September 2015 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Workshop reminder
by Annalisa Zaccaroni 22 Sep '15

22 Sep '15

Dear MARMAM members, We would like to remember to all those working in the field of or interested to the problematics linked to human-cetaceans interactions to attend our full-day workshop " Threats to marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea: how do they cope with human impact?<https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/workshops/#mediterranean>" at the Biennial in San Francisco on Saturday, December 12th. Confirmed and tentative speakers of the morning session are at present: Prof. Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara: introductory, plenary lecture Dr. Simone Panigada: impact of naval traffic on cetaceans Dr. Manuel Castellote: impact of acoustic pollution on cetaceans Dr. Josue Delgado (to be confirmed): pathogens in cetaceans Dr. Annalisa Zaccaroni: chemical pollution, levels of exposure and potential adverse effects on marine mammals In the afternoon session presentation from research groups are previewed. There is no specific topic for presentation, so any kind of research concerning the Mediterranean area is welcome. Young researchers presentation are very well welcome, so we look forward to receive contribution from all the research groups working in the area of Mediterranean sea. We hope we will have a good participation from Mediterranean researchers, giving their contribution to the workshop and the discussion. You can find the workshop description at https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/workshops/ You can register for the workshop through the conference website: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/conference-registration/. For abstracts submission and for information contact us via email at annalisa.zaccaroni(a)unibo.it<mailto:annalisa.zaccaroni@unibo.it> We look forward to seeing many of you in December! Best wishes, Dr. Annalisa Zaccaroni Dept. Veterinary Medical Sciences University of Bologna Viale Vespucci 2 Cesenatico (FC) 47042 tel. +39 0547 338944 fax +39 0547 338941 mobile +39 347 5951709 annalisa.zaccaroni(a)unibo.it<mailto:annalisa.zaccaroni@unibo.it>

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Stranding Response Coordinator-Virginia
by Susan Barco 21 Sep '15

21 Sep '15

Position closes Oct 5th The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is seeking a full-time Stranding Response Coordinator for its nationally recognized Stranding Response Program. Program staff and volunteers respond to approximately 100 marine mammal stranding events and 200-250 sea turtle stranding events each year in Virginia. Most of the responses involve dead strandings and necropsy investigations, but the Aquarium's Marine Animal Care Center is an active rehabilitation center for sea turtles and can rehabilitate pinnipeds. On occasion, we have also provided triage for small cetaceans. The Stranding Response Coordinator will supervise four full time and one or more hourly staff as well as volunteers, fellows and interns and will be responsible for managing budgets for grants and contracts associated with the Program. Funding for the program is primarily through donations, grants and contracts and the Stranding Response Coordinator will be expected to apply for grants, seek contractual agreements and participate in fundraising efforts. The Stranding Response Coordinator is supervised by the director of Research & Conservation and works closely with the Research Coordinator. Interested parties please apply through the City of Virginia Beach's WAVE application portal (if the link below does not take you directly to the job announcement, please copy and paste it into your browser and search postings for Senior Curator-Stranding Response Coordinator). The formal job title is Senior Curator-Stranding Response Coordinator. If applying, please make sure that you include all pertinent information on the application and not rely on attachments such as CVs and resumes. A link is provided below. This is a City of Virginia Beach position and benefits are provided. If you have questions about the position, please contact Sue Barco at sgbarco(a)virginiaaquarium.com . The position closes on Oct 5th . https://www.vbcareers4gov.com/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?t…

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Workshop announcement: Integrating genetics into the Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) Identification Process
by Kershaw, Francine 21 Sep '15

21 Sep '15

Dear MARMAM members, We would like to encourage anyone working in the fields of marine mammal genetics, spatial ecology, or marine spatial planning to attend our full-day workshop "Integrating genetics into the Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) Identification Process" at the Biennial in San Francisco on Sunday, December 13th. Please see an overview of the workshop below or the full description on the SMM conference website<https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/workshops/>. This workshop will be relatively hands-on with a small number of invited speakers, however if you are interested in presenting please get in touch. You can register for the workshop through the conference website: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/conference-registration/. Please don't hesitate to contact us via email at fkershaw(a)nrdc.org<mailto:fkershaw@nrdc.org> and hrosenbaum(a)wcs.org<mailto:hrosenbaum@wcs.org> or by phone at +1-212-727-4564 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing many of you in December! Best wishes, Francine Kershaw & Howard C. Rosenbaum Integrating genetics into the Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) identification process This workshop aims to address the following question: How can we integrate genetic information into spatial planning tools to support the identification of IMMAs? Genetic information has the potential to be highly informative in the application of the criteria employed to identify Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in a manner that complements and enhances existing approaches based in biodiversity metrics, habitat maps, satellite telemetry studies, and expert opinion. Therefore, there is a significant need to ensure this data is considered in a systematic way during the IMMA identification process. It is the goal of this workshop to examine how genetic data for marine mammals can be visualized geospatially to support the identification of IMMAs using the marine spatial planning tool SeaSketch. Developing an approach for integrating genetics into spatial planning for marine mammals also poses a series of unique considerations. For example, many species are highly mobile, are often only sampled in parts of their geographic range, and display a range of life history behaviors that may result in complex genetic population patterns. The second part of this workshop will focus on developing recommendations on how these issues can be clearly communicated to planners to ensure that genetic data are correctly interpreted when being used for IMMA identification. Francine Kershaw, Ph.D. Marine Mammals Science Fellow Natural Resources Defense Council 40 W 20th Street New York, NY 10011 USA T 212.727.4564 C 917.450.0994 fkershaw(a)nrdc.org nrdc.org https://columbia.academia.edu/francinekershaw Howard C. Rosenbaum, Ph.D. Director Ocean Giants Program Global Conservation Programs Wildlife Conservation Society 2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, New York 10460 USA T 718-220-5184 F 718-364-4275 hrosenbaum(a)wcs.org<mailto:hrosenbaum@wcs.org> http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/ocean-giants.aspx

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Seeking research assistants for the Cetacean Research Unit, Western Australia
by John Symons 21 Sep '15

21 Sep '15

Program: The South West Marine Research program is a long-term, multi-faceted project on the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins of South West Australia. This program is based in Bunbury (south of Perth) and is a collaboration between Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (www.mucru.org<http://www.mucru.org/>) and numerous industry and non-profit partners. The research focuses on dolphin population dynamics, abundance, social structure, behaviour, habitat use, conservation genetics, effects of human activity and foraging ecology. http://mucru.org/our-research/research-projects/south-west-marine-research-… Position: Here, I am specifically seeking research volunteers to assist with data collection and processing. Long-term data will be used to investigate effects of human activity on the population of bottlenose dolphin in this area, in order to aid in future conservation and management efforts. Fieldwork is conducted from Busselton to Binningup within a 540 km2 area consisting of coastal beaches, inshore bays, estuarine inlets and a river. Using a rigid sampling design, this research is conducted year round via standardised line transect surveys (up to 5 nm offshore) from a small research vessel. For further information on the boat-based photo-identification procedure, see the following open-access publication: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0076574 Additionally, land based data collection of vessel usage within the study area is conducted using distance sampling methods from a land based station in Bunbury. This experience will be most useful to students or anyone hoping to pursue a career in behavioural ecology, population biology, marine conservation or marine science. Office: Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit, South West Marine Research Program office is based at the Dolphin Discovery Center in Bunbury. http://dolphindiscovery.com.au/ Duties: Field: spotting wildlife, data collection, boat driving, photo identification. Office: Data entry, fin matching, project organisation. Land based: Use of binoculars with bearing and reticles for distance sampling of vessel traffic within the study area. Computer programs used for data are: FinBase, ACDSee, Logger, Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word. Assistants should: Be adaptable, patient, and enthusiastic as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. Fieldwork will vary between weekdays and weekends. When the weather permits fieldwork could be long and on consecutive days. Due to the training required, applicants must be willing to the project full-time for a minimum of two months. Applicants willing to participate for an extended duration will be given preference. Preferred skills/traits: 1. Enrolled in or completed a degree in biology, marine science, animal behaviour or a related field. 2. Previous field experience with wildlife (field data collection, photo-identification, boat handling skills). 3. Be enthusiastic, team oriented and have a positive attitude as well as a genuine interest in wildlife science. 4. No history of debilitating seasickness. Time Period: Seeking skilled research assistants for periods beginning in September 2015 through July 2016 with a commitment greater than 2 months preferred. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide monetary compensation or living provisions and research assistants will be responsible for their own travel to Western Australia and living expenses. If you are interested in volunteering or interning, please provide a cover letter including your time of availability, a short CV and contact information for at least 2 references to the attention of John Symons (J.Symons(a)murdoch.edu.au<mailto:J.Symons@murdoch.edu.au>). Short-listed candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. John Symons PhD Candidate Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Murdoch University South Street Murdoch WA 6150 Australia

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Ocean Sciences top predator session
by Mark Baumgartner 21 Sep '15

21 Sep '15

Dear Colleagues, The 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting will be held 21-26 February 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The meeting is an important venue for scientific exchange across broad marine science disciplines, with sessions on all aspects of oceanography. We would like to call your attention to a session we will be chairing entitled "Advances in the ecology, behavior, physiology, or conservation of marine top predators" (ME002). This session has been convened at the Ocean Sciences meetings since 2010, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for researchers studying a variety of taxa (including marine mammals) to meet, exchange ideas, and explore commonalities in research methods, scientific questions, and conservation efforts. Please consider submitting an abstract and attending the meeting. Abstracts are due by 23 September 2015 (2 weeks from Wednesday). More information on the session is below. Mark Baumgartner, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, mbaumgartner(a)whoi.edu Daniel Palacios, Oregon State University, daniel.palacios(a)oregonstate.edu ------------------ Topic: Marine Ecosystems Title: ME002. Advances in the ecology, behavior, physiology, or conservation of marine top predators Session ID#: 9588 Session Description: Top predators are a vital part of the marine ecosystem, and as such, their ecology, behavior and physiology can influence important processes such as trophic interactions, carbon flow, and nutrient recycling. Virtually all top predators have a history of over-exploitation or they have special management status because of their sensitivity to marine industrial activities and other human uses (e.g., bycatch, shipping, resource exploration/extraction). Basic research on top predators often focuses on gaps in our understanding of their ecology, but unlike many other branches of biological oceanography, research can also be motivated directly by management and conservation needs. This session will focus on studies of the ecology, behavior, and physiology of marine top predators that either advance our scientific understanding or support the conservation of these important taxa. Because Ocean Sciences provides a unique forum for marine ecologists, marine biologists, and oceanographers to interact, we seek contributions from researchers studying a wide variety of taxa, including fish, squid, reptiles, seabirds, and marine mammals, from anywhere in the world’s oceans.

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WIKIPEDIA workshop
by Shane Gero 21 Sep '15

21 Sep '15

Dear all, We would like to repost the Wikipedia Workshop being offered at the SMM conference in San Francisco. The Society is sponsoring the workshop so that it can be offered at the accessible price of only $20. The workshop offered in conjunction with The Wiki Education Foundation will build skills in using Wikipedia itself, but also techniques and tools available for using Wikipedia in teaching, outreach, and science communication. The workshop will also focus on using these new skills to advance current content on Wikipedia about marine mammals; and get attendees involved in the Society's Wikisprints which run biannually to update public content about the species we study and the conservation issues relating to them. No publication in any journal will have the same daily impact in advancing public understanding as a well cited Wikipedia article which are accessed thousands of times a day. If you want your research to reach a wider audience, Wikipedia is a great way to do so. Why not come learn how? Sign up here: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/workshops/#wikipedia My best, Shane **************************** Shane Gero Education Committee Chair Society for Marine Mammalogy http://www.marinemammalscience.org/ [facebook_logo20]<https://www.facebook.com/marinemammalogy> [Twitter_2012_bird_icon 20] <https://twitter.com/marinemammalogy>

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new paper out on line transect abundance estimates of Irrawaddy dolphins in Thailand
by Ellen M Hines 20 Sep '15

20 Sep '15

Hi all, we are happy to offer this open source publication: Line transect estimates of Irrawaddy dolphin abundance along the eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand Ellen M. Hines<http://frontiersin.org/people/u/189865>1*, Samantha Strindberg<http://frontiersin.org/people/u/252089>2, Chalatip Junchumpoo<http://frontiersin.org/people/u/263364>3, Louisa S. Ponnampalam<http://frontiersin.org/people/u/197749>4,5, Anoukchika D. Ilangakoon<http://frontiersin.org/people/u/251861>6, Justine Jackson-Ricketts<http://frontiersin.org/people/u/251968>7 and Somchai Monanunsap8 * 1Department of Geography and Environment, Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University, Tiburon, CA, USA * 2Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, USA * 3Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Eastern Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, Rayong, Thailand * 4Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia * 5The MareCet Research Organization, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia * 6Independent Researcher, Maharagama, Sri Lanka * 7Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA * 8Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Southern Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, Songkhla, Thailand Effective conservation of coastal marine mammals is largely dependent on reliable knowledge of their abundance, as well as the ecological and human factors driving their distribution. In developing countries, lack of resources and capacity frequently impedes research needed to estimate abundance and to determine the ecological requirements of coastal marine mammals and the impact of threats related to coastal development and fisheries. Over the course of 5 years, we developed practical research methods and trained local scientists in Thailand to use accepted line transect distance sampling methods for abundance assessment. The study focused on a little-known coastal and freshwater species found throughout Southeast Asia, namely the Irrawaddy dolphin, which has been sighted regularly along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Thailand. During 5 years of line transect boat surveys in Trat Province, the eastern-most province in Thailand, we found an average of 423 dolphins distributed within 12 km of the coast. Compared to other abundance estimates of coastal Irrawaddy dolphins in Southeast Asia, this is a relatively large number. This population could extend into the northern coast of Cambodia, where surveys are currently being planned. The Thai government has begun talks with Cambodia about a transboundary marine protected area that would include areas in both countries where coastal Irrawaddy dolphins are found. Collaboration between scientists in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam is further needed to determine dolphin movement and habitat use across borders. Here is the link: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2015.00063 Best, Ellen Ellen Hines, PhD Associate Director & Professor of Geography Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies San Francisco State University 3150 Paradise Drive Tiburon, CA 94920 USA 1 415 338 3512 Fax: 1 415 338 6243 ehines(a)sfsu.edu<mailto:ehines@sfsu.edu> http://rtc.sfsu.edu/research/in_hines.html

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Announcement: Oral Pathologies workshop at SMM 2015
by Flannery, Moe 18 Sep '15

18 Sep '15

Dear Marine Mammal Colleagues, We would like to invite you to a half-day workshop entitled "Dental and temporomandibular pathology in marine mammals" in association with the SMM Biennial Conference on Sunday, December 13th from 9:00am - 1:00pm. This workshop will be held at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Workshop participants will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the scientific research collection and free admission to the museum. Below is a brief description of the workshop. More information can be found at the SMM conference website. Workshop Summary: This workshop will highlight recent research on dental and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathology in several marine mammal species. Invited talks will cover pathologies found in pinnipeds, mustelids, and cetaceans. The use of museum specimens and fresh carcasses as research tools will be highlighted. This workshop will provide a unique insight into the current research being conducted on marine mammals as part of a collaborative effort between the University of California, Davis, the Marine Mammal Center, and the California Academy of Sciences. First, detailed characterization and documentation of dental and TMJ disorders conducted by board certified veterinary dentists and veterinary students using a large dry skull collection will be presented. This also includes dental radiography on selected studies. Second, we will highlight studies that are carried out on carcasses from stranded marine mammals. During these studies, tissue characterization that includes biomechanics, histologic, biochemical and electron microscopy are conducted to reveal the structure-function relationship of the TMJ. Workshop participants will be exposed to diagnosis of dental and TMJ disorders in marine mammals by experts in the field. Participants will also have an opportunity for hands-on examination of various dental pathologies in museum specimens. Workshop will be held at the California Academy of Sciences. This workshop would be limited to 50 people and will include tours of the CAS museum collection. Date and Time: December 13th, 2015, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm For further information and to register please go to the Society's website: https://www.marinemammalscience.org/conference/workshops/#dental If you have any questions about the workshop please feel free to contact us: Frank Verstrate (fjverstraete(a)ucdavis.edu<mailto:fjverstraete@ucdavis.edu>) Boaz Arzi (barzi(a)ucdavis.edu<mailto:barzi@ucdavis.edu>) Moe Flannery (mflannery(a)calacademy.org) Christine Fontaine (fontainec(a)tmmc.org<mailto:fontainec@tmmc.org>) Thanks, Frank, Boaz, Christine, and Moe Maureen Flannery Ornithology and Mammalogy Collection Manager California Academy of Sciences p. 415.379.5371 f. 415.379.5738 mflannery(a)calacademy.org<mailto:mflannery@calacademy.org> www.calacademy.org<http://www.calacademy.org/> 55 Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate Park San Francisco, CA 94118 Dive into the world of the ocean's mightiest and most mysterious mammals in our newest exhibit, Whales: Giants of the Deep. Now through November 29. Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/calacademy> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/calacademy>

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New contribution: Food Web Bioaccumulation Model for Resident Killer Whales from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean as a Tool for the Derivation of PBDE-Sediment Quality Guidelines
by Juan Jose Alava 18 Sep '15

18 Sep '15

Dear colleagues, I hope this message finds you well. I am pleased to share our new contribution on "Food Web Bioaccumulation Model for Resident Killer Whales from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean as a Tool for the Derivation of PBDE-Sediment Quality Guidelines." Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology pp 1-14First online: 20 August 2015 doi:10.1007/s00244-015-0215-y Juan José Alava, Peter S. Ross & Frank A. P. C. Gobas Abstract Resident killer whale populations in the NE Pacific Ocean are at risk due to the accumulation of pollutants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). To assess the impact of PBDEs in water and sediments in killer whale critical habitat, we developed a food web bioaccumulation model. The model was designed to estimate PBDE concentrations in killer whales based on PBDE concentrations in sediments and the water column throughout a lifetime of exposure. Calculated and observed PBDE concentrations exceeded the only toxicity reference value available for PBDEs in marine mammals (1500 μg/kg lipid) in southern resident killer whales but not in northern resident killer whales. Temporal trends (1993–2006) for PBDEs observed in southern resident killer whales showed a doubling time of ≈5 years. If current sediment quality guidelines available in Canada for polychlorinated biphenyls are applied to PBDEs, it can be expected that PBDE concentrations in killer whales will exceed available toxicity reference values by a large margin. Model calculations suggest that a PBDE concentration in sediments of approximately 1.0 μg/kg dw produces PBDE concentrations in resident killer whales that are below the current toxicity reference value for 95 % of the population, with this value serving as a precautionary benchmark for a management-based approach to reducing PBDE health risks to killer whales. The food web bioaccumulation model may be a useful risk management tool in support of regulatory protection for killer whales. Alava, J.J., Ross, P.S., Gobas, A.P.C. 2015. Food web bioaccumulation model for resident killer whales from the Northeastern Pacific Ocean as a tool for the derivation of PBDE-Sediment Quality Guidelines. Archives of Environmental Contamination 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 Jose 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…

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New publication about humpback whale cell line
by Burkard, Michael 18 Sep '15

18 Sep '15

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new paper: „Establishment of the first humpback whale fibroblast cell lines and their application in chemical risk assessment" Abstract: This paper reports the first successful derivation and characterization of humpback whale fibroblast cell lines. Primary fibroblasts were isolated from the dermal connective tissue of skin biopsies, cultured at 37◦C and 5% CO2 in the standard mammalian medium DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Of nine initial biopsies, two cell lines were established from two different animals and designated HuWa1 and HuWa2. The cells have a stable karyotype with 2n = 44, which has commonly been observed in other baleen whale species. Cells were verified as being fibroblasts based on their spindle-shaped morphology, adherence to plastic and positive immunoreaction to vimentin. Population doubling time was determined to be ∼41 h and cells were successfully cryopreserved and thawed. To date, HuWa1 cells have been propagated 30 times. Cells proliferate at the tested temper- atures, 30, 33.5 and 37 ◦ C, but show the highest rate of proliferation at 37◦ C. Short-term exposure to para,para′ -dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′ -DDE), a priority compound accumulating in southern hemisphere humpback whales, resulted in a concentration-dependent loss of cell viability. The effective concentration which caused a 50% reduction in HuWa1 cell viability (EC50 value) was approximately six times greater than the EC50 value for the same chemical measured with human dermal fibroblasts. HuWa1 exposed to a natural, p,p′-DDE-containing, chemical mixture extracted from whale blubber showed dis- tinctively higher sensitivity than to p,p′-DDE alone. Thus, we provide the first cytotoxicological data for humpback whales and with establishment of the HuWa cell lines, a unique in vitro model for the study of the whales’ sensitivity and cellular response to chemicals and other environmental stressors. A PDF version of the paper is available online at: http://authors.elsevier.com/a/1Rgvp_,OE92iql or https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281641631_Establishment_of_the_fir… or via e-mail request to michael.burkard(a)eawag.ch<mailto:michael.burkard@eawag.ch> Cheers, Michael Burkard [cid:61A2A85B-F56E-4AB5-85C9-260FAD2F1118@guests.emp-eaw.ch]

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