April 2016 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

New publication on identifying risks to marine mammals moving between protected areas
by Daniel Zeh 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

Dear all, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our paper in Endangered Species Research: Zeh DR, Heupel MR, Hamann M, Limpus CJ, Marsh H (2016) Quick Fix GPS technology highlights risk to dugongs moving between protected areas. Endangered Species Research 30:37-44. ABSTRACT: Incidental capture in fishing gear is the most serious threat to the survival of many species of marine mammals. Fisheries closures developed to protect marine mammals have tended to concentrate on areas of high marine mammal density. Movement corridors have generally been less protected because they are often unknown and difficult to detect. Seagrass meadows in Moreton and Hervey Bays in south-eastern Queensland support significant populations of dugongs Dugong dugon. Pedigree analysis based on genetic and ancillary biological data indicates that there is substantial movement of dugongs between these bays, which are separated by open surf coasts where dugongs are occasionally caught in inshore shark nets set for the protection of bathers. This bycatch suggests that the dugong movement corridor between Moreton and Hervey Bays is close to the coast, a hypothesis not confirmed by nearly 30 yr of dugong satellite tracking using platform transmitter terminal (PTT) technology. Twenty-nine dugongs were captured in seagrass habitats on the eastern banks of Moreton Bay in 2012−2014 and were fitted with Quick Fix GPS and acoustic transmitters. One animal was captured and tracked twice. Four dugongs were tracked moving from Moreton Bay to Hervey Bay covering distances of 278−338 km over 5−9 d; 1 dugong made the return journey. Three of the 4 animals travelled along and very close to the coast; the exact track of the fourth animal is uncertain. These results suggest that dugongs would benefit from netting closures that extend beyond seagrass meadows. The article is available for download at: at http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v30/ or a PDF can be provided via email request from daniel.zeh(a)my.jcu.edu.au<mailto:daniel.zeh@my.jcu.edu.au>. Cheers, Daniel Zeh [DZ JCU Bus Card Nov 2014]

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Report: Predictive mapping of seabirds, pinnipeds and cetaceans off the Pacific Coast of Washington
by Tracy Gill - NOAA Federal 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

FYI, A n ew NOAA Technical Memorandum: Predictive Mapping of Seabirds, Pinnipeds and Cetaceans off the Pacific Coast of Washington A collaborative investigation by NOAA's National Ocean Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cascadia Research Collective By Charles Menza, Jeffery B. Leirness, Tim White, Arliss Winship, Brian P. Kinlan, Laura Kracker, Jeannette E. Zamon, Lisa Ballance, Elizabeth Becker, Karin A. Forney, Jay Barlow, Josh Adams, David Pereksta, Scott Pearson, John Pierce, Steven J. Jeffries, John Calambokidis, Annie Douglas, Bradford C. Hanson, Scott R. Benson, and Liam Antrim http://www2.coastalscience.noaa.gov/publications/detail.aspx? resource=zADW3gam8Iipv7whJ7F/AnM/A+WutpURz6LTkDyZ4XM=

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Prof. Susana Noemi Pedraza passed away
by Eduardo Secchi 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the Latin American Society for Aquatic Mammalogy (SOLAMAC), I inform you with deep sorrow that our dearest Prof. Susana Noemi Predaza passed away last March. Professor Pedraza was a full time professor and head of the Tierra del Fuego National University’s Research Secretariat. Susana was one of the most influential professors in tailoring the quantitative thinking of several generations of biologist in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. She was born in Buenos Aires in 1950, and completed her grade at the prestigious University of Buenos Aires in 1985. Before starting working with marine mammals, she worked as an entomologist. Early on her teachers’ career she showed a great interest in experiment design, statistics and philosophy of science, which became her passion. In 1991 she was appointed as Professor of Statistics at the National University of Patagonia. She worked hard to make biologist keen on mathematics and modelling. In 1990 Susana started to work at the National Research Council of Argentina, and together with Dr. Enrique A. Crespo and several students shaped the Marine Mammal Lab of the Centro Nacional Patagónico. She worked in over 25 research projects, most involving marine mammals’ interaction with human activities, including fisheries and tourism. She advised 16 students, many of which worked long years with her. In 2008 she was awarded a PhD by University of Buenos Aires for his thesis titled ‘Ecología de la tonina overa (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) en el litoral patagónico’. This is one of the few comprehensive works on this species. In 2013 she moved to Ushuaia to become full professor at the National University of Tierra del Fuego and South Atlantic Islands, where she was working nowadays. She is remembered as one of those professors who get personally involved with their students, trying to get the best of each and every student, teaching not only academic topics but work ethics. Her prolific career includes also a huge amount of work regarding the improvement of the teaching of biology in the universities she worked in, as part of several committees. Susana published more than 40 scientific papers in peer reviewed journals, including topics as population estimations for cetaceans in Patagonia, abundance estimation trough different methods, interactions between marine mammals and fisheries, population dynamics of sea lions, diet and trophic interactions among marine mammals, parasites of marine mammals, and behavioral ecology of dolphins and physiology of octopus. Through student supervision, she worked on capture- recapture methods using photo identification leading an intensive photo-identification project on Commerson’s dolphins between 2005 and 2007. Her prolific career include also over a hundred congress presentations, several of them focused on the didactics used to teach mathematics and statistics to biology students. She was member of several scientific societies, including the Ecological Society of America, the International Biometric Society and the SOLAMAC. Susana was mother of four, Paola, Sebastián, Javier and Tamara, who outlived her. Eduardo R. Secchi President of SOLAMAC _______________________ Eduardo R. Secchi, Ph.D. A/Professor Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha - EcoMega Instituto de Oceanografia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande/FURG, Cx.P. 474 Rio Grande - RS, Brasil 96203-900 e.mail: edu.secchi(a)furg.br Tel: ++ 55 53 3233-6749 cel: ++53-9945-3990 CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/2134644742559817 & President of the Latin American Society for Aquatic Mammals-SOLAMAC & Member of the Cetacean Specialist Group/SSC - IUCN

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New publication on biomarkers for decompression stress in marine mammals
by Fahlman, Andreas 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

Dear MarMam-ers, We are proud to announce our new publication on biomarkers for decompression stress in Steller sea lions in American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology Title: Dive, food, and exercise effects on blood microparticles in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus): exploring a biomarker for decompression sickness Authors: Andreas Fahlman, Michael J. Moore, Andrew W. Trites, David A. S. Rosen, Martin Haulena, Nigel Waller, Troy Neale, Ming Yang, and Stephen R. Thom Journal: American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology Volume: 310 Pages: R596–R601, 2016. Abstract: Recent studies of stranded marine mammals indicate that exposure to underwater military sonar may induce pathophysiological responses consistent with decompression sickness (DCS). However, DCS has been difficult to diagnose in marine mammals. We investigated whether blood microparticles (MPs, measured as number/μl plasma), which increase in response to decompression stress in terrestrial mammals, are a suitable biomarker for DCS in marine mammals. We obtained blood samples from trained Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus, 4 adult females) wearing time-depth recorders that dove to predetermined depths (either 5 or 50 meters). We hypothesized that MPs would be positively related to decompression stress (depth and duration underwater). We also tested the effect of feeding and exercise in isolation on MPs using the same blood sampling protocol. We found that feeding and exercise had no effect on blood MP levels, but that diving caused MPs to increase. However, blood MP levels did not correlate with diving depth, relative time underwater, and presumed decompression stress, possibly indicating acclimation following repeated exposure to depth. For reprints please e-mail Andreas Fahlman: andreas.fahlman(a)tamucc.edu<mailto:andreas.fahlman@tamucc.edu>

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New publication on the viability of two bottlenose dolphin populations--importance of reproduction v.s. survival
by Oliver Manlik 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

Dear Colleagues, my co-authors and I are pleased to announce the recent publication of our paper titled "The relative importance of reproduction and survival for the conservation of two dolphin populations". The study provides population viability forecasts for two bottlenose dolphin populations in Australia (Shark Bay & Bunbury), and assess the importance of reproduction and survival for the conservation of these populations. The paper was published in the open-access journal Ecology and Evolution and is freely available for 'early view' at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.2130/full or for download and comments via Researchgate at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301557046_The_relative_importance_… You may also contact me directly with any queries. The abstract is below. Sincerely, Oliver Manlik Abstract It has been proposed that in slow-growing vertebrate populations survival generally has a greater influence on population growth than reproduction. Despite many studies cautioning against such generalizations for conservation, wildlife management for slow-growing populations still often focuses on perturbing survival without careful evaluation as to whether those changes are likely or feasible. Here we evaluate the relative importance of reproduction and survival for the conservation of two bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops cf aduncus) populations: a large, apparently stable population and a smaller one that is forecast to decline. We also assessed feasibility and effectiveness of wildlife management objectives aimed at boosting either reproduction or survival. Consistent with other analytically-based elasticity studies, survival had the greatest effect on population trajectories when altering vital rates by equal proportions. However, the findings of our alternative analytical approaches are in stark contrast to commonly used proportional sensitivity analyses and suggest that reproduction is considerably more important. We show that: (1) in the stable population reproductive output is higher, and adult survival is lower; (2) the difference in viability between the two populations is due to the difference in reproduction; (3) reproductive rates are variable, whereas survival rates are relatively constant over time; (4) perturbations on the basis of observed, temporal variation indicate that population dynamics are much more influenced by reproduction than by adult survival; (5) for the apparently declining population, raising reproductive rates would be an effective and feasible tool to reverse the forecast population decline; increasing survival would be ineffective. Our findings highlight the importance of reproduction-even in slow-growing populations-and the need to assess the effect of natural variation in vital rates on population viability. We echo others in cautioning against generalizations based on life-history traits and recommend that population modelling for conservation should also take into account the magnitude of vital rate changes that could be attained under alternative management scenarios. Oliver Manlik Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia Ph: 02-9385-2198 E-mail: o.manlik(a)unsw.edu.au<mailto:o.manlik@unsw.edu.au> www.bees.unsw.edu.au/oliver-manlik<http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/oliver-manlik> ________________________________ Sydney Society for Conservation Biology http://sydneyscb.org<http://sydneyscb.org/>

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Research Assistant needed in Findhorn, North East Scotland, for summer 2016
by North 58° Sea Adventures 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

Research Assistants needed in Findhorn, North East Scotland, for summer 2016. North 58° aims to offer our trip boats as a platform for research in order to better understand the wildlife we encounter on our tours. We are seeking voluntary research assistants to assist for an 8 week period from beginning of July to end of August- volunteers should be available to start training on the 27th of June. Research will comprise of sighting data, photo identification and behavioural studies, mainly of Seals’ and Bottlenose Dolphins but occasionally also Basking sharks, Minke whales and other dolphin species. Research will be conducted on our wildlife watching tours (either on short 2 hour trips or full day excursions). Successful candidates will rotate between 3 roles; 1) naturalist position on fauna tours, assisting guides and collecting data, 2) managing wildlife centre 3) data organisation. The roles will be rotated and bad weather days used as data catch up or days off. We are preferably looking for people that have; - A strong interest and education in Marine biology/ecology or other related field- specifically marine mammals and large marine vertebrate - Guiding experience- must be good at communicating with the public and have ability to interpret local and wildlife info to passenger guests - Observation Experience- including use of binoculars and DSLR cameras - Experience on boats- not susceptible to seasickness easily - Ability to work calmly and politely under pressure and in sometimes stressful situations - Ability to learn, be adaptive, hardworking, positive and outgoing as well as have a lot of patience - Willingness to work long hours outdoors, in sometimes unfavourable conditions - Some photo ID and matching experience is desirable - Ability to work well as both a team and an individual - Physical fitness- working on RIBs can be bumpy and are therefore not recommended working platforms for anyone with severe back or knee problems. Accommodation Food and Travel Assistants will be responsible for their own travel costs, and personal expenses but accommodation will be provided throughout the research period. Accommodation is a large static caravan on site at Findhorn Marina. Each assistant will get their own room, however living area, kitchen, bathroom, etc will be communal with the other research assistants. You will be a moments’ walk from the Marina building where most land work will take place. This is an excellent opportunity for an early career biologist or naturalist to gain valuable fieldwork skills, as well as research techniques, on the water experience and public interpretation through guiding. How to Apply: Please email your cv, covering letter specifying any relevant experience and qualifications to Pippa Low (pippa(a)north58.co.uk) . For further information regarding our company please visit www.north58.co.uk Kind Regards, Pippa Low Findhorn Marina +44(0)1309 690099 adventure(a)north58.co.uk

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What is new in cetacean pathology workshop and new article on gas bubble scoring
by Yara Bernaldo de Quirós Miranda 22 Apr '16

22 Apr '16

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to inform you that during this last European Cetacean Society Meeting in Madeira we held a workshop named “What is new in cetacean Pathology”organized by Antonio Fernández ( antonio.fernandez(a)ulpgc.es) This workshop was aimed at using pathology as a tool for cetacean health and conservation. Advances in cetacean pathology including field, laboratory diagnosis, new methodologies, and tools were presented and discussed. This year we have focused on ear and brain methodology and pathology, gas embolism, morbillivirus (detection and pathology), and contaminants. We closed the workshop with case reports for discussion. One of the many methods presented at this workshop was a recent publication to score gas bubbles in carcasses (Bernaldo de Quirós Y, Saavedra P, Møllerløkken A, Brubakk AO, Jørgensen A, González-Díaz O, Martín-Barrasa JL, and Fernández A. Differentiation at necropsy between in vivo gas embolism and putrefaction using a gas score. Research in Veterinary Science 106: 48-55, 2016). Given that the method has recently been published we would like to share with you some of the conclusions of this manuscript: 1) a new easy, fast, and inexpensive method was validated to discriminate between gas bubbles produced by putrefaction and gas embolism, 2) gas bubbles were not introduced in the vascular system if the dissection was properly carried out, 3) none or very few gas bubbles were found in fresh carcasses, 4) post-mortem off gassing in animals that reach surface alive after decompression was not found relevant, 5) the presence of large quantities of gas bubbles in fresh carcasses (code 2) was due to gas embolism. The article is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034528816300522 or you could send pdf requests to ybernaldo(a)becarios.ulpgc.es. We would like to take this chance to thank the more than 40 participants of over 10 countries that made this workshop possible. We look forward for your participation in the next workshop. Kind regards, Prof. Antonio Fernández Yara Bernaldo de Quirós

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Summer Internship available, Galveston Bay Texas
by Kristi F 21 Apr '16

21 Apr '16

SUMMER RESEARCH INTERNSHIP Galveston Bay Bottlenose Dolphin Research and Conservation Program The Environmental Institute of Houston is seeking a dedicated intern to assist with collection, entry and analysis of bottlenose dolphin population and health data in Galveston Bay, Texas. The position will entail a combination of field and office work during mid-May - July 2016 (start and end dates may be flexible to accommodate school schedules). Previous marine mammal field and photo-identification experience is highly desirable. INTERN PAY: $1,200 per month Education requirements: Undergraduate degree in marine/wildlife/conservation biology, ecology, or similar field. The qualified candidate must: - Commit to a full time Monday through Friday work schedule and maintain flexibility for potentially long field days. - Have the ability to carefully follow instructions, work independently on sometimes tedious tasks and pay close attention to detail. - Have the ability to work long field days on a small boat in Texas heat, often in inclement or challenging conditions. - Be experienced and comfortable using word, data and image processing software including Microsoft Office and Adobe products. - Provide two references (from a faculty member, advisor or employer). - Provide own lodging and transportation for office located in the Clear Lake area of Houston, TX. - Pass a background check, and have the ability to work within the United States SUBMIT LETTER OF INTEREST, CV and REFERENCES TO Kristi Fazioli at fazioli(a)uhcl.edu

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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Marine Mammal Biologist (grant-funded, hourly), Florida
by Reinert, Tom 21 Apr '16

21 Apr '16

JOB OPPORTUNITY Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute TITLE: OPS Biological Scientist II POSITION #: 77907558 LOCATION: Port Charlotte, FL ANTICIPATED START DATE: June 1, 2016 RATE OF PAY: $17.00/hour, 40 hours/week FUNDING: This position is grant-funded. Funding for this position is guaranteed through 2020 and may extend into 2021. Subsequent employment will be contingent on requesting/receiving additional funding. DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: 60% Fielding calls from FWC Law Enforcement, other agencies, and the general public regarding marine mammals (sirenians and cetaceans); verification of mortalities and distressed marine mammals potentially in need of rescue; recovery and transportation of marine mammal carcasses to the Charlotte Harbor Field Lab (Port Charlotte) or the Marine Mammal Patholobiology Lab (MMPL) for necropsy; coordination of marine mammal rescues, triage, and transportation to appropriate facility; leading field necropsies; vehicle, trailer and boat maintenance; data entry using software such as ArcGIS, Excel, Access and Word; completing paperwork including time sheets, necropsy reports, and Level A,B and C data for cetaceans. Responsible for carcass disposal and cleaning of equipment and instruments. Assist with marine mammal response, rescue and capture operations along Florida's Gulf Coast, as needed. Work holidays in rotation with other staff members for the purpose of responding to marine mammal emergencies as needed or assigned. Responds to marine mammal standings outside of normal work schedule and area as needed or assigned. 20% Manage cetacean stranding data and entry into NOAA/NMFS stranding database (WebHealth Map), completes routine uploads to data portal; train and manage Florida Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers, manage marine mammal sample tracking, dissemination and compilation of results, specifically histology, cause of death determinations, Human Interaction (HI) and HI gear; manage photo-ID data and image uploads to GOMDIS; assist with marine mammal HI data collection and manatee HI gear analysis. Responsible for cetacean data requests. 20% Responsible for assisting with NFWF award administration including assisting with quarterly and annual grant reports, quarterly budget requests, and purchasing of grant-funded equipment. General cleaning of office and equipment. Attend trainings, seminars and meetings, and other tasks assigned by supervisor. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or lab research program PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Two or more years of marine mammal stranding-response experience. Previously obtained boat and trailer operation certifications and/or the demonstrated ability to safely operate and trailer boats up to 24 feet in length. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: Marine Mammal Protection Act and NOAA/NMFS stranding protocols; methods of data collection; principles and techniques of research and analysis; marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques; SLR digital cameras, filters, and lenses. Skills: Familiarity with database, spreadsheet, word processing, and graphics software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint; use of scientific biomedical field equipment such as portable ultrasound, PIT tags, venipuncture kits, and biopsy equipment. Familiarity with capture, handling, and transport of marine mammals. Abilities to: perform daily manual labor requiring handling of heavy and sharp objects and working under unpleasant conditions; function independently and as a team; perform strenuous duties and lift at least 75 lbs; be able to swim sufficiently to save oneself in an emergency; write reports and scientific manuscripts; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; safely operate vehicles, trailers and boats up to 24'; possess or acquire certification of completion of FWRI's trailering evaluation and a boater safety course within the probationary period; speak effectively to the public. The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view. Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Comptroller's rules and FWC's invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures. Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines. The Commission expects employees to function across FWC's organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed. WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee. WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? * State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan* - mandatory * Workers' Compensation - mandatory * Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory * Participation in state group insurance (upon availability and you must meet eligibility requirements) * Deferred Compensation - voluntary * Employee Assistance Program - voluntary APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please submit a current resume, three references, and a cover letter along with your State of Florida Employment Application in People First, as an attachment. http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com<http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/> Direct job posting link: https://jobs.myflorida.com/viewjob.html;jsessionid=F35E6AA85E3993EBEC289597… Applicants are required to submit a complete, up-to-date, State of Florida Employment Application Form electronically in People First (http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com<http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/>) or faxed to 1-888-403-2110 by the closing date listed. Resumes and supporting documentation may be submitted in People First, but do not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida Employment Application Form. If you experience technical difficulties during the application process or when attaching documents, call People First staffing at 1-877-562-7287. If unable to attach supporting documents to your application, they may be faxed to the People First Service Center at 1-888-403-2110. Be sure to include the Requisition number for the position to which you are applying on each page of your faxed documents. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. An Employment Eligibility Verification Check will be conducted in the E-Verify System which is a federal government electronic database that confirms the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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Announcement: [PRACTICAL INTENSIVE CETACEANS COURSE] - Madeira Island
by Filipe Alves 21 Apr '16

21 Apr '16

Dear collegues, Following the success of the special edition that took place during the 30th ECS in Madeira, we are pleased to announce that there are still places available for the 7-days Practical Intensive Course on Cetaceans, in Madeira Island (Portugal), for the next editions: 13-20th May and 5-12th September 2016. INCLUDES:five lectures, six pelagic trips , a visit to the Whale Museum, a look-out post experience, plus a full land tour, insurance and certificate. TARGET PARTICPANTS:undergraduate / recente graduated students and naturalists. ORGANIZED BY:Ventura | nature emotions, in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Envirnomental Research (CIIMAR-Madeira) and the Madeira Whale Museum, with the participation of Madeira's Regional Agency for the Development of Research Technology and Inovation (ARDITI) and the Oceanic Observatorium of Madeira (OOM).Lectures will be given by researchers with experience on the field, and the pelagic trips guided by an experienced tour leader. GOALS:to provide the participants the chance to learn more about the marine life in general, covering aspects of the biology, species identification, and standard research techniques applied to the study of whales and dolphins, as well as of other associated megafauna inhabiting the Madeiran waters such as sea birds, turtles and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. To provide the participants an intensive sea life watching experience during the week, covering: data collection (visual and photographic data) and the chance to discuss real life difficulties in data collection and species identification; adequate approaching procedures / best practices when near the animals; and ‘reading’ animals signs of stress.PRICE:580€ (early registration for the September edition: 480€, untill 31st May). 10% discount for students. INFORMATION and BOOKING:please contact the responsibles for the course: Luís Dias / Filipe Alves at ventura(a)venturadomar.com with the subject 'Whales & Dolphins Practical Course'.A brochure with more details is available upon request. Best regards, Filipe Alves Marine biologist, PhDCIIMAR-Madeirahttp://home.ciimarmadeira.org/index.php?page=filipealvesfi… Ventura | nature emotionshttp://www.venturadomar.com/team

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