announcement: Biologist (Protected Species)
by Glenn, Tre 02 Dec '14

02 Dec '14

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Monday, December 1, 2014 to Monday, December 15, 2014 Jefferson, LA https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/387612100 The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: - Serves as one of the Biological Sciences Unit (BSU) biologists on matters related to protected species and communities of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast. This includes marine mammals, sea turtles, coastal and marine birds, beach mice, and other endangered species. Reviews and writes sections of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents. - Serves on a team to establish criteria for impact assessment methodologies and to develop specialized data on protected species. - Identifies specific environmental problems, develops study protocols, and nominates these studies for funding approval. - Serves as a team member on the Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations and Marine Mammal Protection Act Rulemaking activities. This can include reviewing and updating the biological assessment and reviewing and responding to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Fisheries’ biological opinion as well as collaborating with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-Fisheries to insure rulemaking is completed. - Accepts responsibility for study procurements, including: prepares the procurement package: evaluates technical proposals and negotiations with offerors; conducts award briefing of successful offerors and debriefings of unsuccessful offerors.

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Recently published paper comparing breath-hold diving capacity in marine mammals and humans
by Fahlman, Andreas 02 Dec '14

02 Dec '14

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of our recent paper: Title: Fahlman, A., E. Schagatay (2014). Man’s Place Among the Diving Mammals. Human Evolution, 29:1-3, 47-66. Abstract: A theory was forwarded in 1960 that humans significantly deviate in anatomy, physiology and behavior from their closest relatives, the great apes, and instead resemble diving mammals, as a result of a period of selective pressure to enter the water (Hardy, 1960). Humans can learn how to dive and in many aspects resemble diving mammals, but how similar is man when compared with aquatic species? To evaluate this, we compared diving performances in a number of aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial species. As an index of aquatic diving specialization, we used maximal and average dive depth and duration, and proportion of time spent under water during repeated dives. Our analysis indicates that aquatic “deep divers” form a separate group, to which humans – and most aquatic and semi aquatic mammals – do not compare in diving specialization. Several species perform dives of intermediate duration and to intermediate depths, and form a group of “moderate divers”. A great number of species show more modest diving skills, despite being dependent on an aquatic life or food sources, and form a group of “shallow divers”. Humans fit well in this latter group and their maximum diving capacity is well within the typical ability performed by shallow near shore foragers. It may be the case that, as most accessible food is present near the shores, a great number of air breathing species have specialized to utilize this niche, while only a smaller group have developed the specialized extreme physiology necessary for extended deep diving. While foraging in shallow water, humans may repeatedly dive to 20 m and spend as much as 60% of the time submerged in shallow diving, and trained individuals have reached depths of 100 m on single maximal dives. From this perspective, human diving capacity is well within that of typical diving mammals. If you would like a pdf copy of the paper, please send an e-mail to: andreas.fahlman(a)tamucc.edu<mailto:andreas.fahlman@tamucc.edu> . Sincerely, Andreas Andreas Fahlman Department of Life Sciences Texas A&M- Corpus Christi 6300 Ocean Dr Unit 5892 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 Ph. +1-361-825-3489 Fax +1-361-825-2025 mail: andreas.fahlman(a)tamucc.edu<mailto:andreas.fahlman@tamucc.edu> web: http://www.comparative-physiology.tamucc.edu/

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Winter Internships in marine mammal stranding response
by Harry, Charles 01 Dec '14

01 Dec '14

Marine Mammal Stranding Response Winter Internships on Cape Cod, MA The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is currently accepting applications for Marine Mammal Stranding Response Internships for Winter 2015. Interns will be placed in one of two available tracks (Response or Necropsy), however attempts will be made to cross-train all interns. Background IFAW is an international non-profit organization with headquarters in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program is a federally authorized response program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Our mission is to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding “hot spot”, with over 230 strandings per year, including live and dead seals, large whales, porpoises and dolphins and an unusually high frequency of live mass stranded dolphins. Internship Duties – Response Track - Assist staff with all aspects of marine mammal stranding response including; live animal health assessment and triage, stranding hotline coverage, dispatch of field responders, opportunistic public outreach, and biological data collection and sampling from dead stranded marine mammals. - Assist in maintaining preparedness for strandings including: cleaning, organizing, and maintaining stranding response gear and equipment - Assist in data entry of stranding reports, case files, and sample collection - Assist in organizing, cataloging, and archiving stranded marine mammal documentation including photos and video - General office duties and report and outreach/education material preparation Internship Duties - Necropsy Track - Assist the necropsy coordinator in performing post-mortem examinations in both field and laboratory settings - Assist in maintaining, cleaning, and organizing necropsy equipment and supplies - Assist in photo archiving and data entry - Assist in the archiving, shipping and tracking of biological samples - Assist in the preparation of necropsy reports - General office duties including training and outreach material preparation and organization Requirements - Candidates must be at least 18 years old - Must possess a valid driver’s license - Must be of good physical fitness and be able to lift/carry 40lbs and walk long distance in difficult terrain - Able to follow written and oral staff directions and protocols effectively Preferred candidate will also have: - Undergraduate study of biology, zoology, ecology, marine/environmental/animal science - Experience handling animals - Experience driving trucks, trailers and boats - Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Learning outcomes While hands-on experience is opportunistic and the number and type of responses will vary, most interns have the opportunity to: - Develop skills in identifying species commonly stranded on Cape Cod and gain knowledge of their biology and ecology - Acquire basic stranded cetacean and pinniped assessment and triage skills - Gain knowledge of response logistics and management including the use of the Incident Command System - Gain knowledge of the stranding network structure and operation and marine mammal policy as it relates to strandings - Gain basic necropsy skills and knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and physiology - Participate in active research projects as appropriate Additional Information This internship is unpaid. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern. International applicants will be considered, but is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation; including an international driver’s license. Internship start and end dates are flexible but the position requires a minimum 10 week continuous commitment between early February through April 2015. Interns are required to attend a minimum of 3 days per week, which may include weekends and holidays. Since strandings are unpredictable, applicants with flexible daily schedules are preferred. If the intern intends to receive academic credit, he/she will be responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institutions. Interns should be prepared to perform in a variety of settings on any given day including beach, on-water, and laboratory. Specialized gear such as dry suits and life jackets will be provided. To apply please submit by December 22nd : - Completed internship application with tentative start/end dates (http://www.ifaw.org//sites/default/files/webform/mmrr_internship_applicatio…<http://www.ifaw.org/sites/default/files/webform/mmrr_internship_application…>) - Letter of recommendation from an employer or college professor - Resume * Applicant’s should note their preferred track (Response or Necropsy) however, final placement will be decided by the IFAW staff. All internship application materials and/or questions should be submitted to: rescue(a)ifaw.org<mailto:rescue@ifaw.org> (please include “Internship Application” in the subject line) For more information about IFAW’s global animal welfare and conservation work, please visit www.ifaw.org<http://www.ifaw.org> C.T. Harry | Asst. Stranding Coordinator | Marine Mammal Rescue & Research __________________________________________________________ IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare World Headquarters 290 Summer Street - Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 tel.1.508.744.2272 email. charry(a)ifaw.org<mailto:charry@ifaw.org> stranding hotline. 1.508.743.9548 Saving Animals in Crisis Around the World www.ifaw.org<http://www.ifaw.org/> The content of this email is intended only for the use of the above-named addressee and may contain information that is confidential, proprietary, and/or legally privileged. Please notify the sender if you received this email in error.

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Animal Rescue Program Internships at Mystic Aquarium
by Freeman, Kathleen 01 Dec '14

01 Dec '14

Mystic Aquarium, located in Mystic, CT, announces the availability of internship positions with the Animal Rescue Program. These positions will run for 12-16 weeks beginning late January/early February 2015. Mystic Aquarium responds to reports of live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles along the shores of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Fishers Island, N.Y. A rehabilitation facility is operated for pinnipeds, and occasionally cetaceans and sea turtles. Interns should be working toward a degree in marine biology, veterinary medicine or a related field. Recent graduates seeking experience in these fields are accepted. There is a minimum requirement of 40 hours per week. Interns must be motivated and responsible and have computer experience, organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work well with others. More information and complete application instructions may be found on our website, http://www.mysticaquarium.org/get-involved/internships. The application deadline for these internships is January 5, 2015. Kathy Freeman Internship Coordinator Human Resources Department Phone | 860-572-5955 Ext 306 kfreeman(a)searesearch.org<mailto:kfreeman@searesearch.org> [MA_Email.gif] [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: FBicon]<http://www.facebook.com/mysticaquarium>[Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: twitterlogo]<http://twitter.com/mysticaquarium>[Description: cid:image007.png@01CBE934.31FFF3E0]<http://www.youtube.com/user/MysticAquarium>

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new paper on North Atlantic Sei whale movements and migration
by Rui Conde de Araújo Brito Prieto da Silva 01 Dec '14

01 Dec '14

Dear MARMAMners On behalf of my co-authors I am pleased to announce that the following paper has been published today: Prieto, R., M. A. Silva, G. T. Waring and J. M. A. Gonçalves. 2014. Sei whale movements and behaviour in the North Atlantic inferred from satellite telemetry. Endangered Species Research 26:103-113. ABSTRACT: The stock structure of the sei whale Balaenoptera borealis in the North Atlantic is unknown, despite years of commercial hunting. New and up-to-date data on distribution and movements are essential for the creation of plausible hypotheses about the stock structure of this species. Between 2008 and 2009 satellite tracks of 8 sei whales were obtained, 7 during spring and 1 in late September. Using a hierarchical switching state-space model we investigated the movements, behaviour and the role of distinct areas in their life history. Two distinct phases corresponding to migratory and foraging movements were identified. A migratory corridor between the Azores and the Labrador Sea is clearly identifiable from the data. Behaviour consistent with foraging was observed frequently in the Labrador Sea, showing that it constitutes an important feeding ground. A link between the Labrador Sea and other feeding grounds to the east is deemed likely. The data also support a discrete feeding ground in the Gulf of Maine and off Nova Scotia. A possible link between the feeding grounds in the Labrador Sea and wintering grounds off northwestern Africa is proposed. The paper has been published under Open Access licence and can be obtained at: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v26/n2/p103-113/ With the very best regards, Rui Prieto Centro do IMAR da Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas 9901-862 Horta Portugal Tel: (351) 292200475 Fax: (351) 292200411 E-mail: rprieto(a)uac.pt <mailto:rprieto@uac.pt> http://www.whales.uac.pt

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