September 2015 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Announcement of the Watkins Memorial Marine Mammal Bioacoustics Symposium, 26-29 March 2015
by Laela Sayigh 20 Jul '17

20 Jul '17

Dear colleagues, This message is to announce the upcoming Watkins Memorial Marine Mammal Bioacoustics Symposium, to be held 26-29 March 2015 in Massachusetts (location TBA). This symposium will consist of a combination of invited and contributed presentations on all aspects of marine mammal bioacoustics, including communication, echolocation, hearing, methods in marine mammal bioacoustics, effects of noise on marine mammals, and bioacoustics as a tool in marine mammal conservation. There will also be a session on Bill Watkins' legacy to marine mammal bioacoustics. Further announcements will follow with more specifics, but registration and abstract submissions are expected to commence in the fall of 2014. For more information, contact Laela Sayigh, lsayigh(a)whoi.edu.

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JOB(S) POSTING involving Marine Mammals: Marine Acoustic Technician and Marine Wildlife Observer vacancies
by Nick Robinson 07 Jun '16

07 Jun '16

Gardline Environmental Ltd is a member of the Gardline Marine Sciences Limited Group of Companies and is a successful Environmental contractor, operating a fleet of inshore boats, conducting major integrated offshore projects on a worldwide basis and inshore projects for major clients in the UK and overseas. As GEL’s Marine Wildlife Department continues its expansion we are seeking to add to the diverse team and expertise in the following roles; MARINE ACOUSTIC TECHNICIAN(s) The candidate(s) will be expected to conduct acoustic surveys through the use of passive acoustic monitoring systems (PAMS) and noise measurement systems during offshore activities both nationally and internationally. The candidate will play a key role in the development of in-house systems and be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all Marine Wildlife Departmental acoustic equipment, in accordance with HSSE and QA standards. Compilation and preparation of PAMS and noise monitoring reports including the processing of acoustic data is required. Projects may include marine mammal mitigation or monitoring, ambient noise measurements and operational noise monitoring. The candidate will be responsible for the appropriate collection and processing of data both at sea and in the office. This role will require you to work in the office (Great Yarmouth), but we have an expectation that you will spend up to 120 days at sea at locations worldwide, during a 12-month period. Applicants will be of degree calibre or equivalent in a relevant discipline and possess an understanding of marine acoustics, including both hardware and need to have field experience. Additionally, familiarity with the use of PAMS, CPODs or other underwater noise monitoring equipment is desirable. MARINE WILDLIFE OBSERVER(s) The candidate(s) will be expected to undertake a wide variety of marine wildlife surveys, including marine mammal observations, passive acoustic monitoring, seabird and environmental impact activities in the field, as well as providing general assistance to the project managers, lead scientists and report writer with the production of marine wildlife reports. You will be responsible for the appropriate collection and processing of data both at sea and in the office. This role will require you to work in the office (Great Yarmouth), but we have an expectation that you will spend approximately 120 - 180 days at sea, at locations worldwide, dependent on project requirements, during a 12-month period. Applicants will ideally be of degree calibre or equivalent in a relevant discipline and possess an understanding of marine mammals, their biology and identification and need to have a minimum of two years field experience. Familiarity with the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring System (PAMS) or previous marine survey experience would certainly be advantageous. To apply for your choice of role, please send your CV and a Cover Letter to Nick Robinson at nick.robinson(a)gardline.com<mailto:nick.robinson@gardline.com>. Incomplete Applications will not be considered. Closing date: 21st April 2013 ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY - This e-mail and any attached files contain information that is confidential and/or may be subject of legal privilege, intended only for use by the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and preserve this confidentiality by deleting the message. No binding contract will result from this e-mail until and unless an officer, on behalf of the sender, signs a written document. Sender accepts no responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of this message as it has been transmitted over public networks. Unless otherwise specifically stated any views or opinions are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the sender Company. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System, on behalf of the Gardline Group of Companies. For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Degree program at SIO
by Doukakis, Phaedra 30 Sep '15

30 Sep '15

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego announces a January 14, 2016 application deadline for the Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MAS MBC) program. The MAS MBC program equips students with the knowledge they need to improve conservation of marine biodiversity in the world's most diverse and threatened eco-regions. An innovative program curriculum focuses on development of local capacity and science-based management tools. This 12-month intensive master's program is geared toward early- to mid-career professionals interested in marine conservation careers. The multidisciplinary program will begin in June 2016 and includes courses in natural, social, and information sciences; marine policy, economics, and law; and training in important cultural and communications skills. Courses and fieldwork for the MAS MBC program are led by professors from the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC) at Scripps Oceanography and from a variety of top-ranked departments at UC San Diego, including the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies and the Department of Economics, as well as Communications, Visual Arts, and others. Government agencies such as NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center and non-government agencies enhance the program by providing special lectures and discussions. No more than 20 students are admitted to the program each year. For more information on the program and to access an online application, please visit: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/masters/mas/mbc Program Manager: Jane Weinzierl, (858) 822-2886, mbc(a)ucsd.edu<mailto:mbc@ucsd.edu>

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Last Day for Early Bird Registration for the Workshop - Unmanned Aerial Systems: Powerful and Cost-Effective Tools for Marine Science and Conservation
by Lawson, Jack 30 Sep '15

30 Sep '15

Good morning everyone, As many of you already know, we are organizing a workshop on hardware, applications, and issues associated with using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at the Biennial conference in San Francisco. UAS offer a very capable and dynamic platform to study a growing variety of marine issues, and marine mammal researchers have been quick to seize new opportunities to utilize autonomous or remotely-controlled platforms in their research. While opening up new avenues for our studies, this hardware is evolving quickly, and faces varied (and at times unpredictable) regulatory regimes. This workshop will offer attendees the opportunity to learn what others have been doing with UAS systems, where UAS development is headed in the (near) future, and what regulations we are, or might, face in different countries and contexts. Not to mention we will see some amazing marine mammal and sea turtle imagery from vantage points heretofore unavailable to researchers! If you are attending the conference please consider participating in this workshop. It has proven to be one of the most popular workshops by number of early bird registrants, and we were able to secure a larger room to accommodate all those interested so far (but hurry, there is a limit to how many we can accommodate!): Title: Unmanned Aerial Systems: Powerful and Cost-Effective Tools for Marine Science and Conservation Overview: The intent of this workshop is to review the state-of-the-art for regulations, hardware, software, and data management in studies of marine species using various types of remotely-controlled or autonomous aerial platforms. Date/Time: Sunday, December 13, 2015; 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Organizers and contact emails: Dave Johnston (david.johnston(a)duke.edu) Eric A. Ramos (eramos(a)gradcenter.cuny.edu) Laura May-Collado (lmaycollado(a)gmail.com) Jack Lawson (jack.lawson(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca) Diana Reiss (dlr28(a)columbia.edu) Marcelo O. Magnasco (mgnsclb(a)mail.rockefeller.edu) General Description and Agenda: The intent of this workshop is to review the state-of-the-art for regulations, hardware, software, and data management in studies of marine mammals using various types of remotely-controlled platforms. In this full-day meeting we will present and discuss four main topics: (1) regulatory updates (U.S., Canada, Europe, Others) - an overview of existing and proposed operating regulations, legal initiatives, and outstanding issues - including permitting. No-fly zones and software/hardware solutions to automate Class A and B airspace protection. "Common sense" operational guidelines. (2) Brief presentations on emerging applications; coupled with discussions on sensors. (3) platform features, uses, costs, and limits - a discussion, highlighted by specific examples, of each type of platform detailing its demonstrated applications, advantages, limits, and future. We would include fixed-wing and rotary-winged UAVs. (4) workflow, data management, and operational best practices - a discussion, highlighted by specific examples, of how best to utilize these platforms and integrate multiple data flows (e.g., video, imagery, GPS, topographic information) for post-operation analyses. In addition to a number of presentations, a product from this workshop will be a "best practices guide" manuscript to submit to Marine Mammal Science, plus a detailed list of UAS operators and developers around the world. We are currently finalizing the agenda, and will forward this to participants in the near future. Cost: $80 (Early Bird); $90 (After September 30, 2015) You can follow a link to register for this, and other, workshops: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/workshops/ On behalf of this workshop's organizers, we look forward to seeing participants at the Biennial, and this excting workshop! Dr. Jack Lawson Research Scientist / Chercheur scientifique Marine Mammals Section / Section de mammiféres marins Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Pêches et Océans Canada NAFC, 80 East White Hills Rd. St. John's, NL / Terre-Neuve et Labrador Canada A1C 5X1 (709) 772-2285 (709) 772-4105 (FAX) jack.lawson(a)dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Announcement: Three Full Time Positions Open in the NMFS Office of Protected Resources
by Amy Sloan - NOAA Federal 30 Sep '15

30 Sep '15

There are three full time positions open in the National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources. These positions are in the Permits and Conservation Division for processing scientific research and enhancement permit requests pursuant to Sections 104 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act in conformance with NMFS' policies and regulations for marine mammals (cetaceans and pinnipeds excluding walrus) and threatened and endangered species including fish (sawfish, sturgeon) and sea turtles. The announcement is open on USAJOBS from 9/23/2015 to 10/7/2015. Below is the link to the vacancy announcement. http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/415489100 Please share with qualified applicants. Thank you! Amy Sloan Deputy Chief/Research Permit Program Lead Permits and Conservation Division NMFS Office of Protected Resources 1315 East West Hwy Silver Spring, MD 20910 http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits

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NEW PAPER: Effects of Ocean Recreational Users on Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins
by Maddalena Bearzi 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

We are pleased to announce the publication of our paper: Fandel, A. Bearzi, M. & T. Cook. 2015. Effects of Ocean Recreational Users on Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Santa Monica Bay, California. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 114(2): 63-75 Abstract.Coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have been observed in proximity to swimmers, kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders and surfers along near- shore corridors in the Santa Monica Bay, California. >From 1997 to 2012, a total of 220 coastal boat-based focal follows of dolphin schools were conducted in this area to determine a) the type and proximity of encounters between ocean recreational users and coastal dolphins, and b) the effects of these encounters on bottlenose dolphins¹ behavior. The majority of encounters involved dolphins and surfers (77.93%, n=145 encounters), and overall, neutral reactions were observed in response to encounters (61.93%, n=176 behavioral responses). Interactions between bottlenose dolphins and recreational users were recorded only once, and changes in dolphin behavior were observed more frequently when recreational users were at distances of less than three meters from a school. Although the current impact of human activities on coastal bottlenose dolphin behavior does not appear to be significant in the Santa Monica Bay, there is a need to: 1) adopt a precautionary approach in view of the increasing presence of ocean recreational users along this coastline, and 2) regularly monitor these encounters to determine potential changes in the type and proximity of encounters, as well as changes in dolphin behavioral responses. This paper is available at: http://scholar.oxy.edu/scas/vol114/iss2/1/ Best Regards, Amber Fandel, Maddalena Bearzi & Taylor Cook For more info, contact: Maddalena Bearzi, Ph.D. Ocean Conservation Society, President po box 12860 marina del rey, ca 90295 usa 310.822.5205 mbearzi(a)earthlink.net <mailto:mbearzi@earthlink.net> www.oceanconservation.org <http://www.oceanconservation.org> <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocean-Conservation-Society/154982037883141> <https://twitter.com/oceanconsociety> <https://instagram.com/oceanconservation/> <http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Minds-Parallel-Lives-Dolphins/dp/067402781 7> <http://www.amazon.com/Dolphin-Confidential-Confessions-Field-Biologist/dp/0 226040151/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321726449&sr=1-1> <http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/author/mbearzi/>

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Re: [MARMAM] Posting for SF Bay American Cetacean Society Student Research Grants
by Lynette Koftinow 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

Dear colleagues, The American Cetacean Society-San Francisco Bay Chapter (ACS-SF Bay) would like to encourage students to apply for our upcoming 2015 Student Research Grants. ACS - SF BAY Guidelines for Student Research Grant: The San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter Grants-in-Aid of Research fund offers small research grants for direct costs of scientific, field-based projects focusing on cetaceans. The Society invites proposals from all cetacean-related disciplines, including the social sciences, which focus on cetaceans and/or their habitats. SF Bay ACS chapter particularly welcomes applications from early-career researchers such as graduate students and researchers with less than 10 years’ post-doctoral experience, and researchers whose work focuses on small cetaceans in Northern California, with emphasis in the Bay Area. The SF Bay American Cetacean Society chapter has a long-standing commitment to providing young scientists with ‘seed money’ for research projects in cetacean-related disciplines. Currently, SF Bay ACS chapter grant awards range from $500 to $1,000; the Society highly encourages funds to be used in a ‘match’ program to maximize funding potential. Funding is available to applicants who are themselves active (dues-paying) SF Bay ACS chapter members or whose faculty advisers are active members. SF Bay ACS chapter funds are intended to strengthen conservation efforts through applied field-based research and opportunities outside of the laboratory. Funds may not be used for salaries, stipends, honoraria, or other compensatory expenses. The National American Cetacean Society and other chapters of ACS also participate in grant-making initiatives and will also submit Request For Proposals (RFPs) coincident with their funding cycles. For information about specific chapters and their grant-making programs, please visit the Chapter page of the National American Cetacean Society website: www. acsonline.org. Proposals should include: 1. Application cover sheet, with title of proposal, field research group, contact information (email, phone and departmental contacts) for the faculty lead or principle investigator (PI), second PI (if applicable) and any proposed graduate student participant list (with contact information). 2. A brief narrative (1-2 pages, single-spaced) describing the research program, overall purpose, specific research objectives/questions, study timeline and benchmarks, significance of the research in advancing our understanding the biology and conservation of cetaceans and/or their habitats, and how the research can or does advance conservation efforts aimed at a particular taxa, species, or habitat. 3. An itemized, one-year budget, including estimated costs for supplies,equipment, travel, etc. Costs should be kept reasonable. A budget justification should be included. Budget should not exceed requested funding amount; however, details of additional funding sources supporting the research and how those funds will be used are helpful in evaluating applications. 4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for each principle investigator. The application deadline for the 2015 San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter Small Grants-in-Aid of Research Program is Friday, November 6th, 2015. Funding is limited and proposals will be peer-reviewed for scientific rigor, conservation benefit and cost effectiveness. Awards will be announced on Monday, November 23, 2015. Applications should be sent by email to Lynette R. Koftinow President San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society chapter @ acs.sfbay(a)gmail.com. Questions regarding the program may also be directed to her. Respectfully, Lynette R. Koftinow President San Francisco Bay American Cetacean Society (415) 937-0641 (office) acs.sfbay(a)gmail.com

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New publication on Long-finned pilot whale population diversity and structure in Atlantic waters
by Sílvia Monteiro 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

Dear Marmam Readers, I am very pleased to announce the following publication: Monteiro SS, Méndez-Fernandez P. Piertney S, Moffat C and others (2015). Long-finned pilot whale population diversity and structure in Atlantic waters assessed through biogeochemical and genetic markers. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 536:243-257. Abstract Integration of ecological and genetic approaches is a particularly powerful strategy to identify natural population diversity and structure over different timescales. To investigate the potential occurrence of population differentiation in long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas in the North Atlantic, both biogeochemical (fatty acids and stable isotopes) and genetic (mito - chondrial DNA) markers were analyzed in animals from 4 regions within the North Atlantic: the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands and the United States of America. Genetic data revealed strong regional levels of divergence, although analysis of molecular variance revealed no differentiation between the northeastern and northwestern Atlantic. Results from biogeochemical tracers supported previous dietary studies, revealing geographic and ontogenetic dietary variation in pilot whales. Fatty acids revealed ecological differentiation between all regions analyzed, while stable isotopes showed an overlap between some sampling regions. These results suggest that both ecological and genetic factors may drive the levels of pilot whale differentiation in the North Atlantic. The ecological differentiation observed may be related to the exploitation of different foraging niches (e.g. oceanic vs. coastal), which can be highly influenced by prey distributions or oceanographic phenomena. Genetic differentiation may result from historical or contemporary processes or even limited dispersal mediated through the social structure displayed by this species and potential foraging specialization. These results highlight some problems when assessing population structure across multiple markers and the ecological vs. evolutionary timescales over which differences may accumulate. Notwithstanding, the data provide preliminary information about pilot whale diversity and stocks in the North Atlantic, giving essential baseline information for conservation plans. For an early view of this paper, please visit: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v536/p243-257/ If you are unable to download the article, please contact me by email and I will be happy to send you a copy: s.monteiro(a)ua.pt Best wishes, Silvia Monteiro ---------------------------------------- Postdoctoral researcher CESAM (Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar) University of Aveiro Portugal Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem/Portuguese Wildlife Society University of Minho Portugal

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New publication on stomach contents of striped dolphins in the eastern Med.
by Arda M. Tonay 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

Dear All, Apologies for cross posting. We would like to inform you that the new paper on stomach contents of striped dolphins has been published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. The pdf copy is available online via the following link. Dede, A., Salman, A., Tonay, A.M. 2015. Stomach contents of by-caught striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. doi:10.1017/S0025315415001538 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315415001538> http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315415001538 Abstract Stomach contents of six striped dolphins taken as by-catch in the swordfish fishery in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off the Turkish coast were examined. In total, 29 taxa were identified to species or family and 1777 individual food items (1394 bony fishes, 289 cephalopods, 94 crustaceans) were counted. Diaphus spp. and Ceratoscopelus maderensis were the most remarkable ones, as they accounted for 70.45% of the total number of fishes. Onychoteuthis banksii, on the other hand, was the only cephalopod species found in all stomach content analyses and represented 38.06% of the total number of cephalopods. Bony fish species: Myctophum punctatum, Notoscopelus elongatus, Electrona risso, Sudis hyalina, Moridae sp., Phycidae sp., Sternoptychidae sp. and cephalopods: Pterygioteuthis giardi and Chtenopteryx sicula were reported the first time in the stomach contents of striped dolphin in the Mediterranean Sea. Alternatively, pdf requests can be sent to atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr Regards Arda Arda M. TONAY Ph.D Faculty of Fisheries, İstanbul University Marine Biology Dep. Ordu Cad. No:200 Laleli, 34480 İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 212 455 5700/16434 Fax: +90 212 514 0379 <mailto:atonay@istanbul.edu.tr> atonay(a)istanbul.edu.tr <http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/> http://suurunleri.istanbul.edu.tr/ Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) P.O. Box 10 Beykoz, İstanbul, Turkey Tel: +90 216 424 0772 Fax: +90 216 424 0771 Bu elektronik posta ve beraberinde iletilen butun dosyalar sadece gondericisi tarafindan alinmasi amaclanan yetkili gercek ya da tuzel kisinin kullanimi icindir.Eger soz konusu yetkili alici degilseniz bu elektronik postanin icerigini aciklamaniz, kopyalamaniz, yonlendirmeniz ve kullanmaniz kesinlikle yasaktir ve bu elektronik postayi derhal silmeniz gerekmektedir. ISTANBUL UNIVERSITESI bu mesajin icerdigi bilgilerin dogrulugu veya eksiksiz oldugu konusunda herhangi bir garanti vermemektedir. Bu nedenle bu bilgilerin ne sekilde olursa olsun iceriginden, iletilmesinden, alinmasindan ve saklanmasindan sorumlu degildir. Bu mesajdaki gorusler yalnizca gonderen kisiye aittir ve ISTANBUL UNIVERSITESI'nin goruslerini yansitmayabilir. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, forwarding, copying or use of any of the information is strictly prohibited, and the e-mail should immediately be deleted. ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in this message and hereby excludes any liability of any kind for the information contained therein or for the information transmission, reception, storage or use of such in any way whatsoever.The opinions expressed in this message may belong to sender alone and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY.

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Re: [MARMAM] Honours opportunity in dolphin health/molecular biology available in Western Australia
by Nahiid Stephens 28 Sep '15

28 Sep '15

Dear MARMAM members - We are looking for a full-time Honours student (with an undergraduate degree in either Biomedical or Veterinary Science or similar BSc; as well as familiarity and/or experience with PCR-based molecular techniques) to start in January 2016 at Murdoch University (Perth, Western Australia). The project title is "Identification and characterisation of viruses associated with genital mucosal lesions in a bottlenose (Tursiops sp) dolphin from Western Australia," and the project objectives are: * Develop expertise in PCR and gene/genome sequencing. * Identification, sequencing and genomic characterisation of any herpesviruses, papillomaviruses and/or novel viruses that may be present. * Conduct phylogenetic analyses of any viruses found. The project description can be viewed at http://www.murdoch.edu.au/School-of-Veterinary-and-Life-Sciences/Our-course… (under the Veterinary Biology discipline heading). Potential candidates can contact me by email (see details below) regarding eligibility. Best Wishes - Nahiid Stephens. Nahiid Stephens BSc BVMS (Hons) MANZCVSc (VetPath) Lecturer in Pathology School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University Murdoch WA 6150 Phone: +61 8 9360 2666 Email: N.Stephens(a)murdoch.edu.au

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