February 2015 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Gray whale videos and recordings needed
by Alicia Amerson 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

I am looking for gray whale videos underwater or above water and recordings for a conservation video I am making for a film production class at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Recognition for all the videos and recordings will be in the final product. Please email me if you have information and willing to donate your work. Thank you, Alicia -- Alicia Amerson Candidate Masters of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California, San Diego, CA 903.285.4343 aamerson(a)ucsd.edu P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

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ECS Workshop on Ethics
by Adriana Vella 20 Feb '15

20 Feb '15

Dear All, Please note that among the various interesting workshops available this year being organized in association with the ECS Conference to be held in MALTA this March, there is the *HALF DAY WORKSHOP ON ETHICS **on Sunday the 22nd March 2016 **AM. * *Please find more info below and book your seats soon :)* *Developing Professional Ethics Guidelines for European Cetacean Researchers* *Workshop Organizer Contact: **ECM Parsons* <ecm-parsons(at)earthlink.net > Many professional societies have developed professional ethical guidelines, such as the Society for Conservation Biology, the Society for Wetland Scientists and recently the Society for Marine Mammalogy. However, situations have arisen in the European cetacean research field that are unique to the region and field; for example, issues affected by European national laws, customs or traditions. This workshop aims to produce a specific set of ethical guidelines that deals with, and provides professional practice advice and guidance for, European scientists in the cetacean research field. *These guidelines would reference:* - Research conduct - The intersect with politics and policy - Dealing with the media - Publication ethics - Working in other (developing) countries - Respecting indigenous cultures - Fund-raising and ethics - Competition and bullying - Equality issues (gender, sexual orientation and minorities) - Inappropriate behavior (e.g., sexual harassment ) - Environmental impact of research - Animal welfare The workshop will start with a short introduction to the field of professional ethics, with examples of appropriate literature and hypothetical case studies. The workshop will then split into focus groups to discuss specific issues and ethical concerns, followed by one or more discussion sessions. Proposed output: A set of proposed guidelines and short report for the ECS council Best wishes ECS Conf 2015 organizing team

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additional dates for volunteer/ internship opportunity in marine vertebrate monitoring in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, April, May, June, August, Oct 2015
by Danielle Kreb 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

Dear all, We are looking for motivated volunteers/ students that are willing to engage in the Berau marine vertebrates program, which aims to protect a high diversity of large marine vertebrates including cetaceans, turtles, whale sharks and manta rays in the Marine Park of Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Besides raising awareness, engaging local communities in sustainable handycraft and ecotourism activities, part of the conservation program includes a long-term monitoring program of marine vertebrates in the area. Surveys are being conducted by the local NGO Yayasan Konservasi RASI (Conservation Foundation for Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia) under guidance of Dr. Danielle Kreb and Ir. Budiono. The research team involves experienced RASI staff, trained local fishermen as well as local and overseas (student) volunteers. We are looking for motivated volunteers/ students that are willing to engage in the program through a seven or eight-days monitoring survey in the beautiful landscape of the Berau archipelago.We will collect data to determine relative abundance, core area mapping, assessing seasonal species diversity and site fidelity as well as habitat usage of large mafine vertebrates. Through earlier surveys it was found that the highest relative abundance of ceteaceans was within 5km radius of islands or reefs, and therefore we also conduct coral reef monitoring at several locations by snorkling to asses its health. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn theory and practice of Reefcheck monitoring for the Indo-Pacific taught by a certified ecodiver that will join the survey.There will be an opportunity to do recreational things such as snorkling in the stingless jelly fish lake of Kakaban and snorkling near Manta Rays and/or whale sharks following good practice protocols. Underwater photo-id will be attempted as well of whale sharks.. Dates: 18-28 April (3 positions); 17-28 Mai (4 positions);6-16 June (3 positions); 14-25 August (4 positions); 12-23 October 2015 (3 positions). Deadlines for the April and May surveys are 1 March 2015, for June & August 15 March 2015 and for October 1 July 2015. Day by day schedule, qualifications for volunteers and costs involved can be downloaded from a flyer posted on our website at: http://www.ykrasi.org/coastal.html We are looking forward to your participation! Regards, Danielle and Budiono -------------------------- Danielle Kreb (Ph.D.) Member of IUCN/SSC/Cetacean Specialist Group Scientific Program Advisor Yayasan Konservasi RASI Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia Komplek Pandan Harum Indah (Erlyza) Blok C, No. 52 Samarinda 75124 Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia Tel/ fax: + 62.541.744874 <%2B%2062.541.744874> Mobile: 081346489515 http://www.ykrasi.org Facebook group/page: Rare Aquatic Species of Indonesia

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Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy- 2015 Annual Meeting
by Michelle Fournet 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

Attention Northwest Marine Mammalogy Students, We are very pleased to announce that the 19th annual meeting of the Northwest Student Chapter of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (NWSSMM) will take place in Corvallis, OR at Oregon State University from May 2-3, 2015. We have an impressive cast of speakers including Dr. Ari Friedlaender and a panel of experts including Dr. Marcus Horning, and Dr. Dave Mellinger. We are also have some exciting Sunday events including a behind the scenes tour of the Oregon Coast Aquarium in nearby Newport, OR. The purpose of the annual meeting is to cultivate a community of student marine mammal researchers by creating a relaxed atmosphere to share ideas, tribulations, and triumphs. It is an opportunity to meet other students across the region, collaborate, and generally have a good time in a supportive and informal setting. Registration is open and we encourage students (grad students, high school students, college students, and post-docs) to present their northwest marine mammal research in any form. Proposal presentations and/or preliminary results are completely acceptable, as are completed projects. We are hosting oral presentations as well as poster presentations. Please indicate which you'd like to present during registration; depending on the number of registrants oral presentations may be reserved for projects with results or preliminary results. Registration is $15 and includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday. We'll head out for dinner and drinks after talks on Saturday! Sunday events will cost ~$20-30 extra. Guests (student or non) who are not interested in presenting, but would like to attend are encouraged to register and join us for the conference. Oral presentations and a poster session will take place on the OSU main campus in Corvallis, Oregon on Saturday May 2nd with Sunday activities on May 3rd. The NW Student Chapter encompasses students who either reside in the Alaska, Washington, Oregon, or Northern California, or who conduct research in these locations. Save the date and join us in May! Register at: http://goo.gl/forms/X7oguBxhfI Housing with graduate student hosts will be available on a first-come first-serve basis. Please contact Michelle Fournet at michelle.fournet(a)gmail.com if you have housing needs, or any other questions. We look forward to seeing you in Corvallis! -- Michelle Fournet PhD Student, Wildlife Science Oregon State University Research Collective for Applied Acoustics (ORCAA) NOAA- Cooperative Institute for Marine Resource Studies Hatfield Marine Science Center (907) 723.2752 michelle.fournet(a)gmail.com mfournet.wordpress.com <http://www.mfournet.wordpress.com>

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Key research questions of global importance for cetacean conservation
by Chris Parsons 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

New paper available: Key research questions of global importance for cetacean conservation (2015). Endangered Species Research 27: 113-118 Pdf of article available for free via: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v27/n2/p113-118/ ABSTRACT: Limited resources and increasing environmental concerns have prompted calls to identify the critical questions that most need to be answered to advance conservation, thereby providing an agenda for scientific research priorities. Cetaceans are often keystone indicator species but also high profile, charismatic flagship taxa that capture public and media attention as well as political interest. A dedicated workshop was held at the conference of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (December 2013, New Zealand) to identify where lack of data was hindering cetacean conservation and which questions need to be addressed most urgently. This paper summarizes 15 themes and component questions prioritized during the workshop. We hope this list will encourage cetacean conservation-orientated research and help agencies and policy makers to prioritize funding and future activities. This will ultimately remove some of the current obstacles to science-based cetacean conservation. By: E.C.M. Parsons, S. Baulch, T. Bechshoft, G. Bellazzi, P. Bouchet, A. M. Cosentino, C. A. J. Godard-Codding, F. Gulland, M. Hoffmann-Kuhnt, E. Hoyt, S. Livermore, C. D. MacLeod, E. Matrai, L. Munger, M. Ochiai, A. Peyman, A. Recalde-Salas, R. Regnery, L. Rojas-Bracho, C. P. Salgado-Kent, E. Slooten, J. Y. Wang, S. C. Wilson, A. J. Wright, S. Young, E. Zwamborn & W. J. Sutherland Thanks to the Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section for funding this project and its publication Chris Parsons, Department of Environmental Science & Policy, , George Mason University

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DCLDE 2015 Update
by Hildebrand, John 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

The 7th International Workshop on Detection, Classification, Localization and Density Estimation (DCLDE) of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics will be held July 13-16, 2015 at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. We are pleased to announce that detailed information on the meeting can be found at: http://www.cetus.ucsd.edu/dclde/index.html The DCLDE 2015 Workshop Dataset is now available. A description of the data can be found at: http://www.cetus.ucsd.edu/dclde/datasetDocumentation.html and access to the data at: http://www.cetus.ucsd.edu/dclde/dataset.html We anticipate that meeting registration will open around March 1. John Hildebrand, Simone Baumann-Pickering, Ana Sirovic and Marie Roch DCLDE 2015 Organizing Committee

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Marine Mammal Observer Association
by Marine Mammal Observer Association 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) http://www.mmo-association.org is a membership based association with the aim of bringing together and representing individuals who work commercially and professionally as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators who implement mitigation measures to protect marine life during industry operations. The MMOA also provides information to other individuals that have an interest in MMO issues. The MMOA wishes to invite professional MMOs and PAM operators to sign up as full members of the Association. The MMOA also wishes to invite other interested individuals who may have an interest in MMO issues or MMOs who at present, do not qualify for full membership to sign up as Associate Members. We now have reduced membership fees and a new website. Details of Full and Associate Memberships are outlined below. To sign up to the Association please go to http://www.mmo-association.org and then click on the Sign Up button at the top of the Home Page. FULL MEMBERSHIP (Between and £5 and £50 per year depending on country group) Individuals with a demonstrated level of experience, skills and qualifications to enable them to work in a mitigation role as MMOs or PAM Operators are invited to exchange knowledge and contribute their considered thoughts and concerns as Full Members. The main benefits to Full Members will be: The opportunity to share your knowledge and experience. Opportunity to influence the future development of the profession. The benefit of a professional code of conduct. Access to the MMO Forum resources and Information Directory. Recognition as a serious-minded MMO and listed in the online Membership Directory. Full voting rights on the direction of MMOA. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP (Between £3 and £30 per year depending on country group) Other interested parties (such as students, prospective MMOs or PAM Operators, newly qualified MMOs or PAM Operators, company employees with an interest in MMO issues, etc.) are invited to join as Associate Members. The main benefits to the Associate Members will be: Input to the Associations aims and objectives. Access to the Information Directory. Invitation to comment on MMO issues. For more information on membership please go to: http://www.mmo-association.org/join-the-mmoa CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP We would also welcome corporate sponsorship to help us achieve the aims and objectives of the MMOA. Corporate sponsors will have their company logo displayed on our website. If you are interested in sponsorship please email the MMOA at info(a)mmo-association.org We welcome your applications. Please email info(a)mmo-association.org if you have any problems during the sign up process. Regards The MMOA Executive Committee The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) Communications House 26 York Street London W1U 6PZ Email: info(a)mmo-association.org Website: http://www.mmo-association.org The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) Communications House 26 York Street London W1U 6PZ Email: info(a)mmo-association.org Website: www.mmo-association.org

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FW: Reminder: Call for Nominations - Cumulative Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors on Marine Mammals
by Glickson, Deborah 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

Dear Colleagues, The Ocean Studies Board of the U.S. National Research Council is soliciting nominations for individuals to serve on its new study “Assessment of the Cumulative Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors on Marine Mammals.” The study’s sponsors, which include the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the Office of Naval Research, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Marine Mammal Commission, have asked the Ocean Studies Board to convene an ad hoc committee that will conduct a workshop and review the present scientific understanding of cumulative effects of anthropogenic stressors on marine mammals; assess current methodologies for evaluating cumulative effects; and identify new approaches that could improve these assessments. Please see the attached document for the full Statement of Task, as well as technical approach and justification. Expertise Needed: Committee membership will be drawn from nominees with expertise in environmental risk modeling; cumulative effects; ocean acoustics; marine bioacoustics; marine mammal ecology, behavior, and/or physiology; marine mammal health (e.g., toxicology); terrestrial and/or marine population biology; quantitative ecology; population consequences of disturbance; or other relevant fields. Deadline for Nominations (Extended): Please submit your nominations by Friday, February 27 using the following form: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1972430/NRC-Call-for-Nominations-Marine-Mamma… Include the candidate’s name, affiliation, email address, and area of expertise, as well as a few sentences about why the nominee is appropriate. Self-nominations are welcome. Thank you in advance for your submissions. Although not all nominations will result in membership on the study committee, this process helps ensure that the committee is drawn from a broad pool of qualified experts. If you have any questions about the study or the nomination process, please feel free to contact Deborah Glickson at dglickson(a)nas.edu<mailto:dglickson@nas.edu> or by phone at 202-334-2024. Sincerely, Deborah Glickson Study Director and Senior Program Officer Susan Roberts Ocean Studies Board Director

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New publication on the body size and variation of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphins
by Pavel Gol'din 19 Feb '15

19 Feb '15

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce the following new publication: Gol’din, P., Gladilina, E. 2015. Small dolphins in a small sea: Age, growth and aspects of life history of the Black Sea common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Biology 23(2): 159–166. We provide first data on the life span, growth and seasonal aspects of the life history of Black Sea bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the wild and compare these with historical data and conspecific populations in other geographical regions. Average life span is 20 to 32 yr; the oldest record is 41 yr. The reproductive season lasts at least from February to September or October and includes the coldest months of the year (February and March). Average adult body lengths are 240 ± 14 cm for females and 255 ± 10 cm for males. Rapid early body growth ceases by 3 to 4 yr. Two morphs, one large (offshore) and one small (coastal), possibly co-exist in the Black Sea. The larger morph may include winter-breeding migrants or immigrants from the Mediterranean Sea. The small coastal form is similar in body size and growth patterns to coastal populations in the eastern Mediterranean region and the Gulf of Mexico, but is characterized by early growth to maturity and small asymptotic body size. Small-sized dolphin populations in enclosed water bodies can be treated as an example of the ‘island rule’, and their dwarfism may hypothetically be explained as an effect of smaller prey size. It can be downloaded at: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/ab/v23/n2/p159-166/ (open access) For the comments, you are welcome to contact me at: pavelgoldin412(a)gmail.com Regards, Pavel Gol'din

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Volunteers needed for bottlenose dolphin project, New Zealand
by Blair Outhwaite 18 Feb '15

18 Feb '15

Bottlenose Dolphin Behavioural Volunteer Position at Great Barrier Island, New Zealand A volunteer is required to assist with a MSc study investigating the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (*Tursiops* sp.) at Great Barrier Island (GBI), New Zealand. This MSc project is part of the ongoing research of the Coastal-Marine Research Group (C-MRG) at Massey University Albany, Auckland. (http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz <https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=QIoA5pdRuUCToTWBw5X7lA6HAVO4K9EIs…> ). The primary aim of this study is to assess the behaviour and acoustic repertoire of nationally endangered bottlenose dolphins in an area of zero tourism pressure. DATES: While the field season runs year round, currently volunteers are needed from March – June 2015. A minimum commitment of three months is required and priority will be given to those who can commit for longer periods. LOCATION: Auckland, New Zealand FIELDWORK: The volunteer position entails assisting during field surveys and analysis of bottlenose dolphin behavioural videos and photo-identification (photo-id). The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individuals based on dorsal fin characteristics, and the use of databases for archiving field data. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-id, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills. Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Assistants need to be available full-time including weekends and be prepared to work long hours with early starts. During GBI trips, we will be based on the island for an average of 4 days, at least once a month. Coastal surveys will run for a single day approximately once a week. All surveys will be conducted from a 4.8m Stabicarft vessel. RESPONSIBILITIES: . Assisting with; boat-based photo-id surveys from a small vessel and collecting environmental/video based behavioural data (25% of the time). . Analysis of photo-id and behavioural video data in the lab; including assistance with photo sorting, grading, and matching of photos, maintenance of long-term photo-id catalogue, identifying behavioural events on video, and data entry. Research assistants should be prepared to work long days in the office analysing of photographs and matching them with the photo-identification catalogue (75% of the time). As this is a volunteer position, there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. The successful candidate should arrange their own accommodation in Auckland, living expenses, travel costs and visa. Accommodation and travel expenses to/from GBI will be covered. PREREQUISITES: . Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent . Have a mature and independent attitude towards marine mammal research . Speak fluent English . Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude . Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation . Participants must be able to swim and should be comfortable working on small boats . Participants must be comfortable living out of back pack (with the exception of food) QUALIFICATIONS: . The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent grads and graduate students who have some background in Biology, Marine Biology, Ecology, Zoology or related fields . Basic computer proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) Preferred qualifications but not required: . Prior experience working on small vessels . Field research including photo-id experience . Previous experience in survey techniques and especially in marine mammal research . First AID/CPR certification APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants should send a short email to brouthwaite(a)gmail.com, using “volunteer position” as the subject line. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, the dates when you are available to assist on the project, your qualifications and relevant experience. Please also attach a brief CV including at least one reference acknowledging your relevant experience. Early application is recommended as applications will be examined in order of reception. All the best, Blair ---------------------------------- *Blair Outhwaite* *MSc Candidate* *Coastal-Marine Research Group* *Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences* *Massey University* *Private Bag 102 904* *Auckland, New Zealand* *Tel: +64 (0)9 414 0800* *Ext: 43791(office)* *Cell: +64 (0)21 062 2794* *Email: **brouthwaite(a)gmail.com* <brouthwaite(a)gmail.com> *Web: **http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz/ <https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=QIoA5pdRuUCToTWBw5X7lA6HAVO4K9EIs…>* -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- *Blair Outhwaite* *MSc Candidate* *Coastal-Marine Research Group* *Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences* *Massey University* *Private Bag 102 904* *Auckland, New Zealand* *Tel: +64 (0)9 414 0800* *Ext: 43791(office)* *Cell: +64 (0)21 062 2794* *Email: **brouthwaite(a)gmail.com* <brouthwaite(a)gmail.com> *Web: **http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz/ <https://owa.massey.ac.nz/owa/redir.aspx?C=QIoA5pdRuUCToTWBw5X7lA6HAVO4K9EIs…>*

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