October 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Job posting-Assistant veterinarian
by Dr. Staggs 18 Oct '16

18 Oct '16

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Associate Veterinarian The Associate Veterinarian will work under the direction of the Senior Veterinarian to provide comprehensive medical and health care services for animals at Gulf World to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the animal collections. This person shall enthusiastically represents Gulf World by displaying a positive attitude, high level of energy and commitment to quality throughout all aspects of the job. The collection includes invertebrates, fresh and salt water fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and domestic mammals, and marine mammals. Major Responsibilities: * Oversees animal health programs. * Knowledge of current health status of collection. * Manages diagnostics and treatments. * Collaborates with veterinary and husbandry staff. * Organizes and maintains pharmacy and surgery areas. * Oversees medical care of animal rehabilitation program. * Conducts animal health research projects and prepares the results for presentations and peer-reviewed publications. * Assist with conducting health certification exams for animals and participate in transport of animals, if warranted. Qualifications: * Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) required. * Must have a minimum of 2 years prior experience in zoological medicine, including marine mammals. * Must hold a valid U.S. veterinary license. * Must qualify for Florida Veterinary License and USDA Accreditation certification. Salary position with benefits. Application deadline October 31, 2016 Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of intent to info(a)gulfworldmarinepark.com<mailto:info@gulfworldmarinepark.com> -- ExchangeDefender Message Security: Click below to verify authenticity https://admin.exchangedefender.com/verify.php?id=u9IILK2b024217&from=drstag…

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MMO and PSO training courses, Inverness, UK
by Carolyn Barton 18 Oct '16

18 Oct '16

MMO and PSO training courses are running in Inverness, Scotland, in December: JNCC-recognised MMO course for UK waters, 6 December 2016, GBP 130 PSO course for the Gulf of Mexico, meets BOEM/ BSEE requirements, 7 December 2016, GBP 55 (when taken in conjunction with the MMO course). These courses will cover all the information needed for work as a marine mammal observer (MMO) in UK waters or Protected Species Observer (PSO) in the US Gulf of Mexico. Taught by an MMO instructor with twenty years experience, course content includes the impact of sound on marine mammals, legislation protecting marine mammals, the requirements of the relevant mitigation measures and the role of the MMO/ PSO. Visual monitoring, an introduction to passive acoustic monitoring and identification of marine mammals (and sea turtles for the PSO course) are also covered. For full details of course content and to download a booking form, see www.carolynbarton.co.uk or e-mail info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk . Carolyn Barton info(a)carolynbarton.co.uk www.carolynbarton.co.uk

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Winter/Spring 2017 Marine Mammal Research Internship
by Victoria Howard 17 Oct '16

17 Oct '16

*Winter/Spring 2017 Marine Mammal Research Internship* The IMMS Research Internship Program located in Gulfport, MS is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will participate with multiple projects involving bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and diamondback terrapins. As an intern, you will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research, sea turtle satellite tracking, and other current research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine science research. Interns must: - Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. - Be available to work Mon-Fri and must be available for all boat trips. Some field days may fall on the weekends. - Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes. - Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills. - *Principle Duties include*: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), boat based field research (21’ and 31’ boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS - *Secondary Duties involve*: Assisting with animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, and assisting with educational tours. - *Field days: *Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least two or three times a week. Applicants must be 18 or older and must have a genuine interest in marine research. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in oceanography, marine science/biology, biology, or a related field. Previous research experience in any capacity is a plus. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations. *Deadline to Apply for the Winter/Spring Session (1/2/17 - 3/24/17 and 3/6/17 - 5/26/17) is November 1, 2016* *Please visit **http://imms.org/internship.php* <http://imms.org/internship.php>* for application and full details*

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Re: [MARMAM] Seiche Training up and coming courses
by Stephanie Barnicoat 14 Oct '16

14 Oct '16

Seiche Training would like to announce two courses (Please note dates have changed for the Acoustic Modelling course) Plymouth University Marine Institute is hosting a Underwater Acoustic Modelling course which will equip delegates with a thorough knowledge of underwater acoustic modelling on the 8th and 9th December. The course is delivered by leading research professors and experts in their field, including Professor Georgy Shapiro, Dr Feng Chen and Dr Paul Lepper. The course is aimed at regulators, environmental consultants, researchers and policy/ environmental professionals within the industry. The course introduces all the key concepts and opens up a learning pathway to those wishing to conduct modelling themselves in the future. It is well suited to those who require deeper understanding of technical reports. Course modules * Introduction to underwater sound * Modelling processes and capabilities * The physics of sound propagation and assessment metrics * Types of models available * Criteria for assessing impacts upon marine life and mitigation zone determination * Field measurement and sound source verification * Application to EIAs * Interpretation of results / best practice / standards / metrics * Properties of sea water: temperature, salinity and sound speed * Oceanic features influencing sound propagation and their variability: thermocline, fronts and eddies * Visualisation tools to identify ocean thermocline, fronts and eddies * Seasonal variation in sound propagation * Modelling shipping noise experienced by marine life http://www.seichetraining.com/underwater-acoustic-modelling-2/ For more information on the course, please email s.hancock(a)seichetraining.com<mailto:s.hancock@seichetraining.com> Deadline for registration 15th October Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Level 1 course 9th to 11th November, 3 day course to become a qualified offshore PAM operator, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil http://www.seichetraining.com/passive-acoustic-monitoring-pam-level-1/ Any inquires please contact s.hancock(a)seichetraining.com<mailto:s.hancock@seichetraining.com> Stephanie Barnicoat Bioscience Group Tel no: 01409 404050 [Seichetechtrackemailsignature7.9.15]

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New paper on odontocete stranding records in southern Brazil
by Carolina Loch Silva 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the current issue of Zoologia: *Review of thirty-two years of toothed whale strandings in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil (Cetacea: Odontoceti) * Thaís dos S. Vianna, Carolina Loch, Pedro V. de Castilho, Morgana C. Gaidzinski, Marta J. Cremer & Paulo C. Simões-Lopes doi: 10.1590/S1984-4689zool-20160089 ABSTRACT Marine mammal strandings provide valuable insights into local biodiversity. Strandings can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. In Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil, organized marine mammal collections started in the 1980s through opportunistic and non-systematic collection efforts, representing a record of over 30 years of marine biodiversity. This study aimed to perform a preliminary review of 32 years of stranding records within this region. The secondary aim was to elucidate the stranding dynamics of the three most commonly recorded species. A total of 460 records were obtained, representing 17 species of odontocetes. The species registered most frequently were the franciscana *Pontoporia blainvillei *(n= 173), bottlenose dolphin *Tursiops truncatus *(n= 100) and Guiana dolphin *Sotalia guianensis* (n= 97). Most of the stranding records were observed in the second half of the year during the austral winter and spring. The apparent causes of death could not be determined for most of the specimens due to carcass decomposition. For the specimens in which the apparent cause of death could be determined, 27% of the strandings were compatible with anthropogenic interactions. While the focus of this study was a preliminary assessment of stranding data obtained through opportunistic collection, it is evident that future systematic monitoring efforts and stable networks of collaborators will generate more reliable coastal biodiversity inventories and will allow the understanding of population dynamics of marine mammal species. In particular, for threatened and vulnerable species, or species with poor natural history data, strandings are a fundamental tool for the understanding of marine biodiversity. Ideally, future more refined analyses of stranding data should be used to inform conservation and management policies and to elucidate the biology and ecology of marine and coastal ecosystems within this region. Keywords: bycatch, marine mammals, *Pontoporia blainvillei, Sotalia guianensis, Tursiops truncatus.* Full text is available at: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/zool/v33n5/1984-4689-zool-33-05-e20160089.pdf Or alternatively, a *pdf* can be requested at: carolina.loch(a)otago.ac.nz Kind regards, _______________________________________ Carolina Loch Silva, PhD Research Fellow Sir John Walsh Research Institute Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago Dunedin 9054, New Zealand Phone: +(64) 03 479-7093 & Research Collaborator Geology Department, University of Otago and Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos UFSC Florianópolis, SC - Brasil http://www.otago.ac.nz/sjwri/people/craniofacial-biomechanics/otago054438.h…

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New paper on the atypical residency of short-beaked common dolphins
by DRI Research Officer 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper: Mason S, Salgado Kent C, Donnelly D, Weir J, Bilgmann K. (2016) *Atypical residency of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) to a shallow, urbanized embayment in south-eastern Australia. *Royal Society Open Science * 3* DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160478. Abstract Short-beaked common dolphins (*Delphinus delphis*) are typically considered highly mobile, offshore delphinids. This study assessed the residency of a small community of short-beaked common dolphins in the shallow, urbanized Port Phillip Bay, south-eastern Australia. The ability to identify common dolphins by their dorsal fin markings and coloration using photo-identification was also investigated. Systematic and non-systematic boat surveys were undertaken between 2007 and 2014. Results showed that 13 adult common dolphins and their offspring inhabit Port Phillip Bay, of which 10 adults exhibit residency to the bay. The majority of these adults are reproductively active females, suggesting that female philopatry may occur in the community. Systematic surveys conducted between 2012 and 2014 revealed that the dolphins were found in a median water depth of 16 m and median distance of 2.2 km from the coast. The shallow, urbanized habitat of this resident common dolphin community is atypical for this species. As a result, these common dolphins face threats usually associated with inshore bottlenose dolphin communities. We suggest that the Port Phillip Bay common dolphin community is considered and managed separate to those outside the embayment and offshore to ensure the community's long-term viability and residency in the bay. The paper is Open Access and available for download at http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/3/9/160478 Kind regards, Sue Mason *Research Director / PhD student (Curtin University)* *Dolphin Research Institute* *PO Box 77 Hastings Vic 3915* *www.dolphinresearch.org.au <http://www.dolphinresearch.org.au/> www.facebook.com/driface <http://www.facebook.com/driface>* *Office: 1300 130 949 * *Mobile: +61 438 399 676* *Email: research(a)dolphinresearch.org.au <research(a)dolphinresearch.org.au>*

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New publication on the abundance of WSA humpback whales
by Guilherme Augusto Bortolotto 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

Dear MARMAM colleagues, It is with great pleasure that my co-authors and I would like to share our most recent publication in PLOS ONE: Bortolotto GA, Danilewicz D, Andriolo A, Secchi ER, Zerbini AN (2016) *Whale, whale, e**verywhere: Increasing abundance of western South Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera **novaeangliae) in their wintering grounds*. PLoS ONE 11(10): e0164596. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0164596 Abstract: The western South Atlantic (WSA) humpback whale population inhabits the coast of Brazil during the breeding and calving season in winter and spring. This population was depleted to near extinction by whaling in the mid-twentieth century. Despite recent signs of recovery, increasing coastal and offshore development pose potential threats to these animals. Therefore, continuous monitoring is needed to assess population status and support conservation strategies. The aim of this work was to present ship-based line-transect estimates of abundance for humpback whales in their WSA breeding ground and to investigate potential changes in population size. Two cruises surveyed the coast of Brazil during August-September in 2008 and 2012. The area surveyed in 2008 corresponded to the currently recognized population breeding area; effort in 2012 was limited due to unfavorable weather conditions. WSA humpback whale population size in 2008 was estimated at 16,410 (CV = 0.228, 95% CI = 10,563–25,495) animals. In order to compare abundance between 2008 and 2012, estimates for the area between Salvador and Cabo Frio, which were consistently covered in the two years, were computed at 15,332 (CV = 0.243, 95% CI = 9,595–24,500) and 19,429 (CV = 0.101, 95% CI = 15,958–23,654) whales, respectively. The difference in the two estimates represents an increase of 26.7% in whale numbers in a 4-year period. The estimated abundance for 2008 is considered the most robust for the WSA humpback whale population because the ship survey conducted in that year minimized bias from various sources. Results presented here indicate that in 2008, the WSA humpback whale population was at least around 60% of its estimated pre-modern whaling abundance and that it may recover to its pre-exploitation size sooner than previously estimated. Full text and PDF files can be downloaded here https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309122119_Whale_ whale_everywhere_Increasing_abundance_of_western_South_ Atlantic_humpback_whales_Megaptera_novaeangliae_in_their_wintering_grounds or here http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164596 Alternatively, please send PDF requests to bortolotto.vet(a)gmail.com. All the best, Gui Bortolotto ....................... From* *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner*,1834 poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: "Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink." *Also from *Rime of the Ancient Mariner,* 1984 song By Iron Maiden -- *Guilherme A. Bortolotto | *PhD Student SMRU • CREEM • School of Biology University of St Andrews *http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=gabdo <http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/contact/staffProfile.aspx?sunid=gabdo>* Mobile UK: (44) 0 7884 398394 R3 Animal Association (http://en.r3animal.org/)

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Workshop on River Dolphin bait use
by botoworkshop＠ampa.org.br 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

“CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE USE OF RIVER DOLPHINS AS BAIT IN PIRACATINGA FISHING” INVITATION Dear colleagues, The _Aquatic Mammals Lab_ at the _National Institute of Amazonian Research_ and the _Friends of Amazonian Manatee Association_ would like to invite you to participate on the workshop “CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE USE OF RIVER DOLPHINS AS BAIT IN PIRACATINGA FISHING” to be held prior to the Latin American Society of Aquatic Mammal Experts (SOLAMAC) meeting in VALPARAISO, CHILE on the 26TH OF NOVEMBER 2016. Our aim is to bring together researchers, professionals, and organizations working on South American river dolphin conservation to communicate their work, discuss local and regional alternatives and partnerships to curb the use of dolphins as bait and articulate actions in collaboration to strengthen conservation and research efforts. We would like to request everyone that carry projects focused on this theme to present your work, publicizing the proposals, methodology, results and important information on this subject. Presentations will be important to foster discussions on the necessary actions to solve the problem. REGISTRATION AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION deadline: 10 November 2016. REGISTRATION (NO COST): https://pt.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRSNWJR [1] FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT: botoworkshop(a)ampa.org.br or access http://solamac2016.com/congress/estado-atual-do-conhecimento-sobre-o-uso-do… [2] Looking forward to see you in Valparaiso! Best wishes, ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Links: ------ [1] https://pt.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRSNWJR [2] http://solamac2016.com/congress/estado-atual-do-conhecimento-sobre-o-uso-do…

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Marine Mammal Experience Internship
by Victoria Howard 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

The IMMS Marine Mammal Experience Internship Program, located in Gulfport, MS, is designed as a way for students interested in a career in science education to gain valuable hands-on experience in a real-world informal educational setting. Interns will further their knowledge by working in other IMMS departments, including Research, Animal Care & Training, and Veterinary/Stranding. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and practical involvement in marine science education. This is an unpaid position and all interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Positions are limited and IMMS reserves the right to end an internship at any time. *Principle Duties and Requirements* Interns must: - Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks, 40 hours a week. The internship can be extended depending on work performance. - Be available to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays. - Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes. - Produce high quality efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills and maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. - Have excellent presentation and public speaking skills with the ability to effectively communicate in English. - *Principle Duties include*: Conducting educational presentations, answering guest questions about the habitat and the animals, make reservation for programming over the phone, Utilize online booking software and Microsoft Outlook to track reservations and schedule programs, photograph program participants and develop pictures for purchase, work in the museum area to receive/check-in guest and payments for programming, organize and conduct Birthday Party program, work with other departments and staff in scheduling programs. - *Secondary Duties involve*: Assisting with animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, assisting with educational tours, and assisting research staff. - Interns must be able to spend many hours standing, walking, and working for prolonged periods of time in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Applicants must be 18 or older. Applicants should be actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate. Previous experience in any capacity is a plus. Applicants must be able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations. *Deadline to Apply for the Fall is November 1, 2016* *Please visit **http://imms.org/internship.php* <http://imms.org/internship.php>* for application and full details*

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Postdoctoral Research position in Spatial and Movement Ecology of marine predators
by Mónica Silva 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

Dear All, We are pleased to post this announcement for a Postdoctoral Research in Spatial and Movement Ecology of marine top predators, with a focus on cetaceans and pelagic fishes. The position is based at the Institute of Marine Research, in Azores, Faial Island. The appointment will be for 18 months, starting on 1st December 2016. The call will be open from 12th - 31th of October 2016. The position and application process are described in detail here: http://www.horta.uac.pt/intradop/index.php/pt/86-notas/3053-postdoctoral-re… Briefly, the successful candidate must hold a PhD in Biology, Marine Biology, Statistics or a closely related field. The candidate must have a strong background in advanced statistical analyses of animal distribution and movement data, good programming skills, experience in handling large spatial environmental databases and using GIS software, and a good track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. Previous experience in fieldwork with cetaceans and fishes and expertise in pelagic marine systems is beneficial but not required. Kind regards, Mónica Silva Mónica Almeida e Silva (Marine Biologist, PhD) ----------------------------------------------------- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre IMAR - Institute of Marine Research Rua Frederico Machado, 4 9901-862 Horta Portugal Phone: (+351) 292200400 Email: masilva(a)mare-centre.pt; monica.silva.imar(a)gmail.com http://www.whales.uac.pt/ ----------------------------------------------------- Guest Investigator WHOI – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA

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