December 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Marine Vertebrate Acoustician -- Professorship available
by Bernd Wursig 15 Dec '16

15 Dec '16

Assistant/Associate Professor in Marine Vertebrate Biology Texas A&M University, Galveston Campus The Department of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position in the area of marine vertebrate biology, with an emphasis on modern users of passive and/or active acoustics, and a potential focus on marine mammals, marine birds, sea turtles, and/or fishes. We seek an individual with a Ph.D. whose research complements and enhances that of faculty in the Department of Marine Biology (www.tamug.edu/marb<http://www.tamug.edu/marb>) and in other departments of the University. We are particularly interested in recruiting someone who has developed innovative research approaches to the field and who will be comfortable developing multidisciplinary partnerships with other research groups across the university. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from individuals with a strong record of instrumentation development (electronics, remote telemetry, etc.). Teaching responsibilities will include contributing to the need of the Department and advanced courses in the candidate's area of specialization. The successful applicant will be expected to establish and sustain a vigorous externally funded research program and potential collaborations with other Departments (e.g. Engineering) as well as mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. TAMUG is the ocean-oriented branch campus of Texas A&M University (TAMU) and is presently undergoing continuous growth and expansion of its physical facilities. In addition to undergraduate programs, TAMUG is the host campus of a graduate-level Interdisciplinary Degree Program (lDP) in Marine Biology, which is comprised of faculty from six departments within the Texas A&M University System. Apart from the lDP, members of the Department of Marine Biology can also obtain joint or graduate appointments in departments on the College Station and Galveston campuses. A large scale initiative in Ocean and Multidisciplinary Engineering on the Galveston campus offers multiple opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations. The Department occupies space in the Ocean and Coastal Studies Building, a LEED-certified facility home to over 20 research laboratories, two teaching laboratories, and a Sea Life Center with running sea water systems. More information on the Department and the campus can be found at http://www.tamug.edu<http://www.tamug.edu/> Applications should be received by January 31, 2017 for full consideration. Anticipated start date for the position is Fall 2017. The department is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. To apply, send a curriculum vitae, statement of current research and teaching interests and list of three references with contact information to: Chair, Marine Biology Search Committee PAR # 3981, c/o Human Resources Department, Texas A&M University at Galveston, P.O. Box 1675, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553-1675 or by email referencing PAR # 3981 (hr(a)tamug.edu<mailto:hr@tamug.edu>). For more information regarding the position, contact the Department Head of Marine Biology (Dr. John R. Schwarz) by e-mail (schwarzj(a)tamug.edu<mailto:schwarzj@tamug.edu>). Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and verification of eligibility to work in the U.S. Texas A & M University, Galveston Campus is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action/ Veterans/ Disability Employer committed to Diversity. Notice of Non-discrimination: http://vpfa.tamu.edu/media/642261/NoticeOfNonDiscrimination.pdf (Sent by) Bernd Würsig, Ph.D. Regents and Distinguished Professor George Mitchell Endowed Chair in Sustainable Fisheries Department of Marine Biology Texas A&M University at Galveston 200 SeaWolf Pkwy., Bldg. 3029, Rm. #243 Galveston, TX 77551 Tel: 1-409-740-4413; Fax:1-409-740-4717 Web: http://www.tamug.edu/mmbeg/

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Protected Resources Job in NMFS Alaska Region
by Jon Kurland - NOAA Federal 14 Dec '16

14 Dec '16

Please spread the word! The NMFS Alaska Region, Protected Resources Division, will soon be advertising to fill a Resource Management Specialist position, ZP-401 band 3 (GS 11/12 equivalent). The division is responsible for the conservation and recovery of marine mammals including whales, fur seals, ice seals, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions. The position will be located in Juneau. The person hired for this job will work in a team environment to conduct analyses and implement conservation actions to promote the management and recovery of protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The job involves addressing the effects of commercial fisheries on marine mammals, conducting consultations with other federal agencies under section 7 of the ESA to assess impacts to listed species, and supporting other marine mammal conservation activities. We're looking for someone with excellent project management, analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills, and hopefully having experience with fishery management and the MMPA and ESA. The announcement will be posted at www.usajobs.gov very soon and the application period will probably be seven days -- hence this early notification to get the word out and encourage qualified people to apply. If you're interested, please get your resume and transcripts ready to submit when the announcement is posted. The announcement numbers will be NMFS-AKR-2017-0011 (current federal employees and other status applicants) and NMFS-AKR-2017-0012 (all qualified US citizens or nationals). Anyone who has questions about the job should feel free to contact Aleria Jensen (aleria.jensen(a)noaa.gov, 907-586-7248 <(907)%20586-7248>) or me ( jon.kurland(a)noaa.gov, 907-586-7638 <(907)%20586-7638>). Please forward this email to others who may be interested. Thanks! Jon Kurland Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Region

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ECS volunteers 2017
by Rebecca Boys 14 Dec '16

14 Dec '16

Dear ECS students, We now have enough volunteers for the next ECS conference in Denmark! Thank you to all those that applied, the application process is now closed. Thank you, Rebecca Boys

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New publication: Spontaneous prosocial choice by captive bottlenose dolphins
by Fumio Nakahara 13 Dec '16

13 Dec '16

Dear MARMAM readers, We are pleased to announce the following publication in Behavioural Processes: Nakahara F, Komaba M, Sato R, Ikeda H, Komaba K & Kawakubo A. 2017. Spontaneous prosocial choice by captive bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Behavioural Processes, 135: 8-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2016.11.009 Abstract Dolphins exhibit prosocial behavior across several different contexts. However, only a few experimental studies have investigated the psychological mechanisms underlying this behavior. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying prosociality in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). In the experiments, water shower devices, developed as environmental enrichment items, were used. Two paradigms were used to measure prosociality. The first was the prosocial choice task, involving the subject typically being offered one choice between two options. The first option provided a reward (take a shower) to both the subject and partner (prosocial choice). The second option provided a reward only to the subject (selfish choice). The second paradigm was the giving assistance task, involving the subject being provided a choice between providing instrumental help to the partner (prosocial choice) or doing nothing. It was observed that the subjects chose the prosocial choices in both paradigms. In these experiments, prosocial choices were spontaneously taken without requests from the partners. These results indicated that the dolphins show preference for other-regarding behavior. The article can be downloaded from: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1U6Z6_8a4xpjaN Regards, ======== Fumio Nakahara, Ph.D. Professor Tokiwa University 1-430-1 Miwa, Mito, Ibaraki, 310-8585 Japan Email: fnakahar(a)tokiwa.ac.jp

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University of Florida - spring online Aquatic Wildlife Health course
by Larkin,Iskande (Iske) 13 Dec '16

13 Dec '16

Hi All, I just wanted to send out a reminder before the holidays. Registration is currently open for Spring 2017. The University of Florida, Aquatic Animal Health Program, is offering the following course for those that may be interested. Class begins Jan 4th. Registration will remain open until Jan 6th. Aquatic Wildlife Health Issues is an online course (3 credits) designed to introduce students (upper level undergraduate and graduate) and professionals (with an AA or higher degree) to the natural history, anatomy, physiology, behavior and common health issues of aquatic species: whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, manatees, sea turtles, crocodilians, fish and invertebrates. For more information about the class or enrollment, contact Dr. Iskande Larkin (ivlarkin(a)ufl.edu)<mailto:ivlarkin@ufl.edu%29.*This> Sincerely, Dr Iske Larkin [Description: AAH logo blue E-Mail Sig] Iske V. Larkin, PhD Lecturer & Education Coordinator Aquatic Animal Health Program Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida PO Box 100136 2015 SW 16th Ave Gainesville, Florida 32610 Office phone - 352-294-4095 Work cell - 352-494-1742 Fax - 352-392-8289 Program web page: http://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world." -Anonymous ________________________________ Please note that Florida has a broad public records law, and that all correspondence to or from University of Florida employees via email may be subject to disclosure.

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New publication on Dolphin Morbillivirus as possible factor in a sperm whales' mass stranding
by Sandro Mazzariol 13 Dec '16

13 Dec '16

Dear All, we're pleased to announce a new publication on dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) in a sperm whales' mass stranding: *Mazzariol S, Centelleghe C, Di Provvido A, Di Renzo L, Cardeti G, Cersini A, et al. Dolphin morbillivirus associated with a mass stranding of sperm whales, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017* In the paper investigations on the new findings of DMV in a mass stranding occurred in Italy in September 2014: seven sperm whales were stranded along Italy’s Adriatic coastline. Postmortem investigations on 3 female adult whales and 1 male fetus carried by the largest female revealed molecular and immunohistochemical evidence of DMV infection. A possible role of the virus in the stranding event was considered. The publication could be found at the following address https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/23/1/16-0239_article Sincerely Sandro Mazzariol -- Dr. Sandro Mazzariol, DVM, PhD Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione (BCA) Università degli Studi di Padova Cetaceans strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT) AGRIPOLIS - Ed. Museo Viale dell'Università 16 35020 - Legnaro (PD) tel.: +39 049 827 2963 fax: +39 049 827 2973 skype: smazzariol

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New Publication: Temporal and spatial trends in stranding records of cetaceans on the Irish coast, 2002–2014
by Barry McGovern 12 Dec '16

12 Dec '16

Dear Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper: McGovern, B., Culloch, R.M., O’Connell, M. and Berrow, S. (2016) Temporal and spatial trends in stranding records of cetaceans on the Irish coast, 2002–2014. *Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom*. pp. 1–13. doi: 10.1017/S0025315416001594 Abstract: Using Irish strandings data collected between 2002 and 2014, seasonal and annual trends in the number of strandings for all strandings identified to species level (n = 1,480), and for the five most frequently reported species: common dolphin (25.7% of records), harbour porpoise (22.2%), long-finned pilot whale (8.8%), striped dolphin (6.9%) and bottlenose dolphin (6.9%) were investigated. With the exception of bottlenose dolphins, there was a significant linear increase in the number of strandings across years for all species and for all strandings collectively, that were identified to species-level. Only common dolphins demonstrated a significant increase in the proportion of records relative to all other strandings, which may be indicative of a real rise in the number of strandings of this species. Common dolphins and harbour porpoises showed a similar significant difference in monthly strandings, with more strandings occurring during the earlier months of the year. Significant differences in the gender of stranded animals were found in common, striped, bottlenose and Atlantic white-sided dolphins and sperm and pygmy sperm whales. Live and mass stranding events primarily comprised of pelagic species. Most strandings occurred on the south and west coasts, with two hotspots for live and mass strandings identified. The patterns and trends identified are discussed in relation to the caveats in interpreting strandings data. Specifically to Ireland, the findings highlight the urgent need to build on the current volunteer reporting network and augment this comprehensive dataset with post mortem examinations to better understand the cause of the trends identified. The importance of strandings data in informing conservation and management guidelines of these species’ is discussed. Available online at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-the-marine-biological-as… Or to request a copy directly from me, please email bmcgovern100(a)gmail.com Best wishes, -- Barry McGovern Namibian Dolphin Project, PO Box 5209, Walvis Bay, Namibia Phone: +264 81 236 0858 (Mob Namibia) +353 85 826 8786 (Mob Ireland) www.namibiandolphinproject.com

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Second edition of Humpback Whale World Congress
by Dina ANDRIANAIVORAVELONA 11 Dec '16

11 Dec '16

HUMPBACK WHALES WORLD CONGRESS https://hwwc.mg [1] Dear all We are pleased to announce that the 2nd edition of Humpback Whales World Congress (HWWC) will be held from the 3rd to the 7th of July 2017, in Reunion Island, Indian Ocean. The HWWC theme is "HUMPBACK WHALE: NEW AND INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND AND PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES." Humpback whales were decimated by whaling across the planet last century and much of what we understood then about these ocean wanderers came from the whaling industry. Now as some populations rebound, new technologies and techniques (from satellites to epi-genetics) allow for an expanded understanding and rethinking of their biology and conservation. Their future is critically dependent on novel scientific knowledge as the species faces new ocean-wide challenges in the form of expanding human ocean-use, climate change, ocean acidification and habitat decline in the form of water quality, shipping, noise pollution and other anthropogenic impacts. The conference will address a broad range of topics relevant to humpback whale research and conservation. Subjects for oral presentation or poster submission include, but are not limited to: causes and consequences of migration, acoustics, genetics, abundance, feeding and breeding behavior and ecology, human interactions, climate change, management actions, etc. Workshops can also be proposed to address specific thematic. Specific research topics, fields of study, and methodological approaches have been left open intentionally to encourage interdisciplinary exchange. The official language of the conference is English. IMPORTANT DATES - January 2nd, 2017: Opening for early registration - March 6th, 2017: Deadline for abstract submission - April 3rd, 2017: Decisions for abstract submissions - May 1st, 2017: Online release of the program and call for paper for special issue - July 3rd to 7th, 2017: Congress in Reunion Island, Indian Ocean The members of the scientific committee are : _(alphabetic order)_ * Adam, NeuroPSI CNRS 9197 University Paris Sud Orsay, France * Cerchio, New England Aquarium/ Indocet Consortium, USA * Charrier, NeuroPSI CNRS UMR9197 University Paris Sud Orsay, France * Dulau Violaine, Association Groupe Local d'OBservation et d'Identification des CEtaces/Indocet Consortium, Ile de la Réunion, France * Dunlop, Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics Laboratory, University of Queensland, Australia * Findlay, Mammal Reaserch Institute Whale Unit, University of Pretoria/Indocet Consortium, South Africa * Fossette, University of Western Australia/ Indocet Consortium, Australia * Garrigue, UMR ENTROPIE, IRD / Indocet Consortium, New Caledonia * Glotin, Institut Universitaire de France, Systems and Information Sciences Lab CNRS UMR7296 University of Toulon, France * Jaeger, University of la Réunion, Reunion Island * Jung, BioGeMME, University of Brest, France * Le Corre, University of la Réunion, Reunion Island * Mercado, University at Buffalo, New York, USA * Palsboll, Marine Evolution and Conservation, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands * Reidenberg, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA * Stimpert, Vertebrate Ecology Lab, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, CA, USA * Trudelle, Bioacoustics Team, Institut de Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (_NeuroPSI), _France * Vasquez, Atemar, Asesoría Ambiental y Tecnología Marítima, Republique Dominicaine ABSTRACTS The Scientific Committee is keen to encourage the attendance of students, as well as established researchers and observers. Abstracts have to be written in English, in Times New Roman, 12-point font; single-spaced with justified alignment. Contributors are invited to send an abstract (max. 350 words), including: * first names and last names of author and co-authors * affiliation * email of the corresponding author * main text with introduction about the scientific context and the objectives of your work, then successive parts showing the methods, the results, the discussion and the conclusion. Submissions should be directly sent only by email to info(a)hwwc.mg before MARCH 6TH, 2017. REVIEW PROCESS The Scientific Committee according to its originality, importance, clarity, and interdisciplinarity, will review each submission anonymously. Corresponding authors will be notified by email of the Committee's decision by APRIL 3RD, 2017. Admitted abstracts will be proposed as oral presentation with 15 minutes of duration or as poster, for that please specify in your submission if you apply for an oral presentation or a poster session. REGISTRATION Registration fees give access to to all scientific sessions, all printed materials, lunches and coffee break, invitation to welcome cocktail and closing ceremony. Online early registration will be open from JANUARY 2ND, 2017. The early fees are: - Regular attendees: EUR 150 - Students: EUR 90 The organizing committee could be open to providing a grant for deserving candidates, under their discretion. The organizers are: - CETAMADA association (www.cetamada.com [2]) - Council of Reunion Island (www.regionreunion.com) For further information about the venue, submissions, and registration, please visit the HWWC website: http://www.hwwc.mg [3]or send an email to secretary(a)hwwc.mg Best regards -- [4] DINA ANDRIANAIVORAVELONA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TEL: +262 6 92 25 40 58 SECRETARY(a)HWWC.MG WWW.HWWC.MG [4] Links: ------ [1] https://hwwc2015.org [2] http://www.cetamada.com [3] http://www.hwwc2015.org [4] http://www.hwwc.mg

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UKIRSC annual student conference, January 2017 - 2nd announcement
by Leticiaà Legat 09 Dec '16

09 Dec '16

The Committee of UK and Ireland Student Chapter (UKIRSC) of the Society for Marine Mammalogy are pleased to announce that the 2017 Conference in Plymouth will open with an Ice Breaker event at the National Marine Aquarium on the evening of the 18th of January. Our key note speakers this year on the 19th and 20th of January are Dr. Iain Staniland, a marine mammal ecologist from the British Antarctic Survey, Abby Crosby, the Marine Conservation Officer from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and Dr. Kimberely Bennett, a marine mammal physiologist and lecturer in biomedical science at Abertay University. In addition, Paul Cox, the Managing Director of the Shark Trust and a science communication specialist, will be hosting an interactive workshop on the importance of good science communication for conservation. Abstract deadline is 4th of January and registration deadline is the 11th of January. For more info and to register, go to: http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/…/2017-conference-plymouth…/ <http://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/ukrsc/2017-conference-plymouth-england/> N.B This conference is completely FREE -- Leticiaa Legat, PhD Candidate Centre for Wildlife Conservation University of Cumbria, Lake District Campus Nook Lane, Ambleside Cumbria - UK LA22 9BB

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New Review Paper on Cetacean Responses to Sonar
by Brandon Southall 09 Dec '16

09 Dec '16

MARMAM subscribers, On behalf of my colleagues and co-authors (Doug Nowacek, Patrick Miller, and Peter Tyack), I am pleased to bring to your attention a recently-published paper in Endangered Species Research (ESR). This Open Access paper is entitled "Experimental field studies to measure behavioral responses of cetaceans to sonar" and it was published as a contribution to the ESR Theme Section " 21st Century Paradigms for Measuring and Managing the Effects of Anthropogenic Ocean Noise." The reference and abstract are given below. The contents page of the respective ESR volume (v.31) can be found at: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v31/ and the article itself is available at: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v31/p293-315/ or upon email request. Thank you, Brandon Southall and co-authors ABSTRACT: Substantial recent progress has been made in directly measuring behavioral re - sponses of free-ranging marine mammals to sound using controlled exposure experiments. Many studies were motivated by concerns about observed and potential negative effects of military sonar, including stranding events. Well-established experimental methods and increasingly sophisticated technologies have enabled fine-resolution measurement of many aspects of baseline behavior and responses to sonar. Studies have considered increasingly diverse taxa, but primarily odontocete and mysticete cetaceans that are endangered, particularly sensitive, or frequently exposed to sonar. This review focuses on recent field experiments studying cetacean responses to simulated or actual active military sonars in the 1 to 8 kHz band. Overall results demonstrate that some individuals of different species display clear yet varied responses, some of which have negative implications, while others appear to tolerate relatively high levels, although such exposures may have other consequences not measured. Responses were highly variable and may not be fully predictable with simple acoustic exposure metrics (e.g. received sound level). Rather, differences among species and individuals along with contextual aspects of exposure (e.g. be - havioral state) appear to affect response probability. These controlled experiments provide critically needed documentation of identified behavioral responses occurring upon known sonar exposures, and they directly inform regulatory assessments of potential effects. They also inform more targeted opportunistic monitoring of potential responses of animals during sonar operations and have stimulated adaptations of field methods to consider increasingly realistic exposure scenarios and how contextual factors such as behavioral state and source proximity influence response type and probability. KEY WORDS: Behavioral response study · Sonar · Marine mammals · Controlled exposure experiment

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