October 2017 - MARMAM - devlists.uvic.ca

Publication of NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS‐OPR‐57, 2015 Vessel Activity in the Arctic
by Jeff Adams - NOAA Federal 19 Oct '17

19 Oct '17

NOAA Fisheries has published Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-57, 2015 Vessel Activity in the Arctic. The Technical Memorandum is posted on the following web page: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/publications/techmemos.htm. This work is also the subject of a poster that will be presented at the Society for Marine Mammalogy 2017 Biennial Conference in Halifax on Monday, 23 October from 13:30-15:00 and Tuesday, 24 October from 17:15-18:45 in Bay 10.3. If you have any difficulties accessing the Technical Memorandum, please contact Jeffrey Adams at Jeff.Adams(a)noaa.gov. -- Jeffrey D. Adams National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources 1315 East West Hwy, Building SSMC3 Silver Spring, MD 20910 phone: (301) 427-8434 fax: (301) 713-0376

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International Veterinary In-Residence program at The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, California, USA)
by Claire Simeone 19 Oct '17

19 Oct '17

INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM AT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER (SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, USA) The Marine Mammal Center International Veterinary In-Residence (IVIR) training program provides marine mammal veterinarians across the globe an opportunity to gain experience in marine mammal medicine and rehabilitation. It is expected that successful applicants will return to their pre-existing programs prepared to implement training programs of their own. This position requires a DVM degree or equivalent. Preference will be given to veterinarians that are currently employed with a marine mammal rehabilitation program or non-profit equivalent. This is an unpaid position, but a small stipend is available for food. Airfare to San Francisco, California, as well as shared housing at the TMMC Guest House located within the Marin Headlands, will be provided as part of the program. The house is shared during the busy season with other students, researchers, externs and the veterinary intern. This position is available during the busy season for up to three months at a time, between March and September. The applicant is responsible for completing all required visa paperwork, and is required to have an international driver’s license. Strong written and spoken English is a requirement. The Marine Mammal Center veterinary staff includes full and part time veterinarians, three veterinary technicians, a medical technologist and research staff. Goals of the program include assisting the veterinary medical staff in providing medical management of a large number of stranded marine mammals (mostly pinnipeds); performing post mortem examinations, sample collection for various research projects, and record keeping. Collaborative research is highly valued at TMMC, and development of a research project and scientific publication, either clinical or using retrospective necropsy data, is highly encouraged. Past IVIRs have attended international conferences, scientific workshops, or visited other collaborative partners. Opportunities for additional professional development will be supported as they arise. If qualified, applicants should submit the following materials through the Recruiterbox<https://tmmc.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0f2q6> website (https://tmmc.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0f2q6) 1 A current curriculum vitae, limited to 4 pages. 2 Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic and/or clinical performance. An email address will be provided for references once applicant has submitted application. 3 Written responses to the following questions: 1 Why are you the best candidate for our next Veterinarian In-Residence? 2 Please describe in detail the experience you have as a clinician (any species). 3 Please describe in detail your experience working with marine mammals. Describe experience with both live and dead marine mammals, in the wild and/or in captive care. 4 Please describe in detail any research experience you have. 5 Please describe current marine mammal stranding response in your country. 6 How do you hope the IVIR program will help you to achieve your future goals? What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? Applications are due by Friday, November 24th, 2017. A selection will be made in the beginning of January 2018. www.marinemammalcenter.org<http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/> More information about the IVIR program can be found here: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science/ivir/

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Seeking video clips of marine mammals breaching
by Biedron, Ingrid 19 Oct '17

19 Oct '17

Oceana is seeking video clips of marine mammals breaching, and we're having trouble finding video clips in a moderate price range. We are looking for clips that owners are willing to share or license and would be willing to license the clips from owners of the material for this specific use. The footage would be used for a 30-second, unbranded video to celebrate the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Here's what our videographer is seeking: * Hi-definition 16 X 9 shots of marine mammals jumping out of the water, preferably with a tight or medium framing. * Ideally a variety: dolphins, whales, seals, sea lions, etc. If you have footage you're willing to license to Oceana for this video, please contact Patrick Mustain (pmustain(a)oceana.org<mailto:pmustain@oceana.org>). Thank you, Ingrid Ingrid Biedron, Ph.D. | Marine Scientist and Campaign Manager [Description: Description: Description: pastedGraphic.png] 1350 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036 DC Office +1.202.467.1962 | Mobile +1.202.294.4364 | F +1.202.833.3900 E ibiedron(a)oceana.org<mailto:ibiedron@oceana.org>| W www.oceana.org<http://www.oceana.org/>

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Cetacean blubber/ muscle shearing in context of intramuscular tags - new paper
by Michael Moore 19 Oct '17

19 Oct '17

Colleagues - There is a new paper in JEB at: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/220/20/3717 Moore MJ, Zerbini AN (2017) Dolphin blubber/axial muscle shear: implications for rigid transdermal intramuscular tracking tag trauma in whales. The Journal of Experimental Biology 220:3717-3723 Abstract Whale tracking tags often penetrate semi-rigid blubber, with intramuscular sharp tips and toggling barbs under the subdermal sheath to reduce premature shedding. Tag sites can show persistent regional swellings or depressions. Fibroelastic blubber grips a tag, so if muscle shears relative to blubber during locomotion, the tag tip could cavitate the muscle within overall shearing distance. We modeled shearing of blubber relative to muscle, within the dorsal-ventral peduncular movement range of four common dolphin (/Delphinus delphis/) cadavers (mean length 186 cm). The net change in angle and hence tip distance moved was calculated with dorsal and ventral flexion, and compared between 1.5 mm diameter needles inserted into blubber only and through blubber into muscle. The greatest shearing value was 3.6 cm, and shearing was most pronounced in the areas ventral and caudal to the dorsal fin. Scaled dummy tags were also inserted and the animal cyclically flexed dorsally and ventrally for 18 h. Tag sites were dissected and cavities around the tag tips documented. If this shearing is comparable in large whales, depressions and regional swellings observed with intramuscular tracking tags are likely the result of tissue loss and repair, respectively. Placing tags para-sagittally anterior to the dorsal fin would cause the least trauma, but pain from such tags remains a concern. Michael Moore mmoore(a)whoi.edu

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New publication on more evidences of decompression sickness in cetaceans
by Yara Bernaldo de Quirós Miranda 19 Oct '17

19 Oct '17

Dear Colleagues, We are glad to announce a new publication on acute severe DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS in a marine mammal (*Grampus griseus*), but this time linked to a natural cause: a stressful interaction with a squid during hunting The article is freely available from: *www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-14038-z <http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-14038-z>* ABSTRACT Diving air-breathing vertebrates have long been considered protected against decompression sickness (DCS) through anatomical, physiological, and behavioural adaptations. However, an acute systemic gas and fat embolic syndrome similar to DCS in human divers was described in beaked whales that stranded in temporal and spatial association with military exercises involving high-powered sonar. More recently, DCS has been diagnosed in bycaught sea turtles. Both cases were linked to human activities. Two Risso´s dolphin (*Grampus griseus*) out of 493 necropsied cetaceans stranded in the Canary Islands in a 16-year period (2000-2015), had a severe acute decompression sickness supported by pathological findings and gas analysis. Deadly systemic, inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic diseases, ship collision, military sonar, fisheries interaction or other type of lethal inducing associated trauma were ruled out. Struggling with a squid during hunting is discussed as the most likely cause of DCS. Regards, Prof. Antonio Fernández PhD Yara Bernaldo de Quirós

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Marine Fauna Volunteer Position, New Zealand
by Krista Rankmore 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

*Marine Fauna Volunteer Position, New Zealand* A volunteer is required to assist with an ongoing study investigating the site fidelity and movement of marine fauna in New Zealand. There are three components to this study: 1) fieldwork conducting cetacean photo-identification, 2) laboratory work conducting necropsys on marine turtles, 3) desktop research including data entry and photo-identification of leopard seals. This project is part of the ongoing research for the Hauraki Gulf Cetacean Project under the Coastal-Marine Research Group (C-MRG) at Massey University, Auckland and for the Marine Megafauna Group at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington. DATES: While the field season runs year-round, currently volunteers are needed from November 2017 – April 2018. A minimum commitment of three months is required and priority will be given to those who can commit for longer periods. LOCATION: Auckland, New Zealand *Component 1: Fieldwork conducting cetacean photo-identification * The fieldwork component involves conducting field surveys, primarily collecting photo identification on common dolphins, Bryde’s whales, bottlenose dolphins and killer whales. The successful applicant will gain valuable experience in conducting marine mammal field research, identifying individuals based on dorsal fin characteristics, and the use of databases for archiving field data. Field work is physically and at times mentally demanding but it is a great opportunity to gain knowledge in visual cetacean surveying, to get hands-on field experience in relation to survey techniques, photo-identification, behavioural observations, and improve practical skills (data analysis, photo-identification). Fieldwork is weather dependent and can vary between weekdays and weekends. Surveys will be conducted from a 20m whale and dolphin watching vessel. *Component 2: Laboratory work conducting necropsys on green turtles* The laboratory component involves examining the biology of marine turtles in New Zealand. Duties include assisting with marine turtle necropsies and general laboratory work as required. Laboratory work focuses primarily on the handling and sampling of marine turtle tissue and diet samples. *Component 3: Desktop based research conducting leopard seal photo-identification* The desktop component involves data entry and sorting photographs to be added into to the New Zealand Leopard seal catalogue. BREAKDOWN OF TIME: Component 1: 20% Component 2: 40% Component 3: 40% As this is a volunteer position, there is unfortunately no monetary compensation or living provisions. The successful candidate should arrange their own accommodation in Auckland, living expenses, travel costs and visa. PREREQUISITES: . Be reliable, adaptable, hardworking and patient as fieldwork is highly weather dependent. This means desktop based research during bad weather and possibly long days in the field when weather permits . Be flexible to the requirements of a multidisciplinary program involving three different research projects . Have a mature and independent attitude towards marine fauna research . Be able to work independently . Speak fluent English . Be sociable, enthusiastic and have a positive attitude . Strong interest in the marine environment and conservation . Participants should be comfortable working on boats QUALIFICATIONS: . The project is well suited to upper level undergrads, recent graduates and graduate students who have some background in biology, marine biology, ecology, zoology or related fields . Basic computer proficiency in MS Office (especially Excel) Preferred qualifications but not required: . Field research including photo-identification experience . Previous experience in survey techniques and especially in marine mammal research . Prior experience working on research vessels . Laboratory experience conducting necropsys APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants should send a short email to krista.hupman(a)niwa.co.nz, using “Marine Fauna volunteer position” as the subject line. The email should include an outline of why you would like to work on this project, the dates when you are available to assist on the project, your qualifications and relevant experience. Please also attach a brief CV including at least one reference acknowledging your relevant experience. Early application is recommended as applications will be examined in order of reception. All the best, Krista Dr. Krista Hupman Cetacean Biologist National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Tel: +64 (0)220 256 290 Email: krista.hupman(a)niwa.co.nz

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new right whale publication
by Mark Baumgartner 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

Dear Colleagues, The following paper was recently published in Marine Ecology Progress Series as an open access article accessible here: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v581/p165-181/ <http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v581/p165-181/>. For those of you attending the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s 22nd Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in Halifax next week, I will be presenting this work as part of poster session A (Bay 24.1). North Atlantic right whale foraging ecology and its role in human-caused mortality Mark F. Baumgartner, Frederick W. Wenzel, Nadine S. J. Lysiak, and Melissa R. Patrician Endangered North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis suffer from unacceptably high rates of ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements, but little is known of the role that diving and foraging behavior plays in mediating human-caused mortality. We conducted a study of right whale foraging ecology by attaching tags to whales for short periods of time (hours), tracking their movements during daytime, and repeatedly sampling oceanographic conditions and prey distribution along the whales’ tracks. Right whales were tagged from late winter to late fall in 6 regions of the Gulf of Maine and southwestern Scotian Shelf from 2000 to 2010. The diving behavior of the tagged whales was governed by the vertical distribution of their primary prey, the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. On average, right whales tagged during spring spent 72% of their time in the upper 10 m (within the draft of most large commercial vessels), indicating the need for expanded ship speed restrictions in western Gulf of Maine springtime habitats. One out of every 4 whales dove to within 5 m of the sea floor during the short time they were tagged, spending as much as 45% of their total tagged time in this depth stratum. Right whales dove to the sea floor in each habitat studied except for one (where only 1 whale was tagged). This relatively high incidence of near-bottom diving raises serious concerns about the continued use of floating ground lines in pot and trap gear in coastal Maine and Canadian waters. Mark Baumgartner Associate Scientist Biology Department Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution MS #33, Redfield 256 Woods Hole, MA 02543 mbaumgartner(a)whoi.edu <mailto:mbaumgartner@whoi.edu> www.whoi.edu/sites/mbaumgartner <http://www.whoi.edu/sites/mbaumgartner> (508)289-2678 phone (508)457-2134 fax

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Job opening, CZS Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
by Katie McHugh 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

*Research Associate, Dolphin Research* The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) is a collaborative partnership dedicated to dolphin research, conservation, and education. It was the first systematic study of bottlenose dolphin ranging patterns, and findings of multi-decadal, multi-generational residency have set the stage for the program to continue and develop into new areas of research. Since 1989, the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) has led the SDRP partnership, providing an administrative home for the long-term program and support for ongoing program operations, including the CZS employees who form the core program staff. Mote Marine Laboratory, where initial research was conducted during 1970-1971, has provided a base of operations on Sarasota Bay and access to laboratory facilities and infrastructure since 1992. The Program Director since the late 1970’s, Dr. Randall Wells, guided the SDRP from a seasonal operation involving teams of volunteers to its current year-round operations with a complement of full and part time staff, who work with graduate students, interns, and volunteers. The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, conducting the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population, now is a pre-eminent international center for research into the biology, behavior, ecology, health, and impacts of human activities on dolphins in Sarasota Bay and elsewhere around the world. http://sarasotadolphin.org The *Research Associate, Dolphin Research* contributes to the success of the Chicago Zoological Society (“CZS”) by performing a variety of dolphin field research and subsequent sample and data analysis and reporting tasks in support of the CZS mission and Conservation Science innovation and leadership. The successful candidate will: ·Assist with dolphin field research, including leading photographic identification survey teams, participating in capture-release projects for health assessments and rescues, and leading biopsy dart sampling. Supervises interns and volunteers as needed. ·Coordinate sampling preparation logistics for dolphin capture-release projects, including organizing and generating sample overviews, procuring and preparing sample collection, archiving, and shipping supplies. ·Coordinate biological sample processing during dolphin health assessments, managing a boat-based veterinary sample processing laboratory, including leading a processing team of 5-8 veterinary technicians and biologists, overseeing processing/labeling/storage/shipping of biological samples in support of projects involving collaborators from around the world. ·Perform advanced-level photo-identification analyses to prepare data for incorporation into long-term dolphin database. ·Enter, double-check, archive and retrieve data, prepare data summaries, reports, and manuscripts, and assist other staff with preparation of publishable manuscripts. ·Prepare proposals for funded research projects, and manage the projects if funded. ·Assist with seasonal field surveys of fish distribution/abundance in Sarasota Bay, Florida. ·Assist with maintenance and repairs on program boats, trailers, and other equipment. ·Other related duties as assigned. The requirements for this position include: ·Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Marine Sciences or related field or eight years of equivalent experience required. ·Photographic experience required. ·Two years of experience leading photographic identification surveys required. ·Ability to trailer boats, including launching and retrieval required. ·Biopsy dart sampling experience with small cetaceans required. ·Computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook, Finbase, ACDSee and ArcView required. ·Two years of experience operating and maintaining boats and associated equipment required. ·USCGA Safe Boating certificate, or equivalent, required within first three months of employment. ·Must be a proficient swimmer. ·Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. ·A valid driver’s license is required on date of hire. If a Florida resident, must possess a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of hire or must obtain one within 30 days of hire. A valid out-of-state driver’s license is required at time of hire if the employee is an out-of-state resident. The preferred qualifications include: ·Experience with veterinary sampling techniques and sample processing preferred. ·Current certifications in CPR and First Aid preferred. ·Experience conducting quantitative fisheries surveys using purse seines preferred. ·Familiarity with hand and power tools and fiber-glassing for equipment maintenance preferred. ·Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus. The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at www.czs.org/careers <http://www.czs.org/careers>. Please look for requisition *1505BR*. -- ************************************ Katherine McHugh Staff Scientist Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Chicago Zoological Society c/o Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4441 x450 office (650) 400-2776 cell kmchugh(a)mote.org ************************************

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New paper on tracking North Atlantic right whale distributions with PAM
by Genevieve Davis 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

Dear All, We are pleased to announce the publication of our new article in Scientific Reports: Davis, G. E., Baumgartner, M. F., Bonnell, J. M., Bell, J., Berchok, C., Bort Thornton, J., Brault, S., Buchanan, G., Charif, R. A., Cholewiak, D., Clark, C. W., Corkeron, P., Delarue, J., Dudzinski, K., Hatch, L., Hildebrand, J., Hodge, L., Klinck, H., Kraus, S., Martin, B., Mellinger, D. K., Moors-Murphy, H., Nieukirk, S., Nowacek, D. P., Parks, S., Read, A. J., Rice, A. N., Risch, D., Širović, A., Soldevilla, M., Stafford, K., Stanistreet, J. E., Summers, E., Todd, S., Warde, A., Van Parijs, S. M. 2017. Long-term passive acoustic recordings track the changing distribution of North Atlantic right whales (*Eubalaena glacialis*) from 2004 to 2014. Scientific Reports 7: 13460. DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-13359-3 Abstract: Given new distribution patterns of the endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW; *Eubalaena glacialis*) population in recent years, an improved understanding of spatio-temporal movements are imperative for the conservation of this species. While so far visual data have provided most information on NARW movements, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was used in this study in order to better capture year-round NARW presence. This project used PAM data from 2004 to 2014 collected by 19 organizations throughout the western North Atlantic Ocean. Overall, data from 324 recorders (35,600 days) were processed and analyzed using a classification and detection system. Results highlight almost year-round habitat use of the western North Atlantic Ocean, with a decrease in detections in waters off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in summer and fall. Data collected post 2010 showed an increased NARW presence in the mid-Atlantic region and a simultaneous decrease in the northern Gulf of Maine. In addition, NARWs were widely distributed across most regions throughout winter months. This study demonstrates that a large-scale analysis of PAM data provides significant value to understanding and tracking shifts in large whale movements over long time scales. The full article is available online at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-13359-3 Please direct any questions to: genevieve.davis(a)noaa.gov Cheers, *Genevieve Davis* *Northeast Fisheries Science Center166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 * *genevieve.davis(a)noaa.gov <genevieve.davis(a)noaa.gov>* *phone: 508-495-2325* *website: * nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/acoustics <http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/acoustics/index.html> *NOAA Outreach and Education on Protected Species: nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/NOEPS <http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/NOEPS/index.html>*

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Job opportunity: Director of Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
by Alexander Costidis 18 Oct '17

18 Oct '17

We would like to bring this opportunity to the attention of the Marmam community. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, VA, USA is currently searching for a new leader to guide its operations and conservation mission. The Aquarium’s mission is to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research and sustainable practices. Information about this dynamic leadership opportunity and the application process can be found at the following link. https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/human-resources/Employment-VBG… Alexander M. Costidis, Ph.D. Stranding Response Coordinator Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Email: acostidi(a)virginiaaquarium.com<mailto:acostidi@virginiaaquarium.com> Office phone: 757.385.6482 Stranding hotline: 757.385.7575 Evening hotline: 757.385.7576

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