February 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Conservation Program Summer Internships
by Shannon Prendiville 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

The University of New England's Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Conservation Program (UNE MARC) (www.une.edu/marc) is currently accepting applications for summer 2014 interns. We are looking for highly motivated, dynamic candidates who will work closely in a team setting with staff and volunteers to assist with all aspects of our program. We are currently accepting applications for summer 2014 for the following positions: Internship Opportunities[DSCN3204] Education/Outreach Internship<http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/upload/MARC-Education-Outr…> Social Media/Marketing Internship<http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/upload/MARC-Social-Media-M…> Aquarist/Life Support Internship<http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/upload/MARC-WQ-LSS-Interns…> Animal Care Husbandry Internship<http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/upload/MARC-Animal-Care-In…> Response/Rehabilitation Internship<http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/upload/MARC-MMOME-Internsh…> Necropsy Internship<http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/upload/MARC-Necro-Internsh…> These positions are unpaid and interns are required to find their own housing and transportation. Interns should expect to be scheduled to cover a variety of shifts including weekday, nights, weekends and holidays. The ideal candidates should be mature and motivated, and possess a strong work ethic and excellent observational and communication skills. The deadline for summer applications is March 15, 2014 (deadline extended for 2014). Interested applicants can find all information and application materials on our website http://www.une.edu/research/msc/marc/getinvolved/internship.cfm Questions can be submitted directly to MARCinfo(a)une.edu Shannon Prendiville Interim Program Coordinator Senior Animal Care Technician & Program Marketing Specialist University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Conservation (p) 207.602.2750 (f) 207.602.5945 (fax) www.une.edu/marc

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New publication: dose-response curve for killer whale behavioural responses to ships
by Christine Erbe 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

Dear Colleagues, on behalf of the first author, I would like to announce a new publication. Williams, R., Erbe, C., Ashe, E., Beerman, A., and Smith, J. (2014). Severity of killer whale behavioural responses to ship noise: A dose-response study. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 79, 254-260. Critical habitats of at-risk populations of northeast Pacific ‘‘resident’’ killer whales can be heavily trafficked by large ships, with transits occurring on average once every hour in busy shipping lanes. We modeled behavioral responses of killer whales to ship transits during 35 ‘‘natural experiments’’ as a dose–response function of estimated received noise levels in both broadband and audiogram-weighted terms. Interpreting effects is contingent on a subjective and seemingly arbitrary decision about severity threshold indicating a response. Subtle responses were observed around broadband received levels of 130 dB re 1 uPa (rms); more severe responses are hypothesized to occur at received levels beyond 150 dB re 1 uPa, where our study lacked data. Avoidance responses are expected to carry minor energetic costs in terms of increased energy expenditure, but future research must assess the potential for reduced prey acquisition, and potential population consequences, under these noise levels. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13007376 Cheers, Rob & Christine Rob Williams <rmcw(a)st-andrews.ac.uk> Christine Erbe Director | Centre for Marine Science & Technology Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Western Australia 6845 Tel | +61 8 9266 7543 Mobile | 0407 0500 32 Email | C.Erbe(a)curtin.edu.au Web | http://cmst.curtin.edu.au

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ECS Workshop | MARINE MAMMALS AS INDICATORS OF HISTORICAL CHANGES
by cristina.brito＠escolademar.pt 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

Dear colleagues, I would like to let you know that we organizing a workshop for the next ECS conference (http://liege.europeancetaceansociety.eu/content/scientific-programme) "Marine Mammals as Indicators of Historical Changes". It will take place on the afternoon of the 6th of april and if you would like to offer a presentation or simply attend, please contact us. More information in attachment. Thanks and see you soon, Cristina Brito Investigadora Integrada no CHAM - FCSH, UNL http://www.cham.fcsh.unl.pt/ Investigadora da Escola de Mar http://www.escolademar.pt Lisboa, Portugal +351217500483

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PDF Monitoring Wildlife in Amazonia (PDF in Spanish)
by Caryn Self-Sullivan 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

To: Marmam, Sirenian Cc: S. Kendall, C. Taylor, N. Auil-Gomez, E. Quintana-Rizzo, J. Reynolds, D. Domning Sarita Kendall of Fundación Natütama in Colombia asked me to share this new document (in Spanish) for Monitoring Wildlife in Amazonia. I've posted it on our website here: http://sirenian.org/library/F_Natutama_Caminos_Conservacion.pdf Cheers, Caryn > On Feb 11, 2014, at 5:38 PM, Sarita Kendall wrote: > >> Caryn, >> I'm attaching a document I wrote on monitoring wildlife with the community - it is written in very simple Spanish and I have tried it out on fishermen who didn't finish primary school...they understood it and found it easy to read...the idea is to distribute it to teachers, community leaders etc in the Amazon, but I thought you might know of people who would find it useful. The section on manatees is the longest for a single species and shows how we have accumulated a great many sightings etc! It focuses on doing things with people,low cost, minimal technology, maximum conservation....please send it on to anyone you think might benefit (I have sent it to Nataly and Benjamin, but no others north of Colombia). If you think it's appropriate to make it accessible on your web page,please do so... >> >> hope things go well with you... >> all best. >> sarita >>

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Seeking Marine Scientists for Sign On Letter - Wednesday February 19th COB
by Huelsenbeck, Matthew 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

Hello all, Let me know by Wednesday February 19th COB if you are willing to sign on to the letter below. Please email me (mhuelsenbeck(a)oceana.org<mailto:mhuelsenbeck@oceana.org>) with your name, degree, title and organization. We are seeking marine scientists and conservation biologists, particularly experts in underwater acoustics and/or marine mammals, to sign this letter. The purpose and wording of the letter is simple; require the use of NMFS' new Marine Mammal Acoustic Guidelines before finalizing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for proposed seismic survey activity in the mid- and south Atlantic. Thanks! For more information, here is a link to NMFS' Marine Mammal Acoustic Guidelines; http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm And a link to BOEM's page about proposed geological and geophysical activities in the mid- and south Atlantic, referenced in the letter as the PEIS: http://www.boem.gov/oil-and-gas-energy-program/GOMR/GandG.aspx "Dear (President Obama, Secretary of DOI, Deputy Director of BOEM) CC (NMFS) On behalf of the following marine scientists and conservation biologists we urge you to use the best available science before permitting seismic surveys for offshore oil and gas in the mid- and south Atlantic. We recommend that you do not finalize the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) regarding seismic surveys in the mid- and south Atlantic until the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has completed new Marine Mammal Acoustic Guidelines. It is essential to incorporate these guidelines into this PEIS in order to accurately estimate auditory injuries and disturbances to marine mammals from proposed seismic surveys, so that this important information can guide the most appropriate mitigation measures. NMFS released the first phase of the acoustic guidelines on December 27th 2013 for public comment, and the agency will be releasing the second phase regarding behavioral disturbances to marine mammals soon. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has classified the first phase of these guidelines as a "Highly Influential Scientific Assessment"- the most stringent possible ranking under OMB's peer-review protocol. More than 15 years have passed since NMFS first began developing these criteria for auditory impacts, as well as criteria for acoustic disturbances. The newly published draft guidelines synthesize years of scientific research regarding the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals. During the development of the guidelines NMFS has undergone a rigorous internal and external peer review process including consultation with issue experts, and the first phase is now undergoing public comment. If the PEIS moves forward without the newly established acoustic guidelines it will be scientifically deficient and quickly outdated. It will fail to accurately assess the true scope of marine mammal impacts from proposed seismic surveys, which is a primary purpose of the PEIS. The mid- and south Atlantic is home to a diversity and abundance of marine mammals, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale which could be impacted by proposed seismic survey activity. We implore you to take this opportunity to integrate NMFS' new Marine Mammal Acoustic Guidelines into the PEIS for proposed seismic survey activity in the mid- and south Atlantic." Sincerely, Name, Degree Title Organization Name, Degree Title Organization Name, Degree Title Organization Best, Matthew Huelsenbeck | Marine Scientist OCEANA | Protecting the World's Oceans 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, 5th Floor | Washington, DC 20036 USA C +1.202.725.9560 | D +1.202.467.1924 | O +1.202.833.2070 E mhuelsenbeck(a)oceana.org<mailto:mhuelsenbeck@oceana.org> | W www.oceana.org<http://www.oceana.org/>

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Introduction and Practical Acoustics courses
by Jamie Macaulay 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

Introduction and practical courses in Passive Acoustic Monitoring Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is a key survey and mitigation tool in cetacean research. PAMTech (pamtech.eu) is offering introduction and practical courses in PAM, teaching the use of acoustic hardware and the leading research and industry software, PAMGuard (pamguard.org) We are a small UK-based company made up of PAMGuard developers and experienced field acousticians who can enable you to get the most out of PAM applications. A high tutor-to-student ratio on our courses ensures participants can get individual assistance with their training requirements. Our next courses are running on: 02/05/2014 Introduction to PAMGuard. This one-day classroom-based course provides the essentials you need to get going with PAMGuard. Cost: £200 To book go to: http://pamguardintroduction.eventzilla.net/ 03/05/2014 and 04/05/2014 Practical PAM. This course spends the first day in the classroom building on your PAM knowledge, and the second day at sea applying practical PAM survey techniques including the deployment, use and troubleshooting of acoustic hardware and software. Cost: £400 To book go to: http://practicalpam.eventzilla.net/ If you would like to do both courses (3 days), the cost is £500 To book go to: http://pamintroductionpractical.eventzilla.net/ Courses will be run in Tobermory, Isle of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland, UK, and will use the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's (hwdt.org) specialist research vessel, Silurian, as the at-sea teaching platform. It is not compulsory for participants on the Practical PAM course to have done the Introduction course, but an equivalent level of knowledge will be assumed. At the end of the Practical PAM course, there will be an informal Meet-the-Developers session where you can discuss your particular PAMGuard requirements. Participants need to bring their own laptops running Windows XP or above (see pamtech.eu for more information on specifications etc). Course costs do not include accommodation, travel or food. For more information about travel to the Isle of Mull see calmac.co.uk To find out more, contact: pamtech.acoustics(a)gmail.com

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Seeking experienced field assistants for research on tropical dolphins in north-west Australia
by Alexander Brown 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

SEEKING EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS for research on tropical dolphins in north-west Australia Apr-May 2014 Institution: Cetacean Research Unit, Murdoch University - www.mucru.org<file:///C:\Users\jsmith\AppData\Local\Temp\www.mucru.org> Overview: I require experienced field assistants to fill two roles for either or both of the following independent projects: 1. Photo-ID and biopsy sampling. To assist with boat-based photo-ID and biopsy sampling in Roebuck Bay, north-west Australia, for 5 weeks from 01 April 2014 (2-3 positions). Project leader: Alex Brown<http://mucru.org/our-research/group-members/alex-brown/>. 2. Acoustic monitoring. To assist with acoustic monitoring of snubfin and humpback dolphins in Cygnet Bay, north-west Australia, for approx. 4 weeks in May 2014. Project leader: Dr. Josh Smith<http://mucru.org/our-research/group-members/josh-smith/>. As these positions are non-overlapping, you may apply for both with a single application. Please indicate which position(s) you are applying for. These projects aim to collect baseline data on the local abundance, genetic connectivity<http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/snubfin-and-humpback-dolphi…> (project 1), and acoustic repertoire<http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/passive-acoustic-monitoring…> (project 2) of Australian snubfin (Orcaella heinsohni) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in northern Western Australia. This is an opportunity to gain experience in field techniques for small cetacean research, while contributing to projects with high conservation and management value. Location and field conditions: Photo-ID and biopsy sampling. Based in the town of Broome, on the tropical north coast of Western Australia. While situated in a remote area, this is a small town with plenty of amenities. Accommodation will comprise shared basic rooms or tents, with indoor kitchen and bathroom facilities. Acoustic monitoring. Meeting in Broome, then based at Cygnet Bay on the adjacent Dampier Peninsula. This is a remote location with a tropical climate and limited amenities. Accommodation will comprise shared tents (2 person), with camp kitchen and bathroom facilities. Food is prepared by the resident cook, so no cooking is required at Cygnet Bay. This project only requires a small team of potentially only 1 person other than the project leader. Duties: Both projects. Searching for dolphins, driving the boat, taking photos, making and recording field observations, equipment cleaning and basic maintenance, data entry, a fair share in communal cooking and housekeeping duties, and generally working hard and having a great time. Expect early starts, hot weather, up to 11 hours on the water for multiple consecutive days, and up to a week between days off. Prerequisites: Photo-ID and biopsy sampling. Experience of working on and driving a small boat around cetaceans (essential); experience of photo-ID survey techniques (essential); no history of debilitating seasickness (essential); be team-oriented, patient, have a good sense of humour, and an enthusiastic attitude to hard work, long hours and collecting data on the natural environment (essential); experience of field research on small cetaceans (highly desirable). Acoustic monitoring. As above, minus experience of photo-ID techniques, plus experience of acoustic survey techniques (desirable). Expenses: These are unpaid positions. However, food and accommodation at the field sites are provided at no cost to assistants. Assistants are responsible for their own travel costs to/from Broome (direct flights available from Perth). Please send a CV, a brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, the position(s) applied for, and contact details of two relevant referees to alex.brown(a)murdoch.edu.au by Friday 21 Feb 2014. Many thanks, Alex ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alex Brown PhD Candidate Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU) Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystem Research Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia * Tel +61 (0)89360 6520 |* Mob +61 (0)487399861| * alex.brown(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:L.bejder@murdoch.edu.au> [mucru-with-murdoch-WHITEBACKGROUND SMALL]<http://www.mucru.org/> Latest blog post: "Acoustic, genetic and visual sampling combine for exciting fourth season at Cygnet Bay"<http://mucru.org/acoustic-genetic-and-visual-sampling-combine-for-exciting-…>

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ECS Workshop report on Best Practice in Rescue
by Sarah Dolman 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Dear MARMAM The European Cetacean Society report on Best Practice in Rescue, resulting from the ECS workshop held in Setubal in Portugal in 2013, is now available. Please send me an email if you would like to receive a PDF: Sarah.dolman(a)whales.org<mailto:Sarah.dolman@whales.org> We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to and attended the workshop, to Mark Simmonds for Chairing and to the ECS for making the Workshop possible. Thanks, Sarah Dolman, WDC and Dr James Barnett, BDMLR [WDC - Whale and Dolphin Conservation]<http://www.whales.org/> Sarah Dolman Northeast Atlantic programme manager Telephone: +44 (0)1316 617 722 Mobile: +44 (0)783 449 8275 WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Scottish Dolphin Centre Spey Bay Moray IV32 7PJ United Kingdom whales.org<http://whales.org> [WDC on Facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/whales.org> [WDC on Twitter] <http://www.twitter.com/WHALES_org> [WDC on YouTube] <http://www.youtube.com/wdcsuk> [WDC Blogs] <http://whales.org/en/blog> [WDC E-Newsletter] <http://whales.org/en/newsletter> [http://www.wdcs.co.uk/media/images/EmailSignatureImages/Campaigns/EUtrade.p…]<http://uk.whales.org/campaigns/help-stop-transfer-of-whale-products-through…> ________________________________ Whale and Dolphin Conservation ("WDC") is a company registered in England and Wales (No. 02737421) and a registered charity (in England and Wales No. 1014705, in Scotland No. SC040231) WDC Shop is a trading name of WDC (Trading) Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (No. 02593116) Registered office : Brookfield House, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1LJ. Tel: +44 (0)1249 449 500 This message is private and confidential. If you have received this message in error, please notify us and remove it from your system. ________________________________

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new article on strandings as indicators of cetacean populations
by Hélène Peltier 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Dear colleagues, I am glad to inform you that following article was recently published in Ecological Indicators: <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X13005153> Peltier, H., P. D. Jepson, W. Dabin, R. Deaville, O. Van Canneyt, P. Daniel, and V. Ridoux. (2014). THE CONTRIBUTION OF STRANDING DATA TO MONITORING AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES FOR CETACEANS: DEVELOPING SPATIALLY EXPLICIT MORTALITY INDICATORS FOR COMMON DOLPHINS (DELPHINUS DELPHIS) IN THE EASTERN NORTH-ATLANTIC. Ecological Indicators, 39, 203-214. Abstract Cetacean strandings are an important source of information on cetacean population status and of biological samples. Nevertheless, collecting stranding data remains opportunistic and their representativity must be improved. The aim of this study was to improve the ecological significance of strandings, through the determination of stranded common dolphin origin found along the coasts of the Channel and the Bay of Biscay, by using the drift prediction model MOTHY. In order to map inferred distribution of dead dolphins, origin of strandings were weighted by the probability that cetaceans dying at sea become stranded. The difference between observed stranding origin and origin of expected strandings under the hypothesis of spatial and temporal uniformity of dead cetaceans, constituted the anomaly in stranding origin. Between 1990 and 2009, 6182 common dolphin strandings were reported by the UK and French stranding networks. Distribution inferred from strandings suggested that common dolphins died mostly in the neritic Bay of Biscay. The anomaly in stranding origin was maximal in the southern Bay of Biscay, highlighted as an area of high relative abundance or strong mortality for common dolphin. The monthly decomposition of this anomaly showed that positive anomaly was located in the southern Bay of Biscay in winter and expanded northward over the whole Bay of Biscay and western Channel in spring and summer. These results were consistent with current knowledge on common dolphin distribution and provide new insight on strandings as cetacean population indicators. These parameters are essential components for assessing the conservation status of vulnerable populations. The pdf is available on request. Please note too that recent article on stranding anomaly of harbor porpoises published in Plos ONE was corrected. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0062180 Best wishes Helene Peltier. -- Hélène PELTIER -PhD Observatoire PELAGIS UMS 3462 Université de La Rochelle-CNRS 5, allées de l'océan 17000 La Rochelle, France hpeltier(a)univ-lr.fr +33 (0) 16 49 67 82 /+33 (0) 6 82 74 08 41

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SCAR Open Science Meeting 2014, Top Predator Session
by Friedlaender, Ari 10 Feb '14

10 Feb '14

Dear Colleagues, The 18th Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Open Science Conference will be held from 25-29 August 2014 in Aukland, New Zealand. The call for abstracts is now open, and I encourage submissions (http://www.scar2014.com/call-for-abstracts/) Specifically, there will be a session entitled: Influence of top predators on ecosystem diversity around Antarctica: present processes and historical signal. This session will aim to consider the Influence of top predators on ecosystem diversity around Antarctica: present processes and historical signals. Using data from a range of taxonomic groups including seabirds, penguins, seals, and whales, we seek presentations that will explore the relationships between predators and their environment over a range of spatial and temporal scales. We encourage multi-disciplinary presentations that develop or test ecological relationships between top predators and the marine ecosystem. We will seek to bring together experts with a broad range of field and analytical methodologies (e.g. telemetry, remote sensing) to provide a foundation for our current knowledge on how predators influence ecosystem diversity as well as to stimulate ideas for collaborative research to address these issues in the face of environmental variability and climate-driven changes in the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Please email me if you have any questions, I look forward to seeing you at SCAR. Ari Friedlaender Ari S. Friedlaender, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Fisheries & Wildlife Marine Mammal Institute Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center 2030 SE Marine Science Drive Newport, OR 97365 919-672-0103 ari.friedlaender(a)oregonstate.edu<mailto:ari.friedlaender@oregonstate.edu>

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