March 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Summer Internships with New England Aquarium
by Intern 03 Mar '16

03 Mar '16

The New England Aquarium in Boston, MA is continuing to accept applications for Summer 2016 Internships. In particular, we are seeking applications for the following two marine mammal-focused positions: Marine Mammal Education and Research Internship<http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/internships/c…> * A combination of research and education on our Whale Watch Tours. Interns assist with collecting data in the field, data entry on shore, and informal education on board. Right Whale Research Project Field Intern<http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/internships/c…> * A two month field research immersion internship in Lubec, Maine. Interns will join our Right Whale Research team for their two month field research expedition (August and September) assisting with data collection, photo identification, census research, and more. Interested candidates should submit the following: Cover Letter, Resume, Two References (contact information only), a completed questionnaire,<http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/internships/d…> an unofficial transcript, and a letter of recommendation. Applications should be submitted to intern(a)neaq.org<mailto:intern@neaq.org> for consideration, incomplete applications will not be considered. We are continuing to accept applications for other summer internships, as well. Please see the individual position descriptions (link below) on our website to determine if the position you are interested in is still accepting applications. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out or see the links in my signature, below. Best wishes, Brendon Dempsey Intern Coordinator New England Aquarium tel 617.226.5235 intern(a)neaq.org<mailto:intern@neaq.org> www.neaq.org<http://www.neaq.org/> Applying for Internships<http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/internships/a…> Internship Positions<http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/internships/c…> Have questions? Internship FAQ<http://www.neaq.org/get_involved/volunteering_and_internships/internships/I…>

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Focus group on integrating marine mammal behavioral monitoring techniques into the process for the identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas
by MMPATF IMMA 03 Mar '16

03 Mar '16

*Integrating marine mammal behavioral monitoring techniques into the process for the identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas* *St. John’s, Newfoundland **and Labrador (YYT)**, Canada, Sunday July 29, 2016. Held in association with the 4th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC), July 30 - August 4, 2016 conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016 <http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc-2016>* The IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (IUCN-MMPATF) will be hosting a number of workshops and focus groups throughout 2016. These events are designed to support the first identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) throughout the world's seas and oceans by 2020. Therefore the IUCN-MMPATF would now like to seek registrations of interest from participants to attend the second IMMA workshop of 2016 on integrating marine mammal behavioral monitoring techniques into the process for the identification of Important Marine Mammal Areas. This half-day focus group aims to address the following question: How can we better integrate marine mammal behavioral data, observed through direct observation or remote monitoring techniques, into the process for identifying IMMAs? Information on marine mammal behavior is a necessary component of the evidence available for enhancing their protection by informing the development of marine management and spatial planning practices. It is essential that such data and methodologies, such as photo-identification and satellite tracking, are considered in a systematic way during the application of selection criteria to identify Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs). IMMAs are a new strategic classification for enhancing future marine planning and conservation measures for these species as developed by the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (IUCN-MMPATF). Moreover, behavioral data must be considered in a manner that complements and enhances existing approaches based on ecological studies, distribution and abundance, genetic analyses, and expert opinion. The goal of the focus group is to advance this work by examining how data and information on marine mammal behavioral information can be effectively collated and communicated to experts during the process of identifying IMMAs. Results of this workshop will also contribute towards the creation of an IMMA Toolkit, which will become the primary scientific guidance for the identification of IMMAs, and will be presented formally at the 4th International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas (ICMMPA4) in Mexico, November 13 - 17, 2016. The IMMA Toolkit focus group will also run parallel with and support the objectives of the two day IMCC focus group ‘Conserving the other 50% of the world: status and opportunities in conservation of areas beyond national jurisdiction’ as organised by Duke University, the University of the Azores, and UNEP-WCMC on July 28 & 29. Please note that due to a request from the IMCC organisers, initial interest from workshop participants must be registered with the IUCN-MMPATF in advance of the congress early registration deadline. Therefore please register your interest in attending the workshop with the IUCN-MMPATF before *March 31* by emailing immacoordinator(a)gmail.com. As space for participants will be limited please include your reasons for wanting to attend as well as your professional background in relation to the IMMA initiative, spatial planning, or behavioral monitoring of marine mammals. Unfortunately the IUCN-MMPATF is unable to provide funding for participant registration fees or expenses for attending the focus group or main conference. For further information about the IMMA initiative please visit the IUCN-MMPATF home and facebook pages at www.icmmpa.org/iucn-task-force and www.tinyurl.com/gqbsngl *Dr Michael J. Tetley - IMMA Coordinator* *IUCN Joint SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force (IUCN-MMPATF)*

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SEAMAMMS Early Registration Deadline
by Perrtree, Robin 03 Mar '16

03 Mar '16

The Southeast & Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium (SEAMAMMS) is coming soon. The early registration deadline is next week for SEAMAMMS, to be held on April 1-3, 2016 in Savannah, Georgia. Please e-mail or postmark your registration form by Friday, March 11th, 2016 to get the reduced price. Registration forms and additional information about the conference can be found here: http://www.savannahstate.edu/cost/mar-env-science/SEAMAMMS/ Thanks, Robin P.S. All first authors were notified regarding the status of their abstracts on February 23rd. Please e-mail me if you submitted an abstract but did not receive this e-mail. Robin Perrtree SSUDS Lab Manager Marine Sciences Technician Savannah State University Office: Harris Hall 103 912-358-3301 (office) 941-323-2750 (cell)

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Passive Acoustic Monitoring - Marine Mammals
by Carole Baggaley 03 Mar '16

03 Mar '16

[cid:image001.jpg@01D17539.A367CE90] Product Update from SA Instrumentation Limited Issue 2 [cid:image002.jpg@01D17539.A367CE90] New for May release - Decimus Mobile System[cid:image003.gif@01D17539.A367CE90] The new Decimus Mobile system for marine mammal monitoring provides real-time data acquisition. Complete with a touch-screen PC within a lid-mounted HD display, it is designed to take up to four hydrophones, each with its own channel. The system has unique gain and filtering capability, powered by a sealed rechargeable battery, making it a useful portable system. Read More<http://www.sa-instrumentation.com/> What else has Decimus being doing:- Decimus on Autonomous Vehicle for Marine Mammal Research[cid:image005.gif@01D17539.A367CE90] A team of scientists from East Carolina University has been able to acoustically record Bottlenose Dolphins, as well as a range of other sea mammals, using the Decimus system, which was integrated into the University's Wave Glider. Read More<http://www.sa-instrumentation.com/index.php/news-and-blog/decimus-passive-a…> Decimus becomes the Bomb Listener [cid:image007.gif@01D17539.A367CE90] Hon Yuen, of Factual TV, has made a film about our project in Malaysia, in conjunction with the UK-based Marine Conservation Society<http://www.mcsuk.org/>. The film shows how our technology can be used to help protect the Malaysian Coral Reefs. Read More<http://www.sa-instrumentation.com/index.php/news-and-blog/decimus-the-bomb-…> Decimus to go to the Isle of Lewis[cid:image009.gif@01D17539.A367CE90] Gallan Head Community Trust invited us to join its exciting new environmental project, Cetus, which aims to attract visitors to observe and listen to the rich marine wildlife of Lewis. Read More<http://www.sa-instrumentation.com/index.php/news-and-blog/gallan-head-commu…> We are on Stand B101 with our friends Fastwave Why not drop by and have a chat! If you have a project and you want to find out if Decimus can work for you, give us a call on +44 (0)1334 845 260 info(a)sa-instrumentation.com web www.sa-instrumentation.com Copyright (c) 2016. SA Instrumentation Ltd. All rights reserved

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Summer Volunteer Opportunities with Cetus’ Robson Bight Warden Program
by Robson Bight 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

Summer Volunteer Opportunities with Cetus’ Robson Bight Warden Program! Cetus is a non-profit, marine conservation society, which operates in the waters around Victoria and Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada. Since 2005 we have worked to reduce disturbances to marine mammals on the British Columbia coast and promote respect for our marine environment through on-the-water and land-based education, outreach and direct monitoring activities. The Robson Bight Marine Warden Program operates in Johnstone Strait, in the waters around the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. The ecological reserve is designated for the protection of critical habitat of the Northern Resident killer whales. This is a unique area where the whales often come to rub their bodies along the underwater beaches. Our marine wardens monitor vessels and marine mammal populations, and educate boaters and kayakers about the reserve and their impacts around it. The Robson Bight Marine Warden Program is comprised of a water based monitoring and educational component and a land based monitoring station called Eagle Eye, situated on a cliff opposite the ecological reserve. *Cetus is looking for enthusiastic and hard working individuals to fill the Robson Bight Marine Warden Program Summer Volunteer positions:* Volunteer positions will be based out of a rustic field camp in Boat Bay on West Cracroft Island located near Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada. Positions will be offered between June 27th and September 10th 2016. We require a minimum 3-week commitment. Preference will be given to those who are able to stay for the full 11 weeks. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be involved with a variety of possible tasks ranging from community outreach and education to marine mammal response and data collection. Our programs focus on protecting British Columbia’s marine mammal populations and encouraging others to do the same. Interns may also have the opportunity to spend time on our monitoring vessels in which case they will participate in data collection, data entry and on-the-water boater education. *Responsibilities include: * - Educating boaters, kayakers, park visitors, and members of the public about the marine mammal viewing guidelines, marine species at risk, the conservation issues they face and the boundaries of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve - Collecting and entering data on marine mammals and vessel activity - Public interpretation in the form of dock talks and participation in community events - Potentially helping to respond to injured, sick or dead marine mammals in support of the BC Marine Mammal Response Network - Observing and recording cetaceans in support of the BC Cetacean Sightings Network - Assisting with general administrative duties - Camp duties, which includes cooking, cleaning, general maintenance and heavy lifting *What skills and experience will volunteers gain?: * - Experience educating the public on important conservation issues - Experience with field data collection and entry - Interpretive skills and techniques - Potential for experience in marine mammal response - Experience with fundraising and community outreach - Experience working with Microsoft Access *Essential Requirements: * - Fluent spoken English - Interest in marine wildlife and conservation - Flexibility - Ability to work long hours, outdoors, in all weather conditions - The ability to live & work comfortably in a remote coastal wilderness camp setting with staff & volunteers - The physical ability to carry 40lbs of gear to and from the vessel to base camps (this varies from across the street to down a rocky shoreline). In addition to this volunteers are required to hike, 3km (each way), from the base camp to the observation site on alternate days, which takes approximately 1 hour (one way) *Additional Information: *These positions are unpaid and carry a cost to the interns of $125/ week to cover accommodations, extra fuel and dinners (volunteers will be responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches). Warden volunteers will need to bring their own tent and sleeping bag. Tent pads and tarps will be provided as will camp cooking equipment etc. *How to apply: *Please forward your cover letter, resume and two references via *email* by *March 31st, 2016*. Please indicate your availability. Only successful applicants will be contacted. *Contact:* Marie Fournier, Cetus Research & Conservation Society, Email: robsonbight(a)cetussociety.org For more information please visit our website www.ProtectOurWhales.com -- Marie Fournier Robson Bight Warden Program Coordinator Cetus Research and Conservation Society PO Box 90, Alert Bay, BC V0N1A0 #250-974-8416 marie.fournier(a)cetussociety.org www.ProtectOurWhale <http://www.cetussociety.org/>s.com

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Sea Otter Care Internship
by AJohnson＠mbayaq.org 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

Sea Otter Research and Conservation-Animal Care Internship (Summer-Fall 2016) The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist SORAC staff with the care and release of live-stranded sea otters. Project responsibilities include, but are not limited to, daily care and feeding of ill, injured and orphaned sea otters, maintenance and cleaning of animal tanks and enclosures- and computer data entry. Interns may also assist with rescues of live-stranded otters, tracking of released otters, administration of medication to sick otters, and managing otters in research projects. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently without direct supervision, and must have good communication skills. Required * Previous animal handling experience (must include experience with mammals) * At least 18 years of age * Current undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university * Must be a student during the term immediately preceding the internship * Must submit a resume of courses and/or experience related to position applying * Must provide a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation from college/university professors or faculty staff * 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA * 6-month commitment of 24 hours each week * Proof of current tetanus vaccination * Valid driver's license * Project task assignments may include weekends and holidays as assigned Desired Skills * Strong Interest in and awareness of animal husbandry and marine science/ecology * Willingness to get wet and dirty * Attention to detail * Able to lift up to 50 pounds * Ability to multi-task * Research, writing, academic literature and organizational skills * Interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with colleagues * Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PPT * Proficiency with SharePoint a plus All internship opportunities are Unpaid or STEM Internships (STEM may include funding provided through your educational institution). College credit may be available. Please refer to your College/University's student services division. For more information, please navigate to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's internship page at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/about/internships. Andrew Johnson Sea Otter Research and Conservation Manager P 831-648-7934 M 831-402-1851 [cid:image001.gif@01D17480.D633F420] Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940 www.montereybayaquarium.org<http://www.montereybayaquarium.org> Our mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

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Sea Otter Research Internship
by AJohnson＠mbayaq.org 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

Sea Otter Research and Conservation-Research Internship (Summer-Fall 2016) The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist staff with field observations and data collection of wild sea otters in the Monterey Peninsula, Elkhorn Slough and Moss Landing areas of coastal California. Project responsibilities include, but are not limited to, data collection in the field from shore and occasionally on a small boat using radio telemetry equipment and making visual observations with spotting scopes. Interns will record daily re-sights, movement patterns and forage observations, and activity budget data on marked individual wild sea otters. Qualified applicants must be able to work in a team environment, as well as independently without direct supervision, and must have good communication skills. Required * At least 18 years of age * Current undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university * Must be a student during the term immediately preceding the internship * Must submit a resume of courses and/or experience related to position applying * Must provide a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation from college/university professors or faculty staff * 3.0 Minimum cumulative GPA * 6-month commitment of 24 hours each week * Valid driver's California driver's license * Personal vehicle to use while in the field * Cell phone * Willingness to perform project task assignments on a flexible schedule, including weekends and late evenings * Previous experience in a field work setting or behavioral data collection Desired Skills * Strong Interest in and awareness of animal behavior, natural history and marine science/ecology * Willingness to stand out in the elements for up to 6 hours at a time * Attention to detail * Able to lift up to 50 pounds and walk short distance over hilly terrain * Ability to multi-task * Good organizational skills * Interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively with colleagues * Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Access software * Proficiency with SharePoint a plus but not necessary * Boat handling skills appreciated but not necessary * Experience in behavioral observations a plus All internship opportunities are Unpaid or STEM Internships (STEM may include funding provided through your educational institution). College credit may be available. Please refer to your College/University's student services division. For more information, please navigate to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's internship page at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/about/internships. Andrew Johnson Sea Otter Research and Conservation Manager P 831-648-7934 M 831-402-1851 [cid:image001.gif@01D17480.6AE7FF40] Monterey Bay Aquarium 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940 www.montereybayaquarium.org<http://www.montereybayaquarium.org> Our mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

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Distance sampling workshops St Andrews, August 2016, second notice
by Eric Rexstad 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting two linked workshops in the summer of 2016 at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. This second announcement is to note ·Workshop registration is now open (see website URL at bottom of this note to reserve a place) ·As part of the registration fee, participants will receive the 2015 book Distance Sampling: Methods and Application by Buckland et al. that focuses upon topics of relevance to distance sampling practitioners.The case studies found in this book will form the basis of both the introductory and advanced workshops. The first workshop (16-19 August) will run at an introductory level, and will focus on distance sampling methods, largely described in the standard reference book "Introduction to Distance Sampling." The workshop will be a blend of theory and practice and participants will learn how to use the program "Distance." Participants will gain a solid grounding in both survey design and methods of analysis for distance sampling surveys. The advanced distance sampling workshop (22-25 August) will include advanced treatment of analyses in which detectability on the transect line is not assumed to be perfect (the so-called g(0) problem) and spatial (or density surface) modelling. We will showcase a series of R packages for performing standard as well as sophisticated analyses in R. For all workshops, participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets, and can expect to perform preliminary analyses of their data. Participants can use our computers or bring their own laptops. Additional details regarding the workshop contents and registration details can be found at our website http://creem2.st-andrews.ac.uk/distance-sampling-workshops-st-andrews-augus… -- Eric Rexstad Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St. Andrews St. Andrews Scotland KY16 9LZ +44 (0)1334 461833 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland : No SC013532

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Looking for online dedicated tools /platforms for opportunistic data
by Anissa Belhadjer 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

Dear Marmam, would you please post the message below : Looking for online dedicated tools /platforms for opportunistic data__ Dears MARMAMers, Our NGO Souffleurs d’Ecume is a partner of the GIS3M (Group of Scientific Interest for Mediterranean Marine Mammals). The GIS3M is currently leading a project to highlight data of opportunistic cetaceans sighting in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea). The aim of this study is to develop an online platform dedicated to the entry, storage and analysis of data from a network of opportunistic observers. In this context, we are looking for some examples or an experience feedback from any structure which developed such tools to use and/or analyse opportunistically-collected data on any species. We are also investigating advantages and disadvantages related to the development of a dedicated tool dealing with this kind of data. We would be very grateful if you could provide us with any information or advice you may have on this topic. Thank you in advance for your help. Best regards, Anissa Belhadjer e-mail : anissa.belhadjer(a)souffleursdecume.com Souffleurs d'Ecume Hôtel de ville, 83170 La Celle, France Phone : +33(0)4 94 69 44 93 www.gis3m.org www.souffleursdecume.com <http://www.souffleursdecume.com>

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Call for Abstracts - Symposium: "Animal vocal communication: function, structures, and production mechanisms" (ECBB 2016, Vienna, Austria)
by Livio Favaro 02 Mar '16

02 Mar '16

Dear list members, (apologies for cross-posting) we are pleased to announce and invite you to participate in the following symposium, to be held as part of the 8th European Conference on Behavioural Biology (Vienna, Austria, 12 – 15 July 2016): “Animal vocal communication: function, structures, and production mechanisms” Organizers: Dr. Livio Favaro, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Italy (livio.favaro(a)unito.it <mailto:livio.favaro@unito.it>); Dr. Maxime Garcia, Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Austria (maxime.garcia(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:maxime.garcia@univie.ac.at>) Symposium description: While the function of vocal communication and the type of information conveyed by animal vocalizations have attracted of lot of interest in the fields of animal behaviour and ecology, as well as animal welfare more recently, vocal production has remained relatively poorly studied. Despite signs showing that this bioacoustics topic is growing at the moment, it appears necessary to pay more attention to it since the ways in which vocalizations are produced are bound together with sound structure (via anatomical and biophysical sound generation properties) and functionality (via a highlight of the physiological and affective/motivational states of the caller that can be picked up by a listener). Reaching a better understanding of sound production throughout various animal taxa is therefore a necessary step to investigate the function and establishment of communicative features within the animal kingdom (both at proximate and ultimate levels, respectively such as acoustic gradation in vocal repertoires and the communicative values of acoustic signals in contexts of sexual selection). Our symposium will extend these ideas by presenting recent studies that aim to improve our insight on some of the biological principles that drive the production and define the role of animal vocalizations. It will consist of a general introduction, followed by studies that are more specific to particular model species, vocal production mechanisms and vocal analysis methodologies. Deadline for submission of abstracts: 20 April 2016 For more info to the conference, abstracts submission and registration, please visit: http://www.ecbb2016-vienna.com/home/ <http://www.ecbb2016-vienna.com/home/> We look forward to seeing you in Vienna. Best wishes, Livio Favaro -- Livio Favaro, PhD Università degli Studi di Torino Dip. Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi Laboratorio di Zoologia e Biologia Marina Via Accademia Albertina, 13 - 10123 Torino Tel. +39.011.6704538 / 78 Fax +39.011.6704508 e-mail livio.favaro(a)unito.it <mailto:livio.favaro@unito.it>

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