July 2015 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job Announcement: Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo
by Lance 24 Jul '15

24 Jul '15

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Animal Welfare Research - Bottlenose Dolphins Since the opening of Brookfield Zoo in 1934, the Society has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation of the natural world. The Society is an active partner in wildlife protection programs around the world, including the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the world’s longest-running study of bottlenose dolphins. We have pioneered the field of conservation psychology, the study of how people connect with animals and nature. We are able to reach so many audiences each year, including 2 million zoo guests engaged by unique exhibits and programs; some 250,000 schoolchildren, campers, and families who participate in award-winning science education programs; nearly 24,000 teachers who take part in our professional development workshops; and, diverse communities across Chicagoland. The Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo is known throughout the world as a leader in animal welfare and conservation, this venerable institution also serves as a potent economic engine, top tourism attraction and award-winning educational institution. The Post-Doctoral Fellow, Animal Welfare Research - Bottlenose Dolphins is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a research project examining the welfare of bottlenose dolphins including the behavioral data collection and/or coding, assisting in related laboratory analyses, communication with collaborators, project coordination, data analyses and preparation of scientific papers and publications. You will be responsible for planning and carrying out research specific to the grant-funded project; collating, tabulating and organizing all incoming data; analyzing compiled data; and assisting in related laboratory analyses as required. Additionally, you will be responsible for training staff at collaborating institutions in project methodology; assisting the Senior Director of Animal Welfare in training research assistants, interns and volunteers in specific data collection and management techniques for assigned research; and preparing reports for scientific publication and presentation and for distribution to collaborators. The requirements for this position include: * Ph.D. degree in biology, psychology, or related field required. * Two years of experience in field or zoo research is required. * Proven ability to train and supervise staff, preferably including students, volunteers, and/or interns. * Prior experience working with live animals safely. * Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. * Prior experience in writing reports and scientific papers, grant preparation, and oral presentations. * Basic computer literacy required, including skills in database management, statistical packages, and graphing software. * Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize tasks as necessary. * Ability to work collaboratively. * Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. The desirable/preferred qualifications include: * Experience using technology to monitor animals (e.g., GPS, dead-reckoning, etc.) preferred. * Previous experience studying bottlenose dolphins or marine mammals preferred. * Broad research and conservation interests preferred. * Previous experience working at a zoological institution is desirable. * Valid driver’s license preferred. * Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus. The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled. If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at www.czs.org/careers. Please look for requisition number 852BR.

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PhD: Antarctic penguin / seal response to historic harvesting and climate change
by Michael J Polito 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

PhD: Antarctic penguin response to historic harvesting and climate change Seeking a highly motivated student to begin graduate research (Ph.D. candidate) at Louisiana State University's (LSU) Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences (DOCS) in the Spring of 2016. The student will join a multi-institution team of researchers from LSU, UC Santa Cruz, UNC Wilmington, and the University of Saskatchewan on a multi-disciplinary, NSF- funded project to reconstruct recent and long-term shifts in the Antarctic marine food web. The student will be based in the Polito Lab at LSU (www.oceanography.lsu.edu/politolab<http://www.oceanography.lsu.edu/politolab>) but will also work closely with Dr. Kelton McMahon and Dr. Matthew McCarthy at UC Santa Cruz (http://keltonmcmahon.sites.ucsc.edu<http://keltonmcmahon.sites.ucsc.edu/>). Specifically, the student will use bulk and compound-specific stable isotope analysis of modern and ancient penguins, seals and other Antarctic krill predators to test hypotheses on trophic versus baseline ecosystem shifts related to climate change and competitive release following historic whale and seal harvesting. This position will include extensive laboratory work at LSU and UCSC as well as field work in Antarctica. Desired qualifications include: 1) M.S. degree in biology, ecology, marine science, chemistry, or relevant discipline, 2) Relevant laboratory experience, particularly with stable isotope analyses, and 3) relevant field experience, particularly in remote settings. Four years of NSF-funded tuition and stipend support are available for the selected candidate and additional support is available via DOCS teaching assistantships and other institutional sources. To Apply: Interested candidates should fill out a pre-application form for the DOCS graduate program (www.oceanography.lsu.edu/index.php/academics/pre-application-form/<http://www.oceanography.lsu.edu/index.php/academics/pre-application-form/>) and indicate that you would like to work with Dr. Polito. In addition, please email a single pdf containing your CV, a cover letter with your research interests and experience, a brief summary of accomplishments (educational background, GPA, GRE scores), and contact information for at least three professional references to Dr. Michael Polito (mpolito(a)lsu.edu<mailto:mpolito@lsu.edu>). Qualified candidates will be contacted directly and encouraged to submit a full application to the Ph.D. graduate program in DOCS. Applications submitted by September 15, 2015 will receive first consideration and the position will remain open until a candidate is selected. While a spring 2016 start date is preferred, we will consider exceptional candidates available to start in fall 2016. -- Michael J. Polito, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Louisiana State University 1239 Energy, Coast & Environment Building Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Phone: 225-578-9403 Email: mpolito(a)lsu.edu<mailto:mpolito@lsu.edu> www.oceanography.lsu.edu/politolab/<http://www.oceanography.lsu.edu/politolab/>

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New Publication: Reproductive Failure in UK Harbour Porpoises
by Sinéad Murphy 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Hi All, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: Murphy, S., J. L. Barber, J. A. Learmonth, F. L. Read, R. Deaville, M. W. Perkins, A. Brownlow, N. Davison, R. Penrose, G. J. Pierce, R. J. Law, and P. D. Jepson. 2015. Reproductive Failure in UK Harbour Porpoises Phocoena phocoena: Legacy of Pollutant Exposure? PLoS ONE 10:e0131085. Abstract: Reproductive failure in mammals due to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can occur either through endocrine disrupting effects or via immunosuppression and increased disease risk. To investigate further, full necropsies and determination of summed 25 polychlorinated biphenyls congeners (∑PCBs lipid weight) in blubber were undertaken on 329 UK-stranded female harbour porpoises (1990-2012). In sexually mature females, 25/127 (19.7%) showed direct evidence of reproductive failure (foetal death, aborting, dystocia or stillbirth). A further 21/127 (16.5%) had infections of the reproductive tract or tumours of reproductive tract tissues that could contribute to reproductive failure. Resting mature females (non-lactating or non-pregnant) had significantly higher mean ∑PCBs (18.5 mg/kg) than both lactating (7.5 mg/kg) and pregnant females (6 mg/kg), though not significantly different to sexually immature females (14.0 mg/kg). Using multinomial logistic regression models ΣPCBs was found to be a significant predictor of mature female reproductive status, adjusting for the effects of confounding variables. Resting females were more likely to have a higher PCB burden. Health status (proxied by “trauma” or “infectious disease” causes of death) was also a significant predictor, with lactating females (i.e. who successfully reproduced) more likely to be in good health status compared to other individuals. Based on contaminant profiles (>11 mg/kg lipid), at least 29/60 (48%) of resting females had not offloaded their pollutant burden via gestation and primarily lactation. Where data were available, these non-offloading females were previously gravid, which suggests foetal or newborn mortality. Furthermore, a lower pregnancy rate of 50% was estimated for “healthy” females that died of traumatic causes of death, compared to other populations. Whether or not PCBs are part of an underlying mechanism, we used individual PCB burdens to show further evidence of reproductive failure in the North-east Atlantic harbour porpoise population, results that should inform conservation management. This paper is available via open access and can be downloaded from the following link: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0131085 Kind regards, Sinéad Murphy

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Harbor Porpoise workshop
by jonathan stern 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Jonathan Stern jonney(a)sfsu.edu Announcing a workshop on Harbor Porpoises at the upcoming Society of Marine Mammalogy Conference in San Francisco. The goal of the workshop is to begin discussion among people studying harbor porpoises in different locations, with different techniques and foci to (1) discuss similarities and differences between locations (2) develop a framework to quantify how harbor porpoises integrate and are affected by natural and human-induced environmental change. (3) Perhaps see if there is a way to distinguish between responses of porpoises to these types of changes. Talks will be 10 minutes, with time for discussion and questions. We are interested in topics ranging from, but not limited to: Individuals (energetics, movement, acoustics, mating, behavior), Population (size estimation, aging, genetics, reproduction, distribution, mortality), community (feeding, predation) and Ecosystem (oceanographic changes and regimes) levels. We are also interested in topics including human (fishery, by-catch, contaminant and noise) interactions, as well as larger climate change issues. We hope that this will provide an opportunity for those who study harbor porpoises to interact and discuss their research and to put porpoises into a 21st century context where their environment is changing. We hope this will give us all a chance to exchange ideas and maybe set up future collaborations. Date and time; Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 830-1730. Field Trip: Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. A trip led by Golden Gate Cetacean Research folks to see Harbor Porpoises from our local huge, stationary Drone (i.e. the Golden Gate Bridge). Details TBA If you are interested, have any questions, or would like to submit an abstract (by…Sept. 30, 2015), then send an email to: Jonathan Stern ( jonney(a)sfsu.edu) or Christina Lockyer (christina_lockyer(a)hotmail.com) Cost: $80(US) Early bird, $90 (US) after Sept. 15, 2015. Register for this workshop through the SMM Conference Webpage. See you in San Francisco! -- "When Life Gets to be a Drag, Escape to a Higher Reynolds Number" Jonathan Stern, Ph.D. Department of Biology San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Ave. San Francisco, CA 94132

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Request: Help us to define responsible whale watching destinations
by Philippa Dell 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Dear Colleagues, REQUEST: HELP US DEFINE RESPONSIBLE WHALE WATCHING DESTINATIONS IN 60 SECONDS We would like to request your assistance as we compile a report entitled: ‘Best Practice Framework for Responsible Whale and Dolphin Watching Destinations’ We are asking anybody involved with whale and dolphin watching around the world – whale watch operators, scientists, NGOs, whale watchers and other stakeholders – if you could spare just one minute of your time to complete our survey to define how responsible and sustainable your local whale or dolphin watching area is. Respondents will be credited in the report. Your comments will enable us to highlight case study destinations in the report, describing their framework for best practice. Click here to complete the survey: https://surveyplanet.com/55afc1cc21cabf47432938cb The Best Practice Framework will be used by destinations promoting or developing whale and dolphin watching to guide and inform the specific, locally tailored standards that operators and other stakeholders agree to comply with in their own destinations. In addition, by showcasing effective models within this Framework the report will also assist those destinations either starting up, or with limited resources, particularly in the developing world, by illustrating the models most likely to lead to success for them. If you own, manage or work for a whale or dolphin watching organisation, we would greatly appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey. Alternatively perhaps you could reply directly to philippa(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org with any comments you have about responsible whale and dolphin watching at a destination that you know well. We will be happy to circulate the results of this survey back to the Marmam group on completion. With thanks in advance for your help. Philippa Dell WCA Working Group on Responsible Whale Watching World Cetacean Alliance, Studio 3, Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK Office: +44(0)1273 355011 Web: www.worldcetaceanalliance.org Email: philippa(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org

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National Whale & Dolphin Watch - July 25th- August 2nd
by Kathy James 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

The National Whale & Dolphin Watch starts this Saturday and we're hoping that all you cetacean fans will get involved! How you can help? - report your casual sightings - join an organised watch - arrange your own watch(es) - promote the event (word of mouth, email, social media) For information on how to take part, please go to: http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2015/ or contact: kathy.james(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk. To register a watch point, contact: outreach(a)seawatchfoundation.org.uk To see which public watch points are already listed, go to the following link: http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw-2015-watch-list/ Please remember to report your sightings as soon as possible afterwards to: http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/sightingsform/,sightings@seawatchfounda tion.org.uk or call 01545 561227. The sightings will then be displayed publicly for everyone to benefit from. All data are valuable even if no sightings are made, so do please return your data sheets to: Sea Watch Foundation, Paragon House, Wellington Place, New Quay, Ceredigion, SA45 9NR soon after your watch. THANK YOU! Kathy James Sightings Officer Sea Watch Foundation Paragon House Wellington Place New Quay Ceredigion SA45 9NR Tel: 01545 561227 www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk

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UK Underwater Acoustics intensive courses, University of Bath - September 2015
by Sam Nichols 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

Seiche Training is offering its Underwater Acoustics courses for September 2015 at the University of Bath: *FUNDAMENTALS OF UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS* *1-5 September, 2015University of Bath, UKin association with the University of Bath* *CPD recognition from IMarEST* This 5 day intensive course in underwater acoustics is delivered by leading research professors and experts in their field including Dr Paul Lepper, Dr Philippe Blondel, Dr Paul Fernandes and Professor Victor Humphrey. The first 3 days cover the principles of underwater acoustics, providing delegates with an in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms of sound propagation in the ocean, the impact of noise and reverberation produced by the ocean environment and the basic structure and performance of acoustic instruments. This is followed by 2 days of advanced modules on underwater sound sources with emphasis on sonar, its application and measurement, calculations in shelf sea waters, seismic imaging, seismic sources and seismic data. Delegates are required to have a good grounding in Maths, Engineering or Science. This course has been granted official CPD recognition by IMarEST, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. *UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT1-4 September 2015University of Bath, UKin association with the University of Bath* *CPD recognition from IMarEST*Our 4 day course equips delegates with a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of underwater acoustics. It then focuses on developing clear, quantitative understanding of the issues involved in the impact of acoustics on marine wildlife. The following topics are covered: ocean environments, noise propagation models, sound field modelling, methods of assessment, impacts of noise on marine life, mitigation, environmental regulations and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), fisheries, JNCC guidelines, emerging studies and technologies across this field, the physical drivers of noise and seismic sources, vessel-radiated noise, shallow water measurements, marine seismic imaging, marine seismic sources and marine seismic data processing. The course is delivered by leading research professors and experts in their field including Dr Paul Lepper, Dr Philippe Blondel, Dr Paul Fernandes and Professor Victor Humphrey. It will be particularly useful in providing a better understanding of reports that delegates either have to deliver or receive from clients. Who is it for? Regulators, environmental consultants and policy/environmental professionals within industry. This course has been granted official CPD recognition by IMarEST, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. For more information, please visit http://www.seiche.com/topics/106-about-seiche-training or contact Sarah Hancock at s.hancock(a)seiche.com. Seiche Training brings together the best of academia and industry to provide world-class training for individuals and companies in the UK and around the globe. Seiche Training is part of Seiche Ltd, providing Marine Acoustic Solutions to industry, government, research and academic institutions for over 20 years. Bespoke courses and in-house company training on all topics relating to Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Marine Mammal Monitoring and Underwater Acoustics can also be provided.

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New paper on cetacean-based tourism management
by Simon Allen 23 Jul '15

23 Jul '15

G'day folks, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism: Managing whale-watching as a non-lethal consumptive activity. Abstract: Marine tourism is a new frontier of late-capitalist transformation, generating more global revenue than aquaculture and fisheries combined. This transformation created whale-watching, a commercial tourism form that, despite recent critiques, has been accepted as non-consumptive activity. This paper uses four academic discourses to critique whale-watching as a form of capitalist exploitation: (1) commercial whale-watching and global capitalist transformation, (2) global capitalist politics and the promoted belief that whale-watching is non-consumptive, (3) the inherent contradictions of non-consumptive capitalist exploitation, and (4) whale-watching as a common-pool resource. These discourses lead us to critique whale-watching practices in relation to the common capitalist sequence of resource diversification, exploitation, depletion and collapse. Using specific impact studies, we conclude that a sustainability paradigm shift is required, whereby whale-watching (and other forms of wildlife tourism) is recognized as a form of non-lethal consumptive exploitation, understood in terms of sub-lethal anthropogenic stress and energetic impacts. We argue the need for a paradigm shift in the regulation and management of commercial whale-watching, and present the case for a unified, international framework for managing the negative externalities of whale-watching. The relevance of the issues raised about neoliberal policy-making extends beyond whale-watching to all forms of wildlife and nature-based tourism. The full citation is as follows: James E.S. Higham, Lars Bejder, Simon J. Allen, Peter J. Corkeron & David Lusseau (2015). Managing whale-watching as a non-lethal consumptive activity. Journal of Sustainable Tourism DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2015.1062020 You can access the paper at http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/3kKaKmus6dBgUj28dfG4/full or request a PDF from any of the authors. Best regards, James, Lars, Simon, Peter and David ------------------- Simon Allen, PhD Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University 90 South St, Murdoch Western Australia 6150 mob: (61-0) 416 083 653 email: s.allen(a)murdoch.edu.au<applewebdata://E433A580-3267-45A5-B14A-5BCC8E8DA00A/s.allen@murdoch.edu.au> web1: http://www.sharkbaydolphins.org web2: http://mucru.org<http://mucru.org/> Latest papers: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/3kKaKmus6dBgUj28dfG4/full http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0101427 http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MF13130.htm "The opposite of courage is not cowardice; it is conformity. Even dead fish can go with the flow." (Jim Hightower)

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ANNOUNCEMENT: WCA WORLD WHALE CONFERENCE & WHALE HERITAGE SITES SUMMIT
by Dylan Walker 22 Jul '15

22 Jul '15

Dear Marmamers. The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) in partnership with the Azores Promotion Board would like to invite interested participants to the WCA World Whale Conference and Whale Heritage Sites Summit, taking place at the Teatro Faialense, Horta, Azores, 26-30 October 2015. Attendance of the Whale Heritage Sites Summit is free to all attendees. Attendance of the Conference is free for WCA Partners and attendees resident in the Azores. Non-partners and non-residents can attend by paying the annual membership fee to join the WCA. We welcome your involvement and input in these two important meetings, which we hope will have a positive impact for whales and dolphins both in the Azores and worldwide. *World Whale Conference 26-27 October 2015* The World Whale Conference will see whale and dolphin experts, charities, and whale watching companies from across the world arriving in the Azores to discuss how the World Cetacean Alliance and its Partners can work together to effectively protect cetaceans through four global programmes on: 1) Cetacean captivity, 2) Responsible whale and dolphin watching, 3) Threatened and data deficient species (with an emphasis on beaked whales), and 4) Ghost fishing gear and entanglement. *Whale Heritage Sites Summit 28-30 October 2015* To promote whale watching to the public and encourage the adoption of responsible whale watching practices in destinations across the world, the World Cetacean Alliance is developing an accreditation scheme that will lead to the designation of Whale Heritage Sites. This will allow destinations leading the way in sustainability and responsible management of whale and dolphin watching to be rewarded with greater public awareness. It will also generate an appreciation of the culture and heritage surrounding cetaceans and whale watching in destinations amongst consumers, and provide tour operators wanting to feature sustainable whale watching initiatives within their portfolios a clear starting place from which to look. Whale Heritage Site status will be designated to destinations that: - Celebrate the cultural importance of whales and dolphins by engaging communities and tourists with the arts, science, music, education and events - Maintain the highest standards of responsible whale and dolphin watching The Whale Heritage Site concept will be launched at the Whale Heritage Sites Summit. At this three day meeting, representatives from tourist destinations, international institutions and the private sector will come together with global experts in tourism, sustainability and whale watching to discuss the Whale Heritage Site concept and agree the criteria for site designation. Help us by attending and discussing what you think a Whale Heritage Site should be like? Your ideas, along with the ideas of other interested parties, will then be taken forward in a pilot project in the Azores in 2016 to attempt to establish the World's first Whale Heritage Site. Other destinations interested in achieving Whale Heritage Site status will also be asked to register their interest at the Summit in October. Programme in brief (full itinerary will follow soon) Sunday 25 October: Excursion - Whales, dolphins and volcanoes! Monday 26 October: World Whale Conference and AGM - Global programmes to protect cetaceans Tuesday 27 October: World Whale Conference - Global programmes to protect cetaceans Wednesday 28 October: Whale Heritage Sites Summit – Day 1 - Welcome, keynote speech, presentations, defining criteria, discussions Thursday 29 October: Whale Heritage Sites Summit – Day 2 - Presentations about Azores, expert endorsement, next steps, launch, launch party Friday 30 October: Workshop. Azores – planning for Whale Heritage Site status - Meeting of Azores stakeholders to agree Azores Whale Festival plans and discuss responsible whale watching For more information please contact Dylan Walker at dylan(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org or call the WCA on +44 (0)1273 355011. If you would like to attend the conference and/or Summit please register here: http://worldcetaceanalliance.org/registration-conference-summit/ We look forward to welcoming you to the World Whale Conference and Whale Heritage Sites Summit this October. Regards, Dylan Walker, WCA Secretariat, and Francisco Gil, Azores Promotion Board Contact: WCA, Studio 3, Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET, UK Office: +44(0)1273 355011 <%2B44%280%291273%20355011> Web: www.worldcetaceanalliance.org Email: dylan(a)worldcetaceanalliance.org

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New publication: Halogenated Natural Products in Dolphins: Brain-Blubber Distribution and Comparison with Halogenated Flame Retardants.
by Joan Giménez Verdugo 22 Jul '15

22 Jul '15

Dear MARMAM members, We are pleased to announce the following publication: Barón, E., Hauler, C., Gallistl, C., Giménez, J., Gauffier, P., Castillo, J.J., Fernández-Maldonado, C., de Stephanis, R., Vetter, W., Eljarrat, E., Barceló, D. (2015) Halogenated Natural Products in Dolphins: Brain-Blubber Distribution and Comparison with Halogenated Flame Retardants. Environ. Sci. Technol., Article ASAP. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02736 The paper is available online at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.5b02736 Best regards, Joan Giménez -- *Joan Giménez Verdugo* *PhD Student* *Severo Ochoa* Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC) Department of Conservation Biology Americo Vespucio Ave, s/n 41092 Sevilla (Spain) www.ebd.csic.es --- Research Gate: Joan Giménez <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joan_Gimenez2> Phone: +34 619 176 849 ü Please consider the environment before printing this E-mail

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