February 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Research Internship 2016_Namibia
by Namibian Dolphin Project 08 Feb '16

08 Feb '16

We would be grateful if you could circulate this information. The Namibian Dolphin Project is a research and conservation organization run by several independent scientists based in southern Africa. We are running research internships in 2016 and would like to invite students enrolled in marine biology, ecology and zoology degrees to attend. These 6 week long internships will take place between 1 June to 13 July 2016 and 20 July to 31 August 2016 in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Internships are research focused with an emphasis on learning field skills used in cetacean research such as photo-identification and behavioural data collection, as well as data management and team work. The fee of 2500 USD covers all research training, field work, accommodation and food for the 6 week field period. Please note we have limited spaces remaining. If you are interested in joining our research team during one of these periods please send a letter of motivation and your CV in an email with the subject Research Internship 2016_Namibia to nam.dolphin.edu(a)gmail.com. More information can be found on the Namibian Dolphin Project and our umbrella organisation Sea Search by following these links ( www.namibiandolphinproject.com www.seasearch.co.za) Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions regarding this training opportunity. Kind regards Namibian Dolphin Project Team www.namibiandolphinproject.com namibiandolphinproject.blogspot.com

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Announcement of Research Trip "Advances in Marine Wildlife Monitoring with Emphasis on Acoustics and Visual Techniques": May 9-16 2016, Ireland
by Sam Nichols 08 Feb '16

08 Feb '16

*Advances in Marine Wildlife Monitoring with Emphasis on Acoustics and Visual Techniques, May 2016, Ireland* Marine wildlife research is evolving and changing thanks to exciting new monitoring technologies in this field and Seiche is at the forefront of developing these advanced technologies. For the first time, Seiche is running a 7 day research trip on Lambay Island, Ireland, where we will be utilizing some of these new technologies. You will gain hands-on experience using 3 acoustic platforms including towed, digital and conventional hydrophone arrays and an autonomous vehicle. You will learn how thermal imaging techniques can be used as an aid to visual monitoring. This course will mainly consist of fieldwork around Lambay as well as short discussions and data analysis in the evenings. For those that wish to explore this fantastic island and surrounding areas short excursions are also available. Please contact training(a)seiche.com for more information, costs and itinerary. Seiche Training is part of Seiche Ltd, the global underwater acoustics experts.

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New paper on Longman beaked's whales mass stranding
by Claire Garrigue 08 Feb '16

08 Feb '16

Dear MARMAM colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in "Marine mammal Science": Garrigue, C., Oremus, M., Dodemont, R., Bustamante, P., Kwiatek, O., Libeau, G., Lockyer, C., Vivier, JC., Dalebout, M. 2016. A mass stranding of seven Longman's beaked whales (indopacetus pacificus) in New Caledonia, South Pacific. marine Mammal Science, doi: 11.1111/mms.12304 Abstract : Seven Longman’s beaked whales (Indopacetus pacificus) stranded together in southern New Caledonia on 16 November 2013 (one adult male, two adult females, two subadult females, one calf, and one unknown). At this time, we have no evidence tosuggest that this event was an “atypical” mass stranding associated with active naval sonar or other anthropogenic activities. The adult females were slightly larger (618–640 cm) than the adult male (590 cm). The length of the calf (ca. 300 cm) suggests it was less than a year old. Five of the whales were sampled for mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis to confirm species identification. All shared the same haplotype over 680 bp of the mtDNA control region. High concentrations of Hg, Fe, Se, Zn (all in the liver), and Cd (in the kidneys) were detected. Necropsies revealed plastic debris in the stomach of two of the whales. One of these same whales had chronic gastritis while the other had acute pleurisy and also tested positive for morbillivirus. This infection may have been a major factor behind this mass stranding event. The paper is available online at _http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12304/abstract <http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/11/06/jmammal.gyv180> _ Alternatively, if you are unable to download the article please email me for a pdf at claire.garrigue(a)ird.fr Kind Regards, --

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New Pub - Development of the dive capacity in baleen whale calves.
by Cartwright, Rachel 07 Feb '16

07 Feb '16

Hi Marmam Colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our study detailed below. The study provides new details on the physiological development of the aerobic dive capacity in young baleen whales. Cartwright R, Newton C, West KM, Rice J, Niemeyer M, Burek K, Wilson A, Wall AN, Remonida-Bennett J, Tejeda A, Messi S. Tracking the Development of Muscular Myoglobin Stores in Mysticete Calves. PloS one. 2016 Jan 1;11(1). Abstract For marine mammals, the ability to tolerate apnea and make extended dives is a defining adaptive trait, facilitating the exploitation of marine food resources. Elevated levels of myoglobin within the muscles are a consistent hallmark of this trait, allowing oxygen collected at the surface to be stored in the muscles and subsequently used to support extended dives. In mysticetes, the largest of marine predators, details on muscular myoglobin levels are limited. The developmental trajectory of muscular myoglobin stores has yet to be documented and any physiological links between early behavior and the development of muscular myoglobin stores remain unknown. In this study, we used muscle tissue samples from stranded mysticetes to investigate these issues. Samples from three different age cohorts and three species of mysticetes were included (total sample size = 18). Results indicate that in mysticete calves, muscle myoglobin stores comprise only a small percentage (17–23%) of conspecific adult myoglobin complements. Development of elevated myoglobin levels is protracted over the course of extended maturation in mysticetes. Additionally, comparisons of myoglobin levels between and within muscles, along with details of interspecific differences in rates of accumulation of myoglobin in very young mysticetes, suggest that levels of exercise may influence the rate of development of myoglobin stores in young mysticetes. This new information infers a close interplay between the physiology, ontogeny and early life history of young mysticetes and provides new insight into the pressures that may shape adaptive strategies in migratory mysticetes. Furthermore, the study highlights the vulnerability of specific age cohorts to impending changes in the availability of foraging habitat and marine resources. The full paper can be accessed via the following link: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0145893 Best regards, Rachel Cartwright Rachel Cartwright, PhD. Department of Biology CSU – Channel Islands Lead researcher – Keiki Kohola Project Tel: 805 437 2635 Email: rachel.cartwright(a)csuci.edu Website: www.caringforcalves.org

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Summer field course: Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals
by Andrew Read, Ph.D. 05 Feb '16

05 Feb '16

Hi everyone: We’d like to draw your attention to the following summer field course offered by Duke University: Biology and Conservation of Marine Mammals Duke University Marine Laboratory Beaufort, NC July 11 – August 12, 2016 This field-intensive course covers the biology, management and conservation of marine mammals and sea birds. Detailed consideration is given to adaptation, ecology and conservation. Laboratory and field exercises address behavior, ecology, and communication of local populations of marine mammal and seabirds. The course is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students. 4 credit hours, 1.0 course. Instructors: Dr. Lesley Thorne (Stony Brook University) and Dr. Andy Read (Duke University). Duke tuition: $4,260 Room & Board: $2,519.51 Fees: $211 Total Program Cost: $6,990.51 Tuition scholarships are available; the scholarship application deadline is 1 April. To request a tuition scholarship, please follow this link: https://nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/programs/undergraduate/financial-assist… Registration for the course opens on 22 February. For more information, please contact Katie Wood (katie.wood(a)duke.edu<mailto:katie.wood@duke.edu>) or the instructors. Andrew J. Read Stephen Toth Professor of Marine Biology Division of Marine Science and Conservation Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University Phone: 252-504-7590 http://superpod.ml.duke.edu/read/

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Workshop “Development of a conservation status surveillance system for monk seals”
by Rosa Maria Cordeiro Pires 05 Feb '16

05 Feb '16

Dear MARMAM list members, We invite you to attend in the workshop “Development of a conservation status surveillance system for monk seals” in 30th Annual ECS Conference, Funchal, Madeira Sunday, 12th March (all day) Participation fee €25 Aim: To gather and exchange knowledge about systems used to build up a system to survey the monk seal conservation status in its different populations. Summary: Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) is one of the most endangered and scarce marine mammal species in the world. Its scarcity together with the habitat used currently by the surviving populations, marine caves, makes this species difficult to monitor and to identify conservation actions to undertake, as well as to determinate its conservation status and trends. Moreover, monk seal populations are dispersed from the eastern Mediterranean to the Atlantic, making that several groups and administrations perform the monitoring of the populations in different nonstandard ways. In the other hand, different groups have developed different successful systems and methodologies to undertake the same problems in their respective working areas. The workshop will allow participants to know and exchange experiences and methodological solutions successfully applied in the monitoring of different monk seal populations. Monk seal experts will be invited to present their approaches in their working areas. A forum of analysis and discussion about these matters will be established to determinate the minimum data required to be able to determinate and survey the conservation status of a monk seal population. The main output of the workshop will be a set of recommendations of consensus for the survey of the conservation status of monk seal populations. These recommendations will be used as an input for the development of the EU LIFE Madeira Monk Seal project (www.lifemadeiramonkseal.com) which has as one of its main objectives the development of a system to survey the conservation status of the Madeira archipelago monk seal population and its habitat. It is an open workshop and will allow a maximum of 30 participants. More information about the workshop at: <http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0> http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/workshops-0 Further details will be sent closer to the date of the workshop to those who have registered to attend. If you are interested to attend to the workshop, please write an email to Rosa Pires: <mailto:rosapires@gov-madeira.pt> rosapires(a)gov-madeira.pt with copy to pablo.fernandezdelarrinoa(a)cbd-habitat.com <mailto:pablo.fernandezdelarrinoa@cbd-habitat.com> and rosapnm(a)hotmail.com. Rosa Pires Divisão de Conservação da Natureza Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira Caminho do Meio, Quinta do Bom Sucesso 9064 – 512 FUNCHAL Telf. (+351)291 214 360 Fax (+351)291 214 379 Mail: <mailto:rosapires@gov-madeira.pt> rosapires(a)gov-madeira.pt <http://www.pnm.pt/> http://www.pnm.pt <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funchal-Portugal/Servico-do-Parque-Natural-da…> P Antes de imprimir este e-mail pense bem se tem mesmo que o fazer. Há cada vez menos árvores!

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Allied Whale Intern/Research Assistant Positions
by Tanya Lubansky 04 Feb '16

04 Feb '16

Allied Whale, the marine mammal research lab of College of the Atlantic located in Bar Harbor, Maine, seeks 4 intern/research assistants for the 2016 field season. These are entry-level research positions designed to offer experience for individuals seeking to develop their professional careers in marine mammal research. Two three-month positions (mid May through August) and two five-month positions (mid May through October) are available. *Overview of position*: This is a unique internship program in that the selected individuals will have the opportunity to participate and receive training in a wide range of marine mammal research activities while receiving a small income. Allied Whale currently supports field projects in the behavioral ecology and distributions of humpback and fin whales, the ongoing housing and maintenance of the North Atlantic humpback and fin whale photo ID catalogs, an active stranding response program, and a continued relationship with the local whale watch company. In addition, Allied Whale maintains the facilities on and conducts research from Mount Desert Rock, a remote offshore island. The interns play a critical role in the success of the field season and serve as support to all aspects of summer activities within Allied Whale. *Description of duties*: Once the season is in swing, interns will rotate through time on land and offshore at our field station. While on land, interns will take shifts of working as a Research Assistant (RA)/Deckhand for the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., being on call for cetacean surveys on our research vessel (TBD based on projects/funding), and assisting our strandings director. *On land*: Research responsibilities on the whale watch trips include searching for whales, photo-identification of whales and data collection/entry. Deckhand responsibilities include line handling, vessel cleaning, helping seasick passengers and passenger safety. RAs are also responsible for assisting the naturalist in promoting education and conservation programs on each trip. While on board our research vessel, interns will be responsible to participate in cetacean surveys along transect lines, computer data entry, and photo identification of whales. While not on the water, interns may freely structure their time to complete office work, develop independent projects, assist with stranding activities...or explore Acadia National Park! *Offshore*: Interns will have multiple shifts (at least a week in length) at our offshore research station Mount Desert Rock. While on the island, interns will participate in land-based whale monitoring from the lighthouse tower (with use of a theodolite and “big-eye” binoculars), plankton tows, seal counts, gull counts, and maintenance/construction projects at the station. *Pay/Housing*: Those accepted to the program are able to earn income by their work on the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. Deckhands are paid $45 a trip (at the height of summer, there are 3 trips running a day) plus considerable tips. Interns also receive free First Aid Certification. Housing in Bar Harbor is provided and mandatory for a fee. Rent is $375 a month during the summer when all four interns are present and increases to $500 a month Sept-October for the two five month interns. While at Mount Desert Rock, food is provided for free. *Qualifications*: Applicants should have a college background in biology, ecology, and/or marine sciences. Previous experience in a research setting and knowledge of marine mammals are great advantages. Experience offshore and skills in small boat handling are also assets. Unfortunately, because of employment through the whale watch company, all interns must also be U.S. citizens. Most importantly, applicants must be positive in attitude, flexible to quickly changing schedules, able to work independently, and comfortable working on boats. Because of the community living situation both in Bar Harbor and on Mount Desert Rock, applicants must get along well with others and be able to handle working in a team setting. These positions begin ~May 15th and applicants must be able to work through with no other commitments (excluding COA students). *Please specify which position you are interested in (three of five month)*. Deadline of application is *February 17th*. *To apply*: Please send a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying, a resume, and two letters of recommendation to: Tanya Lubansky (*tlubansky(a)gmail.com <alliedwhale(a)coa.edu>*) with subject title “AW Interns 2016”

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the stranding of a Bryde's whale neonate in south Bali (2 Feb 2015)
by Putu Mustika 04 Feb '16

04 Feb '16

Dear all, My name is Icha (Putu Liza Mustika), a cetologist based in Bali (Indonesia) and Townsville (Australia). I'm one of database coordinators for Indonesia's national marine mammal stranding network, and I manage reported stranding events at www.whalestrandingindonesia.com<http://www.whalestrandingindonesia.com>. Last Tuesday (2 Feb) afternoon, one of the vets in our network received a call from Ms Dorion Davis and Baskara DVM that a Code 1 whale had stranded in Canggu, west of Denpasar Bali. When our team went there, they confirmed that it was a 3-4 m whale. We later identified it as a Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), most probably a neonate from the skinny and folded looks. Efforts to refloat the whale had been futile, Ms Davis described the whale as not having the will to swim; the whale was also tilting when the rescuers tried to refloat it. The whale died soon after. Some photographs and other info of the event can be found on this link. http://www.whalestrandingindonesia.com/stranding-database.html#home/viewmai… Our stranding team later brought the whale to a necropsy site on Serangan, Denpasar. The necropsy confirmed the followings: - The whale was a 3.28 m female - Four clean cuts (similar to the ones from cookie cutter sharks) that seem to be non-lethal found on the body. - No trace of milk or other food was found in the gastrointestines. The stomach was empty - Possible hypoxia in the lungs and heart. Preliminary theory is that the neonate was separated from her mother as soon as she was born, hence she was emaciated and deprived of energy. I'm not an expert on Bryde's whale (my PhD was about dolphin watching in Bali), hence I'm not familiar with Bryde's whale neonate behaviours. FYI, I have seen Bryde's whales feeding during my recent line transect surveys south of the stranding in the area in November 2015 (with Conservation International Indonesia and Dr Rob Williams of Ocean Initiatives). This stranding event last Tuesday seems to affirm our theory that the southern water of Bali is an important habitat for Bryde's whales. Histopathology, heavy metal and DNA tests are now being conducted in Bali and Jakarta. Any information about the strandings of baleen whale neonates and other info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Dr Putu Liza Kusuma Mustika Coordinator, Whale Stranding Indonesia Director, Cetacean Sirenian Indonesia Member of the IUCN Cetacean Specialist Group putuliza(a)gmail.com<mailto:putuliza@gmail.com> ; putu.liza(a)my.jcu.edu.au<mailto:putu.liza@my.jcu.edu.au> http://putuliza.blogspot.com www.whalestrandingindonesia.com<http://www.whalestrandingindonesia.com> www.cetasindonesia.org<http://www.cetasindonesia.org>

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Abstract submission deadline extended to February 12st 2016 for the 13th Danish Marine Mammal Symposium
by Christian Pedersen 04 Feb '16

04 Feb '16

Dear Marman If possible we would like the following to be posted in the next newsletter. Abstract submission deadline extended to February 12st 2016 for the 13th Danish Marine Mammal Symposium Text: The Danish Marine Mammal Symposium is an annual event convened by DanskHavpattedyrforening – the Danish Marine Mammal Society. Marine mammal research inDenmark exhibits growing activity and great diversity with groups working within disciplinessuch as behaviour, acoustics, communication, morphology, population biology, ecology,genetics, evolution, systematics and nomenclature. As such, the symposium comprises anideal setting for learning more about marine mammal research, meeting researchers,educators, students and managers, and getting inspiration and contacts for e.g. thesisprojects. In short, for anyone interested in marine mammals, this is the very place to gather!The symposium will be held in English for a broader outreach in general and in particular toembrace the increasing number of international students and researchers in Denmark. At thesame time, we seek to maintain the high quality of presentations and provide an exquisite social program. ABSTRACT ubmission DEADLINE have been extended to the February 12st 2016. Further information can be found on https://www.facebook.com/events/727548697346494/

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WDC Award
by Nicola Hodgins 03 Feb '16

03 Feb '16

CLOSING DATE REMINDER Dear MARMAM'ers, WDC is delighted to announce the 2015 WDC Bharathi Viswanathan Award for Innovative and Non-Invasive Research. WDC strives to ensure that benign research methods are promoted as a guiding principle, both for the organisation and the researchers that we fund. Up to £5,000 is available for the recipient of this annual award. The only restrictions that apply are that the project must utilize only non-invasive techniques and ultimately aim to benefit the conservation management or welfare of whales and/or dolphins. Applications must be on a WDC Research Award Form (see website<http://uk.whales.org/wdc-in-action/wdc-award-for-innovative-and-non-invasiv…>) and will be accepted at any time until the closing date, mid-day (GMT) February 14th 2015. The Award recipient will be chosen by March 14th 2015. Through this Award, WDC aims to showcase non-invasive research methodologies, highlighting the fact that many of these methods provide scientific data of excellent quality, whilst also promoting the development of innovative and non-invasive approaches towards studying cetaceans. Please visit our website for more details and application forms. http://uk.whales.org/wdc-in-action/wdc-award-for-innovative-and-non-invasiv… Good luck, Nicola Nicola Hodgins WDC Head of science and research T - +44 1249449537 M - +44 7741497597 Skype – nicola.hodgins Twitter – nicola_hodgins whales.org

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