April 2014 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

HWDT Cetacean Research Surveys in The Hebrides, Scotland- Volunteers Required
by Kerry Froud 11 Apr '14

11 Apr '14

HWDT Cetacean Research Surveys in The Hebrides, Scotland- Volunteers Required Dear All, The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) conducts cetacean surveys throughout our field season (May - October) from aboard our research yacht <http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/research-Silurian.asp> Silurian. Every year we welcome aboard enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to contribute directly to our research work. Volunteers, in effect, become marine mammal scientists for the duration of the survey; living and working aboard Silurian, assisting with day-to-day running, as well as working together as a team to carry out visual and acoustic surveys. To find out more about the research onboard please click here <http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/research-on-silurian.asp> . Volunteers will assist fully in the collection of data, with mega-fauna and sea bird identification training provided. Acoustic and visual methods are combined to produce comprehensive data sets. During encounters photographs are taken of dorsal fins to try and identify the individual, gaining a better understanding of species movements and interactions with each other. The data collected, and subsequent information produced is essential when monitoring the distribution, relative abundance and habitat preference of cetacean species in the Hebrides. Only with coherent data can effective conservation and management strategies be designed to enable long-term protection of the amazing species found in our waters. As a volunteer onboard Silurian, you will have the opportunity to see first hand the amazing variety of marine wildlife the UK has to offer including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sharks and seabirds. You will explore some of the remotest, wildest parts of the British Isles, anchoring each night in a different secluded bay off one of the many Hebridean islands, venturing ashore to explore. The opportunity to gain sailing experience is also available, although no certificates are issued. Rendezvous location is either in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, where HWDT is based or in Kyle of Lochalsh. More information on specific surveys will be provided on request. There is a monetary value attached to participating, costs vary between £900 - £1,300 - this includes accommodation (aboard) and food throughout the duration. The income generated allows HWDT to continue this well established research programme, you can be assured that without your contribution the research couldn't be undertaken. 2014 Available Survey Dates: * 17th - 28th May - Spaces Available * 24th June - 5th July- Start at Kyle of Lochalsh- Almost Full * 8th July - 19th July - Spaces Available * 1st - 12th September - Spaces Available * 22nd - 30th September - Spaces Available * 8th- 16th October- Joint Warrior Survey ( <http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/stand_alone.asp?page=militarysurvey.asp> Joint Warrior military exercise off western Scotland) - Spaces Available For more information on the joint warrior survey, please see: http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/stand_alone.asp?page=militarysurvey.asp For further information about our surveys please go online to: http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/get-involved-join-us-onboard.asp For Further information about HWDT please go online to: www.hwdt.org Or contact HWDTs volunteer coordinator Mark Whitaker: Email: volunteercoordinator(a)hwdt.org Telephone: 01688 302620 Thank you, and hope to see you onboard this season! Kerry Froud ----- Marine Biodiversity Officer Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust Clydesdale Bank Buildings Tobermory Isle of Mull PA75 6NU Tel: 01688 302620 biodiversityofficer(a)hwdt.org www.hwdt.org <http://www.hwdt.org/> ----- The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is dedicated to enhancing knowledge and understanding of Scotlands whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) and the Hebridean marine environment through education, research and working within Hebridean communities as a basis for the lasting conservation of local species and habitats.

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Zuur stats workshops in Australia
by Alastair Baylis 11 Apr '14

11 Apr '14

Dear Colleagues, We are trying to organise a stats workshop in Melbourne, Australia forAugust 2014. The workshop/s (depending on demand) will berun by Alain Zuur, a leading ecological modeller (http://www.highstat.com) At this stage, the workshop will either be on mixed models or zero inflated models. The cost of one workshop (5 days) is AU$1,000 per person. This does not cover accommodation or food. Unfortunately we cannot offer any travel grants to students or a reduced price. The maximum number of participants is 30 per workshop. Please refer to the following links for an overview of potential workshops and the pre-required knowledge: http://www.highstat.com/Courses/Flyer2014_08Australia1.pdf http://www.highstat.com/Courses/Flyer2014_08Australia2.pdf http://www.highstat.com/Courses/Flyer2014_08Australia3.pdf http://www.highstat.com/Courses/Flyer2014_08Australia4.pdf If you are interested in attending a workshop in Melbourne, please e-mail us and state your workshop preference (flyer 1 to 4). Sincerely Fredrik Christiansen & Al Baylis Deakin University http://cie-deakin.com/ f.christiansen(a)deakin.edu.au

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Dolphin Biology Expeditions in Greece
by Silvia Bonizzoni 10 Apr '14

10 Apr '14

Dear list members, a few places are still available to take part in our Dolphin Biology Expeditions in Greece. Information and photographs can be found here: http://www.dolphinbiology.org/expeditions/ A video describing context and experience can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6BjqwJftzE Sincerely, Silvia Bonizzoni Dolphin Biology & Conservation http://www.dolphinbiology.org/ OceanCare http://oceancare.org Texas A&M University http://www.tamug.edu/mmbeg/

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Job opportunity in Wellington, New Zealand!
by Evana Vulinovich (Adcorp NZ) 10 Apr '14

10 Apr '14

Cetacean Ecologist * Based in Wellington, New Zealand * Permanent, full-time NIWA is New Zealand's leading environmental science research institute and the key provider of atmospheric, freshwater and marine research and consultancy services. We wish to appoint a talented and enthusiastic marine mammal researcher with demonstrated quantitative skills to initially lead a cetacean habitat use modelling project based upon existing sightings data. This project is funded by a combination of internal and external funds and will require establishing strong working relationships with external stakeholders. You will also work closely with a team undertaking research on the population demographics, foraging ecology, migrations and distribution of a variety of marine megafauna, to develop and lead new research projects with a particular focus on the relationships of cetaceans with their environment and human activities. In addition, you will undertake consultancy work for government agencies and commercial entities, develop new research opportunities and prepare funding proposals. Regular and timely publication of high quality scientific reports and papers is expected. You will be equipped with a PhD in marine ecology or biology and at least two years post-graduate experience in quantitative marine mammal ecology. You will have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of analysis of sightings, locations and distribution data, habitat use modelling, marine mammal ecology and environmental drivers of and threats to threatened cetacean populations. Also, experience in designing and carrying out field campaigns in remote locations. Your ability to communicate complex matters to both technical and general audiences, will ideally be backed by a strong publication record and history of oral presentations and scientific reporting. We provide an excellent work environment, offer competitive remuneration and benefits and an attractive waterfront location at Greta Point. A job description, online applications and further information about NIWA can be found at https://careers.sciencenewzealand.org/niwa/niwa-jobs Applications close on Friday, 2 May 2014. -- The information in this email including any attachments is intended solely for the named recipient. It may contain privileged and/or confidential information.If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose, copy, distribute, take any action or rely upon it. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email. It is your responsibility to scan this transmission for the presence of viruses as it cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free.The sender does not accept liability for any error or omission in the contents of this message.

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Marine Mammal Volunteer Videographer Opportunity
by Sean Bogle 10 Apr '14

10 Apr '14

Dear Colleagues, We are please to announce a volunteer opportunity as a marine mammal videographer for our Eyes on Conservation documentary series. Please see the posting below. Sincerely, Sean Bogle Project Director Wild Lens, Inc. Email: sean(a)wildlensinc.org (preferred) Phone: 435-790-9593 Job Title: Marine Mammal Volunteer Videographers Opportunity Agency: Wild Lens Inc. Website: http://www.wildlensinc.org Job Description: Wild Lens is a non-profit dedicated to bringing biologists and filmmakers together to better communicate to the public the various risks to habitats and wildlife species, particularly to understudied populations. Wild Lens is looking for dedicated volunteer videographers willing to document their experiences at various field jobs throughout the globe for our Eyes on Conservation (EOC) documentary series. Primary duties will include documenting key study components and objectives through film, interviewing primary investigators when possible, obtaining signed release forms from individuals for Wild Lens, sending footage to Wild Lens upon conclusion of the field season, working with film producers during post-production, and possibly shooting additional footage when needed after the field job is complete. Volunteer videographers must be willing to take the time necessary to obtain footage that will ultimately be used to compose and edit a short EOC video . The EOC video will be used as an educational instrument for organizations conducting wildlife research and to further communicate the mission of wildlife efforts in conservation. Past projects include working with The Marine Mammal Center to highlight seal and sea lion rehabilitation and Ungulate conservation in Tanzania. To see an examples of previous Eyes on Conservation videos, visit this link: http://www.wildlensinc.org/eyes-on-conservation.html. Please e-mail a cover letter and resume with 2-3 references in a PDF file to sean(a)wildlensinc.org, at least 1-2 months prior to the start of your respective field seasons. Let us know in your cover letter what job you have been hired for, what your duties will be, and the objectives of the study. Please place the job title in the subject heading. Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found. Job Posting: http://www.wildlensinc.org/projects/Videographer.html Qualifications: Preferred Qualifications: 1. Experience in film and/or photography; 2. Must already be hired to a field job separate from this film project; 3. Possession of a quality camera and tripod that is capable of shooting HD video (is preferred); 4. Ability to communicate with people on camera in a coherent way. Duration: Dependent on Field Job Salary: N/A Last Date to Apply: 1-2 months prior to start of field season Contact: Sean Bogle, Project Director E-mail: sean(a)wildlensinc.org (preferred); Phone: 435-790-9593

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PhD thesis available about population ecology of short-finned pilot whales
by Filipe Alves 10 Apr '14

10 Apr '14

Dear colleagues, For those interested in the population ecology of short-finned pilot whales, the following PhD thesis is now available for download at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Filipe_Alves/publications/ Alves, F. 2013. Population structure, habitat use and conservation of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in the archipelago of Madeira. PhD thesis, University ofMadeira, Portugal. 186 pp. Regards, Filipe Alves

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Publication on dolphin bycatch from North-Western Australia
by Simon Allen 09 Apr '14

09 Apr '14

G'day MARMAM folks, We're pleased to announce the online publication of the following research article in PLoS ONE last week: Allen SJ, Tyne JA, Kobryn HT, Bejder L, Pollock KH and Loneragan, NR (2014). Patterns of Dolphin Bycatch in a North-Western Australian Trawl Fishery. PLoS ONE 9(4): e93178. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093178 Abstract The bycatch of small cetaceans in commercial fisheries is a global wildlife management problem. We used data from skippers’ logbooks and independent observers to assess common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) bycatch patterns between 2003 and 2009 in the Pilbara Trawl Fishery, Western Australia. Both datasets indicated that dolphins were caught in all fishery areas, across all depths and throughout the year. Over the entire datasets, observer reported bycatch rates (n = 52 dolphins in 4,124 trawls, or 12.6 dolphins/1,000 trawls) were ca. double those reported by skippers (n = 180 dolphins in 27,904 trawls, or 6.5 dolphins/1,000 trawls). Generalised Linear Models based on observer data, which better explained the variation in dolphin bycatch, indicated that the most significant predictors of dolphin catch were: (1) vessel - one trawl vessel caught significantly more dolphins than three others assessed; (2) time of day – the lowest dolphin bycatch rates were between 00:00 and 05:59; and (3) whether nets included bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) - the rate was reduced by ca. 45%, from 18.8 to 10.3 dolphins/1,000 trawls, after their introduction. These results indicated that differences among vessels (or skippers’ trawling techniques) and dolphin behavior (a diurnal pattern) influenced the rates of dolphin capture; and that spatial or seasonal adjustments to trawling effort would be unlikely to significantly reduce dolphin bycatch. Recent skipper’s logbook data show that dolphin bycatch rates have not declined since those reported in 2006, when BRDs were introduced across the fishery. Modified BRDs, with top-opening escape hatches from which dolphins might escape to the surface, may be a more effective means of further reducing dolphin bycatch. The vulnerability of this dolphin population to trawling-related mortality cannot be assessed in the absence of an ongoing observer program and without information on trawler-associated dolphin community size, broader dolphin population size and connectivity with adjacent populations. If interested, you can download the PDF at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0093178 Kind regards, Simon Simon Allen Research Associate and PhD candidate Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University WA 6150 Australia ph: +61(8) 9360 2823 mob: +61(0) 416 083 653 email: S.Allen(a)murdoch.edu.au web: http://mucru.org/group-members/simon-allen/ "The opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow" (Jim Hightower)

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Any suggestion for removing a plastic hoop stuck on a Short-beaked Common dolphin in the Mediterranean coast of Israel
by Oz Goffman 09 Apr '14

09 Apr '14

Thursday, April 10, 2014 Shalom All, Along the Mediterranean coast of Israel a Short-beaked Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in a pod of 35 individual. On that dolphin there is a plastic hoop stuck on him - attached a photo. I was wandering whether it can be removed without capture? Or there are other ways. Any suggestion would be appreciated Thank you in advance. Your Dr. Oz Goffman Photo credit: Ori ferro - Israel Nature and Parks Authority - Nitzanim Region Ranger Oz Goffman,PhD Head dolphin project of Haifa University -IMMRAC The Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies Cell Phone: 972 50 6241663 Home Tel 972 4 8730768 http://immrac.org http://immrac.haifa.ac.il Fax: 972 4 8240493 Home address: 57 Hakongres St. Kiryat Haim, 26222 Israel

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survey: non-academic job search experiences
by Malcolm McCallum 09 Apr '14

09 Apr '14

Several people said they would be interested, so I am posting a follow up survey to the academic job search one I earlier posted. This is asking about your experience applying for non-academic jobs this past year. This is non-academic jobs only, so when you tally, leave out the academic jobs!!! Also, it is filled out in a textbox format so that you can clarify or add comments you feel are important relative to interpreting your data. :) Here is the link! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R876RR8 -- Malcolm L. McCallum Department of Environmental Studies University of Illinois at Springfield Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology “Nothing is more priceless and worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a many-faceted treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.” -President Richard Nixon upon signing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 into law. "Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" - Allan Nation 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.

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New publication
by Vyacheslav Ryabov 09 Apr '14

09 Apr '14

Dear collegues, I would like to draw attention to my recently published paper: V. A. Ryabov, "Acoustic Signals and Echolocation System of the Dolphin" If you would like a pdf copy of the paper, please send an e-mail to: ryaboff(a)ukr.net Abstract. Two-channel recording of acoustic signals from two quasi-stationary dolphins has previously suggested that the dolphin echolocation system is more complex than discussed earlier, and includes at least four sonars. In the present work, two-channel recording of signals, analysis and interpretation of their functions were continued in terms of physical acoustics, signal theory and echolocation. The results indicate that the echolocation system of dolphins involves four organs to produce probing signals of five different types, which implies different mechanisms of their processing by the dolphin hearing; its operation corresponds to as many as six varieties of sonar systems. The results are of importance for studying the echolocation system of Odontoceti and for improving sonars and radars. Keywords: dolphin, sonar, echo, signal, beam pattern, burst pulse, radar DOI: 10.1134/S0006350914010199 ISSN 0006-3509, Biophysics, 2014, Vol. 59, No. 1, pp. 135–147. © Pleiades Publishing, Inc., 2014. Original Russian Text © V.A. Ryabov, 2014, published in Biofizika, 2014, Vol. 59, No. 1, pp. 169–184. -- Best regards, Dr. Vyacheslav A. Ryabov Karadag Natural Reserve Kurortnoe, Feodosia, 98188, Crimea

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