December 2015 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Posting for San Juan Islands Marine Naturalist
by Nathan Brandow 05 Dec '15

05 Dec '15

Hello, if you would please forward the following job listing information on the next newsletter that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, ~Katie Dunbar Paid Marine Naturalist San Juan Islands (last date to apply January 8, 2016) $12/hr+ (DOE) April-October start and end dates flexible. Contact Nathan or Katie at outerislandx(a)live.com for more information and to apply. Outer Island Expeditions is based on Orcas Island in the heart of the San Juan Islands of Washington State, home of endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. We also operate Orcas W.I.L.D. interpretive center and museum in Eastsound, collaborating with Cascadia Research Collective and Center for Whale Research. We are currently hiring applicants to fill the position of Marine Naturalist for the 2016 season of April to mid-October (start and end dates flexible). Naturalists perform duties as kayak guides, deckhands on whale watching tours, interpretive center staff, and office staff. Schedules will be weighted accordingly based on applicants' experience and aptitudes. Kayak Naturalists independently lead tours off the north shore of Orcas Island and around Sucia Island, focusing on the coastal ecosystem and intertidal zone. We rent kayaks and canoes directly on site as well as offer the option to deliver them across the island. Deckhands on whale watching tours are naturalists for powerboat tours, focusing on marine mammals, birds, and the ecology of the region. Deckhands are also responsible for fueling and cleaning boats before and after trips. Familiarity with vessel safety procedures, public speaking, strong communication skills, and guiding experience are strongly preferred. We also operate OrcasW.I.L.D., an interpretive center/museum in the town of Eastsound. Naturalists operate the museum, gift shop, and additional kayak rentals in town. When working at the museum Naturalists also must maintain the touch tank and aquarium and oversee children interacting with various displays. Responsibilities include: -Providing safe, educational tours to customers -Educating the public about the birds, marine mammals, intertidal life, geology, ecology, and the natural and cultural history of the San Juan Islands. -Daily cleaning and occasional maintenance of kayaking equipment and powerboats -Providing safety orientations prior to each tour and rental -Delivering kayaks across the island -Running check-in including collecting payment and processing online transactions -Office duties including answering phones, checking online reservations, coordinating with guides, customer service, etc. -When guiding tours effective communication between guides and office staff is critical Qualifications: -CPR and First Aid Certified (before arrival) -BS in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, or related field -Valid driver's license -Subject to random drug testing -TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card) -Excellent customer service skills -Strong communication and public speaking skills -Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and strong work ethic -Flexibility and open to an often unpredictable schedule -Capable of working long hours in physically challenging outdoor environment (expect long hours June-August) -Previous kayak guide experience strongly preferred -Experience on powerboats strongly preferred Abilities: -Able to lift 50 lbs (capable of regularly lifting kayaks from storage racks, lifting kayaks onto truck racks, hauling kayaks, fuel, gear short distances, etc) -Able to kayak for 6 hours -Able to tow a kayak -Able to communicate and work effectively with customers on the phone and in person -Able to work independently and as part of a dynamic team To apply send a cover letter, resume/CV, three references of past employers to outerislandx(a)live.com with the subject line "Marine Naturalist Application." Join our team at one of the fastest growing marine tourism organizations in the region. This is an adventure. Katie Dunbar Outer Island Expeditions outerislandx(a)live.com www.outerislandx.com

1 0

SMM District of Columbia student chapter
by Courtney Smith 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Hello students and post-docs, We are pleased to announce the formation of the new District of Columbia Student Chapter (DCSC) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy! Our professional sponsors are Chris Parsons, Ph.D. (George Mason University) and Dee Allen (U.S. Marine Mammal Commission; Smithsonian Institution). The DCSC aims to capitalize on the niche of students currently working towards degrees in this geographic region and those that may be based elsewhere for academic/research purposes but are currently working professionals within or near the DC metro area (e.g., science-policy arena). Chapter membership is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as prospective graduate students and recent graduates/post-docs in marine mammal-related studies that are primarily located within the Washington D.C. region, though members are also welcome from the greater mid-Atlantic region. However, the vast majority of chapter activities will be held within the DC metro area. We strongly encourage chapter members to be members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, however it is not required. It is our intent to utilize the unique location within the United States’ capital to foster professional collaborations between students, scientists, managers and policy makers within the marine mammal field. Chapter activities will vary based on membership interests, but will likely involve field trips/behind-the-scenes tours to local marine mammal facilities (e.g., National Aquarium) and museum collections (e.g., Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History); coordinated participation/attendance of relevant Congressional hearings and/or briefings; guest lectures/brown-bag seminars; an annual symposium for student research; and other networking opportunities. If you are student interested in joining our chapter, please contact the DCSC representatives Elly Roland (George Mason University) at ( aroland(a)masonlive.gmu.edu) or Courtney Smith (University of Southern Mississippi; NMFS) at (Courtney.e.smith(a)eagles.usm.edu) Likewise, you can also find us via our Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/SMM.DCSC/) DCSC chapter representatives will be attending the 21st SMM Biennial Conference in San Francisco next week and will be present at the Student Affairs Workshop. Please join us in helping foster this new student network! Cheers, Courtney --- *Courtney E. Smith* Ph.D. Student Marine Mammal Behavior & Cognition Lab Brain & Behavior Research Program Department of Psychology University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Dr. #5025 Hattiesburg, MS 39406

1 0

Internship Announcement: Cascadia Research Collective: Olympia, Wa
by Kiirsten Flynn 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Cascadia Research Collective in Olympia, Washington is now accepting interns for U.S. west coast and Hawaiʻi research for winter 2016, spring and summer 2016! We will be at the 21st Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, being held in San Francisco later this month, and conducting interviews for winter, spring and summer 2016 internships. Anyone attending the conference who is interested in an internship with Cascadia should submit their application by December 9th for consideration. Cascadia Research Collective (CRC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit research and education organization founded in 1979. Most of our research is focused on whale and dolphin populations along the west coast of North America and in Hawaiʻi. CRC is currently filling positions for: Winter 2016 (January-March) Spring 2016 (April-June) Summer 2016 (July-September) Internships are unpaid, office-based positions in Olympia, WA and housing is not provided. International applicants will also be considered, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire necessary visas and documentation. Internship Details: CRC gives priority to juniors or seniors with a science background who are seeking academic credit as well as those enrolled in (or planning to attend) graduate school in a marine science-related field. A full time commitment (40 hours per week) is preferred. Internships are generally three months in length, although exceptions can be made depending on the academic calendar of the college or university. Much of CRC’s work involves photo identification, using natural markings unique to each individual to catalog and track individuals over time. This allows us to study association patterns and movements over extended periods of time, revealing information on population structure and social organization. Interns will spend a large portion of their time comparing new photographs to those in our existing catalogs, and may additionally be involved in digital image processing and data entry. Additionally, interns will participate in Washington state stranding response, which may include beach surveys, data and specimen collection, data entry, and assisting in necropsies of pinnipeds & cetaceans. US West Coast Research: Interns will assist staff on our long-term photo-ID studies of baleen whales, including humpback, blue, and gray whales off the US West Coast and the inside waters of Washington state. For more information see www.cascadiaresearch.org Hawaiʻi Research: Interns will assist staff on our long-term photo-ID studies of a variety of species of odontocetes (e.g., rough-toothed dolphins, false killer whales, beaked whales) found in Hawaiian waters. For more information see www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii.htm For a full description of the internships available, please visit: www.cascadiaresearch.org/interns.htm Photo identification requires a high degree of focus and attention to detail, and interns can expect to spend the majority of their time comparing photographs. Successful applicants should have the following skills: - strong communication skills - focus and attention to detail - willingness to spend long hours in front of a computer - ability to work independently If you are interested in interning with Cascadia, please visit our website and send a CV 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. For a US west coast project internship please send the information to: Kiirsten Flynn: kflynn(a)cascadiaresearch.org<mailto:kflynn@cascadiaresearch.org> For Hawaiʻi project internship please send the information to: Sabre Mahaffy: mahaffys(a)cascadiaresearch.org<mailto:mahaffys@cascadiaresearch.org> If you would like to be considered for either, please indicate that in your letter and send to both. Kiirsten Flynn Research Biologist Cascadia Research Collective 218 1/2 W. 4th Avenue Olympia, Washington 98501 Office: 360-943-7325, ext:112 www.cascadiaresearch.org

1 0

VAQS Summer Opportunities
by Virginia Aquarium 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

The Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team is excited to announce several upcoming opportunities for summer 2016! We have two Batten Fellowship positions (stipend offered) and four intern/apprentice positions (unpaid) that have just opened up for applications. Please see below for information specific to each position and feel free to pass along to anyone you feel may be interested. *Batten Fellowships for Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response and Research & Conservation (Stipends provided)* The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is offering Fellowship positions with the Research & Conservation Division and Stranding Response Program (VAQS) during the busy summer season (*May – September*). Qualified students can compete for one of two Batten Fellowship positions which include a stipend to help offset personal and incidental expenses. These positions are approximately 12 weeks long. Batten Fellows are expected to bring a high level of dedication and scientific interest to the program and will be integrated more fully into staff activities. Successful candidates will be required to complete a final report on their Fellowship work which will be submitted to the Aquarium’s Batten Fellowship Endowment Committee. *Requirements:* Applicants for Batten Fellowships with the Virginia Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division must: - Be 18 years of age or older - Be a rising senior, recent graduate or pursuing a post-graduate degree in a science-based program - Demonstrate interest in a career in marine or veterinary science - Have basic math and computer skills using MS spreadsheets, databases and data entry (advanced programs such as SQL, GIS, R, *etc*. preferred) - Have a valid U.S. driver’s license and good driving record - Be able to swim and be comfortable in and around open water and boats - Be self-motivated and able to perform activities both as part of a team as well as independently - Be able to lift and carry 25 pounds and assist with lifting and moving larger loads - Be able to hike up to 5 miles on beaches carrying gear - Be physically and mentally fit: you will be expected to handle field activities, extreme weather, constantly changing environmental conditions, extended periods of intense activities, dead and decomposing animals (both during response and necropsy), prolonged periods of travel, insects, team activities, individual activities, sick and injured animals, euthanasia, *etc*. - Be available to perform support activities (24-7) as needed during the period of appointment *1. Summer Batten Fellowship for Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response (Stipend provided):* We are looking for a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual to assist with all aspects of marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response in Virginia. Fellowship applicants will be assessed on their completed coursework, GPA, cover letter, resume, expectations letter, two reference letters (one must be from an advisor or professor that may speak on your academic background), previous related experience and an interview. *Stranding Response Batten Fellow duties:* - Assist VAQS volunteers and staff in field stranding response and/or recovery of dead (comprise ~90% of VA strandings) and live marine mammals and sea turtles. Activities may be conducted under adverse weather conditions - Assist in the collection of Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network data - Participate in postmortem data collection and necropsies (animal autopsies) - Assist in care for animals during rehabilitation, including but not limited to: food prep, feeding, extensive cleaning (mopping floors, laundry, dishes, cleaning tanks), and other animal husbandry duties - Assist with research and field activities involving sea turtles and marine mammals *2. Summer Batten Fellowship for Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Research & Conservation (Stipend provided):* We are looking for a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual to assist with several aspects of on-going sea turtle research and data collection. Applicants will be assessed on their completed coursework, GPA, cover letter, resume, expectations letter, two references letters (one must be from an advisor or professor that may speak on your academic background), previous related experience, skills (such as GIS, statistics, programming) and an interview. *Research & Conservation Batten Fellow duties:* - Assist VAQS volunteers and staff with research projects including capture, tagging, sampling and sample management of wild and incidentally captured sea turtles and surveys for marine mammals - Assist VAQS staff with data entry and processing - Assist with sample inventory, preparation and dissemination - Assist with stranding response, rehabilitation efforts, and field activities involving sea turtles and marine mammals *Expectations:* Batten Fellows will be expected to study a topic selected through discussion with a VAQS supervisor and complete a research paper for presentation at the end of the appointment period. Fellows will give an oral (MS PowerPoint or similar) presentation summarizing their experience at the conclusion of the appointment and complete a survey/exit interview. It will be the responsibility of the Batten Fellow, not VAQS, to ensure that any requirements for academic credit at a home institution are fulfilled. These competitive positions include a stipend to help offset personal and incidental expenses over the course of the appointment period. *** Summer Batten Fellow application materials are due by 5 February 2016 and notification of acceptance will occur no later than 26 February 2016*. Applicants applying for a Batten Fellowship position may also submit an application for a general internship (no stipend), if interested. Applicants also interested in the possibility of a general internship are encouraged to include the general intern application information with the Fellowship application and indicate their interest in both programs in the required letter of interest, *OR* complete a separate internship application. *Batten Fellowship application packet should include:* - Cover letter (indicating specific Batten Fellowship opportunity) - Resume (including GPA, completed coursework and previous experience) - Expectations letter - Two reference letters (one must be from an advisor or professor who may speak on your academic background) *Stranding Response Internship/Apprenticeship (unpaid):* The Aquarium’s Research & Conservation Division is also accepting Stranding Response Intern/Apprentice applications for summer 2016. There are *four* positions available. The application deadline is *February 26, 2016*. *Please note that all positions are non-compensatory and housing is not provided by the Virginia Aquarium. We consider interns to be current undergraduate students who are seeking academic credit through their home institutions and apprentices to be undergraduate, graduate or post graduate student interested in experience but not academic credit. Interns are fully responsible for fulfilling all requirements of their home institutions in order to receive academic credit.* *Duties:* Assist with dead and live stranding response of marine mammals and sea turtles. This includes, but is not limited to: beach response, necropsies, data and sample collection, animal disposal, cleaning, office organization, data entry and management, live animal husbandry, working with volunteer team members and staff and other activities as assigned. Review a full list of duties included below: - Assist in stranding response for dead marine mammals and sea turtles in the field and at the Marine Animal Care Center. Work may be conducted under adverse weather conditions such as extreme heat and humidity or rain/wind. - Assist in the collection of Level A data for the National Marine Fisheries Service. - Participate in post mortem data collection and necropsies. - Assist in care for animals during rehabilitation including, but not limited to: food prep, feeding, cleaning (mopping floor, washing dirty laundry, vacuuming tanks, washing dishes, etc.), tank repairs, and other husbandry duties. - Assist in coordinating the release of rehabilitated and disentangled animals. - Assist with public outreach and education events. - Assist with volunteer and cooperator trainings. - Assist staff with daily administrative tasks including answering phones, taking messages, preparing volunteers for response, and data entry. - Develop and complete an independent, staff assigned project and 15 minute presentation for the stranding staff and volunteers - Other duties as assigned by Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response staff. *Qualifications:* Applicants must: 1) be at least 18 years of age; 2) be able to and comfortable with driving full-sized pick-up trucks; 3) be in good physical condition and able to lift over 25 pounds and 4) be able to work in adverse conditions. Applicants must commit to 10 weeks and work well both independently and as part of a team. Candidates should be self-motivated, articulate, mature, reliable, responsible and able to take, as well as give direction. Internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students seeking college credit. Preference is given to students who have completed their sophomore year and are working towards credit for a degree in science. Undergraduate, graduate and post-college students are all encouraged to apply. A background in biology and familiarity with stranding response is preferred but not required. *Requirements:* Interns/Apprentices are expected to work 24 hours a week (three eight-hour days) for 10 consecutive weeks unless prior approval for breaks is approved. Some weekends and holidays may be assigned. Housing and transportation cannot be provided. Most of the animals the stranding center works with are dead (approximately 95%) and most are decomposing. The center may get 10-12 strandings per day in the peak summer season. This is a position that requires a strong nose, stomach and mental state. *IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!* Please consider this before applying. *Intern/apprentice application packet should include:* - Cover Letter - Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center internship application form ( http://www.virginiaaquarium.com/join/Documents/Intern-Application-Form.pdf ) - Two reference letters (one must be from an advisor or professor who may speak on your academic background) - Statement of Intent: (1) page describing how the intern applicant intends to use the internship experience to assist in career or academic goals. - Resume - Official College Transcript(s) All application materials should be mailed to: Volunteer Services Office – (specify) Intern or Batten Fellow Applicant Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center 717 General Booth Boulevard Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Telephone: (757) 385-0274 Fax: (757) 437-6055 E-mail: aquavols(a)virginiaaquarium.com Questions about these opportunities can be directed to: Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program E-mail: vaqstranding(a)gmail.com

1 0

New paper on lobomycosis-like disease in bottlenose dolphins from the Southern Hemisphere
by Marie Van Bressem 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

DearColleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms: Van Bressem MF, Simões-Lopes PC, Félix F, Kiszka JJ, Daura-Jorge FG, Avila IC, Secchi ER, Flach L, Fruet PF, du Toit K, Ott PH, Elwen S, Di Giacomo AB, Wagner J, Banks A, Van Waerebeek K. 2015. Epidemiology of lobomycosis-like disease in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops spp. from South America and southern Africa. Dis Aquat Organ.117(1):59-75. doi: 10.3354/dao02932. This article can be downloaded at: http://http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v117/n1/p59-75/ ABSTRACT: We report on the epidemiology of lobomycosis-like disease (LLD), a cutaneous disorder evoking lobomycosis, in 658 common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus from South America and 94 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins T. aduncus from southern Africa. Photographs and stranding records of 387 inshore residents, 60 inshore non-residents and 305 specimens of undetermined origin (inshore and offshore) were examined for the presence of LLD lesions from 2004 to 2015. Seventeen residents, 3 non-residents and 1 inshore dolphin of unknown residence status were positive. LLD lesions appeared as single or multiple, light grey to whitish nodules and plaques that may ulcerate and increase in size over time. Among resident dolphins, prevalence varied significantly among 4 communities, being low in Posorja (2.35%, n = 85), Ecuador, and high in Salinas, Ecuador (16.7%, n = 18), and Laguna, Brazil (14.3%, n = 42). LLD prevalence increased in 36 T. truncatus from Laguna from 5.6% in 2007-2009 to 13.9% in 2013-2014, albeit not significantly. The disease has persisted for years in dolphins from Mayotte, Laguna, Salinas, the Sanquianga National Park and Bahía Málaga (Colombia) but vanished from the Tramandaí Estuary and the Mampituba River (Brazil). The geographical range of LLD has expanded in Brazil, South Africa and Ecuador, in areas that have been regularly surveyed for 10 to 35 yr. Two of the 21 LLD-affected dolphins were found dead with extensive lesions in southern Brazil, and 2 others disappeared, and presumably died, in Ecuador. These observations stress the need for targeted epidemiological, histological and molecular studies of LLD in dolphins, especially in the Southern Hemisphere.Please feel free to contact me if you have any enquiries. Sincerely, Dr Marie-Francoise Van Bressem Cetacean Conservation Medicine Group-CMED Peruvian Centre for Cetacean Research-CEPEChttp://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marie-Francoise_Van_Bress… ProDelphinushttp://www.prodelphinus.org/ Facebook 'Diseases of Marine Mammals' https://https://www.facebook.com/groups/736884059776964/

1 0

New Paper - Population genetic structure of the South American Bryde’s whale
by Paulo Ott 04 Dec '15

04 Dec '15

Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper about population genetic structure of the South American Bryde’s whale in the last issue (December, 2015) of the Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía: Pastene,LA, Acevedo, J, Siciliano,S, Sholl,TGC, Moura,JF, Ott. PH & Aguayo-Lobo, A (2015). Population genetic structure of the South American Bryde’s whale. *Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía*, 50(3): 453-464. *Abstract* A genetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA control region sequences was conducted to investigate both species identity and populations genetic structure of South American Bryde’s whales. The genetic analysis was based on historical, biopsy and stranding samples from Chile (n= 10) and Brazil (n= 8). For comparative purposes published sequences of the Bryde’s whales from different localities of the Indian and Pacific Oceans (including Peru, n=24) were incorporated into the analysis. Results of the phylogenetic analysis identified the Bryde’s whales of South America as *Balaenoptera brydei*. No statistically significant genetic differentiation was found between Chilean and Peruvian Bryde’s whales. However, striking differences were found between western South Atlantic (Brazil) and eastern South Pacific (Peru and Chile) animals. In addition, striking genetic differences were found between all South American localities and those from the western North Pacific, Fiji and Java. These results suggest movement of *B. brydei* in the eastern South Pacific in the latitudinal range corresponding to Chile and Peru. These results also suggest no or very limited movement of whales between the South Pacific and the South Atlantic Oceans. This is consistent with the notion that *B. brydei* is not distributed further south of approximately 40ºS on both sides of South America. A full copy of the paper can be downloaded at: http://www.revbiolmar.cl/resumenes/v504/504-453.pdf Sincerely yours, Paulo H. Ott -- Dr. Paulo Henrique Ott Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul (Uergs) Unidade do Litoral Norte Rua Machado de Assis, 1456 - Bairro Sulbrasileiro Osório/RS - CEP: 95520-000 Fone (51) 3663-9455. Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Aquáticos do Rio Grande do Sul (GEMARS). www.gemars.org.br *To be a naturalist is not just an activity but an hororable state of mind* - E.O. Wilson

1 0

Dolphin with respiratory problem
by Mike Bossley 03 Dec '15

03 Dec '15

Hi All A thirteen year old, wild, male bottlenose dolphin here in Adelaide, Australia is presenting with the following signs: loud, rasping breathing and arching its head out of the water when it breathes. It is listless and emaciated. We first noticed laboured breathing in this animal about six months ago and its condition is gradually getting worse. Several years ago we had an elderly male who presented with similar signs and it eventually died. Necropsy revealed a tumor in its blow hole which occluded the airway. We have also had a dolphin which choked on a fish. Does anyone have any thoughts on alternative causes of this dolphin's problem which may make it appropriate to catch it for treatment? There is no captive facility here and any intervention would have to be a brief field based option. If there is no feasible treatment euthanasia may be considered. Many thanks for your assistance. Mike Bossley

1 0

New Review Paper: Status of the world's baleen whales
by Peter Thomas 03 Dec '15

03 Dec '15

The following has just been published online: Status of the world's baleen whales. Peter O. Thomas, Randall R. Reeves, and Robert L. Brownell, Jr. No global synthesis of the status of baleen whales has been published since the 2008 IUCN Red List assessments. Many populations remain at low numbers from historical commercial whaling, which had ceased for all but a few by 1989. Fishing gear entanglement and ship strikes are the most severe current threats. The acute and long-term effects of anthropogenic noise and the cumulative effects of multiple stressors are of concern but poorly understood. The looming consequences of climate change and ocean acidification remain difficult to characterize. North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are among the species listed as Endangered. Southern right, bowhead, and gray whales have been assessed as Least Concern but some subpopulations of these species - western North Pacific gray whales, Chile-Peru right whales, and Svalbard/Barents Sea and Sea of Okhotsk bowhead whales - remain at low levels and are either Endangered or Critically Endangered. Eastern North Pacific blue whales have reportedly recovered, but Antarctic blue whales remain at about 1% of pre-exploitation levels. Small isolated subspecies or subpopulations, such as northern Indian Ocean blue whales, Arabian Sea humpback whales, and Mediterranean Sea fin whales are threatened while most subpopulations of sei, Bryde's, and Omura's whales are inadequately monitored and difficult to assess. It is now available online in the journal Marine Mammal Science. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12281/abstract The citation is: Thomas, P.O., R. R. Reeves, and R. L. Brownell, Jr. 2015. Status of the World's Baleen Whales. Marine Mammal Science. Article first published online: 1 DEC 2015 | DOI: 10.1111/mms.12281 Peter O. Thomas, Ph.D. International and Policy Program Director Marine Mammal Commission An Independent Agency of the U.S. Government 4340 East-West Highway, Room 700 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 pthomas(a)mmc.gov www.mmc.gov

1 0

New contributions on chemical pollutants' food web modeling in marine mammals (killer whales)
by Juan Jose Alava 03 Dec '15

03 Dec '15

Dear colleagues, I hope this message findsyou well. Iam pleased to share two new contributions on food-web bioaccumulation modelingfor anthropogenic pollutants using marine mammalian food webs. Please, seebelow: Modeling 137Cs bioaccumulation inthe salmon–resident killer whale food web of the Northeastern Pacific followingthe Fukushima Nuclear Accident Science ofThe Total EnvironmentVolume 544, 15 February2016, Pages 56–67doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.097 Juan José Alava& Frank A. P. C. Gobas Abstract To track the longterm bioaccumulation of 137Cs in marine organisms off the PacificNorthwest coast of Canada, we developed a time dependent bioaccumulation modelfor 137Cs in a marine mammalian food web that included fish-eatingresident killer whales. The model outcomes show that 137Cs can beexpected to gradually bioaccumulate in the food web over time as demonstratedby the increase of the apparent trophic magnification factor of 137Cs,ranging from 0.76 after 1 month of exposure to 2.0 following 30 yearsof exposure. 137Cs bioaccumulation is driven by relatively rapiddietary uptake rates, moderate depuration rates in lower trophic levelorganisms and slow elimination rates in high trophic level organisms. Modelestimates of the 137Cs activity in species of the food web, based oncurrent measurements and forecasts of 137Cs activities in oceanicwaters and sediments off the Canadian Pacific Northwest, indicate that the longterm 137Cs activities in fish species including Pacific herring,wild Pacific salmon, sablefish and halibut will remain well below the current 137Cs-CanadaAction Level for consumption (1000 Bq/kg) following a nuclear emergency.Killer whales and Pacific salmon are expected to exhibit the largest long term 137Csactivities and may be good sentinels for monitoring 137Cs in theregion. Assessment of the long term consequences of 137Cs releasesfrom the Fukushima aftermath should consider the extent of ecologicalmagnification in addition to ocean dilution. Alava, J. J., Gobas, F. A. 2016. Modeling 137Cs bioaccumulation in the salmon-resident killerwhale food web of the Northeastern Pacific following the Fukushima NuclearAccident. Science of the Total Environment 544: 56-67doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.097 Free access to this articleis available from the following link and valid for 50 days, until January 22,2016: http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1S8a5B8ccV62y Alternatively,it can be found at:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Juan_Jose_Alava/contributions Food Web BioaccumulationModel for Resident Killer Whales from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean as a Toolfor the Derivation of PBDE-SedimentQuality Guidelines. Archives of EnvironmentalContamination and ToxicologyFirstonline: 20 August 2015 pp 1-14 doi:10.1007/s00244-015-0215-y Juan José Alava, Peter S. Ross & Frank A. P. C. Gobas Abstract Residentkiller whale populations in the NE Pacific Ocean are at risk due to theaccumulation of pollutants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).To assess the impact of PBDEs in water and sediments in killer whale criticalhabitat, we developed a food web bioaccumulation model. The model was designedto estimate PBDE concentrations in killer whales based on PBDE concentrationsin sediments and the water column throughout a lifetime of exposure. Calculatedand observed PBDE concentrations exceeded the only toxicity reference valueavailable for PBDEs in marine mammals (1500 μg/kg lipid) in southernresident killer whales but not in northern resident killer whales. Temporaltrends (1993–2006) for PBDEs observed in southern resident killer whales showeda doubling time of ≈5 years. If current sediment quality guidelinesavailable in Canada for polychlorinated biphenyls are applied to PBDEs, it canbe expected that PBDE concentrations in killer whales will exceed availabletoxicity reference values by a large margin. Model calculations suggest that aPBDE concentration in sediments of approximately 1.0 μg/kg dw producesPBDE concentrations in resident killer whales that are below the currenttoxicity reference value for 95 % of the population, with this valueserving as a precautionary benchmark for a management-based approach toreducing PBDE health risks to killer whales. The food web bioaccumulation modelmay be a useful risk management tool in support of regulatory protection forkiller whales. Alava, J.J., Ross, P.S., Gobas, A.P.C. 2015. Food web bioaccumulationmodel for resident killer whales from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean as a toolfor the derivation of PBDE-Sediment Quality Guidelines. Archives of EnvironmentalContamination and Toxicology. doi: 10.1007/s00244-015-0215-y The article can be found at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280740512_Food_Web_Bioaccumulation… Or obtained from the publisher: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00244-015-0215-y?wt_mc=internal.e… Best Wishes!!! Juan José Alava -----------------------------------------------------------------------Juan Jose Alava, PhD Adjunct Professor Resource and Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6,Canada E-mail: jalavasa(a)sfu.ca https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Juan_Jose_Alava/contributions?ev=prf_a…

1 0

Post-Doc Position
by Campagna 03 Dec '15

03 Dec '15

-------- Message original -------- Objet: Fwd: Post-Doc Position Date: 23/10/2015 10:06 De: Campagna <scampagn(a)univ-montp2.fr> À: marmam(a)lists.uvic.ca -------- Message original -------- Objet: Post-Doc Position Date: 23/10/2015 10:05 De: Campagna <scampagn(a)univ-montp2.fr> À: marmam-owner(a)lists.uvic.ca Dear all, A Post-Doctoral position in Neurobiology/NeuroAnatomy of chemical senses is available in our group (Behavioral Ecology Group,CEFE UMR CNRS 5175, Montpellier, France) Competitive candidates should possess a strong background in neurobiology and neuroanatomy of sensory systems in vertebrates (especially chemical senses such as olfaction and taste) and should have a proven history of publication on these topics. The post-doctoral researcher will be in charge of the development and validation of immunocytochemistry studies to identify and locate olfactory receptors, taste buds and nervous pathways associated to these senses in marine mammals (cetaceans and pinnipeds). The applicant will work on stranded animals and should demonstrate practical skill and experience in collecting and analyzing tissues samples (Fixation/ Microtomy/ Histology/ Immunohistochemistry/ Microscopy technics…). Experience in electroencephalography and neuro-imaging technics (MRI, tractography) would be beneficial. Due to the interdisciplinary context of this project, the candidate must work efficiently in an autonomous way and show good organizational abilities. Excellent interpersonal skills are also required to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team. The post-doc will also participate in field work. Application Deadline: -January 1st 2016 Start date: Febuary or Mars 2016. The position is for a full-time one year but may be extended for a longer period of time based on an additional grant application Application should be sent to aurelie.celerier(a)cefe.cnrs.fr and should include the following: (1) a cover letter describing your research interests and qualifications and stating the reasons for applying, (2) a full CV, (3) contact information (email, phone number) of minimum 2 referees and possibly letters of support; (4) a list of most relevant publications. Only complete applications will be considered and should be sent preferably in one single digital pdf file. Cheers, Aurelie Celerier Behavioral ecology group Centre d’Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive CNRS, 1919 Route de Mende 34293 Montpellier CEDEX 5 email. aurelie.celerier(a)cefe.cnrs.fr

1 0