March 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Advertisement - New Zealand Department of Conservation
by kekeno71 . 30 Mar '14

30 Mar '14

The New Zealand Department of Conservation is looking for someone to join the Marine Species and Threats team in Wellington. The role is for a Science Advisor working on both the Conservation Services Programme as well as across wider marine species issues. For more information and how to apply check out the following link: https://jobs.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=1656… For more info on the Department and the work they do, check out www.doc.govt.nz Job description and information sheet provided below. Marine Species Science Advisor Information Sheet.pdf<https://jobs.govt.nz/jobtools/b_fileupload.proc_download?in_file_id=2365065…>(PDF, 730KB) RD - Science Advisor E F Band.pdf<https://jobs.govt.nz/jobtools/b_fileupload.proc_download?in_file_id=2365065…>(PDF, 254KB) -- Regards, Laura

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Seal Rehabilitation Positions at Rescue Centre in Ireland
by Seal Manager 29 Mar '14

29 Mar '14

*Resident Seal Rehabilitation Internship* We have several intern positions that have opened up at a Seal Rescue Centre in Ireland to start as soon as possible. We are looking for volunteer interns who are able to commit to a minimum of 3 - 4 months. *Preference will be given to applicants who can commit to 6 months or more.* Seal Rescue Ireland is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of both Grey and Common (or Harbour) Seals, found in difficulty around Ireland's coast (often due to sickness, parasites, injury or orphaned). We also take in occasional other Irish wildlife in need such as sea birds and Otters. ***Job description:*** The resident volunteer interns will participate in hands-on animal care of seals in rehabilitation; coordinating rescues and releases; keeping accurate detailed records; maintaining animal facilities, including hospital units and pools; maintaining and cleaning public facilities; and giving tours and actively interacting with the public. The work hours are long (9-12 hours) and physically demanding. The volunteers work 5 days a week, with two days off. Volunteers are required to have an advanced level of English, in both speaking and comprehension. *** Responsibilities/duties will include (but are not limited to)*** The volunteers will report to the seal managers and will be trained in: - Food preparation - Safe animal handling and restraining - Tube feeding, force feeding, hand feeding seals - Natural history of harbour and grey seals - Record keeping - Administration of injections and oral medications - Assisting in rescues and releases nationwide - General cleaning duties of animal and public facilities - Hygiene and quarantine protocols to prevent the spread of disease etc. - Assisting veterinarians in surgical and medical cases when required - Running the visitor's centre, providing guided tours and engaging with the public - Caring for other wildlife casualties when necessary ***Qualifications:*** 20 years or older, advanced level of English comprehension and speaking and have an avid interest in marine mammal care and rehabilitation. Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience in animal care. * **Skills/Experience:*** - Experience in handling wildlife preferred - Excellent organisational and communication skills - Ability to work under pressure - A commitment to wildlife, conservation and volunteer work - Flexible and reliable working attitude - Willingness to work long hours outdoors in Irish weather - Experience in interacting with the public / public speaking - Education experience - Able to lift 20kg and be in good physical shape - Be enthusiastic and eager to help and learn We are looking for dedicated, flexible, enthusiastic volunteers, who are able to work and live within a small team and who are self-motivated, show initiative and able to work without constant supervision. We provide accommodation and groceries, for which we request a contribution of EUR EURO 70 per week. Interns are accepted internationally and are responsible for their own transportation to and from Ireland. Collection from the airport and in country support is provided. *To apply for this position:* For further information and to receive an application form please contact sealrescueireland(a)gmail.com Or you can also download an application from our website ( http://www.sealrescueireland.org/volunteers/) and email the filled in form to above email address. *Deadline for applications is 4th April 2014.* Kind regards, Ally McMillan -- Seal Manager +353 (0)87 195 5393 www.sealrescueireland.org

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New publication on management units of short-beaked common dolphins off southern and southeastern Australia
by Kerstin Bilgmann 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

Dear all, We are happy to announce our most recent publication in MEPS: Multiple management units of short-beaked common dolphins subject to fisheries bycatch off southern and southeastern Australia. Kerstin Bilgmann,*, Guido J. Parra, Nikki Zanardo, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Luciana M. Moller *Corresponding author: kerstin.bilgmann(a)flinders.edu.au ABSTRACT: Worldwide, fisheries bycatch remains one of the greatest immediate threats to cetacean populations. In Australia, short-beaked common dolphins are subject to bycatch mortality in 2 fisheries: the purse-seine fishery for sardines off central South Australia and the gillnet fishery for gummy sharks off southern Australia. The cumulative impact of bycatch from both fisheries on the dolphin population(s) in these regions are unknown. We used information from microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA to investigate population genetic structure and estimate contemporary migration rates in 332 biopsied and 15 stranded samples of common dolphins. Samples were collected from 11 locations along ~3500 km of coastline in southern and southeastern Australia. Bayesian and traditional analyses of population genetic structure revealed the presence of at least 6 management units of common dolphins, of which a minimum of 3 are potentially impacted by the 2 fisheries. These management units need to be managed separately for conservation purposes and for monitoring and mitigation of common dolphin fishery interactions off southern and southeastern Australia. We suggest that substructuring and migratory movements of common dolphins across these regions may be driven by spatial variations in oceanography, upwelling events and/or fish distribution. This study exemplifies how information on genetic substructuring in a neritic top predator can be valuable for fisheries bycatch management. KEY WORDS: Fine-scale structure · Genetic structure · Gillnet · Purse seine · Oceanography · *Delphinus delphis* The pdf of the article can be accessed at http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v500/p265-279/ or by sending an email to kerstin.bilgmann(a)flinders.edu.au Kind regards, Kerstin -- Dr Kerstin Bilgmann Postdoctoral Research Fellow School of Biological Sciences Flinders University GPO Box 2100 Adelaide SA 5001 Australia & Honorary Associate Marine Predator Research Group Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science Macquarie University Sydney NSW 2109 Australia Email: kerstin.bilgmann(a)mq.edu.au Ph: +61 (0) 409134460 Fax: +61 (0) 08 8201 3015

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Paper on long-term diving behavior of Cuvier's beaked whales
by Greg Schorr 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

Dear colleagues, The paper "First long-term behavioral records from Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) reveal record-breaking dives" was just published in PLOS ONE and is available online at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0092633;… or www.cascadiaresearch.org Citation Schorr GS, Falcone EA, Moretti DJ, Andrews RD (2014) First Long-Term Behavioral Records from Cuvier's Beaked Whales (Ziphius cavirostris) Reveal Record-Breaking Dives. PLoS ONE 9(3): e92633. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092633 Abstract Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) are known as extreme divers, though behavioral data from this difficult-to-study species have been limited. They are also the species most often stranded in association with Mid-Frequency Active (MFA) sonar use, a relationship that remains poorly understood. We used satellite-linked tags to record the diving behavior and locations of eight Ziphius off the Southern California coast for periods up to three months. The effort resulted in 3732 hr of dive data with associated regional movements - the first dataset of its kind for any beaked whale - and included dives to 2992 m depth and lasting 137.5 min, both new mammalian dive records. Deep dives had a group mean depth of 1401 m (s.d. = 137.8, n = 1142) and duration of 67.4 min (s.d. = 6.9). The group mean time between deep dives was 102.3 min (s.d. = 30.8, n = 783). While the previously described stereotypic pattern of deep and shallow dives was apparent, there was considerable inter- and intra-individual variability in most parameters. There was significant diel behavioral variation, including increased time near the surface and decreased shallow diving at night. However, maximum depth and the proportion of time spent on deep dives (presumed foraging), varied little from day to night. Surprisingly, tagged whales were present within an MFA sonar training range for 38% of days locations were received, and though comprehensive records of sonar use during tag deployments were not available, we discuss the effects frequent acoustic disturbance may have had on the observed behaviors. These data better characterize the true behavioral range of this species, and suggest caution should be exercised when drawing conclusions about behavior using short-term datasets. Regards, Greg ________________ Greg Schorr Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W 4th Ave, Olympia, WA 98501, USA (206) 931-4638 cell www.cascadiaresearch.org Follow Cascadia on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cascadia-Research-Collective/110495958982184>

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Alaska Field Experience Course/Internship
by Michelle Cortez 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

ALASKA FIELD EXPERIENCE THROUGH TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AT GALVESTON Summer 2014 Course Name: COASTAL MARINE BIOLOGY OF ALASKA Course Number: MARB/MARS 415, MARB/MARS 615 or as an INTERNSHIP WITHOUT UNIVERSITY CREDIT Session dates: June 2-13; June 16-June 27; June 30-July 11; July 14-25. INSTRUCTOR: DR. RANDALL DAVIS Please contact Dr. Davis at (281) 250-7839 (davisr(a)tamug.edu) for more information. Travel to south-central Alaska for this three credit hour field course or internship. For 12 days, students will live and study at the remote Alice Cove Research Station located along the shores of Prince William Sound. Students will learn about the flora and fauna of this area and conduct research on a chosen sea otter behavioral ecology or fisheries project. An overland day trip will be made to explore the Copper River Delta and visit Sheridan Glacier. There are no prerequisites. Field course fee is $2,150 (airfare to Anchorage and Cordova not included). You do not need to be a student at Texas A&M University to register for an internship.

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Part Time Assistant Veterinary Position at Pacific Marine Mammal Center
by Keith Matassa 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

Greetings! The Pacific Marine Mammal Center would like to post the attached job opportunity to the MARMAM list serve. Thank you for your assistance, I have attached the ad both below in the body of this email as well as attached the same job ad as a .doc PMMCLogo-open background.gif The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, an equal opportunity, non-profit employer, is seeking candidates for a part-time (20 hr/wk) position of Assistant Staff Veterinarian reporting to the Medical Director. The Assistant Veterinarian is responsible for the clinical care of marine mammals in rehabilitation; the candidates primary focus will be clinical practices, secondary focus on the pathology of the marine mammals at the center. The successful candidate will also educate and inform Animal Care Personal on new information, protocols and procedures, cross train animal care personal in the use of medical equipment, assist in the development of externship program to provide externships to veterinary students and residents and collaborate and coordinate research projects, and present case reviews/diagnostic reviews at peer reviewed conferences. In addition to clinical care, the staff veterinarian must have the knowledge, interest and ability to collaborate effectively with researchers, education and other staff members. To learn more about the Pacific Marine Mammal Center: http://pacificmmc.org/ Requires: 5 yrs experience in clinical marine mammal veterinary medicine/wildlife or zoo medicine or equivalent; knowledge of current marine mammal health and disease issues demonstrated through publication and presentation record, a doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM) or equivalent and a higher degree (masters, doctorate, or board certification; and must be eligible for a California state license to practice veterinary medicine. This is a career position and has the potential to develop into a full time position after 2 years. ¨ Final candidate subject to background check. ¨ Salary will be based on education and experience, to apply: email resume and salary requirements to: Lorraine Reafsnyder at lorraine(a)hradvisors.com. Please let me know if this ad can be placed on the MARMAM List serve Thank you again for your assistance, Keith Keith A. Matassa Executive Director & Marine Biologist Pacific Marine Mammal Center | 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949-494-3050, Extension #202 (p) | 949-494-2802 (f) | www.pacificmmc.org PMMCNewLogo2012Reduced The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration.

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Blue whale skeletal specimen request
by Richard Sabin 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

Dear MARMAM colleagues, As part of our exhibition development programme, the Natural History Museum, London, is seeking to find the skeleton of a blue whale calf* (*age at death around 12 months; length up to 13 metres) which could be articulated for display purposes. The NHM would be interested in either a long-term loan, or the purchase of a specimen that has been legally acquired. Any assistance will be gratefully received. Many thanks, Richard C. Sabin Principal Curator, Vertebrate Zoology Group (Mammalogy, Herpetology, Ichthyology) Division of Vertebrates, Department of Life Sciences The Natural History Museum London, SW7 5BD

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April 15 Deadline Extension for SecAd meeting in June 2014
by Neil Kelley 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

Dear MARMAM members, On behalf of the Host Committee of the next "secondary adaptations" meeting in Washington, D.C. (June 2-4, 2014), we wish to announce that the deadline for submitting abstracts has been extended to 15 April 2014. The link to the website for the Secondary Adaptations of Tetrapods to Life in the Water 2014 meeting (or "SecAd") is at: http://events2.gmu.edu/secad2014/ There you can access all of the information needed to plan your travel, register, and submit an abstract for the meeting. Please register early and book your hotel room if you are sure you are going to attend the meeting, so that we can book more hotel rooms at the meeting rate if we run out. Lastly, please forward this message to anyone who you think might also be interested in attending. We look forward to seeing you at SecAdDC in June. Best, The SecAdDC Host Committee: Daryl P. Domning, Howard University Stephen Godfrey, Calvert Marine Museum Neil P. Kelley, Smithsonian Institution Nicholas D. Pyenson, Smithsonian Institution Nathan Smith, Howard University Mark D. Uhen, George Mason University Jorge Velez-Juarbe, Florida Museum of Natural History Maya Yamato, Smithsonian Institution

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Fieldwork Assistant Job Vacancy
by Cheney, Barbara J. 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

FIELDWORK ASSISTANT University of Aberdeen Lighthouse Field Station We are seeking a hardworking, enthusiastic fieldworker who is looking to develop and broaden their research experience. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience supporting our studies of marine top predator ecology in the Moray Firth, north east Scotland during a 5 month summer contract, from May to September 2014. Your primary responsibility will be to assist with fieldwork, data input and image processing for our long-term boat-based bottlenose dolphin photo-identification project. During this busy fieldwork season there will also be scope for you to assist in our other research projects including passive acoustic monitoring, northern fulmar and harbour seal ecology. You must have experience of conducting boat-based marine field research on mammals or birds and provide evidence of excellent organisational skills, an attention to detail, and the ability to make clear and accurate field notes. You should also be competent in computer-based data and image handling, and have good communication skills with both the public and other researchers. Knowledge of photo-identification techniques, qualified boat handling and good photographic skills using an SLR camera is an advantage but not essential. Patience and a willingness to work the long and flexible hours required to carry out weather dependent boat-based fieldwork are essential requirements. The post will be based from the University of Aberdeen's Lighthouse Field Station in Cromarty (www.abdn.ac.uk/lighthouse<http://www.abdn.ac.uk/lighthouse>). Salary will be at the rate of £17,678 per annum, on Grade 3 of the University Salary Scales. Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications from candidates for this post who require a work permit to work in the UK. For further details and to apply for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs<http://www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs>. Job Reference Number: YBS633S. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 10 April 2014. If you have any questions please contact me at b.cheney(a)abdn.ac.uk<mailto:b.cheney@abdn.ac.uk>. __ Barbara Cheney Research Fellow Lighthouse Field Station University of Aberdeen George Street Cromarty Ross-shire IV11 8YL Tel: 01381 600548 www.abdn.ac.uk/lighthouse<http://www.abdn.ac.uk/lighthouse> The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

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Survey volunteer for bottlenose dolphin study in Mauritius.
by Imogen Webster 28 Mar '14

28 Mar '14

May-July 2014. (2-3months) The Mauritius Marine Conservation Society (MMCS) is recruiting a volunteer to assist in data collection for a project using acoustic monitoring and boat based surveys to determine the presence of bottlenose dolphins around a fish farm on the south east coast of Mauritius. This will involve regular boat based surveys and some diving for the placement and retrieval of acoustic devices. Assisting the study leader with all data collection and entry, and equipment maintenance. Emphasis will be placed on the further development of the National Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin photo-ID catalogue. A primary goal of the project is to assess the area use by the dolphins and their interactions with the fish farm. There will also be the opportunity to assist with other MMCS work. The successful applicant will need to be in Mauritius by early May and be available for 2-3 months. Skills and experience: · Previous cetacean survey experience · Photo identification experience preferred - you will assist in the updating of bottlenose dolphin photo identification catalogues · Previous acoustic experience would be an advantage · Willingness to spend long hours on the sea in sometimes difficult conditions. · Highly motivated and able to concentrate for several hours at a time. · Diver, minimum 50+ dives or AOW · Good people skills - you will be living in close quarters with others. · Ability to work in a team environment maintaining focus on work quality. · Preferably educated to at least degree level in marine science/biology. · Knowledge of turtle and seabird identification for the western Indian Ocean is a bonus. Please note that this is an *unpaid* position, however, it is a great opportunity to gain valuable field experience while exploring the unique Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. The successful applicant will contribute 250GBP per week to cover accommodation, diving equipment, fish farm safety and diver training and some running/admin costs. *Food is the volunteers' responsibility* (allow 40-60GBP/week). You will need to cover your own airfares and insurance (including for diving). Airport transfers can be organized for an additional 65GBP (rtn). MMCS is a non-governmental organization existing for more than 30 years, working actively to promote awareness and appreciation of the rich marine life around Mauritius. For more information and application forms on this project please contact: Nina and Imogen via email: info(a)mmcs-ngo.org

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